Alice: Madness Returns is an upcoming video game for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, currently in development and scheduled for a Q4 2011 release.[1] It is the sequel to the 2000 PC and Mac video game American McGee's Alice. McGee, who designed the original game, returns to design the sequel after EA partnered with McGee's studio Spicy Horse.
Development
Rumors of a sequel to Alice first developed shortly after the original game was released to critical and commercial success.[2] With a movie adaptation of American McGee's Alice in the making, interest at Electronic Arts rose in a remake of the game and work was started on a sequel.[3]
At the February 2009 D.I.C.E. Summit, EA announced a new game in the series, which at the time had the working title The Return of American McGee's Alice.[4][5] Two pieces of concept art accompanied the announcement, along with the information that the original game's writer and executive producer would also return for the sequel.[6] In November of that year, a fan-made trailer was mistaken by gaming news outlets as an official teaser for the game, in which Alice is in therapy after a relapse nine months following the events of the first game, and appears to hallucinate an image of the Cheshire Cat in place of her doctor.[7]
At EA's Studio Showcase on July 20, 2010, more details about the game were shown, including its current title. In addition to further pieces of concept art and actual, in-game screenshots, the first official teaser was released. Despite (or perhaps because of) the fan video eight months prior, it also portrays Alice in therapy: after being hypnotized by her doctor in a bizarre office filled with dismembered arms hanging from the ceiling, as she opens her mouth to speak, large amounts of blood and teeth pour out. As the game title appears, a whispering voice is heard saying, "Alice... what have you done?"[8]
During the 2010 Tokyo Game Show, new assets, including a second trailer was released. Alice is seen strolling through a London street, and eventually approaches an area littered with toys and a large, carnival-style window, which depicts the Mad Hatter, the Dormouse and the White Rabbit taking tea. Suddenly, she sees an image of her deceased parents in the window's reflection, but turns around to find no one there. The window begins to burn and the silhouette of the Queen of Hearts appears before it explodes in flames, and the Queen's tentacles drag Alice into the inferno. Like the previous trailer, it too ends with a voice saying "What have you done?"[9]
Plot
Alice as seen in Madness Returns, holding the Vorpal blade.
Madness Returns takes place eleven years after the events of its predecessor, the same amount of time between the two games' releases.[8] Alice has been released from Rutledge Asylum and into the care of a London psychiatrist, where the traumatic memories of her parents' deaths continue to haunt her. As a result of her relocation, her hallucinations and internal struggle have increased in severity, and she returns to Wonderland in hopes of security and comfort. However, it has once again become warped by her insanity, and she must save its residents and herself from the evil that is taking over Wonderland.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Martijn Müller (2010-08-20). [GC10 Alice Returns niet eerder dan Q4 2011] (Dutch). NG-Gamer.
- ↑ American McGee's Alice (pc) reviews at. Metacritic.com (2000-12-05). Retrieved on 2010-08-10
- ↑ Martijn Müller. Remake American McGee's Alice in de maak (Dutch). NG-Gamer. Retrieved on 2007-11-01
- ↑ Crecente, Brian (2009-02-19). EA Announces New American McGee's Alice Title. Kotaku.com. Retrieved on 2010-08-10
- ↑ The Return of American McGee's Alice Set For PC, Consoles. Kotaku.com (2009-02-19). Retrieved on 2010-08-10
- ↑ American McGee Has a Blank Canvas for Alice Sequel. Kotaku.com (2009-02-20). Retrieved on 2010-08-10
- ↑ American McGee’s Blog » Return of Alice (Video Madness). Americanmcgee.com. Retrieved on 2010-08-10
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Our First Official Look at Alice: Madness Returns. Kotaku.com (2010-07-20). Retrieved on 2010-08-10
- ↑ Yup, Alice Is Definitely Crazy In Alice: Madness Returns. Kotaku.com (2010-09-15). Retrieved on 2010-09-15
External links
Template:Alice