Alice: Madness Returns
News, coverage and analysis tracking Alice: Madness Returns across the outlets.
American McGee Interview: Dreadful Land, Plushie DreadfulAmerican McGee, known for American McGee's Alice and Alice: Madness Returns, discusses his return to the game industry with Dreadful Land and his plushie line, Plushie Dreadful. He reflects on how his personal aesthetic became a brand and the evolving landscape of indie game marketing, from studio-centric branding to game-centric studio branding. McGee is also exploring licensing his Dreadful Land intellectual property for future game development.
Feature: This Somber Platformer, Now 15-Years-Old, Deserves a Revisit on PS5This article revisits Alice: Madness Returns, a dark action-adventure platformer released 15 years ago, highlighting its unique gothic aesthetic and mature narrative inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Despite technical issues with Unreal Engine 3 on the PlayStation 3, the game's distinctive art style and compelling story make it a memorable title deserving of a modern revisit or remaster, though Electronic Arts currently holds the rights.
"Whatever, Michael Crichton": One of EA's best games only exists in part because the Jurassic Park creator told ex-Doom dev American McGee to make itFormer id Software developer American McGee discusses how author Michael Crichton's influence indirectly led him to create the dark, gothic action game Alice for Electronic Arts. McGee explains his initial hesitation with the Alice in Wonderland IP and how it evolved into a psychological exploration, contrasting with Crichton's Jurassic Park.
EA Wanted More Gore and Sex in Alice: Madness Returns, Director Reveals | HappyGamerDirector American McGee revealed that Electronic Arts pushed for more gore and sexual content during the development of Alice: Madness Returns. This revelation highlights a recurring issue of publisher interference in the gaming industry, where creative visions are often reshaped to meet perceived market demands. McGee's experiences underscore the importance of creative freedom for unique game development.- 'They Stopped Making Those Requests' — Alice: Madness Returns Director American McGee Got Creative After EA Asked to 'Make Things More Sexy'American McGee, director of Alice: Madness Returns, shared an anecdote where Electronic Arts requested Spicy Horse "make things more sexy." In response, McGee creatively added dildos to a giant snail's head, effectively ending such requests.
The Alice: Madness Returns dev team 'made history,' American McGee says: It was 'the first team ever to…American McGee, creator of the Alice franchise, shared details about the development and financing of Alice: Madness Returns. He highlighted the challenges faced with Electronic Arts' marketing team and the game's status as the first AAA game fully developed by a Chinese team and the first to be bond-financed in China. McGee also mentioned that the game was delivered on budget and schedule despite EA's refusal of additional polishing time.
EA asked former Doom dev American McGee to make his next game "'more sexy,'" so he pasted "dildos onto the head of a giant snail" and "they stopped making those requests"Former id Software developer American McGee revealed that Electronic Arts marketing requested "more sexy" content for Alice: Madness Returns. In response, McGee pasted images of dildos onto giant snails and sent them to the marketing team, which ceased the requests. McGee also discussed EA's push for shorter skirts and more explicit content, which he resisted to protect the game's narrative.
Quake 2 dev felt "breathless" when he saw how Valve was using id Software's engine, and it led to one of my favorite games of the '00s: "26 years later and I can still say 'Wow'"Former id Software developer American McGee reflects on his time working on Quake 2 and how he felt inspired by Valve's use of the engine for cinematic storytelling. This experience led him to create his acclaimed games, American McGee's Alice and Alice: Madness Returns, which he is now working on a spiritual successor to.
Alice creator American McGee says he was inspired by a Valve demo he saw while working on Quake 2American McGee revealed that a Valve tech demo he saw while working on id Software's Quake 2 inspired his game Alice. He described the demo as a cinematic scene with characters and multiple cameras, which he believes signaled the end of his tenure at id Software. Following his departure from id, McGee went on to develop Alice and its sequel, Alice: Madness Returns.- Koshmar: The Last Reverie Preview | IGNKoshmar: The Last Reverie combines the striking aesthetic of Alice: Madness Returns with Mass Effect-era morality systems and third-person hack-and-slash action. The game incorporates roguelike elements, bringing these inspirations into a modern character action experience.
- Koshmar: The Last Reverie Is a Fast-Paced Action-Adventure With a Mass Effect-Like Morality SystemKoshmar: The Last Reverie is a fast-paced action-adventure game that blends the visual style of Alice: Madness Returns with a Mass Effect-inspired morality system. It features third-person hack-and-slash combat and incorporates roguelike elements.
Koshmar: The Last Reverie Brings Choice and Madness In a Sea of NightmaresPurple Ray Studios has announced Koshmar: The Last Reverie, an upcoming game where players control Violet, a teenager whose dreams are invaded by nightmares. The game features an art style inspired by Alice: Madness Returns, a morality system that influences gameplay and character interactions, and combat mechanics similar to Devil May Cry or the God of War Trilogy. A release date has not yet been announced.
American McGee's Alice Sequel Is Happening, With A LoopholeAmerican McGee has announced plans for a "spiritual successor" to the American McGee's Alice series, linking it to his Plushie Dreadfuls game. While Electronic Arts retains the IP rights, McGee's new game will connect to the end of Alice: Madness Returns without infringing on his contract. This project aims to provide closure for fans of the cult-hit series.
Alice Creator Making Spiritual Successor, Says No EA Legal WorriesAmerican McGee, creator of Alice: Madness Returns, is developing a spiritual successor to his cult classic games. He has stated that he does not anticipate legal issues with Electronic Arts, who owns the Alice intellectual property, as long as the new project avoids using direct IP elements. This approach mirrors successful spiritual successors like Bloodstained and Yooka-Laylee, offering fans a similar experience without corporate interference.
American McGee has come out of retirement to make an Alice spiritual successor based on his plushie empireAmerican McGee has announced his return to game development with a spiritual successor to his Alice series, inspired by his Plushie Dreadfuls line. The new game will be directly tied to the end of Alice: Madness Returns. McGee's previous attempt to secure a third Alice game with Electronic Arts was unsuccessful.