MAGS 2009-04: Space Derelict

Klaus · Wed 01/04/2009 08:16:22

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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Topic: Space Derelict

This month's guidelines were set by last month's winner SpacePirateCaine:

The theme of this month's contest is a classic sci-fi setting - you must have your main character(s) on a ship afloat in space that is, for whatever reason, unable to move (other systems may be malfunctioning at the creator's discretion). Are the characters scavenging the ship? Or is their own ship out of commission? The cause of the malfunction is up to the creator.

The game must include a spacecraft that is unable to function, and one puzzle must center around repairing or jury-rigging something on the ship to get it working again*. Though the characters must spend some time on the derelict craft, other locations are allowed (i.e. a nearby planet, space station, their own ship if the derelict isn't theirs, etc).

*The repair puzzle can be as simple as accessing the craft's mainframe, or as complex as repairing the ship's engine/hull, any puzzle that involves getting something that is not functioning to function again is acceptable, and need not include getting the entire ship to function again.

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All games need to be in by April 25th.

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

SpacePaw · Wed 01/04/2009 10:43:22

I'm totally onto that!

OneDollar · Wed 01/04/2009 12:27:43

Ooh... I'm tempted

BOYD1981 · Wed 01/04/2009 18:13:48

hmm, would a ship that is unable to stop be allowed (like on a collision course or something) be acceptable?

OneDollar · Wed 01/04/2009 19:28:28

Seen as we're dealing with position in space you could simply take the reference frame as the ship itself and claim all the other stars and planets are moving... its all good and legal in relativistic physics!

SpacePirateCaine · Wed 01/04/2009 20:08:45

Boyd: I'm fine with it.

Honestly, I'm kicking myself for wording it as 'unable to move'. I wonder if we could broaden the scope to include both ships and space stations, and not require that they be immobilized, but just to be unable to function normally (So can't move, life support systems failing, whatever)? Basically, I think if you can justify it, it's not a big deal.

Ubel · Wed 01/04/2009 20:15:29

I'm glad to see some more laid back and NORMAL rules for a change. Lately there seems to have been a lot of experimenting going on with the MAGS guidelines. And I'm always intrigued by a sci-fi theme.

I can't wait to see what people can come up with! Good luck everyone who thinks about participating!

bspeers · Wed 01/04/2009 20:40:12

Sounds like fun!

SpacePaw · Wed 01/04/2009 22:46:04

By the way. Do we put MAGS entries in the "completed game" or "games in production" forum section as well?

SpacePirateCaine · Wed 01/04/2009 23:18:58

Hey SpacePaw,

That's entirely up to you, I imagine. There's never been a rule saying that you aren't allowed to advertise the project that you're working on for a MAGS competition, though since it's a competition, sometimes it's more interesting if you play your cards close to the chest, as it were.

I've seen plenty of MAGS competition entries end up in the Completed Games section after the competitions have ended - I'm still doing some work to improve my last entry, so I haven't yet, but that's all - again - up to you.

Baron · Thu 02/04/2009 03:35:17

Intriguing.....

Dualnames · Wed 08/04/2009 08:45:33

I'm might just enter this one..promised for the previous one too..

Trihan · Wed 08/04/2009 09:40:40

*waits for someone to submit The Vacuum as their MAGS entry*

Wyz · Wed 08/04/2009 21:01:02

I don't think I can make the deadline, but I'm going to give it a shot

I like the space theme, and I have an idea.

miguel · Wed 15/04/2009 22:51:51

Ok, I'll enter my first MAGS if I can do it next Friday and Saturday.
I've got something on my mind for a space game and I have to get away from Blue Moon for a while and this seams like the perfect excuse.

AngelicCharon · Thu 16/04/2009 21:04:17

I've been working away at an entry, however being the first time I've gone near the engine, not sure if I'll have everything I wanted together by the deadline.

So, I know this is an incredibly noobish question, but as a rule of thumb when it comes to MAGS entries, is it better to just pull together what one can if one isn't going to meet the deadline and submit it, even if somewhat incomplete, or to hold it off on a submission?

I'm only asking, because I doubt I'll complete what I initially set out to do by the 25th, and if it's better to just submit 'something', even if incomplete, I can rework my project to cut corners/cut things out for the time being.

OneDollar · Fri 17/04/2009 20:44:45

It up to you, as long as you meet the contest requirements and you spent quite a bit of time working on the game its fair to enter. Of course if its full of bugs and dead ends people aren't going to enjoy it much.

I suggest you look at the overall game plan and divide it roughly into groups:
- Things that must be in the game for it to work (e.g. the broken ship, fixing puzzle, all major bugs squashed)
- Things that really ought to be in the game (e.g. interactions for important objects, minor bugs squashed)
- Things that would be nice to have in the game (e.g. generic interactions for all objects, animation)
- Things you're only going to add if you have time (e.g. a custom interaction for every object, extra bits)
Then tackle them in that order. If you end up with something that's unfinished but works you can submit it as a kind of demo, but if you can't finish the necessary bits drop out and finish the game in your own time.

That's what I'm doing, anyway

miguel · Thu 23/04/2009 15:47:32

Just want to say that I'm on this one! Maybe get it done tonight!

Wyz · Fri 24/04/2009 00:18:44

I hope I make it before the deadline, I've got a lot of game finished though

lord_hellfire · Fri 24/04/2009 01:39:55

I still got some work to do, but If everything will go as planed I should finish in less than 24 hours.

Vince Twelve · Fri 24/04/2009 15:15:21

My entry:
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/games.php?action=detail&id=607

Note:

Spoiler

not an entry!

[close]

Klaus · Fri 24/04/2009 21:24:56

Ladies and gentlemen - please submit your entries within the next 24 hours (see timestamp of this message). Then the voting will begin.

Wyz · Sat 25/04/2009 10:49:45

Ok, I'm all done.

Click link

I liked to try something expirimental, and I'm very happy about the result. It not a very easy adventure, but still nothing feels unnatural. There are quite the few hidden replies so if you want get the maximum out of this game, click everything with everything.

I've done the scripting, art, design, story, music and most of the sound effect myself. I hope you all enjoy it. Feel free to send me any remarks or questions.

Ps. If the hosting bandwidth gets exceeded, please let me know.

I'll reserve this space for a FAQ.

FAQ

Where can I find the options menu?
Use the map and move your cursor to the top of your screen.

Can inventory be combined?
No, inventory is used on hotspots and objects only.

Leon · Sat 25/04/2009 11:41:24

Brilliant. Just brilliant! Fantastic graphics. Great puzzles! Good story. Very well done! And the humor...

Spoiler

Thank god the flipped screen turns back automatically, I was afraid I had to finish the game upside down :-)

[close]

(minor thing: I think the buttons in the cockpit are reserved for future use, not reversed?)

OneDollar · Sat 25/04/2009 14:20:07

Here ya go...

Breakdown

Completed games thread: http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=37594.0
AGS games database entry: http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/games.php?action=detail&id=1155
Direct download: http://www.onedollarproductions.co.uk/games/Breakdown.zip
Mirror: http://files.filefront.com/13655763
Website: http://www.onedollarproductions.co.uk/games/breakdown.htm
~~Birth Certificate:~~

Enjoy!

Hudders · Sat 25/04/2009 14:55:59

OneDollar, that was excellent.

Although:

Spoiler

Finding the floor sensor is a bit of a pixel hunt.

[close]

But other than that I enjoyed it immensely!

Wyz · Sat 25/04/2009 16:43:43

Quote from: Leon on Sat 25/04/2009 11:41:24
Brilliant. Just brilliant! Fantastic graphics. Great puzzles! Good story. Very well done! And the humor...

Thanks!

Quote
(minor thing: I think the buttons in the cockpit are reserved for future use, not reversed?)

lol, typical freudian slip, thanks for pointing it out!

lord_hellfire · Sat 25/04/2009 19:27:36

Can I ask for few more hours?

I should finish in two, maybe three hours. I'm sure I will be ready by midnight CET, or even sooner.

Evil · Sat 25/04/2009 19:33:11

Well, I got to busy with classes, but I did some basic design stuff. The concept was a panda and koala in space. Just thought I'd share.

Leon · Sat 25/04/2009 20:47:03

OneDollar:

Solid game.. Nothing really unexpected but good graphics, nice story and some humor. Enough distraction at points and some hidden objects to make it a good timekiller. Well done!

Lad · Sat 25/04/2009 20:54:35

I`m working on my one don`t know if I can make it! It would probably take me a few hours more. Even if I won`t make it in time I will still give out so you can play. This will be my first finished project when it comes out.

It is rather short as I have done it only about a week.

Klaus · Sat 25/04/2009 21:03:09

Okay okay okay... Let's add some more hours for all the games that are
still in progress and almost done: So let's face the deadline in 14 hours
from now (see timestamp of this message)?! See you soon - with the voting!

lord_hellfire · Sun 26/04/2009 02:58:28

A little later than I expected, but I'm finished.

A place without frontier.

http://rapidshare.com/files/225973866/Compiled.exe

Warning:
The game contains some strong language and sugestive dialog.

Edit:
I've fixed the problem with game re-starting after returning to starting room. Tha link has been updated.

And here's the patch for people who already downloaded the game.
http://rapidshare.com/files/225974505/Patch.exe

Revan · Sun 26/04/2009 10:15:43

I don't think your game is working.. I have downloaded it, but it wont start up..??

Leon · Sun 26/04/2009 10:22:17

This game looks alright. Nice combination of photo and drawings but... ~~is the game complete~~?

It try to walk in hallways that look like you can walk but you can't. When I open the door to return to 'Doc' I see the titlescreen and then it seems like the game starts again but without resetting the inventory?

Also it's not very clear what you can use and what not so it results in clicking everywhere you can to see if it interacts. Lt. Monroe looks very much like the main char. Bit confusing. Thought it was a bug at first and that the main char was displayed twice.

I progressed now.. see what else comes up. Nice animations..

Finished the game. Great end animation and nice story too. Would love to see a sequel with improved walkcycles, clearer walkpaths and indicated hotspots. Other than that, well done!

ps. The English could use some work too... (hmm.. sounds like there's nothing I liked.. NOT TRUE!!

)

Lad · Sun 26/04/2009 11:06:30

I could`t make it in the extended time (Had to sleep some time too). :'( Now I`ll take my time and make it better then it is now.

May the best win!

miguel · Sun 26/04/2009 11:08:19

Same here, thanks for the extended time tough Klaus

Klaus · Sun 26/04/2009 15:39:26

Okay - still nothing here, so let's do it...

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

Dead in Space by Wyz
Breakdown by OneDollar
A Place Without Frontier by lord_hellfire

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

JimmyShelter · Sun 26/04/2009 16:31:15

I finished Breakdown, but I'm currently stuck in Dead in Space.

Spoiler

I've taped the loose wires, found the tools, the panty hose, the keys, but the keys won't fit anywhere.

Where can I find the right keys for the cockpit?

[close]

Wyz · Sun 26/04/2009 16:56:14

Quote from: JimmyShelter on Sun 26/04/2009 16:31:15
I finished Breakdown, but I'm currently stuck in Dead in Space.

Hint:

Spoiler

If you cant seem to get the navigation controls online, call the admiral, he will give a hint.
If you still cant find the problem:

Hint 2:

Spoiler

You have a wiring problem.

[close]

JimmyShelter · Sun 26/04/2009 20:37:40

I've completed it!

Spoiler

I missed both the communication and the navigation devices.

[close]

If you'd at some way to see when you're above a hotspot, your game would benefit a lot.

Time for game nr 3.

Hudders · Sun 26/04/2009 21:57:07

I vote for Breakdown by OneDollar.

Dead in Space was good but I didn't like the experimental style and the music got on my nerves a bit after a while! It was just a bit less intuitive than Breakdown. I did like the puzzles though.

I had no idea what I was supposed to be doing in A Place Without Frontier and enough things were broken with it for it to feel like a chore to play. The dialog was amusing but the spelling and grammar errors let it down.

Well done to all three for pushing something out for the deadline though; it's difficult to have the dedication to see a project like this through.

Stumblebum · Mon 27/04/2009 04:01:51

Quote from: Hudders on Sun 26/04/2009 21:57:07
Well done to all three for pushing something out for the deadline though; it's difficult to have the dedication to see a project like this through.

I concur. Sadly my entry, Murder She Wrote IN SPACE!, will have to be released at a later date.

Dualnames · Thu 30/04/2009 13:47:59

Wyz, really my fav entry..

Klaus · Thu 30/04/2009 19:37:02

So time for voting is over now and we have a winner.
Collecting way more votes than all the other entries
together the cup this time goes to ...

OneDollar and his game Breakdown

Congratulations! Also many thanks to the other
participants for joining the contest.

Oh, and don't miss to check out next month's MAGS competition! Really!

poc301 · Thu 30/04/2009 21:42:25

Yay OneDollar!

It was a good game, so congrats on winning. Do a good premise for next month's game. I might just put my game on hold for a few days to enter.

-Bill

cat · Fri 01/05/2009 09:39:15

I hope the new rules will be out soon, I have some time left this month.