Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[American McGee's Spicy Horse working on a shiny new Oz game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/american-mcgees-spicy-horse-working-on-a-shiny-new-oz-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/american-mcgees-spicy-horse-working-on-a-shiny-new-oz-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/american-mcgees-spicy-horse-working-on-a-shiny-new-oz-game/#commentsAmerican McGee's Spicy Horse working on a shiny new Oz game Spicy Horse, the studio founded by Alice creator American McGee in 2007, is working on a game based on The Wizard of Oz - but it's not American McGee's Oz, the game that was canceled in 2004 when publisher Atari pulled funding.

"This is not, in any way, shape or form, the title from 2004," Spicy Horse Community Manager Kelly Heckman tells Joystiq.

The new Oz game is still in its early stages, and Spicy Horse has yet to decide which genre it will be - strategy, puzzler, platformer, action, FPS - though the studio has a few ideas. The game will be cross-platform between tablets and PC, Mac and Linux, and while Spicy Horse likes the idea of a physical product, it has no concrete plans in that regard.

"It will be based on the entire Oz series - almost all 14 titles - so expect to see unique things not seen in previous incarnations," Heckman says.

As legend has it, nearly a decade ago McGee began crafting a Wizard of Oz game, but Atari canceled it in 2004, after producing a handful of action figures and concept art. McGee went on to found Spicy Horse and partnered with EA to launch Alice: Madness Returns in 2011. Spicy Horse is currently in talks with EA to retrieve the Alice license, and it has plans for a third game in the series, Alice: Otherlands.

Spicy Horse is working on two Kickstarters - one for Alice: Otherlands and one for Oz - but which project actually goes live will depend entirely on EA and how that Alice deal goes down, Heckman says.

Yesterday on the Facebook page for Alice: Otherlands, one fan suggested that if Spicy Horse couldn't work out the Alice rights with EA, it should develop "that Oz title instead."

Spicy Horse responded, "It's already in the works."

JoystiqAmerican McGee's Spicy Horse working on a shiny new Oz game originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 May 2013 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alicealice-otherlandsamerican-mcgeeamerican-mcgees-aliceamerican-mcgees-ozozspicy-horsethe-wizard-of-ozWizard-of-OzTue, 07 May 2013 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Alice: Otherlands is seriously considering Kickstarter, plans a video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/alice-otherlands-is-seriously-considering-kickstarter-plans-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/alice-otherlands-is-seriously-considering-kickstarter-plans-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/alice-otherlands-is-seriously-considering-kickstarter-plans-a/#commentsAlice Otherlands is getting serious about this Kickstarter idea American McGee's Spicy Horse development studio is getting serious about this Kickstarter idea for the third Alice installment, Alice: Otherlands. A Facebook page started in April contains multiple mentions of Kickstarter, potential rewards and teases about "hush-hush" negotiations with EA.

Spicy Horse is now working on a Kickstarter video for Alice: Otherlands and it wants an existing Alice cosplayer to star in it. The shoot is scheduled for June in Shanghai, China, Spicy Horse's home base.

"This contest does not mean the 'Otherlands' project will definitely happen - we're still working on deal-making, which could stall or fall through altogether," Spicy Horse cautions at the end of its announcement. For now, check out some of the early art for Alice: Otherlands and keep those Vorpal Blades crossed.

Alice: Otherlands features Alice in London, where she invades the minds of passersby and plays around in thousands of diverse, mental Wonderlands, McGee told us during GDC. He envisioned it not as a AAA game, but as an online, cooperative, cross-platform experience between tablets and browsers - but that was before EA had a say.

JoystiqAlice: Otherlands is seriously considering Kickstarter, plans a video originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 May 2013 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alicealice-otherlandsamerican-mcgeeEAElectronic-Artskickstarterspicy-horseMon, 06 May 2013 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Alice game probably won't be AAA, features Alice in 'Otherland']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/26/new-alice-game-probably-wont-be-aaa-features-alice-in-otherla/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/26/new-alice-game-probably-wont-be-aaa-features-alice-in-otherla/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/26/new-alice-game-probably-wont-be-aaa-features-alice-in-otherla/#comments For new Alice game, AAA 'is not our first priority,' series writer saysSpicy Horse - namely Alice series founders American McGee and RJ Berg - is pitching a new Alice game to EA this week, following a Facebook poll to gauge player interest in "Alice 3" as a concept and a Kickstarter project. Spicy Horse is ready to roll on a new game: something online, cooperative and with user-generated content, all spanning different platform access points.

EA controls the Alice franchise and Spicy Horse wants to leverage its own burgeoning game distribution platform, which focuses on Android tablet-browser cross-play. This means the new game probably won't be a AAA project, Berg tells Joystiq at GDC.

"Probably a AAA title, as the previous two have been, is not the first priority of EA right now," Berg says. "We have to construct a very strong idea of how that presentation might run, but it's up to them to pick up on the opportunity."

McGee and Berg have a clear narrative outline for the new Alice game, throwing Alice onto the streets of London and into the minds of everyone she passes. "Right now the idea is Alice in 'Otherland,'" McGee says. "It's her invading the minds of other people and visiting their Wonderlands, and using what she's learned about her own mental landscape to go in and harm or heal the people she encounters. It means that the streets of London become the portals into 1,000, 10,000 amazing, different stories."

McGee says Spicy Horse has the story, ideas, technology and wherewithal to make a new Alice game, and it's up to EA to take this opportunity. "The burden is really on them. It always is. Hopefully we can be charming enough."

JoystiqNew Alice game probably won't be AAA, features Alice in 'Otherland' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Mar 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aliceAlice-Madness-Returnsamerican-mcgeeamerican-mcgees-aliceandroidmobilerj-bergspicy-horseTue, 26 Mar 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Akaneiro: Demon Hunters Kickstarter just clears goal]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/04/akaneiro-demon-hunters-kickstarter-just-clears-goal/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/04/akaneiro-demon-hunters-kickstarter-just-clears-goal/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/04/akaneiro-demon-hunters-kickstarter-just-clears-goal/#comments Spicy Horse and American McGee's Akaneiro: Demon Hunters Kickstarter squeaked in under the wire. Closing on February 2, the drive ended at $204,680, just surpassing its goal of $200,000. In an update, McGee told supporters that backer rewards will go out as soon as possible, starting with in-game items for Akaneiro. He also stated that Spicy Horse will be looking into a possible Ouya version of the game. As for the success of the project, he said simply, "I'm going to go fall over."

The Windows, Mac and browser versions of the free-to-play action RPG are available now, with a Steam version expected later this month. Android and iOS versions are also planned.

JoystiqAkaneiro: Demon Hunters Kickstarter just clears goal originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Feb 2013 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>akaneiro-demon-huntersamerican-mcgeeandroidiosipadiphonekickstartermacmobilepcspicy-horseMon, 04 Feb 2013 14:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Akaneiro: Demon Hunters delayed to Jan. 31 on Kongregate, Feb. 28 on Steam]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/24/akaneiro-demon-hunters-delayed-to-jan-31-on-kongregate-feb-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/24/akaneiro-demon-hunters-delayed-to-jan-31-on-kongregate-feb-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/24/akaneiro-demon-hunters-delayed-to-jan-31-on-kongregate-feb-2/#comments Akaniero delayAkaneiro: Demon Hunters, the latest game from American McGee and Spicy Horse, is now scheduled to launch on January 31, one week after the original release date of January 25. This is for the Kongregate launch; the Steam launch will take a little while longer, expected to hit some time around February 28.

Spicy Horse originally intended Akaneiro to launch on Steam today, January 24, but only if it was approved in Greenlight's January round, which it was. Akaneiro has nine days left of its Kickstarter campaign and needs $95,000 to reach its goal and polish off the game.

"For Steam, integration and testing are taking longer than anticipated," McGee writes in a Kickstarter update. "We could be ready for launch by 7th of February, but because Chinese New Year starts on the 9th, we're forced to delay until the end of the month, meaning launch on or around the 28th of February. We're being extra cautious about launch timing to ensure a balanced and bug-free experience."

JoystiqAkaneiro: Demon Hunters delayed to Jan. 31 on Kongregate, Feb. 28 on Steam originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Jan 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>akaneiro-demon-huntersDelayKongregatepcspicy-horseSTEAMThu, 24 Jan 2013 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[American McGee apologizes for EA 'trick' comment]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/23/american-mcgee-apologizes-for-ea-trick-comment/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/23/american-mcgee-apologizes-for-ea-trick-comment/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/23/american-mcgee-apologizes-for-ea-trick-comment/#comments Alice and Alice: Madness Returns creator American McGee clarified comments he made yesterday about EA's marketing strategy. McGee, who said EA wanted to 'trick' people into perceiving Madness Returns as hardcore horror, apologized to the publisher on his blog today. McGee does maintain the publisher is somewhat at fault for the game's poor sales.

"Allow me to expand on my original post," McGee wrote, "while at the same time making a correction (call it a retraction if you like). 'Tricked' is the wrong word. I take that back. Apologies to EA and anyone else whose feelings were hurt. Electronic Arts doesn't trick customers into buying things. They carefully apply proven marketing techniques to achieve the desired customer response. If they were bad at this sort of thing they'd have been crushed by their competitors long ago and you'd be playing Madden Football from Activision or Atari or something."

McGee then noted that, while Madness Retuirns does include a lot of what's in the trailers in question, the developer felt its marketing didn't portray the Alice character correctly, and made out "blood and guts" to be the game's primary selling point. However, he conceded all of the blame can't be placed at the publisher's doorstep.

"I can't and don't fully fault them or their marketing for whatever the Alice games might or might not have done sales-wise. As a developer, do I grumble into my beer about how it could have been different if only...? Sure do! But I also recognize my own faults, and actions which are to blame for things not being 100 percent... or for inadvertently igniting firestorms."

JoystiqAmerican McGee apologizes for EA 'trick' comment originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AMAamerican-mcgeeEAmicrosoftpcplaystationps3redditreddit-amaspicy-horsexboxWed, 23 Jan 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[American McGee AMA: EA ads for Alice were a 'trick']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/21/american-mcgee-ama-ea-ads-for-alice-were-a-trick/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/21/american-mcgee-ama-ea-ads-for-alice-were-a-trick/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/21/american-mcgee-ama-ea-ads-for-alice-were-a-trick/#comments
American McGee, the man (and name) behind Alice: Madness Returns and its predecessor, has a lot to say about developing those games, working with EA, and Kickstarting his latest venture, Akaneiro: Demon Hunters. His recent Ask Me Anything thread on Reddit reveals a few gems, including some insight into how EA handled the Alice: Madness Returns trailers with animation company Shy the Sun. Spoiler: McGee isn't a fan of EA marketing.

"What was frustrating was how EA marketing interfered - telling STS from the start that all creative direction and final say would come from them, not from us (the developer/creator of the story/tone)," McGee writes. "That resulted in trailers that were much darker and gorier than the game, and that was a calculated disconnect created by EA. They wanted to 'trick' gamers into believing A:MR was a hardcore horror title, even though we refused to develop it in that tone.

"Their thinking is, even if the game isn't a hardcore horror title, you can market it as one and trick those customers into buying it (while driving away more casual customers, like female gamers, who might be turned off by really dark trailers). It's all a part of the race to the bottom EA, Activision and the other big pubs are engaged in. Expect to see it get worse before it gets better."

How's that for dark? McGee notes that his Spicy Horse studio is the largest Western, independent game development company in China, and he discusses how he ended up there and the stress of maintaining a successful indie studio.

"Working as an indie means having a terrifying amount of freedom," McGee writes. "We make decisions that we know might simply put us out of business 6 months from now."

For more insight into how Alice came about - The Crystal Method's "Trip Like I Do" had something to do with it - and all things McGee, check out the Reddit AMA.

JoystiqAmerican McGee AMA: EA ads for Alice were a 'trick' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alice-2Alice-Madness-Returnsamerican-mcgeeEAElectronic-Artsmarketingmicrosoftpcplaystationps3shy-the-sunspicy-horsexboxMon, 21 Jan 2013 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Akaneiro: Demon Hunters targets Steam release by January 24]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/14/akaneiro-demon-hunters-targets-steam-release-by-january-24/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/14/akaneiro-demon-hunters-targets-steam-release-by-january-24/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/14/akaneiro-demon-hunters-targets-steam-release-by-january-24/#comments Akaneiro Demon Hunters targeting Steam release by January 24Spicy Horse aims to publish Akaneiro: Demon Hunters on Steam by January 24, although that depends on a big if. Posting on the game's recently unveiled Kickstarter page, Spicy House founder American McGee said if the Japanese-tinted action RPG is selected in the next round of Steam Greenlight, his team will "push to publish the game on Steam by January 24th."

We should know more by tomorrow, as Jan. 15 is the scheduled date for an announcement of the next batch of Greenlight inductees. McGee is confident the game will be selected, stating that with "Akaneiro currently sitting at #3 it's pretty much certain" of a place. McGee hopes getting the Greenlight approval will bring more people and funding to the Kickstarter campaign, which is currently sitting at just under $70,000 of its $200,000 goal with 19 days to go.

Whatever happens, you don't have to wait until January 24 to give Akaneiro a whirl. The game entered open beta last week, and that doesn't close until Wednesday, Jan. 16.

JoystiqAkaneiro: Demon Hunters targets Steam release by January 24 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Jan 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>akaneiro-demon-hunterskickstartermacpcrelease-datespicy-horsesteamMon, 14 Jan 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alice creator American McGee turns to Kickstarter for Akaneiro: Demon Hunters]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/04/alice-creator-american-mcgee-turns-to-kickstarter-for-akaneiro/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/04/alice-creator-american-mcgee-turns-to-kickstarter-for-akaneiro/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/04/alice-creator-american-mcgee-turns-to-kickstarter-for-akaneiro/#comments Alice creator American McGee turns to Kickstarter for Akaneiro Demon HuntersAmerican McGee, the man behind Alice, Grimm, and most recently Alice: Madness Returns, is the latest prominent developer to try out Kickstarter. McGee and his Shanghai-based Spicy Horse studio are seeking $200,000 in funding for Akaneiro: Demon Hunters, a free-to-play action RPG detailing the story of Little Red Riding Hood, but with a Japanese slant.

The more modest sum compared to some of the big names of last year reflects on Akaneiro having already been in development for around one and a half years. According to the Kickstarter page, Spicy Horse needs the money to provide Android and iOS ports in addition to the already planned PC and Mac versions, cross-platform support, co-op multiplayer, community support, and an equipment crafting system. The page also lists potential stretch goals including two new expansions, a Linux version, a player versus player arena, and guild creation.

Spicy Horse collaborated with EA to release Alice: Madness Returns in 2010, but McGee since said that will be the studio's last physical release in light of much better returns from F2P games like Akaneiro. In the video on the Kickstarter page, McGee says his studio's goal is now to "deliver console-quality content to mid-core gamers, and to do this without having to rely on traditional publishers" and that "Akaneiro is the result of those efforts."

JoystiqAlice creator American McGee turns to Kickstarter for Akaneiro: Demon Hunters originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Jan 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>akaneiro-demon-huntersamerican-mcgeeandroidiosipadiphonekickstartermacmobilepcspicy-horseFri, 04 Jan 2013 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[First Akaneiro: Demon Hunters shots put the color back in Little Red]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/18/first-akaneiro-demon-hunters-shots-put-the-color-back-in-little/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/18/first-akaneiro-demon-hunters-shots-put-the-color-back-in-little/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/18/first-akaneiro-demon-hunters-shots-put-the-color-back-in-little/#comments mini akaneiro demon hunters screensAmerican McGee's Akaneiro: Demon Hunters puts a fairytale spin on Japanese mythology, then puts all that in a blender with a box of Crayolas. The first screens for Akaneiro traverse the Shigemori River, showing Little Red with a bow, axe and fireball powers. This ain't your mom's bedtime story.

Gallery: Akaneiro: Demon Hunters (Shigemori River)

JoystiqFirst Akaneiro: Demon Hunters shots put the color back in Little Red originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Oct 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>akaneiro-demon-huntersamerican-mcgeepcspicy-horseThu, 18 Oct 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Akaneiro: Demon Hunters beta pits Little Red Riding Hood against Yokai in feudal Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/11/akaneiro-demon-hunters-beta-pits-little-red-riding-hood-against/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/11/akaneiro-demon-hunters-beta-pits-little-red-riding-hood-against/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/11/akaneiro-demon-hunters-beta-pits-little-red-riding-hood-against/#comments

Akaneiro: Demon Hunters, the next game from American McGee's Spicy Horse, is holding beta sign-ups right now via its official site. First, we suggest checking out the first-ever gameplay trailer above to get a feel for the hand-painted, dungeon-crawling, demon-slaying action.

Akaneiro is a free-to-play ARPG that tells the story of Little Red Riding Hood, set in feudal Japan. As a member of the Order of Akane, Red must rid the Hokkaido village of the invading Yokai, demons inspired by Japanese folklore.

After the launch of Alice: Madness Returns with EA last year, McGee has left behind traditional console development to create free-to-play, browser-based games such as Big Head Bash, and now, Akaneiro. Sign up for the beta here.

JoystiqAkaneiro: Demon Hunters beta pits Little Red Riding Hood against Yokai in feudal Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Sep 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>akaneiro-demon-huntersamerican-mcgeebetapcspicy-horseTue, 11 Sep 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[American McGee on F2P, Ouya and his 'acceptable' experience with EA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/16/american-mcgee-on-f2p-ouya-and-his-acceptable-experience-with/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/16/american-mcgee-on-f2p-ouya-and-his-acceptable-experience-with/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/16/american-mcgee-on-f2p-ouya-and-his-acceptable-experience-with/#comments American McGee on F2P, Ouya and its 'acceptable' experience with EAAmerican McGee's Spicy Horse studio is shrugging off the madness of console development to create free-to-play, browser- and cloud-based games such as Kongregate's Big Head Bash. This move follows Spicy Horse's partnership with EA to launch Alice: Madness Returns last year as a mainstream, boxed and digital title. Alice was Spicy Horse's last foray into the physical space, McGee tells Game Informer.

"Our studio wouldn't consider going back to traditional console development, but I do think we'll end up being in the right place when consoles come back to us," he says. "By that I mean we fully expect the definition of 'console' to shift radically over the next two years. Our consoles will become our mobile devices (Or if you prefer: Our mobile devices will become our consoles)."

Spicy Horse has already seen a larger return on investment from its free-to-play games than Alice ever produced, or likely ever will. This is the future, McGee says, and static games locked to specific physical media will be unable to compete with always-updating, fluid titles in the free-to-play universe.

Continue reading American McGee on F2P, Ouya and his 'acceptable' experience with EA

JoystiqAmerican McGee on F2P, Ouya and his 'acceptable' experience with EA originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Jul 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>akaneiro-demon-huntersAlice-Madness-Returnsamerican-mcgeeARPGEAElectronic-Artsf2pfree-to-playmobilepcspicy-horseMon, 16 Jul 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Spicy Horse's Big Head Bash gallops out of beta, launches on Kongregate]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/02/spicy-horses-big-head-bash-gallops-out-of-beta-launches-on-kon/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/02/spicy-horses-big-head-bash-gallops-out-of-beta-launches-on-kon/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/02/spicy-horses-big-head-bash-gallops-out-of-beta-launches-on-kon/#comments Spicy Horse launches browser game Big Head BashAfter putting out Alice: Madness Returns last year, American McGee's Spicy Horse studio has been working on Big Head Bash, a multiplayer shooter set in a toy store universe. It's been in beta for a pretty long time, but now you can play it all official-like.

Spicy Horse describes the game as "a free to play title combining heated PvP death match battles and collectable elements that will feature licensed goods from popular comics, music, movies and even alternative fashion." You can play Big Head Bash for free right now on Kongregate, along with the 100,000 other individuals who have taken it for a test run.

Continue reading Spicy Horse's Big Head Bash gallops out of beta, launches on Kongregate

JoystiqSpicy Horse's Big Head Bash gallops out of beta, launches on Kongregate originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Jun 2012 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american-mcgeebig-head-bashbighead-bashmacpcspicy-horseSat, 02 Jun 2012 02:30:00 EST<![CDATA[American McGee takes on Red Riding Hood with Akaneiro]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/10/american-mcgee-takes-on-red-riding-hood-with-akaneiro/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/10/american-mcgee-takes-on-red-riding-hood-with-akaneiro/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/10/american-mcgee-takes-on-red-riding-hood-with-akaneiro/#comments ImageAfter all the madness Alice could muster and social action game Bighead Bash, it look's like American McGee's Spicy Horse studio is ready to move on to another new project. Entitled Akaneiro: Demon Hunters, the action role-playing game retells the story of Little Red Riding Hood with a feudal Japanese twist, reports Kotaku. As part of the Order of Akane, players are charged with putting an end to a Hokkaido village's demon problem. Akaneiro uses mid-19th century Japan as a backdrop, as tensions arose and the country reluctantly opened itself to western trade.

The game will be free-to-play and will be playable on PC, tablets and via the web. Early screenshots suggest gameplay similar to Diablo, Torchlight and other dungeon crawlers. A beta is planned for later this year.

JoystiqAmerican McGee takes on Red Riding Hood with Akaneiro originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>akaneiro-demon-huntersandroidiosipadmobilepcspicy-horseTue, 10 Apr 2012 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon's vorpal sword cuts $20 off Alice: Madness Returns]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/amazons-vorpal-sword-cuts-20-off-alice-madness-returns/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/amazons-vorpal-sword-cuts-20-off-alice-madness-returns/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/amazons-vorpal-sword-cuts-20-off-alice-madness-returns/#comments As if it'd taken a swig from a bottle labeled "Drink Me," the price tag on Alice: Madness Returns has diminished in size at Amazon. This week only, the retailer is offering American McGee's second excursion into Wonderland for $20 off, making it $40 on PS3 and 360 and $30 on PC.

The deal is available only "while supplies last," and joins similar week-long discounts on Brink and The Witcher 2 -- which is also a fantasy game, but features far fewer flying pig snouts.

JoystiqAmazon's vorpal sword cuts $20 off Alice: Madness Returns originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alice-2Alice-Madness-Returnsamazonamerican-mcgeebrinkdeal-of-the-weekeaElectronic-Artsmicrosoftpcplaystationps3spicy-horsethe-witcher-2xboxMon, 27 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alice: Madness Returns Review: Madness over method]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/14/alice-madness-returns-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/14/alice-madness-returns-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/14/alice-madness-returns-review/#comments Crazy is not as easy as it looks. If you want to create a world of nightmarish whimsy like that in Alice: Madness Returns, it takes more than just throwing random bloody bits into a blender and spewing it all over the walls. You need careful planning; a formula of producing unease that will affect the player.

When Madness Returns is at the top of its formula, it is a fascinatingly dark and grotesque psychological tale. Unfortunately, the game's greatest strength tends to be impeded by gameplay that doesn't feel so much mad as obsessive-compulsive.

Gallery: Alice: Madness Returns (March 2011)

Continue reading Alice: Madness Returns Review: Madness over method

JoystiqAlice: Madness Returns Review: Madness over method originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Jun 2011 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alice-2alice-madness-returnsamerican-mcgeeelectronic-artsmicrosoftpcplaystationps3spicy-horsexboxTue, 14 Jun 2011 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Alice: Madness Returns trailer plays some minigames]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/alice-madness-returns-trailer-plays-some-minigames/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/alice-madness-returns-trailer-plays-some-minigames/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/alice-madness-returns-trailer-plays-some-minigames/#comments Alice: Madness Returns will soon be unleashed to inflict that most terrible of scourges upon a platformer, the dreaded "minigame."

Continue reading Alice: Madness Returns trailer plays some minigames

JoystiqAlice: Madness Returns trailer plays some minigames originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alice-2Alice-Madness-Returnseaelectronic-artsmicrosoftplaystationps3spicy-horsexboxMon, 06 Jun 2011 02:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Alice: Madness Returns launch trailer is comparatively sane]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/alice-madness-returns-launch-trailer-is-comparatively-sane/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/alice-madness-returns-launch-trailer-is-comparatively-sane/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/alice-madness-returns-launch-trailer-is-comparatively-sane/#comments Sure, the launch trailer for Alice: Madness Returns posted after the break features some genuinely upsetting imagery, discussion on how Wonderland is actually Hell, and murder -- but at least nobody rips their own face off. We're actually going to chalk that up as a victory for sanity.

Continue reading Alice: Madness Returns launch trailer is comparatively sane

JoystiqAlice: Madness Returns launch trailer is comparatively sane originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alice-2Alice-Madness-Returnsamerican-mcgeeeamicrosoftplaystationps3spicy-horsexboxFri, 03 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alice: Madness Returns screens are hysterical]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/26/alice-madness-returns-screens-are-hysterical/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/26/alice-madness-returns-screens-are-hysterical/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/26/alice-madness-returns-screens-are-hysterical/#comments There's nothing funny about a disturbed young girl clutching a giant butcher knife -- especially if she's near death and her Hysteria meter is full. When those morbid criteria are met, the star of Alice: Madness Returns can launch into a psychotic frenzy that would make Ryu Hayabusa proud.

Continue reading Alice: Madness Returns screens are hysterical

JoystiqAlice: Madness Returns screens are hysterical originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 May 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionAlice-2Alice-Madness-ReturnseaElectronic-Artsmacmicrosoftpcplaystationps3spicy-horsexboxThu, 26 May 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Free Alice: Madness Returns iOS storybook released]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/22/free-alice-madness-returns-ios-storybook-released/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/22/free-alice-madness-returns-ios-storybook-released/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/22/free-alice-madness-returns-ios-storybook-released/#comments We're still trying to wrap our minds around this recent, clever cross-promotion set up by American McGee's Spicy Horse for its upcoming psychopathic title, Alice: Madness Returns. Here's where we're at so far: They took a storybook, and turned it into a game, which they've now turned into a recently released iPhone and iPad-compatible storybook, which prefaces the events of yet another game.

The iOS storybook is a sound investment, as reading through it unlocks a code which saves you $10 on an Alice: Madness Returns pre-order through the EA Store. Still, it's one of the most crazily recursive promotions we've seen in a good, long time. Why, it's nearly as insane as the game's latest trailer! Ha, just kidding. Nothing is that insane.

JoystiqFree Alice: Madness Returns iOS storybook released originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 22 May 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alice-2Alice-Madness-Returnseamicrosoftplaystationps3spicy-horsexboxSun, 22 May 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Alice: Madness Returns preview: Pretty weird]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/22/alice-madness-returns-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/22/alice-madness-returns-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/22/alice-madness-returns-preview/#comments Ten years after the original American McGee's Alice debuted -- ten years! -- its sequel is nearly here. With its June 14 launch just over a month away, I accepted an invitation to dive into its fractured Wonderland and play through the first of its five chapters. Although a decade has passed, it felt like I'd never left.

While the core game design hasn't changed much -- platforming interspersed with combat -- Alice: Madness Returns is harnessing today's tech to convey a visual spectacle that's closer to McGee's original concepts than the first game could get at the time. It's also capitalizing on some new design ideas dreamt up by its imaginative designers at Spicy Horse.

Gallery: Alice: Madness Returns (5/12/11)

Continue reading Alice: Madness Returns preview: Pretty weird

JoystiqAlice: Madness Returns preview: Pretty weird originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 22 May 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alice-2Alice-Madness-Returnsamerican-mcgeeeaElectronic-Artsmacmicrosoftpcplaystationps3spicy-horsexboxSun, 22 May 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Alice intro trailer is face-scratchingly insane]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/alice-intro-trailer-is-face-scratchingly-insane/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/alice-intro-trailer-is-face-scratchingly-insane/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/alice-intro-trailer-is-face-scratchingly-insane/#comments How does one put this politely? Alice done gone mad... again. We submit as evidence the story trailer for Alice: Madness Returns. It's, admittedly, a little disturbing.

Continue reading Alice intro trailer is face-scratchingly insane

JoystiqAlice intro trailer is face-scratchingly insane originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 May 2011 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alice-2Alice-Madness-ReturnsEAElectronic-Artsmicrosoftplaystationps3Spicy-HorsexboxWed, 18 May 2011 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Spicy Horse receives $3M in funding, working with PopCap]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/spicy-horse-receives-3m-in-funding-working-with-popcap/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/spicy-horse-receives-3m-in-funding-working-with-popcap/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/spicy-horse-receives-3m-in-funding-working-with-popcap/#comments American McGee's Shanghai-based Spicy Horse studio has secured $3 million in investment and is currently working on a project with PopCap Games' Shanghai studio. Gamasutra reports that Spicy Horse, which has finished production of Alice: Madness Returns for EA, will focus on "3D social, online games" going forward. McGee detailed some of this for us in an interview a couple months back.

McGee says that Spicy Horse's PopCap collaboration will be a freemium multiplayer title that will initially launch in Asia. A PopCap representative told Joystiq that the information is accurate, but the company is "not providing additional details at this early stage."

McGee said the investment will allow the company to execute a two-year plan and bring five games to market.

PopCap Games recently acquired ZipZapPlay, who should have at least one new Facebook game out by year's end. PopCap expects to have "four or five" titles on the social networking platform by the end of 2011. The company already has Bejeweled Blitz, Zuma Blitz and ZZP's Baking Life.

JoystiqSpicy Horse receives $3M in funding, working with PopCap originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 May 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>American-McGeemacpcPopCap-GamesSpicy-HorseFri, 13 May 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[McGee: Alice sequel to include original game as DLC bonus]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/18/mcgee-alice-sequel-to-include-original-game-as-dlc-bonus/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/18/mcgee-alice-sequel-to-include-original-game-as-dlc-bonus/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/18/mcgee-alice-sequel-to-include-original-game-as-dlc-bonus/#comments Alice: Madness Returns will include the original Alice, according to Spicy Horse head American McGee. Speaking to CVG, McGee said, "A person who's purchased Madness Returns gets a download code and is able to bring Alice 1 onto their console and play through the entire original game alongside playing Madness Returns."

Additionally, McGee teased that the Alice sequel would see plenty of DLC ... dresses, which "come with special abilities and enhance how you play through the game."

Curiouser and curiouser, an EA representative told Joystiq, "Unfortunately, we do not have information in regards to Alice: Madness Returns including the original Alice game." Either way, Alice: Madness Returns is slated for June 14 ... unless it's not. Madness, right?

JoystiqMcGee: Alice sequel to include original game as DLC bonus originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AliceAlice-2Alice-Madness-ReturnsAmerican-McGeeEAElectronic-Artsmicrosoftplaystationps3Spicy-HorsexboxMon, 18 Apr 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[American McGee's Spicy Horse to focus on free-to-play games after Alice: Madness Returns]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/09/american-mcgees-spicy-horse-to-focus-on-free-to-play-games-afte/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/09/american-mcgees-spicy-horse-to-focus-on-free-to-play-games-afte/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/09/american-mcgees-spicy-horse-to-focus-on-free-to-play-games-afte/#comments More than ten years after overseeing Alice with now-defunct developer Rogue Entertainment, American McGee is wrapping up a sequel with his Shanghai-based company, Spicy Horse. "This will be the first ever console triple-A game that's been developed from beginning to end in China, for the Western market," McGee told Joystiq during an EA event last Tuesday. "There's been a lot of stuff that's been outsourced, or various pieces of it have been made there, but in terms of production process we had to invent a lot of what we were doing to get this game made there."

Spicy Horse was restructured to handle development of Alice: Madness Returns, and will restructure again once it launches the action game in June. "Well, we don't see that the future for us is in triple-A console games," McGee said. "We actually are trying to make games that are online, free-to-play, 3D advanced casual games, so as we finish this we're going to transition the company back to where we were intending to be when we finished Grimm."

Spicy Horse was on track to follow up Grimm -- its fantasy-themed episodic series for games portal Gametap -- with more casual fare, but was temporarily derailed by an irresistible offer from EA instead. "So, we restructured for two years, we built the game, we did a great job, we're gonna ship it on time, on schedule, we never had a crunch and it's been really awesome. But now, it's back to what our belief is in terms of where things are going, so it's going to be all about free-to-play, 3D games for Asia."

McGee claims that half of the development team has already completed work on Alice: Madness Returns, with ten to fifteen people doing "last-minute cleanup" -- of a project that has gone almost suspiciously (in this industry) according to plan. "I mean, we never had a freakout moment, we never had a crunch, we never had to work on a weekend and, in fact, we were always running ahead of milestones, so we would even give extra days off when the sky was blue, or something like that," he said. "So, it was a really pleasant development experience."

Since Spicy Horse is set on transforming its production process once again, it's currently unsure about what would happen if EA asked for another Alice sequel. "That's a question to ask them. But it might take them another ten years to figure it out," McGee joked.

Gallery: Alice: Madness Returns (March 2011)

Continue reading American McGee's Spicy Horse to focus on free-to-play games after Alice: Madness Returns

JoystiqAmerican McGee's Spicy Horse to focus on free-to-play games after Alice: Madness Returns originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alice-2Alice-Madness-Returnsamerican-mcgeeeagdc-2011microsoftpcplaystationps3spicy-horsexboxWed, 09 Mar 2011 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Alice: Madness Returns gameplay trailer is no tea party]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/07/alice-madness-returns-gameplay-trailer-is-no-tea-party/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/07/alice-madness-returns-gameplay-trailer-is-no-tea-party/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/07/alice-madness-returns-gameplay-trailer-is-no-tea-party/#comments Nothing says "Hey, it's Monday!" like murderous teapots and bloodthirsty playing cards. It's fortunate, then, that this first gameplay trailer for Alice: Madness Returns has them -- and more! -- in droves. Watch it, then learn more about the game tomorrow morning in our new preview.

Continue reading Alice: Madness Returns gameplay trailer is no tea party

JoystiqAlice: Madness Returns gameplay trailer is no tea party originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionAlice-2Alice-Madness-Returnsamerican-mcgeeeaea-partnersElectronic-Artsmicrosoftpcplaystationps3spicy-horsexboxMon, 07 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Metaphors: Alice stabs one-eyed monster in latest trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/15/metaphors-alice-stabs-one-eyed-monster-in-latest-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/15/metaphors-alice-stabs-one-eyed-monster-in-latest-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/15/metaphors-alice-stabs-one-eyed-monster-in-latest-trailer/#comments Lewis Carroll's seminal Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is certainly packed with metaphors, but we think none so explicit as this Alice: Madness Returns clip that has the heroine cutting up the Mad Hatter's one-eyed monster.

Continue reading Metaphors: Alice stabs one-eyed monster in latest trailer

JoystiqMetaphors: Alice stabs one-eyed monster in latest trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alice-2Alice-Madness-Returnsamerican-mcgeeamerican-mcgees-aliceEAelectronic-artsmicrosoftplaystationps3spicy-horsexboxTue, 15 Feb 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[American McGee on bringing Alice's madness back]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/29/american-mcgee-on-bringing-alices-madness-back/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/29/american-mcgee-on-bringing-alices-madness-back/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/29/american-mcgee-on-bringing-alices-madness-back/#commentsAt a pre-TGS event, EA demonstrated gameplay of Alice: Madness Returns, with a segment in real-world London transitioning to a Wonderland in which Alice used a pepper grinder as a Gatling gun, fighting weird baby-doll monsters and giant teapots that spat boiling tea.

After bearing witness to the return of the madness, we chatted with American McGee, head of developer Spicy Horse, about the new game, his name as a brand, and, of course, the other recent reimagining of Alice in Wonderland, courtesy of Tim Burton.

Gallery: Alice: Madness Returns (TGS 2010 screens)

Continue reading American McGee on bringing Alice's madness back

JoystiqAmerican McGee on bringing Alice's madness back originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alice-2Alice-Madness-Returnsamerican-mcgees-aliceea-partnerselectronic-artsmicrosoftpcplaystationps3spicy-horsetgs-2010xboxWed, 29 Sep 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alice: Madness Returns with a new TGS trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/alice-madness-returns-trailer-tgs/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/alice-madness-returns-trailer-tgs/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/alice-madness-returns-trailer-tgs/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Alice: Madness Returns
"Every enemy is a puzzle," creator American McGee stated, when describing his upcoming Alice: Madness Returns at the EA Tokyo Game Show press conference. At Alice's disposal will be four weapons, including the Vorpal Blade from the first game, and three new weapons: the Tea Pot, Hobby Horse and Pepper Grinder.

Check out all the new images and the trailer after the break.

Gallery: Alice: Madness Returns (TGS 2010 screens)

Continue reading Alice: Madness Returns with a new TGS trailer

JoystiqAlice: Madness Returns with a new TGS trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 04:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alice-2Alice-Madness-ReturnsEAEA-PartnersElectronic-Artsmicrosoftplaystationps3Spicy-HorseTGS-2010xboxWed, 15 Sep 2010 04:33:00 EST<![CDATA['Alice: Madness Returns' revealed [update: new screens, video]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/20/alice-madness-returns/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/20/alice-madness-returns/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/20/alice-madness-returns/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Alice: Madness Returns
Twitter account @thewhiterabbit is teasing news related to "the mad world of Alice," a note that EA's own Twitter account relayed. This is about 100 percent likely to be the announcement of Alice: Madness Returns, the sequel to American McGee's Alice. For one thing, the background of the Twitter page includes the "alicemadnessreturns.com" URL, which currently redirects to EA.com/alice.

"Alice: Madness Returns" was trademarked earlier this year by EA, and an Alice sequel was announced way back at DICE 2009, followed that year by an "unofficial" Alice-related video produced by someone with ties to developer Spicy Horse. EA is holding a press event in about ten minutes to announce several games, so we'll find out soon enough! Unless, like the White Rabbit, EA is late.

Update: It's official, and the game is coming in 2011 for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC. Catch the terrifying teaser after the break, and the press release here.

Gallery: Alice: Madness Returns (first screens)

Continue reading 'Alice: Madness Returns' revealed [update: new screens, video]

Joystiq'Alice: Madness Returns' revealed [update: new screens, video] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AliceAlice-2Alice-Madness-Returnsamerican-mcgeeamerican-mcgees-aliceEAEA-Studio-Showcase-2010Electronic-Artsmicrosoftpcplaystationps3Spicy-HorsexboxTue, 20 Jul 2010 15:50:00 EST<![CDATA['Alice: Madness Returns' trademarked by EA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/23/alice-madness-returns-trademarked-by-ea/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/23/alice-madness-returns-trademarked-by-ea/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/23/alice-madness-returns-trademarked-by-ea/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Electronic Arts has submitted a trademark application for "Alice: Madness Returns," a possible name for the previously announced sequel to American McGee's Alice. Beyond an "unofficial" teaser video for the sequel released in late 2009, details on the project have been slimmer than the Queen of Hearts' soldiers. We've contacted EA for info on what's down the rabbit hole.

Joystiq'Alice: Madness Returns' trademarked by EA originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aliceAlice-2alice-madness-returnsamerican-mcgeeamerican-mcgees-aliceeaEA-Partnerselectronic-artsspicy-horseWed, 23 Jun 2010 17:29:00 EST<![CDATA[American McGee's Little Red Riding Hood looks pretty Grimm]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/american-mcgees-little-red-riding-hood-looks-pretty-grimm/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/american-mcgees-little-red-riding-hood-looks-pretty-grimm/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/american-mcgees-little-red-riding-hood-looks-pretty-grimm/#comments
click here for full version Legendary game developer American McGee has posted concept for the Little Red Riding Hood game he's planning to pitch to publishers at GDC 2010 next week -- and wow, Little Red has never looked quite so badass. The art, put together by a few artists at the Spicy Horse Games studio, features a white-haired little girl embedding an axe (almost bigger than she is) in a demonic wolf's skull. McGee probably has a pitch of his own all set up, but we look at a pic like that and can't help but think, "My, what complicated weapon combos you must have."

All the better to get published with, we suppose. We'll be at GDC en masse next week, so we'll do our best to corner Mr. McGee and see if he willing to tell us any more about this not-simply-fractured-but-actually-mauled fairytale. If this is what the little girl looks like, just wait until we see the Hunter.

[via GSW]

JoystiqAmerican McGee's Little Red Riding Hood looks pretty Grimm originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american-mcgeebadassconcept-artgdc-2010gdc2010little-red-riding-hoodpitchspicy-horsespicy-horse-gamesWed, 03 Mar 2010 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alice 2 'teaser' not officially sanctioned]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/04/alice-2-teaser-not-officially-sanctioned/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/04/alice-2-teaser-not-officially-sanctioned/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/04/alice-2-teaser-not-officially-sanctioned/#comments On Monday, we brought you an awfully official-looking teaser trailer for a follow-up to American McGee's Alice, which was announced in February. Now, via his blog, McGee is debunking the cool stop-motion clip, saying, "I wanted to clear up any confusion ... it was unofficial, and does not represent any of the final art direction or story elements in Alice 2." It's worth noting that when we attempted to verify the clip's authenticity on Monday, we tracked the site (the now-missing www.returnofalice.com) back to American McGee, so the confusion is pretty understandable.

The "fan" that created the video, Troy Morgan, is an accomplished artist who has worked with the developer in the past. Morgan says he created the ad on spec as an ad pitch to EA, though it appears not to have been picked up. It's a pity, because the clip was just starting to get us excited for a return to (evil) Wonderland.

JoystiqAlice 2 'teaser' not officially sanctioned originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alice-2Alice-Madness-Returnsamerican-mcgeeeaEA-PartnersElectronic-Artsspicy-horseteasertrailerWed, 04 Nov 2009 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Spicy Horse teasing Alice sequel for 2011 release]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/02/spicy-horse-teasing-alice-sequel-for-2011-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/02/spicy-horse-teasing-alice-sequel-for-2011-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/02/spicy-horse-teasing-alice-sequel-for-2011-release/#comments We were surprised earlier this year to learn Spicy Horse was creating a follow-up to American McGee's dark take on Alice in Wonderland, which itself seemed like a concept so common and benign in today's market as to almost be kind of adorable. But consider us officially shocked after watching this video on the game's teaser site. It actually has us interested in the project -- apparently due in 2011.

If the creepy stop-motion animation is indicative of the final product's look we'll be more than a little intrigued; a notion surprising enough to make us wonder if we've been hitting the Caterpillar's hookah just a bit too hard.

[Via Videogamer.com]

JoystiqSpicy Horse teasing Alice sequel for 2011 release originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011alice-2alice-in-wonderlandAlice-Madness-Returnsamerican-mcgeeeaElectronic-ArtsMicrosoftrelease-datespicy-horseXbox-360Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:05:00 EST<![CDATA[DICE 2009: EA announces American McGee's Alice 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/19/dice-2009-ea-announces-american-mcgees-alice-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/19/dice-2009-ea-announces-american-mcgees-alice-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/19/dice-2009-ea-announces-american-mcgees-alice-2/#commentsAccording to a tweet from Geoff Keighley from the ongoing DICE summit, EA CEO John Riccitiello has just revealed a sequel to American McGee's Alice, coming soon.

Details are slim -- in fact, we just told you all of them right now -- but we can assume that Alice 2 will have American McGee's name on the cover, and will probably be another third-person action game that takes elements from the Alice in Wonderland story and makes them all edgy and gothy. We will pass along actual (i.e. non-conjectured) information as soon as it is available.

Update: While we've never known Keighley to not be a man of his word, official evidence is always welcome. EA adds that the Alice sequel is in development for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 by American McGee's Spicy Horse studio. Says EA Partners GM David DeMartini: "EA Partners is ready to help [American McGee] bring his innovative vision for the franchise to even darker, more exciting places."

JoystiqDICE 2009: EA announces American McGee's Alice 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alice-2Alice-Madness-ReturnsAmerican-McGeeamerican-mcgees-alicedice-2009eaea-partnersElectronic-Artspcspicy-horseThu, 19 Feb 2009 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Screenshots: American McGee's Grimm ... and first trailer!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/screenshots-american-mcgees-grimm-and-first-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/screenshots-american-mcgees-grimm-and-first-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/screenshots-american-mcgees-grimm-and-first-trailer/#commentsFiled under: ,

grimm
Fee! Fie! Foe! Fum! GameTap rolled out the first in-game shots of American McGee's Grimm today, along with a trailer (posted after the break), revealing the twisted tales' "vile," and still nameless protagonist, er, rather, 'antagonist.' The images and video suggest some kind of dual-world shenanigans -- from "cheery to eerie" -- but details are vague. Grimm will unfold over 24-weekly episodes, which are currently exclusive to GameTap, beginning in July.

Gallery: Grimm

Continue reading Screenshots: American McGee's Grimm ... and first trailer!

JoystiqScreenshots: American McGee's Grimm ... and first trailer! originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Feb 2008 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american-mcgeeamerican-mcgees-grimmbreakingnewsgametapgrimmMacPCspicy-horseTue, 19 Feb 2008 19:45:00 EST