MAGS September: "The Bad Guy" (CLOSED)

[Atelier]

Topic: 'The Bad Guy'
This month's guidelines were set by tzachs:

The hero doesn't have to be "evil", but he/she needs to at least
have some form of low morals (for example, in the Chzo games
Trilby was a burglar). And for bonus points (to honor the previous
host Dualnames): a towel as an inventory item...

Good luck to all participants.
Ending 30/9/2010



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:

✓ A working download link.
✓ The title of your game.
✓ 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.


Note: I trust the smarter thread is to everybody's satisfaction.
Note 2: Thank you once again to Dualnames, who proved an enormous help throughout my inauguration =D

[Dualnames]

Wow, you've made the cutting edge! It looks so friendly!!
Very well done!

Well, my exams finish around mid September, but I will definitely attempt entry. I think this looks incredibly fantastic. And I mean it. Well done. Getting rid of all that text, and just keeping the interesting bits, is way to go!

I just love love love love it!
Also tzachs, a towel as an inventory item? You tease!

Oh, and:
MAZEL TOV!

[Ryan Timothy B]

Excellent new posting method for the MAGS challenge and what-is info. It gets to the point right away, which is the theme challenge.
Good work and good luck with hosting.

[Atelier]

Thanks everybody. I guess I'm just lucky to be on such a great forum =3

[bicilotti]

Yay for more concise, sexy instructions!

[GarageGothic]

*ponders whether a Towelie fan-game would meet the bonus point requirement*

[tzachs]

Hmmm, Towelie? I'm not sure about that.
Wait a minute. Let me get high and then I'll know.

...
...

Guaranteed win! 

[Atelier]

Time has eaten roughly half way through MAGS now.
Has anybody been inclined to enter, or indeed has anybody started something?

[Dualnames]

I will be aware of my intentions on monday. High chances are that I have something.

[mode7]

Hey everyone,
i know it seems odd to make such an announcement with the first post, but I'm planing to release something for this competition. I think the mags competition is a good way for me to meet a deadline.
I've been working on my project for a week now and I think chances are good that I will make it.
Though coding some of the things might give me a hard time.

I don't know if it makes sense to post some preview information as it's only a months time. But expect something different, yet a 100% pure adventure game - and yes it will be short and quite easy.

I hope it's ok if I join the mags competition with my first game as I can assure you: quality will be ok.

mode7

EDIT: One more question: Would it be ok to get help from someone, e.g. for the music or do I have to do everything myself.

[Atelier]

Hi mode, glad to know I managed to recruit fresh meat =D. It's also great to hear about your entry, I'm certainly looking forward to it.

You may get help with something like music, as this is generally (dare I say always?) the most time-consuming*. Help could of course be internal or external to the forums. As long as you create the majority of your entry, you're fine.

*Except if you're Calin, of course =p
But I suppose it depends whether you're using pre-made loops, or whether you actually play all the instruments yourself.
I only learnt to play a recorder at school =(. Yet I'm not terrible with a harmonica.

[Calin Leafshade]

I actually find music to be one of the quickest things to do.

All the music in Eternally Us took a few hours.

[mode7]

Yeah I guess! If you know anything about music. I'm more of the visual type. Who knows. I might even find someone on this board to help me with the music.

[Chicky]

I actually find music to be one of the quickest things to do.

All the music in Eternally Us took a few hours.

Art takes the longest in my experience, ey ey ey Steve, ey ey! 

[Dualnames]

One more question: Would it be ok to get help from someone, e.g. for the music or do I have to do everything myself.

To quote AtelierGames, that you probably missed. Or misinterpreted. That happens no worries.

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.

I would love to give it a shot with the music, though I'm actually planning on joining against you tomorrow. 
As for Calin, its fairly known he created his music in 2 hours. Cause he ripped it from me. Yeah!

Not really, that's a lie.

[LUniqueDan]

I'm in.

[Atelier]

One week left and three confirmed entries, hurray! How are they shaping up?

[mode7]

Graphics and animation about 90%
Most of the custom coding is done but a lot of scripting is still missing.
Sound effects and music are still missing completely
And menu design is also down on the priority list.

I feel I can make it but it's going to be a hell of a ride - actually it has been all along. But the experience I gained is of great value.

[LUniqueDan]

3days left. I'm going to make it.

The game is actually functionnal- it just needs a lot of graphical tweaking and a good job of spellchecking.

Good luck All!

EDIT: Where is the 3rd one?

[Atelier]

Cool, great news both of you. Dualnames hinted at entering (twice) but has started nothing

[Dualnames]

Cool, great news both of you. Dualnames hinted at entering (twice) but has started nothing

Poor bastard. Well, indeed, twas a great theme, but if not apparent already I'm out. Shame to really miss it. I feel ashamed at myself. I mean Towel! What could a man possibly ask for?

Good luck to all entrants. I'll vote nevertheless.
And again congrats to Atelier for having to put up with me. And my bad-ass tutoring.

[Atelier]

You're too kind to me and too harsh on yourself

[joelphilippage]

I should have something done by the release date.

[LUniqueDan]

Cool
(Everything to hide my release under others) 

[Atelier]

With one day left, time to start thinking about spit polishing your games.

[mode7]

Yeah, just finished my game from start to end. A few animations are still missing but it's a good feeling.
I think it's way to easy and short but I think at least it's fun.
And it might be one of the first games with native gamepad support (which I strongly recommend using).

I've got only one problem:
I'm using a mod for the music which is free to distribute but it's not creative commons so I don't know if it is ok to include it in the game. I've tracked down the author and wrote a mail asking for permission  but haven't got an answer yet.
So on the one hand I'd really like to use it because it fits the game perfectly on the other hand I don't want to snub the author cause I know what it feels like to see your own work in someone elses distribution.
Still I feel it should be ok if it's properly credited.

Maybe you guys can give me some advice?

I'm also using an audio sample which is property of konami. But it's clearly used as a parody. I think it's fine under US and German law but I don't know about UK law as it seems to be somehow stricter in this aspect.
I'm just asking if there's a policy about this when posting an AGS game.

[LUniqueDan]

Dunno, Mode7, I'm actually using midis of Bad Religion, half of the US patriotic songs and one Bruce Springsteen. If I remove them, My game will loose all charm.

Anyway those mags are not for commercial use, And I don't believe midi are a way to steal money from an author.

(Bad Religion will love my game) 

[mode7]

Ok here's my game..

Abduction

It's what I call an "Arcade Adventure"

Screens:




Download:
Download Link! (Rev.3)

I made some last minute changes so this version isn't properly tested. I really hope I haven't broke it.
More info later when i got time.

EDIT: Ok it's 23:41 now (at least in the UK ) I'm updating this because there was a problem with the configuration.
Also this version is slightly enhanced with more sound effects.

EDIT: 1.10 10:56. There were some serious bugs in the earlier releases. They should be fixed now. Also fixed some issues with sounds not playing. If you downloaded an earlier version you might want to get this. Sorry for the inconvenience.

[arj0n]

@ mode7:

Psst:

Spoiler

Minor thingy: setup.exe asks for smooth scroll.exe in stead of Abduction.exe

[close]

[LUniqueDan]

Ok then.
Wow, very nice art, mode7! I'm downloading right now.

So, here's my _humble   contribution : An akatoshian / megoesque / southparkian political satire.

Call Me George






Call Me George : Chapter 1 - Prophecy

This is the first 1/5th of the original game. Poorly spellchecked and not really betatested. Hope you'll enjoy the quiz game. (Hope also Progz will still talk to me after that.)   Some preview of the rest of the game that I'm hopping to finish in the next weeks :


(Secrets of The Oval Office)

(Fun at the Supreme Court)

[mode7]

@ mode7:

Psst:

Spoiler

Minor thingy: setup.exe asks for smooth scroll.exe in stead of Abduction.exe

[close]

Thanks for pointing this out. I started off with the smooth scroll module demo and ended up using it as a template. It's fixed now.

[Khris]

mode7:

Cool game, I'm stuck, will try to finish it.

Small bug:

Spoiler

After the guy on the far left went over to the tower, I could still interact with his hotspot.

[close]

[joelphilippage]

Next to Evil



Duet is a woman with a strange talent. She is also a member of the most powerful family in the world. When she sees that her family causes destruction to the empire and a strange veiled woman gives her the opportunity to betray her family, she must decide if starting a revolution is really what she wants.


Download Here

[Calin Leafshade]

overthrow*

When Calin Leafshade is pointing out spelling/grammar errors then you know you have problems.

[mode7]

ßHey guys is it still ok to post a bugfixed version here? Even though it's 1.10 already.

Anyway I did it: Sorry for the bugs all reported should be fixed now. Some might have rendered the game unfinishable if they occured. You will know when it's over. there is no "open end".

[joelphilippage]

And I tried so hard this time. :'(  Thanks for pointing that out. I can't wait to play these other ones.

[Atelier]

Very good. I declare MAGS September closed. Now:

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

Next to Evil by joelphilippage
Call Me George by LUniqueDan
Abduction by mode7

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

Voting will end on the 15th of October.
Thank you everybody. Now for MAGS October!

[Dualnames]

Congrats to all entrants. Sorry I didn't join you. But I took my time to play the entries. Only to favor one.

Call me James.

[Igor Hardy]

Congrats to all entrants. Sorry I didn't join you. But I took my time to play the entries. Only to favor one.

Call me James.

Why should we call you James, when your name is Dualnames?

[Dualnames]

Congrats to all entrants. Sorry I didn't join you. But I took my time to play the entries. Only to favor one.

Call me James.

Why should we call you James, when your name is Dualnames?

It was supposedly a reference to what I voted. Call Me George being one of the entries. 

[Questionable]

Way to vote with Anonymity Dual...

[LUniqueDan]

He want his paycheck. 

[bicilotti]

Dan, good news: MAGS october's rule are fit to mke chapter II of your saga!

[tzachs]

I liked all of the entries.
Some of my thoughts:

Call me George- The quiz was fun, looking forwards to the rest of the game, hoping for the "Southparkian" vibe you mentioned earlier.

Abduction- Really liked the graphics, and the use of space in the puzzles. Gave me that "Goblins" feel with the no-text responses and jumping between areas in the same room. The puzzles were mostly logical, but I didn't understand the logic behind the people needs.

Spoiler

-Why do the princess need three people to go to the castle?
-Why do this guy needs a medallion, this guy needs a diamond and so on...

[close]

Next To Evil- The interesting backstory, the mysterious cloaked figure, the expressional portraits and the music set a really good atmosphere to the game and immediately had me immersed. The use of the "splitting" mechanism was also nice (and innovative), although it made the puzzles really easy because all the puzzles relied on that ability.

My vote goes to

Spoiler

Next To Evil

[close]

[Dualnames]

Way to vote with Anonymity Dual...

Oh, well, I had to answer the question.
I wanted a small kind of reference, but well,then I turned it into a complete give-away. Greeks. Pfff.

[Atelier]

The fifteen days for voting is up, and a winner has been decided!

Next to Evil by joelphilippage
9 vote(s)

Call Me George by LUniqueDan
1 vote(s)

Abduction by mode7
3 vote(s)


Congratulations joelphilippage!
You'll be receiving a PM from me shortly.

And of course, thanks to all participants and voters.

Atelier.

[arj0n]

Congratz Joel

[LUniqueDan]

Gratz joelphilippage, great game btw!

[Dualnames]

Well done to all entrants, i think the vote results shouldn't be visible, but well you're the MAGS host. All and all great competition. Congrats to Joel!

[Atelier]

i think the vote results shouldn't be visible

Hmm, I was wondering beforehand whether or not to show it. Some people might like to see how close they came, but on the other hand some people might find it demoralising. I suppose if it's very close, I'll reveal the actual vote numbers too.

[mode7]

Congratulations Joel!
And thanks everyone else for support and making me actually finish a game!

[joelphilippage]

Thanks guys. It was a fun game to make and I was happy with the constructive feedback I got. I was happy with how all the games this month had some sort of unique game play. Thanks again Arj0n for the great beta testing. It would have been a stinker without you. I will probably create an updated version soon.

[tzachs]

Congrats Joel!

And as for the "to show votes or not to show votes" issue, I'm for showing the votes. I feel that knowing is better than not knowing (even if I received 0 votes).
In fact, it will even give me more motivation to enter the competition.

[Dualnames]

Congrats Joel!

And as for the "to show votes or not to show votes" issue, I'm for showing the votes. I feel that knowing is better than not knowing (even if I received 0 votes).
In fact, it will even give me more motivation to enter the competition.

Perhaps pming them to authors? That sounds better to me. Or to anyone that is interested but only in pm? Or use hide?

I'm being too nitpicky but it somehow strikes odd. Anyhow, up to Atelier anyways.

[Wyz]

Yes I also prefer vote counts being made public. It's a lot like the other compos and motivates more people to vote I think