MAGS February: Chunky Salsa (Winner Announced!)

Dualnames · Fri 29/01/2010 21:09:09

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.

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 "favorite" games, and not the most artistic. You may get help for the competition, as long as you end up doing something yourself. You should however be warned that it should prove hard to organize a big team within 25 days.

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. Modules and templates are allowed.

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

This means that you can make a game and rush it, but don't do it to just win by default.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Topic: Chunky Salsa:

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

_________________
Choose three or more of the following elements and make a game out of them:

- Blood feuds.
- The power of love.
- Eldritch abominations.
- Farmers.
- Beards of unusual size.
- Chunky salsa.
- An ancient war.

Super bonus points if you somehow manage to use all of them.(..secret...)

________________

Thread Rules:

1) Comments are allowed at all times but should be hidden before and while the voting.

2) Participators are allowed to patch their games even while the voting but I should be informed via pm or here, and only IF the game has a serious bug that makes it crash. Due to the inability of keeping track of versions of the games, I've settled to this.

3) It would be wiser to add the game to the AGS database, so you can easily do changes to the game, while the voting is going on, without having to inform me at all.

So you can patch your game, if it crashes or if it can't be completed.

Have fun this month too!!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Results

Game: The Quest of the Holy Salsa
Author Tzachs and Jakerpot

Foreword

This monthly competition starts sooner! Yes, only 28 days, but I'm always into giving you guys a headstart!
discordance has mentioned that if you match all of his requirements, there will be some bonus points..ask him and not me! Perhaps we can give you guys some votes.

SomeSickSelf · Mon 01/02/2010 00:47:31

No replies yet? I've been meaning to do another MAGS game for a while, hopefully this will be my month. Anyone else planning something?

Crimson Wizard · Mon 01/02/2010 01:32:04

Can someone explain me, what's "Chunky Salsa", please? :

And how "Blood feuds", "Eldritch abominations", etc, are relevant to it?

Not sure I may participate anyway; I have two projects currently, one of which is announced and another one will be announced after a while, and I am dead serious about finishing them.

Jakerpot · Mon 01/02/2010 01:52:41

I can do backgrounds for anyone, please PM me!

What is Chunky Salsa btw?

Charity · Mon 01/02/2010 03:55:10

Salsa is a type of dip, often with tomatoes, cilantro, peppers, onion, lime, etc. Typically associated with Latin-American cooking. Chunky salsa is salsa with larger than usual pieces of solid vegetable matter in it.

My guess is the point here is to combine disparate elements into your story, in the hope of getting some unique and inventive (or at least random and quirky) results. Chunky salsa is merely one item from the list that, being atypical as a major element in the Adventure genre, best represents the theme as a whole.

Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens · Mon 01/02/2010 05:33:48

All this and more could have easily been learned by using google.

tzachs · Mon 01/02/2010 15:59:03

Quote from: ProgZmax on Mon 01/02/2010 05:33:48
All this and more could have easily been learned by using google.

Google? What's that?

Seriously now, I am planning something, I hope I will complete it after I choked last month...
Jakerpot, sent you a pm.

Goldfish · Tue 02/02/2010 23:20:05

If only one person enters again, is this going to just turn into a pathetic win-by-default kind of thing? In which case it isn't a competition, it's just a horribly misleading sheltered workshop kind of thing.

ie, the winner certainly WON'T be credibility...

SomeSickSelf · Wed 03/02/2010 05:24:52

Goldfish, I agree, but there doesn't seem to be a way around it; you can't force people to enter unless you want a bunch of unfinished games, and you can't really not have a winner cause there won't be anyone to make the next theme. I guess winning by default is more of a "congratulations for finishing" rather than a "your game was best" sort of thing.

I do hope we get some decent competition this time around, maybe now that the holidays are over people will have more time.

Vukul · Wed 03/02/2010 07:44:33

So, if Tzachs is making something... I hope, me too

At least, there're two of us

I can't promise anything though, but the plot is already worked out and designed - all the work now for backgrounds, characters etc. etc.

NsMn · Wed 03/02/2010 12:35:07

I will also (maybe) get a make an entry this time! Hooray.
And since non-adventure MAGS games seem to be modern at this time, I'll also make one.

SpacePaw · Wed 03/02/2010 22:29:39

How about le chuck's beard adventures in guybrush's coat pockets?

Action would take place between MI 1 and MI 2

Jasmine · Thu 04/02/2010 05:35:58

For some reason, my brain has become attached to the combination of eldritch abominations + chunky salsa + beards of unusual size, and it's not pretty. Thank you SO much. (Now maybe it'll actually come up with an idea for a game...)

discordance · Thu 04/02/2010 18:27:39

But don't forget about the power of love.

Jasmine · Fri 05/02/2010 17:34:01

And here is what happens when I go to sleep thinking about this sort of thing:

The Montalets and Capagues are farming families who’ve been in a peppers-vs.-tomatoes blood feud since the Old War. Is it any surprise that their youngest members, Jules and Roma, fell instantly in love when they met at last year’s farmers’ market rumble?
Join Jules and Roma on their quest, with the occasional help of the Bearded Man, to prove that true love - and chunky salsa - can defeat the most horrible abomination ever to walk the earth.

*****
If I actually get this done, I want super bonus points, discordance

discordance · Fri 05/02/2010 19:09:49

I will name my firstborn child after you.

Jakerpot · Mon 08/02/2010 16:00:24

Already doing backgrounds and stuff... Wait for our entry!

deadsuperhero · Mon 08/02/2010 23:30:38

Might actually participate in this one, for once.

Jakerpot · Thu 11/02/2010 05:15:51

Well, i finished the backgrounds... Now its up to tzachs to do the rest...

tzachs · Thu 11/02/2010 15:28:49

Oh, the pressure...

Cuiki · Fri 12/02/2010 16:08:31

February only has 28 days, not fair!

I actually wrote a draft for this one but that damned abomination ruined my plans. I thought it was some kind of a random alien, not a gruesome and majestic evil monster. No patience and especially, no time to start it over now. What's more, I have little experience with game making. So, maybe next month.
Interesting topic, though. I really look forward to play those games.

Dualnames · Fri 12/02/2010 18:20:52

Quote from: cuiki on Fri 12/02/2010 16:08:31
February only has 28 days, not fair!
I actually wrote a draft for this one but that damned abomination ruined my plans. I thought it was some kind of a random alien, not a gruesome and majestic evil monster. No patience and especially, no time to start it over now. What's more, I have little experience with game making. So, maybe next month.
Interesting topic, though. I really look forward to play those games.

Care to see when this topic was started? (29th of January)

I foresee another win by default...make me proud game makers! Make me proud!

Cuiki · Fri 12/02/2010 19:13:28

I didn't know what day these MAGS topics usually start and no, I didn't care to check. Sorry, my bad

Dualnames · Fri 12/02/2010 20:07:08

Quote from: cuiki on Fri 12/02/2010 19:13:28
I didn't know what day these MAGS topics usually start and no, I didn't care to check. Sorry, my bad

I knew Feb had 28 days, so I tried to get this as fast as possible..

Jakerpot · Fri 12/02/2010 21:22:22

Wow, i have internet here (I'm on a trip)!!! That's great.

Is anyone doing entries without counting me and Tzachs??

discordance · Fri 12/02/2010 21:55:52

Quote from: cuiki on Fri 12/02/2010 16:08:31
I actually wrote a draft for this one but that damned abomination ruined my plans.

Abominations are good at that.

Just in case anybody's else needs to know before it's too late! Be aware that reading this page may cause you to go insane / join a shadowy cult / die.

SomeSickSelf · Sat 13/02/2010 06:25:12

Quote from: Jakerpot on Fri 12/02/2010 21:22:22
Is anyone doing entries without counting me and Tzachs??

I'm still working on mine. I may have to give up on those super secret bonus points if I want things to get done and still make sense, but I'm optimistic about finishing something.

Vukul · Sat 13/02/2010 07:55:34

As I've said, my idea is fully worked out - now the work goes on scripting, drawing and animating... I'm pretty sure to finish it in time

So no more wins by default!

Wyz · Sun 14/02/2010 22:42:29

I'm going for an 'one MAGS, one week'

I will either succeed, or I will loose my mind.

Don't worry, I won't submit anything that is not worth your while.

Dualnames · Sun 14/02/2010 22:44:45

Quote from: Wyz on Sun 14/02/2010 22:42:29
I'm going for an 'one MAGS, one week'

I will either succeed, or I will loose my mind.
Don't worry, I won't submit anything that is not worth your while.

I've planned, created, published my one and only MAGS entry in 7 days. You can do it too.

Chicky · Wed 17/02/2010 16:39:29

Shit, only seven days left!

Rush, rush rush!

Vukul · Sun 21/02/2010 20:21:21

As te competitions draws closer and closer to its inevitable end... I have just one question:

The line All the games till 24th - should it be read as "All the games on the 23rd"? Or "24th is the last day to put your entries?"
It's really important

Dualnames · Sun 21/02/2010 20:49:27

Quote from: Vukul on Sun 21/02/2010 20:21:21
As te competitions draws closer and closer to its inevitable end... I have just one question:

The line All the games till 24th - should it be read as "All the games on the 23rd"? Or "24th is the last day to put your entries?"
It's really important

It should be read as when it turns to 25 I'm closing this. You have the whole 24th and a couple of hours till I close this on the 25th. But you can count on the whole 24th.

Vukul · Mon 22/02/2010 08:05:16

Okay, that's really great news!

Crimson Wizard · Tue 23/02/2010 15:06:56

Come on, Vukul, finish this and help me with "The Deed", please

Chicky · Tue 23/02/2010 16:33:03

I'm too much of a perfectionist, two days doesn't look like enough for me. Maybe, but it's looking like my chunky salsa puzzle will be lonely when i do release this.

Dualnames · Tue 23/02/2010 21:57:45

Quote from: Chicky on Tue 23/02/2010 16:33:03
I'm too much of a perfectionist, two days doesn't look like enough for me. Maybe, but it's looking like my chunky salsa puzzle will be lonely when i do release this.

I'd love to give an extension Chicky, but well, this one started earlier. In fact it's the earliest MAGS contest ever, and the only one in history to have started a different date than the 1st of the month. Unless someone else besides you needs it too, I'm going to have to stick to no extensions for this month. Sorry if I sound a little asshole, but it's not my intention, and I do want to see your game.

Wyz · Wed 24/02/2010 03:14:29

I need the entire day to get something finished, but not polished I'm afraid

Chicky · Wed 24/02/2010 09:11:25

Quote from: Dualnames on Tue 23/02/2010 21:57:45
Quote from: Chicky on Tue 23/02/2010 16:33:03
I'm too much of a perfectionist, two days doesn't look like enough for me. Maybe, but it's looking like my chunky salsa puzzle will be lonely when i do release this.

I'd love to give an extension Chicky, but well, this one started earlier. In fact it's the earliest MAGS contest ever, and the only one in history to have started a different date than the 1st of the month. Unless someone else besides you needs it too, I'm going to have to stick to no extensions for this month. Sorry if I sound a little asshole, but it's not my intention, and I do want to see your game.

No worries buddy! I was a bit ambitious with this one and i'm having a hard time replicating a new background style i'm trying out. I wasn't expecting an extension, i think they're a bit unfair when there's more than one entry in the works.

Good luck everyone, i'm at home ill today so might make some progress.

Jasmine · Wed 24/02/2010 18:19:13

Well, I tried but school work prevented me from finishing. :'( (I'm really close too, darnit!)

Dualnames · Wed 24/02/2010 20:00:00

I'm going to give you guys a sort favr, not really an extension, but let's call it a delay in closure. I'll close this tomorrow at around 18:00 GMT. Not earlier, so you can count on that. How's that?

Chicky · Wed 24/02/2010 20:07:09

Heh, i finish work at 6 tomorrow

Oh well!

Vukul · Wed 24/02/2010 21:07:56

Okay, so there'll be a couple of hours to test it properly

I have to say, the game is almost ready. But while I have time to finish I won't post it

EDIT: And, discordance, I ask for bonus points, because all the requirements are met!

Wyz · Wed 24/02/2010 22:26:33

I also did, well and same story.
I also need to test it properly.

discordance · Wed 24/02/2010 23:20:49

Quote from: Vukul on Wed 24/02/2010 21:07:56
Okay, so there'll be a couple of hours to test it properly
I have to say, the game is almost ready. But while I have time to finish I won't post it

EDIT: And, discordance, I ask for bonus points, because all the requirements are met!

Bonus points are YOURS!

Spoiler

and by that I mean I will say "congratulations" after I play it. possibly even in all caps.

[close]

tzachs · Wed 24/02/2010 23:22:56

The Quest For The Holy Salsa

There is an on-going blood feud between the humans and the abominations.
You play as Eldritch, a young abomination, who is chosen by the 'High One' to infiltrate
the human camp, and fetch what the legend describes as their sacred item which is also the source to their power:
The Holy ~~Crunchy~~ Chunky Salsa!

In your quest, according to the legend (written in the book of the ancient war), you will have to overcome three obstacles:
The mighty guard, The angry farmers and the Test Of the Beards Of Different Sizes.
You will also discover the true power of love.

Backgrounds were made by the amazing Jakerpot.

Download (17.5MB)

P.S. Discordance, All of the requirements are met even before starting the game, I demand bonus points and a foot rub (I understand if you don't approve of the bonus points)

Wyz · Thu 25/02/2010 03:55:45

This odd Feeling
Learn about Gary and the weird dream he woke up in.
Can you save the world and be back fo supper?

Download (1.3 MB)
(Shoot, 11 days of work and it fits on a floppy disk?)

I might update this version tomorrow, if I've got time. But it's done! And I've still got my marbles! (it was close though)

I hope you'll enjoy it.

P.S.
Questions about the (quirky) game play I think you could ask them here, or PM me.

PPS.
[brag]

Spoiler

not only did I include all elements from the list, I also made each of them a plot element.

[close]

[/brag]

PPPS.
I'm so changing that typo

There will be a ton left in the game too I guess.

kaputtnik · Thu 25/02/2010 10:38:24

Quote from: tzachs on Wed 24/02/2010 23:22:56
The Holy Crunchy Salsa!

P.S. Discordance, All of the requirements are met even before starting the game, I demand bonus points and a foot rub (I understand if you don't approve of the bonus points)

Oh-oh! But wasn't it a chunky salsa that has been demanded? I agree that chunky salsa will in most cases also be a little crunchy at least - but your foot rub is in danger!

Quote from: Wyz on Thu 25/02/2010 03:55:45
Learn about Gary and the weird dream he woke up in.
Can you save the would and be back fo supper?

I am so downloading this! Saving the would (especially within if-clauses) rocks!

Vukul · Thu 25/02/2010 13:43:42

Ladies & Gentlemen!
Cavemen ProgrammerZ proudly present...

The Secret of Chunky Salsa

In this game you play as Colin, a son of a humble chronicler from the farming village of people called "Bearders" because of their tradition to wear beards of unusual sizes.
The grave danger imposed onto the village sets him forth on the adventure to save his compatriots...

(for more information about the game background and gameplay info look up the ReadMe)

GAME FEATURES:

Resolution: 640x480

- Blood feuds.
- The power of love.
- Eldritch abominations.
- Farmers.
- Beards of unusual size.
- Chunky salsa.
- An ancient war

+ 2 endings

Download (28.7 Mb)
(the host is Russian, so please click the floppy disk icon to download)

EDIT: Now has its own game page.

EDIT 2: While there's still time, here's an updated version with some bugs fixed (look up in the ReadMe)

tzachs · Thu 25/02/2010 16:45:58

Quote from: kaputtnik on Thu 25/02/2010 10:38:24
Oh-oh! But wasn't it a chunky salsa that has been demanded? I agree that chunky salsa will in most cases also be a little crunchy at least - but your foot rub is in danger!

Dualnames · Thu 25/02/2010 20:21:06

Great entries all so far, if anyone is still working on something, he has about 2 hours to wrap it up, cause 22:00 GMT, competition is closed, and time for voting!

abstauber · Thu 25/02/2010 20:24:12

Go Chicky GO!!!!

SinSin · Thu 25/02/2010 20:35:01

So as the fingertips of these manic programmers fast approach obliteration all there is left to do is wait ....

Come on time go faster lolz

discordance · Thu 25/02/2010 21:26:15

Quote from: tzachs on Thu 25/02/2010 16:45:58
Quote from: kaputtnik on Thu 25/02/2010 10:38:24
Oh-oh! But wasn't it a chunky salsa that has been demanded? I agree that chunky salsa will in most cases also be a little crunchy at least - but your foot rub is in danger!

No bonus points for YOU!

Chicky · Thu 25/02/2010 21:27:16

What the crap?!? i did not see this! I will try $:-\$

edit: Meh, i give up! Give me a week or so and i'll get over my programming/art disability and release it bug free, with no salsa

Thanks for the extension anyway Dual, i'm guessing you had me in mind when posting that

Dualnames · Fri 26/02/2010 20:43:25

Quote from: Chicky on Thu 25/02/2010 21:27:16
What the crap?!? i did not see this! I will try $:-\$

edit: Meh, i give up! Give me a week or so and i'll get over my programming/art disability and release it bug free, with no salsa Thanks for the extension anyway Dual, i'm guessing you had me in mind when posting that

Yes, dear Chicky. Shame you didn't manage. Hope you had fun anyway...cause that's what matters !

Voting

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

This odd Feeling by Wyz
The Secret of Chunky Salsa by Vukul
The Quest For The Holy Salsa by tzachs

Ends when the clock hits 28th. I would like to ask to all partecipants to think of a theme NOW and have it ready and sent by pm when the competition is over.

Vukul · Fri 26/02/2010 21:26:30

Having finished one entry, I'm ready to give my comment on it (not ready to vote yet, because need to finish another one):

The Quest for Holy Salsa by tzachs

Spoiler

Overall, it's a nice short game with good humour in some lines and along the way, nice quotatinons from everywhere outside the game world Smiley
Story is nicely woven (within the restrictions given, of course Smiley ), and puzzles are challenging, but with 'human' (not abominable Wink ) logic, which appealed to me.
The thing that frustrated me a bit was the innovative things in control. I liked the fact that these 'jump' and 'raised tentacle' functions were used in various ways throughout all the game, and not just because the author fancied to add them... but the implementation (and, btw, the upper panel with menu/inventory as well) I found rather clumsy.
But again, within the given time/rules restrictions, well done.

[close]

Dualnames · Fri 26/02/2010 21:36:24

Quote from: Vukul on Fri 26/02/2010 21:26:30
It seems, that after the row of wins by default there's a considerable lack of interest in this very activity... Pity.

Still, having finished one entry, I'm ready to give my comment on it (not ready to vote yet, because need to finish another one):

I feel like you're really wrong here. Usually the MAGS of Jan and Feb are those that are won by default. And it was only two months by default. With your post people would really think that MAGS is actually losing its prestige and fun, and to me that would be really ...I don't know, insulting comes to mind.

Dualnames, the man who killed MAGS

It's been said by some other Dick (GOLDFISH, and being said by you, who I really like, bothers me. I think the MAGS is not at its best, but I'm struggling to keep it at the quality Klaus was giving to this competition and as a developer myself, I'm trying to help you guys out. Of course you can't just not express your opinion, but well, I think it's very loosely based on solid facts. Reminding you that even when the AGS is supposedly downfalling at this era as a community, back there no MAGS host ever managed to gather 8 entries within a month (even though two more days were given).

So if anyone really thinks that there's something I'm actually doing really bad here, I'd love some criticism on how to improve.

discordance · Fri 26/02/2010 22:00:55

DUALNAMES YOU ARE AWESOME MAN

Dualnames · Sat 27/02/2010 12:11:42

I'm actually doing some breakthrough changes on the next month, re-forming parts of the competition, to the best. Because as Vukul stated, and I agree ultimately, there's been a fall in the feedback. Even suckiest competitions with just one entry, had 10 comments to that game. But with the hide...I think something is lost.

So changes starting next month:
1) Anyone can comment, critic and express his opinion about an entry, the MAGS, and the host's mother, without being obliged to hide it! As long as the critic isn't like "You suck", something more elaborate could be more useful because after all this is a test for all developers to see if they can really make a game within a month, therefore feedback is crucial.

2) If you don't wish comments for your games..don't look at them! Seriously. Would you post a game and not expect feedback? Only Yahtzee is expecting "You're a god!" type of feedback. The rest of us mortals don't have fanboys.

Now go vote, and we'll discuss this more on the 1st of March.

Thanks to Vukul for that. I'm sure you'll love the next MAGS (even if Vukul doesn't get the prize

..)!

neon · Sat 27/02/2010 12:32:25

I appriciate that.

It gives the developers the chance to offer their games some days earlier and can use the feedback to improve their games before the deadline. It can help to improve the average quality of the entries, so it's a very good idea.

Wyz · Sat 27/02/2010 18:36:36

Is there someone that has finished my game? :'(

SinSin · Sat 27/02/2010 19:45:37

will do tomorrow

Vukul · Sat 27/02/2010 19:56:18

Quote from: Wyz on Sat 27/02/2010 18:36:36
Is there someone that has finished my game?

The same question

I'm trying to do it now... but find it difficult.

Wyz · Sat 27/02/2010 20:01:55

I'm stuck at the ingredient mixing puzzle

-=Lisa=- · Sat 27/02/2010 20:21:07

This odd feeling:
Im kinda stuck right at the beginning.. been all around town and talked to everyone but i cant really figure out what to do.

Secret of chunky salsa:
Also stuck at the mixing puzzle.

Wyz · Sat 27/02/2010 20:36:46

Quote from: LisaHolm on Sat 27/02/2010 20:21:07
This odd feeling:
Im kinda stuck right at the beginning.. been all around town and talked to everyone but i cant really figure out what to do.

Spoiler

You need to play a card

Spoiler

talk to the fruits and vegetables guy about the weather, there should be a hint in that conversation.

[close]

Vukul · Sat 27/02/2010 20:53:26

Quote from: LisaHolm on Sat 27/02/2010 20:21:07
Secret of chunky salsa:
Also stuck at the mixing puzzle.

Ah, I knew it would be the stumbling block of the game...

First,

Spoiler

I can advice you to use common sense and find out which ingredients are completely out of question...
One of cooks is always giving you the right information, and one of the others is almost always lying.

[close]

Second,

Spoiler

Try to google the actual Chunky Salsa recipe

There was some implication for it in the elder's speech.

[close]

Third (warning! solution ahead!)

Spoiler

You need to use everything but mushrooms, alcohol, cereals, laminaria, and beans

[close]

Wyz · Sat 27/02/2010 21:41:00

Spoiler

ah, the lying part is what put me in the wrong direction

[close]

got it!

Spoiler

nice game, really liked the last puzzle

The town endings are a bit weird, but I happen to like weird

[close]

Jakerpot · Sun 28/02/2010 06:15:37

Wyz, in your game there is anything to do after talking to the vident? I can't really get it. Also, why is it that bright?

I got stuck in my own game, so call me n00b if you want xD

Is our game the easiest entry??

OBS: It wasn't me who made the puzzles

Dualnames · Sun 28/02/2010 06:20:53

Voting closed

Congrats to tzachs and Jakerpot! and their entry:
The Quest for the Holy Salsa!!

Congrats to all the other entries too!!

Tzachs I've PMed you.

Vukul · Sun 28/02/2010 08:07:48

Congratulations to tzachs!

Well, seems, I've lost any opportunity to get any comment on my game except Wyz's (I'll give you feedback after I finish your entry)... But let me now, is there anybody else who played and finished??

-=Lisa=- · Sun 28/02/2010 08:49:42

Secret of Chunky Salsa quick feedback:
Finished it yesterday night. Generally i liked it! Nice story. Not too hard (only thing i got stuck on was the mixing puzzle). Loved the "old" hero character. Would have liked to see more of the mustachers village. Nice twist with the endings (tried both

).

Odd feeling:
Right now im stuck on fixing the fence.

And gratz to Tzachs! Havn't started playing your entry yet though.

Oh, and hi everyone! Im kinda new here.. been lurking around for a month now..
/Lisa

tzachs · Sun 28/02/2010 10:17:03

Yipee!!

Thanks guys!
Coming up with guidelines...

PS: I still haven't played Vukul and Wyz's entries, but I'm planning to do it today, so Vukul, expect a PM containing some feedback today (unless you'll open a thread for your game, then I'll write my feedback there)...

Jakerpot · Sun 28/02/2010 16:58:56

Yuuuuuuuupieee!!!!

The first game i had ever made is a prize winner one

Thank you so much guys, but has anyone voted in it excluding me & tzachs??

Vukul · Sun 28/02/2010 17:36:22

And have you voted for yourselves?

Really, I was surprised to see the voting ended so early... though it was mentioned aforehead

Still, I didn't want to cast my vote before finishing all entries (how, btw, tzachs voted without playing my and Wyz's entries?

)... and in the end didn't manage to do it.

Bulbapuck · Sun 28/02/2010 19:03:37

yeah, it's a shame that february is only 28 days, I've almost finished the games and I'm enjoying them

But I couldn't vote since I hadn't finished them, of course.

Wyz · Sun 28/02/2010 19:36:24

I wonder who has

It is a precondition you played them for voting. I wonder how many have done.

tzachs · Sun 28/02/2010 21:36:14

Quote from: Vukul on Sun 28/02/2010 17:36:22
(how, btw, tzachs voted without playing my and Wyz's entries? )...

I didn't vote, the contest ended really fast, much sooner than I anticipated. I'm only now starting to play the games... And then I have to play discordance game from the last mags, which I still didn't get round to play yet.. And then I still have to play like 50% of the nominated games for the awards which I also didn't play yet...

Oh, life is hard...

discordance · Sun 28/02/2010 21:57:27

Wow, that was quick, I barely had a chance to start on those games! Ah well...

Helme · Sun 28/02/2010 22:18:51

Congrats tzachs. I didn't have time to finish all entries so I didn't vote either.

Leon · Mon 01/03/2010 08:36:05

Congrats Tzachs, great game!

I didn't vote either. I only played the first game. The deadline came way too early. So I wonder how many votes eventually made it. The problem with Dual postponing the deadline for the entries, gives the player less time to play and to compare the games. Although in this case it was just the month being too short (as is almost every ;-)

Now that he's changing the guidelines to the commenting I might start giving feedback again. But still the time to play (even though I have quite some spare time) is very short.

Quote from: Dualnames on Fri 26/02/2010 21:36:24
I think the MAGS is not at its best, but I'm struggling to keep it at the quality Klaus was giving to this competition and as a developer myself, I'm trying to help you guys out.

You shouldn't play with the deadline. Being flexible is nice, being strict is better, certainly in competitions. Clear for everyone, strict rules so everyone knows what's expected. So here's a suggestion. Why don't you overlap the competition? Give a month to create a game (a real month, 1st - 31st/30th/28th/29th). Give 3 weeks to play, comment and vote and have another week to let the winner come up with guidelines etc and prepare for the new competition. The 'rules' for the new competition are then from the month before.

The pro of this is that people don't have to stress to play a game. Of course there will always be people not being able but the same goes for participating.
Another pro is that you have more time to attract people from outside the community who accidentally stumble upon the games and not familiar with the concept. They can play and vote as well.
Cons would be that you have to wait longer to announce a winner and that you need to fill a gap of one month. Maybe you can choose 2 winners before changing or the host chooses the rules for the 1st overlapping game.

Just a thought.

abstauber · Mon 01/03/2010 08:44:34

Congrats to Tzachs as well.

Too bad I got stuck on "This odd Feeling" so I didn't vote either. The short voting deadline came a bit unexpected and maybe I've been a bit too excited about the AGS awards. So anyway: good show, I'll play the rest later on.

david · Mon 01/03/2010 09:34:54

oh well, that was soooooo quick

I just wonder who played ALL games and voted in time either :o

I only finished tzachs's game

Bulbapuck · Mon 01/03/2010 09:44:14

Quote from: Leon on Mon 01/03/2010 08:36:05
You shouldn't play with the deadline. Being flexible is nice, being strict is better, certainly in competitions. Clear for everyone, strict rules so everyone knows what's expected. So here's a suggestion. Why don't you overlap the competition? Give a month to create a game (a real month, 1st - 31st/30th/28th/29th). Give 3 weeks to play, comment and vote and have another week to let the winner come up with guidelines etc and prepare for the new competition. The 'rules' for the new competition are then from the month before.

The pro of this is that people don't have to stress to play a game. Of course there will always be people not being able but the same goes for participating.
Another pro is that you have more time to attract people from outside the community who accidentally stumble upon the games and not familiar with the concept. They can play and vote as well.
Cons would be that you have to wait longer to announce a winner and that you need to fill a gap of one month. Maybe you can choose 2 winners before changing or the host chooses the rules for the 1st overlapping game.

Just a thought.

This sounds like a great idea! It's better for everyone!

david · Mon 01/03/2010 12:44:34

Quote from: Bulbapuck on Mon 01/03/2010 09:44:14
Quote from: Leon on Mon 01/03/2010 08:36:05
You shouldn't play with the deadline. Being flexible is nice, being strict is better, certainly in competitions. Clear for everyone, strict rules so everyone knows what's expected. So here's a suggestion. Why don't you overlap the competition? Give a month to create a game (a real month, 1st - 31st/30th/28th/29th). Give 3 weeks to play, comment and vote and have another week to let the winner come up with guidelines etc and prepare for the new competition. The 'rules' for the new competition are then from the month before.

The pro of this is that people don't have to stress to play a game. Of course there will always be people not being able but the same goes for participating.
Another pro is that you have more time to attract people from outside the community who accidentally stumble upon the games and not familiar with the concept. They can play and vote as well.
Cons would be that you have to wait longer to announce a winner and that you need to fill a gap of one month. Maybe you can choose 2 winners before changing or the host chooses the rules for the 1st overlapping game.

Just a thought.

This sounds like a great idea! It's better for everyone!

I agree...it is also better for those who play the games

tzachs · Mon 01/03/2010 16:41:06

Thanks again to all congratulators

Quote from: Bulbapuck on Mon 01/03/2010 09:44:14
This sounds like a great idea! It's better for everyone!

Except for dualnames, he'll have to keep tabs on two competitions at once...
But yes, better for everyone else

Vukul · Mon 01/03/2010 16:47:18

Quote from: tzachs on Mon 01/03/2010 16:41:06
Except for dualnames, he'll have to keep tabs on two competitions at once...

Why? The voting will be open only for one competition at the time... Only two threads will be running at these forums...

...if I understand the procedure correctly, of course

tzachs · Mon 01/03/2010 17:12:10

Two threads = two competitions

There can be some confusion between these two threads (even if only one will be open for voting)...

Leon · Mon 01/03/2010 17:41:09

There will be two threads of course. But since you can obviously find out which month you're currently in, you know which one to use as a participant.

And since you as player know the month's not over yet, you don't have to search for the games in that month's thread (unless there are early finished games of course).

And as a host, you need to follow two threads, that's right. So it will be slightly more challenging for Dual. But he can do it!

Besides, there are currently two threads as well. You can still comment for the month that's already finished. Although not really really active, there are still two 'active' threads.

So all in all, I admit it's more administration, but less stress..

Dualnames · Mon 01/03/2010 20:41:29

Thanks, anyone has any more paperwork that he wants me to work with? There will be some confusion with the MAGS website. Though not necessarily. We could run the vote while the next MAGS is starting, but who is going to define the theme? The winner that has yet to be announced?

I'm thinking of having this: Two MAGS competitions. One starting like 1st January till 31st January and voting for like 7 or 14 days. And one starting 1st February - 28th February. The winner of January announces the theme for March. The winner of February announces the theme of April. Sounds confusing though, but more time to play more time to vote, more time to create.

Though it seems a little confusing.

Leon's idea is to do this:
1 month to create
3 weeks of next month to play
1 week to vote.

That means 6 MAGS per year.

Or we can combine both ideas into one with two MAGS..it's going to be a little confusing though. But if it's up to me it can be done.

Bulbapuck · Mon 01/03/2010 20:54:50

Quote from: Dualnames on Mon 01/03/2010 20:41:29
Thanks, anyone has any more paperwork that he wants me to work with? There will be some confusion with the MAGS website. Though not necessarily. We could run the vote while the next MAGS is starting, but who is going to define the theme? The winner that has yet to be announced?

I'm thinking of having this: Two MAGS competitions. One starting like 1st January till 31st January and voting for like 7 or 14 days. And one starting 1st February - 28th February. The winner of January announces the theme for March. The winner of February announces the theme of April. Sounds confusing though, but more time to play more time to vote, more time to create.

Though it seems a little confusing.

Leon's idea is to do this:
1 month to create
3 weeks of next month to play
1 week to vote.

That means 6 MAGS per year.

Or we can combine both ideas into one with two MAGS..it's going to be a little confusing though. But if it's up to me it can be done.

I think you misunderstood dual

Basically, the idea your proposing is almost exactly the one that Leon proposed.

Quote from: LeonThe 'rules' for the new competition are then from the month before.

Dualnames · Mon 01/03/2010 20:58:46

I know, I noticed. Well, I don't know, you guys are regulars and all, so you deserve to have the competition shaped up to your needs. I'd love to have an outsiders opinion on Leon's wonderful suggestion.

Snarky · Mon 01/03/2010 21:07:03

Well, since I've never submitted, and hardly ever played, any MAGS games, I guess that makes me qualified.

Sounds good to me! Not sure how you'd transition (the runner-up this month sets the theme for April's contest?), but the arrangement sounds more efficient.

Dualnames · Mon 01/03/2010 21:26:25

I'm going to start the changes from April and forth. So this month's MAGS stays by the book. Summing up, to de-confuse:

MAGS A (January, March,May, July, September, November)

It starts on 1st and ends on 30/31st

The winner sets up the theme of the next MAGS A
Voting and playing lasts whilst MAGS B is going on. (2 weeks each)

MAGS B (February, April, June, August, October, December)

It starts on 1st and ends on 28/29/30/31st
The winner sets the theme of the next MAGS B

Voting and playing lasts whilst MAGS A is going on. (2 weeks each)

If we go by that idea the theme of MAGS B will be set by the winner of this MAGS March, and either the runner of this month or the runner up of the MAGS March, or a public poll for a sort of special MAGS will have it.
.

Leon · Mon 01/03/2010 22:15:45

Why A and B? That's what'll make it confusing... Is it A or B this month? Why not call the MAGS by it's name?

I see two options:

The runner up of MAGS March gets to set the rules for MAGS April, the winner of MAGS March gets to set the rules for MAGS May. Then the winner of MAGS April has to call the shots for MAGS June, the winner of May for July etc.

Or just decide to have a special MAGS in April. Rules set by Dualnames (one rule: just as long as there are hitchhikers in your game! ;-) And the winner can decide for June, as the current MAGS March's winner wil announce the rules for MAGS May.

Dualnames · Mon 01/03/2010 22:21:14

Quote from: Leon on Mon 01/03/2010 22:15:45
Why A and B? That's what'll make it confusing... Is it A or B this month? Why not call the MAGS by it's name?

I see two options:

The runner up of MAGS March gets to set the rules for MAGS April, the winner of MAGS March gets to set the rules for MAGS May. Then the winner of MAGS April has to call the shots for MAGS June, the winner of May for July etc.

Or just decide to have a special MAGS in April. Rules set by Dualnames (one rule: just as long as there are hitchhikers in your game! ;-) And the winner can decide for June, as the current MAGS March's winner wil announce the rules for MAGS May.

I just thought A and B would clarify it easier, it's MAGS A this month. I'm gonna officially call them MAGS both. But I just set A and B to make the distinction more appropriate on how it would work.

Wyz · Mon 01/03/2010 22:30:59

It might be a good idea since I always had difficulty playing the mags games in time. This month was a bit of a extreme case, without any leaping

. Well it would take a bit to get used with, but after that it might really work.
Maybe a suggestion: entering all games at the deadline itself, so only after the voting of the previous MAGS has stopped. It might be a bit less confusing.

Ow shame shame WYZ, I forgot to congratulate you Tzachs and Jakerpot. Well that was a really remarkable game, clever use of plugins too! And also nice job on the next MAGS subject.