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.tk)
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 (a.k.a n00bies).
MAGS is the perfect opportuninty to make a game, and the wonderful prize is to announce the net month's rules, and all competitiors 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 "favourite" games, and not the most artistic, you may get help for the competiton, but must not get anyone else to do any part of the game for you.
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Theme - Open Source Robbery
This theme may sound strange but it combines two main rules for this month's competition:
- To show new AGSers how to solve problems with the system this time your AGS code must be open source. So you have to upload both: Your game and the source code.
- The game must be about robbery. So it could be all you can imagine from insurance fraud to a planned bank robbery or a burglary.
- Also pick at least two items from the list below and include them somehow in your game:
lockpick
blueprint
night vision device
safe
alarm device
mask
black cape
headset
cutting torch
welding torch
gloves
watchman
no other restrictions
For the voting in the end only the game play is important as your code won't be checked for good or bad style. Anyway the source must be available.
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All games in by May 27th.
Please post a download link of your game entry and its source code to this thread, best with a screenshot. Thanks and good luck.
Sounds good, maybe I'll try it.. Now just to think of a robbery... ;)
Btw, I like the open-source rule, it'll be fun. :)
I can't script... :(
... at all
I just may enter.. Do cyber-robberies count?
Can the watchman be a character?
Quote from: LilGryphMaster on Mon 03/05/2004 22:39:04
I just may enter.. Do cyber-robberies count?
Yes, all kinds of robbery.
@redwall: for sure.
I'm in. My entry's coming along nicely, and will probably be posted next week...
My only question is about the not getting other people to do parts of the game for you. Would it be ok if a friend of mine drew out a sketch of the main character on paper that I would interpret in paint?
Well, I've never made a game before, so the outcome of this could be terrible to mediocre, but I think it's time for me to give it a try. I also promised to do a tutorial showing how to make 3d backgrounds, so there will be the added addition of "open-source backgrounds" because the .blend files will be available.Ã, :D
Quote from: Kraf on Tue 04/05/2004 23:02:40
Would it be ok if a friend of mine drew out a sketch of the main character on paper that I would interpret in paint?
In history of MAGS there already have been entries written by several people that created different parts of the game: One took the scripting section while the other was doing artwork or music. So for your request that's absolutely okay.
Great. By the way, this would be my first actual game to. On thje other hand I made a quick and pointless 1 room game to learn the system.
Got my concept mostly complete, just to be sure though, does ransom count as robbery, since there is money being taken illegaly?
Actually, it's more like a, "I'll do this if you don't give me this," rather than a typical ransom.
!!!!!
where have i been??
havent posted since mars or something:O
just started to work on krap quest again:)
maybe i will enter this, open source sounds like a cool idea!
if i enter, i hope that i get this mags game finished:P
2 more animations and I'm finished! :D
Quotehavent posted since mars or something:O
?! :O ?!
;)
Kraf: What, already? Man, you're fast. Tell me your secret! :D
I haven't even gotten around to starting yet, especciaaly since AGS, Photoshop, and most other programs don't work. I do hope to make a short game if I have time. :)
Secret? You mean like going to the mags site repeadetly until the new rules were up? Or do you mean calling in sick, then going downstairs and working 5 hours straight on my game? :D
Edit:Alright, I'm done, but I'm going to need help on instructions how to get it out there for you guys. How do I upload my zipfile? Is there a certain destination for me to do so?
You need a hosting site. If the file is smaller than 1 megabyte, you can upload it here:
http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/upload/upload.html
Otherwise, you need to sign up for a free hosting company. There are many, however a lot of them have a file size limit or don't allow files like .zip, .rar, .exe, etc...
These seem to be good ones:
http://www.domaindlx.com/
edit: Ah, damn, no it's not..
"We do not allow any type of programs, software, or MP3 files on our server. Also hotlinking is not allowed."
In that case, I think these are the only ones I've found that allow these file types:
http://www.tripod.lycos.co.uk/
http://www.portland.co.uk/freewebhosting.esp
http://www.50megs.com/ (not sure yet)
Still, I think it's likely that your file is smaller than 1 meg anyway, my mags games usually are very small when zipped. :)
Hey, uh, any status on my question? It's rather important, I've started modelling already..
Quote from: shbazjinkens on Tue 11/05/2004 05:22:59
Hey, uh, any status on my question?
Quote from: shbazjinkens on Thu 06/05/2004 09:38:31
does ransom count as robbery, since there is money being taken illegaly?
Well, if Rocco accepts "cyber-robberies" then "ransom" is also allowed - of course only as a game topic. :)
Go for it.
I've got a some questions and some stuff to say
Q #1: Can a guy sneak into some mansion that once belonged to a rich dude in search of goods and have to escape
Q #2: Does the whole game have to be about a robbery, or can the robbery cause the plot?
Q #3: Does it have to be scripted?
Q #4: If the game's looks and possibly plot is crappy but the game itself is great, do I have a chance of winning?
Quote from: Blane on Tue 11/05/2004 17:29:34
I've got a some questions and some stuff to say
Q #1: Can a guy sneak into some mansion that once belonged to a rich dude in search of goods and have to escape
Q #2: Does the whole game have to be about a robbery, or can the robbery cause the plot?
Q #3: Does it have to be scripted?
Q #4: If the game's looks and possibly plot is crappy but the game itself is great, do I have a chance of winning?
The main purpose is to have fun, so if you make a game around the requirements, in whatever way you want, it is ok.
The second purpose is, that especcially newbies can look at the script files, to see how the game is working.
Q1: Great idea to work on
Q2: It depends on your game, and what you need.
Q3: No, the way you do it, is the right one
Q4: If its fun to play, and you get the most player-votes you win.Ã, :)
Quote from: Rocco on Tue 11/05/2004 20:17:08
Quote from: Blane on Tue 11/05/2004 17:29:34
I've got a some questions and some stuff to say
Q #1: Can a guy sneak into some mansion that once belonged to a rich dude in search of goods and have to escape
Q #2: Does the whole game have to be about a robbery, or can the robbery cause the plot?
Q #3: Does it have to be scripted?
Q #4: If the game's looks and possibly plot is crappy but the game itself is great, do I have a chance of winning?
The main purpose is to have fun, so if you make a game around the requirements, in whatever way you want, it is ok.
The second purpose is, that especcially newbies can look at the script files, to see how the game is working.
Q1: Great idea to work on
Q2: It depends on your game, and what you need.
Q3: No, the way you do it, is the right one
Q4: If its fun to play, and you get the most player-votes you win.Ã, :)
Thanx, I needed the answer. I'll give it a try
I'm working on a small game this month, but what is a watchman? Is that something like a guard?
Quote from: Minimi on Thu 13/05/2004 14:54:31
I'm working on a small game this month, but what is a watchman? Is that something like a guard?
It's the human form of a watch-dog, so I guess it could be called guard too ;D
I'm dropping out.. just got a job and I've been haphazardly joining large game projects on the side anyway.
I'll still try to get some tutorials up for people interested in 3d without the piracy, har har.
Hey... is there still someone else making a game?? Because I'm definatley going to finish my game! Kraf??? Or anyone? It wouldn't be fun to be the only one to enter!
yes, just gonna start now:D
Quote from: Minimi on Mon 17/05/2004 09:47:41
Hey... is there still someone else making a game?? Because I'm definatley going to finish my game! Kraf??? Or anyone? It wouldn't be fun to be the only one to enter!
I'm working on one, but I'm not convinced it'll be in any shape to be released
by the deadline. Of course, that didn't stop me last month....
I'm in too,check
http://www.agsforums.com/yabb/index.php?topic=14084.0
jaz
The Coup de Coup will be uploaded tonight 9-10 PM GMT. Download link will be available roughly the same time.
Don't forget to
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/promoanim1.gif)
bah, you dont want to vote for them. Vote No String's Attached!!Ã, download coming soonÃ, ;)
like they say : who comes first, eats first! :P
My game is done!
(http://minimi.spijbelaars.com/ralphscreen.PNG)
Ralph the Raven Go here for the thread! (http://www.agsforums.com/yabb/index.php?topic=14250.msg173017#msg173017)
Here is the sourcecode of my game :
http://minimi.spijbelaars.com/ralphtrsourcecode.txt
PS: I'd say, vote for the game you like the most :)
COUP DE CUP completed!
Downoad it at
http://www.fozbee.co.uk/Coupdecup.exe
and don't forget to vote for us!
Playing the Raven game now, looks cute ;D
Uhm, but I think "open source" meant making the game open source so it could be loaded into ags as a reference for new users, not just posting the global script.
Quote from: Totoro on Tue 25/05/2004 23:56:42
Playing the Raven game now, looks cuteÃ, ;D
Uhm, but I think "open source" meant making the game open source so it could be loaded into ags as a reference for new users, not just posting the global script.
I'm not going to give away the whole game, sorry. Then someone could just change the content, and take their credit for it. Sorry...btw, the rules were to upload the
source code!!! and that's what I did ;)
ok so competition ends tommorow, then it looks like ive got to get mine finished today. Shouldnt be too hard.
i'll keep it posted
Quote from: Totoro on Tue 25/05/2004 23:56:42
Uhm, but I think "open source" meant making the game open source so it could be loaded into ags as a reference for new users, not just posting the global script.
That's it. And so it reads in the intro:
Quote from: Klaus on Mon 03/05/2004 08:35:55
- To show new AGSers how to solve problems with the system this time your AGS code must be open source. So you have to upload both: Your game and the source code.
To uploading the source code was just a reminder.Ã, The global script alone won't do it as this is only a part of the source code. The game won't work at all if a new user just enters your code as there's no definition of rooms, dialogs, ... available. How should it be possible to learn handling AGS from this game then?
Quote from: OSC on Wed 26/05/2004 12:32:11
ok so competition ends tommorow.
Yes, that's right - all entries should be in within 24 hours from now so that the voting can start then...
Is the source included in the Coup de Cup? Don't see it... ???
Quote from: Totoro on Wed 26/05/2004 13:51:02
Is the source included in the Coup de Cup? Don't see it...Ã, ???
Right, this entry also doesn't seem to be "complete" by now. :-\
great games guys, both really nice. My vote goes to Coup De Cup though. Just love the atmosphere.
Dang. I was looking forward to the entries in this MAGS because I thought viewing source code would help me. Oh well...
Quote from: OSC on Wed 26/05/2004 15:57:59
great games guys, both really nice. My vote goes to Coup De Cup though. Just love the atmosphere.
Of course its cool, but maybe the game which really follows the rules will win, OSC! :)
Quote from: Totoro on Wed 26/05/2004 20:08:54
Of course its cool, but maybe the game which really follows the rules will win, OSC! :)
I don`t intend to upload the source sorry.....
We did`nt realize this was part of the rules until last nite.
I don`t mind giving a global script like minimi has done ...but i intend to re use the interface and scripting that has been put into our game.
A lot of hard work went into making that code and i`d prefer not to serve it up on a plater for all to use.....
I learnt from using the manual and looking on the forums....and from time to time i`m more than prepared to give my help if i can to anyone with a scripting problem.
If we are disqualified so be it.
Its not the winning that counts its the taking part.....hold on, i don`t think we are even able to take part.....which means no entries this month...unless minimi changes his mind.
Foz......
Of course its everyones one decision whether to show his code to someone else.
But I am just wondering... for example "Exile" has been open source since I knew AGS. It has a very special interface and quite complicated coding I think. I never saw the interface appear in any other game though. So maybe there are not so many thieves out there as one might think (of course, robbery being the topic this month, we might get little more scared about burglars than usually ;) )
I won't change my mind, foz, and I think they should adjust the rules. I mean I gave the sourcecode... and heck! Everything is in the manual, totorials or on the forum. If you still can't make game, your unworthy of using AGS, i.m.h.o.
.... *feels twisted*........
QuoteIf you still can't make game, your unworthy of using AGS, i.m.h.o.
That's a bit rude, don't you think? I don't think they should adjust the rules, rules are rules. Maybe you should have read them a bit more carefully.
Quote from: Lazy Z on Wed 26/05/2004 23:17:50
rules are rules. Maybe you should have read them a bit more carefully.
I agree if i`d know this fact i would have spent time doing something else.........that said me and jaz have made a decent game...IMO....
(If its not classed as a MAGS game we`ll just put it in the short game section.)
And neither of us are majorly bothered if we get excluded.....
(we want to win but its not that important)..
This game was a way of taking a break from doing MIA....
I`m interested to see what the guys at MAGS are going to do......
Would it be the first time that no game has been entered....???
Foz
Seems to me if none of the entrants are willing to open source their game, the rules should change.
These guys made games that you presumably enjoyed. You'll just have to make your own open source game if you feel that strongly about it.
PS Sorry Minimi...
Must vote Coup de Cup...
[EDIT - While I liked Ralph, I thought the game was a bit simple, and the music didn't fit too well.]
Quote from: SteveMcCrea on Wed 26/05/2004 23:45:48
PS Sorry Minimi...
Must vote Coup de Cup...
I just hope you liked the game! I'm satisfied then.
For whatever it's worth, I won't be able to finish the game I had intended to
enter this month. Whenever it IS done, however, I am planning on making
the source available. Even if it isn't actually a MAGS entry.
Actually, I'm thinking about distributing just about all my "scratch work"
as well: the working script, the outline, the rough artwork, and that sort
of thing. I do most of my artwork in gimp, so including an XCF file (the
native gimp format that includes layers, transparencies, and so forth) might
work, too.
Without getting into the whole opensource argument, I've got to admit I
find it kinda funny that a bunch of people who are (by and large) copying
interfaces (and sometimes entire games) originally designed by LucasArts
and Sierra are getting so torqued over the idea of someone copying their
work.
Mmmh, if someone could bring up SOMETHING open source, I think that should win then in any case ;D
How scabby would it be for me to enter my unfinished mags entry, which IS open source?
going by what your saying Totoro that would be an easy win. But that would be pretty harsh on the other entrants, which have obviously worked harder than i have, as i havnt finished.
what should i do? if i would mean "saving mags" from having no entrants, then fine. But i dont want to steal the crown from the great entries so far.
OK, I decided to make it open source, to meet the rules, so I can enter the MAGS.
Here is the sourcecode! Please, if you use any of the content of the game, give my website "http://www.solidussoft.tk" credit for it!
http://minimi.spijbelaars.com/RalphTheRavenSource.zip
Every newbie... enjoy these sourcefiles, of ralph the raven! It took me a whole month, to work on it on my own... so keep that in mind ;)
Okay now. We all see it's a difficult situation. But it was clear from the first posting in this thread, that the game being open source is a part of the rules. Seeing Minimi offering his code now after this discussion is nice and it will surely be a great help for newbies to create their games. Thanks for that.
Now for the voting I'll allow both entries to be voted for. Why? Next month there will be a contest out of the standard settings. This gives me time to think about how to handle the problems and results of this month's competition... and as you all know it's about having fun and enjoying the games that are created and not about being forced to do things that you don't want to do...
So for voting please visit the MAGS site (http://www.mags-competition.tk) or make your choice right here:
Ralph the Raven by Minimi (http://mags.klaus-schlichter.info?page=voting&fav=Ralph%20the%20Raven)
Coup de Cup by jaz (http://mags.klaus-schlichter.info?page=voting&fav=Coup%20de%20Cup)
Please vote only once and be sure to have played all games before sending your voice! Good luck to the both participants.
Wow.
That's really sad that people are so wacky about open sourcing a project. I mean, AGS is free after all, and so are your games...Your not going to lose any money. I guess I just don't get it. :-\
Anyway, just so those that are posting here and hoping for some source code from some games, I posted the source to all of my games a while back. It didn't get much of a response so I don't think many people know about it. It includes the full source for Keptosh, which was Nominated for Best Game and Best Sound/Music in the 2003 AG Underground Awards.
http://www.agsforums.com/yabb/index.php?topic=12149.0
later,
-junc
Quote from: juncmodule on Thu 27/05/2004 16:11:46
Wow.
That's really sad that people are so wacky about open sourcing a project. I mean, AGS is free after all, and so are your games...Your not going to lose any money. I guess I just don't get it. :-\
hey... I gave it ok? Just read better! ;)
Quotehey... I gave it ok? Just read better!
Maybe he wasn't reffering to you.
Yeah, interesting.
I hope you guys seized the moment, cause the magic moments/ten minutes aint comin back.
Hi all....
I have a compromise....
I want to reuse this interface for a future project....but i will publish my open source for APOC VEL....novembers mags entry.....hopefully any one who wants can learn some stuff from that.....
I`ll do that soon when i get a spare moment.
Foz..
QuoteJust read better!
Minime, please don't scold me for something that you didn't do. I was making a general statement. It wasn't directed at anyone. It was directed at an issue.
I know that you released your source, but only after you attempted to release a game in a open source competition without open sourcing it! :P
Regardless, I think it brings up a few things.
One, people are interested in seeing open source projects.
Two, there aren't too many.
Three, what happens when people don't follow the rules in MAGS? I smell anarchy! (actually I think Klaus handled this really well, and like he said, it's about fun)
So, perhaps CJ will read this. Could we maybe have a open source category added to the games page? Perhaps as a cross category (is that too difficult to do, or time consuming).
later,
-junc
Quote from: Minimi on Thu 27/05/2004 13:13:30
OK, I decided to make it open source, to meet the rules, so I can enter the MAGS.
You earn my respect for that MinimiÃ, :)
And the game is sweet too, love this ill-minded owl blackmailing the raven ;)
I learned a lot from open source games, like Exile where i didnt copy one line of code exactly to my first AGS game, where the complete ags-source is also available at: http://www.virtual-illusion.com/
and which was the winner of last months competition.
The interesting thing about open source files is not to steal some codefragments
but rather get an overview how the things are connected and come together in an complete game.
my first idea was to make complete open rules, except that every designer must release there source files.
But i like robbery games since the days of "they stole a million" so i decide to combine them, which was afterwards a good idea, cause it seems that with the only open source rule, we didnt get one entry.
Thanks juncmodule i'm supporting the idea of an open source category.
Can't also understand why most of the people believe others take their ideas and make a millionseller with it ;).
After playing both games, i have to say.
Thanks minimi for releasing the code, afterwards.
I like your game, its a very unusal idea and cool backgroundmusic.
Foz and Jaz: This is exactly the type of game, i had in mind as i make the rules.
Great atmosphere, great artwork and puzzles.
So im very disapointed that you dont want to give away the source, cause
I guess your game could be really very helpful for newbies, and not only for those.
Thanks for your games. :)
rocco:
I don`t intend to release open source for this............but will be uploading the Source for APOC VEL.....
I `m sure that newbies and oldies alike will be able to use it in some way.
good idea, and funnily enough I played JamesBond right now, and i realize that it was based on 2ma2 open source game.
So i guess if 2ma2 didnt realeases the source for this platform-game,
James Bond never see the light of the world, or?
So it is good for the whole community when different open source projects are available,
this results in better games, as everyone must reinvent the wheel.
Quote from: Rocco on Sun 30/05/2004 10:21:10
After playing both games, i have to say.
Thanks minimi for releasing the code, afterwards.
I like your game, its a very unusal idea and cool backgroundmusic.
hehe, I know it's a very unusual idea. That's me! I don't want to follow the crowd, so I try an original plot. I knew you ment a real robbery, but I don't like that because it's a cliche, and nothing new to the horizon ;) I though liked the game of Foz, and Jaz alot!
Uh, May is over tomorrow so when will we get the winner announced?
Quote from: Mats Berglinn on Mon 31/05/2004 16:47:54
Uh, May is over tomorrow so when will we get the winner announced?
How about nowÃ, :)
We had two nice entries this month and a big discussion about open source. In the end after a lot of votes the results were very close. Very, very close - just one voice in difference and I'm sure that on every two new votes now the winner would change from one entry to the other. According to this and having the aspects in mind that made this contest a little more difficult than earlier ones I say
we have two winners this time!So congratulations to both participants and thank you for the entertaining games and of course for the very helpful source codes of "Ralph the Raven" and (in advance) "Apocalypse Vel".
On June now there will be a special competition and for July there's also something "unusual" up to come. So Minimi, foz and jaz please wait for some rule settingÃ, instructions that will soon reach you by PM. Thanks.