Adventure Game Studio

I noticed that the AGS awards page is kind of outdated. I have some questions;

-When does the Nominations process for 2004 begin?
-Am I allowed to nominate my own game?
-Is it
a)a whole new voting process or
b)is it in any way related to the votes you cast in the Full length games section by clicking on each game?
If it's (b), don't games released on January have an advantage over games released on December? I mean, they will have more votes.

I know I'm not supposed to care about awards, but it would be nice to have some sort of public acknowledgement for my efforts.  :-[

What I know:

All games, demos, etc. release during this year (2004) will be nominateable. The top five nominated games go to the voting. Voting starts sometime early next year and last for maybe a month.

Others will correct what I missed...

I have bad news.

I'm not doing the next AGS Awards ceremony. I've lost interest in the whole process. It happens to some people, and I've moved on to other things. I know this might inconvenience some people, and for this I'm sorry. But if anyone else wants to take the helm, you're more than welcome.

Once again...

It's a pity, but I understand.  :'(

Quote from: alkis21 on Sun 05/12/2004 11:26:02
-Am I allowed to nominate my own game?

Yes, you'd be stupid not to

Quotea)a whole new voting process

Yes, it's totally seperate from the games page.

QuoteI have bad news.

I'm not doing the next AGS Awards ceremony. I've lost interest in the whole process. It happens to some people, and I've moved on to other things. I know this might inconvenience some people, and for this I'm sorry. But if anyone else wants to take the helm, you're more than welcome.

That's understandable, DG -- thanks for doing the ceremony these past 3 years, and inventing the Awards in the first place; your work is appreciated :)

Don't worry peeps, the AGS Awards will live on! Hopefully someone else will volunteer to take over, but if all else fails I'll do it.

I'm sure DG can tell anyone interested in the job what it entails, but the main task is creating a list of all completed games and all demos released since 1 Jan 2004.

Quote from: Pumaman on Sun 05/12/2004 20:01:31
Hopefully someone else will volunteer to take over, but if all else fails I'll do it.

:-*
I'd be up for the job if my game wasn't a potential nominee..

Hey, everyone is a potential nominee. ;) Don't worry about that. Besides, it's not as if YOU choose, it's US! The democratic way!

...right?

Wait a second, did I read that right that demos are eligible for AGS awards? Does that mean game trailers or something? <confused>

And, if everybody should nominate their own game, as suggested in this thread, how come earlier awards only have four or five games nominated in each category?

I'd enjoy hosting it if not for the fact that I'm seriously short on time already. So I'll pass on that. Any new categories this year, btw? (not that I could think of any :) )

Yeah, demos are eligible. I think that any demo is eligible, as long as it's made with AGS. Meaning, I don't think AVI files count as a demo.

Quote from: Rui "Puss in Boots" Pires on Sun 05/12/2004 21:29:46Besides, it's not as if YOU choose, it's US! The democratic way!

Naturally.. but there is no fun in getting an award if you organize the ceremony yourself.  ::)

QuoteInsert Quote Ã, 
Wait a second, did I read that right that demos are eligible for AGS awards? Does that mean game trailers or something

There is a "Best Demo" award -- demos are not eligible for any of the other awards.

QuoteAnd, if everybody should nominate their own game, as suggested in this thread, how come earlier awards only have four or five games nominated in each category?

The five most nominated games go through to the voting.

If anyone wants to know more about how it works, please have a read of the official site:
http://www.sylpher.com/AGSAwards/Rules.htm
Most questions are answered there.

QuoteAny new categories this year, btw?

That will be up to whoever takes it on.
By the way, don't underestimate how much effort is involved in running the awards, for anyone who's thinking about taking it on.

Come one, I know redrum and he would do a really good job at it. Redrum why dont you give it a whirl?

Besides I have a game coming up and I want my awards.   ;D

redruM is no more, Puss in Boots holds the reign of terror!

Besides, I have zero time and ability.

I might be able to do some of the work for it (after all, I did the FOREGOs last year), but I won't be able to do any website design for a voting page, etc.

I think that this year there should be five nominees for best music - the ammount of games with music especially made for them has drastically increased.

Quote from: SSH on Mon 06/12/2004 08:56:35
I might be able to do some of the work for it (after all, I did the FOREGOs last year), but I won't be able to do any website design for a voting page, etc.

Well, we already have the AGS Awards Website, and the automated voting script from last year, so I don't there's really any web design necessary.

Does this happen every year? Because I didnt see one for 2004.

The AGS awards ceremony is held at the end of each year, that's the reason why there isn't one for 2004 yet.

Well, this semester's almost over and if I have some help, I'd be happy to do it if noone else can. It's a pretty good time of the year for me, what with school winding down, so I won't be too busy for it. Besides, I need something to do or I'll end up turning into a vegetable.

You mean you havent turned into a veggie yet? :o

Ummm, DGMacphee, can you officially hand it over to someone then? I guess that it is you that gets to choose. If it goes to Pesty, I don't mind helping her out with anything (like trawling the forums for the list of possible entrants)

Sorry if it was already asked and I missed the answer: What have we to do if we want to register? It is told to send an Instant Message to DGMacphee about it in the web site, but I think it will be different this year?

Yah, Pesty can do it if she wants. And if anyone can help out that'd be great.

Gord: it depends on how Pesty wants to run the awards.

Maybe the easiest way to do it would be to create a new forum here (if the database flow would allow that) and have every member vote once in every category? Just a thought.

I definate could use the help if anyone wants to help me. Once I get the info I need from DG, I'll get started on setting it up.

I finally get to experience my dream of adding a dance portion to the AGS awards. So start practicing your moves if you want to win!

Thanks for volunteering, Pesty! Let me know if you need to use any of the voting system from last year.

As for the dance section, it must have a panel of judges rating it from 1 to 6.

Larry Vales: 3.5  keeps up a good speed, but not much movement in the legs

Do we win the dance portion if we do the truffle shuffle?  ;)

Quote from: Pesty on Sat 11/12/2004 06:24:40
I finally get to experience my dream of adding a dance portion to the AGS awards. So start practicing your moves if you want to win!

I nominate Grundislav's old avatar.

I prefer LostTraveler's.

Quote from: Pelican on Fri 17/12/2004 23:21:12
Do we win the dance portion if we do the truffle shuffle?Ã,  ;)

I'm not going to say, to be fair to everyone who doesn't know how to do the truffle shuffle.

...But yes, you do.

I just thought something.....

At the moment the AGS award is only some kind of fictional prize.

Couldn't there be a possibility that the winners may have some money.

Especially this year there was a number of games that were almost made in a professional way. I think that these persons who spent hours and hours at their computers just to make us a pleasure deserve some kind of payment. The AGS award could be an opportunity for this.

Lets say if every member of the forum could contribute one dollar or maybe even more (on a voluteer base certainly) it would be enough for a real prize.

This could encourage people to make even more quality adventures and the whole thing might get a bit more serious and exciting......Ã, 

I think that most people here are not doing the games with thought of material award, but rather the enjoyment they would bring to players. Hence, in my opinion, a certain ammount of money would degrade the awards to a lower level.

Quote from: sandrina on Thu 23/12/2004 18:45:18
....
Couldn't there be a possibility that the winners may have some money.
....

Greedy capitallist pig!
If the people here cared about making money with games, they would have bought one of those overrated 3D engines!
AGS is freeware. FREE! Chris doesn't want your friggin money! (well, just a bit to keep the site running)
Do you really think you have to give people money to make them feel honored?

Lets try this at home. After I made sweet luvn to my girlfriend, I'll give her 10 euro's to show how much I love her. Exelent idea!

Quote from: Vel on Thu 23/12/2004 19:03:47
I think that most people here are not doing the games with thought of material award, but rather the enjoyment they would bring to players. Hence, in my opinion, a certain ammount of money would degrade the awards to a lower level.

Coudn't agree more.

Quote from: sandrina on Thu 23/12/2004 18:45:18
I just thought something.....

At the moment the AGS award is only some kind of fictional prize.

Couldn't there be a possibility that the winners may have some money.

Especially this year there was a number of games that were almost made in a professional way. I think that these persons who spent hours and hours at their computers just to make us a pleasure deserve some kind of payment. The AGS award could be an opportunity for this.

Lets say if every member of the forum could contribute one dollar or maybe even more (on a voluteer base certainly) it would be enough for a real prize.

This could encourage people to make even more quality adventures and the whole thing might get a bit more serious and exciting...... 

I couldn't agree less with you. The AGS award is not just a fictional price. Alright, you don't get a trophy or money, but you get a lot more. First your game gains more attention as it is marked especially as a winner of an AGS award and I'm sure that anyone checking out the download area for a game will download an award winner first. Second, and most importantly, you get the appreciation of this wonderful community and there is absolutely no greater honour in the universe for an underground game designer. I would rip out both my legs to be able to make a game which is good enough for being at least nominated for an AGS award. I don't know what all the others here think, but I sure as hell don't need any more encouragement. In fact, I would be really disappointed if you would get money for winning an award, because I totally agree to Vel that this would just degrade it.
If you wanna get money for your game then sell it instead of making it freeware.

Just my two cents

Ok, I know what you mean.

But on the other hand making a commercial game with AGS doesn't make any sense. After two weeks you'll get it on "the Underdogs" and since you don't have the possibility to merchandise your game as an "underground game designer" you shouldn't even try it. You need the attention of a game company to do something like that.

Some persons here spend more than two years of continuous working to finish their games. And I am just thinking of a possibility to support them in any way......

Have you heard of Himalaya Studios, Sandrina? They have every intention (and ability) of making commercial games with AGS.

Honestly, there is no way to recompense the people here (especially CJ) for the amount of time they put into it. All games here are the labour of love. And the knowledge that other people enjoy playing your game. And, creativity is its own reward... if you enjoy designing things, then you can't stop yourself.

If you wanted to support the community here, join it. Find your area of expertise, and contribute. Draw a few screens, or musics, or whatever, and donate them to the public domain.

Plus, of course, at the moment the AGS Awards is just a bit of fun. As soon as money was at stake, you'd have people trying to cheat, vote multiple times and all that, and you'd have to spend so much time checking and validating the votes that it'd no longer be fun.

So, basically what you're saying is that the AGS Awards should be held in Florida?

OMG OMG TOPICAL HUMOR!!!  :o

I disagree with the whole money-making scheme with the AGS Awards. I don't think anyone should exploit the use of the awards for monetary gain. Excuse me...

/me eats a spoonful of caviar.

Mmm, oh that's so good. Anyway, like I was saying, if you start with the whole monetary element, it leads to corruption. In fact, someone could buy off the organiser to rig the competition. Hold on a sec...

/me lights a cuban cigar.

Puff puff, ah excellent. So like I was saying, we don't want to corrupt the officials. That sort of thing really reduces the value and wholesomeness of the whole awards process. So that all I have to say about that sort of thing, so I'll depart now....

/me drives off in his BMW. He honks the horn and it plays "La Cucaracha"

Perhaps it was wrong to mention the word "money" relating the AGS award.....

When I try to say something like that I am certainly not thinking in a capitalistic way. I don't think that anybody might become wealthy and rich just by releasing a commercial game or winning an award. Even well known adventure game designers like Scott Murphy, Roberta Williams or Ron Gilbert aren't rich but at least they are able to survive with their job, and that was my whole intention, to help somebody to survive with his creativity in game designing by supporting him.

Money sure isn't the only possibility to do that. What if we try to communicate the AGS award winners in some way to a larger and more professional audience.

After the award has taken place we could write a bunch of emails to game companies that are well known for their interests in adventure games like Lucasarts, Sierra, Funcom and so on......

These emails simply contain the result of the yearly award, a short explanation what AGS is, links to the downloads of the winners and many names of forum members testifying the quality of the game.

This could help to make this forum a bit more popular, shows the taste of the audience and supports young game designers. Perhaps there might be an offer for work or something.

Sure it is possible that nobody reads these letters and that they simply ignore them. But if you think how some game designers got their job........Scott Murphy for example (the inventor of the Space Quest series) used to be some kind of coffee boy in the Sierra studios. During a conference and while he was bringing fresh coffee he mentioned one of his ideas by interrupting the big boys while they had some problem with a kind of space game. They were so overwelmed that they started to support him and his ideas......

While I applaud your optimism, please understand that large companies do not actually work that way. They will not hire an independent game author just because he created a game that was well-received by a fringe group. They also will not offer money for a game not created by them, nor advertise it.
The current industry wants 3-d, hi-res flashy games measuring at least a gigabyte in size. Besides, many of us have jobs and/or studies to take care of. And, given the recent news about forced burnout at Electronic Arts, it seems the gaming industry is not a very nice place to work at.

For the record, neither Sierra nor LucasArts are well-known for their interests in adventure games - at least not any more, for the last six years or so (Sierra is defunct / bought out, and all the adventure game people no longer work there; LucasArts is only working on Star Wars games, and recently cancelled their Sam n Max game).

Btw what you're saying about Scott Murphy isn't true. He used to work on the King's Quest series before he got into his own series. Sierra wasn't large in those days and didn't have conferences or coffee boys. In fact, Scott and Mark (Crowe) created a small demo in a couple of nights and showed it to Ken Williams afterwards - then he greenlighted it. The entire game design, and concept of the 'space game' is theirs.

Quote from: Radiant on Sat 25/12/2004 23:00:05
While I applaud your optimism, please understand that large companies do not actually work that way. They will not hire an independent game author just because he created a game that was well-received by a fringe group.

I dunno, it seemed to work the creator (http://bad-brain.com/to4.html) (see 'The Team') of quite a few popular (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/games.php?action=detail&id=269) ags games (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/games.php?action=detail&id=115).





(Yes, I realise these games themselves most likely had nothing to do with it, but I'm just saying...  :P)

QuoteThe current industry wants 3-d, hi-res flashy games measuring at least a gigabyte in size. Besides, many of us have jobs and/or studies to take care of. And, given the recent news about forced burnout at Electronic Arts, it seems the gaming industry is not a very nice place to work at.

I think this is the viewpoint of a programmer. Sure if you are able to work with a couple of scripting languages like C++ then it might be better to work somewhere else. Computers are almost everywhere today and a computer specialist can find work in many places. But what about an artist ?

Me for example, I am a Master of Architecture. I have a full time job seven days a week twelve hours a day in a large architectural studio. I spend my whole day by visualizing costruction details in AutoCAD. For all this I earn about 700 Euro net amount a month. Thats quite normal for young architects at the moment, in fact most of my former student friends are unemployed....

If I had the possibility of doing something else I would take this opportunity, even if it just was creating architectural concepts for computer games or movies. Perhaps I wouldn't earn much more but at least I'd do something I like.......

Thats the architectural point of view......but what about other artists?
I have many friends who studied painting or music. Their situation is even worse. They have to work in supermarkets and book stores to survive. Many of them have enormous debts because they had to pay for their studies. One of my close friends, a concert pianist and composer, ended up in a madhouse because of this situation......

My so called "optimism" isn't more than a kind of despair......

Perhaps it sounds rather naive if someone makes a proposal to write a collective email to game companies........but I don't think it will hurt anybody and who knows what might happen.

Oh, it certainly won't hurt, but you are unlikely to get a reaction (I have had two of my games officially published, but I had to contact literally dozens of publishers with my offer before one even bothered to send me a response). So all I'm saying is that your efforts are probably better spent in another direction.

The last collective proposal I've heard of was requesting LucasArts to continue working on Sam & Max II. I don't believe they even got an answer.

Wait a sec... you ARE kidding about your job, I hope? You say you work 84 hours a week for a measly 700 euro per month, that amounts to you making two euros an hour. Minimum wages, anybody? A beggar makes more than that.

I suppose that some game companies would hire artists. However, given the market these days, they would probably have to be 3-d artists, and they would likely have to work in high resolutions. AGS games generally don't fall into these two categories. So I would suggest creating a portfolio (say, on Deviant or ElfWood) and using that to contact potential employers. I know in fact that several AGS-related artists have done so, and have become professional graphic designers.

I'm afraid that a major in Art is not necessarily going to land you a job anywhere. There are loads of would-be artists and few takers. Most of them simply aren't good enough (for instance, check fanfiction.net).

If you wanted a job in the game industry, I'd suggest you learn 3D-studio Max, Photoshop, Bryce and/or Poser, and create a couple of 3-d models for your portfolio. Or do a google to see which companies are hiring.

First I wanted to say, DG does that have to do something with the thing Yahtzee said eons ago. Then i remembered that it was really so much before. Even before the last awards.
And then I also saw the conversation evolve.

The one thing i am surprised of is seeing DG's work and resignation going away in such a subtle manner.
I thought there was going to be more noise about it. At least the half of what is seen on those "I'm leaving AGS" threads.
But, the man had it's share of work, and with that he built his reputation, so i think everybody thinks it is fair to have him make his own real decisions and to respect it.

Yes.
Another thing.
How come I havent noticed that Yahtzee is on a payroll AG making team?
Have I become so blind and numb to news, or are just these new contact lenses another marketing scam?

C.

Quote from: Czar on Sun 26/12/2004 22:23:10
First I wanted to say, DG does that have to do something with the thing Yahtzee said eons ago. Then i remembered that it was really so much before. Even before the last awards.
And then I also saw the conversation evolve.

I wish people could forget about this. Espcially when no one asked about "the thing Yahtzee said eons ago". I'd prefer the can of worms to stay shut. Besides, I've made my peace with Yahtzee. I overreacted. Hopefully, he's forgiven me.

As for the subtle manner over resignation, don't be surprised. It's nothing amazing. It's more a non-issue. I'd prefer someone else just take over the awards rather than people make noise about it.

And whatever the deal is with the Awards leading to professional companies, yes that's good, but keep in mind the whole reason I started it was to have a bit of fun. For everyone. Don't take the Awards seriously. They're just some entertainment.

Wasn't "award time" the last days of the year? It imght not be, I usually make a lot of confusion, but if it IS, WHERE is it?

Which is my little way of saying, let's not get TOO sidetracked, talking of other things is nice but there's still awards to be given out.

Good point. Maybe we could start nominating games (and related things). Does anybody have a list of what came out this year? LL2 and TBC remakes come to mind, as does No Action Jackson...

I nominate 'Other Worlds'.
What, it's not the time yet?
Uh.. don't mind me, as you were.  :-[

I suggest we have a pimping award. Last year I may have got it, but this year guess who it goes to. :P

Seriously though, I think that there should be 5 games nominated for the best music award.

Is there a 'worst game' award? I can't seem to recall.

Yeah, the P3N1SH award.

There is the P3N1S Award... So yes... Yes there is.

...Vel beat me to it.

Ah, yes.


I recall FLASHBAX.  ;D

Vel -> I second that. After all, just about every other category has five entries.

Well, the first year of AGS awards there weren't that many games with music and there were even less which had original music, but now this has vastly changed. I recall around 10 games released this year with great music, and it'd be hard to choose only 3 of them.

Guys, please don't bombard Pesty with suggestions already. No money prizes and no category changes at the moment. First, Pesty has to get a feel for the awards. Let her run the awards the way she wants to this year and save your suggestions for later.

Quotethe P3N1SH award.

People, do you think P3N1SH award is discouraging and demoralizing for the developers who "win" it? IMO it demoralizes people to develope more games, so they don't improve themselves on game developing. (Though it's just my opinion and I may be wrong.) 

The p3n1sh award is not for the worst game, right? It's for the somewhat most useless or downlooked game? Not meant to demoralize, but to encougrage to improve, in some twisted way... If I recall correctly, Flashbax got it, right? That game was not useless, meaningless, but it was downlooked for a number of reasons...

...or something...

Flashbax was nominated but didn't win.  And rightfully so.

I get the impression that the P3n1sh award is kind of like a booby prize.  It recognized those games that are horrible but yet remain popular for some bizarre reason.  Squalman's games were like that, as I recall.

Well the p3n1s award most often is won by some n00bs who MADE A GAME!!!1111111111111

Pesty will just take the prizes and run off, like any decent pirate would do.

And DG, welcome to the AGS retirement home.

Get off my lawn you damn kids!!

Speaking of the p3n1s award, are the games by Squalman and Andy Penis still available somewhere? They were winners/nominees in 2001/2002, but don't appear in the database (or at least I didn't find them). Hey, a bad example is a good example (how not to do something).

A Cup of Coffee... by squalman is available here (http://games.agagames.com/others/coffee.zip), and has been since its release. I think this was before the AGS games database even existed, and no-one bothered to add it after the fact.

I think few people appreciate the ulterior metaphor for the modern urban youth's yearning for acknowledgemnt which charactarises all of Squalman's early works.
People are so shallow.

Well, only if being shallow means having at least slightly better taste than a dead goat.

You might be thinking of "shallot", Rui.
Which is also wrong, of course.

So, since 2004 is now officially over - what's the status of the 2004 AGS awards? Pesty is hosting them, right? Do the awards have a website yet? Do they need help for making one? Is everybody supposed to mail in nominations now? Or do they get picked by the organizer like the Inventory awards were? Any new categories? Any changes to old categories? Am I asking way too many questions? Will I shut up now?

Good things come to those who wait. I'm sure Pesty will post when she has things worked out.

Yarr... so that be next year..? :P

Just to gauge interest, please reply here or PM me:

1. Do you think the FOREGO awards I ran last year (for forum members rather than games) should run again?
2. Would you be willing to help/do all the work/badger people into voting

And as for the ERGOS, I dunno if Barcik or Andail want to ressurect them

Pumaman -> Ok :) I'll be patient

SSH -> 1. Yes, 2. Yes/no/no
ERGOS? What's that?

Wait, remind me, what is the difference between ERGOS and FOREGO?

I thought FOREGO was ERGOS but held beFORe the AGS awards.
C.

Alright you whiny babies, here's an update.

The Awards are going to run a little later this year, due to the fact that it's changing hands and things need to be settled before they can get started. There have already been a couple snags, but sit tight, please. They're still going to run. Maybe I should bold that.

They're still going to run.

Stop PMing me about them.

They Are Still Going to Run.

Yay!   [/stops whining]

For those who dont know what the FOREGO and ERGO  awards are/were:

ERGOs  (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=9762)

FOREGOs  (http://www.twin-design.com/foregos/)

Unfortunately the FOREGO threads have been deleted, but the results are still up courtesy of Darth.

One possibility is to combine the two: a lot of the ergo stuff was forum related

Also suggestions of new/modified categories: e.g.

Best member's homepage (Is Ghormak a shoe-in?)
Best avatar (my ultrasound one, obviously)
Best n00b
Worst n00b