MARCH MAGS: "A Better Mousetrap!"

[Dave Gilbert]

Yee-ha.  This is now ready.  And three days before the deadline, too.  

BSpeers' rules stated that the game must use a combination of "Insta-Game" and "Reality on the Norm" sprites/backgrounds, and I think I've followed that pretty faithfully.  So here is my Insta-RON game: "A Better Mousetrap!"

Davy and Elandra are trapped on an alien world.  The jury is out on how they got there.  Did Elandra's new invention go horribly wrong?  Or did Davy's magic cause havoc again?  Regardless, it's up to the both of them to find a way back home.

Features both Davy and Elandra as playable characters!

Download it here:

http://ron.the-underdogs.org/games/trap.zip

(I haven't put it into the RON database yet, but you can download it directly from that link)

Enjoy!

[Squinky]

This is probably one of the better MAGs games in a while....I'm stuck though...

Spoiler

I've got the teabag and the green water, but it wont let me put them together...I'm lost on this one

And the Hovercraft scene has me all out of options

[close]

[Relight]

A force not to be reckoned with, Dave, as always, makes the best damn RON games ever.

Squinky,

Spoiler

There are 2 things to be done. Green water does not mix with tea bag, OK? I said as little as possible, see if you can get any further...

[close]

[Pet Terry]

Yey, great game so far! But I'm stuck... I need hint!

Spoiler

As Davy, I've got a clothing from the green small alien, but Davy won't wear it.. maybe because he's not green?

As Elandra, I've got a stick with rope but I don't know how to get a skull.

[close]

[Dave Gilbert]

Glad you guys are enjoying the game!  Petteri, here is a subtle hint:

Spoiler

You're right.  Davy needs to be green.  Experiment some more with Davy's magic.  Don't be such a stick in the mud!

[close]

And I forgot your other question:

Spoiler

The skull is out of your reach.  If you keep fishing, you'll eventually find the solution.

[close]

[AJA]

Sounds very interesting....

[Petteri]

Thanks Dave, I actually find out how to get skull

Anyway, I finished it and I'm very impressed! Great game!

[Joacim Andersson]

Very nice game however I'm totally stuck...

Spoiler

I've made the tea which I thought I should give to the red alien so I could use the sleeping spell on him, but he's not a tea drinker!! I've got the hook on the string, also used the cactus on the strange fruit, now what? Keep on fishing? Yeah, but how?

[close]

[Joacim Andersson]

Spoiler

OK I've got the energy source and been transferred somewhere, but I still have no idea on how to get the scull

[close]

[Dave Gilbert]

You might have missed a room.  Did you go south from the cave exit?

[Joacim Andersson]

Thanks! I did miss that room. So now I've managed to finish the game. Very nice job, I really enjoyed it.

[Trapezoid]

Nice game!! Great job. You left debug mode on though. What's up with the shoelaces spell?

[Dave Gilbert]

Debug mode???

I never used it!  Must have turned it on by accident somehow.  Sigh... looks like I'll be uploading a new version tonight.

The shoelaces spell was for a puzzle that never got used, so I took it out of the game.  

[Trapezoid]

Heh. It would've been funny if you left it in as a red herring.

[AGA]

Debug mode is on as default when you first start a new AGS project.

[lspace]

Okay, Davy's in jail and Elandra is whizzing by on her scooter.  How do I get her to stop?

[Joacim Andersson]

lspace:

Spoiler

Switch over to Davy and then switch back to Elandra

[close]

[lspace]

Thanks for the hint.  I finished the game.  It was a lot of fun.  Thank you Dave Gilbert.

[Squinky]

Alright, I'm still stuck....

Spoiler

I've got elandra on the scooter, and I've got the tea, the green mud, Am I missing a room cause the only rooms I can get to with davy are the cliff, the room with mud and the room with the huts and the room where the dead alien is....

[close]

By the way, I love the dialogs, good good job man...

[Dave Gilbert]

Thanks, Squinky!   Spoilers ahoy...

Spoiler

Did you find the little green alien, yet?  TALK to the red lobster alien creature and go through all the dialog options.

[close]

[william]

that was a good time. may not have taken long to beat, but i enjoyed it plenty. I like your backgrounds and the fact that you don't spell a million word wrong in your game unlike some of the kids posting games. hope you make some longer games soon.

[Squinky]

Can't believe the only thing holding me back was that lobster thingy...Great game man, I loved the ending and the dialogs had a natural feel to them...

[Dave Gilbert]

Thanks William, I'm glad you like it.  I had fun making it.  But I must give credit where credit is due:  those aren't my backgrounds.  I made the game using the pre-existing sprites and backgrounds, as per the March Mags rules.  All the backgrounds in the game are from the Insta-game pack, except for the pics at the beginning and the very end, which are RON backgrounds.

[Timosity]

I just got round to playing the game Dave, It was a great idea and great use of RON and Insta-Game.

Clever puzzles, had me stuck for a while but eventually got through it, keep up the great work.

Just an interesting point, you had beta testers in a MAGS game.

I think that should be a point brought up in MAGS, fair enough having testers to find bugs to release a superior product but I think it should be part of MAGS to have no outside help on your games, especially when there are more than one entrant to the comp.

I think after the comp is over you can get bug fixes and rerelease, but I feel releasing as close to a bug free game without help should be up to you as part of the experience.

What do you think?

[Relight]

Not necessarily, but I guess it does bring up the question how much help is too much help.  After all, I asked several people to draw me a soldier PC but none had time.  But if they had, would it have made my game better, might my game have been 1st instead of 2nd place?  Maybe.  I guess in which case, it may not be fair.  I never remember though anyone saying MAGS must be made by one person.  What if two people teamed together to make a MAGS game?  It's not in the rules against it...  I thought the only rule in that regard was that the time limit is one month.

But in Dave's example, I see it's more of a tribute to Dave.  After all, he actually finished the game in time to let beta testers go thru 2 versions of it.  And the game is a great game, so you know that's a testament to Dave!  After all, a beta tester can't make a crappy game good.  Dave's game was great to start with.  The beta testers just helped make it a bit tighter.

Incidentally, there are too many rules for my taste again this month.  But it sounds interesting (just one or two I want to eliminate), so I'll look forward to play the games anyone else makes.

[Squinky]

I think it's okay to let more than one person work on a mags project....to me, having better qaulity games seems like a god idea...

And anyway, how would you even know if someone beta-tested?

[Timosity]

All valid points, from Relight and Squinky,

Just personally I like to try and get things done myself, it just makes me feel like I've done a complete job, more satisfaction. I can understand more with a longer game that is non linear.

So far I've released 2 games without beta testing and haven't had bug reports, it could be just no-one has played my games, but I thoroughly go through and try everything, usually make sure each bit works as i progress too.

but when I have a longer game, beta testing I guess will be necessary,

as for MAGS I never thought of making a team for a game but wouldn't that be a disadvantage to other competitors, I guess they could make a team too, anyway It's really about having more games to play, not about winning, the better quality makes the comp seem more attractive.

Also as not to get off topic (sorry Dave for getting off track)
This game most probably would have won regardless of any other entries, It's one of the best short games let alone MAGS games that has been released for a while.

Your games are always worth playing, look forward to your next game.

[Nostradamus]

Very good game, as expected with you Dave. Very interesting puzzle.

I'm stuck on something:

Spoiler

I tied the pole with the rope but I still don't understand your fishing hint. I tryed to use it everywhere but mothing happened. I tryed the cliff where the flag was, the chasm, the walsl in the forest, the skull, the tentacle, nothing works!

[close]

[Squinky]

Spoiler

you need a hook.....If you want the complete answe read the next hidey thingy

[close]

Spoiler

bend the nail you get off the wall behind the picture

[close]

There you go...

[agsking]

Great game. You make really good games! Keep up the good work, I enjoy your games a lot.

[Dave Gilbert]

Thanks for the comments, everyone!  I wrote it and finished it so quickly I was worried that it would seem rushed.

As for beta testing a MAGS game, I don't see the problem with it. If someone finishes early and takes advantage of the extra time to beta test, what's wrong with that?  Beta testing is part of the whole game-making process, isn't it?  There's an annual Interactive Fiction (text adventure) competition, and the rules encourage beta testing - and those folks have a whole year to write their games.

Incidentally, testers.  I just discovered a walking dead in "Mousetrap" that nobody picked up on:

Spoiler

If you cast the ice spell on the helmet of water after getting the green mud, you'll be stuck.  

[close]

[MrColossal]

dave:

i loved it

it was great and real fun. I laughed and the puzzles were just enough i think that they weren't too easy or too hard, though the spells kinda came down to use every spell on everything.

only question, what was it in a 640x400? aren't all the IG backgrounds 320x200?

that confused me

but the game kicked ass hard ass

eric

[Dave Gilbert]

Hey Eric,

Glad you liked the game.  I recommended playing the game at 640 x 400 because I had to shrink Davy and Elandra down to fit on the IG backgrounds properly.  When played at the 320 x 200 resolution, they get all pixelated and funky.  At the higher resolution they look fine.

I did the "use every spell on everything" thing on purpose. The idea being that Davy's spells never work right, so you have to experiment to find out when the spells actually do.  

[Bluke4x4]

I'm stuck: I've got Elandra on the scooter, and Davy has the green mud but can't get the green alien's coat thing!

EDIT: Cool Game Dave Gilbert! I Finished It! I'm Happy Now! Pig's Eye Will Strike!

[Simmykrantz123]

where is the pole!?

[Gilbert]

Please don't bump up a post that is as old as 2 years minus 1 day old, for hints use the Hints & Tips forum instead.

[Yvonne]

Please don't bump up a post that is as old as 2 years minus 1 day old, for hints use the Hints & Tips forum instead.

Sorry for not taking your advice but my question is not for the Hints&Tips.
It is as simple as that: Where can I get the game? I used to have it, and I would really like to get it again. Thanks to anyone who could help.

[Gilbert]

You can actually use this thread to find games.

[Dave Gilbert]

Wow.  Talk about bringing a thread up from the ashes.

The RON site rearranged its file organization last year, so the link is changed.  Get the game here:  http://ron.the-underdogs.info/downloads/games/trap.zip

[Yvonne]

Wow.Ã,  Talk about bringing a thread up from the ashes.

The RON site rearranged its file organization last year, so the link is changed.Ã,  Get the game here:Ã,  http://ron.the-underdogs.org/downloads/games/trap.zip

Thank you, David.
As to you, my friend Gilbot+the-number-you-chose-for-designating-yourself (nothing personal), I had exhausted all search options (incl. the one you took the time to point out - thanks for your time) prior to "bumping up a two year minus/plus one/two days old post".
Look, Gilbot+you-know-what - it does not matter how old a post is - it matters what interest "consumers" do express in a "merchandise" -a (pronounced EI) basic principle of market economy. Cherio!

[SSH]

Another principle of the market economy is that you get what you pay for, so when you post a message asking for a free game on a free forum, don't be surprised if people appointed by those who are paying for the website ask you to follow the well-advertised rules.

I didn't notice your post in the thread that Gilbert mentioned, were you using another name?

[Yvonne]

Another principle of the market economy is that you get what you pay for, so when you post a message asking for a free game on a free forum, don't be surprised if people appointed by those who are paying for the website ask you to follow the well-advertised rules.
I didn't notice your post in the thread that Gilbert mentioned, were you using another name?


?people appointed by those who are paying ?


Gilbot+numbers appointed?! Paid for?!

Paid for what?
To Facilitate "Customers&Clients" to receive the "Services&Merchandises" they choose?!


That has actually been a very dangerous statement, my-my, let's not use the word "dangerous" for the sake of Gilbot+numbers  -  you know (do you?) what has been going in Hong Kong lately?
Don't you ever think of thinking that saying it out in public, and saying it out loud, would bring trouble? Not to yourself, but to a "devoted and dedicated member" - PAID FOR?
Paid for what - Devotion & Dedication?
Are you yourself?
If this site respects its members and guests, you have to be talked to by those who "might be paying you as well" just as they they are paying to Gilbot+the numbers.

I expect you have already grasped what kind of a case you have raised.

I have all David's games. (I am Russian orthodox. It is not a religious-nationality-corporate-community-etc. liking. He is talented.) I want to have David Gilbert's games stored - for my children, among others.)
This particular one I lost (I hadn't archived it) when my new PC was installed.

Take care with statements that have legal implications.

[Yvonne]

I am sorry for the double post.Ã,  I do not have the right to edit.


?"people appointed by those who are paying"?

Gilbot+numbers "appointed"?! "Paid for"?!

Paid for what?
To Facilitate "Customers&Clients" to receive the "Services&Merchandises" they choose?!


That has actually been a very dangerous statement, my-my, let's not use the word "dangerous" for the sake of Gilbot+numbersÃ,  -Ã,  you know (do you?) what has been going in Hong Kong lately?
Don't you ever think of thinking that saying it out in public, and saying it out loud, would bring trouble? Not to yourself, but to a "devoted and dedicated member" - PAID FOR?
Paid for what - Devotion & Dedication?
Are you yourself?
If this site respects its members and guests, you have to be talked to by those who "might be paying you as well" just as they they are paying to Gilbot+the numbers.

I expect you have already grasped what kind of a case you have raised.

I have all David's games. (I am Russian orthodox. It is not a religious-nationality-corporate-community-etc. liking. He is talented.) I want to have David Gilbert's games stored - for my children, among others.)
This particular one I lost (I hadn't archived it) when my new PC was installed.

Take care with statements that have legal implications.

[SSH]

?people appointed by those who are paying ?

Gilbot+numbers appointed?! Paid for?!

Paid for what?

Almost all AGS games are free, and these forums are free.... for the users. CJ pays for the forums and has appointed Gilbert as a moderator to enforce the rules of the forum. Most people consider Gilbert to be one of the gentler moderators.

as for the rest of your post, I really don't understand why you think there are any legal implications to what I said.  Why are you going on about "paid for"? I said that you get what you pay for... you paid nothing therefore you get nothing by rights. Any use of this forum or game support, etc. is a bonus that CJ would be well within his rights to withdraw at any point.

[Yvonne]

First of all, before anything else: please stop calling Gilbot V7000a - Gilbert.
He is NOT Gilbert. Gilbert is someone else.

Let us drop the case.

I have been around here a long time - I guess so, over 2 years, incl. all of your Marian SuperScottishHero Productions.

Just drop it.

Not because I forgive the way you inadvertently react on a first-signal basis - That is not to be excused.

It is very simple.
The AGS Forums are extremely precious and we would not like to lose them (as it almost happened).

I am not opening a war. I asked a simple question -where I do I get a game - I received an answer - downloaded a game - case closed.
I do not want to hear about "paying for appointees on a free forum for free games" anymore.

[SSH]

First of all, before anything else: please stop calling Gilbot V7000a - Gilbert.
He is NOT Gilbert. Gilbert is someone else.

There's more than one Gilbert in this adventure gaming world. There's Gilbert Cheung (Gilbot), Dave Gilbert and Ron Gilbert, amongst others. The 3 i mention are all exteremely talented in their own way.

Let us drop the case.

Fine, fine... I was only responding to what I thought was an overreaction: all Gilbot said to you was " You can actually use this thread to find games.".. It was Simmykrantz123 who he was really complainign about!

Not because I forgive the way you inadvertently react on a first-signal basis - That is not to be excused.

My wife doesn't have English as a first langauge either and simple langauge misunderstandings can cause disagreements that aren't really there. Since I don't actually understand haklf of what you are trying to say, I think that we should indeed just drop it.

The AGS Forums are extremely precious and we would not like to lose them (as it almost happened).

When did we nearly lose them?

I do not want to hear about "paying for appointees on a free forum for free games" anymore.

Godo thing that I never said anything like that, then 

[Gilbert]

I AM Gilbert (in fact that's my login name here), what's the problem here?
It's nothing personal, I was just posting one line of text:

You can actually use this thread to find games.

That was actually what you could do, and I'm sure people will be happy to help you out there (which isn't important now, as Dave came to the rescue ). That thread was set up for reasons (one of them is to prevent old threads got bumped up), and you'll more likely get you questions answered there.
And I don't know how that gentle sentence could lead to such a big reaction, if I was being impolite and sounded rude, please accept my appology here.
Like SSH mentioned, it's not you who bumped this thread up in the first place and I had nothing against you, just a little reminder if you want to find another game in the future you can actually put that thread to a good use. There's how all of us who are here would learn, try to stick to forum rules, whenever one does something wrong, just take it as a lesson and correct it the other times.