MAGS September “No Talking, Please” (RESULT)

Stupot · Fri 01/09/2023 18:04:04

You say it best, when you say nothing at all. So I will shut my mouth and introduce MAGS September.

Theme: No Talking, please.
Guidelines by: Ponch

This month's MAGS was a tie. Well done to both entries for sharing the win.

]	The Delivery by @4KbShort
]	Lost & Found by @Creamy

This game can have everything except dialog. Nobody says a word! Is the world filled with monsters that hunt by sound? Have space aliens stole all our words? Have you been raised by a colony of devout mimes? Have you taken a vow of silence? Are you trapped underwater and can't afford to waste the air? I don't know! But no one talks in this game!

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.

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Need a little help with graphics? Perhaps The AGS Trove has something you can use.
Don't want to go it alone? Try the Recruitment board.
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Durinde · Fri 01/09/2023 18:18:22

Neat concept! Not sure if I can compete this month, but I hope it will produce some interesting entries.

DBoyWheeler · Sat 02/09/2023 01:57:34

No way I could pull this off, let alone pull it off perfectly. But good luck to those who do try it.

Cassiebsg · Sun 03/09/2023 01:06:25

Uhm. I really like the topic. And I'm still itching to make a game. But to be fair, I really have no time this month... :/
But there's like a million ideas running through my mind, and no talk solves the biggest problem when I make a game... so... put me in for a maybe... but no likely.

Kitty Trouble · Sun 03/09/2023 01:59:11

One of these months I'm going to have a completed game, I'm just not great at art and the amount I can focus is limited, but the topic is interesting. Deciding whether it would be better to have a game plot revolving around this idea, or just to have a game that doesn't feature talking.

Cassiebsg · Sun 03/09/2023 08:18:59

You can use pre-made art. Don't let art stop you, if that is the only hurdle.

tbook · Mon 04/09/2023 13:04:31

Gotta say, I like this months theme

4KbShort · Fri 08/09/2023 10:02:44

Quote from: Kitty Trouble on Sun 03/09/2023 01:59:11One of these months I'm going to have a completed game, I'm just not great at art and the amount I can focus is limited, but the topic is interesting. Deciding whether it would be better to have a game plot revolving around this idea, or just to have a game that doesn't feature talking.

Do a Google search for whatever art assets you're looking for in "pixel" form. You'll get a lot of results from itch.io where people tend to give away a lot of art for free. You might not have a cohesive look as every artist is different, but if you need art fast or assets to make art fast this is the way I do it. The trees in "The Roadtrip" are from an artist who gives them away free on itch and it saved me from getting stuck on an art roadblock.

Kitty Trouble · Fri 08/09/2023 14:40:42

Are we allowed to use art purchased in humble bundles, etc., or only publicly available art?

Stupot · Fri 08/09/2023 15:08:17

Quote from: Kitty Trouble on Fri 08/09/2023 14:40:42Are we allowed to use art purchased in humble bundles, etc., or only publicly available art?

Use whatever you can (legally) get your hands on, Kitty. It is good form to credit your sources, either in-game or in a readme file. Not only does that give the original creator their due credit, it also adds a level of transparency for the players and voters.

Stupot · Wed 13/09/2023 23:18:08

How are we getting on, everyone?

heltenjon · Thu 14/09/2023 09:40:25

Noone wants to talk about it.

Cassiebsg · Thu 14/09/2023 17:10:28

LOL
I still have no time ATM.
So I'm out, even though I have like 3 different ideas...
And after not Blending for a year or so, I'm back feeling like a toddler who just learned to walk....
I might still do a 5-6 day game at the end of the month, as my time should be freed slightly.

No promises though.

Durinde · Thu 14/09/2023 19:36:56

I love the theme, but I already committed to another jam this month, so I highly doubt that I will be doing anything for this one.

RootBound · Thu 14/09/2023 20:29:10

Love the theme, but I already have way too many irons in the fire right now. Can't even keep up with all the projects I already started

Stupot · Sat 23/09/2023 02:48:29

Anyone got anything in the works?

Creamy · Sun 24/09/2023 20:17:41

Quote from: Stupot on Sat 23/09/2023 02:48:29Anyone got anything in the works?

I've started something yesterday. Tapping into my pile of doodles to catch up. Result not guaranteed.

Ponch · Mon 25/09/2023 02:22:16

Quote from: Creamy on Sun 24/09/2023 20:17:41I've started something yesterday. Tapping into my pile of doodles to catch up. ~~Result not guaranteed.~~ An amazing game will be delivered shortly.

You are awesome! I was starting to think this was a terrible theme and I was going to have to leave the forums forever.

cat · Mon 25/09/2023 10:13:41

Quote from: Ponch on Mon 25/09/2023 02:22:16I was starting to think this was a terrible theme

No, the theme is fantastic. I just somehow only noticed it yesterday and don't have enough time to come up with something, sadly.

Kastchey · Mon 25/09/2023 13:55:34

I second that. It's a lovely theme and I've been eyeing this thread since early September, but I couldn't squeeze out enough free time.

Anywhere I can lobby for bi-MAGS?

cat · Mon 25/09/2023 21:36:28

Quote from: Kastchey on Mon 25/09/2023 13:55:34Anywhere I can lobby for bi-MAGS?

Rather the other way round - I could more likely do an hour game or OROW than work a whole month on a game.

eri0o · Tue 26/09/2023 00:24:10

@cat , what is OROW?

DBoyWheeler · Tue 26/09/2023 01:10:00

Quote from: eri0o on Tue 26/09/2023 00:24:10@cat , what is OROW?

I can answer that for you.

OROW = One Room One Week. Basically, you'd have a week to make a really short game that only takes place in one room.

Stupot · Tue 26/09/2023 01:56:07

Quote from: cat on Mon 25/09/2023 21:36:28
Quote from: Kastchey on Mon 25/09/2023 13:55:34Anywhere I can lobby for bi-MAGS?
Rather the other way round - I could more likely do an hour game or OROW than work a whole month on a game.

Nothing stopping you from making a OROW game and submitting that for MAGS. The beauty of it is that you'll get an extra three weeks to test and tweak and make it perfect.

No spoilers, but I think anyone who's more inclined to make a very short game very quickly might be especially interested in October's theme, so keep an eye out for that on October 1st.

But for now let's see if we can get any games over the finish line for September.

heltenjon · Tue 26/09/2023 03:24:04

Quote from: DBoyWheeler on Tue 26/09/2023 01:10:00
Quote from: eri0o on Tue 26/09/2023 00:24:10@cat , what is OROW?
I can answer that for you.

OROW = One Room One Week. Basically, you'd have a week to make a really short game that only takes place in one room.

https://archive.org/details/adventuregamestudio_oneroomoneweek

Cassiebsg · Tue 26/09/2023 22:41:28

Yes, nothing stopping anyone from making a OROW, 24H or even 1 hour game. You have a month, but you can use as little or as much of the month as wish/have time for.

I finally have some time free again, so I might still be game. As said I have like 3 ideas... though one of them would be "wasted" in a short MAGS games. It's better suited to a longer story line.

4KbShort · Wed 27/09/2023 05:22:43

I finished one!
I did this one in about 4 hours. I was going to spend about 4 days, but my schedule changed last minute and I lost the weekend I was going to use to make this so this is what came out of it... I hope everyone gets the irony here:

The Delivery - A "Text Adventure"

Ponch · Wed 27/09/2023 11:20:21

Quote from: 4KbShort on Wed 27/09/2023 05:22:43I finished one!

Also, this thread has made me nostalgic for OROW. How long as it been since we had one of those? My most recent MAGS game was a semi sequel to an old OROW game I did years ago.

Creamy · Sat 30/09/2023 20:04:47

Can I get a couple of days please?

I'm nearly there but the game's not quite finished

Ponch · Sat 30/09/2023 20:21:19

Stu's call, of course, but I'm for it. I've certainly needed an extension to finish a few of my MAGS games in the past.

Stupot · Sat 30/09/2023 22:59:03

Quote from: Creamy on Sat 30/09/2023 20:04:47Can I get a couple of days please?

I'm nearly there but the game's not quite finished

Granted.

New deadline: end of October 2nd (UK time)

Meanwhile, anyone interested in making a shorter game (or four) might want to consider checking out October's theme.

4KbShort · Sun 01/10/2023 05:41:45

Quote from: Creamy on Sat 30/09/2023 20:04:47Can I get a couple of days please?

I'm nearly there but the game's not quite finished

You can do it! (Don't let me be the only one to submit something my game is short and ~~terrible~~ lazy!)

Creamy · Mon 02/10/2023 22:59:54

Thank you for bearing with me. Here's my hodgepodge:

LOST & FOUND

DOWNLOAD

Run the lost & found service of a big town in the absence of your boss.

Warning: contains cartoon violence.

Stupot · Tue 03/10/2023 15:23:29

Thanks for the entries guys.

Please vote using the poll above.

]	The Delivery by @4KbShort
]	Lost & Found by @Creamy

heltenjon · Tue 03/10/2023 18:05:47

The Delivery

Spoiler

I found five ways to die.

Even though this was all text, it fit the theme very well, and the descriptions were much to my liking. Funny, although naturally limited.

[close]

Lost & Found

Spoiler

This should be all accounts be a stressful click exercise, but somehow it wasn't. Perhaps is was the calm music and the beauty of the art that made it a relaxing, almost meditative experience? The connection to the theme may be somewhat thin.

[close]

I voted for

Spoiler

Lost & Found. Beautiful, fun and more of a challenge than the other game.

[close]

Thanks for the games, guys!

Creamy · Wed 04/10/2023 17:25:35

Thanks Heltonjon

Spoiler

At first I considered a frantic banjo music and a shorter timer (Wario Ware style) but I prefer it this way.

[close]

I played the delivery. A well-written little romp

Spoiler

The descriptions of the mayhem you cause are hilarious. The ending was pretty funny too.
A small bug: the mouse disappears after a game over.

[close]

Ponch · Fri 06/10/2023 19:57:03

Huzzah! A proper competition!

4KbShort · Sun 08/10/2023 15:14:24

@Creamy Thanks for playing! Yeah the mouse bug is "known" in that it's how my version of the AGS engine for running my entries is programmed. I debated keeping it hidden or not and went with hidden. Downside is there's no indicator that there's a timer ticking down the credits for a reset so it can seem... trapped? Thanks for the feedback!

Spoiler

Also, played through your entry as well! Very enjoyable and the artwork is awesome and well-mixed. Also found a small bug: trying to change the sound volume causes a crash, but there's little need so it's not game breaking!

[close]

RootBound · Mon 16/10/2023 14:14:37

Enjoyed both games and played them both more than once - @4KbShort 's because I died, and @Creamy 's because I wanted to get a higher score.
I voted for

Spoiler

Creamy, because it has more play time and feels like a more immersive experience. And even with the speed turned down, it's challenging!

I do think 4Kbshort had a stronger connection to the theme, though. It was a close decision.

[close]

One minor bug(?) in Creamy's entry:

Spoiler

Perhaps not a bug exactly. Returning the shoes plays the sound but doesn't change the artwork in the way the other items do.

[close]

Stupot · Mon 16/10/2023 15:38:06

Last chance to vote, folks.

Thanks to those who have voted so far.

Creamy · Mon 16/10/2023 20:26:50

QuoteOne minor bug(?) in Creamy's entry:
Spoiler
Perhaps not a bug exactly. Returning the shoes plays the sound but doesn't change the artwork in the way the other items do.
[close]

I had to leave 2 pictures unchanged because I was running out of time. Somehow, it felt more important to have sound effects for every picture.

glurex · Tue 17/10/2023 23:28:15

A draw, wow. It's fair, though. I liked both games.

Stupot · Wed 18/10/2023 06:02:01

This month's MAGS was a tie. Well done to both entries for sharing the win.

I'll contact you both in due course about choosing a theme for November. Feel free to confer with each other in the meantime.

Creamy · Wed 18/10/2023 23:20:22

QuoteThis month's MAGS was a tie. Well done to both entries for sharing the win.

Yay!

As heltonjon wrote earlier, The Delivery is more related to the theme than Lost & Found.
I used the "No talking, please" rule as an excuse to stitch some pictures together, whereas it was a central element of 4KbShort's game.

EDIT: the game was updated with some artistic improvements and bug fixes.

MAGS September “No Talking, Please” (RESULT)

What is your favourite game of MAGS September?