Adventure/Platformer/Beat'em up with AGS?

[Indra Anagram]

Hello AGS Community!

I am a newcomer and know practically nothing about game coding. At the moment I consider the choice of game engine for my future game development, hence my question.

I would like to develop a game of mixed genres eventually, i.e. Level 1 is adventure game (keyboard control) - lots of talking, gathering objects to the inventory and puzzle solving (think The Cat Lady ), Level 2 is platformer like the very first installment in Prince of Persia series (1989) and Level 3 is beat'em up. All 3 levels are sidescrollers, so we watch characters move sideways - left and right.

And the question is: Is it possible to develop such project with AGS? Are there any snippet/example projects available in the community? Maybe some free games made with AGS, the authors of which would like to share their code?

THANK YOU for understanding, kindness and friendly guidance.

[Dualnames]

I believe it is more feasible than it was when I did it. There's a great controller plugin that I coded, that is imho, like 20 million times better than what I had to use.

[Crimson Wizard]

Yes that's possible, the only caveat is that AGS is focused at point & click genre which means you would have to script everything beyond that from scratch.

There were few arcade platformers in the past, and one of them had its source open:
https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=49687.0

EDIT: hmm, links seem to be broken, maybe these will work:
https://gamejolt.com/games/the-art-of-dying/21047

[Retro Wolf]

You can do this in AGS with the right experience in programming, It will be hard because you say you are a complete beginner. It's not always a case of copy and pasting someone else's code, you need to understand it. I'd recommend using a different engine since you are a beginner. The people on this board are very helpful but you may find it easier in other communities because you will have a lot more free examples for the genres you are looking at, more people in your situation asking the same questions.

If you are making a point and click adventure for your first game than AGS is absolutely the best choice.

There's loads of engines out there aimed at multiple genres such as Love2D, Game Maker, Pico 8, Construct, PyGame. Loads more.

Good luck on your game development journey!

[eri0o]

Here's a recent example

https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=57034.0
https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=56851.0

While it's possible, I don't think it's easy for a first project since it would require to script every action. If your first project was a point and click game, sure AGS is the easiest solution available to pick up and create something.

I agree with others that for your case, a different engine would be more suitable (love2d, game maker, godot, ...).

[Indra Anagram]

I believe it is more feasible than it was when I did it. There's a great controller plugin that I coded, that is imho, like 20 million times better than what I had to use.

Dualnames, you say it's feasible, yay! Are you willing to share your controller plugin?

[Indra Anagram]

Yes that's possible, the only caveat is that AGS is focused at point & click genre which means you would have to script everything beyond that from scratch.

Crimson Wizard, that's what I'm wondering about - is there a way to avoid re-inventing the bicycle? Any snippets, open source game codes or templates that you know? Such as the game that you provided link to.

There were few arcade platformers in the past, and one of them had its source open:
https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=49687.0

EDIT: hmm, links seem to be broken, maybe these will work:
https://gamejolt.com/games/the-art-of-dying/21047

Thank you, honey bee! You showed care by checking if the link was still valid.

[Indra Anagram]

You can do this in AGS with the right experience in programming, It will be hard because you say you are a complete beginner. It's not always a case of copy and pasting someone else's code, you need to understand it.

Retro Wolf, I understand making a game will require me to dive into coding. The question was if such project is doable with AGS. If you say it is, then I guess I can try, after reading the manual, following tutorials, exercising a lot, with some help from the community... See, the price in the right engine choice is time, and it is precious. Least of all I wish to spend half a year on learning something only to discover it will never be helpful for hitting my aim. 

The people on this board are very helpful but you may find it easier in other communities because you will have a lot more free examples for the genres you are looking at, more people in your situation asking the same questions.

That's the most unusual welcome that I've seen in my life  It's like 'You may come in, but you won't' )))

There's loads of engines out there aimed at multiple genres such as Love2D, Game Maker, Pico 8, Construct, PyGame. Loads more.

I've looked up those engines. Love2D seems even harder to learn, since it is not an engine, but a framework based on Lua. I found no examples of point and click adventure games in their showcase section. Pico 8 is a console simulator that is only perfect for small pixel-art games. P&C adventure tutorials with Construct 2 are nearly non-existent or hard to find. Plus it's not free. Game Maker is complicated due to versions incompatibility. If you develop a game in Game Maker 8.1, it won't work with GameMaker Studio 1.4 or GMS 2, because they completely re-wrote the engine. And they don't support previous versions.

Good luck on your game development journey!

Thank you, sweetheart! Good to get encouraged by more experienced game makers like you.

[Indra Anagram]

Here's a recent example

https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=57034.0
https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=56851.0

eri0o, both games have great style. And I like the idea. Very close to what I meant by writing about platformer/adventure.

While it's possible, I don't think it's easy for a first project since it would require to script every action. If your first project was a point and click game, sure AGS is the easiest solution available to pick up and create something.

Hmm... What if I tried to make three separate short games first - each in the aforementioned genres? What do you think about this plan?

Anyway, thank you, bunny! Your reply gave me some fresh ideas.

[cat]

Hmm... What if I tried to make three separate short games first - each in the aforementioned genres? What do you think about this plan?

Yes, this is definitely a good idea. Try to make a short adventure game in AGS. This will help you to learn AGS, figure out if it is the right tool for your big project and also have you improve on your game making skills.

It is generally recommended to start small for a first game. You can always go big afterwards.

The people on this board are very helpful but you may find it easier in other communities because you will have a lot more free examples for the genres you are looking at, more people in your situation asking the same questions.

That's the most unusual welcome that I've seen in my life  It's like 'You may come in, but you won't' )))

Nah, it's more like you are walking into a restaurant and asking for a haircut - people will be welcoming but probably can't help you a lot 

[Indra Anagram]

Yes, this is definitely a good idea. Try to make a short adventure game in AGS.

Thank you, sunshine! I've seen games made with AGS - it's a great tool for indie developers of adventure games.

Nah, it's more like you are walking into a restaurant and asking for a haircut - people will be welcoming but probably can't help you a lot 

So you think I won't be able to make a platformer or a fighting sidescroller with AGS whatsoever? Sorry, I'm confused. So there is ABSOLUTELY no point in learning AGS if I want to realize a game with different-genre levels? Please give me an honest answer. Some people here say it is possible, while others say it isn't. Your metaphor with a restaurant and a haircut would be appropriate if I asked whether I could build 3D models with AGS instead of using Blender, Maya or similar software  The question of engine choice is serious one, because - like I said before - no one wants to waste time on learning something irrelevant to their objective.

[Slasher]

Indra Anagram

Almost anything is possible with AGS... But you may be better off looking at other game engines before you make your choice.

Slasher

[eri0o]

I am just very confused right now, you complained about point and click support on other engines, but you said your game isn't a point and click. I came for AGS because of the versions in game maker driving me nuts. But I also like and code in love2d. One of the projects I linked is mine and is open source in case you want to checkout how I did. AGS extends with C++, in case you want to do something to out of ordinary. I do think love2d is simpler for your targets - I would pair with Tiled in that case.


Or try a weekend jam in ags to learn by trauma

[VampireWombat]

So you think I won't be able to make a platformer or a fighting sidescroller with AGS whatsoever? Sorry, I'm confused. So there is ABSOLUTELY no point in learning AGS if I want to realize a game with different-genre levels? Please give me an honest answer. Some people here say it is possible, while others say it isn't.

It's quite possible. Jack has made at least 2 fighting games for MAGs this last year. And there have been multiple platformers attempted. But since AGS is meant for adventure games, it requires a lot more effort to make other genres than it would be to make them in an engine meant for them.
I've worked on at least 1 game every month for the last year and I still have no clue where to even start with making a fighting game. And this last month I attempted to make a Donkey Kong clone and still haven't figured out how to properly restrict the controls to work right.
But if you're willing to research how to make the game genres using C++, you should be able to use that knowledge to make them in AGS.

[Cassiebsg]

AGS is meant to be a an engine specifically geared to point & click adventures. However, the fact that is, you can code it pretty much to do what you want. The proof is right there, there's almost no gender that hasn't been done with AGS...
Duals awesome fast paced platformer: https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=53389.msg636532865#msg636532865 which started as a MAGS game and ended up as a commercial game.
But remember you'll have to code it all your self.

If your question is just: is it possible to do this? The answer is yes.
You should also consider what your objectives are for the game. As that might also point you into another engine.

Anyway, welcome and do so games. Try MAGS for a feel of time frame into doing stuff. Or do very short games just to figure out to code X or Y...

[Dualnames]

My plugin is even open-sourced <3

https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=57129.0

[Indra Anagram]

To Slasher:

Almost anything is possible with AGS... But you may be better off looking at other game engines before you make your choice.

That's some kind of a vicious circle here  The reason I'm asking my question is to decide if AGS is good for doing what I'd like to do. You say 'Yes, AGS is the right tool, but you better consider some other engine' ))) Believe me or not, I found some old post by another beginner who asked nearly the same on Construct 2 forum, and the reply was something like 'You better look at AGS' 

Nevertheless, thank you for your reply, sunshine!

To eri0o:

I am just very confused right now, you complained about point and click support on other engines, but you said your game isn't a point and click.

I'm sorry for confusing you. My English is bad. In the initial post I mentioned The Cat Lady as an example of the adventure game that I'd like to make level 1 be like. Is it point and click? There is no mouse control there... Guess I misused the term  When considering the engines listed above I checked out if there was a way to create something like this.

I came for AGS because of the versions in game maker driving me nuts. But I also like and code in love2d. ... I do think love2d is simpler for your targets - I would pair with Tiled in that case.

Yes, that's exactly what pushed me away from GMS! Love2D seemed suspicious because it's not an engine... probably I should look closer at it, if you say it's your favorite.

One of the projects I linked is mine and is open source in case you want to checkout how I did. AGS extends with C++, in case you want to do something to out of ordinary.

Big thanks, sweetie! Didn't notice download and source code links last time. I'll try to understand your code after learning basic tutorials. So, you say go study C++ first, eh?

Or try a weekend jam in ags to learn by trauma

Too early for that 

To VampireWombat:

It's quite possible. Jack has made at least 2 fighting games for MAGs this last year. And there have been multiple platformers attempted. But since AGS is meant for adventure games, it requires a lot more effort to make other genres than it would be to make them in an engine meant for them.

1. Possible you say. That answers my question fairly well.
2. Sorry for my horrible ignorance... Since I'm a newcomer here... Who's Jack? Could you please provide links to his fighting games?
3. See, I want the final big game to combine elements of 3 genres. There seem to be some other engines, but they either require lots of space, or lack tutorials available online, or their abandoned community resembles a desert inhabited with arrogant scorpios 

I've worked on at least 1 game every month for the last year and I still have no clue where to even start with making a fighting game. And this last month I attempted to make a Donkey Kong clone and still haven't figured out how to properly restrict the controls to work right.
But if you're willing to research how to make the game genres using C++, you should be able to use that knowledge to make them in AGS.

Have you tried to pair up with someone here? Maybe with a person who's proficient in C++? Anyway, let's unite and figure out how to do such genres together. Thanks for replying, buddy!

To Cassiebsg:

AGS is meant to be a an engine specifically geared to point & click adventures. However, the fact that is, you can code it pretty much to do what you want. The proof is right there, there's almost no gender that hasn't been done with AGS...
Duals awesome fast paced platformer: https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=53389.msg636532865#msg636532865 which started as a MAGS game and ended up as a commercial game.

Oh, great, such an example! The graphics is beautiful! And this proves it IS possible to make a platformer on AGS, even with some advanced coding. Impressed.

But remember you'll have to code it all your self.

So... don't folks on this forum help if someone gets stuck with code/scripting? 

You should also consider what your objectives are for the game. As that might also point you into another engine.

I stated my objective in the initial post. Need an engine that enables me to create a game that has each level in 3 different genres. Sidescroller, keyboard control. I know AGS is for adventure games. Now you confirm it is also good for other styles too... with C++.

Anyway, welcome and do so games. Try MAGS for a feel of time frame into doing stuff. Or do very short games just to figure out to code X or Y...

Thank you, hon! Have no idea what MAGS is yet, but will google that) Yes, I plan to do 2 - 3 very short games each in the aforementioned styles first.

To Dualnames:

My plugin is even open-sourced <3

https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=57129.0

Thank you, ducky! How nice! It's much much easier to start something following the senior specialist's experience. Please explain what the plugin does. Is it only for joystick? Or can I also set a keyboard control?

To ALL:

Guys and girls, you are amazing. Very hearty greeting of yours.

[Crimson Wizard]

Erm, a little note if I may, I can see that mentioning C++ in this topic is possibly leading to more misunderstanding.

AGS supports plugins written in C or C++. They are usually used to expand engine with abilities it does not have on its own. There are already existing ones, like plugin that adds joystick/gamepad support.
But the question is, would you really have to write another one for your game? It's a very rare occasion when someone really needs to do that.

PS. We've made this racing game in AGS without any plugins:
https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=55534.0

[Indra Anagram]

Erm, a little note if I may, I can see that mentioning C++ in this topic is possibly leading to more misunderstanding.

AGS supports plugins written in C or C++. They are usually used to expand engine with abilities it does not have on its own. There are already existing ones, like plugin that adds joystick/gamepad support.
But the question is, would you really have to write another one for your game? It's a very rare occasion when someone really needs to do that.

Crimson Wizard, thank you for clarifying that! That's what I actually thought. After following the links that other commenters provided I wondered if there were any already existing plugins around. That would make things WAY easier,, of course. I'd have to learn coding and scripting anyway to put those plugins in the right place.

PS. We've made this racing game in AGS without any plugins:
https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=55534.0

Wow, car racing! And you say you didn't use any plugins? How long did it take you to code this?

[Crimson Wizard]

Wow, car racing! And you say you didn't use any plugins? How long did it take you to code this?

Roughly 1 month, it was made for MAGS competition. But I had an idea of how to code car physics and some other stuff beforehand.