Dear Insane Children, 

Did you miss the Live Stream last week? Fret not… there’s a recording of it over on my YouTube Channel. You can view it via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjCxphrHTcg 

Who Is Shadow Alice? 

Did you know… the Alice you know and love from the first two games (AMA and AMR) is the aspect of Alice’s psyche we refer to as The Shadow? It’s the Shadow aspect of her personality that helped Alice survive those years of insanity in the asylum and conflict in Wonderland. 

And we’ve created a scene in Asylum where, early in Alice’s days in the asylum, The Shadow takes control of Alice’s psyche. She does this to protect the Inner Child. That area of the script reads as follows… 

Narrative Excerpt ?Below:

The scene ends as Alice is taken away crying, and in shock, from her smoldering ruined home. Final flashes of Alice being taken away in a straight jacket play out in a cut scene.

ALICE

At that time, I was the monster. I felt responsible… I couldn’t control my anguish, and I was caged for it.

A scene of Alice vactantly looking at her own reflection. The Shadow flickers across the child’s face. She tells her reflection;

ALICE

…all your… fault…

She screams as she cries. Scenes of Alice lashing out, she is biting and clamoring at the orderlies who hold her down. We hear the roar of the angry monster. She is in a wild, uncontrollable hysteria, as flashes of the Shadow merge with the face of the child.

The scene dissolves back to Alice’s audience with the Caterpillar.

Alice

That monster from the mirror is… me?

Caterpillar

Only a part of you. The monster lives within us all, Alice. But only a few can face it, much less embrace it.

Remove the mask, Alice. See the truth in who you are. See who you become. There is a darkness in you, in us all, that must be faced…

And Adam is working on an illustration for this scene – the first of which (C) you can see above (Main Image Above). 

Let us know in the comments below which of these variations you like best. 

My thoughts on this scene and the provided illustrations… I had pictured a scene in the Asylum where young is Alice is being held down by orderlies. The Shadow appears like a spirit possessing Alice – a stormy face superimposed over that of the young girl. It would be the sort of thing that would work on film – a close-up of Alice’s face with this flickering “other” taking over. This sort of fine detail is difficult to capture in illustrations – so I think we’ll go with one of these illustrations at the same time we admit that this probably won’t be anything like what we see in the final in-game version. 

Let us know in the comments below what you think! And which of these illustrations do you think works best? 

From Shanghai with Love, 

-American 

Dear Insane Children, 

There WILL BE a Live Stream this week at the usual time (plus/minus some sort of daylight savings nonsense for those of you living where that’s a thing). 

Note that for those of you in Freedom Land – the start time is 6PM PST. 

We’ll do the usual – review new art, talk about Biz Dev stuff, and give away prizes. 

I did just finish a final pass on the Narrative with Alex… and he’s going to start work on prepping the Narrative Overview (Version 2!) for release here on Patreon… but I do not think that work will be done in time for the Live Stream. Still… we might talk a bit about what work was done. 

Got questions, feedback, or other things you’d like discussed on the stream? Let us know in the comments below!

Today’s illustration is from Joey… see that sneak Bumby hiding under the stairs?

From Shanghai with Love, 

-American 

Dear Insane Children, 

I had a nice time in the wilderness mountains above DeQing, China. It’s an area I’ve visited almost annually for the past 15 years. And the amount of change in the region is (like everywhere else in China) mindblowing. Every road, street lamp, rest stop, garbage can, sidewalk, guard rail, etc, etc – everything is new, clean, and beautifully designed. Walking around the little villages and towns, you feel like you’re on a freshly built film set. It reminds me very much of Japan when I would first visit there 20 years ago. And it is still being developed and improved. China in another 10~15 years is very likely to be the most modern, safe, and clean country on the planet. Crazy. 

Oh, the temple in that picture… was built in the year 1181.

Speaking of things that happened a long time ago… 

We have another set of sketches from Adam depicting Alice’s childhood memories. 

This is the “4th family memory with Arthur Liddell talking to his daughters,”

Have a look and let us know what you think. 

From the Art Brief: Image 4:
?13.1D) Show a scene of Alice and Lizzie being spoken to by their Father (Arthur Liddell.)
?Eye-level, eye-to-eye connection between Alice and her Father. Alice’s Father kneeling down to speak to Alice.

ALICE’S FATHER

There’s something to learn here for yourself, Alice. Your Mother might be harsh at times, but she only wants the best for you.

Run along girls, do as your Mother says. There’s a time and a place for games, and that time may be cut short as you grow. You’ll know when the time is right.

Alice watches her younger self and sister hold hands as they wander up the stairs to their room. Alice reaches out to the memory of her Father, he fades and crumbles to ash at her touch.

Let us know in the comments below which is your favorite. I like C or D. Lizzie in the other two images is holding an odd pose that doesn’t seem to fit with the mood or the era. 

We also have a new artist on the pre-production team!

Gareth Keenan is an illustrator based in New Zealand. And his first assigned task is the image you see above. Here’s the brief for that one…

38.2) Narrative Task // Alice Restores Hatter’s Mind

Page 125 Line 1, to Page 126, Line 11

Art Task Briefing and Output:
?At least 1x Image of Alice helping Hatter by Restoring his Mind.
?The gift given to her from her Mother in the chapter previous.

?This is a scene of Alice showing kindness, and helping and healing parts of her psyche herself.

—–?

?Narrative Excerpt:

Examining the tiny broken snow globe shards on the floor, Alice then wipes her tears, and addresses Hatter.

Alice

Hatter? What are you doing here? I saw you…

THE MAD HATTER

Die? Be consumed? YES REMARKABLE.

Hatter yells excitedly.

Alice places a hand on Hatter’s forehead. He is clearly mad, and not his calm self. He jitters as his facial expression tightens into a grimace of pain. Alice reaches into her pockets and produces Hatter’s mind, given to her by her mother.

Wonderful! 

A quick reminder there will be NO live stream this week as I must travel to Yan’s hometown for some family business. But we’ll be back the week after with lots of great new art, design, and other updates. 

Happy Halloween, Insane Children! 

From Shanghai with Boo,

-American 

Dear Insane Children, 

Some really amazing artwork flowing from the Alice: Asylum pre-production team this week. Starting with an illustration from Omri based on the following art task: 

25.4) Narrative / Combat Design Scenes // Alice’s encounters the Chaos in the Vale – Pig Slaughter – From Page 93, Line 4-17

?Art Task Briefing and Output:
??Create a narrative scene of Alice navigating the waters with Mockturtle. Show dead pigs and slaughtered pigs in this scene. Horror, violence and darkness themed.

?The true enemy at this stage is the Chaos and Shadow. Not the pigs. The Chaos Creatures and Shadow has killed the Pigs. Alice fights the Chaos in this scene.

And he included a WIP sketch element that I absolutely LOVE… 

Even as-is I would love to have this printed and hanging on a wall in the house… maybe in Lucky’s room? Hahah. 

Joey also turned in a nice piece in the continuing series of scenes related to Alice’s childhood memories…

Now for the bad news…

There will be NO Live Stream this week nor the following week. This is partly due to personal selfishness (I am going camping one more time before the weather turns too cold) – and family obligations (we need to travel to Yan’s hometown for some business related to her mum and dad). 

But we should be back on November 11th (Hong Kong Time). And that should hopefully give me enough time to diagnose and repair whatever was wrong with our Livestream rig last time around. 

And I hope we’ll have some meaningful updates on narrative, biz dev, and other fun topics. In the meantime, the art updates will continue to flow!

From Shanghai with Pigs, 

-American  

Dear Insane Children, 

Font Lord here with your last reminder that the next print we’re doing (October Patrons charged in November) is a fantastic double-print as we do every year in October.

Over on the left of the image you have Battle of Judgement and to the right, there’s Hatter’s Quest.
Each print is approx 47cm X 61cm

So if the double print bonus tickles your fancy, make sure to be at the $75 level BEFORE THE END OF OCTOBER. There’s no reason not to make the change now since you won’t be charged until early November anyway, so waiting until 11:59pm on Oct 31st to change is unnecessary.

A couple of other things of note.

1) If this will be your first time ever at the $75 level, we’ll also send you a Hysteria Rabbit+Bag. Yay!

2) These two prints will be going into the Mysterious Store and the 3x$35 Tier choice as well, but only as single prints.

3) Yes, you can change your tier again to whatever tier you like after you have been successfully charged the $75 in November.

And there you have it.
Hope you’re all doing well.

Big hugs from Shanghai   🙂

Dear Insane Children, 

We continue to work through some of Alice’s memory scenes from the time period prior to the fire (PF). And this morning, Adam sent over another batch from the scenes where Lizzie and Alice are playing in the living room, break a tea set, and are scolded by mom. 

All of this is meant to link into an eventual reveal… but I won’t say more on that because spoilers. 

So the scene setup is… 

(Slumber Encounter #4 – Guilt)

[Requiem, K. 626: Lacrimosa – (Mozart)]

A cut scene plays as Alice continues to spin joyously, as she spins alone, an ethereal memory unfolds around her. She is watching another memory of her past.

Alice is very young. Lizzie is laughing with Alice, as they both hold hands, spinning together in the family living room. As they spin, Alice fumbles her step, and trips, knocking over a porcelain tea set. It shatters on the ground, and Alice cuts her knee badly on the broken white shards as she too hits the ground.

Crying, Alice does not know what to do. She squirms, watching the strange red liquid cascade from her wound.

Elizabeth

Oh Alice, you’ve taken another tumble! Here, let me help you.

Lizzie’s words are warm, and soothing. Alice stops crying as her older sister bandages her knee.

Elizabeth

There, good as new.

Alice and Lizzie smile at one another.

Hearing the ruckus, Alice’s Mother enters the room.

Alice’s Mother is shocked, and disciplines the girl’s foolish behaviour.

ALICE’S MOTHER

Girls! This area is not for playtime! And look, Alice you’ve hurt yourself again, and ruined our tea set. When will you learn?

Alice’s eyes widen as she blinks back her tears.

ALICE’S MOTHER

It’s off to your rooms for the both of you. No supper!

As the girls sadly saunter off to their rooms, Alice’s mother is left cleaning up the mess. Both girls are stopped by their Father as they leave. He kneels down eye-to-eye with Alice’s height and addresses them both.

ALICE’S FATHER

Lizzie, I expect a better example from you. You must look after your little sister. Not just when she’s hurt.

Lizzie cheekily jests;

Elizabeth

Oh, the little adventurer can take a tumble or two.

Their Father smiles,

ALICE’S FATHER

That she can. And she will.

He then addresses Alice. Meeting her gaze, he explains;

ALICE’S FATHER

There’s something to learn here for yourself, Alice. Your Mother might be harsh at times, but she only wants the best for you.

Run along girls, do as your Mother says. There’s a time and a place for games, and that time may be cut short as you grow. You’ll know when the time is right.

Alice watches her younger self and sister hold hands as they wander up the stairs to their room. Alice reaches out to the memory of her Father, he fades and crumbles to ash at her touch.

[END SCENE=

And to these more recent sketches, I replied: 

Short reply: ?D can work but I ?need to discuss with Alex some places where we work to soften the portrayal of Alice’s mom so that the audience doesn’t come away thinking she’s just a meany.

Long reply: ?I ?think all three compositions look good but… Again, speaking from the perspective of a parent, I feel D (with the pointed art) is too harsh considering the situation. Here’s why:

First, the mother’s primary focus would be on nurturing the injured child. You can’t nurture and scold at the same time – you have to choose between one of the two. And unless we’re trying to portray Alice’s mom as a mean-old-scold then I ?think we need to be careful with the angry-scolding stuff.

Second, Lizzie’s reaction would be warmer, closer, and more caring… right? ?She loves her little sister. And she knows these kinds of little accidents happen – because they always happen. Trust me, we have at least one accident per day around here… and except in cases of extreme carelessness (rare), the main focus is on soothing the child. The secondary focus is on soothing whoever else was involved in the incident – because if you’re there when a child gets hurt, you feel terrible about it… even if it isn’t really anyone’s fault.

W?ay to support both ideas: ?Keep (D) but also add a quick aside scene where Alice’s mom is seen giggling/laughing with the father – she was playing a part (perhaps too well) and they both know it. Lizzie knows it too. But the lesson was provided (as needed) ?and the girls (mainly Alice) won’t forget it too soon.

So given that context, which image do you think best achieves the goals for this scene?

The scene letters (A,B,C,D) are in the bottom right corner of the images. Let us know in the comments below what you think! 

From Shanghai with No Dinner, 

-American