Trapped On The Balcony

[RootBound]

Hey @AbsurdumCodice , one quick coding question. 

I really like the inventory item cursor getting highlighted when it's over a hotspot. How did you implement this? Did you have separate sprites for each item or do it through script? I'd love to know since I don't like using cross hairs, and this is a great way to get around that. 

[AbsurdumCodice]

There are two separate sprites for each item. When the object is active, the cursor becomes the first sprite associated with the item, but if the mouse is over a hotspot or an inventory item other than itself, the cursor becomes the next sprite. Since sprites have a unique ID, I made the ID of the highlighted sprite the original plus one (for example, if the string sprite is 30, the highlighted string sprite is 31). This way you only have to add or subtract 1 to the sprite associated with the item depending on the situation.

[RootBound]

Thanks for the response! I love learning clever little tricks like this. The UI can really make or break the gameplay and this method felt very natural in your game. Much appreciated! 

[AbsurdumCodice]

You are welcome! I'm glad that my method can be useful in your games 

[heltenjon]

Rik_Vargard:
I'm glad you liked the AGS Easter egg idea. The truth is that I was thinking of hiding it again in the next game I make with the engine... But it would be cooler if we all did it 

Usually it's a blue cup, though.

heltenjon:
During development I was afraid that someone might find the puzzles too easy, or on the contrary too frustrating, so I am very happy with the great reception they have had!

There should always be a mix, but that is easier said than done. I didn't get stuck this time, but I had the wrong idea many times.  I tend to play in a way where I try what I think is the wrong solutions first, to see what responses the game gives, because the chance to see that often disappears after the correct solution is performed. This time I thought I was supposed to

Spoiler

make a fire and guide smoke into the vents in order to set off the fire alarm, but I tried using the fire kit inventory items in another spot first because i was in that location, and hey, it worked.

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People (me) often like puzzles with multiple steps, or that items may be used in different ways on several puzzles. You hit the bullseye on both accounts.

[AbsurdumCodice]

Thank you for your words!

Spoiler

In reality, the whole thing with the fire hose was intended to act as a red herring only at the beginning, since throughout the development of the adventure the girl shows (or at least I intended her to show) signs of not wanting to cause problems to others, nor break anything that was not already useless (like the TV lying on the lot or the broken fan on the roof).

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