Surreality

Jockstrap · Tue 27/01/2004 06:30:48

M. G. J. Macaulay's
SURREALITY
A Reality-eats-the-Norm Game

I present to you, my first completed game. And it's a rather unconventional one at that.

Story:
Tom (from Captain Mostly's Nihilism) is awoken by Prince Yahtzee and told to find and identify the Surrealist, as he may be causing problems for Yahtzee's plans. You control Tom on his (rather short) journey to figure out who the Surrealist is. What's so unconventional about that? Well read on...

Gameplay:
This game is not over once the credits finish. Yes, much of the gameplay takes place outside the game. Huh? I'll explain.

The game has no inventory, no "pick up/interact/use" command, and no puzzles aside from figuring out the identity of the Surrealist. The idea is that you play the game through - walking, talking and looking at whoever/whatever you think you need to - and then you write an email. Well, first you should think for a bit and maybe play the game one or two more times and then you write an email. The address will appear on the last screen. The game has many mysteries and it is your job to solve them. The email should inculde your thoughts on the game, the characters and (most importantly) the identity of the Surrealist. If you get at least one thing correct I will send you the full detailed story (unless you wish to solve it ALL, in which case say so in the email) and answers to the many questions that are presented in the game. Get it now? If you don't understand anything, just ask.

Download:
Get it from the RON site
Right click, Save Link As...
File size: 5.8 MegaBytes
WinRAR file.

Notes:
If you think this is the dumbest idea you've ever heard of, then don't bother downloading the game. However, if you are looking for a new way of playing and solving adventure games or just think the idea is interesting then by all means download it and take part in it.

The actual gameplay time is fairly short (escpecially if you are playing for a second or third time and skip dialogue) but there should be enough in there to keep you thinking (which is the whole point of the game).

This game is not humourous. If, at any point, you find yourself laughing, please stop.

The lovely music you'll hear in the game is by Dvorak. Midis from www.classicalarchives.com

One more thing. There are quite a bit of filters used on some of the art in the game. These were used to create a certain feel to the game that I could not have achieved if I had not used them. So if you are grossly disturbed or offended by filters, don't bother downloading and please don't bother telling me how much you hate them.

Enjoy!!(or not)

ScottDoom · Tue 27/01/2004 06:49:43

Wow! And that's just from reading the description. The idea behind this game is very unique. I'd like to see more adventure games made like this, possibly where there is a murder scene and a few suspects and witnesses, and the player simply explores and then tries to guess who it is that did it.

Your screenshot scares me though. Heh heh.

And when I read this I laughed: "This game is not humourous. If, at any point, you find yourself laughing, please stop."

Jockstrap · Tue 27/01/2004 06:54:30

Yeah well, that was supposed to be humourous. Just to make up for the lack of humour in the game. I do hope you like it.

ScottDoom · Tue 27/01/2004 07:16:56

When I tried to download the file, it said I needed to visit your site first. It brought me to your site, but nothing was on it.

You'll need to put a link to the file on your site.

Jockstrap · Tue 27/01/2004 07:33:05

Well, I don't actually have a site yet. Just right click it and do save link target as. You'll need WinRAR to extract it once it's downloaded.

Dave Gilbert · Tue 27/01/2004 15:28:16

What is it about RON that inspires abstractism?

I'll check this out when I get home.

-Dave

linus · Wed 28/01/2004 00:49:33

Hm... I can't download it.

Las Naranjas · Wed 28/01/2004 05:38:28

how unfortunate that it cannot be downloaded, it's always a pleasure to welcome new members to the indulgence collection, home of wonders such as RLBAT, Bleach, Dada, Guerra and Novo.

ScottDoom · Wed 28/01/2004 05:43:44

I was able to download it...

Jockstrap · Wed 28/01/2004 06:17:06

I don't know why it isn't working anymore....it seems that for some reason it has been disabled. But I know it WAS working. I'm trying it with a different server so just hang on....

Jockstrap · Wed 28/01/2004 08:15:19

Okay, I couldn't upload it to another server but I'll show this email I was sent by Lycos Tripod:

QuoteDear Tripod Member,

We have noticed an unusual increase of bandwidth on your website
http://members.lycos.co.uk/maldoror9543/ during the last few days.
In order to prevent abuse of Tripod services, we've decided to close the
access to your website for 24 hours. During this time you can still
access your account using the WebFTP or any FTP software. After 24 hours
your site will be re-enabled.

To guarantee a high-quality service to all Tripod users, we would like
to ask you to respect the following rules:

- Do not use your Tripod account as a storage space.
- Do not publish illegal contents on your website (pirate software,
pornography, etc.)
- Do not communicate your FTP login and password to other people.

I got that message on Tue, 27 Jan 2004 23:18:02 +0100 (CET). So all I can say is check back later.....or host it for me.....

EDIT: I'm trying again with a different server (FreeWebs) so just sit tight...

EDIT: Dammit! FreeWebs won't let me upload files that are over 750kb for 7 days....

Damien · Thu 29/01/2004 09:53:32

You could open on www.illicitdev.net, there's a file uploader and you get a 10 mb free space, so you could host your game there untill you can put it on freedweebs

Jockstrap · Thu 29/01/2004 15:20:32

That didn't work either!!!! I sat there for like half an hour while it was "uploading" and then it tells me the upload failed!!!!!!!!!!!I did that twice!!!!!!!!!!!!! ....but that did give me a good opportunity to finally play King's Quest 2.....mmm......damn I really hate the internet right now...........and did you call me a dweeb?

Dave Gilbert · Thu 29/01/2004 15:33:00

Send the file to me at dave@amcontinentalfashion.com. I'll put it up on the RON site.

Damien · Thu 29/01/2004 15:49:52

Quote...and did you call me a dweeb?

No, I was reffering to freewebs. There's not much documentation about the use of free space, and once I registered with them I got a little dissapointed. But they're free and with no ads.

Jockstrap · Fri 30/01/2004 12:55:19

Dave: I would, but it's 5.8 megs...

Damien: well okay then

AGA · Fri 30/01/2004 13:21:30

I think I may have got this downloaded. I'm at work now, but when I get home I'll check if I did get it. If I did, I'll upload it temporarily so Dave can get it and put it on the RON site...

Jockstrap · Sat 14/02/2004 07:46:13

FINALLY!!!!!!!!....................the download should work now.................

Las Naranjas · Tue 17/02/2004 08:32:06

I hate to break this, but the archive isn't packed properly...

The entire file is only 15kb, and whilst the readme is fine, the exe isn't.

And I do want to see what you've done with the no puzzles idea which Mostly, myself, DG and others have played with.

DGMacphee · Tue 17/02/2004 11:57:12

Nope, still can't download it either.

Surreality

linus