Writer's Blocks 1.0 in Productions (enbiggened Mags game)

bspeers · Thu 26/02/2009 00:13:46

Get ready for Writer's Blocks!

The tech demo, with puzzles!

A text based interface using mouse controls leads you through a new world!

You are a writer, stumped and stuck, blocked as it were, when a mysterious old man invites you into Blockland, a place filled with fictional characters, both friend and foe!

Can you collect all 10 magical blocks without being eaten alive?

This version has a beginning, middle and end, and a few challenging puzzles, but is nowhere near complete. Meet Alice of Alice in Wonderland, Virginia Woolf, Bilbo Baggins, Mr. Darcy and others as you quest to find the "building blocks of the perfect novel.

Enjoy!

http://www.cardboardlogic.com/Games/blocks.zip

Graphics:
(Apart from some horrid pink artifacting that needs to be re-imported)
95%

Music/Sound:
60%

Live Acted Cutscenes:
50%

Script/Story:
95%

Scripting:
45%

The graphics are basically done, and the plot is set up. The engine works great, with a few kinks. This will be done by the end of April 2009, either that or the end of March 2036 (knowing my history).

Try out the demo!

DeviantGent · Sat 28/02/2009 00:21:33

HOW VERY CROMULENT

dirk delshire · Mon 02/03/2009 23:13:07

How interesting Legos in an adventure. I've done this sort of thing with real toys before but didn't think of using AGS. I was thinking of doing a sort of FMV adventure using the unique toys I've built in the past.

Dualnames · Wed 04/03/2009 07:45:06

Nice idea. Not really a fun of those youtube lego videos..but anyway seems like a really interesting idea you came up with.

bspeers · Fri 06/03/2009 13:10:59

Actually, the game is rendered in LDraw a 3D modelling program that works with the complete lego library and custom parts.

The idea is that since it tackles writer's block and the building blocks of a good novel, it makes sense that the actual game is constructed from blocks.

The bit that makes me sad is that nobody even tried the game (I'm pretty sure) before dismissing it as a half-arsed MAGS entry. The demo has a beginning, middle and end, several novel-based puzzles, 3 original music tracks, and numerous characters. I personally think it was a more complete game than some (but by no means most) MAGS entries, and has a cute atmosphere. I suspect though that no one gave it a try because I labeled it a "tech demo." Doesn't bother me too much though because the final game is going to be awesome!

I'm currently working on it daily, and have added new puzzles, locations and characters, as well as recently developing the live action intro-video that sets up the game.

So far, without a deadline, I'm having less of an excuse to power through it, but it gets more complete every day.

I may end up asking the community though if there is a favourite author they would like to see in the final product, as I have one roster space I haven't decided how to fill yet. I may just have a think about it first.

Dualnames · Mon 09/03/2009 16:10:10

Dare I say that I've not have the time to. I find the title idea really cool and inspiring. And also add that yes indeed even mine among all mags entries have the feeling of incomplete.

ginanubismon · Sun 15/03/2009 15:57:56

Okay, I have to say this is officially the strangest AGS game I had ever seen. In a good way.

lanchong · Thu 19/03/2009 00:27:27

I've played this game a bit and I love so far. Good work. I look forward for the full version.

Sean · Thu 19/03/2009 22:47:22

Quote from: bspeers on Fri 06/03/2009 13:10:59
I may end up asking the community though if there is a favourite CHARACTER they would like to see in the final product, as I have one roster space I haven't decided how to fill yet. I may just have a think about it first.

Darth Vader.

rbaleksandar · Wed 25/03/2009 04:55:44

Hope you don't spoil it by including some arcade elements (like the famous LEGO-games)...Stick to the puzzles and the real adventure. Love it and looking forward to playing it.

EDIT: It'll be nice to make the command line disappear when you exit the "console". By doing this the player won't have to delete the previous command he wrote every time he wants to do some new actions.

bspeers · Wed 25/03/2009 19:07:10

Hmm, I might do this. Right now I like that the text persists as a few puzzles benefit from this (saving you time).

But I might actually implement an F3 function that recalls the last line or something, we'll see.

rbaleksandar · Thu 26/03/2009 15:27:45

Cool.

btw ~~What software did you use for implementing some LEGO-atmosphere in your game?~~ For additional resources you might want to use the Lego Digital Factory (if you're not using it at the moment). At least for the design of envinroment (rocks, houses, furniture etc.) - if you want some changes in the graphics. It's not that complicated as LD4DStudio & Co.

>>Here<< is an example of something I've made (took me about 2 hours or so).