In another showing of American McGee’s outside-the-box thinking, he gone and pitched a concept for an online multiplayer game… online! From McGee’s blog:

“Traditionally when I’ve pitched game concepts the process involved face-to-face meetings with potential publishers, use of our agents (CAA) back in Los Angeles, and lots of traveling. Well, I’m getting old, China is FAR from the rest of the world, and the Internet can do a lot of amazing things, so here’s a game pitch for the next generation.”

McGee then goes on to reveal his game concept in a surprising amount of detail, given the fact that anyone can go along and read it, although the most important aspects are still unknown, wrapped up in the “Game Design Document, Technical Design Document, Art Bible, Visual Target Demo and Development Plan.” What about the game itself?

It’s called BaiJiu Racer and is a massively multiplayer online game (or “MMO-lite” as McGee puts it) with China as the main theme, focussing on online racing in the same vein as Kart Rider. Currently in the pre-production phase, Baiju Racer aims to contend with the likes of Kart Rider, and even Mario Kart, in terms of the core gameplay mechanics, using Chinese sights and sounds for a strong visual hook. McGee’s production company, Spicy Horse, is now searching for a Western publisher to support production. You can check out some concept art here and watch sample gameplay footage below:

American McGee is probably best known for his work on American McGee’s Alice, as well as his tenure at id Software during the early Doom and Quake days. He’s also been involved in other projects, including Scrapland and Bad Day L.A. as well as the ongoing Grimm series on GameTap.

Thanks Gamasutra!