End of the Adventure
Added 2023-04-07 20:27:59 +0000 UTCDear Insane Children,
Over the past few years, your support has made possible a constant stream of creative output by a team of artists, writers, designers, modelers, and producers. That output resulted in the "Alice: Asylum" Design Bible - a 414pg PDF containing the complete vision for a 3rd Chapter in Alice's video game adventures.
Shortly after the completion of the Design Bible, I resumed talks with Electronic Arts regarding our efforts to get a new game made. They were presented with the Design Bible and a Production Plan (produced in collaboration with Virtuos Games) outlining the schedule, budget, team, and design for the new game's production.
After several weeks of review, EA has come back with a response regarding funding and/or licensing for "Alice: Asylum"
On the question of funding, they have ultimately decided to pass on the project based on an internal analysis of the IP, market conditions, and details of the production proposal. On the question of licensing, they replied that "Alice" is an important part of EA’s overall game catalog, and selling or licensing it isn’t something they’re prepared to do right now.
At this point, we have exhausted every option for getting a new "Alice" game made. With those answers from EA, there is no other way forward with the project. As such, we will be hibernating this Patreon page and related pre-production activities. The content will remain in place but we'll no longer present options for funding "Alice: Asylum" efforts via this (or any other) platform.
"Alice: Asylum" is at an end.
As this announcement is certain to draw significant attention, I would like to focus some visibility on the amazing artists and designers who were funded through Patreon during this project:
Alex Crowley - Project Manager & Designer
https://www.instagram.com/alexceeart/
Omri Koresh - Illustrator & Art Director
https://www.instagram.com/omrikoreshart/
Norm Felchle - Illustrator
https://www.instagram.com/ndfelchle/
Joey Zeng - Illustrator
https://www.artstation.com/joey_1999
https://www.instagram.com/joeyzeng_1999
Adam Narozanski - Illustrator
https://www.instagram.com/vitaj_art/
Gareth Keenan - Illustrator
https://www.instagram.com/garethkeenanart/
For my part, I have also reached an endpoint with "Alice" and with game production in general. I have no other ideas or energy left to apply toward getting a new Alice game made. Nor do I have any interest in pursuing new game ideas within the context of the current environment for game development.
This brings us full circle to the statement I made years ago which initiated EA reaching out to me to ask if I wanted to explore making a new Alice game...
I have no control over the Alice IP and no ability to make a new game happen. That control and ability rest entirely with EA.
If someone does manage to convince EA to make "Asylum," I would like to make clear that, from this point forward, I have no desire to be involved with that or any other Alice-related development.
My involvement with "Alice" is also at an end.
Going forward, I will focus on my family and our family business at Mysterious.
Lastly, I want to extend a bittersweet Thank You to our Insane Children (Patreon supporters). I know this is not the outcome we hoped for. And I feel a mix of emotions that leaves me sick at the idea of all the money, hope, ideas, and love you've poured into this effort over the years.
We knew going into this adventure that failure was a possibility. But we wanted to believe impossible things - and we had fun doing that up to the moment when reality forced itself into our Wonderland.
It's often said that when one door closes, another opens. Trite but true. And I hope that for all of you, this closure will bring life to other adventures and dreams.
-American McGee
April 8th, 2023
Queensland, Australia
Comments
This is how legends are created. Trust me. And I agree that focusing on your family is right. One man once said that we may not always get what we want but we do always get what we are. So do you, so do others and so does EA.
Stanislav Ondrejčík
2023-11-17 09:58:40 +0000 UTCI Don't even know what to say, im speechless. This is horrible I wish I could give you a hug McGee, its not your fault. I hope you find joy and happiness once more.
Jane Moffet
2023-09-28 12:49:28 +0000 UTCSomeone needs to petition this. EA clearly doesn't know what people want.
2023-06-25 19:17:10 +0000 UTCI absolutely hope that the EA members that made this decision, and made you feel absolutely exhausted to the point of not wanting to participate anymore in an Alice or any other game, step on a very very sharp and cheap lego that might break and dig some more. // I will forever support your and your artists art because you genuinely made me LOVE videogame art and Alice's was the start of my video game art book collection. I will forever love it.
2023-06-24 10:27:45 +0000 UTCI’m usually last to find out about stuff and I was hoping my inability to access the Discord was a “me” problem. I streamed the series not long ago and there was good reception for it. I think it is worthwhile the marketing just needs to get with the program (I know, I know. Not how it works).
Danielle Fontaine
2023-06-04 05:06:44 +0000 UTCEA sucks, but you guys are awesome. Please don’t feel guilty about this, all of you did your best to fulfill all the promises you’ve made. For my part it has felt worth it to support you, and it still feels worth it despite EA being absolute dipshits. Thank you so much for fighting for this IP. I appreciate you
Muzi
2023-05-16 18:44:18 +0000 UTCFecking EA. I'm sorry, McGee...
2023-04-29 11:00:25 +0000 UTCEA says Alice isn't profitable enough to warrant making a new game, but also won't sell the IP. Oh, okay. Makes sense. Glad they only want the IP just in case... Did you all retain creative ownership of the ideas you presented in the game's bible? As in, they can't use any of your concepts and art, right?
2023-04-17 16:35:34 +0000 UTCso tragic in its own way and so very sorry to have seen your incredible efforts go down this path. forever inspired by you + can't wait to see what other beautiful things you bring to the world. ♡
2023-04-17 02:33:23 +0000 UTCActually destroyed, I wanted this more than anything
2023-04-17 01:40:49 +0000 UTCI used to promote GPU PhysX based games . Mirrors Edge and Alice: Madness Returns and more . I wont promote Mirrors Edge anymore .
Tracker Dark-Heart
2023-04-16 21:02:14 +0000 UTCThats what I am doing . I got rid of my EA games on Xbox 360 , xbox One and Series X. I unwished the games I had on my Wishlists . And refuse to buy anything published or made by EA. I have put my Steam products from them in a ""That" company " folder. Theres a few games I havent the heart to rid myself of. Black and White 1 and 2, B&W : Creature Isand , Clive Barker's Undying and of course Original Alice and Madness Returns on PC and 360.
Tracker Dark-Heart
2023-04-16 20:57:13 +0000 UTCthis is soul crushing. Heart Breaking. I cried, I can't imagine how the creators feel right now. I am so sorry, to American and everyone else. I will support any other games you decide to create, American! I love your style!!! I think I shall write my first ever "fan-fic" so I can get my own resolve from the story. I can't let it all die!
Karma Chameleon
2023-04-13 16:32:10 +0000 UTCI'm sad, disappointed and mad at the same time. But okay, that's it. I won't buy anything from EA from now on till they change their mind. You guys spend so much time and effort and for what? Yea.. right..
2023-04-12 15:16:41 +0000 UTCThank you for all your work and communicating the end of this journey so openly. I was so happy to be a part of this and I will always cherish the beautiful things that got made in this process, like the art prints and plushies. I will certainly keep an eye on mysterious and wish you, the whole team and your families the best! <3
2023-04-12 10:51:58 +0000 UTCThis is so sad, I was so hyped for this game to finally come out after years on here and now this, what's wrong with EA?! They made a terrible decision, I can't believe it! This makes me so angry! But I wish all of you all the best in the future nonetheless and I will always hate EA for this! Such a shame.
St. Thomas
2023-04-12 09:11:23 +0000 UTCI simply haven't had the strength to read this post since it was made. I had so much hope that with all the work that had been made toward this project, EA would see how much potential it had. I guess I should have known better than to trust a big company like that. With that being said, I have absolutely no regrets about anything that's been done these past few years. I've had some really amazing times and been part of a really amazing community of people. Thank you, American, for putting so much hard work into this project, even with knowing that it might not work out. Thank to Martin for always helping out and being our cool uncle. Thank you to Alex, Omri, Joey, Norm, Gareth, and Adam for their work in bringing the narrative to life. Thank you to the fellow insane children who have gotten us this far. I'm so sad to hear that you're hanging up your talents for game development, but honestly, I don't blame you. I'm so relieved to hear that you'll continue with Mysterious, and I have much hope for your future there! Thank you all for the wonderful years that we've had together as a community. I'll always remember the good times! 💜
Wendy Jaa
2023-04-12 05:07:23 +0000 UTCEA is trash. I can’t believe this.
Luna “Luniibo” Mata
2023-04-10 18:44:35 +0000 UTCThis is such a shame. I’m grateful for all the hard work and dedication you’ve put into this and your other projects.
Shepard
2023-04-10 15:41:26 +0000 UTCMan. Such wasted opportunity...
SycrosD4
2023-04-10 13:03:55 +0000 UTCSorry to read that .. i dont understand their decision ..
2023-04-10 08:36:35 +0000 UTCSorry to hear this, gutted for you and the team, it looked set to be an absolutely wonderful game. Good luck with your future endeavours.
Phil
2023-04-10 00:38:10 +0000 UTC😌May we stay mad 4ever💐
Horrorstine Rowell
2023-04-09 22:49:16 +0000 UTCAbsolutely heartbroken since the moment I read the email notifiction. I am so incredibly sorry for you and for your team and furious about EA's poor decision. Because my hope dies for last, I still hope that there is a chance we can see this wonderful concept you and your team have been working on for so long. If I have to, I will sign every single petition to make it happen. Your world and version of Alice gave me so much comfort because I had to go through many hard trials in life and its unique aesthetic and vibe gave me comfort. Whatever comes, I will support you and I will remain an Insane Child as long I can. Much love to you and your team. 🖤
SwampMonster
2023-04-09 22:10:07 +0000 UTC:(
Hilthon Cesar
2023-04-09 17:49:16 +0000 UTCAmerican..I am so sorry from the bottom of my heart . Alice has been and always will be special to me. I am proud to be an Insane Child..and I always will be. We will always be a family...and I will always be a supporter of Mysterious. Thank you for all the hard work..thank you to all of the team as well. May the doors and minds of possibility always be open...I Love You Insane Family ❤️
2023-04-09 16:19:45 +0000 UTCI've never subscribed to Patreon before this project. For me, if there were ever a worthy cause this was it, so I signed up believing whole-heartedly that banding together would prove to "the powers that be" that Asylum MUST be sought through. I have to say, I'm DEEPLY saddened that the journey is over. Losing this battle is comparable to losing a loved one. I am truly in mourning. I just want to say thank you for bringing such creativity/ originality to the gaming world. Your talents are unmatched.
2023-04-09 13:08:37 +0000 UTCIncredibly heartbreaking news. Take refuge in knowing that you created excellent art, engaging worlds, and provided years of excitement to your many patreon supporters.
2023-04-09 11:36:28 +0000 UTCThis hurts, quite a bit. Not so much as for you, I'm sure, but having been following your Alice's journey since the original it's like closing a book with the ending torn out. There was so much potential life to this, it's strange to think that it's all just gone before it could even breathe. I am still happy I was a part of this and hope I can support your other efforts like Mysterious more in the future. Thank you for the memories, thank you for the merchandise, and more than anything, thank you for trying.
2023-04-09 08:37:44 +0000 UTCAt least EA should refund all the Patreon fundings…. I hope at least there would be remake of the madness returns
2023-04-09 07:48:38 +0000 UTCI spent the last 24 hours dizzy and in shock. about 15 minutes ago It finally hit and I cried so hard. My heart hurts. I am devastated. Literally in tears again writing this. Feels like all my joy and wonder are dead. I can never be excited for anything again. The world is just suffering and betrayal.
Chloe Cousins
2023-04-09 02:12:37 +0000 UTCI’m so sorry. I love Wonderland and everything your team has put into it
Noël
2023-04-09 00:26:06 +0000 UTCYou should file a lawsuit. As far as I'm concerned EA owes EVERYONE who had anything to do with this their money back. I bet then they would give it a second thought
2023-04-09 00:10:42 +0000 UTCI'm really devastetd. My hopes for this game were high. Best of luck for youu and your family
2023-04-08 19:19:38 +0000 UTCWhat is going to happen with the Alice merch over at Mysterious? There are still 2 prints I really would like to have. Noticed that prices have gone up considerable since....? Of course they cost money and I AM willing to pay! But if there might come a sort of good bye sale..... Just asking what is going to happen
2023-04-08 19:00:14 +0000 UTCBig. Big. BIG F. I'm so sorry to read this. This saga is amazing and deserves so much better. More than a game it has been a piece of art and I'm really mad that companies fail to see this and provide support to truly artistic visions.
2023-04-08 17:28:06 +0000 UTCGod dammit.
2023-04-08 17:08:14 +0000 UTCAny chance we could get a physical copy of the design bible?
Limb Legion
2023-04-08 14:36:28 +0000 UTCWelp. In a way, I saw that coming. I wish the best for Martin, you, and your family. It is sad that we won't see a game made by you. I am a big fan of your work and always will be. Goodbye to both of you and I hope you stay safe.
Saleh Abu-Rashid
2023-04-08 14:00:18 +0000 UTCIs The Wizard of Oz still in development, or is that shelved a while ago?
2023-04-08 08:31:48 +0000 UTCThank you for doing what you could for us. It's truly disheartening that Alice's is at and end, but you've done the right thing. To the artist for all the fantastic artwork, the concept art etc will be things all of us will treasure. The best of luck to you American, to the artist and all involved in trying to get the third game made. We will always be your Insane Children. Thank you and best of luck with everything. 💙
2023-04-08 08:18:22 +0000 UTCThank you mr McGee and the design team for making so much effect getting the design bible finished. These years been fun on the stream, getting to see what's been worked on, the plans and the future goals making asylum. I hope some day the bible will be picked up and EA will change their mind without ignoring the possibility. We all rest and pray for a bit of hope to make a dream come true. Mr. McGee, may you rest your body, and take care of yourself and your family. Be safe ❤
2023-04-08 03:10:36 +0000 UTCAmerican, Martin, Alex, Joey, and everyone that has put some of their essence into this Design Bible: Thank you very much. Shortly after discovering the games I became obsessed and combed the internet for more info about the games, I discovered the Alcie Otherlands, and after that, the efforts that you were making to get Alice Asylum to happen, I will never forget how you started the streams in a closet with a black blanket on your backs and how excited {d get every Wednesday when I got to catch you on stream. I really cherish everything that resulted from these efforts and I will never be the same after. I am deeply sorry that the bureaucracy has ended our adventure, but once an Insane Child always an Insane child, I hope to hear more from all of you in the future. Gib it up, guys.
2023-04-08 03:05:43 +0000 UTCSo sad!!!!
Stephanie Groth
2023-04-07 23:47:32 +0000 UTCThankyou to everyone that tried so hard to get this done... sad day.
Catheryn Alice North
2023-04-07 23:40:14 +0000 UTC
