American McGee’s attempt to develop a third instalment in his beloved Alice series “is at an end” after EA refused to fund the third game in the series.
In a public statement posted to McGee’s Patreon, the developer said that he had “exhausted every option for getting a new Alice game made.” Electronic Arts reportedly “decided to pass on the project based on an internal analysis of the IP, market conditions and details of the project proposal.”
McGee explained that he had resumed talks with EA over Alice: Asylum after the completion of the Design Bible. He stated that EA was “presented with the Design Bible and a Production Plan (produced in collaboration with Virtuous Games) outlining the schedule, budget, team, and design for the game’s production.”
However, EA “ultimately decided to pass on the project.” However, EA did not give up its license for the franchise.
Also check out: 4 Reasons Why Gamers Hate EA so Much
McGee wrote that “on the question of licensing, they replied that Alice is an important part of EA’s overall game catalogue, and selling or licensing it isn’t something they’re prepared to do right now.
“At this point, we have exhausted every option for getting a new Alice game made. With those answers from EA, there is no other way forward with the project.”
McGee finished his statement by writing that he has “no other ideas or energy left to apply towards getting a nice Alice game made” and that he has “no control over the Alice IP and no ability to make a new game happen.” He then thanked artists and designers who’d worked on the project.
“Lastly, I want to extend a bittersweet Thank You to our Patreon supporters,” McGee said. “I know this is not the outcome we hoped for. And I feel a mix of emotions that leaves me sick at the idea of all the money, hope, ideas, and love you’ve poured into this effort over the years.
“We knew going into this adventure that failing was a possibility. But we wanted to believe impossible things–and we had fun doing that up to the moment when reality forced itself into our Wonderland.
“It’s often said that when one door closes, another opens. Trite but true. And I hope that for all of you, this closure will bring life to other adventures and dreams.”
The last Alice game to release was Alice: Madness Returns back in 2011.
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Zainah Yousef
Zainah Yousef is the author of The Fallen Age Saga and specializes in gaming, social media advice, and reviews. She's been writing all her life and she probably won't stop anytime soon.
