Ashes and Chaos (...and a new dress!)
Added 2017-09-30 23:28:47 +0000 UTCDear Patrons,
I'm really humbled to see so many new Patrons joining our adventure so quickly. Thank you, very much, for your trust and support.
We'll continue today with an art update from Joey and my feedback for this new image and the images to come.
As always, feel free to provide feedback in the comments below. We'll go through your comments and try to answer your quest`ions during the upcoming YouTube live stream. Make sure you are subscribed to my YouTube Channel and have ticked the notification bell so you're notified regarding upcoming live streams.
Also, did you know we recently set up an official "Alice: Asylum" Facebook Page? Head over and give it a "like!"
October 1st, 2017
Joey, Thank you for turning around new art so quickly. I hope you've got something nice planned for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Looks like it's going to rain all week in Shanghai but we're driving south to visit Yan's parents - hopefully the weather will be nicer down there.
I am going to work on the wonderland image, Alice would just be a small shadow in this image, so I did a seperate version of her, I did a normal one with blue dress and another one colored in ash as you mentioned. Give me some comment on them.
The two versions of Alice you've done are fantastic! I really like the way you've rendered her face and stance. The dresses are both wonderful - as is the chaos necklace. The Ash Dress is exactly the sort of thing I had in mind - I think you've nailed this one. And I think this is the sort of outfit the cos-players will absolutely love. I can imagine the fiery highlights being made to glow faintly in the game - would be interesting to see her move through dark spaces with this dress providing a constant warm light!
Let's stick with this dress concept - The Ash Dress - for now. It's great for exploring the first couple of domains as Alice makes her return to Wonderland.
On the concept image you've written some notes - in response I've attached the a2_narrative_timeline.xlsx file. You can use this to get a feeling for where we are in Alice's history. "Alice: Asylum" actually takes place before "American McGee's Alice" and "Alice: Madness Returns." While this is the 3rd game to released in the series, it is actually the first chapter in Alice's story.
Keep these dates in mind: 1863 - the year of the fire - Alice's family is killed. 1864 - Alice admitted to Rutledge Asylum. 1865 - Alice is 13 years old - THIS is where "Alice: Asylum" takes place. 1866-1873 Alice in a coma. 1874 - Alice returns to Wonderland in "American McGee's Alice" - age 22. 1875 - Alice is 23 and ventures into "Madness Returns." (Check out the 2nd tab of the spreadsheet).
So "Asylum" takes place exactly 10 years before "Madness Returns."
Important to keep the timeline in mind when you think about Alice's physical and psychological state.
As for wonderland, is there anything different than the one we have in Alice 2(the wonderland she just falls into is not broken, quite bright and happy)? I mean something different or some different toys? This is the wonderland she goes to when she is 13, much yonger than the one we did in Alice2, shall there be toys or typical stuff for a yonger girl? what would those be? Maybe Matryoshka dolls? What are the typical toys for children during that time? And we are still going to have snails and mushrooms because they are the classic stuffs in wonderland, right?
When we first see Wonderland in "Madness Returns" it looks healthy and alive. This is because of the battles fought in the first game to put things right again. Of course then the Train begins its mission to destroy everything and Wonderland is once again thrown into disarray. But we are going back in time 10 years - to a place before all that...
At the start of Asylum we will assume (for now at least) that Wonderland and its inhabitants are unaware of the turmoil brewing outside. Actually, I want to stress that they are in denial about what's going on. This is important - Alice knows her family's dead but she's still in denial about this fact. That means the characters in Wonderland (Alice's subconscious) will also be in denial that anything's amiss.
As we explore we'll discover just how broken things are - but upon our first entry the scene should be beautiful, inviting, and safe.
Why not try Alice in miniature for the first Wonderland scene? You can place her in a forest of flowers - with a giant snail - a rocking horse - a collection of dolls (remind people of the nightmare that was the Dollhouse Level in Madness Returns!) - a toy soldier, etc. Here's a collection of toys from that era...
I will do some sketches first, and if you think of something, write to me as soon as possible.
If we are not so sure about wonderland, maybe I will start on the cat first? What do you think?
You can work with the cat or Wonderland next. It's up to you. What do you feel most inspired by?
Also, something to think about over the next couple of days... RJ and I are talking about the story quite a lot these days. And I want to explore the idea of modeling Alice's journey through Wonderland around the "Kubler-Ross Five Stages of Grief." You can read more about this concept here.
The basic concept is that we go through five distinct stages when confronted with disaster (the unknown). Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.
You can imagine that in the first stage of this - when Alice first arrives back in Wonderland - that things look normal and that all the characters she encounters insist everything is "great!" But as we explore we'll notice there's always something dark lurking at the periphery of our vision. By the end of the first stage the charade will be up and we'll descend into Anger.
So... how can we render a beautiful Wonderland where things are also not quite as they seem? Something to think about.
Look forward to your thoughts and next images!
Cheers,
-a
Comments
I like the idea of a "not-quite-right" feeling in the opening Wonderland area. Playing with the opening audio might be a good start. Depending on how subtle you wanna go... Maybe there's no soundtrack at all, to start with. You just hear nature, and the environment of Wonderland around you. Mess with people's heads by slightly altering the noise: a heavy gust of wind starts to sound a bit like the roaring rush of a backdraft; as you walk through the underbrush, the sound of twigs snapping starts to sound like a crackling hearth. As you go further in, the sun overhead turns from a warm, welcoming disc into a cold, ashy moon. Could easily work with a soundtrack as well; just have it slowly become more erratic and "damaged" sounding as you progress, like the pieces are falling out of place.
2017-10-09 06:29:26 +0000 UTCAmerican, could you discuss on the timeline file you sent further? It presents a lot of differences from the Madness Returns we got such as a younger sister for Alice, Jack the Ripper connections, reorder of stages, and more.
Anikid
2017-10-07 21:49:56 +0000 UTCForgive me, but wouldn't Alice's age be 19 years old AMR? I'm just pointing this out because I remember her memories vividly in the second game and as well as the side stuff "Wilson's Casebook" and the storybook have her at the age of seven during that fire and then eight years old by the time she goes to Rutledge because she was so catatonic. The storybook, first game, and Alice's memories (along with commentary from Pris Witless) say that she's been in there ten years upon her being out in London. So, if "Asylum" predates AMR by 10 years, then it's contradicting the already established timeline. It seems like her memories in the second game also have her gradually pulling away from that catatonia/disassociation as time went on and I feel like this third game would be a perfect segway into her regaining her sense of self, not only the stages of grief. Again, apologies, I hate to be that One Fan, but that's what I remember from everything thus far.
2017-10-07 05:12:47 +0000 UTCNew Patreon here. Really loved the dress, "I can imagine the fiery highlights being made to glow faintly in the game - would be interesting to see her move through dark spaces with this dress providing a constant warm light!". That is such a great idea! And how you could work with that fiery thing and the five stages of grief. When she's ANGRY the embers could burn brighter and, more fiery. BARGAIN the fire colors would be just floating around on the dress, very pensive. DEPRESSION, the fire almost gone, or completly gone... she's only ashes, no fire in her ashes like there is no hope. Dress would be all torn apart, burnt. Maybe some smoke effects when she walks. ACCEPTANCE would be like a reinvented dress, with some damage in it, but reborn. Like a phoenix.
2017-10-02 22:23:10 +0000 UTCIs it bad that I'm already planning to make the ash dress? It's amazing and I totally love it! Also loving the idea of the five stages of grief. It would fit so nicely but also again in a way make it something personal to the player. I think we can all relate to these stages in our own way and in my personal opinion those are the best type of games. I am super excited after reading this! Keep up the amazing work!
2017-10-02 08:04:46 +0000 UTCLoving the 5 stages of grief concept. I got so excited reading this. I can totally picture the Ash version of Alice.
2017-10-02 05:48:28 +0000 UTCLove the Ash Dress. In all honesty, I'm okay with it instead of the classic blue. ;) The greys remind me of the Hatter's dress from Madness Returns, but the glowing ember streaks blow it out of the water. Brilliant work. The 5 stages of grief are perfect for the creative narrative that you put into these games. I can see the opening scene ( Denial ) being a perfect wonderland, full of aw and inspiration, catering to the stimulations and whimseys of Alice's fancies prior to the fire/accident. The miniature idea is good, and perhaps a great opportunity to introduce a bit of free-play for those who would like to stay in denial a bit longer... ( gotta love Vale of Tears from Madness Returns ). A place for exploring and honestly a place you don't want to leave -- but then the first cracks begin to provide tension, and all of Wonderland goes through a transformation into rage and anger, forcing Alice from the stability of denial.... Keep up the great work.
2017-10-02 05:13:55 +0000 UTCThe Ash dress is an amazing idea and rendered incredibly here. Frabjous work, to be sure. Since the design of the initial characters and setting is in discussion here, I'd like to point out that this would be a good opportunity to take advantage of the uncanny valley in character and setting design. For instance, some of Alice's friends could be toys and animals that look cute or endearing under ordinary circumstances, but once the mask of denial starts to slip, they take on characteristics that clash with their original appearance, like a wide-eyed doll losing its eyebrows or a jolly knight's smile becoming just a little too wide with a few too many teeth. Once the Anger section starts, the doll's eyes might go bloodshot and glow and her makeup runs while the knight's teeth sharpen and his expression hardens.
Jay Olsen
2017-10-01 23:10:44 +0000 UTCI would still have her clenching her arm.
2017-10-01 19:24:12 +0000 UTCI LOVE the ash dress and the concept of the 5 stages of grief is incredible!
2017-10-01 12:48:15 +0000 UTCLove the design work. As you mentioned her stance really fits, and the dress is amazing! Can't wait to see more.
PolarbearRawr
2017-10-01 12:06:22 +0000 UTCIt would be exciting to see a rekindled version of Demon Alice, but this version of her is definitely interesting. Onward to new frontiers!
2017-10-01 10:38:41 +0000 UTCI would say because Hysteria Alice is my favorite Alice, I hope you take the Ash version further in the overall design. I look forward to where this goes.
2017-10-01 07:26:14 +0000 UTCLove the concept of the clean not broken wonderland as a stage for denial. I would think since it all starts with a fire, that maybe the stage could be represented as clear to the player but with fog/smoke/ hazyness on the periphery as it progresses from happiness during the denial to the fires of anger.
2017-10-01 06:49:08 +0000 UTCI liked the less clean eyebrows from the asylum pic, she can still have dolly eyebrows just maybe a little less salon. Something like this, maybe? <a href="https://i.pinimg.com/736x/e3/bd/7d/e3bd7d1eee3005bd92810e6c7e99f80e--blythe-lips-blythe-doll.jpg" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://i.pinimg.com/736x/e3/bd/7d/e3bd7d1eee3005bd92810e6c7e99f80e--blythe-lips-blythe-doll.jpg</a>
2017-10-01 03:32:13 +0000 UTCMan, I love everything about the new dress. I can see the glow as you described it so vividly. I really like how the design for the chaos necklace turned out and the blackened nails for the ash look is a nice little touch. The 5 stages is an awesome idea for change in attire and level appearance as she progresses, I am super excited to see what comes next.
2017-10-01 03:28:29 +0000 UTCHey American, keep up the great work! I've been following the YouTube Q&A's as well! Cant wait for the next one!
Matthew Nigrelli
2017-10-01 01:59:38 +0000 UTCI'm going to be completely honest: there was a lot of squealing at my computer while reading all of this. First of all, the concept design for the Ash Dress is wonderful; not only will it be perfect for cosplays, but it will just have a very nice feel in the game. The idea of it glowing where the warm colors are is an idea I like quite a bit! Secondly, thank you for the timeline of events in the Alice series; I didn't realize how off I was on her age in the games LOL (not by much, but by like...2 years...). Thirdly, the idea of using the stages of grief to outline the game is SUCH a good idea. The symbolism that can be done with that makes it to be a very stable idea that will help to shape the feeling of the game for sure. I'm a sucker for psychological concepts (comes with being a psychology major, I think), but I think that players will be really intrigued by the profound meanings of each area. I look forward to seeing what you guys continue to come up with!
2017-10-01 00:48:58 +0000 UTC5 Stages of grief is a great idea, it would lead greatly into the more survivor guilt of the first game. Denial been wonderland seeming the same and ignoring the difference. Anger is when the cracks appear ect. As for the dress I already want a little figurine of it, so that a good sign.
2017-10-01 00:45:29 +0000 UTCI love love love everything about the ash conceptual art!! Its PERFECT! And I wouldnt change a thing! I also love the idea of the 5 stages of grief throughout wonderland! Do you think this will change Alice's appearance as she encounters each emotion? Will the other denizens of wonderland transform as well?
2017-10-01 00:33:07 +0000 UTCThe Ash concept is fantastic. Love the design. I really like the 5 stages of grief idea. Can't wait to hear more about how it will affect the story & progress through the game.
2017-10-01 00:24:32 +0000 UTCA new Patreon here! I really love the lil details on the second one. Please, keep sharing with us everything you can. I love it! We are hoping to see a new awesome game just like the two previous ones. Trust in your people like you did back in the Madness Returns' era so this new one can become a reality.
2017-10-01 00:05:25 +0000 UTCI really like the Ash dress (except the orange shoelaces). It seems more suitable to the situation Alice finds herself in. Maybe for Alice this young different shoes would be possible too?
2017-10-01 00:04:17 +0000 UTCIf Alice's mental state in this prequel is indeed not as unstable as the first two games. I really enjoyed the porcelain doll concept you drove home in the second game. Alice's wonderland would probably start to resemble a fragile line between acceptance and denial. As you mentioned the inhabitants of her wonderland would share her own ideals of denial. Yet maybe the first victim of the slow breakdown of her once charming little wonderland. Would be the cat. He could show signs of hysteria, or even questions to Alice about what is right or wrong in wonderland? I mean the cat has always been the smartest person in the room. His breakdown mirrors alice's. So her first steps into denial, would be his as well maybe?
2017-09-30 23:59:02 +0000 UTCLoving the ideas and imagery here. I really like the idea of the game being broken up into the stages of grief. So "Acceptance" will end with Alice facing her demons- the original battle with the Jabberwock perhaps? It's been a while since I played but he does mention they've met before- and then accepting some semblance of peace in a comatose state? I wasn't expecting this to be a prequel game, but I guess it is a logical step.
Rob Burch
2017-09-30 23:45:19 +0000 UTC
