Former id Software developer American McGee revealed that Jurassic Park creator Michael Crichton was the unexpected catalyst behind the creation of the iconic 2000 action game American McGee’s Alice. During a recent interview, McGee explained that while he initially dismissed the idea of adapting Lewis Carroll’s classic tale, Crichton’s repeated suggestions eventually pushed him to transform the whimsical story into the dark, gothic psychological thriller that remains a staple of EA’s library today.
From id Software to Wonderland
McGee admits he was never a lifelong devotee of Alice in Wonderland. Following his departure from Quake developer id Software in 1998, his career took a series of surreal turns—including a professional collaboration with Michael Crichton on the Timeline franchise and a stint at EA that included playing Quake deathmatches against Robin Williams.
“I really had to be hit over the head by coincidence,” McGee told YouTuber Tucker Hazell in his Dev Dive interview series. “It took people bringing it to me multiple times before it clicked in my head, like, ‘Duh, I should make a game out of this, right?'”
Dismissing the “Kid’s Story”
The suggestion initially met resistance from McGee. “I was like, ‘Yeah, yeah, whatever, Michael Crichton,'” he recalled. His reluctance stemmed from a desire to move away from light-hearted subject matter. Having spent time in the orbit of figures like Marilyn Manson, McGee was focused on creating something with a sharper, more mature edge. He struggled to reconcile the “kiddie” reputation of the 1865 bedtime tale with his vision for a gritty interactive experience.
Crystallizing the Dark Vision
Despite his initial hesitation, the concept eventually “percolated” in McGee’s mind. The idea crystallized into a dark, gothic, and psychological exploration of Wonderland. Rather than a faithful adaptation, McGee aimed to create a “line in history” that subverted the source material. By burning down Alice’s house and killing her family within the game’s narrative, he effectively forced players to abandon their preconceived notions of the original books.
While the late Michael Crichton may not have lived to see his suggestion fully realized in the form of a dinosaur-filled blockbuster, his influence was instrumental in shaping one of gaming’s most unique cult classics. Today, McGee continues to look forward, currently working on a spiritual successor to the series, noting that he is not concerned about legal complications with EA regarding the project’s development.
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