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Tattoos on a Caterpillar
🕑 Added 2020-10-21 00:32:42 +0000 UTCDear Insane Children,
Whew, somehow the recent days really got away from me... and it seems I've not posted anything since last Thursday-ish when we did our Twitch Livestream. There was a LOT of information covered in that stream so if you missed it, be sure to check out the recording over on YouTube. You can do that via THIS LINK.
We are heading into the home stretch on prep work before we make our presentation to REDACTED for the investment towards a new studio and series of games. That's taken up a bit of my time recently - along with tasks related to Alice: Asylum writing, and a ton of housekeeping tasks (read signing, packing, and shipping things).
Still LOTS of work getting done across all of our projects... and it feels like most of the work effort is once again focused on Alice: Asylum. We're making a big push to flesh out the complete story with the final narrative (writing) and the art to accompany all the major scenes. Out of that is flowing art like this latest Dress concept from Omri for the Slumber scene at the start of the game...
Of which Omri says (as we discuss the design for what she's wearing in these scenes):
i think it's a balance. the world is still wonderland, so perhaps she doesn't have powers but i don't think she'd "imagine" herself wearing something that is plain. so Yes a "simple white gown" but still designed and still purposeful. something that is "trying" to look real instead of an outfit that looks like a cheap slip.
i made her seem like a white moth, because in some twisted way in Slumber she's attracted to the light, she tried to run away from it's Darkness/smoke so i think it makes sense.
We also have a Room Design from Joey - a place where a very critical scene will play out around the 2/3rds mark of the game story.
And there's also a mix of level building and game design going into our efforts these days.
Which is linked to the writing I've been doing lately, an excerpt related to this design idea is contained here:
DENIAL REALM - THE GREATEST SHOW
[The following is The 1st Part of a musical sequence sung by a full cast of characters inhabiting The Circus]
Turtle: “The show is starting! We must not be late!”
Alice opens her eyes to watch as Turtle pulls a Giant Lever ejecting her from bed and into a Circus Dress. Makeup is plastered onto her face by autonomous arms. A mechanical hand shoves her towards a Giant Slide where a White Rabbit Doll is preparing to jump.
We PLAY as a confused Alice begins her descent down the Slide after the White Rabbit. Turtle follows closely behind as we weave through turns hurtling towards the ground. All around is a surreal Circus World of tents, rides, carnivals, animals, performers… as far as the eye can see.
Turtle SINGS as The Music plays. His lyrics explain: “It’s a new day, a new show; we must not miss our mark, we can not forget our lines; the Tweedles may be half Dum but they view these things as crimes.”
Alice SINGS: “But I don’t want to play your games, I don’t want to say your lines. If being here requires those things then I’d prefer to commit the crimes.”
What follows is a sequence where Alice is alternately pushed and pulled through The Circus Realm with White Rabbit leading the way. Turtle pleads with her to hit her marks and say her lines. The sequence is split into “on track” and “off track” areas. On track - there’s full lyrical and theatrical sequence playing as we’re pushed along. Off track - the lyrics take a rest and The Music fades to a background beat allowing for moments of free exploration.
This serves as the Second Tutorial for Basic Movement - walking, running, climbing, and jumping. It also adds ledge grabs, swinging, double jumps, and dress gliding.
Key Points delivered as Exposition in the lyrics: Alice is a prisoner of The Circus. The Moon makes escape impossible. Alice should just give up and enjoy The Show. Alice hates it here.
At one point the White Rabbit hops off track and leads Alice towards a Fortune Teller’s Tent. The Music fades. Within the tent, Alice stares deeply into a crystal ball as it transforms into a Snow Globe. Hypnotized by the falling snow, Alice returns to Slumber Realm and an audience with The Caterpillar.
Turns out I've managed to insert a bit of Musical into the opening section of Asylum. I wrote to Chris Vrenna about this and he said he's 100% on board to make that idea a reality and thinks it's something that's never been done before... should be interesting!
Dario is working on "Key" images...
These link into the Chaos Symbol "collect the keys" concept that Alex came up with.
In short, we are back at Full Steam Ahead on Alice: Asylum work. And I really like the work that's getting done. Some excellent art, creativity, and design going on here.
Let us know in the comments below what you think of everything!
From Shanghai with Love,
-American
Comments
Sarah McKeegan
Everything looks really good!! Love it all!!
Karolina Belomestnova
About the paper box - it’s so early in game development that it can literally be changed a hundred times. I see that as an excuse to change it now, for historical accuracy and people like myself who are bothered by this and can’t unsee it :)
I personally don't see the problem with the nightgown being uncomfortable. If I were imagining a nightgown for myself, I'd probably go form over function too. If we were going for historical accuracy and comfort, it wouldn't be fitted on the waist or underbust anyway. It'd just be a shapeless long sleeved shift with some lacy frills, which to be fair sounds very comfortable. You're right, it probably would have been easier to find something like a wooden crate to use for a sturdy seat. Paper boxes seemed to be used to hold more expensive items, I've seen some surviving paper boxes for packaging corsets. It's a pretty small aspect of the whole picture though, I'm sure it wouldn't ruin the scene if it were kept as a paper box.
Jessi St.
collect the keys - my first thought: oh like Disney is doing or like Kingdom Hearts.....okay.... XD But i love the slums room very much.
Karolina Belomestnova
The dress is very lovely indeed, looks great. But... is it meant to be a nightgown? I’m torn here - on one hand I don’t want to ruin the thinness, paleness and fragility vibe this dress gives off, but on the other hand, this is one uncomfortable nightgown... That’s not to say that nightgowns must be plain, but I’d design one a little differently. The slimmest part of the gown should be under the breasts, not on the waist, and the sleeves should be at least somewhat loose, not tight-fitting, and without buttons or cuffs on the sleeves. Or, have shorter sleeves instead, like 3/4 length? If it’s more of a “home dress”, though, then the design is fine. 🤷🏻♀️ As for the slum room, my only critique is the paper box. I have a feeling that a stool or a tiny bench, or even a crate would be easier to get in Victorian times than a paper box. Besides, the quality of paper back then must’ve been worse than what we have now, so it’d wear out really quickly, it’s not practical. And yes, I’m glad that it says “at 2/3 of the game” now! Because the timing really matters.
Stephanie Groth
This is so exciting! The musical number reminds me of the caucus race and that makes me very happy. Her sleep dress is beautiful. I love the idea of her looking like a moth and being drawn to the light.
Alice is very stunning I adore the creative work so much and honestly (I’m still waiting for more info with Alice on steam) but I am willing to wait and who else isn’t excited anyways luvs thx you for the hard work and I’m very excited to see more through this process
I LOVE the dress!! I love the idea of the tutorial mixed into the opening circus on and off. I like the keys
I love this dress!! Its gorgeous! I think its perfect for child Alice in the inbetween spaces! Seeing herself as a moth next to a caterpillar is such a great comparison! I hope that means we get some gameplay in the caterpillars garden!💘
Loving the dress design! As always Omri did such a great job ❤
Lucky Dragon ‘She.They’
This is all very exciting stuff. The Alice in the white gown looks older to me, correct me if I’m wrong, but that’s Adult Alice yeah? Maybe it’s supposed to be obvious given it’s followed up by where Adult Alice is living. I just want to clarify.
Looking good guys!! I’m excited to see where you’re gonna go with the whole musical thing :)
