We’re keeping a close eye on a new legal breadcrumb trail that could point to something for Alan Wake. According to Insider Gaming, Remedy Entertainment has filed a fresh trademark for “Alan Wake’s Return.” Take this with a pinch of salt — trademarks don’t always equal new games — but the details in the filing are intriguing enough that we wanted to break them down for you.
What Was Reported
Insider Gaming reports that the name “Alan Wake’s Return” was previously trademarked by the studio back in 2016, and that trademark expired “earlier this month” before returning as a new entry. The outlet says the studio received a notification to renew the trademark in 2025, and instead of renewing the old filing, Remedy allowed it to lapse and filed a brand-new trademark.
The fresh filing — which Insider Gaming refers to as the 2026 Alan Wake’s Return trademark — contains some concrete changes to the trademark classes. The notable class changes called out are:
- Class 028 (toys) has been replaced by Class 016 (printed material) and Class 025 (clothing).
- Class 041 has been retained for multimedia services.
- Class 09 allegedly now “covers far more details,” per the reporting.
Insider Gaming also reminds readers that back in 2016 Sam Lake publicly confirmed that the earlier “Alan Wake’s Return” filing was not for an actual standalone project but for an in-game video series within Quantum Break. The new filing’s timing is noteworthy because Remedy reportedly entered a partnership with Annapurna to bring Alan Wake and Control to the film screens, which could intersect with the updated classes.
The Source & Credibility
We’re relying on Insider Gaming for the filing details and the historical context. Their write-up highlights the change in filing classes, the 2016 precedent, the renewal notice in 2025, and the connection to Remedy’s partnership with Annapurna. As always, trademark filings are public legal instruments, but they are often used defensively or to cover multiple possible uses.
Keep in mind that in 2016 Sam Lake clarified the earlier filing was not for a new standalone title but for a video series inside Quantum Break. That statement remains part of the record and makes us cautious about reading too much into a name-based trademark alone.
What It Could Mean
There are a few distinct readings of the new filing, and we’re playing them out while staying skeptical:
Merchandising Or Printed Material
The swap from Class 028 (toys) to Class 016 (printed material) and Class 025 (clothing) points squarely at physical goods — books, comics, shirts, or other apparel. If true, this could be a push to protect or expand the franchise’s physical catalogue rather than a new game.
Multimedia And Film Possibility
Because Class 041 continues to cover multimedia services and Class 09 reportedly covers more ground, the filing could be preserving options for audiovisual works. That meshes with the reported Remedy–Annapurna partnership to bring Alan Wake and Control to film screens, but we can’t say for certain the filing directly corresponds to that project.
Game Possibility — Still On The Table
There’s almost an equal chance this is signalling a game-related plan, but trademark entries alone don’t prove an active game in development. Given the 2016 precedent where a trademark was used to protect in-universe content for Quantum Break, we must be cautious before assuming “Alan Wake’s Return” is a full game announcement.
For context on how trademark chatter can hint at follow-ups or rebrands — and why we treat filings skeptically — see our earlier looks at things like the Wonders Of O trademark and the Killzone remake/remaster rumour.
Why This Matters
If true, the new trademark could signal Remedy intends to protect or expand the Alan Wake brand across printed materials, clothing, and broader multimedia use — not just toys. That would give the studio flexibility for merchandising or audiovisual adaptations linked to the reported Annapurna partnership. Conversely, the historical example of Sam Lake clarifying a past filing reminds us trademarks can also be purely defensive or tied to in-game elements.
We’ll be watching for clarification from Remedy Entertainment or Sam Lake. Until then, take this as an interesting legal manoeuvre that could mean several different things: merch, multimedia ties, or something bigger. Allegedly. If anything concrete emerges, we’ll report it.
