October 25 marks the release of Alone in the Dark, a twisted reimagining of the game that gave birth to the survival horror genre. To bring their new, nightmarish vision to life with the ferocity it deserves, Pieces Interactive turned to two modern greats in David Harbour and Jodie Comer to play their dual protagonists. As Detective Edward Carnby and Emily Hartwood, David and Jodie brought the same intensity to their first ever video game roles as they have to some of their best known appearances across stage and screen.
No matter which character you choose at the beginning of Alone in the Dark, you’ll experience the whole adventure through an unforgettable performance from one of Hollywood’s most talented actors. While both characters go through the same events, Emily and Edward will react differently to their environment, and each have unique story moments. They both possess strong, individual personalities and histories, and Derceto Manor’s residents will treat them accordingly – playing the game through twice is a must.
David brings his unmistakable presence to his portrayal of Edward, with Xbox’s next-generation hardware capturing every brooding expression and dark glare. In making the role his own, David also injected a distinct humour into the troubled detective’s attempts to ward off the horrors that lurk in Derceto Manor. Alone in the Dark’s classic noir genre trappings and disturbing setting attracted David to the role:
“He’s a gruff detective, and he’s searching for something – he’s hard-boiled, but he’s got some humour to him. He’ s a bit of a trope, or a type, and I liked that – I liked the world, and how he’s exploring this insanity, amidst all this horror.”
Jodie’s ability to become totally absorbed in her roles has rightfully netted her Olivier, BAFTA, and Emmy awards, and she brings that same tour de force power to becoming Emily Hartwood. From her quiet fear of the Hartwood family curse consuming her, to explosive desperation in the pursuit of her missing uncle Jeremy, Jodie’s nuanced characterisation of Emily is at once terrifying and heartbreaking.
“I loved the mystery of the game, I loved the picture of her. There’s a lot of fear within her, and a lot of speculation, and curiosity, dread, intrigue. There’s a lot about her that’s kind of on edge.”
Awakening Alone in the Dark‘s long-dormant terror meant assembling a crack team of horror gaming’s best, and this started with Creative Director and Writer Mikael Hedberg, the mind behind the macabre worlds of Amnesia and SOMA. Joined by long-time Guillermo Del Toro collaborator Guy Davis – contributing creature designs – and doom-jazz legend Jason Köhnen – helping shape the game’s oppressive atmosphere – the team creating Alone in the Dark are dedicated to creating a game that’s at once a faithful recreation for fans and an accessible entry point for players new to the series.
There are still surprises to come between now and October, but you don’t have to wait that long. You can get your first taste of the torment that awaits in Derceto today for free, with the Alone in the Dark Prologue, and pre-order the Digital Deluxe Edition for access to the Derceto 1992 Costume Pack, Vintage Horror Filter Pack, and Director’s Commentary with Mikael Hedberg.