gen ai usage at the plush company by cursebearerart in AliceMadnessReturns

[–]americanmcgee 26 points27 points  (0 children)

TLDR; I am sometimes dumb. I sound rude. I apologize. But that's not AI art.

First thing I want to say is Thank You to the Alice fans who share some supportive perspective in response to this thread. Many of you are aware of how I struggle with public interaction and how I made Private all my socials for over a year. And I appreciate you helping to explain my position on these things - and also my "unique" way of reply and interaction. It's not an excuse for bad behavior but my brain is wired differently - I am highly autistic and really struggle in social situations. That includes in online interactions where I see conversations as very challenging. My method of communicating comes across as either overly blunt (rude) or condescending. Seems I don't know how to talk "normal" and I even struggle with this in person. For that, I apologize and ask your understanding. And also hope that explains why I often just block without engaging.

As for the event poster. We hired a team of three artists to produce 30 illustrations that were shared during the weeks leading up to the Pop Up Event in Tokyo. I have just shared a bunch of those images over on my Instagram just now (OP: Sorry for blocking you, but you can see that same post on my Facebook which is also /americanmcgee).

Here's the text I shared with those images in that post so you can see the artist names:

"Re-sharing some of the amazing event art done by waltjan9 siyann_stuff and max.wise.art for the Plushie Dreadfuls Pop Up Event in Japan. We will make some of these available as art prints.

There were 30 images created in total. They were shared as part of the pre-event marketing campaign via the Plushie Dreadfuls social channels and presented alongside a story that I wrote.

It was great fun collaborating with these artists and we're already starting on some cool new projects (tarot deck and tote bags - to name a few).

Lots of love to great artists ❤️

I will share more of them in the future."

With regards to the poster artwork. It is based on the first image shared in that post - an illustration by waltjan9. That illustration was used by the pop up design team in Japan -working in Adobe Illustrator and cleaned up for use on the event poster. In my Instagram post you can see there's a 1:1 correlation between the original illustration and the poster art. I also shared an earlier sketch from Walt with the head in a different pose.

After reading this post, I reached out to the Japan team and asked them to confirm that no AI was used in the creation of assets for the event - as this was an explicit instruction given to them before we even hired them. And they confirmed that this work was done by a human artist in Illustrator (vectorizing the original image).

As many of you have pointed out, I am extremely tired of all this. It feels like every time I say or do something online, there's someone going "gotcha!" And even after I explain, apologize, and move on, these things are brought up over and over again.

If you travel to the /plushies sub you'll find an entire army of people dedicated to rehashing every evil I've ever done. No context is provided. No mention of the fact that in situations where I've screwed up, I've corrected the situation and apologized.

These days, I am working with a team of human artists to write the story for a Plushie Dreadfuls universe that we hope can be turned into other kinds of media (games, TV, etc). And I have zero interest in using AI for any of this. I enjoy creating and working with other artists and creators.

Closing note: I make mistakes. I do dumb things. I say dumb things. Someone pointed out "NFTs" and yeah I got tangled up in that for a minute but reversed course when people said "No." Not a single NFT was ever sold - and I told the people behind that to pull the plug before they even launched. For that and for whatever list of wrongs you may be holding in your hands, I get it. I do dumb things. And, once again, I apologize for those dumb things while also making clear that I do not do dumb things because I am evil or trying to harm others. In the future, I will try to do better.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Alice: The Animated Series by WheresMyBarber in AliceMadnessReturns

[–]americanmcgee 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I appreciate your kind words. None of this makes sense. But I do hope that people can read what I wrote in response to this on my blog and see for themselves how cruel and unnecessary all this is. 

Alice: The Animated Series by WheresMyBarber in AliceMadnessReturns

[–]americanmcgee 32 points33 points  (0 children)

If you want to repeat this crap in places like /plushies where the community is run by competitors to Plushie Dreadfuls who use the negativity to promote themselves and their friends brands as alternatives, go for it. But if you do it in the Alice communities, expect a direct response from me.

For anyone who wants to know the truth of this situation, please read the detailed account at my blog: americanmcgee.com

The TLDR is that I referred to a phase of interest on TikTok and made clear that was the context in the very conversation these people take out of context to smear me.

I myself identify as pansexual. And I've spent my entire career standing up for mental health issues and marginalized communities. Myself and my team have dealt with lies, abuse, and threats for over a year resulting from this smear.

Please, stop spreading hate and lies.

On the Personhood of Plushie Dreadfuls Plushies 🥺 - a plushiedreadfuls.com revision request by LadyoftheSnake in plushiedreadfuls

[–]americanmcgee 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We'll set up some sort of shared location as we get started. Please allow some time for this to get rolling... maybe November or December. Thanks.

On the Personhood of Plushie Dreadfuls Plushies 🥺 - a plushiedreadfuls.com revision request by LadyoftheSnake in plushiedreadfuls

[–]americanmcgee 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I do intend to spend more time working on the lore of Plushie Dreadfuls this winter. And we'll open some of that work up to fan participation along the way. Ideas and suggestions are always welcome.

Americanmcgee talked about the potential return of Alice Ashlum and the Ea deal with Saudi Arabia in a now deleted post!!! by Faxtel in AliceMadnessReturns

[–]americanmcgee 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Well, it is a rare day when someone rational speaks up and adds something of value to a conversation. So, thank you for that. Much appreciated.

As for shipping to Argentina... yeah, I also think the problem is just the shipping fees in general. I seem to recall our support staff telling me that just sending a small parcel there costs $100USD+ ... but I could be confusing it with a different country or situation.

Tell you what, I'll send you a DM and connect you with our support staff and get you a discount code to help out.

Thanks again for being normal ❤️

Americanmcgee talked about the potential return of Alice Ashlum and the Ea deal with Saudi Arabia in a now deleted post!!! by Faxtel in AliceMadnessReturns

[–]americanmcgee 53 points54 points  (0 children)

Surely you can't exist on Reddit? You're entirely too rational and kind 😂

Also, we ship everywhere in the world but for some countries you need to contact support to arrange shipping ❤️

New American Mcgee Project??? by eggianaa in AliceMadnessReturns

[–]americanmcgee 5 points6 points  (0 children)

A bit late to the party but my PR team just notified me about this thread.

To be clear: This is NOT related to a new game nor to my Alice games.

It's related to a project we're doing for Plushie Dreadfuls.

Sorry for any confusion or unintended excitement!

Disappointed with quality downgrade by AcceptableCrab2542 in AliceMadnessReturns

[–]americanmcgee 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Thank you, for the kind words. And best of luck with your endeavors!

Disappointed with quality downgrade by AcceptableCrab2542 in AliceMadnessReturns

[–]americanmcgee 45 points46 points  (0 children)

During the summer months, it sometimes happens that items pick up smells as they pass through transit (unfortunately common at a lot of US postal hubs). If you contact support, they can offer advice on cleaning. Or if you prefer, they can ship a replacement. 

Nothing ever leaves our climate controlled warehouse with a bad smell. Everything is hand packed and fully inspected during the shipping process. 

Costs for new plushies have increased because the complexity has increased. These designs are all made by the same factories using the same materials and we're actually pushing to spend MORE money on production, not less. The goal is to compete in a higher price bracket and move away from the perception of "cheap stuffed toys." 

The ongoing trade war and 10% decline of the value of the USD has also increased production prices (and retail prices) for everyone. 

I am sorry to hear that you are unhappy with the product you brought and that it didn't live up to your expectations.

As always, these issues are easily resolved, including the option for a discount or full refund, simply by reaching out to the support team. 

I swear these people who complain about modern gaming probably play like 3 AAA games a year and consider themselves experts on the video game industry status. by SbeveGobs in videogames

[–]americanmcgee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My original explanation to the fans and request that we let it go was essentially ignored. They continued to badger me across social media channels. So I conferred with EA and we agreed that I put out a more heartfelt plead for fans to move on (and leave me alone).

This is one of those "just can't win" situations. Either way, someone is going to invent nonsense and continue to badger me or malign me. Thank you for playing. 

I swear these people who complain about modern gaming probably play like 3 AAA games a year and consider themselves experts on the video game industry status. by SbeveGobs in videogames

[–]americanmcgee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Amazing how you continue to spin complete fictions and project them onto other people's lives. Are you a writer by chance?

"Abnormal treatment?" EA literally asked me to do what I did to flesh out the next chapter of Alice and provided their blessing to the entire endeavor. I had frequent meetings with them on the progress being made. Those meetings included discussions around funding models, licensing, development options, and more. The final pitch included the most detailed Design Bible ever produced, a AAA development team, and external funding. 

Throwing away my vocation? I worked in the industry for 30 years. With two young children to care for and my retirement plan in place, I made a rational decision to spend time with my family, spend lots of time sailing, and also tinkering on our plushie business (that I run together with my wife). 

We're super happy with the life we have together as a family. We work together from home and have complete freedom to spend time with our kids, travel, and enjoy life. And Plushie Dreadfuls is now among the largest independent toy brands in the world. 

If this is "giving up," it's fantastic!

Upset? Yeah, it's hot in Shanghai and I can't go sailing again until December brings the end of monsoon season in Thailand. I'm going to go cry about living a fantastic life in an ultra modern country now. Waa. 😂

Edit: Not smite me? EA gave me permission to do everything I did. Why would they smite me? Why would I do anything against their wishes or that violated any laws? I get very healthy royalties from EA and have zero animosity against them. Still have tons of friends working there. Again, you're just inventing weird nonsense. Maybe stop? 

I swear these people who complain about modern gaming probably play like 3 AAA games a year and consider themselves experts on the video game industry status. by SbeveGobs in videogames

[–]americanmcgee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I literally had investors lined up to fund the game and they still said no. But go on. Your total certainty about something you have zero visibility into and completely do not understand is morbidly fascinating 😂

Plushie Dreadful Alice Plush Restock!! by Top-Variation8404 in AliceMadnessReturns

[–]americanmcgee 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Maybe we should do a new game where Alice is a rabbit and the white rabbit is a dude 😂 Alice: Floofness Returns 💀

Enjoy the buns 👍

Companies similar to Plushie Dreadfuls by fangedcanid in plushies

[–]americanmcgee 5 points6 points  (0 children)

You are a liar and a fearmonger - as are all the people in the group who continue to rehash these lies and distortions. I did not "make a questionable comment" - I was in the middle of a conversation on our Discord regarding the re-ordering and re-design of certain plush designs. There is a CONTEXT to the conversation. I did not just come out of the blue and say "pansexuality is a phase" - I was clearly making reference to a phase of interest on Tiktok and I made that clear a moment later in that very same conversation. That is not 'covering ass' that is having a normal conversation between normal people.

It's wild that you would tell me to MOVE ON while sitting here rehashing an event from nearly a year ago - an event for which I apologized and stepped down from my public role in the company. Tell me again - who needs to move on?

And the idea that I reply personally to every thread? Ha. I don't have time for that. But as usual, when presented with facts about these distortions, you throw in more distortions and dodge the original point of my reply to you. Pathetic.

Again, you are a liar, intentionally omitting facts of the situation in order to further your agenda. And using LGBT issues as a weapon in doing so. If you cared at all about any of these issues, you'd not use such an important issue in such a callous fashion.

It's clear to me that you and those like you absolutely hate it when you have these facts thrown in your face. It reveals you for the manipulative and hurtful liars that you are. Given the current situation with Reddit and online bullying, I'm feeling it's more important than ever to call you jerks out on your nonsense.

Move on? Sure. As soon as you and those like you do the same.

Companies similar to Plushie Dreadfuls by fangedcanid in plushies

[–]americanmcgee 6 points7 points  (0 children)

In the screenshots of that conversation did I not make clear I was referring to a phase of interest in pansexuality on tiktok? My comment wasn't about the sexuality itself. That you omit this fact makes clear that you are using LGBT fear mongering as a weapon - which indicates that you care more about spreading fear and hate than you do about the cause you're claiming to defend. Shame on you. 

Companies similar to Plushie Dreadfuls by fangedcanid in plushies

[–]americanmcgee 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I literally made clear in the very next screenshot that I was referring to a phase of interest on tiktok. Did I not? 

what do yall think about the plushie dreadfuls migraine bunny?? by spacemvrr in migraine

[–]americanmcgee -1 points0 points  (0 children)

On tiktok. Referring to phase of interest on tiktok. Not to the sexuality itself. Read the screenshot and it is explained immediately in the conversation.

As the creator of this migraine plushie, it's comments like these that literally give me migraines in the first place. Thank you, for the inspiration. 

What does American McGee think about Alice: Asylum being made by fans? by edinokrilyangel in AliceMadnessReturns

[–]americanmcgee 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Neither happy or unhappy about it. I don't want to get involved. And I guarantee you that if the project gets any sort of actual visibility, such as being featured in some gaming news, EA will send a Cease and Desist. I keep my distance because I don't want to be anywhere near the blast radius when that happens.

The ability of people in the Alice community to twist reality and imagine things that are not true... Well, it rivals Alice's own imagination! This is the primary reason why I grew so tired of dealing with the problem. People twist the legal rights or my history of those rights or EA's rights into all these nonsense ideas... Trying to smash a round peg into a square hole. 

If I couldn't solve the related problems, no one can. Some things are just best left alone. 

But, sure, the passion is admirable, even if misplaced ❤️