Cult of the White Rabbit
Added 2018-08-01 02:58:42 +0000 UTCDear Insane Children,
Chaos always has its White Rabbit. Is it any wonder the Chinese designate the rabbit as Yin (vs Yang) - placing it in the house of Chaos? The trickster, the creator, the symbol of the eternal cycle as best represented in the motif of The Three Hares.
The puzzle concept contained within this image of contour rivalry is one we could take as analogous to the nature of chaos and the grief cycle.
Perspective dictates the nature of the phases of our journey. What was an "ignorant bliss" before the storm is later viewed as a period of great shame and regret. During that peaceful time it seems nothing is wrong and nothing could go wrong - but turn the wheel a few degrees and the "ears" which sat so comfortably atop the head of contentment now feature prominently above the head of the Chaos Rabbit.
And then the wheel turns and the ears shift and we're following the next rabbit. On and on it goes.
This week we'll follow the White Rabbit to another YouTube Livestream. Hit THIS LINK to set a reminder. And don't forget to set your own reminders because YouTube is (rabbit) poop.
That Livestream is set for 9AM on Thursday morning Hong Kong Time (August 2nd). Use International Meeting Planner to sort out what that means where you live.
During this week's stream we'll discuss the back-and-forth I've had with Jennifer regarding new embroidery patch designs. From the outside this might look like simple "patch design" but in reality we're establishing a CODE. A set of glyphs and symbols which will underpin a secret level of communication within Alice: Asylum. And we're starting with the glyph that starts it all - the one that sits over the door leading into this new adventure.
These are the latest versions of the White Rabbit symbol (alongside some patches she's using as inspiration). I'm a huge fan of #1 and so I've incorporated it (main image, above) with the Tarot Card Back image sent to us by Alex this week.
Now, Alex says he's not feeling like this is going in the right direction - would like a do-over, and that's fair enough... but not all the art we're doing these days has to reach a 'final' stage. I've told him that it's enough that we define the basic outline of an idea, stick a pin in it, and move on.
Truth is, we're not in a place where we could start manufacturing Alice Tarot Cards tomorrow, so there's no super-urgent need to finalize these images... especially not when there are so many other images we could be working on. And he is now working on something COOL ... more on that later.
Back to the patches, I said to Jen:
Now I think we're getting somewhere... if I had a friend with one of these patches on his/her jacket or backpack... I might think they were into a satanic rabbit cult. I personally like #1 the best. I feel like my brain is tainted by the red/white color scheme of the Chinese "White Rabbit" candy - so I can't take #2 seriously... though I do believe "White Rabbit" brand candy is the candy of choice for satanic rabbitists.
Not sure if you've all seen the Chinese candy I am referring to...
But some of the earlier designs did feel a bit close to this - certainly in color scheme...
So... what do you think? Which White Rabbit would you prefer to follow through the chaos of existence?
As usual, leave your QUESTIONS and comments below. If you have a question, please mark it clearly as such. And we'll do our best to get through everything...
Btw, I am literally giving away Greg's Junk during the livestream tomorrow.
From Shanghai with the Cult of Lulu,
-American
PS: The Chaos Rabbit image attached as a JPG so you can use it as your desktop background - like me!
Comments
Alice should meet famous british magicians.
2018-08-22 15:42:24 +0000 UTCI Like design #1
2018-08-07 20:28:26 +0000 UTCI like the rabbit #1 I think I like the three rabbits in a circle more. Definitely like the card back
2018-08-05 05:22:40 +0000 UTCDesert sand storm is pure Yang but still super chaotic, isn't it?
Make Nine Inch Nails great again
2018-08-03 01:18:57 +0000 UTCI really like both of the rabbit faces, but I think I #1 more. Something about the flames in #1 is throwing me off, maybe that it offsets the triangle, or that they're symmetrical, I dont know. (Or maybe I just can't unsee the lobster claws that Martin pointed out 😂) it's just the rendering but I do really like the idea of flames on it though! Maybe it'll grow on me :) Also I know it's a long way away, and y'all are still figuring out the designs, but I will be TOTALLY shelling out money if yall make a physical deck of the tarot cards! Even if it's just the major arcana!
2018-08-02 23:44:35 +0000 UTCThe fire in patch #1 is tacky to me, like biker patches...If you think fire is absolutely a symbol we need maybe change the flame colors to red & black only for a more creepy feel. I don't think the background symbol works either, the triangle is the alchemic symbol for fire but then why do we have two symbols for fire? Seems repetitive. I'd like to suggest the chaos symbol since I feel the community here connects with it more, and you could incorporate the rabbit's ears to be arms of the symbol? Since this is the white rabbit the chaos symbol could also be his clock (with many arms) too.
nopedia
2018-08-02 23:43:33 +0000 UTCYou will get to choose your name and message provided that it is approved by American and Martin.
2018-08-02 23:38:13 +0000 UTCPeople are jumping off American's boat to avoid getting charged.
2018-08-02 23:37:20 +0000 UTCQUESTION.... When those of us get our name on the coins in game, do we choose our names or is it just our patreon username?
2018-08-02 18:43:25 +0000 UTCWhy is the patron number going down? 😢
2018-08-02 11:45:06 +0000 UTCthree hares personally
2018-08-02 08:11:52 +0000 UTCJust an idea of the "shadow Alice": i always loved the idea when somebody see through a mirror they'll see somebody else..like a "shadow Alice". It would be kinda cool if (somewhere in the game) you come across a mirror, look into it and see the other Alice. At this point you turn into the other Alice and walk around the "mirror"-world (which is a more nice world but Alice can't see that in her state of mind) as the "shadow \ dark Alice. Maybe in this world the Red Queen is a nice woman and every other character you trusted is bad (not the Cheshire because he is always the same of course) ...And Maybe (further in the game) even this mirror-world is starting to grumble down into an "unhealthy place to be"..just an idea i would kinda love to see someday in a game as well XD. Anyways, love the Yin vs. Yan idea.
Jessi St.
2018-08-02 07:33:20 +0000 UTCI like #1's design better, it feels well put together, it flows really well. I also like the stop watch in the second design. Maybe there could be a patch where the watch face is ontop of rabbit's face really close up. The hands could be his whiskers!
Jen
2018-08-02 03:26:57 +0000 UTCLove the White rabbit cult idea! I had an earlier question several weeks ago but it seems to have not been looked at so I'll post it again. I love the idea of Alice drawing runes on her dress for each area and would like to expand on the idea. What if she were to enter each area with the base dress then search for the runes for the area to aquire the area dress? Additionally, how about adding the opposing runes to be found to allow her to gain defensive bonuses while exploring said area?
Ray Weatherford
2018-08-02 00:50:12 +0000 UTCI like the idea of secret codes/messages... I'm not really following the style of the white rabbit patch... at least not for in game. Of the two, I like the head on #1 not sure what to make of the background of either. Perhaps we will learn more about the context for these images in a few minutes and give better feedback post live stream.
SCarey151
2018-08-02 00:26:03 +0000 UTCI actually really like patch #2, it's not as ostentatiously satanic as #1. Like #1 looks a like a patch for a biker gang, but #2 looks like the logo of a secret society of men in gray suits. I also don't mind the White Rabbit candy vibes, I think it fits in with the childlike toy theme. I've always thought the White Rabbit candy packaging was a bit mature for children (it's not super festive and bright and the art looks kind of old fashioned), so I think it fits well with the plotline of Alice maturing emotionally after the trauma of the fire and into the events of Alice 1 and 2.
2018-08-01 20:44:14 +0000 UTCPatches with a secret code that only we understand. I like that. I like #1, but without the fire and with the target on #2. So basically a hybrid of the two. The tarot card back looks really good. Alex's design is just too good! If he feels like this design is not it, I wonder what he will come up next. Aaaah yes... The white rabbit candy, I loved those as a kid. Haven't had them in years, maybe it is about time I go pick some up from the store. QUESTION: Can we start a cult with the Rabbit Hole(livestream place) as our HQ?
2018-08-01 20:29:44 +0000 UTCI like #1 much more but please use different symbol than triangle. Chaos symbol, Cheshire smile or just something else. I don't think triangle fits well.
2018-08-01 20:10:58 +0000 UTC#1 is really cool & I like the Chaos Rabbit desktop image a lot. Great design & it looks like the perfect symbol to have hanging over a lodge or secret society entrance.
2018-08-01 18:59:39 +0000 UTCI think if we're going for one of those patch designs, the fire rabbit most closely relates to the game, especially because of the fire element.
2018-08-01 17:31:28 +0000 UTCIf someone had told me a decade ago when I first played "AMR" how important my junk would one day be to the lore, I would tell them they were absolutely mad...
2018-08-01 13:48:44 +0000 UTCThese patches remind me of the nuclear hazard logo...idk why.
Saleh Abu-Rashid
2018-08-01 13:29:53 +0000 UTCThe back of the tarot card looks really nice!!! But i don't really care for any of the patches idea, don't even feel related to Alice games , feels like its just a random rabbit. Maybe put his top hat on?
2018-08-01 13:22:22 +0000 UTCActually thirty years old (yikes), if that helps.
2018-08-01 12:14:20 +0000 UTCGiving my junk away? But I need it for stuff 'n' stuff...
2018-08-01 12:13:22 +0000 UTCI think that the little image on the tarot card with the two vorpal blades crossing to look like a butterfly would look cool as a patch with a little more detail
2018-08-01 11:20:48 +0000 UTCThe fire rabbit is the better one and the tarot card back looks nice. Greg's Junk.... I am intrigued good sir. See you at stream ^-^
2018-08-01 09:39:54 +0000 UTCThat image is definitely shirt worthy XD
2018-08-01 09:33:17 +0000 UTCLoving the Tarot Card Back design! I just want to find Greg's Junk in a secret room in the game and get a trophy/achievement, please. ^~^ I like the rabbit patches idea. Second batch, #2, I like the aesthetic. Needs something in the background though, and maybe center the symbol thing and make it... thicker? Yeah. Speaking of art, I doodled this up a couple days ago. <a href="http://fav.me/dcivp45" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">http://fav.me/dcivp45</a> (Not junk, I swear. XD) Can we make it into a shirt?? I could send you the PSD if so. We could all wear it together during the live-streams. XD [If you do, make a black v-neck version? I won't wear it any other way. lol]
2018-08-01 08:57:56 +0000 UTCOf the first batch of White Rabbit patches, I like #2 best, but then, I'm not tainted by White Rabbit candy (and now I feel there's something missing in my life). Overall I prefer #1 from the second batch of White Rabbits. It's deceivingly cute and would look awesome as a patch <3 I actually really love the tarot card back image as it is! The design is awesome and is instantly recognizable as "our world of Wonder". Hope I win Gregs' Junk! xD
2018-08-01 07:36:13 +0000 UTCTarot card: if the game is using the same weapons how about changing the symbols alittle. The vorpol blade as swords, the kettle cannon as the chalice, the chaos coin as the pentacles and the hobby horse as the rods. If you are also going ying and yang inspired half the card in order the other half chaos. It would give an added depth to the cards to relate with the game.
2018-08-01 06:49:42 +0000 UTCI like fire rabbit and the back of the tarot card looks awesome to me as it currently is. Oh Greg, forever your junk will be Alice related.
2018-08-01 05:09:21 +0000 UTCThe second white rabbit has a potency that is entirely missing in the over-fussy first Image, although the watch mechanism on the brow spoils it because of the overlarge winding mechanism. A chaos symbol might work better. You're going to eat your words one day when Greg reveals he's a thirteen year old boy
2018-08-01 05:01:54 +0000 UTCHonestly if I had to pick one of the rabbit patches it would be #1, but don't really care for either. As for the White Rabbit chaos, #2 .
Christine Phillips
2018-08-01 04:24:22 +0000 UTCI like the new wallpaper. But now for some reason I'm wondering do we have a ranking system here among the insane children in the cult of lulu, (lulu as in American and Martians dog, not the living doll fashion model, although I do think she's just as cute too) dog you know outside of how ever much we pledged per month? Like if the lowest to highest rank is, the possibly insane, the ceritvilaby insane, R asylum inmate, R asylum vilolent inmate, R asylum solitary sponge room confinement, the lombotomized patients, and finally lost in wonderland.(better known as the wonderland wanderers.) Oh man I've gone completely mad if I'm making this up.
Lucas Severin
2018-08-01 03:29:53 +0000 UTCAs a visual designer myself, here are my 2 cents: I also prefer #1, but just barely. The flames are a bit fucked out at this point. I know they may be analogous to the plot, but for a patch design you may as well throw some barbed wire and tribal tatts in there with it. I would take #1 and add some fullness to its face, like seen in #2. Also the ears are a bit over the top in #1. Scale them back a bit. Unless that’s intentional, but looking at the other variations I don’t believe it to be so. Lastly I’d give #1 a bit of facial expression. Not as angry as #2, but not as blank as it is now.
2018-08-01 03:25:27 +0000 UTCI like the second rabbit (the white silhouette) I think it's really nice
Markus
2018-08-01 03:21:52 +0000 UTCQUESTION: Any chance we'll get to experience more "real life" Alice in Asylum? As in, get to experience her insanity, like in the opening stages of AMR? PS: Just now became a patron, looking forward to following this project. Best of luck!
2018-08-01 03:15:08 +0000 UTCLOVE THIS IDEA FOR THE PATCHES
2018-08-01 03:14:26 +0000 UTCQUESTION: Are there plans for the White Rabbit to have a larger role than he held in previous games?
2018-08-01 03:08:06 +0000 UTCAs for the white rabbit symbol, I'm not sure about the "flames on a black background", I feel like it's over used, but without the flames I think it would look great. Also, I will take Greg's junk or dead grandma if it is given away, thank you.
Chaussette
2018-08-01 03:07:31 +0000 UTC
