Weapons of Mass PO!
Added 2018-08-05 08:10:35 +0000 UTC
Dear Insane Children,
Inmate Alyssa asked in the comment section of the previous post about weapons - and I told her she was going to LOVE the next post. And, hey, that's THIS post! So... get ready because... incoming!!!
Joey's been working on a series of weapon designs per our "toys as weapons" design direction. Her designs combine elements of what we've seen in the past two games with several new and original ideas. The result is a toy chest full of things that go BOOM (or PO!) in the best way!
The Jack Bomb (image at top) will be familiar to all who played the first two Alice games. At this point it's probably a requirement that we include it in future Alice games. And not just because it's visually appealing, fun to use, and deadly - but it's also overloaded with functionality. I like when our weapons are also tools - and the Jack Bomb has proven itself capable in both categories.

Next up is the flamingo - another concept we're familiar with. As for the design implementation this time around - I think it would nice to see (as we've seen before) the option for a ranged and melee attack. Might also be fun to give the weapon a bit more character - perhaps it can be made to squawk and drive away easily frightened enemies? Could it carry Alice through the air - either gliding or rising up into the air? What other uses can you think of for the flamingo?

Next up is an idea similar to the Demon Dice in the original Alice game. I have to admit that was NOT my favorite weapon - the idea that your own weapon might attack and damage you... Yeah, not sure what I was thinking when we came up with that one. But we shouldn't throw the dice out with the dumb demons. Joey's new presentation of the idea suggests using the random nature of the dice to randomly summon a variety of attacks. It's one of those ideas which sounds good on paper but in the heat of a battle... Well, what do you think?

What's not to like about a turned off / turned on toad? Beyond the offensive and defensive concepts presented here I can also imagine using the Toad Top as a lasso - perhaps to swing across chasms or grapple objects at a distance. There are some proper Spinning Top Ninjas to be found in the parks around Shanghai - anyone seen anything similar in other parts of the world?
And last but not least...

One of these days Alice, POW, ZOOM, straight to the moon! Perhaps this shouldn't be a pistol but a rifle and we call it the Ralph-el? Ahem... I'll show myself out.
I used to have a semi-thought regarding Alice and guns. It's been a long time but I feel like I wasn't the biggest fan of her using anything which looked like a conventional gun-type weapon. Not because I have anything in particular against guns (the cause for some lengthy debates with some of my friends) but that guns seem to lack imagination. One of the primary motivations for my originally wanting to design a game around the Alice universe was that I was tired of guns in games. Four years of BFG's, gibs, and non-stop death-match at id Software did that to me.
Seems this "gun" is sufficiently creative we could let it pass. What do you think?
As usual leave your feedback in the comments below. If you have a specific question you want read during the next livestream please mark it as "QUESTION: " so Martin doesn't struggle trying to find it among all the other bits of text.
Housekeeping Notes
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I look forward to your feedback and QUESTIONS: in the comments below. And I hope you're all having a wonderful weekend! I spent all day today (Sunday) packing those boxes but it's the sort of work that leaves me feeling thankful for having the opportunity to do it. Your trust, support, and contributions to our efforts here always fill me with gratitude and wonder :)
From Shanghai with Love,
-American
Joey is really genial, these weapons are really awesome, especially the flamingo and the frog ones!
2021-04-11 10:39:50 +0000 UTC
Dreidl is kind of the same spinning stuff: <a href="https://cdn.history.com/sites/2/2013/12/hanukkah-dreidel-P.jpeg" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://cdn.history.com/sites/2/2013/12/hanukkah-dreidel-P.jpeg</a>
sumblinker
2018-08-30 10:46:52 +0000 UTC
Yeah, bring back the toys. I missed them from Madness Returns. The frog and flamingo weapons are great references and nice ideas too. Yesterday I finished the first game. After a thousand times. And I just realized my favorite weapons are the ice wand and the jack in the box. Jabberwock's eye was also cool - a bit of railgun feeling with meteor shower. Yikes!
sumblinker
2018-08-28 10:54:33 +0000 UTC
I love that you want to bring the flamingo back!!! That was always a favorite of mine. Another use for it besides gliding could be...it could "squawk" when Alice is close to something secret in the game...or maybe it could help guide alice through water somehow..hmmm
2018-08-11 23:37:46 +0000 UTC
Thankyou Martin for reading the above question..... more detail..... Yes, range is good ^_^ I mean, the blade is fine for smaller enemies, but range for bigger ones is super helpful for not being killed immediately ^_^ especially if you can find a sheltered place to shoot from but still have some cover (we had Madness Returns for console, which came with downloadable AMA, but I couldn't get very far with AMA, so don't know much about those weapons other than watching other people play)
Catheryn Alice North
2018-08-10 08:17:48 +0000 UTC
Hi ๐
2018-08-09 07:17:13 +0000 UTC
Pretty dress very!๐๐
2018-08-09 07:14:03 +0000 UTC
My heart ๐๐ช
2018-08-09 07:13:26 +0000 UTC
All the weapons looking great! Looking foward to more arsenal!
SUGGESTION: For the dice, we could have the randomly rolled number summon a variety toys as attack based on the number. But rather than just one type for each number, we can have more. So each number will have three different attacks that can be summoned. For examples, 3 will summon marbles, letter building blocks or jacks in a set of three. 1 will summon rocking horse, rubber ducky or noise maker/maracas in a set of one. 6 will summon a train, rainbow stacking ring toy, or a doll family in a set of six. And so on for the other numbers.
Speaking of spintop snipers, I recommend everyone check this video out by Kuma Films: <a href="https://youtu.be/sLYazynm_1M" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/sLYazynm_1M</a>
2018-08-08 23:59:05 +0000 UTC
The Jack in the Box
2018-08-08 22:51:10 +0000 UTC
I love the weapon it's very nice I hope it makes a creepy laugh when it explodes
2018-08-08 22:42:44 +0000 UTC
OK lots to work with here...
I like the Jack-in-a-box bomb but the idea isn't all that original.
The flamingo hammer looks good but again I'd imagine it'll work like the hobby horse in AMR. I think there needs to be some deviations made.
The dice isn't that interesting and I can see the trail and error aspect of it getting annoying
The frog whip doesn't seem to fit the toy theme.
QUESTION: could you make it into a skipping rope, like in the beta trailers? That looked awesome.
Now the gun... The design as it is is not that appealing to me. However why not make it like a cork gun (you might need to google it) that would make it more toy like.
That's all I can think of for now
Say hi to Lulu for me
See you at stream
2018-08-08 18:54:22 +0000 UTC
How very! I like the idea of the Whipping Tops, it reminds me of the scrapped A: MR weapon, the Fire Whip.
2018-08-08 18:20:55 +0000 UTC
Love the weapon designs and ideas! If I had to vote one out, it would also be the spring fist (but I truly LIKE the design of it). A wide choice of weapons is always nice to have and makes replayability more attracting. For the Cup Dice it may be interesting to let some glass (marbles) out the box, that makes enemies slipper and fall on their back, making them stunned for some seconds...
2018-08-08 09:56:05 +0000 UTC
Very ๐
2018-08-08 09:03:48 +0000 UTC
Awesome!๐๐ช
2018-08-08 09:03:36 +0000 UTC
Wow ๐ฎ๐๐ช
2018-08-08 09:03:23 +0000 UTC
I like the jack in the box and Stuffed Flamingo, especially the Flamingo. But I thought they would be more toy like for some of the weapons, like take a jump rope that could help her swing around or throw enemies into each other. Kinda miss the playing jacks for another toy weapon.
2018-08-07 04:16:44 +0000 UTC
Love all the weapons except the spring fist. Just doesn't seem to go with everything else and I just cant imagine her using it in the game. I really hope it changes to something else more wonderland like.
2018-08-06 16:56:20 +0000 UTC
REALLY like the Stuffed Flamingo and Spring Fist! Looks great!
2018-08-06 13:10:55 +0000 UTC
These are great weapons and I have no reservations about the dice, though damage to self should be limited in some way. Would like to see jacks, as in Alice 1 (although I notice you failed to use them effectively in the live stream). Would like to see flamingo and toad as actual items. The flamingo neck and head should have independent movement, much as they do in the story, and this could act as a handicap, as well as a boon. It also looks as though it could be mounted, like a pogo chocobo
2018-08-06 11:40:25 +0000 UTC
uhh something strange happened to my comment so I send it again (sorry)
Also I hope that SUGGESTION tag is ok, if not Im sorry!
SUGGESTION:
I love the flamingo, on the picture we can see that it...doing something like deafen enemy, so I think that flamingo can have two roles, the bomb effect and weapon, this effect will also deafen enemies, It is like bomb(first pic in the post) and weapon, two in one!
And PLEASE idea with flamingo that can rise Alice in to the air it GREAT! Because its will be a bit sad if there will be just an umbrella like in AMR, its only have flying and protection function
And there comes the flamingo! that is a weapon and umbrella, it's will be the best weapon in game with this function I think
QUESTION:
When we will pass the game we will have opportunity to use all the weapons or we can use some weapon only in current stage?
2018-08-06 11:03:33 +0000 UTC
I am not a fan of the Demon Dice...i would prefer to have some sorta sticky bomb and they should look like the card symbols (clubs, spades, hearts, diamonds)and they would have a different kinda bomb inside...but that's just me i guess XD.
Jessi St.
2018-08-06 10:56:36 +0000 UTC
I get what you're saying about guns, but I really l love this one. It's funny, it's steam punky, edgy and just seems to fit well in the world of Alice. Definitely in the later stages as Joey writes, because it seems a bit too "scary" to use, when she's completely new to the whole fighting thing. It just feels like it requires her to be just a tad more confident when using it.
2018-08-06 08:34:31 +0000 UTC
The Jack in the Box is cool, but I really LOVE the Frog Staff weapon!
2018-08-06 03:30:25 +0000 UTC
I must agree. I'm not the busy bee, but I have time to watch streams only on weekends. The new "question system" makes streams more time consuming, chaotic and less informative in my opinion.
2018-08-06 01:20:26 +0000 UTC
TIL Flamingos use less effort to stand on one leg as they can position themselves in the middle of the leg and balance. #TheMoreYouKnow
2018-08-05 22:25:50 +0000 UTC
I have to say, I'm happy to see Jack in the Box come back, as well as a possible mallet with the Flamingo. One thing I would personally love to see is the Parasol return from AMR. There was something incredibly satisfying about being quick on your toes (fingers) to react with the Parasol and shield or bounce things back at ranged enemies.
2018-08-05 20:41:04 +0000 UTC
QUESTION: Can we get the Flamingo weapon as a real life item to purchase? I really love this one, all the other weapon designs look fantastic as well. The frog top whip one would also be amazing as a collectible item! SUGGESTION: An idea also, maybe for the flamingo weapon it can change to the dodo based on the dress/area she is in and maybe have some slightly different attack options (like how the chaos dress has potentially 2 versions to switch from/to).
Tika
2018-08-05 20:38:28 +0000 UTC
At the age of 13, I expected Alice to fight like Hit Girl. That's why I love the flamingo. In AMA, she seems to be using toys only as the chieftain of insane children. But I assume she'd be more lonely in Asylum.
13 in XIXth century is probably more the age when your parents start thinking of getting you married.
The game would have been so much more violent and crazy if she'd been only 7.
Make Nine Inch Nails great again
2018-08-05 17:43:13 +0000 UTC
I'm loving the weapons that Joey has come up with. The flamingo and jack in the box are my favorites so far. One I'm not so fussed on is the gun, I've always loved the fact that the Alice games didn't have guns in them, and even though it isn't technically a gun, just the of a handle of one, I still think it could be replaced with something more fun. Hand puppets were popular in the Victorian era. Why not replace it with a punch hand puppet with an extendable fist?
2018-08-05 17:30:09 +0000 UTC
ALL this weapons look absolutely incredible! Would love to use all of them!
Really like the idea of the flamingo changing with the levels in the game and the dice giving different attacks as you roll it, like if its a 2 the attack would be minor, but if its a 6 the attack would destroy everything.
And the weapon idea its awesome! Dont feel it looks like a gun, it looks more like a toy and it would be really funny to see the enemies flying really far when they're hit !
QUESTION: would there be weapons based on the world/stage Alice is in? Like a specific weapon that would come with the different dresses?? Or maybe the different dresses have some sort of specific power that could be used as a "weapon" to them?? like the switching in the chaos dress, when she's in chaotic mode she would be more aggressive and stronger , and there could be one that made her invisible to enemies or something like that?
2018-08-05 17:01:18 +0000 UTC
QUESTION: Are you going to keep the butterfly dodge effect from AMR, or will there be something else made in its place? If we still get the lovely butterflies, I'd love to see them change color/shape with every dress. ๐
Destiny Jenson
2018-08-05 16:41:18 +0000 UTC
I love the idea of the flamingo helping Alice though the air. Most of my deaths in AMR were from falling, and that small boost to her airtime could have saved allot of hassle and time!
Destiny Jenson
2018-08-05 16:38:21 +0000 UTC
Love love LOVE the flamingo!!
2018-08-05 16:24:48 +0000 UTC
Idea for a weapon: a hand mirror that you can hold up to an enemy, temporarily causing them to attack other enemies. It would only work on weaker enemies and replace the old dice concept of summoning an enemy that could attack you as well.
Justin Cole
2018-08-05 14:48:20 +0000 UTC
I am very happy haha. I like that all the weapons reflect ama I think that will help slide things through. Not super crazy about the gun (idk y). Always hated the dice, so yeah not sure I how I feel about them being back. As for the flamingo, I still ask my fiancee when a croquet mallet is like a billy club, and he rolls his eyes haha!
2018-08-05 14:17:59 +0000 UTC
my vote goes to FLAMEingo \m/
2018-08-05 12:57:27 +0000 UTC
flamingo is the best, I like how cool and weird it looks at the same time (main picture) =^____^=
as it was already mentioned, it would be great if flamingo could make some sort of sound waves to knock down or freeze enemies for a limited amount of time...or shoot its feathers like arrows.
2018-08-05 12:54:00 +0000 UTC
Question: Will Alice have some level of invincibility mode like she did with the Rage box and Hysteria mode?
2018-08-05 12:02:17 +0000 UTC
QUESTION: Could it be possible for the dice to have different attacks instead of just differing numbers of marbles dropping from the sky? For example, maybe one side will cause jagged jacks to burst out of the ground and spear enemies, or giant, razor sharp playing cards could swing through crowds like a pendulum and slice enemies?
2018-08-05 11:11:25 +0000 UTC
QUESTION: are any of these likely to have a similar range to say the Pepper Grinder or Teapot?
Catheryn Alice North
2018-08-05 09:40:38 +0000 UTC
The main thing I dislike about the Demon Dice is that they so often "whiff". The risk that they backbite is less significant than the high chance that you'll throw them and get nothing. If these dice guarantee a minimum of 1 damage orb, that would be a lot less annoying. (But I'd also like them to avoid friendly fire; the alternate attack of the Eye Staff is kinda risky, and thus less useful.)
Rosuav
2018-08-05 09:38:57 +0000 UTC
For whatever reason the flamingo speaks most to me, I suppose the squawking could work as sound waves as you swing it knocking back smaller enemies as a secondary attack. Pretty in love with the toad/tops color scheme. Not big on guns either but I could see it working as a kid sort of pop gun thing. Always a fan of the jack in the box/bombs in all their forms. Also, the dice I suppose if different attacks are too much it could simply be marbles as she illustrated with varied amounts based on the roll? Not sure if that would be less complicated.
2018-08-05 09:19:34 +0000 UTC
At first glance I thought the sketch of the flamingo squawking is actually breathing fire, because FLAME-ingo... Honestly, if you can implement that it will be so awesome :D
2018-08-05 09:19:23 +0000 UTC
Holy yes tarot cards, Batman.
Sarah Heist
2018-08-05 08:42:21 +0000 UTC
No.
Sarah Heist
2018-08-05 08:41:40 +0000 UTC
Is it weird to say that I fell in love with that flamingo?
2018-08-05 08:40:27 +0000 UTC
YES on the flamingo! I have been desperately wanting to play with that. So much yes to the toys.
QUESTION: Have you ever heard of Toontown? Something that Disney made awhile ago that was forgotten and then picked up by the fans..etc. But their weapons, enemies, and health meters seem like a FANTASTIC (albeit child friendly) inspiration for all this. ..
Itd be cool if the jack n box was unsettling to hear So that when you had to use it, it's just slightly upsetting bc the music is so creepy.
QUESTION: can there be different categories of callout codes, like how you have QUESTION for questions, can we have things like IDEA or SUGGESTION, respectively?
Actual question: what about self care practices as a means of a weapon? Bc she's basically battling her own psyche, right? So.. Things that normal people can do to battle their own darknesses...
Blessed be, as always, beautiful work everyone!
Sarah Heist
2018-08-05 08:39:09 +0000 UTC
Question: Any chance of bringing back the cards you throw as projectiles? That was a great weapon and maybe it could be used in conjunction with the tarot cards.
Side comment: I dig the flamingo mele weapon. It might be fun to use for floating between platforms, and maybe you can even plant one in the ground to distract enemies while itโs squawking. Could also be useful if you run into any croquet style puzzles or challenges.
2018-08-05 08:33:00 +0000 UTC
About the pirate pistol. I think the design is way too generic for a AM Alice game. Instead of having a pistol with a spring fist on the end maybe get rid of the pistol all together and have like a gauntlet/powerfist type thing going on with a foregrip for more powerful stages of the weapon to give it that "powerful" feeling. There's a lot your team can do in terms of design for a gauntlet or power fist.
2018-08-05 08:30:15 +0000 UTC
Love the idea of having the flamingo as a sort of 'living weapon' and the whipping top. Concept art on point as always :)
2018-08-05 08:19:58 +0000 UTC
Oooooo i like the whipping top ๐ I'm a castlevania fan lol so anything with whips if fine by me
2018-08-05 08:14:47 +0000 UTC