Why Did Alan Wake Remove David Bowie’s Space Oddity from its Iconic Soundtrack?

On September 10, 2024, Remedy Entertainment updated the original Alan Wake to remove David Bowie’s legendary track Space Oddity from its soundtrack. The song has been a key element of the game’s ending, playing during the closing credits and leaving a haunting final impression on players.

This decision was a result of licensing changes, which have forced developer Remedy Entertainment to replace the song in all PC versions of the game. Instead of Bowie’s melancholic space ballad, an original song titled Strange Moons by composer Petri Alanko will take its place.

The update, which was sent out on September 10, 2024, affects the 2010 version of Alan Wake on PC platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG. Consoles and Remastered versions will remain unaffected.

🛠️ Alan Wake (2010) will receive an update on September 10th at 11am UTC. The update will be to all PC versions (Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG).

This update removes the song Space Oddity from the game due to changes in licensing, and replaces it with a new original song by Petri… pic.twitter.com/Eem40e6vRd

— Alan Wake 2 (@alanwake) September 5, 2024

The decision to remove Space Oddity is from the licensing agreements required to use copyrighted music in media. Expiring licenses force developers to either renegotiate or replace the song. In this case, Remedy chose the latter. And fans have some thoughts about it.

wow this genuinely sucks! yall really couldn’t shell out the money to renew the licensing or atleast make a separate version to not affect what people have already bought? game preservation is important. major L

— william 𝘫𝘰yce enjoyer (@drwilliamjoyce) September 5, 2024

Space Oddity’s removal is especially bittersweet for longtime fans of the game. The song played during the credits of the original game and resonated thematically with the storyline. The melancholy track, which tells the story of an astronaut drifting away from Earth, mirrors the protagonist Alan Wake’s own sense of isolation and descent into darkness.

This is not the first time Alan Wake has faced challenges with music licensing. Back in 2017, the game was removed from digital storefronts altogether because of similar licensing issues. After a year of negotiations, it returned in 2018 with some tracks restored.

Music licensing issues aren’t unique to Alan Wake. They often complicate the preservation of video game history. Unlike films, where soundtracks remain largely intact across decades, video games are subject to different rules. Changes in licensing can lead to changes that sometimes cause essential elements like music to be removed or replaced.

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Remedy has not provided specific reasons for why the song remains in the remaster but is being removed from the original. A plausible explanation is that the newer remastered edition holds a longer licensing agreement, making its removal unnecessary at this point.

Remedy’s approach to this licensing challenge is pragmatic. The alternative would have been to remove the game from sale altogether or negotiate expensive renewals. By opting for an original composition, Remedy sidesteps these issues, allowing Alan Wake to live on in its current form.

Fans continue to argue that games should be preserved in their original form, without alterations to their soundtrack, much like how films are treated. Remedy’s proactive stance on this matter, while not ideal for all, is a preservation tactic that ensures the game’s longevity.

What do you think? Are you looking forward to hearing the new track? Let us know in the comments!