STUDIO MEDIOCRE TEMPLATE

[Baron]

Greetings All,
       I've created a game template based on Studio Mediocre: Case of the Bedeaded Dramatist.  If you've never heard of this game it's because you weren't perusing the MAGS competition thread back in February 2008.  Shame!  I never made a completed game announcement since it was just thrown together and was never really "complete".  It's mostly a dialogue based mystery: read the MAGS thread if you're interested.  At any rate, I always had intended to release a basic version as a template and I've finally actually gotten around to doing it.  

Screenshot:


WHAT IS STUDIO MEDIOCRE?   My original idea for Studio Mediocre, even before making a game of it, was to create a world that could easily be adapted to making experimental games.  The characters run the gamut from serious to sketchy, and since all are actors they can play any part as needed, change personalities on a whim, or even be killed off without repercussions.  The sets have nothing in common with each other, liberating the game author from the shackles of stylistic continuity and game-world plausibility.  If you're new to AGS or experienced and just want to have some fun, this template may be for you.

THE TEMPLATE:  The template consists of all the sets strung together as they were in the original game and the game characters -I think there are ten of each.  While there's nothing very complex about the empty game all of the scripts are commented to help beginners pick up the programming language.  All the graphics are also in the download, including character templates so that you can design your own characters.  You are also encouraged to replace some of the default sets with your own, in your own unique style, or indeed expand the studio as your plot may require.  It's already a hodgepodge of styles since I was experimenting with various drawing programs and scanning methods while I was rushing to complete the original episode: the more incongruous the better!

THE BIGGER PICTURE: If you do use the Studio Mediocre template for one of your projects then I'd love for you to send me your sprites/backgrounds so that the resource can be expanded.

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EDIT JUNE 26 2009: Due to compatibility issues between recent AGS versions I have created two differentiated templates.  The 3.0 version features default inventory handling, while 3.1 features a custom-made inventory GUI and supports native (640x400) resolution.  Make sure to check your version of AGS so that you download the appropriate template.
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THE DOWNLOAD: Template for AGS 3.0
                            Template for AGS 3.1

[GuyAwesome]

Wow, lots of readings with no replies. Guess I'll start the ball rolling, since it was me who pointed out the compatability issues...

Nice little resource. I'm not sure about the egg people but it's handy to have a bunch of pre-setup characters and rooms to play around with until I can be bothered coming up with my own - like a less genre-specific version of the InstaGame pack, or RotN, without the need to worry about continuity.

[TandyLion]

I can appreciate the idea. Perhaps something more generic. I've seen one demo of a game with interchangeable head/torso/legs. This way, the player could mix and max. Think like Lego men .