AGS Live Ceremony 2011

[Icey]

It wasn't boring last time. I had fun but all I'm saying is it was long
I guess the biggest thing I'm trying to ask is if there can be more to do.

[Snake]

If you need something else to do during the ceremony, then simply run the awards in a window and do something on your computer. Or put on the radio in the background or listen to the TV.

Putting in "things to do" at the ceremony will only take away from the most important part of it, the ceremony.

I mean I agree with Snarky, or who ever said it, about bouncing a few balloons around or something little like that, but things to keep you occupied while the ceremony is in progress? Eh? The ceremony should be the only thing you care about while there.

Now if there's an after party, now that's something that can have activities and games and beer.

By the way, Isiah, I am going to be the... ah... "pub master"... and I will be carding :

Tabata's emoticons are the only thing missing from the Awards imo

OMG I KNOW!

[Ghost]

I am going to be the... ah... "pub master"... and I will be carding :

So there's a QUEST there, finding your card?

But really, the whole thing is a frontend to a chat. Its lovely to have characters standing around, and a bit of confetti never hurt anyone, but that should be it.

So I'd really be happy if the way Progz mentioned would work- that there are placeholders and characters can be added by ourselves or a moderator.
Any news on that?

[Tabata]

Tabata's emoticons are the only thing missing from the Awards imo

OMG I KNOW!

I'll come along with a bit of color for the bathroom



and a magazine for Ponch
     

..but don't tell the pub master

[Snarky]

But really, the whole thing is a frontend to a chat. Its lovely to have characters standing around, and a bit of confetti never hurt anyone, but that should be it.

Yeah, I think the focus should be on improving the chat and ceremony experience. Stuff like the UI improvements to the chat window, some additional dazzle to the presentation (i.e. sound and visual effects), and - I'll make one last pitch for this - a sidechannel so that all talk doesn't have to stop during the announcement parts of the ceremony.

So I'd really be happy if the way Progz mentioned would work- that there are placeholders and characters can be added by ourselves or a moderator.
Any news on that?

Loading the graphics into AGS is one thing, but how do you broadcast them to all the other clients in the first place? (And what if new people log on later, do you have to resend it to them?)

Since Wyz and Duals have offered to import characters you send them ahead of time into the client, isn't that a good-enough solution?

[Ghost]

If that's the way to go, it's fine by me, and (probably) the best solution, yes- just wanted to make sure about the "current development".

[Ponch]

Also, there should be bathrooms.

... with a 10% change that you drop the soap...

Ponch, what are you doing in the bathroom with the soap?? Erm... don't tell me, forget it

Do you NOT wash your hands before you leave the bathroom? Is that how things are in the Snake household? As a cow, I was raised in a barn. But what's your excuse? 

[Icey]

Snake as the Pub master... That's fine by me. It will give me a break

Also maybe there doesn't need to be a lobby in the game but what if someone took the source and created a 1 room game that contain the lobby. This way both games can run in the background and you wont miss anything. It's full proof

[Ishmael]

If you ask me, I'd go back to the IRC-channel only ceremony. All this visual stuff is just a bonus. And while it is nice and all should remain just a bonus so that you can actually enjoy the show through an IRC client just like in the past. Hence, I don't like the fuss about lobby rooms or whatnot. Even the characters walking around the room in front of the stage is a bit of an extra.

No need to reinvent the wheel, just fix the few quirks that were discovered last year, ie. the clapping, possibly have the award in question shown on the stage screen, etc. And you'll have more than enough time to get it working right and tested rather than having to spend ages figuring out implementations and then run out of time polishing it.

Also maybe there doesn't need to be a lobby in the game but what if someone took the source and created a 1 room game that contain the lobby. This way both games can run in the background and you wont miss anything. It's full proof

That's already been sort of done. It's called an IRC client.

[theo]

Particle effects and please make the stage explode at the end plus a motorbike stunt. Cheers Duals  

Agreed. Apart from the glaring lack of explosions and bike stunts, last years show pretty much had everything you could ask for.  

Using ogg video for presenting stuff is a good idea though since it would give viewers a way better insight into the games being presented (provided someone finds the time to actually produce these videos - a task not to be underestimated in size)... And on a more technical side of things you'd have to find some way to sync the sound with the video.

I look forward to the next ceremony, whenever it is! I was very impressed with how well it worked out technically last time around.

[Dualnames]

I was very impressed with how well it worked out technically last time around.

Yes, I remember. Let me quote: "PLACE ME BETWEEN THE LESBIANS, I WANT THIS TO BE PERFECT"

[Ali]

It is late and I am going to bed. But first, here is a draft of the new backdrop:


Dualnames, please let me know to what extent it satisfies your requirements regarding lectern/s projector screens etc. I was also planning to have a curtain which comes up and down at the front of the stage. Would that be good?

Also, does anyone else think the award for backgrounds should be called the Wonky D'or?

No?

It's a play on words you see.

Sorry.

[Dualnames]

It looks amazing. I am literally typing with one hand cause the other one is busy holding my jaw. The curtain would be nice, if you make it a separate object of course. As for the screen size is kinda of irrelevant (the bigger the better) but definitely make it exactly square, at least the inner part, the frame can be a bit round here and there.

[straydogstrut]

I think I need to lie down..that's gorgeous :o

I'm going to have to rent a tux this time around..

[Tabata]

Oh yes, it looks very solemnly! A good start, Ali!
... clap, clap ...

Do we need party or banquet this time?
Would be funny to see all the chars with a black tie or feather-boa
(and all the bakers in their leather-pants or a chef's hat)

In this case I will shoot countless family-pics for my album:
                   

[Ilyich]

I just have to say this - that's an amazingly wonderful backdrop, Ali! I'm definitely going to watch the ceremony now!

[Snake]

Ali, that's incredible... to say the least I love it.

[m0ds]

That is definitely a place worthy of standing around all LucasArts like getting drunk! Nice one Ali

[theo]

Lookin' great, Ali! Good job.

Would be fun with a non interactive exterior shot as well. Skylights 'n all!  8)

[Ali]

I'm glad you guys like the background! I just posted it in the Critics Lounge to ask some colouring questions.

We'll have to wait and see regarding the Exterior / Explosions / Dumbledore's-Office-Style-Portraits-Of-Classic-AGS-Characters.