For the upcoming Xbox Live Arcade title Alan Wake's American Nightmare, Remedy Entertainment is taking what its developers say is a different direction for the fiction writer. Whereas the first game was reminiscent of a psychological thriller, this arcade follow-up puts a heavier emphasis on action.

"Alan Wake is like Stephen King and Lost whereas American Nightmare is more Quentin Tarantino and From Dusk Till Dawn," says Sam Lake, the game's creative director.

Check out the diary past the jump and you'll see what he means. If you were hoping Alan Wake would include a Resident Evil Mercenaries Mode-esque side mission, looks like this might be the answer to your prayers. Don't let the trendy European spokesmen distract you from what's happening in the background of this dev diary, either.