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Better Dangerous than Meek
🕑 Added 2021-12-01 01:35:38 +0000 UTCDear Insane Children,
Adam finished the illustration in which we see the Shadow Self become Alice's dominant personality. This is described in the Narrative Outline as a protective action by her psyche. And it explains how/why it is that the Alice we know (from the games) is actually Shadow Alice. The Child Self has been submerged, protected deep within the subconscious, for most of the time we see Alice in AMA and AMR. So this is an important moment - the birth of the Alice we all know and love.
And it's important to note that The Shadow isn't necessarily evil. But it is completely necessary. If you try to live life denying your shadow, you make yourself vulnerable to those who are completely consumed by theirs. We live in relatively "soft" times - speaking from a historical perspective - where a lot of people can get by without ever engaging their Shadow. But when chaos comes to them - and it always does - they are ill-prepared to defend themselves.
My personal experience with this is deep and painful. I watched my sisters raised in a household where The Shadow was denied in full. An orthodox bubble where "worldly" influences were forbidden. Similar to the tale of Snow White - where her parents rejected the presence of Maleficent at her christening. Maleficent being the embodiment of nature, chaos, and shadow.
My sisters were, as a result, completely unprepared for any interaction with reality. And what followed was, well, truly tragic.
So... better embrace your shadow.
Let us know in the comments below what you think. Have you embraced your Shadow? Or found yourself in situations where you wish you had (or were glad you had)?
We'll discuss this and more during the LIVE STREAM tomorrow. Usual time and place:
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Everything together in one easy place there!
Speaking of engaging your Inner Grrr...
Did you know we released a new Plushie Dreadful in the Mysterious Shop?
Say "Hi!" to Rage Rabbit! His head pops off!
From Shanghai with Grrr,
-American
Comments
Sarah McKeegan
Love the psychology and art!
Destiny Jenson
Maleficent was in Sleeping Beauty, not Snow White 🙂
AniFae Kusanagi
This is deep. The visual imagery not only physically, but mentally projects her psyche of somebody who is, in other words, truly broken. Its as if all the trauma's she has suffered up to this point has chipped away at the cage that hides the shadow. It weighed on her, to the point where the shadow has to take control, as a form of pure instinctual survival. Logic and reasoning abandoning ones mind in order to protect herself. Its like Nature over nurture, or kill or be killed. The subconcious is a scary realm, and, as the famous animator Don Bluth once said, "You have to show the darkness, in order to appreciate the light." And in Alice's case, its as if she has embraced the shadow, in the hopes her psyche ever see's daylight ever again. Like the Shadow self is tearing the morality rule book up, in order so Alice may discover her own way, and her strenghts etc. The limitless possibilities of her Shadow and subconcious, reminds me of the Japanese book (and Anime) Paprika. I love the tenticle/spike like shadow beneath her, maybe it would be cool if you could see a Nurse at the side preparing a sedative in a panic at Alice's rage, or claw marks on those trying to restrain her or the bed, like when trying to cage a scared animal. Absolutley amazing work going on here guys! I can't get enough!
Shabnakh-adyr
Love the idea for the image, but I think the poses feel a bit half-hearted right now. Alice herself is fine, but no one's really holding her down. All their touches are light, like they're not concerned. Showing the authority figures around her struggling would really help drive home the power of the Shadow.
I can not express enough how much i am impressed by the psychology you guys stuff the future game with (hopefully the finished game will be presented as deeply). You seem to understand better, what other character developers in other videogames understand so-so: the more realistically character's psychology is written - the more i care for hers/his journey and then it affects my emotions more. I believe the Jungian perspective, i partially see your approach with, is genuine in many aspects of psyche. Best of luck in making the final game!
Saiyasha
Thank you for this little insight in where you get the Ideas for these games. i am very sorry for your sisters. I too grew up very sheltered and it nearly broke me the first time the wolrd showed it's uglier face. Embracing ones darkness is important - but balance is the most important of all, in my opinion. If we go by the terminology here, I nearly buried my inner child in an effort to protect myself, which was something that kept me alive - but not living. I am by nature deeply empathetic and caring and denying that Part of my self hurt me more then the outside world did. I had to find a balance of not getting taking advantage of my caring nature and still being able to see the good in the world. To this day, I try to maintain a certain amount of positivity, albeit tempered with the the caution of experience. And I'm sorry, but I can't not say it.... you mixed up your fairy tales. It is Sleeping beauty that is cursed by Maleficent, not Snow white...
Greyson Kehm
That's an interesting image of Alice's Shadow taking over. We do indeed live in "soft" times, compared to other periods in history. As for myself, I'm aware of my Shadow, and have an idea of what it's capable of, but I have yet to embrace it. I really like how this idea is being explored here!
Greyson Kehm
Maybe Hysteria is the full manifestation of Alice's Shadow?
Oh wow I absolutely love this image of Alice! It's pretty much exactly what i was imagining while reading the narrative! I'm really loving the heavy story images! It's alot of fun to see how all of the artists visualize different aspects of the narrative!
Wendy Jaa
Interesting thoughts about being sheltered from your inner shadow. I feel the same way. Thankfully I learned to embrace the shadow and learn from it, rather then deny it.
Reminds me of when Alice can engage hysteria where momentarily, she can inflict more damage and also take attacks without being harmed as final means to get out of a tight situation. Amazing artwork!
