In a recent revelation, Alice creator American::American McGee says he was inspired by a Valve demo he saw while working on Quake 2 to pursue a new era of cinematic storytelling. While American McGee's Alice remains a cult classic decades after its release, the seeds for its unique atmosphere were planted much earlier during his tenure at id Software.

McGee began his career at id in tech support before moving into level design for legendary titles such as Doom and Quake. However, a specific moment in Paul Steed's office changed his professional trajectory forever. While the team was working on Quake 2, they gathered to witness a demonstration of what Valve was developing for the engine.

The demo featured several groundbreaking elements that caught McGee's eye:

  • Characters moving through an environment
  • A crane operating within the scene
  • Multiple camera pans used to convey narrative
  • Advanced use of the Quake engine for cinematic storytelling

Reacting to the scene, McGee recalled letting out a breathless "WOW," only to have the room turn and scowl at him. He realized then that while his colleagues were focused elsewhere, he wanted to use this technology to tell deeper stories. To clarify, he wasn't referring to the release of Half-Life, but rather the experimental tools being built for the engine that would later define it.

How the Valve Demo Inspired American McGee

The tension between his creative vision and the direction of id Software preceded his eventual departure from the company. Following the release of Quake 2 in December 1997, McGee was fired from id in October 1998.

The reasons for his exit remain a subject of debate among industry veterans. John Carmack stated at the time that the company "were not seeing what we wanted" from McGee's work. However, former designer Sandy Peterson suggested years later that McGee may have been treated unfairly by a fellow employee.

From Firing to the Creation of Alice

Despite the sudden loss of his position, McGee felt a sense of liberation. He noted that while he cried on the day he was fired, he found himself smiling and even laughing while driving home with his belongings. The inspiration he gained from seeing that Valve demo gave him the drive to push technology toward surreal visuals.

This passion led him to EA, where he developed American McGee's Alice and later Alice: Madness Returns. After moving to China, he founded his own studio, Spicy Horse, to continue his creative journey.

Although a third installment in the series was rejected by EA in 2023, leading to a period of retirement, the creator is officially returning. He has announced plans to develop a spiritual successor to the series based on his Plushy Dreadful stuffed toys.