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Stuck in Time; Like Snails in the Rain
🕑 Added 2021-01-21 01:53:53 +0000 UTCDear Insane Children,
Last weekend, I went into the city with Lucky and Yan to meet friends for lunch. Some of the other kids at the get-together were sick with a cold; so Lucky and Yan got sick immediately. My immune system fought valiantly for a few days... and then I got sick. Bummer... since then, I've had body aches, sore throat, and ... some form of brain-damage. Not really brain damage, but it certainly feels like it. I'm often confused about what I was in the middle of doing; am doing common tasks in the wrong order; placing objects in places they don't belong... and just generally, well, brain-damaged.
Hence my not posting much in recent days. Plus, add to that, we're in the middle of packing house... Anyway, you get the idea.
But work continues...
This image is from Adam and depicts a scene in the Vale of Tears where Alice is exploring... of it Adam says:
Here is a work-in-progress update on the Valel of Tears, I have a "Madness Returns" more colorful version and the more depressing, cold-colored variant. Omri has suggested to go with the more depressing one, but to keep the leaves on the trees.
And to which I replied:
I really like the vibrant "Madness Returns" version... but it would make more sense for it to start in the Depressing mode... which is a great idea for a mechanic in this area...
The area starts in the Depression Mode and then slowly shifts to Vibrant Mode as Alice passes through... or as the area is healed with Tears.
This is basically just a filter on certain models/areas applied inside Unreal. We did a simliar thing with "Grimm" ... so maybe supply us with a Final Version of each half? As in, deliver one image but split it into two sides. One for Depression, one for Vibrant?
And, in general, it's a beautiful scene. Awesome!
If you're interested in learning more about this scene and what happens in it, you can check out the relevant section in the post containing the semi-complete Alice Narrative Overview. SPOILERS in that Document so... SPOILER WARNING!
Joey turned in this beautiful piece... a depiction of an encounter between Alice and The Duchess. This also takes place in the Vale of Tears; just after Alice and the Duchess in a battle because, as the Duchess says:
Once defeated, The Duchess invites Alice in for tea and biscuits.
Duchess: “I had to make sure you were you. Hard to tell these days; no one is what they seem anymore. I don’t even know if I am me anymore.
Though it's a beautiful scene, and we'll find a way to use it, it does deviate from the original request as Omri points out...
i imagined more something like this, a skinny skeletal large hunched ugly duchess and alice drinking tea and talking on oversized chairs and table. on the line of a conversation, something closer to the copy.
And he provides this rough sketch for a new render from Joey...
And last but not least (for this post anyway), is a collaboration illustration from Norm and Omri. This scene takes place in the Circus Realm. And it depicts Alice attempting to escape from this prison of fun with the help of a recently acquired Vorpal Blade.
That image (above) is the cropped and color (final) version) of a larger illustration...
Again, this scene can be found in the early pages of the Asylum Narrative document (link above). As we continue to develop and takes steps towards the writing of that document, the Art Team is following in our tracks and illustrating all the critical scenes. All of this content will be rolled into the Alice: Asylum Design Bible. And Alex has already started work on the layout and design of that document. We should have an early (style guide) draft of that to show you in a month or two.
Feels to me like everything is turning out great.
Let us know in the comments below what you think of these scene illustrations. Our artists love to hear your feedback and comments.
Housekeeping (moving)
A quick reminder that my family will be moving to a new house on the 30th of January. That is only 8 days from today, so we are starting the process of packing up the Old House and prepping for a move to the New House. As you are aware (or might imagine), the packing and moving of a house that contains 3 adults, 1 child, and 1 dog, plus our Studio, Live Stream room, Warehouse (for Mysterious stuff), and two offices... is a LOT of work. So please excuse me if in the coming days leading to the 30th, and for a few days after, you don't see many posts from me.
The rest of the team will still be at work on the story, art, and BD during those days. And when I return, I'll be to sure to bring with me a BIG UPDATE on all that's gone on during that time.
From Shanghai with Love (and tears),
-American
Comments
Lucas Severin
these illustrations are Awesome.
You could put in a drop down feature so you have to click it to spoil it?
Its okay bro we are all fucked XD we just do the best we can. I appreciate your work. I'm trying not to get too excited but I can't help it. Get well soon much love 💘
Sarah McKeegan
Feel better! And I love the illustrations and everything!!
Juan Romero
And get well soon American, hope moving to the new house goes smoothly.
Juan Romero
Oh, I feel so embarrased, Joey is a she! I'm spanish and thought Joey was a masculine name. Criticism aside, her works are stunning, those were my two cents regarding productivity alone.
oh I see it now, in a quick glance my brain said to expect more in the difference
American McGee
Thank you.
American McGee
They are BOTH presented in this post. Brighter up top, darker down below.
American McGee
Juan, I've been telling Joey exactly this for years... going back to her days at Spicy Horse. And have also explained that it would save her a lot of work. She doesn't seem to care though... because she still continues to deliver "finished" work without ever showing us a preview. Maybe your comment will help her change her ways?
Saleh Abu-Rashid
Darn. I read a bit from the spoiler.
Hope you and the family get well soon such a bummer getting a cold
Juan Romero
About Joey's painting, being a painter myself, the polished rendering on his painting is a lot of work, I think he should submit a rough version first, because if not, then there's many hours of work that go to the trash, like in the scene of the snail, if it fits then you can develop it further but I imagine how he'd feel about his painting going "oh, its a great piece...but not really what we are going for"
were we supposed to see the same snail pic twice? or both versions of it? (I look forward to seeing the brighter version) - it looks great I love the duchess pic, but it's a bit too "classic". I would expect/prefer a twist on her like the one omri suggsts
Anna Lepper
Hope you feel better soon American! My husband just got cleared to go back to work from the 'Rona. I don't know about skeletal vs reg Duchess, but the art as presented is GOREGOUS! Love the dynamism of the Circus scene too.
Nicholas Brokaw
... good point 😂 ... I still literally feel physically uncomfortable when I play that part. Even though there isn’t anything “wrong” about it, I try not to look because it just feels too weird.
Nicholas Brokaw
Good idea. It is certainly going to be big one 🏋️
Lucky Dragon ‘She.They’
That’s exactly why we should do it. Because it would be weird and uncomfortable. Exactly the kind of feeling this series forces players to feel. This is the series that made us walk through a baby doll’s crotch.
Nicholas Brokaw
Oh yes. I must’ve misread that part. Changing up The Duchess might be odd. If it’s done right though then I’m good with it. I don’t know if I’d be onboard with The Duchess breastfeeding her pig baby though. You are right about the game being in a unique position, but I think I’d still find it a little weird.
Lucky Dragon ‘She.They’
With American being so busy moving house, and as wordy as my forthcoming community post will be, I’m gonna hold off until after American has settled in, out respect of him and his time.
Lucky Dragon ‘She.They’
My preference would be to keep the original Duchess design. I mean I’ll go along with a new interpretation, but what is the motivation behind changing the design radically? Personally I think Joey’s original is great. The setting is a little too, ‘normal’ though. And some imagery I would like to see that I don’t think any interpretation of Alice has ever attempted that I can remember is to have the Duchess breastfeeding her pig baby. And I think this game is in a unique position to do that.
The artwork scenes look very good. Outline looks like it’s moving well. Good luck and have fun with the move!
Nicholas Brokaw
Those are looking INCREDIBLE!!! The proposed sketch of meeting The Duchess would probably be more fitting, but from a pure art standpoint, the current one is looking good too (and I love the face of Shadow Alice [at least, I think that’s her]). I’m REALLY loving The Circus image as well! Good luck with the move and I hope you begin to feel better soon! And of course, I’ll still be here thinking of ideas! Speaking of ideas, a handful of the Insane Children (including me) had a big discussion about the game’s developments so far. I think Lucky Dragon was going to post something on the Community tab about it, but I’m not sure about it yet. Regardless of that, I’ll probably get something up there by the end of the week.
