Poll
Question:
What is your favourite game of MAGS November?
Option 1: Don't give up the Cat by eri0o
votes: 2
Option 2: A Very Serious Plumbing Simulator by Falsely
votes: 3
Option 3: Highland Spirit by ddavey1983
votes: 7
Option 4: Two Ghosts of That House: The Missing Toy by Volcan
votes: 1
Option 5: Ghost Hunter: Dracula by newwaveburritos
votes: 0
Theme:
GhostsSet by: ddavey1983
The winner is
Highland Spirit by GOC Games.
| (https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/images/games/2643_1_thumb_200.png) | Don't Give Up the Cat (https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/2643-don-t-give-up-the-cat/)
by Eri0o |
| (https://64.media.tumblr.com/28ef30db3b18070b0ecd9524cb42e8cc/70a693d15f168e40-e0/s640x960/abe59024857c3e43d4b90f6ed2c14f328c187c11.png) | A Very Serious Plumbing Simulator (https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/competitions-activities/mags-november-ghosts-open/msg636651637/#msg636651637)
by Falsely |
| (https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/images/games/2646_1_thumb_200.png) | Highland Spirit (https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/2646-highland-spirit/)
by ddavey1983 |
| (https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/images/games/2647_1_thumb_200.png) | Two Ghosts of That House: The Missing Toy (https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/2647-two-ghosts-of-that-house-the-missing-toy/)
by Volcan |
| (https://img.itch.zone/aW1nLzEwNjc4MDU5LmdpZg==/315x250%23cm/D4iJb9.gif) | Ghost Hunter: Dracula (https://springstreetonline.itch.io/ghost-hunter-dracula)
by newwaveburritos |
This month the theme is ghosts - bumps in the night, headless horsemen, spectral monks, haunted houses. Your ghosts could be friendly, malevolent or even metaphorical as in the memory of people and events past. Or...it could be a bloke in a sheet.
(https://imgur.com/Zyz6BXW.png) (https://imgur.com/OMQwuXw.png) (https://imgur.com/4JsQcil.png)
(https://imgur.com/w4Kd20A.png) (https://imgur.com/xGXgwV2.png)
What is MAGS?
Started in 2001, MAGS is a competition for amateur adventure game makers. The idea is to create a game in under a month, following the guidelines set by the previous winner. It aims to help you work to a deadline, improve your skills, and provide a kick-start into making adventure games. Regardless of skill, MAGS is for everyone. Voting is based on "favourite" 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.
Rules
Entering MAGS is simple. First, conceptualize your game following the month's criteria (see above). Second, create your game fuelled only by coffee. Finally, post your game in this thread, including:
* A working download link
* The title of your game
* A suitable in-game screenshot
At the end of the month, voting will begin, usually lasting for fourteen days, and the winner chooses the next month's theme.
Remember that this is a challenge to see what you can do in a month, so any tinkering you do after that, including fixing minor glitches, is against the spirit of the competition. The exception to this is that you may go in and fix major, game-breaking bugs only during voting. We want you to have a game that voters can actually play and that runs on their machines.
So to reiterate, during the voting period fixing major, game-breaking bugs is okay, fixing minor glitches or making cosmetic changes is cheating.
Tips
Here are some ways to make sure you have a game to submit at the end of the month:
* Make a tiny game. Plan small, then cut it in half. Find shortcuts (e.g. if making walkcycles is time-consuming, make the characters static or have it in the first person).
* Plan to have your game playable and submittable with a week to spare. This way you have a week to fix bugs, add some flourishes and maybe even get someone to test it.
* Plan to submit it a day or so early. This way, if there are any technical issues with uploading, they can be sorted out in time.++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Need a little help with graphics? Perhaps The AGS Trove (https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=55998.0) has something you can use.
Don't want to go it alone? Try the Recruitment board (https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?board=20.0).
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Aww, no Wraiths from Quest for Glory IV?
Anyhow, good luck to everyone entering.
Hmmm, I'm tempted to write a Pacman game now... :tongue:
I got the start of something but I haven't made a very useful game loop yet. Not sure I will be able to finish... If someone wants to help me test, send me a dm!
Ah, an additional inspiration for this month, a ghost has an interesting meaning in character design.
QuoteThe ghost is important because it relates to the protagonist's character arc, and therefore, the theme.
Most protagonists start with a flaw, weakness, or misbelief that they must overcome by the end of the story.
The ghost is the event (or events) where that flaw, weakness, or misbelief took hold in the first place.
more on here... (https://www.septembercfawkes.com/2021/01/giving-your-protagonist-ghost.html?m=1#:~:text=The%20ghost%20is%20important%20because,hold%20in%20the%20first%20place.)
Anyone else trying something this month?
Ah, it's also GitHub Game Off (https://github.blog/2022-11-01-game-off-2022-theme-announcement/), not sure I will be able to fit it's theme too, but they have a curious top image
(https://github.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/game-off-social-cards.png?resize=800%2C425)
Ghosts.
Did you say ghosts?
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fhp8CS5WAAMgXBW?format=png&name=small)
Don't Give Up the Cat
Download dont-give-up-the-cat.zip for Windows (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wMRRhFjVZjzMB_n1wNZ3qdOF6TbahmYt/view?usp=share_link) | dont-give-up-the-cat-linux.tar.gz for Linux (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b6JB3v_8cbCrKlqC3spGrhHlVH-3SqM7/view?usp=share_link)
Tonight, you are out in the woods. As a cat.
(https://i.imgur.com/RKSToy8.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/tFVLnC2.png)
This is my MAGS entry for this month! I plan to do a write-up, release the code and all that soon. The game is super short, as I did not have as much free time as I would like. I recommend headphones when playing it.
I've got something on its way but it's going to be right up to the wire! Might be begging for a day or two's extension some the 30th!
Mine's coming along! ...Slower than I'd like as things have been busy for me too, so I'm cutting extraneous features out like mad to make the deadline.
We'll see how we go. :P
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/92ff43708cc7379227bca5883be7c1ce/1347a60b16590000-a2/s400x600/40c02c993a1779643c8978a4f27b83f5a08f0f98.png)
Quote from: eri0o on Fri 25/11/2022 02:00:38Don't Give Up the Cat
Download dont-give-up-the-cat.zip for Windows (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wMRRhFjVZjzMB_n1wNZ3qdOF6TbahmYt/view?usp=share_link) | dont-give-up-the-cat-linux.tar.gz for Linux (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b6JB3v_8cbCrKlqC3spGrhHlVH-3SqM7/view?usp=share_link)
Tonight, you are out in the woods. As a cat.
(https://i.imgur.com/RKSToy8.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/tFVLnC2.png)
This is my MAGS entry for this month! I plan to do a write-up, release the code and all that soon. The game is super short, as I did not have as much free time as I would like. I recommend headphones when playing it.
Quote from: Falsely on Sat 26/11/2022 23:10:08Mine's coming along! ...Slower than I'd like as things have been busy for me too, so I'm cutting extraneous features out like mad to make the deadline.
We'll see how we go. :P
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/92ff43708cc7379227bca5883be7c1ce/1347a60b16590000-a2/s400x600/40c02c993a1779643c8978a4f27b83f5a08f0f98.png)
At least we have competition this time.
:= := := :cheesy: :cheesy: ;-D ;-D
I made a quick update to add fireflies in my game. :)
Spoiler
(https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ericoporto/dont-give-up-the-cat/main/images/grave_effect.gif)
I also pushed it in itchio (https://eri0o.itch.io/dont-give-up-the-cat) and in the completed games page (https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=60424.0).
I have something that's almost ready but I'm not sure if i can get it finished by midnight. I guess we'll see!
There's Something in the Pipes - A Very Serious Plumbing Simulator
Downloads: Google Drive (https://drive.google.com/file/d/11bpRiDQE87jsAos3UBiJKcO3N091mnhV/view?usp=share_link) | GameJolt (https://gamejolt.com/games/pipes/768379)
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/28ef30db3b18070b0ecd9524cb42e8cc/70a693d15f168e40-e0/s640x960/abe59024857c3e43d4b90f6ed2c14f328c187c11.png) (https://64.media.tumblr.com/2ce26951dc99a7d3d023d3a8af18250e/70a693d15f168e40-68/s640x960/3358ec9199b6b2bfac307b53e69e5102f4a77503.png)
You are the owner of a movie rental store.
You have one hour until your shift.
You need a shower.
The bathtub is full of blood.
Go figure.
----
Whew. Cutting it real close - had to axe a lot of puzzles, sound effects, and animation frames - but I managed to get my entry playable from start to finish!
Quote from: Falsely on Wed 30/11/2022 17:20:56There's Something in the Pipes - A Very Serious Plumbing Simulator
Download Link (https://falselyprofound.itch.io/pipes)
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/28ef30db3b18070b0ecd9524cb42e8cc/70a693d15f168e40-e0/s640x960/abe59024857c3e43d4b90f6ed2c14f328c187c11.png) (https://64.media.tumblr.com/2ce26951dc99a7d3d023d3a8af18250e/70a693d15f168e40-68/s640x960/3358ec9199b6b2bfac307b53e69e5102f4a77503.png)
You are the owner of a movie rental store.
You have one hour until your shift.
You need a shower.
The bathtub is full of blood.
Go figure.
----
Whew. Cutting it real close - had to axe a lot of puzzles, sound effects, and animation frames - but I managed to get my entry playable from start to finish!
I got 404 error.
Nice to see some pretty entries.
Seems like a couple of folks might appreciate some extra time. Would 2 more days be enough?
I managed to get it (more or less) done! It works fine, just would have ideally given it a little extra polish.
Highland Spirit - a traditional point-and-click adventure by GOC Games
https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/2646-highland-spirit/ (https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/2646-highland-spirit/)
(https://imgur.com/oxTkasl.png) (https://imgur.com/XvAtJcI.png)
(https://imgur.com/f0NAZWk.png) (https://imgur.com/27FYZLm.png)
Becky Speed is an aspiring novelist who is seeking to break her writer's block with a relaxing solo trip to the Scottish Highlands.
However, Becky is about to discover that in her idyllic cottage, she is not alone at all...
Quote from: Volcan on Wed 30/11/2022 18:42:10I got 404 error.
Bah, sorry about that - didn't realize unpublished itchio pages couldn't be linked to. Added a Google drive link (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hf-Lb1nbWXv-nYs01-0OVyPGyS9fsZ9y/view?usp=sharing) in the meantime!
Quote from: Stupot on Wed 30/11/2022 19:11:34Nice to see some pretty entries.
Seems like a couple of folks might appreciate some extra time. Would 2 more days be enough?
Two days would be great - I'd love to playtest my own project and tweak a few things. ;-D
Two ghosts of that house: the missing toy
(https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/images/games/2647_1_thumb_200.png)
Help Mel to find the missing toy for Bianka.
https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/2647-two-ghosts-of-that-house-the-missing-toy/ (https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/2647-two-ghosts-of-that-house-the-missing-toy/)
(12-11-2022) A new version is out.
I have the bones of it done I just need to, uh, add a quick and simple and appropriately stupid story. Two days should be plenty. Thanks!
Quote from: ddavey1983 on Wed 30/11/2022 23:10:32I managed to get it (more or less) done! It works fine, just would have ideally given it a little extra polish.
Highland Spirit - a traditional point-and-click adventure by GOC Games
https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/2646-highland-spirit/ (https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/2646-highland-spirit/)
Becky Speed is an aspiring novelist who is seeking to break her writer's block with a relaxing solo trip to the Scottish Highlands.
However, Becky is about to discover that in her idyllic cottage, she is not alone at all...
I spent about 30 minutes playing this game and I'm really enjoying it. I just can't figure out how to Save and Load/Restore? I clicked the S button but when I click R nothing happens. When I try to load from the title screen, it doesn't show my saved game. How do I continue without losing my progress?
Glad you're enjoying it! Hmm. I'm assuming I haven't coded the restore button. Sorry about that. You can restore in game from the inventory bar or from the title screen and I'm sure I coded at least one of them! Maybe try that in the meantime and I'll have a i'll tonight (currently half nine and at work).
Sorry about the save/load thing. It turns out I hadn't actually assigned the save and load buttons on the inventory bar to anything! Blame the pressure of a deadline!
They work now and I've updated the package on GamesJolt.
Happy playing!
Whew, okay - took advantage of the extension to tidy up the sound a bit. Updated the google drive, and also added a mirror on GameJolt (https://gamejolt.com/games/pipes/768379) (since that lets you link to unlisted pages. (laugh) )
I can't imagine there's not a few bugs in here but you can finish the game if you play it exactly like I did!!
A different maze every time you start a new game!! EriOo inspired me to do a ghost hunt dungeon crawl and I barely made it in time but it's all there.
Ghost Hunter: Dracula (https://springstreetonline.itch.io/ghost-hunter-dracula)
If you like dungeons this is really the bones of a larger project so stay tuned.
EDITED TO ADD SCREENSHOTS:
(https://i.imgur.com/qDweijh.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/6fD9ZGW.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/WfOL2TB.png)
Tough to pick just three since the whole game looks so different screen to screen lol...
Wow wee! Five games. Thank you to everyone who made a game for us this month. And they all look incredible.
Now it's time to play and vote.
Please vote using the poll above.
| (https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/images/games/2643_1_thumb_200.png) | Don't Give Up the Cat (https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/2643-don-t-give-up-the-cat/)
by Eri0o |
| (https://64.media.tumblr.com/28ef30db3b18070b0ecd9524cb42e8cc/70a693d15f168e40-e0/s640x960/abe59024857c3e43d4b90f6ed2c14f328c187c11.png) | A Very Serious Plumbing Simulator (https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/competitions-activities/mags-november-ghosts-open/msg636651637/#msg636651637)
by Falsely |
| (https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/images/games/2646_1_thumb_200.png) | Highland Spirit (https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/2646-highland-spirit/)
by ddavey1983 |
| (https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/images/games/2647_1_thumb_200.png) | Two Ghosts of That House: The Missing Toy (https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/2647-two-ghosts-of-that-house-the-missing-toy/)
by Volcan |
| (https://img.itch.zone/aW1nLzEwNjc4MDU5LmdpZg==/315x250%23cm/D4iJb9.gif) | Ghost Hunter: Dracula (https://springstreetonline.itch.io/ghost-hunter-dracula)
by newwaveburritos |
(As always, please let me know if I've missed anything)
Quote from: newwaveburritos on Sat 03/12/2022 04:16:56I can't imagine there's not a few bugs in here but you can finish the game if you play it exactly like I did!!
A different maze every time you start a new game!! EriOo inspired me to do a ghost hunt dungeon crawl and I barely made it in time but it's all there.
Ghost Hunter: Dracula (https://springstreetonline.itch.io/ghost-hunter-dracula)
If you like dungeons this is really the bones of a larger project so stay tuned.
Tough to pick just three since the whole game looks so different screen to screen lol...
1. It seems that this game only runs in a browser rather than from the desktop. Can anyone confirm this?
2. Is there a way to play in fullscreen mode? I don't know if it's because it's in a relatively small window on the browser payge but I can't read anything the character is saying.
3. Is there a way to know what the objective is of this game? I wandered around a bit and I'm wondering if I missed something.
I can help out, I think, since I wrote the thing! It does actually only run in browser right now. I didn't have time to upload the downloadable version before I ran out of time. Certainly I can add it to the page since it doesn't actually change the game but I wanted to err on the side of caution. Alt+Enter will get you to fullscreen but I was having problems with the fullscreen popup on itch in that I couldn't always get the keyboard to work and it's actually keyboard only control.
As to goals there's a magical map you need to find in the second "room" of the maze. If you get stuck though you can actually just press "M" to bring up the map at any time since I didn't bother to add a check in the game to make sure you actually had the map before using it. There really isn't a ton to do in the game but hunt down the ghost. You'll get a bit more direction when you find the map but essentially you're just traversing the length on the maze which is relatively linear in that it's four "rooms" on top of one another.
Quote from: newwaveburritos on Tue 06/12/2022 02:08:11I can help out, I think, since I wrote the thing! It does actually only run in browser right now. I didn't have time to upload the downloadable version before I ran out of time. Certainly I can add it to the page since it doesn't actually change the game but I wanted to err on the side of caution. Alt+Enter will get you to fullscreen but I was having problems with the fullscreen popup on itch in that I couldn't always get the keyboard to work and it's actually keyboard only control.
As to goals there's a magical map you need to find in the second "room" of the maze. If you get stuck though you can actually just press "M" to bring up the map at any time since I didn't bother to add a check in the game to make sure you actually had the map before using it. There really isn't a ton to do in the game but hunt down the ghost. You'll get a bit more direction when you find the map but essentially you're just traversing the length on the maze which is relatively linear in that it's four "rooms" on top of one another.
Thanks! I played the game and took out the ghost. It looks like it has potential. I had no problem playing in fullscreen mode.
Quote from: newwaveburritos on Tue 06/12/2022 02:08:11I didn't have time to upload the downloadable version before I ran out of time. Certainly I can add it to the page since it doesn't actually change the game but I wanted to err on the side of caution.
Don't worry about that. You won't be disqualified.
Well, we got five contenders this month and I've cast my vote. Here are my thoughts:
Don't give up the Cat by eri0oASpoiler
The strength of this game is definitely the amazing 3D immersive experience. Gameplay itself was somewhat straightforward but a very creative implementation of the theme of the month. I enjoyed it for the most part but I did spend about half my playing time wandering.
Spoiler
Very minimalist in terms of both the graphics and inventory items, but surprisingly packed with things to do and figure out to solve the game. I enjoyed the story and found the gameplay enjoyable and suspenseful
Spoiler
This game is the closest of the batch to being a traditional point and click adventure. The graphics, animation and sound effects are all superb. The story is detailed but amazingly opens an even more detailed backstory. I will confess to having more than a few laughs while playing. Having a map that expands as you play is a great touch.
All that said, the puzzles are what really makes this game shine. Most of them are quite logical and follow traditional puzzle patterns in terms of digging around for clues and revisiting old areas. My own experience with the puzzle solving was that I was able to proceed at just the right pace that I always felt rewarded at my progress and never felt stuck or frustrated.
My only criticism is that there were some puzzles that you had to literally click every item out of a few dozen till you came across the one you are looking for. This is not unheard of in traditional point and click adventures (in fact, most of the time that you encounter a bookcase, you can expect to have to click all the wrong titles till you find that book you're looking for) but still a bit tedious.
Spoiler
I really enjoyed the background and character art. There is one task to complete rather than any puzzles so the game took about 5 minutes.
Spoiler
I don't think I've ever seen anything like this 3D maze using AGS before! It reminded me of the Bards Tale that I used to play on the Apple II back in the 80s. At this point the gameplay is a bit basic but this sure has a lot of potential, especially if it gets worked into a bigger game
My vote went to
Spoiler
Highland Spirit. It's amazing that a mid-length game with this much polish and well-designed puzzles was made in such a short time period.
Well done!
Voted! :cheesy:
Feedback time!
Don't give up the Cat by EriOo
Spoiler
I was a playtester for this, so I have played it in lots of versions throughout the month and watched it grow into what it is now. The game sure shows technical wizardry and is using AGS in ways I wouldn't have thought possible. There are so many great details in this one, like the ability to claw the trees to show where you've been. That said, the gameplay/tasks are short, and the game is best as a mood piece or cat simulator. If you don't like exploring, I guess it's not your thing.
by Falsely
Spoiler
Falsely told me that there's only one ending in the MAGS build. In a way I like that, because the game is definitely best the first time you play it. (I tried it twice to look for more endings.) The graphics are animated like a cartoon - very well done, even if simplified and black and white. The characters are likeable and "alive" in the sense that they behave like real people and have some banter. Good writing as well. I also liked the scary story and how the puzzles came about. This author definitely has a knack for the scary weird story, and I'm going to check out those games I haven't already played.
When playing through the game a second time, the animations and the long dialogues became a bit tiring, even though I liked them a lot the first time. If Falsely decides to add more content, I think I'll keep coming back at regular intervals instead of playing it constantly, in order to not grow bored. I guess this is a risk of all VN games, and this one shares some characteristics with that genre.
by ddavey1983
Spoiler
I gathered from all the posts made about the game that this would be a good game even before I got to playing it. And it is a tour de force. The shortcuts made are cleverly hidden and don't affect gameplay at all (walkcycles or not-walkcycles). The game looks great, has characters with their own agendas and puzzles that arise from who they are. Add the several layers of history and the excellent use of the library and other historical remnants and some of the author's characteristic humour, and you get a very, very good game indeed.
by Volcan
Spoiler
I've been a bit curious to try out some of Volcan's games, but this is the first time I've done so. This is a short game, suitable for kids, with some nice graphical ideas, like the hovering ghosts who can go through solid furniture or "stand" on a floor that's fallen away a long time ago.
by newwaveburritos
Spoiler
I'm not really a maze or dungeon fan, but I did like that I actually played as Dracula instead of hunting him. By luck I tried pressing M and found out that I had a map, and without it I would have been hopelessly lost. The segments in the maze look so alike that there's no sense of movement when you walk forward unless there's an intersection coming up. Adding variety to the walls or a wobble when the player moves would make the game possible to play without using the map, (if that's a goal). I didn't play it long enough to read all the letters in the maze layout, so there may be an Easter egg there. This game is an interesting experiment and reminds me of Khris' OROW game where he defined a dungeon maze as one room.
My vote went to
Spoiler
Highland Spirit. There were two masterpieces in the contest this month, but as I was a bit involved in the making of one of them, the decision is made for me. This one shoots up to be my bookie tip for the MAGGIE award this year.
We've had a reasonable number of votes so far, so thanks for that. But any more will be very welcome. Now's your last chance to get your vote in.
As always, please remember to rate and comment on each game's relevant AGS page where possible. It help encourage users to keep making more games.
Well done to ddavey1983 (GOC games) for winning with the lovely-looking Highland Spirit. You'll be contacted soon about setting a theme for January.
Thanks again to everyone who made a game and to those who voted. This was a great month indeed thanks to all of you.
This was a great month for MAGS, nicely won
@ddavey1983 ! Curious for the next theme :-D
Congrats! It's nice to have one with a lot of entries! Great job everybody!!
Wow, that's amazing! Thank you so much everyone! Also, thank you for all the kind words of those who've reviewed the game, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Great to have a contest with lots of entries, hope it continues!