PROTOTYPE - Alice: Asulym (Design Bible)

HEAV Y SPOILER WAR NING WORK IN PROGRESS

This document contains all narrative content and a full potential This document is incomplete and represents an early proof of concept.
gameplay outline for the Alice Asylum videogame concept. This sample is not indicative of the final product content and quality,

and is completely subject to change.

MAKE ALICE ASYLUM A REALITY.

THE STORY SO FAR.

American McGee’s Alice Alice Madness Returns Alice Asylum

RELEASED RELEASED ALICE 3

ALICE 1 ALICE 2 (NO RELEASE DATE CONFIRMED)

(2000) (2010)

American McGee’s Alice videogame series has a legion of dedicated fans worldwide.
American McGee’s Alice, (2000) and Alice Madness Returns, (2010) were released to international critical and

commercial success. Fans of the series have been asking for a new installment of the franchise ever since.
With present videogame rights currently caught in a stalemate at EA Games, and with key stakeholders reluctant to
help, fund or sanction movement on a new game, American McGee and a small team of artists, designers and writers
have put their time and efforts into creating the potential third game concept, outlined entirely in this document.

This design bible was created in an effort to spur new investment opportunities, help greenlight the potential
development of a new AAA Title Alice game, and create a new experience for the fans of Alice to enjoy through this

document, for free. This potential new game experience is titled Alice Asylum.
This creative journey would not have been possible without the support, help and love shown by Alice’s fans.

If you want to see Alice Asylum playable on your home game console, see below how you can help.

Support and follow American McGee online. Alice Asylum requires funds for development.

Support The Patreon Buy Merch @ Mysterious Alice Asylum has a projected development budget of approx $30 million USD.
If you are a serious investor, and want to discuss financing
patreon.com/americanmcgee mysterious.design
Alice Asylum as a AAA title, in part or whole, please contact us below.
Follow American Online
[email protected]
@americanmcgee
facebook.com/alice3asylum Legitimate investor contact opportunities only.
@americanmcgee All other emails will be ignored and discarded.
yout ub e .c om /a mer ic a n mc g e e of f ic i a l
t w itc h .t v/a me r ic a n mc g e e



Creative Team Director,
Lead Narrative & Game Designer

American McGee

Narrative Co-Writer, Assistant Game Designer,
Project Manager & Design Bible Lead Designer

Alex Crowley

Lead Artist & Creative Community Management
Team Art Direction & Customer Fulfilment:

Omri Koresh Martin Berridge

Concept Artists & Creative Team Members

Norman Felchle Joey Zeng Shuo Adam Narozanski
Jennifer Daww Dario Marzadori

Thank you to all of our Patrons and Insane Children

Darkest Wishes and Humble Gr atitude To Our Community

The Alice: Asylum project was made possible thanks to the generous and
consistent support our worldwide community of fans and supporters.
Thank you for your trust, faith, feedback and input into this creative
journey and undertaking. We could not have made this vision without you.

HOW TO EXPERIENCE ALICE ASYLUM

A USER’S GUIDE TO THE DESIGN BIBLE

TO PR EVENT STORY SPOILERS, A DETAILED CONTENTS PAGE IS ON PAGE 101

SECTION I - THE GAME

I II

FIRST HALF OF EACH CHAPTER SECOND HALF OF EACH CHAPTER

Complete Narr ative Behind the Veil
& Ga meplay Experience
Additional Detailed Information
By reading each chapter in the Design Bible, you will experience the
intended gameplay outline, worlds and characters Alice Liddell The second half of each chapter in the Design Bible houses
will encounter in Alice Asylum. the detailed information and gameplay concepts pertaining to
This first half of each chapter is tailored for those who want to characters, enemies, Alice’s appearance, weapons and items
experience the story, as if they were playing the game in a linear referenced in that chapter.
fashion. This section reads like a comic book, detailing narrative This second half is similar to pausing the game to review
beats as they occur in sequential order, from very start to the end. additional information in an inventory or lore menu, that may
break the narrative experience if shown immediately in game-play.

EXTRA

Hero’s All Levels Core Narrative Ga m epl ay Weapons & Expa nded
Journey & Encounters Experience Mechanics Item Notes Scripts & Lore

5 INTRODUCTION

HOW THE NAR R ATIVE IS R EAD

12 7 NAR R ATIVE FR AMES AR E
READ LEFT TO R IGHT,
3 89 TOP TO BOTTOM.
4 10 SIMILAR TO A GRAPHIC

56 NOVEL OR COMIC BOOK.

ART & DESIGN TEAM CREDITS

The pages of this Design Bible is full with beautiful, serene, Omri Koresh Alex Crowley Norman Felchle
horrific and violent artwork to represent Alice’s tale. To not Zeng “Joey” Shuo Adam Narozanski Jennifer Dawe
break the narrative flow with convoluted text and “WHO Dario Marzadori
DREW THIS?” scrawl, we have instead credited each art AREA II
work with a small symbol which attributes the corresponding + III
artist on the art team.
These subtle symbols will let you know who created which
artwork, without distracting you from the overall focus of
the narrative with lengthy credits during your narrative
experience.
All art-tasks within the Design Bible were designed, written,
and briefed by American and Alex. Art directed by Omri.
And created by the corresponding design & art team

S E C T I O Nmembers pictured.

S E CTETOXI OBANECI TIC-OCSNOE CFNRITERTEMSNE&TDC U T S

The final section of the Design Bible details the processes, A L LO C AT E D

S P A C Esketches, musings and ideation that was explored during the

pre-production of the Alice Asylum project.
Within, you will also find exclusive artwork, notes from the
team, and words from Alice’s fans.
This is also the final resting place of concepts that were left
bleeding on the cutting room floor.

INTRODUCTION 6

INTRODUCTION

BY AMERICAN McGEE

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comniet volorrum dolorem porero corposa AMERICAN McGEE
doluptate providem commolupta cuptatem quam, Creative Director, Mysterious Studios
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7 INTRODUCTION

SECTION I - ALICE: ASYLUM THE COMPLETE NARR ATIVE & GAMEPLAY EXPERIENCE 8

The sound of a train over tracks morphs into a rapidly beating heart.

I remember being free.
What it felt like to run outside without fear.

What it felt like to have a home.
But you took that from me.

And you put me in this prison.
And you threw away the key.



- Game Opening • Tutorial -

THE SLUMBER

- Resistance -

We PLAY as a frightened 13-year-old Alice running Alice
through a moonlit, snow-covered English garden.
This is The Slumber, a manifestation of Alice’s childhood “The nightmare is always the same. I
memories. It serves as the First Tutorial for Basic cannot run fast enough. I cannot escape.
Movement - walking, running, climbing, and jumping. The Moon will capture me and sing us

back to sleep.”

The Moon looms over Alice’s shoulder; there’s something odd about its size and form. It turns to reveal a menacing face.
Eyes locked on Alice, it howls and pursues her. As The Moon draws nearer it sings an ominous lullaby that knocks forest
creatures unconscious. We PLAY as Alice runs for her life. Running, jumping, climbing, and swinging to escape.

SECTION I - ALICE: ASYLUM THE COMPLETE NARR ATIVE & GAMEPLAY EXPERIENCE 12
SLUMBER

Alice Alice runs until she finds sanctuary inside her childhood
home: The Liddell House. Within, Alice encounters her
“And when I wake? The show starts burnt and twisted family. She once again re-lives the horror
again. Back into the spotlight. or their deaths in the fire that consumed their home.
Back on the stage.” They chant at her...

Alice A violent earthquake shakes the house. Pictures
fall and glass shatters on the floor. The sound is
“My family. The only way I can remember them. Over and like a roaring train and then…
over I see the night of the fire. The fire. And the death of

everything I ever loved. How long must I repeat this endless
torture? How long will you keep me here?”

Alice SCREAMS...

And everything stops.

Alice abruptly comes face-to-face with The
Caterpillar sat atop his mushroom. He is The
Voice guiding her through her memory.

Smoke billowing from his hookah, the world
around Alice wafts and morphs to match his
riddled words. He speaks.

13 S E C T I O N I - A L I C E : A S Y L U M T H E C O M P L E T E N A R R A T I V E & G A M E P L A Y E X P E R I E N C E

SLUMBER

Caterpillar

“The shadows are in the sanctuary Alice.
Chaos is here. Prepare yourself.”

Suddenly, Alice glimpses a terrifying Shadow
Creature, staring back at her from behind a
darkened Looking Glass.

The Shadow Creature 14

“There you are Little Girl. Ten years trapped
beneath the waves as the storms raged above.

Welcome to the tea party.”

The Shadow Creature breaks through the Looking
Glass, shattering it into a thousand pieces. As jagged
glass tumbles in the darkness, Alice flails around to
defend herself, suffering hundreds of cuts.
Just as a large shard of glass is about to pierce Alice’s
heart she reaches out and grabs it.
The Shadow Creature roars and disappears into the
darkness. Alice turns the shard over in her hand and
it transforms into a beautiful Crystal Vorpal Blade,
her own blood dripping across its edge. Transfixed, she
admires the intricate details contained on the blade.

New Weapon Acquired

CRYSTAL VORPAL BLADE

Her reverie is broken by The Lullaby and Alice is
suddenly back in the burning Liddel House - The
Moon looming overhead.
The Lullaby reaches her ears and…

SECTION I - ALICE: ASYLUM THE COMPLETE NARR ATIVE & GAMEPLAY EXPERIENCE
SLUMBER



...Alice faints.

Her sleeping body is pulled into the sky and towards The Moon.

- Chapter End -

Game Opening • Tutorial - GA ME PAUSED - H e a lt h Lvl . 1
Mana N /A
CHAPTER SUMMARY Appearance & Inventory Sanity N /A

I SLUMBER

R e sista nce

Alice’s Appear ance
Moth Dress

Lost in a world of darkness, Alice is drawn to the truth like a
moth to the flame. Fanned by the fires of her curiosity, the Moth
Dress is a representation of both the fragility of Alice’s sanity,
and how precious her life is in such a dangerous world.

Back

TO BE CONFIRMED
SPACE A LLOCATED FOR DESIGN
INVENTORY + KEY ITEMS + WEAPONRY
UI + SECTION / TO BE DESIGNED

Front View Rear View

Slumber Realm
World Expa nded Lore

A mysterious, dream-like realm of shadows, Slumber realm is a
visceral blend of memory, darkness, familar comforts and fear.
Erratic and dangerous, the landscape can morph in an instant.
Nothing is quite what it seems here. The gateways between and
madness blur, as the shells of what was haunt and pursue Alice
in an illusionary trap. Alice may unearth glimmers of truth in
confronting her nightmares in this realm.
Though it might appear futile, Alice knows she must escape.
The only way out is through.

17 S E C T I O N I - A L I C E : A S Y L U M - B E H I N D T H E V E I L • A D V A N C E D G A M E P L A Y N O T E S

SLUMBER • RESISTANCE | SUMMARY

New Character Expanded Char acter Infor m ation
Encountered
CATER PILLAR

A Fa miliar Guide Through the Gardens of Cha nge

Char acter Background

Caterpillar is a familiar face Alice encounters in the Slumber Realm.
He is the narrator of her journey within the realm, acting as a guide
who not only speaks in cryptic riddles, but is also a stern voice of
reason in a world of Alice’s uncertainty.
His true motives are a mystery to Alice, regardless he is a prominent
and consistent actor on the stage of Alice’s anguish.

Attacks / Movement Notes

Caterpillar’s physical movements are limited and stilted due to his
literal sluggish frame. He is however able to teleport, shapeshift, re-
appear and position his ungainly physical form anywhere he chooses.
A master of change, Caterpillar is not limited in any normal paremeter
when it comes to positioning his ungainly physical presence.
Caterpillar is not one to outright attack, but that’s not to say he
doesn’t have a few tricks up his sleeve if opposed.

Size Va r i a ble

Alignment Neutral

Role Guide

M a nner Cryptic

New Weapon Expanded Weapon infor m ation Primary Weapon
Acquired
CRYSTAL VORPAL BLADE

Weapon Lore I.Melee II.
Swift, keen and always ready for service. Ranged
A mysterious relic borne from the Signature Attack Alternate Attack
splinters of shadow, the Crystal Vorpal Snicker-Snack Throwing Knife
Blade is a weapon of razor sharp logic, Grasping the blade at it’s hilt, Hurling the blade at her foes,
cutting reason and untethered fury. Alice is able to slice and dice the Vorpal Blade will strike true
When facing trials and tribulations her enemies with the ferocious from afar, then return to Alice’s
Alice’s has no answer for, the Vorpal precision of a manic surgeon. hand after a short while.
blade allows her to carve out a simpler, Combos, juggles, counter-attacks A powerful clutch attack, the blade
bloodier solution to her problems. and parrying are all part of the will remain unusable until it
Vorpal Blades bag of tricks. apparates back to Alice’s hand,
Weapon Quirks New combos, moves, upgrades leaving her vulnerable. This is a
and weapon unlocks will be high-risk, high-reward attack in a
Rage Within made progressively available. dire situation.
Attacking with this weapon
builds rage meter.

Shadow Sight
This weapon will instinctively
guide Alice if she is lost and will
light her way in dark areas.

SECTION I - A LICE: ASY LUM - BEHIND THE V EIL • A DVA NCED GA MEPL AY NOTES 18
SLUMBER • RESISTANCE | SUMMARY

EXTRA Expa nded Scene Script #01

SLUMBER

“It ’s A ll Your Fault ”

(Expanded Scene Script Begins) FATHER (Eyes unblinking, slowly, smiling)
We were all there too. Yes.
SCENE TRANSITION I remember it well.
The smell of my burning fleshhhhhhh…
1.3 INT. HOME SWEET HOME, SLUMBER REALM - NIGHT
His words trail and his smiling gaze turns and meets Alice.
Expectant of destruction, Alice dives to the floor. Eyes closed, she braces for the Alice, now scared, anguishes at her family.
Moon to crash through the door of her family home, and to be consumed.
Eyes tightly closed and shivering, she then experiences… nothing. ALICE (panicked, crying)
Her breath is short. Her eyes open and dart around. I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO!
There is no destruction. No sign of danger. No moon. I COULDN’T SAVE YOU!
Alice rises to her feet, and is greeted with an unexpected scene of serenity,
normality and calm. It is beautiful. FATHER, MOTHER, LIZZIE (in unison, staring, smiling)
Her family sit nonchalant and expectant around an ornately adorned dinner We. Burned. Because. Of. YOU.
table. Warm daylight floods through the windows. It’s all your fault.
Her sister Lizzie, is smiling a warm smile. Sitting with a proper young ladies YOU could have saved US Alice.
poise, hands clasped together, at the table.
Her mother,(name TBC) is gently placing warm food amongst the other Alice recoils. She has no words to express her fear and confusion. She pulls
delicious meals. Steam wafts from the china plates. Alice’s mother smiles away from Lizzie, but realises Lizzie is now clasping her hand tightly. She
knowingly and gently, then turns back towards the table. cannot move away.
Her father, (name TBC) sits at the table head. His smile matches the warmth of Writhing to no avail, her smiling family continue to stare.
the room. His head twitches sporadically as his eyes scan the room. Their voices begin to hum in gentle song, then warp and crescendo into
They are all immaculately dressed. Perfect in presentation. something new. Their smiling faces shift and form pained expressions of utter
In unison, they all beckon wordlessly for Alice to join them. terror. They start to scream. Their flesh turns red, then blackens as veins of fire
Alice’s appearance remains unchanged. erupt across their skin.
She is haggard, shivering and bloody. Alice watches her parents as flames erupt from behind their eyes. Charred
Confused and still shaken, the young girl’s emotions break. sockets spew grilled viscera onto the table and splatter across the fine food. Fire
She does not understand what is happening. She only knows that this is all bellows and licks from their screaming mouths
wrong. They burn from within, flesh melting and erupting in front of Alice. She
Alice runs to her family. They must hide. They must be saved. screams with them. Her parents melt and ember away, dying horribly in front
Alice grasps at her big sister’s arm. of her. All over again. She knows this part too well.
Turning to face her sister, Alice is now grasped tightly by charred, gnarled
ALICE (frantically) hands. Lizzie is a pyre of burning flesh. As the whites in her eyes melt, Lizzie’s
Mum, Dad. We have to go NOW! charred sockets stare back at Alice.
We have to run. I need to save you! Alice continues to scream, as her sister is engulfed in flame in front of her.
L-Lizzie please - Lizzie remains silent, always staring, even as chunks of her flesh slough away,
falling onto Alice and coating her in an eruption of steaming blood and fire.
LIZZIE (Interrupting. Through smiling teeth) Alice watches as her sister burns. They never let go of each other’s hands. Lizzie
Why Alice? Why would I go with YOU? disintegrates into ash and blood.
The inferno rage and crackles around the sisters, engulfing the room. Alice
Her head slowly turns to Alice, and remains fixed in stare. closes her eyes, terrified, shaking, begging.

MOTHER (Smiling. Slowly. Each word deliberate) ALICE (whispering and crying)
Yes Alice. Why, would we go with YOU? Please. I don’t want this again.
Not again. Please.
Her head slowly turns to Alice, staring.
Alice screams.
Why didn’t you try yourself? And everything stops.
Why didn’t you save US?
(Expanded Scene Script Ends)
ALICE (confused, scared, breathlessly)
I-I, tried. I tried to help you.
I was there. I heard y-you-

19 S E C T I O N I - A L I C E : A S Y L U M - B E H I N D T H E V E I L • A D V A N C E D G A M E P L A Y N O T E S

SLUMBER • RESISTANCE | SUMMARY

- Level One • Act 1 -

DENIAL REALM

THE GR EATEST SHOW

20



- Level One • Act 1 -

DENIAL REALM

THE GR EATEST SHOW

[The following is The 1st Part of a musical sequence sung by a full cast of characters inhabiting The Circus]

The Mockturtle Alice

“The Show is starting! “Why must I? You know this
We must not be late!” to be something I hate!”

Singing

Alice opens her eyes to watch as Mockturtle pulls a Giant Lever ejecting her from bed and into a Circus
Dress. Makeup is plastered onto her face by autonomous arms - an enormously wide smile. A mechanical
hand shoves her towards a Giant Slide where a White Rabbit Doll is preparing to jump. A rickety“13,320
Days of the Show” sign is over the slide entrance. As Alice looks towards the sign, it ticks over to “13,321”.

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.

- FOLLOW -

Alice’s Room & Starting Area

Alice’s Room In the Clouds • Verticality Concept Opening Platforming & Level Design Concept

SECTION I - ALICE: ASYLUM THE COMPLETE NARR ATIVE & GAMEPLAY EXPERIENCE 22
DENIAL REALM • THE GREATEST SHOW

Dreamscapes in the Denial realm • Level Design Concept

Turtle SINGS as The Music plays. His lyrics explain:

The Mockturtle Alice

“It’s a new day, a new show; we Singing “But I don’t want to play your
must not miss our mark, we can games, I don’t want to say your
not forget our lines; the Tweedles lines. If being here requires those
may be half Dum but they view
things then I’d prefer to
these things as crimes.” 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:
1. Alice is a prisoner of The Circus. 2. The Moon makes escape
impossible. 3. Alice should just give up and enjoy The Show.
4. Alice hates it here.

Platforming Concepts

23 S E C T I O N I - A L I C E : A S Y L U M T H E C O M P L E T E N A R R A T I V E & G A M E P L A Y E X P E R I E N C E

DENIAL REALM • THE GREATEST SHOW

Denial realm Exterior Concept

Circus Styled Level Design Concepts 24

SECTION I - ALICE: ASYLUM THE COMPLETE NARR ATIVE & GAMEPLAY EXPERIENCE
DENIAL REALM • THE GREATEST SHOW

At one point the White Rabbit hops off track and leads Alice towards a Fortune Teller’s Tent. The Music fades.

Alice The Fortune Teller

“This is new...” “Oh, I’ve always been here, deary.
You just never bothered to notice.
“To return home.”
But now that you have…
what do you seek?”

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.

25 S E C T I O N I - A L I C E : A S Y L U M T H E C O M P L E T E N A R R A T I V E & G A M E P L A Y E X P E R I E N C E

DENIAL REALM • THE GREATEST SHOW

- Slumber Encounter #02 -

THE SLUMBER

- Determination -

Alice Caterpillar

“You again. And that awful creature?” “She fears you more than you fear her.”

“She must fear me a great deal. “But you must. And you will...”
I’ d rather not see her again.”
Alice
The scene around Player-Alice transforms in a flurry of
snowflakes. It’s night and snow falls from the sky above. “I remember… That night began
Memory-Alice stands in the front yard of her family like any other. But it ended in
home. The house is sleeping and its windows are dark. chaos. Unlike anything I’d

known before. I was only 11, what
did I know of chaos?”

We PLAY, following with Player-Alice as Memory-Alice navigates the scene and
makes her way into the house through a front door that is open to the night air.

Exterior Scene Establishing Shot of the
Player Alice following an Apparition /
Memory Version of Herself into her Home.

2 Alices in One Scene Entering Home.

SECTION I - ALICE: ASYLUM THE COMPLETE NARR ATIVE & GAMEPLAY EXPERIENCE 26
THE SLUMBER • ENCOUNTER 2 • DETERMINATION

Alice Flashes of imagery to match the narration: The cat
knocking over the oil lamp; Alice’s parents frantically
“At first I blamed the cat. Always knocking over the oil trying to open their bedroom door as smoke filled the
lamps and having nearly burned down the house at least corridor. Alice laying in the snow-covered front yard
two times prior. But it did not add up. The locked doors looking up at a burning house filled with screams - the
on the second floor. The front door wide open so that the front door conspicuously open.

flames could be seen raging inside.”

We PLAY, following as Memory-Alice makes her way to the second floor.

Interior Scene - Liddell Home
Alice and Lizzie Play game of Snuffing out

Candles. Dinah / Cat Visible in Scenes.

Alice Flashes of imagery to match the narration: Alice and
Lizzie running around excitedly to extinguish all the
“There were lamps on every floor. But we checked to ensure lamps. A black-gloved hand turning a key in a lock.
they were all extinguished before turning in for the night. A shadowy figure pouring lamp oil down the corridor
Lizzie and I made a game of running around the house and outside the family bedrooms. A match thrown to light
snuffing them out. And no one locked their doors in our home. the oil on fire.

We had no secrets to hide… or so I thought.”

27 S E C T I O N I - A L I C E : A S Y L U M T H E C O M P L E T E N A R R A T I V E & G A M E P L A Y E X P E R I E N C E

DENIAL REALM • THE GREATEST SHOW

Alice We SEE final flashes of Child Alice being
taken away in a straight jacket.
“I imagined you a centaur. I later
discovered you were a different kind Shadow Alice flickers across the child’s face.

of monster entirely. But first…
They said it was my fault.”

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

Alice Caterpillar

“That monster is...me?” “The monster lives within us all but
only a few can face, much less embrace it.

Remove the mask, Alice.”

The scene fades to black as circus music invades...

SECTION I - ALICE: ASYLUM THE COMPLETE NARR ATIVE & GAMEPLAY EXPERIENCE 28
THE SLUMBER • ENCOUNTER 2 • DETERMINATION

- Level One • Act 1 - - GA ME PAUSED - H e a lt h Lvl . 1
Mana N /A
CHAPTER SUMMARY Appearance & Inventory Sanity Lvl . 1

II DENIAL REALM

The Greatest SHow

Alice’s Appear ance
Denial Dress

Lies and secrets, truth and innocence. From what lies just
behind the curtain, lurks terrible knowledge. Only those with
the courage and cunning to match their curiosity will prevail.

TO BE CONFIRMED
SPACE A LLOCATED FOR DESIGN
INVENTORY + KEY ITEMS + WEAPONRY
UI + SECTION / TO BE DESIGNED

Front View Rear View

The Greatest Show
World Expa nded Lore

<Copy-writing to be completed> Tur? Namet que parum del
et adignam, sunt vere, simil idicia voluptur acid quodiorposto
oditati beatemporro dolorerum fuga. Bis alis suntist fugiate
comnis volore, si volor as vel ipsandis mo con et apedi quodiciae
nistemp elest, quodit eum sunti doluptate latquatum lab im
qui sin nonseque nusam ut idebis dolorer itibuscient voloritium
fugitiam qui abo. Ut alibus quis volupient faccaeris aut faccabore
voluptatum qui optatiamus del molum consequo etus, autae
volupta quas asperio in et prepra sit hillam dolor seque ma del.

29 S E C T I O N I - A L I C E : A S Y L U M - B E H I N D T H E V E I L • A D V A N C E D G A M E P L A Y N O T E S

DENIAL REALM • THE GREATEST SHOW & THE SLUMBER • ENCOUNTER 2 | SUMMARY

New Character Expanded Char acter Infor m ation
Encountered
THE R ABBIT PLUSH TOY

To Be Followed Into The Abyss.

Size Tiny Char acter Background Movement & Attack Notes

A lignment Fr iendly <Copy-writing to be completed> Esequiss inventem <Copy-writing to be completed> Magnam, si
as apel ium lisit eles molupta ssinctur aditem sit odit verionsed quaspit, velesti onsecto tatiorest, utatest,
Role C om pa n io n illit quid quia perum que vendae prehenim sitaspi offic temquam etur?
denitiuntio min etur? Aqui tet reici omnimincia culparc hiciento mosam,
M a nner Helpful Pa doluptaquae nihit odit exped moluptatum tem dolupta prem ideliqui dolupta spiciet exces alic
hicaerat quas aut quamus ut pa doloratur ad eles te quiandiandi sant, quas dios eum asitias ium re,
ditati disci remporerem et volupta tatiunto volector evelluptas que nosanturit remporibus.
adit hit poreiciet quiam accaesequia venduciet eossi Natur? Umque lam volorpo ritiatemque nis
se et dolecat isserum am faccull acitas comnient rem exceatum doloremque plit apellup tatemol
volorpor sum harunti iscime ommolup tissitiae. upiciisquis aut estibust, sincta velia doloreiciaes et.
Abo. Itate doluptionet aceat laccaborem Abo. Itate doluptionet aceat laccaborem
quiducimus, eat del iducit min corendu cipient quiducimus, eat del iducit min corendu cipient
esciisque nos ium simus, quamus et atat faccae pa. esciisque nos ium simus, quamus et atat faccae pa.

New Character Expanded Char acter Infor m ation
Encountered
THE MOCKTURTLE

A Blithering Mess. In Constant Distress.

Size Small Char acter Background Movement & Attack Notes

Alignment Neutral <Copy-writing to be completed> Esequiss inventem <Copy-writing to be completed> Magnam, si
as apel ium lisit eles molupta ssinctur aditem sit odit verionsed quaspit, velesti onsecto tatiorest, utatest,
Role Guide illit quid quia perum que vendae prehenim sitaspi offic temquam etur?
denitiuntio min etur? Aqui tet reici omnimincia culparc hiciento mosam,
M a nner Pat h e t i c Pa doluptaquae nihit odit exped moluptatum tem dolupta prem ideliqui dolupta spiciet exces alic
hicaerat quas aut quamus ut pa doloratur ad eles te quiandiandi sant, quas dios eum asitias ium re,
ditati disci remporerem et volupta tatiunto volector evelluptas que nosanturit remporibus.
adit hit poreiciet quiam accaesequia venduciet eossi Natur? Umque lam volorpo ritiatemque nis
se et dolecat isserum am faccull acitas comnient rem exceatum doloremque plit apellup tatemol
volorpor sum harunti iscime ommolup tissitiae. upiciisquis aut estibust, sincta velia doloreiciaes et.

New Character Expanded Char acter Infor m ation
Encountered
MADAME PRISCILLA

Divine Intuition. For A Price.

Size Small Char acter Background Movement & Attack Notes
<Copy-writing to be completed>Orerume pe
Alignment Neutral <Copy-writing to be completed>Nulpariaspis es delluptatem harunt alibers pelent ut ad ma sunt
sition earunt fugia dolupta ssentis eatentur sint. veliquatur aspellor rem dit alitaspero conseditatur
Role Fortune Teller Rit porianimi, eiciendante ad expe lauda nest quo molorepe pelicto dentur, volupta tibust, ute sit vell.
coressu ntiur? Quibusa ntiur? Odita consequatis.
M a nner Mystical

SECTION I - A LICE: ASY LUM - BEHIND THE V EIL • A DVA NCED GA MEPL AY NOTES 30
DENIAL REALM • THE GREATEST SHOW & THE SLUMBER • ENCOUNTER 2 | SUMMARY

- Level One • Act 2 -

DENIAL REALM

THE BIG TOP

[The following is the 2nd Part of the musical sequence sung by a full cast of characters inhabiting The Circus]
Now back in The Circus and with The Music at full volume, Alice uses the Crystal Vorpal Blade to slice her way through
the scenes and Actors, carving a bloody red swathe against everything that gets in her way. Mock Turtle pleads as he SINGS
imploring Alice to stop her bloody rampage and rejoin her loving troupe of performers. Blood flies.

Blood And Anger in The Big Top

During this sequence, the illusion of The Circus
begins to crumble as Actors break into mechanical
automatons when damaged or destroyed.
This is Alice’s first encounter with Manipulators
- an enemy NPC capable of taking on a variety of
shapes and forms.
This serves as the First Tutorial for Basic
Combat - Vorpal Blade attack and defense.

31 S E C T I O N I - A L I C E : A S Y L U M T H E C O M P L E T E N A R R A T I V E & G A M E P L A Y E X P E R I E N C E

DENIAL REALM • THE BIG TOP

We PLAY as an angry Alice fights her way through the circus led by White Rabbit, weaving blood-red arcs of
destruction and fury against her captors into The Big Top.

The Big Top is a massive tent with stadium seating all around. There are Three Rings with a Giant Balloon occupying
center stage in the middle ring. Tweedle Dee and Dum are here - The Ringmasters. [Tweedles use Giant Balloon to
look out over the Circus - cranks up and down through a hole in the Big Top]

Tweedle Dee Alice

“The little girl has “I’m done being your clown.
forgotten her lines!” This is my final show!”

Cruelt y is the law in the Big -Top 32

SECTION I - ALICE: ASYLUM THE COMPLETE NARR ATIVE & GAMEPLAY EXPERIENCE
DENIAL REALM • THE BIG TOP

- Level One • Act 3 -

DENIAL REALM

BOSS BATTLE • T WEEDLE BROS

What follows is a Boss Battle sequence where Alice fights Tweedle Dee and Dum using her Vorpal Blade and the skills she’s acquired
up to this point. The Tweedles attack Alice with odd weapons, one being a Jack-in-a-box styled bomb, the other a grappling hook.

ACTION BOSS SCENE - ALICE VS TWEEDLES
TO BE CREATED / SHOWCASE USE OF
NEW WEAPONRY

After a bloody battle, Alice outsmarts the Tweedles by After Alice defeats The Tweedles she
deflecting their weapons against them, and attacking climbs into a nearby Balloon with
relentlessly with her vorpal blade. She acquires each of their White Rabbit by her side. She cuts the
weapons from their dismembered, charred corpses. balloon’s tethers with her Vorpal Blade
and rises through the tent opening.
New Weapon Aquired
She flies free above The Circus leaving
JACKBOMB (THROWABLE) The Music behind...

New Weapon Aquired

TREBLE-MAKER (GR APPLE)

33 S E C T I O N I - A L I C E : A S Y L U M T H E C O M P L E T E N A R R A T I V E & G A M E P L A Y E X P E R I E N C E

DENIAL REALM • THE BIG TOP

EITHER AFTERMATH OF BOSS BATTLE, OR ALICE
ESCAPING BIG-TOP IN BALLOON.

SECTION I - ALICE: ASYLUM THE COMPLETE NARR ATIVE & GAMEPLAY EXPERIENCE 34
DENIAL REALM • THE BIG TOP

- Level One • Act 2 & 3 - - GA ME PAUSED - H e a lt h Lvl . 2
Mana Lvl . 1
CHAPTER SUMMARY Appearance & Inventory Sanity Lvl . 1

III DENIAL REALM

The Big Top

Alice’s Appear ance
Circus Performer

False smiles, powder and tears mask the truth of a little girl
deeply confused and in pain. Regardless of how the star of the
show feels, the show must and will go on. Or else.

TO BE CONFIRMED
SPACE A LLOCATED FOR DESIGN
INVENTORY + KEY ITEMS + WEAPONRY
UI + SECTION / TO BE DESIGNED

Front View Rear View

The Big Top
World Expa nded Lore

<Copy-writing to be completed> Tur? Namet que parum del
et adignam, sunt vere, simil idicia voluptur acid quodiorposto
oditati beatemporro dolorerum fuga. Bis alis suntist fugiate
comnis volore, si volor as vel ipsandis mo con et apedi quodiciae
nistemp elest, quodit eum sunti doluptate latquatum lab im
qui sin nonseque nusam ut idebis dolorer itibuscient voloritium
fugitiam qui abo. Ut alibus quis volupient faccaeris aut faccabore
voluptatum qui optatiamus del molum consequo etus, autae
volupta quas asperio in et prepra sit hillam dolor seque ma del.

35 S E C T I O N I - A L I C E : A S Y L U M - B E H I N D T H E V E I L • A D V A N C E D G A M E P L A Y N O T E S

DENIAL REALM • THE BIG TOP | SUMMARY

New Enemy Expanded Enemy Infor m ation Threat: Moder ate 2
Encountered
MANIPULATOR S

Enemy Lore MeleeMovement & Attack notes
A manufactured menace, these
constructs are possessed with the Manipulators attack and move
notion that Alice must be controlled, in a manner accurate with
imprisioned, and miserable. Their whatever their fleshy host
very appearance is a lie. Varying in size shell allows. Once damaged,
and outward appearance, their true and their core is exposed, their
core is always diabollically rotten. movements become more erratic,
unpredictable and dangerous.
S wa r m A weaker enemy on their
lonesome, a common tactic
of Manipulators is to gang up
on Alice, pursuing her in an
overwhelming horde.

Circus M a n ipu l ator Shell Va r i a n ts

New Area Boss Expanded Boss Infor m ation Threat: Very High 4
Encountered
Health (HP): TWEEDLE BROTHERS

Enemy Lore MeleeMovement & Attack notes
Gleefully cracking the whip as dual With one Tweedle high in the
ringmasters of the Big Top, the sky tossing JackBombs down atRanged
Tweedles Dee and Dum reign over Alice from a balloon, and the other
the circus with barbaric cruelty. whipping the Treble-Maker at
Powerful, intimidating and short Alice, the Tweedle Brothers can
tempered, a calm approach certainly be quite a handful in combat.
isn’t their management style. The Tweedles move as thuggish
brawlers, all off-balance power and
Power (Atk): no grace. The brothers have a mix
of ranged combat options and close
quarters strikes up their sleeve. Alice
will make short work of the dastardly
duo if she finds a way to turn their
unity against them.

Speed (Mov+):

SECTION I - A LICE: ASY LUM - BEHIND THE V EIL • A DVA NCED GA MEPL AY NOTES 36
DENIAL REALM • THE BIG TOP | SUMMARY

New Weapon Expanded Weapon infor m ation Throwable &
Acquired Placeable Weapon
J A C K- B O M B

Weapon Lore I. d II. Timed Blast
<Copywriting to be done> Escia sae
consedios autem a doluptat autatur? Signature Attacke Alternate Attack
Cid quo es et que dolum fugia ditius Bomb Throw Hide n’ Seek
antus, quibus estia dolor molla <Copywriting to be done> ApidT <Copywriting to be done> Apid
dolorrorum in exerovidi quam rem. Ut et quis sum aliqui restibus, et quis sum aliqui restibus,
quae simus, cuptati berspitatius nulpa cuptatem utes di suntureptang cuptatem utes di sunturepta
comnia volor sapellaceped eum eos etum porem untotate porem qui cuptae porem untotate porem qui cuptae
harum con nostia nes nist, sectem eos dendeseque lam quatincto corroLASdendeseque lam quatincto corro
volorem peritate consequ ossimagnim estiam es sintibusant, sa nus estiam es sintibusant, sa nus
aeturem apidem exerciis volum eturem apidem exerciis volum
Weapon Quirks exeria sant. exeria sant.
BPorem dolum conse voluptiPorem dolum conse volupti
Jok e’s on You orerum eumendi cuptatem faces. orerum eumendi cuptatem faces.
Alice can be damaged by the R
explosions of this weapon. T r a p Va r i a n t
OE
Veiled laughter
This weapon will lure enemies to A
it’s laugh when placed, allowing
it to be used as a decoy.

New Weapon Expanded Weapon infor m ation Grapple-Hook &
Acquired Nav igat ion We a pon
T R EBLE-M A KER

Weapon Lore RangedI. II.
<Copywriting to be done> Escia sae SPECIAL
consedios autem a doluptat autatur? Signature Attack Alternate Attack
Cid quo es et que dolum fugia ditius Direct-Line Hook Go With The Flow
antus, quibus estia dolor molla <Copywriting to be done> Apid <Copywriting to be done> Apid
dolorrorum in exerovidi quam rem. Ut et quis sum aliqui restibus, et quis sum aliqui restibus,
quae simus, cuptati berspitatius nulpa cuptatem utes di sunturepta cuptatem utes di sunturepta
comnia volor sapellaceped eum eos etum porem untotate porem qui cuptae porem untotate porem qui cuptae
harum con nostia nes nist, sectem eos dendeseque lam quatincto corro dendeseque lam quatincto corro
volorem peritate consequ ossimagnim. estiam es sintibusant, sa nus estiam es sintibusant, sa nus
eturem apidem exerciis volum eturem apidem exerciis volum
Weapon Quirks exeria sant. exeria sant.
Porem dolum conse volupti Porem dolum conse volupti
Swift & Sure orerum eumendi cuptatem faces. orerum eumendi cuptatem faces.
Alice’s mobility is slightly buffed
while carrying this weapon.

Squaw k !
This weapon can emit a loud
noise on command. Useful for
drawing enemy attention or simply
annoying Wonderland denizens.

37 S E C T I O N I - A L I C E : A S Y L U M - B E H I N D T H E V E I L • A D V A N C E D G A M E P L A Y N O T E S

DENIAL REALM • THE BIG TOP

- Level One • Act 4 -

DENIAL REALM

THE MOON

38

- Level One • Act 4 -

DENIAL REALM

THE MOON

Alice glides above The Circus with White Rabbit by her side. A moment of reflection before the coming battle.
The Balloon floats up through a bank of clouds and out the other side to reveal The Moon directly ahead.

We PLAY as a determined Alice. The Moon sings
The Lullaby. To succeed, Alice must select words to
sing; replacing lyrics in the lullaby.

Failing to match a rhyming word results in
Alice becoming more sleepy.
Failure means a reset to the start of the
balloon ride.
Success means Alice overcomes the sleep
spell and proceeds to The Moon.

SECTION I - ALICE: ASYLUM THE COMPLETE NARR ATIVE & GAMEPLAY EXPERIENCE
DENIAL REALM • THE MOON

The Balloon continues towards The Moon
and crashes into its face, flinging Alice and
Rabbit into its gaping mouth. A welcome
party is waiting and a battle begins.

We PLAY as an angry Alice fights her way
through The Moon using her Vorpal Blade
and newly acquired Jack-bomb and Treble-
maker. White Rabbit leads the way to a series
of Sub Goals: Disable the Lullaby Machine;
Disable the Manipulator Manufacturer; Reach
The Bridge; Battle The Moon Boss; Take Control
of The Moon (and fly to Queen’s Domain).

The Moon is a mechanical construct of Hatter Industries and its interior is a labyrinth of corridors, walkways, machine rooms, gears,
turbines, and steam pipes. This serves as the First Basic Tutorial for Jack-Bomb and Treble-Maker Grappling Hook mechanic.

This area also acts as an Advanced Tutorial for Movement with; ledge grabs, swinging, double jumps, and dress-gliding introduced.

Platforming in the Mechanical depths of the Moon Interior. 40

SECTION I - ALICE: ASYLUM THE COMPLETE NARR ATIVE & GAMEPLAY EXPERIENCE
DENIAL REALM • THE MOON

Alice Fights Her Way to The Clock work Heart Inside the Moon

Pl atfor m ing, Cog Pl atfor m Concep t & Lev er Acti vation Motion Concep ts Inside the Moon

SECTION I - ALICE: ASYLUM THE COMPLETE NARR ATIVE & GAMEPLAY EXPERIENCE
DENIAL REALM • THE MOON

- Objective -
Sleep Machine

- Destroy -

- Objective - A djustable Muti-Path Platfor m Concept
M a nipulator M a nufacturer

- Destroy -

As Alice explores The Moon she passes through its
Engine Room where she sees that it is powered by a
Massive Clockwork Heart. She battles a steady stream
of Manipulators as she works her way towards them, and
destroys their source: The Manipulator Manufacturer.

SECTION I - ALICE: ASYLUM THE COMPLETE NARR ATIVE & GAMEPLAY EXPERIENCE 42
DENIAL REALM • THE MOON

Mock Turtle explains that Alice’s false reality is better because she’ll never run out of friends to play with.
No one ever has to age or die or fade away.

The Mockturtle Alice

“The Manipulator Manufacturer copies “This is all a lie Turtle! False comforts don’t
everything about a person and reproduces soothe real anguish. There’s truth for me out
it. Everything here is simulated to keep you
there, and you’re standing in my way.”
stimulated. Where’s the wrong in that?”

As Mockturtle begins to protest, an army of Manipulators swarm over him. He is pushed aside and lost in the rush of bodies.

Mock Turtle explains that Alice’s false reality is better because she’ll never run out of friends to play with.
No one ever has to age or die or fade away.

ACTION SCENE - Showcase a n A r my of A lice’s Spawning
from the M a nipulator M a nufacturere, Bat tling a Sea of

Manipulators inside the moon.

SECTION I - ALICE: ASYLUM THE COMPLETE NARR ATIVE & GAMEPLAY EXPERIENCE
DENIAL REALM • THE MOON

WORK IN PROGRESS

This document is incomplete and represents an early proof of concept.
This sample is not indicative of the final product content and quality,

and is completely subject to change.
THE DESIGN BIBLE WILL BE CONTINUED...

SECTION I - ALICE: ASYLUM THE COMPLETE NARR ATIVE & GAMEPLAY EXPERIENCE 44
DENIAL REALM • THE MOON