Part of Madness Returns will be happening in 19th Century London. What’s the nature of the juxtaposition we’ll be seeing with Wonderland vs. London? Will there be some of that surreal element in London as well?
American: Can’t talk about that. [Laughter.]
I saw the hint of a smile there…
American: Heh. Can’t talk about that. I wish we could talk about that, but we can’t.
Ok, well if that scenario were to happen, Alice would be a supremely well-equipped character to deal with it. That’s all I’m saying.
American: [[Laughter] There was somebody else who came in this room today and we’ll tell you the same thing we told him which is “Stop being so smart.” So, again, can’t talk about that. [Laughter]
So, my last question is kind of speculative. If you have to give another Wonderland character a starring role in a game, who would be?
American: Wouldn’t do it.
R. J. Berg: No, it’s Alice who’s the reason for the enduring popularity, worldwide admiration and acceptance of this world. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson [Lewis Carroll’s real name] created a character where–by design–it’s her story and no one else’s.
Right.
R. J. Berg: And our goal has been in everything we ever done is to respect that decision and to make a credible attempt to project her life as a young woman, as a heroic young woman dealing with a tragic circumstance. And I think that we will never take a false step, as long as we make that vision of Alice our guiding principle. As we build this product for console and PC with EAP, they’ve allowed us to always respect the heroic nature of a single character.
We shouldn’t expect any Queen of Hearts spinoffs or Cheshire Cat prequels at any point?
Both: Uh-uh. No.
Those are some deep frowns, gentlemen…
[Laughter]
(More on Techland: A Practical Guide to … Traveling Between Worlds)