AGS 3.0: Templates to include with AGS

[Pumaman]

Well, AGS 3.0 is getting closer to release now, and as I've mentioned before I'd like to include some additional popular templates as part of the main AGS zip file.

So, I'd like feedback on which templates people think should be included. I'll then check with the template authors to make sure they're happy to have their template included, and voila!

As a starting point, I think it'd be good to include some sort of lucasarts/MI style template, and some sort of verb-coin type template.

[subspark]

I agree. In addition to the Monkey Island 2 / Fate of Atlantis system I think we should include a Dig style system too. Full screen 320x200 background art with a non invasive (i) button to launch the inventory/mousemode interface.

I would also love to see a more age specific interface. I've always thought Loom was a great system for children who don't fully understand the A-typical Monkey Island verb-bar interface. Instead of notes on a wooden staff, a few simple icons for look, use, grab and talk would be fitting along with, like loom, an icon based hotspot indicator that fades in and out at the bottom-right hand corner of the screen.

I'm no template writer but I've managed to come up with a similar interface for my game that, in my opinion, takes the cake over the old systems. It shouldn't be too hard for a programmer.

EDIT: To shed more light on this topic, I believe we need new class systems in addition to the classic MI2/FOA interfaces. We should be experimenting to the best of our ability, especially with AGS 2.8 close on the horizon.

Cheers,
Paul.

[Ghost]

The Beyond A Steel Sky template should be in. It's a nice, easy to use and easy to customise one. And the left-click-look, right-click-use style's not too unpopular, too.

[subspark]

The Beyond A Steel Sky template should be in.

I agree there.

One cool template I forgot to mention was a pop-up system similar to the sierra style interfaces however at the bottom of the screen with a cool flick back animation along with a fade in. To give you a visual example:
http://www.shuugouteki.net/paul/Movies/example.html

Cheers,
Paul.

[Radiant]

I would like all these templates, especially the LucasArts and Verbcoin ones, to have rudimentary keyboard support. This should encourage more people to use keyboard controls in their game.

I'd be happy to add these myself if necessary; it's just the matter of adding a dozen lines to the on_key_press() function, to call interface_click() or character[EGO].MoveDirect() based on which key is hit.

Aside for that, you're welcome to include the MegaVerb GUI, if people are interested in that.

[Electroshokker]

As a starting point, I think it'd be good to include some sort of lucasarts/MI style template, and some sort of verb-coin type template.

Good idea! If you're interested, you can use my verb-coin module (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=27309.20)

, which Dualnames has altered a little (see http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=32398.0)

No ready-to-use template, though. (I encourage all that are interested to make one)

[LimpingFish]

A template that incorporates SteveMcCrea's Panorama module might go down well.

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

My alien roger template is fully compatible with 2.8.

[subspark]

My alien roger template is fully compatible with 2.8.

Nice, ProgZmax! Do you have a link?

Cheers,
Paul.

[Dualnames]

As a starting point, I think it'd be good to include some sort of lucasarts/MI style template, and some sort of verb-coin type template.

Good idea! If you're interested, you can use my verb-coin module (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=27309.20)

, which Dualnames has altered a little (see http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=32398.0)



No ready-to-use template, though. (I encourage all that are interested to make one)

I'll drink to that.  Thanks, Tom

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

http://members.cox.net/progzmax/Alien_Roger.rar

I think that is the most recent version I made, subspark.

[subspark]

Well thats fantastic ProgZMax. Did you draw those sprites yourself? Good art man bravo!

[Gribbler]

Monkey Island and Fate of Atlantis classic scumm template would be great! I would really really like to see it included in new AGS! That would be fantastic.

[Cinfa]

I'd like a hardcoded ondoubleclick() event too!

[deadsuperhero]

Someone's working on an Open Source AGS game, maybe you could include that as a template.

[Pumaman]

Thanks for your feedback. Could people please post links to the threads of templates that they're suggesting, otherwise knowing me I'll go and add the wrong ones.

Sounds like the list of the standard ones that people want to see are:
BaSS
Monkey Island-style
Verb Coin

So the question is -- is there an AGS template for each of these, and if so could you guys please link to the one that is the most well-supported/widely-used for each of those?

Good idea! If you're interested, you can use my verb-coin module
No ready-to-use template, though. (I encourage all that are interested to make one)

Thanks for the offer. Would anyone have some time to create a ready-to-use version of this template?

[Rui 'Trovatore' Pires]

There are plenty ready-to-use verbcoin templates around.

Yes, there's one of each, CJ. Can't recall the links at the moment, but if any of them are down I've got them all in my hard drive and can put any of them up.

[Radiant]

Yes, there's one of each, CJ. Can't recall the links at the moment, but if any of them are down I've got them all in my hard drive and can put any of them up.

If any of them don't have basic keyboard support, I'd be happy to mod them for that.

[Rui 'Trovatore' Pires]

I believe only the MI2/FOA template (the one most commonly used, and probably therefore the best ) has them, Radiant. VerbCoin could use it, we just have to pick, there's a couple of VC templates. BaSS might not really need it.

But most templates will need other forms of modding - there's a 2.72 version of the MI2 template, thankfully, but even that might need some updating. The others - no question. Want to take a go at it, while you're at it?

BTW, maybe it'd be a good idea to add monkey_05_06's ScrollingDialog module. It adds many features to the dialog system.

Also, we have a "Broken Sword - Uncertainty Machine" template, and a Discworld one. If by BaSS people mean left-click-do-right-click-look, maybe these should also be taken into account.

[monkey0506]

No you can't add my module...it's indefinitely broken. While I indefinitely fix it.

Actually the latest version is horribly bugged because I was trying to store a large vector-based vector in a String...and it all got to be a mess. Dynamically sized arrays should fix the issues though I would have to contine working on it again. I got off on a tangent about implementing regex functions and then...other random things.

I think I actually did get the majority of the "core" of the dialog system back up and running in 2.8 with dynamic arrays...but I've put it down for a while...life's been getting to me. Now if only there were some way to just end this whole 'life' thing and focus solely on scripting.... 8)