MAGS 2008-06: Evil

Klaus · Sun 01/06/2008 22:01:37

What is MAGS?
MAGS is a monthly competition for all amateur adventure game makers. The idea is to use AGS to create a game in under a month, following the rules set by the previous winner.

For more information please visit the Official MAGS website.

Why should I enter MAGS?
We're not here to tell you that you should enter MAGS, but merely allow it as a creative opportunity to help you work to a deadline, improve your skills, and generally as a good kick-start for the new comers (a.k.a n00bies).

MAGS is the perfect opportunity to make a game, and the wonderful prize is to announce the next month's rules, and all competitors get the game placed on the MAGS website.

MAGS is meant to be fun and is aimed at everyone, despite their skill. If you have poor art skills work on graphics, and vice-versa, as the voting is based on "favourite" games, and not the most artistic, you may get help for the competiton, but should try not get anyone else to do any part of the game for you.

You are not allowed to (re)use material already created before this competition, you game must be completely new! An exception goes for sounds and music where you can also use free material that is available to the public.

Please do not just enter the competition with a rushed entry (a game created in just some hours or a few days)!

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This month's guidelines are set by last month's winner King_wiking (slightly adjusted):

Topic: Evil

June, it's the beginning of summer and the warm and good-natured time of the year is finally here. Apart from this the theme for this month is "Evil". The rules are pretty simple:

1. Your main-character must be evil in some way. That means that there can't be any I-am-good-just-for-the-sake-of-it blonde hero that runs around swinging a rapier with all too tight trousers.
Good examples for main characters are (but of course not limited to): An evil mastermind trying to take over the world, a devil trying to make people do evil things, an orc following his masters plan, a psychopath or something similar. As long as the character's main goal is selfish and/or evil in the game it's fine.

2. At one point in the game "death" must come into place. This could be done by a location (eg. a graveyard), by a character (eg. the Grim Reaper) or by an action - be creative.

That's all, no further limitations. You can put into your inventory whatever you want to

Good luck.

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All games need to be in by June 25th.

Please post a download link of your game entry to this thread, best with a screenshot. Thanks and good luck.

Radiant · Sun 01/06/2008 22:26:51

Amazing.

Me and some friends are presently working on a game that will hopefully be released this month, and fits the theme perfectly.

Except that we already started it earlier, so it doesn't qualify for MAGS. Nevertheless, is this synchronicity or what?

Brad Newsom · Sun 01/06/2008 22:41:59

By death, do you mean the player might face death, or does the player create the act of death.

Sylvr · Sun 01/06/2008 22:44:10

I hope to be able to include an entry this month. Although.. maybe I shouldn't mention it.

Alarconte · Mon 02/06/2008 00:10:51

Curiosly I've been thinking that this comunity has very few games of Evil characters. This MAGS gonna be cool; I'm thinking to participate (but I'm in exams weeks and don't know if I can loss more time u_u).

Death musto come into place, what means? A simple character-npc death by action, is correct?

Klaus · Mon 02/06/2008 08:33:35

Quote from: Kadji-san (BradN) on Sun 01/06/2008 22:41:59
By death, do you mean the player might face death, or does the player create the act of death.

That's up to you - both (and many other) ways are possible...

Quote from: Alarconte on Mon 02/06/2008 00:10:51
Death musto come into place, what means? A simple character-npc death by action, is correct?

It is one option - and there are many others...

Just be creative

Akatosh · Mon 02/06/2008 13:32:26

/EDIT: Nope. Not this month, sorry. Again.

TwinMoon · Mon 02/06/2008 19:10:05

Hm, the previous times I entered having a deadline really kept me going... while I've postponed drawing the bad guy for my 'normal' game for weeks.

Why don't I try to get back into the flow by announcing I'll enter this. If I don't make it at least I'll have a character I wanted to draw anyway.

Rui 'Trovatore' Pires · Mon 02/06/2008 22:21:27

Akatosh! Will we be playing the evil character of your "Me Go" series?!

LimpingFish · Mon 02/06/2008 23:16:29

I am...tempted.

Hmm.

/wanders off, muttering...

Akatosh · Tue 03/06/2008 14:21:21

Quote from: Rui 'Trovatore' Pires on Mon 02/06/2008 22:21:27
Akatosh! Will we be playing the evil character of your "Me Go" series?!

That's also an idea, but... nah. I need to make something that doesn't have "Me Go" in the name so I can stand looking in the mirror again.

vertigoaddict · Tue 03/06/2008 16:36:54

Quote from: Akatosh on Tue 03/06/2008 14:21:21
Quote from: Rui 'Trovatore' Pires on Mon 02/06/2008 22:21:27
Akatosh! Will we be playing the evil character of your "Me Go" series?!

That's also an idea, but... nah. I need to make something that doesn't have "Me Go" in the name so I can stand looking in the mirror again.

"You go Evil"!

ShadeJackrabbit · Thu 05/06/2008 02:48:55

Hmm... I think I'll actually enter this one.

Alarconte · Thu 05/06/2008 03:30:31

Well, I retire from the idea of entering this month, 'cause I have all the final examns and works and I never get to university this half-year, and I don't need more distracting hobbies xD

I'm sorry for me 'cause i was got two or three great ideas for this MAGs

ShadeJackrabbit · Sat 07/06/2008 20:49:20

Oh, just a question... when it says we can't use pre-made materials, that doesn't include code for GUIs, right? I mean, it would be pretty pointless to re-invent the wheel (pun!) and code a verb coin from scratch when the template already exists. So I assume as long as original graphics are used it is alright to use the GUI template?

Klaus · Sat 07/06/2008 21:00:50

Quote from: ShadeJackrabbit on Sat 07/06/2008 20:49:20
So I assume as long as original graphics are used it is alright to use the GUI template?

Yes, that's okay.

Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens · Mon 09/06/2008 03:38:01

For the sake of commitment, I am working on something that may or may not be done in time.

Beware.

Brad Newsom · Mon 09/06/2008 04:49:18

ProgZ: Yeah, Im trying not to get too epic or have a big vision. >_<

Radiant · Mon 16/06/2008 09:54:18

This is fitting for this month's rules. It's not a MAGS entry since we started it half a year ago, but the irony was so evil that I wanted to point it out

Ryan Timothy B · Wed 18/06/2008 22:52:08

7 days left? hmmm
I've been pushing hard on a game, not sure if it'll get finished on time. We'll just have to see.

Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens · Thu 19/06/2008 01:59:18

Hmm. I'll have something by the 25th but it won't be much.

Ryan Timothy B · Thu 19/06/2008 02:11:04

Good! Some competition. Has anyone else started working on a game? Or is anyone almost finished one?

I've got 2 more backgrounds to draw, some animations, and it'll be all programming from there.
I'm also in need of some composer to miraculously pump out some tunes for my quick game.

I'll try posting in that 'in need of help' thread.

TwinMoon · Thu 19/06/2008 17:45:04

I'm working on something which might be ready by the 25th.

I've got the script almost finished, and finished roughly half of the programming. Backgrounds are still in the sketching stage.

ShadeJackrabbit · Thu 19/06/2008 19:19:06

I'm working on something, though I need to really crunch over the next week. Good thing I only have one more exam though...

Brad Newsom · Thu 19/06/2008 22:34:10

Thankfully finals are over. No more stressing. Hopefully things should open up for me this weekend.

LimpingFish · Fri 20/06/2008 01:52:01

I'm out. Sorry folks.

I have about 15-25% of something done, but it so won't be finished in time.

You've have to make do without my "murderer musing on the minutia of his crimes, while strolling through rural Wisconsin is 1929"-ulator.

I'll file it away, and finish it...eventually :

Sorry again, and good luck to everybody else!

King_wiking · Mon 23/06/2008 23:19:20

I couldn't resist...

Here's the MAGS-version of:

I'm not crazy, right? - The Well
(The only difference is actually the outro, but what a great outro it is.)

http://files.filefront.com/MAGS+Im+not+crazy+right2zip/;10778935;/fileinfo.html

It's my favorite kind of evilness, a passive aggresive sociopath.
Mmm.. Enjoy.

Leon · Tue 24/06/2008 12:00:26

Great game (again) King,

Enough objects to toy around with and enough red herrings to make the puzzles interesting! The special feature of the main character not overused this time! And enough morbid humor. Well done! Found a dead end though... (sorta).

Spoiler

When entering the room upstairs with the alien, you can die. Then you get the option to try again or to restart. But when you haven't got the gun yet, you're not able to leave and you can't defeat the alien.... So the only option is to restart.

[close]

BTW, debug mode is still on...

Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens · Tue 24/06/2008 13:55:21

I'll have something by the deadline but it won't be a 'complete' game. I'm working to try and get the first act of the game at least playable, though. I'll squeeze all the time I can get out of today and tomorrow

.

ShadeJackrabbit · Tue 24/06/2008 17:49:10

My entry...

Lichdom - "Where did I put that..." (v1.0.0.5)
UPDATE: Okay, I fixed a few bugs here and there. I would fix more, but I really need to get some sleep.

stajp · Tue 24/06/2008 23:22:18

Quote from: King_wiking on Mon 23/06/2008 23:19:20

http://files.filefront.com/MAGS+Im+not+crazy+right2zip/;10778935;/fileinfo.html

Tried to download it several times during the day, but I could not - filefront says "There were no available download servers."

Some other link, please?

Matti · Tue 24/06/2008 23:29:55

I've just tested it and it worked well...

King_wiking · Tue 24/06/2008 23:43:28

I tried downloading it and it seemed to work fine (Or well, Oh, the wit)
You could always try to download the other version of the game if you look at my games page. The only difference is a screen in the outro.
So you wouldn't really miss out on anything.

ShadeJackrabbit · Wed 25/06/2008 00:39:39

In case nobody saw, I updated my post with the final version.

Leon · Wed 25/06/2008 01:09:13

ShadeJackrabbit,

What a wonderfull game! I love all the different options with the objects! Great one! Two minor issues though:

The title of the game says Where's did I instead of Where did I (but who cares) and the other thing is a bit more serious:

Spoiler

You can't take the blanket from your bed but by using the chopsticks on the chopsticks in your inventory you say: I sew them into the blanket (which you never have in your inventory).

[close]

ShadeJackrabbit · Wed 25/06/2008 03:20:54

Thanks Leon. I fixed said bug so now you actually have to have the items in your inventory. And I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Ryan Timothy B · Wed 25/06/2008 04:40:58

I'm hoping to have my game fully complete by tomorrow night (the 25th by my time). We'll just have to wait and see.

Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens · Wed 25/06/2008 18:05:14

Rushed, falling asleep, and missing things like a soundtrack, I will submit what I have.

The year is 1937. The lines between good and evil have blurred. CHANCELLOR HITLER is furious over the loss of the Ark of the Covenant due to the interference of DR. HENRY JONES, JR., and has summoned German-Irish Anthropologist JONAS TAPFER for a quest of the utmost importance.

YOUR MISSION: Recover a book known as the Picatrix and return it to the Reich so that its powers may be harnessed for the benefit of your people.

This will not be an easy quest since Dr. Jones means to have the Picatrix for himself, so you will need every ounce of intelligence, guile, and strength you can muster.

This game makes being a villain more about perceptions than reality. What makes a person a villain, anyway? As Jonas Tapfer you will be able to be cruel or kind and change the direction of the story.

The graphics are retro to save time (and because I like them) and the game is not 'finished'. You will know when you have gone as far as you can, but there are a few optional things you can do in the game as well. I highly recommend you read the readme for specific information. This includes stuff like mentioning bugs and other mistakes, which I am already aware of and will fix when I have time.

The rather simplistic game journal (I'm going to improve it later) will keep you up to date on your enemies, allies, quests, and research gathered, so make sure to look at it often.

If you love ninjas, pirates, or both, you will not skip the intro.

http://www11.asphost4free.com/veradinx/OFH.rar

GuyLaDouche · Wed 25/06/2008 23:53:21

Hooray! I'm actually surprised to get it done!
Finished in 9 days because that's when I noticed the contest

The Everyday Adventures of the EVIL Dr Zoo

Plot
You are the Evil Dr. Zoo, a mad scientist set on conquering the world (or something) or at least humanity! However, due to a someone ratting out your location, the Guild of Heroes (creatively named) has sent forth a hero to... um... stop you. Choose the hero and use your defenses to protect your base from him/her!

Do it now!

Gameplay
The basic gameplay involves dialogue between you and your head minion, with you choosing orders to issue based on the hero you're fighting and the location they're at. If worse comes to worse and you don't know what to do, you have a 1 in 27 chance of getting the best ending.

There are two heroes to face and three possible endings per hero. Collect them all!

The game is fairly short, so there's no need to save or load at any time. Ctrl-Q to quit or click the 'exit' button at the lower right if you're at the main screen.

Other Notes
- This game contains an entire TWO sounds because I was running short on time. Enjoy them both!

http://rapidshare.com/files/125031592/drzoo.zip.html

TwinMoon · Thu 26/06/2008 03:26:00

EDIT: Removed my whining about how bad this game is. It was late, ok?

Mel is unhappy. He's just found out he's not considered an evil guy anymore.
What's to do?

Hm, why not threaten the world with nuclear bombs? Yes, that might do the trick.

Get it here
Or here for people who have trouble with FileFront.

(A walkthrough is provided for those who have trouble with the rebus, the codes, or the annyoing pixel hunt puzzle I put in there

The game is not tested, but follow the walkthrough carefully and you should not encounter crashes (maybe) )

Thanks to Jojoboy and Leon for bugreports!

Klaus · Thu 26/06/2008 08:06:05

~~Okay - so for all those who still want to enter the contest but did not yet submit their entries here's the final 6 hours before the voting will begin (see timestamp of this post)...~~

Time is up now and we have an amazing number of entries...

For voting please visit the MAGS site or make your choice right here:

Our Finest Hour by ProgZmax
Lichdom by ShadeJackrabbit
I am not crazy right - The Well by King_wiking
Evil by TwinMoon
Dr. Zoo by Jojoboy

Please vote only once and be sure to have played all games before sending your voice! Good luck to all participants.

Ryan Timothy B · Thu 26/06/2008 22:36:40

It's a shame I couldn't finish the last small section of my game in time. I'll still try to get it finished even though the competition is now over.

Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens · Fri 27/06/2008 06:58:50

Based on some early feedback I made a few alterations to the way the gui works.

Now, when you click a gui button it will be lit to indicate that is the current mode, when you select an inventory item for use the cursor will turn blue, and I've added a watch for the wait cursor

. The download link is the same.

Thanks to Vince XII for the suggestions. These are the sort of improvements I like to make!

JuuL · Sat 28/06/2008 14:09:29

I'm having problems with downloading ProgZmax's game. It takes a long time to download it and when it finally says it's done the file just isn't there. I'm not sure why.

Jon · Sat 28/06/2008 14:13:06

I get the same problem as Juul, is the link broken?

Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens · Sat 28/06/2008 14:13:12

The server is probably down right now. I've also uploaded it here:

http://members.cox.net/progzmax/OFH.rar

JuuL · Sat 28/06/2008 14:20:33

Thanks! The new link is working.
I'll return later with some coments on your game (and the others of course).

edit: oh well, it seems that I will not have time to play all the games before the voting ends. But Our Finest Hour looks really promising and I hope to see a full version of it some day.

Klaus · Tue 01/07/2008 08:14:27

So the time for voting is over now and we have a winner!

After some months this time we faced a real competition again with a big number of entries.
"big" is relative of course but voters really had a choice - and it was hard to pick a favourite.
Three games changed places on top with every new vote but in the end there was one entry that left all the others behind.

The winner this time is ProgZmax and his entry Jonas Tapfer - Our Finest Hour.

Congratulations! And many thanks to all participants for their games and for making MAGS a real competition again.