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 (http://www.mags-competition.info/).
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 30 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.
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Topic: Complete Your Game
This month's guidelines were set by ProgZMaX:
This MAGS encourages anyone with unfinished games from any era to complete them in a month (at least enough to be playable)? This may attract the interest of people like me who have several 25-75% finished full length games that for whatever reason we've abandoned. This way everyone wins even if there has to be a courtesy 'win'.
I believe Chicky also mentioned extensive interest in such an event, and if mags does not do it I may host a separate event to get some of the older games that fell off the map back on.
Thread Rules:
1) Comments are allowed at all times. 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. [/i]
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.
Winner
Markbilly! With his wonderful entry : Wall-E
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)
The winner of this month if not deadly obvious from this post, will set the rules of July. MAGS A and MAGS B are just a way to clarify and indicate condition of the competitions.
To sum up, there will be constantly a 30 days game making month, and a 30 days voting and playing month for that, whilst on the second process another game making month of 30 days will overlap.
Due to the great Days of No Entries, this will be confusing to all of you. Summing up: Every month one new game making month round, one game voting month round.
It's about time you get what you deserve. I know this changes will be a little off the book, but the rules are just guidelines.
Moderators, don't lock the other topic. To you, nothing prevents you from entering the other MAGS. So Game Makers of this Month, we salute you. Let the games begin.
If you're working on a MAGS entry the last days, don't frigging post it here! It goes on the other topic if not obvious already!
So... what exactly is the policy on items created before this month? Are we allowed to use old stuff to continue work or just drop everything?
What's the policy on demos or games in parts for this round? I can think of one idea that's incomplete, but it's not completely doable in a month.
You are allowed to complete an unfinished game of yours, that means if you had an idea of a game, it's still viable, if you had worked on a game for a time period(any time period that is), you can try and complete it and post it here.
You are allowed to use old stuff.
The rules are quite loose. Just complete something you worked previously at any rate possible.
Quote from: Dualnames on Sat 01/05/2010 12:30:51
You are allowed to use old stuff.
Without the ability of using any material that's already been used in a completed game, unless you were making a sequel?
Is that the rule?
Because I've got some games I haven't completed with a bad plot but some resources that I wouldn't have any issues with using again. Perhaps I'll join up if I think of a good idea.
Quote from: Ryan Timothy on Sat 01/05/2010 12:55:52
Quote from: Dualnames on Sat 01/05/2010 12:30:51
You are allowed to use old stuff.
Without the ability of using any material that's already been used in a completed game, unless you were making a sequel?
Is that the rule?
Because I've got some games I haven't completed with a bad plot but some resources that I wouldn't have any issues with using again. Perhaps I'll join up if I think of a good idea.
You need to complete a game. How you do it, it's not really my concern. (Well if you've released the completed game, why bother doing it here?)
Funny rules. I've been working on my game (http://www.bigbluecup.com/yabb/index.php?topic=40395.0) with varied efficiency all this time. I doubt I'll complete it in month, but if I will, it sounds like I can enter as well :-\
As a quick question (Cause I am thinking of joining this month's MAGS) There is no theme so I can just make any game I think of. Before I start.
I got some cool ideas for a project too. ;)
Sweet, I've got about 4 hours of work left to do on my Salsa MAGS entry! Then I've got the rest of the month to improve it...
Quote from: Danman on Sat 01/05/2010 20:02:32
As a quick question (Cause I am thinking of joining this month's MAGS) There is no theme so I can just make any game I think of. Before I start.
Yep. Anything goes.
Quote from: Jasmine on Sat 01/05/2010 20:11:54
Sweet, I've got about 4 hours of work left to do on my Salsa MAGS entry! Then I've got the rest of the month to improve it...
That's what this month's MAGS is for. :)
Thanks for letting me know Leon ;) . I will be getting to work then. ;D
Props for the namedrop Dual :=
If i can find a programmer, i'm in :D
Let's see if McCarthy episode 2 can be done in a month then shall we...
Bear in mind this event is mainly for people who have, for whatever reason, had to set aside projects they wanted to finish and just didn't get back to them. That doesn't mean you can't enter with a game you've been working on continuously but the topic isn't 'hurry and finish your game in a month' it's 'complete a game you've left by the wayside for whatever reason'. This distinction is important because the event is meant to encourage people with old, half-dead games to revive them for us all to enjoy. If and when I consider making this a semi-regular activity, it will be more specific about what constitutes a valid project.
As it stands, Dualnames runs MAGS and can reinterpret the rules however he chooses. :)
Also, depending on how quickly I recover from the previous mags I may, myself, show some of my SECRET projects that the world at large has yet to see, but which I think people will find quite nice.
Exactly, what ProgZ said. The rules are loose so anyone can join, but it's about those guys, who have been making a game for a while, but they somehow abandoned it or ran into a halt. Hopefully this will give them the urge to wrap it up.
Well McCarthy has been set by the wayside for quite some time. (currently it has about 300 lines of code ::) yay for productivity)
So I think it does 'qualify' in terms of "need motivation, must finish"
There might be a racially questionable game made in this month. Let's see.
Curious: am I allowed to post here a project of mine for someone else to finish?
Quote from: bicilotti on Sun 02/05/2010 19:24:35
Curious: am I allowed to post here a project of mine for someone else to finish?
Intriguing? You cannot actually post your game and expect someone to take it, but you can announce what you have, and offer someone to take it from here.
The can and cannots I said above, are just restriction based on Common Sense, you can do whatever you want, but I just don't think what you're saying is going to have result.
Quote from: Dualnames on Sun 02/05/2010 21:03:43
You cannot actually post your game and expect someone to take it, but you can announce what you have, and offer someone to take it from here.
The can and cannots I said above, are just restriction based on Common Sense, you can do whatever you want, but I just don't think what you're saying is going to have result.
More than fair!
Here's my thing (http://shutupload.com/dl/efa4c6f4f24d/)Under
game files you will find everything I've done so far. I don't expect anyone to pick it up and finish it for me, but if there's someone out there who lacks an idea or something to be completed... well, have fun with it!
This may finally be the kick I need to (re)learn to code/get my 2nd game done.
Now... Secret Agent on Roller Skates may finally be released....
It's funny 'cause like a month ago I was looking through my old stuff and found the script for "Project Hecka: Faith" and hated it. I was planning on re-doing the whole thing but now I'm thinking I might as well use what I've got and try to revolve things on what I have completed.
Did it have to be exam month T_T????
Well, it's worth a shot. If I do decide to release it as a MAGS game, I can always make a "deluxe version" afterwards with the skills I've developed in 5 years. (5 years O_O really?)
Quote from: ProgZmax on Sun 02/05/2010 13:59:01If and when I consider making this a semi-regular activity, it will be more specific about what constitutes a valid project.
I've got a fair number of projects floating around in my head and a few that have enough work done on them to be considered properly abandoned. I may try my hand at one of them this month, but realistically, I probably won't have time. If you do decide to make a regular event out of this theme, I would definitely be interested.
I have a few old projects kicking around my hard drive... but i will have to wait til 20th of may to start properly, uni exams ::) what can you do?
May actually enter this time. I started up two different projects for last month's MAGS but abandoned both (one due to technical issues the other idea I only came up with three days before deadline and didn't have time to get past the prototype stage).
Great! And if I do come up with some kind of irregular activity like this it would be kind of like a 'workshop' where people are encouraged to post wip builds and get help with puzzles, artwork, whatever they need to get it done. I'm sure I'm not the only one sick of the backlog of promising unfinished projects taking up hard drive space :).
I'm in. Already 3/4 finished. That's last quarter, though....
I'll probably have something before the end of the month.
Maybe I should complete The Illusion of Murder or The Jonestown Conspiracy.. hmm..
Sadly I wont be entering this month due to I dont feel very artistic and cant find anyone to assist. Maybe next month :P .
Here's my submission for Complete Your Game:
(http://crystalshard.net/img/vector.png)
Vector Vendetta (http://crystalshard.net/zip/VECTOR.ZIP), a frantic shoot-em-up that proves that AGS is quite capable of handling arcade games. Also, the first and quite possibly only AGS game using a grand total of zero sprites: all graphics are rawdrawn vectors.
I'm sure several forumites have seen this game before; however, I was never really satisfied with the first version, and didn't consider it finished yet. Until now, that is. The final version has twenty enemies including a boss monster, three difficulty levels, three gameplay modes, two-player support, and demo recording.
Gameplay is simple: use mouse, keyboard or a combination of both to obliterate the enemy vectors before they do the same to you. Dodge bullets, kamikaze ships, and laser beams, collect sparks to upgrade your ship, and prepare yourself for the boss battle at the end. Comes with retro graphics and a retro soundtrack. Enjoy!
Now that I was just on the way of curing my addiction to your first version ... man, I´m so glad you continued working on this.
Very nice, like the retro feel. The standard keyboard control is
next to unplayable for me but rotational keyboard is fine. Although it
would seem more logical if the left and right arrow keys would then
slide the ship to it's local left and right while rotation could still be
done with z/x.
I also like the in-game help. To make it perfect it could include
the powerups as well, I found the system a bit confusing even
after reading the readme.txt
BTW, if you like this kind of game you might wish to check out
xpilot at http://www.xpilot.org/
Here is my entry for this competition. I started it in March for the "A game of two halves" competition but did not finish.
Music is still missing, but it's well worth playing, I think.
(http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/7162/screenshotsmall.png) (http://img168.imageshack.us/i/screenshotsmall.png/)
http://www.fileupyours.com/view/285513/HeadOverHeels.zip (http://www.fileupyours.com/view/285513/HeadOverHeels.zip)
Edit: Leon made a walkthrough that can be found here (http://gamesolutions.efzeven.nl/head-over-heels-walkthrough-cat2010/).
Nice one, Cat. Very nice graphics.
The only thing I found 'disappointing' (strong word here) is the animation of the lever and the up/down walkcycle. The font size of the interface could be a bit smaller. But nice puzzles, not too hard and goes well with the little story.
Well done!
The shittiest of the shitty games.... but one I will always love nevertheless:)
More info in the completed games thread soon.
Here is my entry:
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o27/kurwakurwakurwa/title.jpg)
(http://www.mediafire.com/?nzzogzujiyj)
I just have to say, Proggy, awesome MAGS. Really. This is the best idea I've seen yet. Looking forward to playing everyones unfinished gems.
I wish I noticed this when it started :'(
Quote from: Snake on Fri 28/05/2010 23:42:26
...to playing everyones unfinished gems.
previously unfinished ;)
Great entries so far! Congratulations to cat, Radiant and Grim!!
To those of you, that are still working on an entry, from this time stamp of this current post, you have 26 hours to finish your entry.
If one wants an extension I should be informed. Either PM or here.
Here ya go!
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/games.php?action=detail&id=1313
Thank you Leon for your kind comments! I know that there are some animations missing, it was simply a matter of time. Before I release the game into the "wilderness" of the games db, I will surely add the missing animations. And hopefully I will find a composer for some music.
Oh, and thanks for the walkthrough, btw :D
Fun MAGS rules this month.
I finished an old christmas present I gave to my girlfriend last christmas, that I totally stressed out before it was done. But she was happy about it, and she damned well should be considering how much time I've put into it.
So now it's completely finished, and uploaded. Enjoy the only christmas game published in the summer.
It's kind of long, depending on how much you complete and which ending you get.
(http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/359/aida03.png)
Aidas Strange Christmas
Download (http://www.filefront.com/16606437/Aidas-Strange-Christmas.rar/)
King wiking and Domithan, your games are also up! Less than 5 hours people! :D
I'm entering this one! Only found out about it Saturday but managed to finish a short (very) game off. :)
Will edit this post.
EDIT:
Here ya go. A bit short but I hope people enjoy. It's very easy. I started marking this for my girlfriend over a year ago.
Wall-E: The Fan Game! (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/games.php?action=detail&id=1317)
(http://longevitygene.webs.com/walle_screen.png)
EDIT: The download for this has been re-uploaded due to an annoying bug that by-passed a lot of the game and made it shorter. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Okay, so it ends here! Not yet though partecipants. The voting round commences!
Voting:
Please vote only once and be sure to have played all games before sending your voice!
Good luck to all participants!
For voting please visit the MAGS site (http://www.mags-competition.info/?page=voting)
PLAY THE GAMES! (The hyperlinks lead to the game file, not the voting page)
Wall-E: The Fan Game (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/games.php?action=detail&id=1317) by markbilly
Vector Vendetta (http://crystalshard.net/zip/VECTOR.ZIP) by Radiant
The Parrot Snatchers (http://www.mediafire.com/?nzzogzujiyj) by Grim
Living Nightmare: Endless Dreams (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/games.php?action=detail&id=1313) by Domithan
Head Over Heels (http://www.fileupyours.com/verify.php?f=Mjg1NTEzL0hlYWRPdmVySGVlbHMuemlw) by cat
Aidas Strange Christmas (http://www.filefront.com/16606437/Aidas-Strange-Christmas.rar/) by King_wiking
Voting ends on 16th of June (till the 15th you can vote!)
So play all the games and vote for the one that caught your attention.
Vote you bastards!! >:(
On a serious note I'm drunk, vote!
I'd be too tempted to vote for me :(
Just voted (not for me of course), so just to remind you all, only 2 days left!
Argh, thanks for the reminder... just need to finish a few before I can vote.
Due to my exams, I may not be able to close this tomorrow. Sorry sometimes life just comes in. So either today at some point or just leave it hanging for a couple of days more. :(
Pheew! Voted.
Winner
Yes, its markbilly with a two day polish on Wall-E, but that shouldn't discourage you rest. Great and bizarre(looking at you Grim) entries this month, and the quality was astounding. Without wanting to overdo this famous phrase, this month there's really no loser.
Also thanks to ProgZ for this great theme. Surprisingly my internet is still up.
Mark, check your pms.
Congrats Mark - A very charming game!
As for me, I voted for The Parrot Snatchers. Extremely British (or maybe more like Southpark style?) sense of humor ;) , but a very interesting experience nonetheless. Decent playing length and the puzzles made sense. Good music too and lots of it, but as it was ripped I'm not sure I should praise it too much.
How close was it in the end, Dual?
I lot of praise was heaped on all the entries this month and I really didn't think I'd win, to be honest.
4-5 votes, the rest of the entries were behind Wall-E with a difference of 1 vote between them all. So pretty much tied, if you weren't there. :D
Nice entries, everyone, and congrats to the winner!
Just a few comments:
Wall-E: The Fan Game by markbilly
Such a cute game, I totally loved the animation of getting the box from your back and moving the waste cubes. I also did like the tutorial mode. However, hotspots where hard to hit and sometimes I wasn't sure what to do.
Vector Vendetta by Radiant
Interesting game, well executed coding and graphics wise, but I guess I'm not patient enough for this kind of game.
The Parrot Snatchers by Grim
Overall good puzzles, very good choice of (ripped) music, I totally like the end. Some sceens where clearly the product of a teenage boy and I hated that I had to use the "use" cursor to exit a room, especially in the scrolling rooms.
Living Nightmare: Endless Dreams by Domithan
I decided to play the first part before this one which was a good decision. Totally atmospheric game, the second part is event better than the first, I like that the second one references the first one. So I didn't vote for this game, because its part of series and wouldn't work as stand-alone.
Head Over Heels by cat
I'm still looking for a composer ;)
Aidas Strange Christmas by King_wiking
Great game with great puzzles, my favorite.