AGS ezine issue one

[Vel]

Here's what I made: AGS Ezine issue one. Tell me what you think about it.
http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/AGSezine1.zip

[SSH]

Great for doing the work for this, Vel! Great reveiws, articles, etc.

Only gripes are that you have to change the zoom as soon as you load it... if you could save it at a readable zoom level...  

The other one is that you need a little work on the formatting of the text: Headings should not be indented, font size should be consistent, try and avoid widows/orphans (e.g. Flashlight plugin heading is at bottom of column and related text starts at top of next column).

If you make a Style for each Heading level and one for your body text, it should be easier to keep these things consistent.


But, that's just "presentation". The content is really good. Nearly up there with "The Inventory". Can't wait to see the next issue!  Maybe you should get a link off the main page somewhere....

[Vel]

Thanks SSH, Ive been doing this since 9:00 o'clock this mornin' (finished it at 17:00). Ill try and work on the style a little bit more for the next issue. And can anyone convert it into pdf?

[Proskrito]

And can anyone convert it into pdf?

(I actually converted it before reading that you were asking for it )

AGS Ezine issue one [PDF]

PS: great work vel!!

[Vel]

Thanks proskrito. But could you be more specific what you liked and what would you like to see?

[D · Y · D · O]

I've had plenty experience with making booklets with Indesign, so I hope my comments will be of some use to you.

First off, GREAT magazine, it's really a great way for people to catch up on the latest without having to go through the entire forum. For example after a long, refreshing summer vacation.

1. The color contrast in the 'content menu' isn't sufficient i.e. the words aren't very legible.

2. The bullet list - in the item on the new version 2.56 - shouldn't be justified, align them to the left.
You might also consider placing the bullets outside of the text area so you can align all the text. This usually looks a little nicer.

3. Don't justify the text, if your fontsize is too large. This will leave too many unattractive open spaces.
So either align the text OR.... decrease the fontsize (which will result in you having to write more to fill your columns) OR.... increase the size of your columns (which beyond a certain extent impacts legibility for the worse).

In any case, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. It was a great read!

[MHawk]

Hey Vel,

Great Idea!  I wonder why someone didn't think of it sooner.

I know that you worked on it all day, but for future issues you might want to get someone else to proof read it.  There were just a couple of typos here and there.

Also, for the next issue you might want to include an article about this utility (I saw that you suggested "ctrl-shift-s"):

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~ptrkelly/agi/agistudio.html

It's a utility that reads and writes AGI formatted games - great for any AGS remaker. You can see every single screen without having to go there in the game or with all the sprites and interfaces on top. You can even get the original priority bitmap (though not quite as useful with AGS).

You can get the sounds too and with another utility (I think there might be a link to it on that page), you can convert them to midi. And even get the logical text too!  As well as all the sprites and their frames.

(And, how often do you plan to publish the ezine?) - Missed that - Sorry

[scotch]

Good work  Hope it becomes a regular thing, I like the previews.

[Vel]

D.Y.D.O.: Thanks for the coments, Ill do as you say.
MHawk: This is an AGS related ezine only. Sorry, but no AGI studio, AGAST, nor SLUDGE. As you might have read in the ezine, the ezine is monthly, so expect the next issue in July.
Thanks for the appreciation guys!

[Scummbuddy]

yeah, thats what m0ds zine is for.

Im downloading it now on pdf and i was having some trouble doing that, so im jumping on the zip file and ill tell you later what i think.  im sure its going to be very nice

[eVOLVE]

Sweet Zine... I especially liked the previews too > Although that may be purely because I've got my game pimped a bit

Nice work!

[MHawk]

MHawk: This is an AGS related ezine only. Sorry, but no AGI studio, AGAST, nor SLUDGE. As you might have read in the ezine, the ezine is monthly, so expect the next issue in July.

I know that it's an AGS ezine only.  I was just saying for any people wanting to remake AGI games in AGS, there's an easier and more efficient way to get screenshots than the "ctrl-shift-s" you mention in the LSL2 point-and-click article.

[Vel]

Well, since LSL2 is a SCI0 game, I think redruM should use SCI Studio.

[MHawk]

Excuse me, I didn't know LSL2 was SCI0.  I thought it was still AGI like KQ2 and SQ2.

It's the same idea though.

[Quintaros]

I liked the magazine...very overdue idea.  My biggest suggestion would be to seek out additional contributers.  It would be nice to have more than one opinion presented.  

[n3tgraph]

Like I said Vel

It's a great start, but needs some upgrades
-You might look at the tekst, maybe it's a bit too large because I get a lot of blank space between words.
-It would be best if it would be web based.
-Don't put text over pictures

Great articles

[Vel]

Thanks guys!
N3t, I dont think a webbased ezine would be a good idea. I think more people want to download and read offline.
And Chris, would it be OK, if the ezine gets a link from the main page?

[scotch]

Perhaps once you have a few more issues out.

[aussie]

 :o :o :o

Great work overall, Vel. If you need any help in the future, I'm happy to cooperate.

I also think you should be perhaps getting a sticky thread on this forum.

BTW Thanks for the review of Nick it & Run. You've done me proud, 84% WOW!!!  

some of the best graphics in an AGS game ever

the plot is quite interesting, throughout the game you'll meet Osama Bin Laden... ...full of interesting puzzles, funny and punny places and characters.

P.S. Lots of the buggy bits have been fixed now.

[Vel]

Thanks, aussie. Not a tiny bit in the review of NIAR has been exaggerated. Im sure you worked hard on it and deserve this anticipation.