MAGS May: "Underwater" (CLOSED)

Atelier · Wed 01/05/2013 18:49:25

Topic: 'Underwater'

This month's guidelines were set by DoorKnobHandle:

This month's theme is 'underwater' - but a game with just an underwater setting is too basic. Instead, the theme needs to be weaved into the actual game mechanics somehow. So a point'n'click that just so happens to be underwater (but could really have any other setting in the world) is NOT okay. A game where your air supply is limited (maybe just in certain areas), or where you have additional verbs that have to do with being underwater, is awesome. The player character could be a diver, a shark or just on-board a submarine, everything goes as long as the underwater element is not purely a visual element but something rooted into the puzzles/gameplay.

Ending 31st May

__________________________________________________________________________________________

This month's winner was Bioluminescence by Jaffles.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

What is MAGS?

MAGS is a monthly competition for all amateur adventure game makers. The idea is to create a game in under a month, following the rules set by the previous winner. It aims to help you work to a deadline, improve your skills, or provide a kick-start into making adventure games. Regardless of skill, MAGS is for everyone. Voting is based on "favorite" games, and not the most artistic, or the best coded. If you have bad art skills, use it as a chance to do some graphic work. If you're sub-standard at coding, use it as a chance to give scripting a go. Ultimately, people will vote for the most enjoyable entry.

You may get help for the competition, although you must end up doing something yourself. You should however be warned that it proves difficult to organize a big team within thirty days. You are not allowed to use material already created before this competition. Your game must be completely new! Music and sound is an exception; you can use free material that is available to the public, if you wish. Modules and templates are also allowed. Please do not enter the competition with a rushed entry (a game created last minute). Sure, you can make a game and rush it - but don't do this just to win by default.

Entering MAGS is simple. First, conceptualise your game following the month's criteria (see top). Second, create your game fueled only by coffee. Third, finally, and most importantly, post your game here, including:

Ã¢Å"â€œ A working download link.
Ã¢Å"â€œ The title of your game.
Ã¢Å"â€œ A suitable screenshot.

At the end of the month, the all-important voting will begin! This period usually lasts fifteen days. Should you win, along with announcing the next month's rules, your name and game will be immortalised in the MAGS Archive. Yet hopefully, at the end of the month, the accomplishment of finishing a game will be your greatest prize. For more information please visit the Official MAGS website.

DoorKnobHandle · Wed 01/05/2013 19:20:43

I so hope I picked a good theme. Now go forth, my minions, and make cool and stunning underwater games!! GO!

Ghost · Wed 01/05/2013 19:22:38

Sweet theme; now I can't get that outta my head... "Finding Nemo, the adventure game". Verbs: Speek Whale-a-nese, Choke Dory, and Make Baaad Jokes.

Jaffles · Wed 01/05/2013 21:09:13

It is on like!

Or maybe more like?

Please note my game will not actually involve Donkey Kong.

selmiak · Wed 01/05/2013 22:48:34

would it count if one was to stream the whole process of making the game while sitting in the bathtub?

ZapZap · Wed 01/05/2013 23:03:20

I always wonder, when you say completely new, does that exclude being inspired by films/books/tv series/comics for the concept? I mean when the rules of one month are explicit about it being OK/part-of-the-topic I get it, but if not, I don't really know. I don't even remember any MAGS game doing that

Ghost · Thu 02/05/2013 00:30:23

"Completely new" refers to material mostly- as long as the monthly rules do not say otherwise a MAGS can't have material you already made, because otherwise it would really give you some advantage (like having a full set of characters with walkcycles already prepared, or even entering a game that's already been in the makings for, say, a very long time). There's nothing wrong with using existing ideas or getting inspiration by some external source- your plot/story etc doesn't need to be completely new (and in fact it CAN never be new, since everything has been done already).

Ryan Timothy B · Thu 02/05/2013 05:07:21

Now someone has a perfect reason to use Steve's cool underwater module!
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=38592

(To give anyone some ideas - I'll post his video example below)
[embed=420,315]<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EP1iFfDPXvY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>[/embed]

ZapZap · Thu 02/05/2013 08:23:24

Cool! thanks Ghost, I was just referring to ideas for the concept. I may be in then

Radiant · Thu 02/05/2013 09:53:51

[embed=420,315]<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jgA2xo0HYrE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>[/embed]

Arcangel · Thu 02/05/2013 19:37:15

Yay , long time, I can"t pass here.
Underwater, Ummmmm!. Sound interesting. I try to do a game.

I ask my son 4 help with his great imagination. LOL

Day 2..............

WHAM · Thu 02/05/2013 19:41:35

Goddammit! If only I had enough time I could do LaSol 2!

Maybe I'll still try... Maybe...

Ghost · Thu 02/05/2013 21:28:31

Quote from: WHAM on Thu 02/05/2013 19:41:35
Maybe I'll still try... Maybe...

*Ghost uses Hypnotize*

You will, WHAM, you will... you WILL!

*It's super effective!*

Arcangel · Sat 04/05/2013 15:01:11

Day 4.

Only game flowchart, Main Menu.....

Need lots objects, rooms, music,,, $:-\$ Im old for this LOL

Baron · Sun 05/05/2013 03:55:16

Quote from: WHAM on Thu 02/05/2013 19:41:35
Goddammit! If only I had enough time I could do LaSol 2!
Maybe I'll still try... Maybe...

I volunteer to reprise my voice-role as Helicopter Pilot 1 if this happens. I've got the electric fan ready and everything.

WHAM · Sun 05/05/2013 08:09:09

Quote from: Baron on Sun 05/05/2013 03:55:16
Quote from: WHAM on Thu 02/05/2013 19:41:35
Goddammit! If only I had enough time I could do LaSol 2!
Maybe I'll still try... Maybe...

I volunteer to reprise my voice-role as Helicopter Pilot 1 if this happens. I've got the electric fan ready and everything.

I might just hold you up to that.

I think I'll start a GiP thread early (if it's allowed) and make this an open-source project, with all source files and design docs available to anyone at all times.
More on this idea tomorrow.

WHAM · Sun 05/05/2013 21:30:34

Doublepost, but hopefully worth it!

I'm starting developement of my MAGS game, and it's all here, all visible.

Design doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17XlH8iNaeXf9Sy9JQQyV4TMy4X7_7tSAsH6oiYHPhZo/edit?usp=sharing

Source files: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/65381625/LaSol_2_070513.rar

I will be updating the link above, which will lead to a .zip archive of all files and folders used in the development of the game. I will try to update the link every other day, starting from when I start working properly on the game.

Needless to say, that if you want to really enjoy the game, you might not want to study the links provided here too closely, as these are my actual design docs and files, and will contain spoilers and such without warning.

Let's get this MAGS started!

DoorKnobHandle · Sun 05/05/2013 21:35:55

That's a really cool idea, WHAM! Has anybody else decided to try and give WHAM some good competition?

bush_monkey · Tue 07/05/2013 09:29:54

Damn! The theme really appeals to me but I have family over from France for 2 weeks. I can't see them appreciating me spending the whole time they're here on my laptop

WHAM · Wed 08/05/2013 11:44:24

Okay, I reviewed my calendar for the upcoming weeks and took a long hard look at my "ongoing projects" -folder. Then I got depressed.
I'm bailing out of the MAGS, despite my "flying start", as I don't think I can really put enough effort into this competition.

Sorry people

DoorKnobHandle · Wed 08/05/2013 19:45:52

Damn, that's a real shame. I was reading your document and I liked it a LOT.

So, plenty of people have expressed they liked the theme (phew!) - but it appears nobody is actually working on a game (or has admit to doing so). Please don't let this be one of the competitions without entries. Even if it's just a very small MAGS game.

Cerno · Wed 08/05/2013 23:26:17

Since there is so much interest in the theme and with all these other competitions going on, maybe you can get this month's MAGS extended to next month? Or would that violate the rules?

Baron · Thu 09/05/2013 03:59:32

Fortmonthly Adventure Game S!!!!!!!

Jared · Thu 09/05/2013 11:24:31

Well I'm kinda actively working on a game for this (writing) but as is a pattern for me I've found it difficult to get much done due to work and ill health. I'd like to commit to finish this one because the idea is good but I doubt I'll make the end of the month (hence why I hadn't posted about it here) It's designed with one room and basic graphics to keep it simple but it involves a lot of coding.

I'll just share the title atm - Naiad Down atm, because I think it's pretty catchy.

Atelier · Thu 09/05/2013 18:03:35

Quote from: Cerno on Wed 08/05/2013 23:26:17
Since there is so much interest in the theme and with all these other competitions going on, maybe you can get this month's MAGS extended to next month? Or would that violate the rules?

This would be a nice idea, as we don't usually have as many as six people interested. If there was an extension, it would still run alongside MAGS June, but I don't really want to set a precedent for such a long extension.

If there is enough interest from those who already thought about entering (or anybody else for that matter), and it will mean they can finish a game, I could set a later deadline. Just post if you think it would help a lot.

Baron · Fri 10/05/2013 03:32:41

I've been thinking about this a little more seriously. How about a modification of the MAGS rules: if no one announces a work in progress by the 20th, it becomes like an OROW on the same theme? Scrap the "original content" rule, and see what people's creativity can deliver in a week. Sure it might be silly and maybe outright plagiaristic, but at least we'll have fun and the comp won't go empty. The host PMs people who indicated they might be interested, makes sure there are no WIPs that someone is hiding, then just declares "OROW!" and the free-for-all begins. Whaddaya think?

Igor Hardy · Sat 11/05/2013 16:40:05

I'm working on something bright and watery for this. During weekends, so it won't be huge.

Pinback · Sat 11/05/2013 17:17:45

Quote from: WHAM on Thu 02/05/2013 19:41:35
Goddammit! If only I had enough time I could do LaSol 2!
Maybe I'll still try... Maybe...

If you're doing LaSol 2, I'm going to make Beacon 2. I'll probly get runner-up again too. ;P

selmiak · Sat 11/05/2013 18:43:09

haha, I get a feeling of a deja vu here but ...

Armageddon · Sun 12/05/2013 04:05:11

Quote from: Baron on Thu 09/05/2013 03:59:32
Fortmonthly Adventure Game S!!!!!!!

I always thought these would work a lot better with two months instead of one. As long as the theme is as interesting as this is.

Ryan Timothy B · Sun 12/05/2013 06:14:18

What would possibly work best is having a MAGS competition only every other month.

Saltwater Taffy · Sun 12/05/2013 17:26:01

Aww man, so many ideas consuming my brain! Too bad I arrived to the party too late :/

Quote from: Cerno on Wed 08/05/2013 23:26:17
Since there is so much interest in the theme and with all these other competitions going on, maybe you can get this month's MAGS extended to next month? Or would that violate the rules?

Yeah I see where you're coming from and I kinda second that. However maybe if they just tweaked the competition to being 'create a demo in a month' rather than an entirely completed game. That way they don't have to extend the deadline and people can put more time and effort into the art, the coding, the story, and the puzzles etc. If the participant(s) win or a lot of people show interest in their initial demo(s) then they can decide from there to finish it at their own pace. Eventually producing something of better quality. But then the true spirit of this as I understand it is simply to gain practice and honor deadlines, so I probably shouldn't be over thinking it this much XD

Regardless though, i'd eventually participate in MAGS as it stands now anyway. Despite the obligation to rush production and sacrifice quality it seems like loads of fun for what it is

Armageddon · Sun 12/05/2013 21:38:14

How do you determine how long a 'demo' is?

Saltwater Taffy · Sun 12/05/2013 21:44:53

I figure, like with other monthly competitions (ie, NaNoWriMo) there'd be a set minimum time for demo gameplay, maybe 10-15 minutes? I have no idea XD I'd like to hear what others think though. Admittedly, i'm all really new to this myself. :/

Radiant · Tue 14/05/2013 13:40:58

I dont think it helps to make ad hoc changes to the Mags contest i this thread here based on just one incident. If anything we should discussit in a separate thread with wider input, and consider th contests of the last few years.

Jaffles · Wed 15/05/2013 02:51:12

Don't worry folks, now that AP exams are over, I can dedicate my full time and effort to my game. So far things seem to be going swimmingly (get it?), and hopefully I'll have some stuff to post in the next couple of days. Listening to lots of "Aquatic Ambience" and "Dire Dire Docks" to get inspired!

DoorKnobHandle · Wed 15/05/2013 11:22:56

That's great to hear, Jaffles. Color me excited!

Jaffles · Wed 22/05/2013 22:06:15

Ok, here's a shot of my WiP. I'm happy to present...

Bio-luminescence

In this point and click puzzle game, you play as an anglerfish who's gotten herself lost in an underwater shipwreck. You must use your bio-luminescent lure in a variety of ways to solve puzzles and escape from the ship.

ZapZap · Thu 23/05/2013 23:40:43

Nice Jaffles! I'll be also participating. My game's name is Deep Hope, I've already posted something in GiP.
[imgzoom]http://i.imgur.com/ZccYtMi.png[/imgzoom]
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=48281.0
It'll be very short and (I think) rather easy.
I hope it'll be complete before the 28th

Jaffles · Fri 24/05/2013 00:10:11

Cool! Glad to see someone else is working on something!

Your game reminds me of a game I used play when I was little called "Treasure Cove". Best of luck with finishing things up!

ZapZap · Tue 28/05/2013 01:05:17

Deep Hope is ready!
DOWNLOAD THE GAME

Atelier · Tue 28/05/2013 15:01:36

Cleanic, Jaffles, anybody else: there's just a few days left to polish your entries!

Igor Hardy · Tue 28/05/2013 21:15:39

Sorry guys, but at best I will have a cool prototype to show - it was going to be a not-so-adventure title with a bit of "water" physics. Will have to release it for a different occasion, but soon.

Jaffles · Thu 30/05/2013 23:01:14

Bioluminesence is all wrapped up!

DOWNLOAD HERE!

Hope you guys enjoy it!

Atelier · Sat 01/06/2013 16:40:34

Thanks guys

!

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

Deep Hope by Cleanic
Bioluminescence by Jaffles

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

DoorKnobHandle · Sat 01/06/2013 17:34:48

Two very nice games, you both did a wonderful job! I just voted - but it was a hard decision!

arj0n · Sat 01/06/2013 17:52:17

@Jaffles:

Playing Bioluminesence but I'm stuck and not sure if this is a bug or part of a puzzle-thingy...:

Spoiler

After finding the key and entering the now open door in the 'captains log room', I clicked on the player to make the room dark.
But then:
- Two yellow switch-room arrows are shown but clicking on them doesn't do anything.
- Clicking anywhere in the room (yellow mousepointer everywhere) doesn't lighten up the room back again.

[close]

Jaffles · Sat 01/06/2013 21:45:15

Quote from: Arj0n on Sat 01/06/2013 17:52:17
@Jaffles:

Playing Bioluminesence but I'm stuck and not sure if this is a bug or part of a puzzle-thingy...:
Spoiler

After finding the key and entering the now open door in the 'captains log room', I clicked on the player to make the room dark.
But then:
- Two yellow switch-room arrows are shown but clicking on them doesn't do anything.
- Clicking anywhere in the room (yellow mousepointer everywhere) doesn't lighten up the room back again.
[close]

Ah, that was an oversight on my part! Thanks for pointing that out! It's fixed now, and I updated my link to the new version.

To those playing v1 of the game, in the room after the captain's room, don't turn out your light and you'll be fine. Sorry for the inconvenience!

Atelier · Sun 02/06/2013 12:09:54

There was a glitch earlier with the voting system. If you tried to vote but couldn't, it is now working again.

Ghost · Fri 07/06/2013 08:25:08

Played and voted. Nice entries, both of them, good luck to you guys!

MAGS Host · Sat 15/06/2013 22:10:38

I think there's a glitch again with the voting. Twice now I have got email notifications to say somebody has voted, but the stats on the site don't increment. Adding the games again didn't seem to work.

Could anybody who's voted please revote by PMing this account instead. And anybody voting for the first time!

Here are the entries again (click to download):

Deep Hope by Cleanic
Bioluminescence by Jaffles

Sorry for the inconvenience everybody! Really sucks!

Ghost · Sat 15/06/2013 22:56:26

Revoted by teh magicks of PM!

Jaffles · Sat 15/06/2013 23:04:32

Just curious, what if the amount of votes doesn't match?

MAGS Host · Sat 15/06/2013 23:37:54

Hopefully they won't match exactly, as if everybody revotes there'll be more votes than before, because the counter wasn't increasing. And in some emails sent when somebody votes, it shows who the last vote was for, and the wrong game is credited :/ Wouldn't trust the votes I have so far at all, so best to start again.

cat · Sun 16/06/2013 09:54:33

Nice games!

Short comments about the games:

Biolumiscence:

Spoiler

Nice idea. I did like the maze and the switching light on/off was a nice twist in gameplay.
A few issues: When in the ghost room I tried to click the ghosts and accidently hit the exit button. Then I had to watch the whole non-skippable intro again

And on the end screen I couldn't click the exit button. I think the puzzle with only one lense should have been before the whale puzzle.

[close]

Deep Hope:

Spoiler

Great graphics and music, interesting story. Played two endings. This guys seems to cut his fingers a lot... After killing the shark it should not be possible to build the poisoned finger, this was confusing.

[close]

Personal opinion:

Spoiler

Hard to decide which one was better. Deep Hope had better graphics and story, but Bioluminescence had better puzzles and gameplay.

[close]

DoorKnobHandle · Sun 16/06/2013 11:32:21

Re-voted via PM!

cat, I don't think it's a good idea to post your opinion on the games before the voting period has closed. Just my two cents, I don't think there's a rule anywhere. If I'm the only one that think this is problematic then feel free to ignore! :p

MAGS Host · Thu 20/06/2013 17:12:56

We need more votes in, there's a deadly tie which must be resolved!

Deep Hope by Cleanic
Bioluminescence by Jaffles

Please PM this account with your vote.

codeninja · Sat 22/06/2013 04:04:08

I voted via PM!

Atelier · Sun 23/06/2013 22:05:09

Voting's over!

Bioluminescence by Jaffles - 5 votes
Deep Hope by Cleanic - 3 votes

Congratulations Jaffles!

DoorKnobHandle · Sun 23/06/2013 22:16:26

Congratulations Jaffles. And to Cleanic too, for making an awesome AGS game as well!

And thanks to everybody for having made this a pretty cool MAGS month with two high-quality game entries! High fives!

ZapZap · Sun 23/06/2013 22:39:31

Congratulations Jaffles! I hope I have time to enter the next MAGS, in which you'll be choosing the topic!

Ghost · Sun 23/06/2013 23:07:55

Congratulations, jaffles! Looking forward to your round!