Adventure Game Studio

Well, I've been thinking about this for some time now, and I've finally come to a conclusion about where to go with AGS.

Originally, AGS started out as an exercise for myself to see if I could write an adventure game. Since then, it has grown out of all proportion compared to what I expected it to be, and I've spent many hundreds of hours improving and extending it. It has also served as a useful learning tool for me to learn C++ programming with.

However, things have moved on since AGS started. When I first started seriously working on AGS in 1999, I was at uni and had plenty of free time in amongst the boozing to work on it. However, nowadays I have a full time job and several real-life commitments that mean I find it very hard to spare time to work on AGS.

So, I thought either I could stop development of AGS completely (which I didn't really want to do), or I could incentivise myself to work on it by making it pay. So from the next version onwards, AGS will be shareware.

You can download a prototype of the shareware version here:  http://www.agsforums.com/agsregbeta.zip
As with most shareware programs, you don't have to register, but if you don't then a popup box will remind you when you start up the AGS Editor.
If you want to distribute a commercial game with AGS, you must register.

The recommended registration fee is $100 (60 UKP), but anything from $80 (50 UKP) upwards will be accepted.

I'm sorry to do this to you guys - I know you're used to expecting AGS to be free - and up to the current official version (2.6 SP1) it will stay free (the license states so).
However, from 2.61 onwards a revised license will contain details of registration for continued use.

I'd just like to thank everybody for their support over the years, and hopefully making it shareware will give me the incentive to add lots of cool new features for you guys.

If you've already been convinced and want to register now, you can do so here:
http://www.agsforums.com/register.htm

Cheers,
CJ

:)

I think you more than deserve money from us, after all you've done for us, so I registered. Do I get some sort of prize for being the first registered?

Well, it finally happened, can't say I blame you but it is a little disappointing

at least I have a job now and can afford to pay for this...

Does this mean we still have to send you a free copy of any commercial game we make?

I'll register tomorrow

ugh, I could never convince my parents to gove me the money to register, but I'm not going to make any commercial games with AGS, so I'll stay this way until I eventually do.

So I can still make games with AGS, but as long as I don't sell them?

Also, I hope there isn't going to be like a seperate "Registered Users" web site or forum.  I hope that the AGS community stays united under time of greed and change.
Sure, of course there would be a registered user's Forum Topic, but not an entire forum seperate?  ::)

One more thing:
In case I do convince my parents to give me the money, it is a 1-time registraion, right?  No hidden fees?

Thank you for your time.

actually a seperate registered members only board would be a good idea, our technical questions and suggestions for the editor could be of a higher priority [since we paid].

i mean i'd still post in the free forum so we'd still be united

Maybe CJ could devote his time to the paid-for tech forum, while leaving the non-paid one to the regular tech forum people like Gilbert and Scorporius and co...

I think it's about time. Too many freeloaders have been coming in and bludging off the engine and the community that hardworking men and women have made.

This'll keep the community pure.

Quote from: AGA on Thu 01/04/2004 00:10:17
I think you more than deserve money from us, after all you've done for us, so I registered. Do I get some sort of prize for being the first registered?

Thanks AGA :)

As the first registration, I'll send you my very own blue cup in recognition of your contribution :)

QuoteDoes this mean we still have to send you a free copy of any commercial game we make

No, the registration fee will supersede that, so you will no longer have to send me a free copy.

QuoteSo I can still make games with AGS, but as long as I don't sell them?

You can, yes. However, there is a 30-day trial limit on the editor, after which you must register to continue.

Sod off, CJ -- I'm skint!

I think I'll keep my $100 and just keep posting on the forums!

I just registered as well, I hope there is a price for the second as well.

You should consider letting only us registered users be able to post in the forums, that should keep most of the riff raff out. A quality forum is the least you can expect after shelling out your hard earned money for an AGS license. Although I must say it's worth every penny. Good move Chris, I support you all the way.

Shareware?

I quit.

Wow! Congratulations, CJ!
From now on AGS will be found in Astalavista and Crack.ru search engines!
You may consider yourself a pro!


I will pay the fee gladly as soon as I have the money, and I'll have my job interview on monday, which means that in a month I should be rich enough to afford it. Unless they pay less than I hope.

Do you have any special financial program for AGSers of Eastern Europe?

Well, it looks like I'll be sticking with the current version of AGS for a long time to come. Not only do I not have $100 dollars (US, I persume. I'm Canadian, so that price is outrageous, in my opinon), I would never be able to buy it since I'm only 16.

I personally think this is an incredibly stupid idea, though I do respect you, CJ, for keeping this version of AGS free, and continuing to support AGS. It's a shame alot of people will not be able to enjoy the newest versions of this great product  :-\

Yeah, I quit too. Its a good thing too, cause I haven't made a game here, but rest assured you can find AGS on Kazaa now.
I'm not quitting because of the money, but because how much I loathe filling out forms. I have a rule. One form per website, and I've already registered to be here on the forums. Two forms is just rediculous.

I love AGS, i truly do. I've messed around with the editor but have never really made anything substantial.

I'd be willing to pay $100 in the near future, but for know, it's a little too much for me.

Is this going to affect this Forum at all?

CJ, i will eventually register, but for now i'll just tinker with the current version of AGS.

I think bringing money into the equation really ruins the wonderful atmoshpere of 'underground' surrrounding this community. I'm out.

Quote from: Goldmund on Thu 01/04/2004 01:11:06

From now on AGS will be found in Astalavista and Crack.ru search engines!

Yea that is a question Glod... what kind of new copy protection could be added to stop people from pirating AGS?

Maybe at the start since not many people will be registering, CJ could make individual copies for people that only the 1 serial number works on, cause I certainly don't want people stealing something i payed so much money for [and something CJ worked so hard on], that's just ass

I say, make a virus that destroys all the versions that the cheapskates have!
That will teach them not to have money.

LOL, just joking, k'?

People, I don't know about you, I'm registering, although it's very expensive for a Polish man.

Wondering about underground atmosphere, Barcik?
Dig yourself a tunnel!
Hahahahaha!
Because you resemble a hobbit!

W0R5T 1N5ULT 3V3R!!!  :P

I quit  :)
I'm going back to AGAST, or heck, I'll write my own Adventure Game Editor.  Actually, I'll start to do SLUDGE.  It's cheaper.
 I will take revenge on Chris Jones!  Muah hahaha!  ;)

But seriously, maybe I will pay the money eventually, but certainly not right now.

There should be a "Parents Just Don't Get It" discount for students

You disloyal bastard.

Ahh well, the end of a golden-age.  so be it, hell, I'd give CJ 100 bucks just for use of the forums!

Best of luck with this updated venture CJ, hope to see you at Mittens USA!


C.

Good job, CJ.  Although I must say the fee is a little steep for a poor college student like me, I have registered my copy of AGS.  But hey, it's all worth it for the best game creation engine out there.

All you people complaining, you can just go use AGAST.  

$100 bucks is definitely not an unreasonable price for registration.

I mean, the only real reason to keep up to date with the later versions of AGS is because it allows you to produce better-quality games. If this is your intent, you will probably end up selling one. Eventually.

All those promises... promises that AGS would be free... all that talk of keeping it 'Tell-me-how-cool-I-am-ware'. And then you throw it all back in our faces. Trust, built up over the years, gone in an instant.

I don't think I love you anymore.

I'll be in the corner mending a broken heart.

- Punch

C'mon Big Brother, you know what is good for you! It's worth that $100 !

CJ: Yessiree, I'd sent you a check via air mail, and to express my gratitude on the matter, I didn't just sent $100 but HK$150 !

This way we can keep out all those stinky poor people....and hippie college kids....

Ugh, I'm having economic problems right now, and I can't register AGS.... CJ, why did you do this to me?!  :'(

It's the end of the school term and I'm flat broke... but in the summer I'll have lots of money and will be glad to register because Pumaman deserves it after all these years. It's only right that he should get paid for all his hard work.

$100 dollars is a LOT of money if you're income is in Zlotych, not that mine is, but I understand the sentiment.

I'll still register though.  I haven't released my first game yet, but after pounding it out for six months, I refuse to give up now.  

Although the "underground" spirit of AGS and its community is one of its best attributes, it's better that Chris keeps the project going rather than give up on it for monetary reasons.  I know how tough it is to keep hobbies up when managing full time employment.  And furthermore, how many times have people on this forum talked about their dream of making games for a living...if this fee means that Chris can do something cool like make/improve a high quality engine like AGS for a living, then support him!


my two cents,

-Logan

I vote that we create a forum for all the folks who can pay and leave all the poor folk outside....there just holding us back anyway...

WHAT?

/me curses punaman, for cheating him of his money!

Of course its a pity, but I can understand it too, thinking how much time CJ invested (and money too, I am sure, hosting the webpage... and not spending the time WORKING for money... and not going on a DATE with a pretty GIRL while working on AGS...).
Maybe you could keep the freeware versions on the webpage too, which would somehow keep the community big. I understand the real professionals they are sometimes annoyed by "the kids" around here, but I regard it as part of the game... and when you finish a game, and its crapp, you can at least say you are not one of those who always posts in the announcement forums but never finish anything at all  ;D
I will register sooner or later, that's for sure.

I believe we all had it coming...
And that's as far as I can go, there's no way on earth I can pay a hundred bucks, that's probably a year's wage.
Probably I'm going to fall under the category of people downloading a crack to remove those nasty banners, like www.slooflirpa.com (http://www.slooflirpa.com)

I just wish it was cheaper... but... Chris, you really deserve it.

Sooner or later this would happen... (I just hopped it'd been later ;D )

But, of course, you deserve to be paid, Chris, but for most people in the forums I think $100 is a LOT of money.. :-\
At least for me, it is. But I might register it in the future (when I have the money)

Just a question:

- Do we have to pay for every new version?
I mean, If we pay for 2.61, do we still have to pay for 2.7 or 3.0, for example?


-Felipe-

P.S. Wish you could just say this is a "April's fools' joke" (sp).
I DO think you deserve the money, but those are the words I want to hear...
"HAHA GOT Y'ALL!!!1112!"
"AGS won't be shareware.... at least not until v5.0" ;)

I'm sending you $20.

That's all.

It's all any intependant program developer ever needed to support his/her hobby.

If it's not enough for your case of Fosters, you can whore yourself elsewhere.

Capitalist pig wanker.

IMO, the best idea would be to allow the "registered users" updates forever, but the poor saps who can't afford to register will get the "new" engine after some set number of updates.  Like once the editor gets to version 3, let version 2.7 go free.  Give people an incentive to continue in the community.   I mean, in the last two point updates you've come up with 32 bit color, anti-aliasing, walk-speed scaling, and vector scaling.  Imagine what could come by 3.5?

The ONLY thing I do not like is the 30 day limit.  At least think of something creative.  Personally, I would code it to allow the cheapskate to work on their game, and play it from within the editor, but not to distribute it until registered, or that the files would only be useable by registered users until they did, or SOMETHING.  Limits are for the likes of Adoobie and MicroShaft, not the wonderful AGS.  The other thing is I'd suggest to make the registration process modify the program files in such a way that, in the event of a crack, you can find out who leaked the files and revoke their registration.

$100 IS steep for the pitiable games some of us make, but the problem is us l00zoRz need to get serious and make some killer games!  AGS is WAAAYYY ahead of any engine out there, but there's been all of ONE commercial game?  No wonder swapware is over with.

Come on, set a game up with a $1 paypal contribution for users, and you'll probably get the whole registration fee in a month or two.  We need to start forming groups, and actually making games.  If we all made "BuckWare," and either thought up creative copy protection or used the honor system, noone would lose money, cause we'd all be spending our AGS money on AGS games.

I'd say a good portion of us (me included until recently), NO OFFENCE INTENDED, are mostly a bunch of wannabes that wander around asking for help making our game, so sure that it will RU10RZ that we never actually do anything about it.  All the games I've looked forward to in the last several years (except AGDI's) were either botched, or are still in production, or vanished into thin air altogether.

[glow=skyblue, 1, 0]Good job, Benevolent Pumaman.  The time has come to see if AGS can fly, or if the unfortunate law of supply and demand will crush it like a bug.[/glow] :D


CJ, you got Paypal?  If so, you can expect my registration as soon as I get the rent paid! :)

Personally, I think 100 is a little low. Can I pay more? And if I pay more, do I get some sort of benefit package, like signed t-shirts or spit from CJ? Or perhaps I could get a time-share for your house? Oh well, expect 101 dollars from me.

-MillsJROSS

You should just have a pledge drive like PBS

Hey, I'm starting my own program, like AGS. It's called "Adventure Game Workshop" (AGW). It's going to be freeware, and I'm going to devote my weekends to making updated versions of it and bug fixes. You see, I was originally making this program to make my own games with, but since I'm a terrible artist, I figure I'll release it on the internet to let other more talented people make adventure games with it.

Anyways, the DOS version is nearly complete. Maybe I'll port it to windows after a while.

Well, after thinking it over for a while I finally registered. Looks like I am only the ninth.. I would have done it sooner, but I only just got home from Uni, and was trying to work out the Australian dollar conversion rates for a while.

C'mon guys, It's not THAT much to pay for such an advanced piece of software. If you don't think it's worthwhile in the long run, think about this - I know that many of us may not have created anything in the like of Tierra's productions, but who is to say that one day we may not produce something even more spectacular! Then consider that without the AGS engine itself, productions like these would not be possible..

Another thing to consider - have any of YOU made a complete Adventure (or other) Game Engine as sophisticated as AGS??? I don't think so.. I've only had a peek at C++ and the amount of effort required to code such a program is really incredible. CJ, you are a true genius (in more ways than one    :) ) and you really deserve all you ask for by this registration fee.

May I pay in sex, cause I think I could pay for about 200 members, a night.. Yeah, tis that good.

You should just have a pledge drive like PBS

Yes that's true because I want the Pluerphberg DVD, the Larry Vales vanity plate, and the Night of the Merhit wall clock, and I'll take the stupid $180 maximum value option to get ripped off for all the "free" extras!

That's LARRY VALUES! !!1!!1!  ;D

In truth, I don't like it. But it's fair, of course. I'll register as soon as I can convince my mother - after all, I've got big plans, and I don't mind saying it right here and now. And in light of my plans, registering seems perfectly fair.

<sigh>

/me is upset.

First I found out that I may not really need to pay for AGS (which I did), now I just find out that CAGE (http://www.villagephotos.com/viewpubimage.asp?id_=1578452) had been released.

It's a sad sad day for me.  :'(

/me flushes AGS in the toile.

Berserker, CJ wouldn't joke about this. He needs money, but he's devted so much of his time to AGS, he hasn't earned much by working.

$100 is still ridiculous. Hell, why do the brits get to pay only 60 pounds, while the proper dolloar is required by everyone else? And not just 60 dollars, but 100 frigging bucks!

Look, there's no reason the rest of us can't send in 60 pounds of organs. CJ, you just aren't cool anymore. You're greedy.

If it was an April Fools joke, do you think he'd allow the posts suggesting it might be one to stay and give people that impression?

I hope it wasn't an April Fools joke, because there's 101 bucks down the shitter.

And if it is...Fuck you CJ!

-MillsJROSS

I for one think this is a brilliant idea.

For those that are upset or worried that it will ruin the community or invalidate your current projects, you should really visit the register page or the AGS main page and read carefully CJ's arguments in favour of the move to shareware. I think you'll be convinced.

I want to be a goiter when I grow up..... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Considering that neither mods or CJ are online, you must have just fucked up.

Since no-one else could possibly do it

I think the system is not very stable today, maybe CJ is poor and don't have the money to pay for the services anymore. So anyone who never pays for it should regret and consider doing the good guy a favour.

And if there was a mod here, they'd surely be focusing on stupid off topic posts like that goiter one rather than protecting the joke.

...yes sir, sorry sir...

To everybody who's saying this might be a prank....  No body would make a joke like this. First of all, it's not even funny. Second, I don't think April Fools Day is even a holiday in England, because it was invented in America in the 70's. Mark my words... you'll be sorry for claiming this is just a joke.

I`d like to complain as when i tried to register the page would`nt let me.....

It just said this.."
Oops!
You have tried something we didn't think of. Whatever it was, it's not necessary to finish the game.
SKY Version 1.04.2004
Page created 1 April 2004. (c) 2004 Chris Jones"

I HAD A SPARE 100 QUID and thought i`d register....

CJ, is it okay if I pay you on the mittens? I don't have a credit card or Paypal account or whatever...? I just gotta get some more money..

Hang on hang on.

£60 GBS, $100 USD? And that's if you want to sell the game, correct? So if I wanted to just make free games, then I am not obliged to pay? And I can get the latest engine builds and not pay?

Well, that's fine - I didn't really intend to sell any of my games, after all.

A regular authority...

Incidentally, CJ has said nothing further.

Smeg, I just noticed that I won't be able to get later builds because of the trial period. So be it.

I don't know if this is a joke or not. So... whatever.

I registered too.. But I only have 3 bucks in my PayPal account.. I hope that's enough for a dear ol' friend such as myself who is getting his teeth pulled in an hour..

Long live CJ and AGS

Cj, do you accept 5 cases of all aussie Fosters Lager as payment?

Quote from: cornjob on Thu 01/04/2004 13:04:18
To everybody who's saying this might be a prank....  No body would make a joke like this. First of all, it's not even funny. Second, I don't think April Fools Day is even a holiday in England, because it was invented in America in the 70's. Mark my words... you'll be sorry for claiming this is just a joke.

The man from Gamera is correct; they tried to launch April Fool's day as a holiday over here in the UK, but it just didn't work.  We simply aren't going to set a whole day aside to celebrate something if it doesn't involve burning the effigy of a man who was horrifically tortured, or something along those lines.  What kind of idiots do you take us for?

Besides, it's half-four in England now; if this was an April Fool's joke, CJ would have posted at twelve to tell us - anyone who continues or participates in the continuation of an April Fool's after this time is a fool themselves, remember?

...

Waitasec...

Flippy, you really should know better than to double-post by now. n00b!  ;D

I have signed up and got my unique ID, but the dialog box to enter the registration code seems to crash as soon as I type anything. I am using  Windows 2000 SP3...

Hopefully this influx of cash will let CJ quit his day job and work on AGS full time! 3d support soon...

For those who are skeptical (becuase of those jokes on the registration page):

Spoiler

It's not a joke, becuase I phoned my credit card company and they confirmed the debit

wtb
loo
flir
pastiy
asuoy
fist
sop
set
eled
AGA

[close]

Wow.  I don't know what to say.  Of course CJ deserves the money.  After all the work and time he's put into AGS and then just to let us have it free.  He definatly deserves the cash.

This isn't really a problem for me cause I've been using the same version of AGS for, like, over a year now, and I'm comfortable with it.   But I'd really hate to see a seperate and private forum set up for the registered users.  

What about our faithfull users whose parents refuse to let them register?

---edit---

I was reading over the registration page and am I to understand that I can't release a game without regestering?  Even if I'm using an older version of AGS?

Well, it's a long time in coming. I have my debit card here, ready to splurge for the cost of purchasing AGS. It's about time, too, because By the Sword is nearly completed, ready to sell. All I have to do is burn the game onto CD-ROM and I will only charge $4.95 USD for it. This cost to register AGS is nothing compared to the joy I will feel once I have a legal version of it.

So, be prepared for the release of BTS in a few days (!), and CJ, once again, it's about time, and keep up the good work! Now you'll finally be financially motivated to get up off your lazy ass and upgrade AGS more often, you motionless twit.

Heck I'll just make my own Adventure Game Engine... I'll call it AGS2.....




.........can someone gimme some pointers?

Interested though, what does the new *bloody expensive* AGS have to offer? I can't be toddled to look through the thread incase he mentioned it.

BTW, don't do an Erpy and lose respect over something like this, only to regain it once the truth has been told and everyone is happy and get there 100 dollars back. Hold on, please do an Erpy!   :D

Man! My first thought when reading Chris' first post was: "This Aprils-fools joke was a bit over the edge." I felt my stomach tingle in the same way as if I'd look over the edge of a cliff or a tall building. But still, since the post WAS made on the 1st of April at exactly 00.00 hours it had to be so...

But you guys here have made me hesitate. It seems to be true. AGS is becoming shareware.

It makes me sad. This is a place where I have been lurking around for at least three years. I know I have not been posting much, merely reading and learning, but still this community and all the people around it has become something I admire. The freedom and friendlyness people interested in computers so often try to achieve has actually dwelled right here. The work put into this engine is immense and has been driven by one man's interest in program developing and overcoming challenges. Work to which gratitude is shown every day right here on the forums.

I believe putting a fee on the use of AGS is equivalent to killing the community. The playfulness and joy will fade in the shadow of money. Believing that this kind of amateur games will start paying themselves is nothing but hubris. The fun of making a silly game and present it to the world will be exchanged with greed.

Some AGS users are excellent game makers. Their games might actually make money when finished. Most are not. Most are happy amateurs. I believe that charging a fee when AGS is used for commercial purposes is fair. In fact I have always wondered why no money was asked for in the case that someone would want to sell ag game made with AGS. A company/person interested in making money when producing a game is also capable of making a budget in which the purchase of a commercial licence for AGS is covered.

For the amateur game producer I believe other financing solutions, if money is the only way of keeping this going, are better. Ads in the editor is an alternative aswell as on the AGS site. A non-commercial version at a much lower price is reasonable. Even a slightly less advanced editor at a lower cost with no commercial licence might also be an idea. Or to just stop developing AGS any further and leave enhancements to volunteering plug-in programmers with more spare time. Or, dare I say, let the code go? Let new AGS versions evolve from this wonderful base by people with a burning will to go on. (I can see this option being somewhat risky...)

I'm a proud member of the AGS community. I'm proud to recently having presented my first game here on the forums. I'm glad I could do this while the engine still was free. I sincerely hope my first stomach tingeling was right, this is all a joke. If not I beg Chris to rethink. It sure would be sad to see this beautiful community die.

**EDIT**
All the hard language and anger being displayed here, both from people in favour of and from people against going shareware, is in itself a sad pointer in the direction I'm talking about...  :'(

Hi there!

I must have overlooked this thread, but I will now respond, and have some questions to be answered (because ill probably pay the $100)

MP3 Support?
When we pay for the next versions, do you have the mp3 license with it, or do you have to pay for that besides?

Commercial games with earlier versions?
Will I still be allowed to go commercial with an earlier version of AGS?

CD case?
When I buy something, I'd like to have a original cd, of something, so will you send them to the homes, or is it an instant-download? Also... please don't let it leak onto kazaa! Like said before... it would be ashamed, and not fair, in comparing to me spending serious money on it.

I just hope that this community will stay together, and as fun as it has been!

edit : I'm beginning to doubt weither this is really true, or just a 1st april joke. Well I'll see ;)

I thought this was a joke until I saw the credit card details form on the second register page.

I have to say I'm disappointed.  I've been working on my game for a long time, and now I discover I won't be able to release it without paying 60 quid??  Well I'm not going to pay such a ridiculous amount of money for something like AGS.  We've already seen what AGAST and SLUDGE are capable of, and there's a SCRAMM game coming out in a couple of weeks, and all three of those engines are still free, so why should anyone pay for this?

I'm just annoyed that you strung everyone along for so long, making us learn how to use the program, the language, design everything specifically to fit AGS, and now those of us who can't or won't pay have to start all over again with a new engine.  Well thanks a lot, I don't think.

Quote
We've already seen what AGAST and SLUDGE are capable of, and there's a SCRAMM game coming out in a couple of weeks, and all three of those engines are still free

I'm pretty sure that SLUDGE is shareware.  You can make games, but in order to distribute and add a finishing touch to them you need to purchase the development kit.

But it's the best choice- AGAST is so damn complicated!  What's this var thing?  Makes no sense at all.

OUr only choice is to somehow find the source code for AGS, and to rebrand it to something else.

BTW, my shareware counter never updated, but it could just be false hope  :P

I'll never pay for AGS unless it takes some HUGE strides forward in terms of features. I'll be sticking to 2.6 SP1 for the rest of AGS's days unless it implements something worthy of that rediculous price tag! 3d characters would be the size of feature i'm talking about...

mat sums up the rest...

QuoteMan! My first thought when reading Chris' first post was: "This Aprils-fools joke was a bit over the edge." I felt my stomach tingle in the same way as if I'd look over the edge of a cliff or a tall building. But still, since the post WAS made on the 1st of April at exactly 00.00 hours it had to be so...

But you guys here have made me hesitate. It seems to be true. AGS is becoming shareware.

It makes me sad. This is a place where I have been lurking around for at least three years. I know I have not been posting much, merely reading and learning, but still this community and all the people around it has become something I admire. The freedom and friendlyness people interested in computers so often try to achieve has actually dwelled right here. The work put into this engine is immense and has been driven by one man's interest in program developing and overcoming challenges. Work to which gratitude is shown every day right here on the forums.

I believe putting a fee on the use of AGS is equivalent to killing the community. The playfulness and joy will fade in the shadow of money. Believing that this kind of amateur games will start paying themselves is nothing but hubris. The fun of making a silly game and present it to the world will be exchanged with greed.

Some AGS users are excellent game makers. Their games might actually make money when finished. Most are not. Most are happy amateurs. I believe that charging a fee when AGS is used for commercial purposes is fair. In fact I have always wondered why no money was asked for in the case that someone would want to sell ag game made with AGS. A company/person interested in making money when producing a game is also capable of making a budget in which the purchase of a commercial licence for AGS is covered.

For the amateur game producer I believe other financing solutions, if money is the only way of keeping this going, are better. Ads in the editor is an alternative aswell as on the AGS site. A non-commercial version at a much lower price is reasonable. Even a slightly less advanced editor at a lower cost with no commercial licence might also be an idea. Or to just stop developing AGS any further and leave enhancements to volunteering plug-in programmers with more spare time. Or, dare I say, let the code go? Let new AGS versions evolve from this wonderful base by people with a burning will to go on. (I can see this option being somewhat risky...)

I'm a proud member of the AGS community. I'm proud to recently having presented my first game here on the forums. I'm glad I could do this while the engine still was free. I sincerely hope my first stomach tingeling was right, this is all a joke. If not I beg Chris to rethink. It sure would be sad to see this beautiful community die.

Yeah, I have registered, but I put a rounded up sum of 589 $ just in case.
Is that ok?
And finally, the Make my game function is working...
Pumaman, you're a star.


And OT i was thinking for real how would a sharewaring really alienate a large part of the users... You know, it just wouldnt be teh same...

Ok, well just in case any of you didn't get it, may I just say:

APRIL FOOL!

Thanks to those of you who played along to make it more believable :)

By the way, if any of you pressed the Register button and the penny still didn't drop when confronted by the "Oops" message, consider yourself gullible.

ARRRRGH! WORST SCARE OF MY LIFE! I'M GONNA KILL YOU, CJ!


...


<sigh of relief>

I thought it might have been a joke, but then after reading the other threads i thought it was true.

Thank goodness.

:D

i mean, i would pay something, just not $100

*Enormous sigh of relief*

Finally you broke the scilence! Thanks! I thought the atmosphere was getting rather tense in here!!

All my posts got deleted!

I guess I was too obvious :)

Great joke!

I must admit, that at first I fell for it, until I saw the form.  I submitted it anyway, and then was positive.  Then, when my posts started disappearing I knew for sure!

The funny thing is I went right to give you the 100 bux!

~ d

I am not surprised, since once there were a group of British guys who developed a joke about a joke which could kill German soldiers during the war  ;D

Quote
By the way, if any of you pressed the Register button and the penny still didn't drop when confronted by the "Oops" message, consider yourself gullible.

Gullible.

I feel guilty now.  I should give you money.

BUt it's the thought that counts  :o :)

Ahhh... I crapped myself with relief. Man don't scare us like that, you're a rather twisted (but lovable) git! But don't know what happened at the AGDI forums, I mean WTF? If it's there odd way of an April Food's then surely they'd have put it back to normal by now.

Damn I hate April Fool's Day.......

FOOL?!?!  JOKE?!?!?!  >:( WTF ('w' being where) IS MY $100 I PAYED!!!!! I JUsT CHECKED THE F\/CI<I|\|G BANK AND ITS GONE!!1!!1!11!!!

I HATE YOU CJ!!!1

-OSC

p.s great joke cj, had me going for a while

...But....were still getting rid of all those pesky poor people right?

Right?

Ah relief feels so nice. What did CJ do last April Fool's day? I don't remember.

Didn't CJ say last year he was going to stop making AGS?

Hello and welcome to Abnormally Gullible Sods

Quote from: Andail on Thu 01/04/2004 22:27:59
Hello and welcome to Abnormally Gullible Sods

Hello :(

Muahahaha!!

I'm still looking forward to that SCRAMM game. ;)

Hehe, I had a few doubts, but bit by bit things leaned towards the joke. It was preety tensifying. Heh, this day is so much fun!
Seriously, I find it much better to discover some bad news is a prank. Now, a bad april fools joke is when you announce something good :D hehe

(http://www.davelgil.com/ags/hook.jpg)

(http://www.davelgil.com/ags/line.jpg)

and

(http://www.davelgil.com/ags/sinker.jpg)

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH    CJ, THAT WAS MEAN, CRUEL AND UN-CALLED FOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   AND BRILLIANT!!!!    

Great April Fools Day joke!!!!  I have to admit, I kinda fell for it.   :)


I think we're all glad to hear that CJ isn't turning on us!  ;)

I didn't fall for it, and I am very aware of the fact that it was April 1 over in England. But there's always that nagging doubt.

Not fair!  You are 8 hours ahead of me!

Now, to go over the the AGAST and SLUDGE forums and check out what they pulled (I'm registered at both  :D);

CJ, you crazy bastard. If people ever did have to regester AGS you would be rolling in it! And what ever happened to the bluecup shirts?

Aw, what a waste of my time.

I wouldn't have minded paying $100 for AGS.  It's worth it.  Nice joke.

Chris, you idiot. You'd have upwards of $1,000 (US) in only a day if you'd really meant that.

I fell for that completely until I went to the register page to read what someone said was, "Chris's convincing arguments in the main page and registering page for going shareware." At that point, it was obviously fake, but I pressed submit anyways to see what the surprise was. Plus the main page was hopefully just a joke too.

Wow, thanks for making me feel like a total asshole.  I take back all the nice things I said in my heart-felt post.  I meant none of it, and this stupid engine blows.  And I would NEVER pay for AGS, cause it's worthless.

what is it you brits say?  What a bunch of wankers?  

And who was actually in on the stupid thing?

As I posted before (and was deleted due to the April Foolish content of the message), are you sure CJ is not making this for measuring the market to see how many people would pay if he eventually made it shareware?  :o :o :o

Noooo, Chris wouldn't do that... or would he?  ::)

I am too lazy to look and see if I got deleted, but anyways.

I, too, am relieved (reasons below).  I would gladly send CJ a hundred bucks though.  His efforts have helped me fulfill my childhood dream to some extent.  I lived less than an hour from Sierra's Belview office, and I never got to visit it.  I wanted to WORK for Sierra as a kid, and although Sierra has gone over to the dark side, (as my sig says) the dream is still alive.  I swear on the stack of laundry on the drier that if I ever sell even one copy of my own game, Chris gets 10%.

The relief is that the price tag would scare lots of people away.  I am tired of $h1tware like Photo$hop and Window$, but I don't think I could devote the kind of time CJ has without payment.

Quote from: Felipe on Thu 01/04/2004 04:52:49
Wish you could just say this is a "April's fools' joke"

I KNEW IT!  I KNEW IT!

Hehe - 'almost' got me too...

When I started reading your post I really thought you were serious, but then I looked at the date and realised it (could) ba a joke... Specially when I realised that people who said that had paid were people you get more often in 'touch' (like AGA and Esseb); and also because of some of the fields in the Register page: "Favourite method of torture" LOL Where else could you find that in a Registration Form...

You almost got me, but after realising all these things I thought I should say what I thought before someone else did :P

Heh, and before AGS goes shareware...
ADD TEH LENS FLAER SUPPROT, 3D FANCY FX & FREE PR0N N00B ;D

Yes all my posts got deleted too, so I gave up and waited till now, I guess that by deleting posts it was a little more obvious it was a prank

plus the $100 , but CJ was a little unlucky cause I tried to enter $1000. well it was even more obvious with the silly questions on the registration page,

and also the fact it was April Fools Day.

and what CJ has said previously, but it's possible to change your mind

(and the sarcastic posts that weren't deleted)

I want to know, were our input into the text fields in that submission form actually saved? Cause you probably got a bunch of funny little answers.

Heh, its funny reading a thread like this after april fools. I'd learnt my lesson 2(?) years ago whe CJ said he was going to stop making AGS. And also i'd read the thread in general discussion before coming here. I didnt get the chance to come on here yesterday, but I thought CJ would do another prank.

I think when you've been tricked once, you are more wary of things happening on april 1st. So I'm never going to believe anything major on april fools day... except when you get stuff like last year with the Tierra stuff.

Anyways good work CJ and all those long time AGS'ers who kept the joke going.

I think it wasn't a joke , he actually wanted to do it but saw he wasn't going to make much money and decided to save some face by pretending it was a joke.

Quote from: Karimi on Fri 02/04/2004 10:08:54
I think it wasn't a joke , he actually wanted to do it but saw he wasn't going to make much money and decided to save some face by pretending it was a joke.

BRILLIANT.

TEH JOEK?!1

But I just gave you $100, I demand it back! Ten times over, too!

:D

Can we know how many new versios were downloaded yesterday? Because... you know... I know it was a joke... but... I donwloaded the latest version of AGS, just to be sure to have the last free version if all was actually true! just in case... ^_^

Excellent fooling!

It's also nice to know how many AGSers are goddamn liars.

My college told me Princess Anne was visiting yesterday. Unfortunately that wasn't an april fool, she really did come.

How many times must you burn me April Fool?!..first the vinigar in my cereal and now this?...I will keep my guard up next year.

*steps off his chair into a 80ft punji pit*

Damn you April 1st.


[edit]
Ali, my school did the same thing but Julia Roberts came to San Antonio for the filming of the Alamo & it was fake...or she was wearing a skin changing tonic so that she could fit the part of a Ms. Susannah Dickinson.

I've already knew that!  Call me smart! ;D  So I never REALLY register.

*Airborne comes up and punches CJ in the face

<Airborne>That one's for those who fooled by you!

Bah, I almost CRACKED AGS and then you tell me "it was a joke"!!!

How ironic.
About 800 smart computer people get April Fooled by 1 smarter computer person.

How Ironic.
How Dispicable.

Quoteare you sure CJ is not making this for measuring the market to see how many people would pay if he eventually made it shareware?

Quote from: Karimi on Fri 02/04/2004 10:08:54
I think it wasn't a joke , he actually wanted to do it but saw he wasn't going to make much money and decided to save some face by pretending it was a joke.

Hehe, and the conspiracy theories come out!  :D

Anyway, a couple of fun statistics:

* In the 24 hours after my original post, the registration form was submitted 362 times.
* 160 of these were submitted blank.
* 12 people submitted the form completed and with real (or at least, they looked real) addresses
* The other 190 had fake details.
* One person re-submitted the form 48 times (the Oops message was a server error, obviously)
* Amongst the fake registrants were "Jesus", "Frozen fish 'n zombies" and "No, Esseb will stalk me"; not to mention "Mr Moose" of "Antlerberry, The Far North".
* Of the filled in forms, 79% preferred it too hot and 21% too cold
* 62% preferred Cheesy Pop, 38% Something Else
* So far as sex goes, 78% were Male, 9% Female, 7% would like more and just 6% say that they are fully satisfied.
* 1 person said AGA was their most iconic movie star; George Clooney and Johnny Depp proved popular
* 1 person's favourite food was Onion Rings, though Pizza, Chocolate, Human babies and of course Penis also featured.

And I thought that nobody reads those multipul choice thingies.

How many posts did you delete? btw

Human Babies, what kind of lowlife 50 foot automoton time traveler would put that as their favourite food...

I showed this thread to jess [before it got to 5 pages] and she was really mad at you CJ. She was also mad at Esseb and I because we were suggesting getting rid of everyone else but the people who paid. Then I let her know it was a joke and she got even more mad and then I told her that I loved her and she laughed and pushed me down the stairs...

APR1L PWNED!!!1

Yay for george clooney!!! I was gunna put in johnny depp, but i decided that george made me swoon more!!!

and I am one of the 7% that would like more sex!!!

And I was teh fool who entered fosters as payment in case you were wondering!!!

I knew all along anyways!

I still think we should have a pledge drive, where CJ refuses to let anyone use the site until we pony up some cash.

EDIT: I just went throough the reg form. Oh, and this BETA version, the only new thing is the popup. What a waste of computer storage space that was.

What about method of torture? Fun stats, yay! :D

I said comfy pillow

Heh, that's funny, me too ;)
I'm not quite sure how this is torture.. suffocation? :P
I just put none as the movie star, I wonder why I didn't think of Depp :P

QuoteI'm not quite sure how this is torture.. suffocation?

It's SOOOOOO easy to spot an uninitiated in the "Python" way...

Hey, look at it this way - it sure beats the funniest joke in the world!

I put me for movie star

CJ = ownage

;D

Forums like these truly are the best places to make such jokes.

Full of gulliable members.

Good one CJ, I'm laughing my head off.

QuoteMy college told me Princess Anne was visiting yesterday. Unfortunately that wasn't an april fool, she really did come.

Lol!

... Just arrived from a trip and I literally tripped in that post. I reaaly must say that I was reading the posts 1 by 1 and searching in google "Adventure Engine"

... Gosh.

:P

hauhauhahuahuahuahuhauhauhauaa
nice one

heh, if you want to read up about the suckers from years past,
--------------------------------------
Chris Jones  
Respect my authoritai
(4/1/02 12:09 am)
Reply  AGS cancelled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As much as it pains me to say it, AGS has just been taking up too much of my time lately. I've been doing it now for over 3 years, and I have lost the motivation for working on it any more.

So, v2.31 will be the final version ever. I hope it's stable enough to be going on with.

I'm really sorry about this, but I felt I had to make this decision rather than letting it carry on for ages with no enthusiasm and no-one quite knowing what the status is.

I'd just like to thank you all in the community for being so great over the last few years. The website and forums will stay up for the time being, but I recommend you all try to find an alternative such as SCRAMM.

Cheers,
Chris
---------------------------------------------

http://pub6.ezboard.com/fdosuserforumsfrm4.showMessage?topicID=2708.topic

Hmm, not as believable as this year's. Mr. CJ is becoming a better liar by the year. Wonder about 2005... *shudder*

I like how the announcement wasnt on April 1, because I just got back to these forums, was reading the thread, and I was like oh ho ho, April Fools, scrolled back up to see when he'd posted it, and was like, um... March? Holy crap he's serious!

80 bucks isn't a bad price to pay at all in my opinion, which I'm sure everyone wanted, as long as you could pay it at the point you were going to sell a commercial game, because having to pay it up front might motivate some people to actually finish their games (Holy crap I paid 80 American!) but might be looked at as a steep price to those who want to release non-pay games in the latest versions.

I cant say how exstatic (sp?) I am that CJ is still updating and supporting this program.

Quote from: Davis on Mon 12/04/2004 17:51:09
I like how the announcement wasnt on April 1, because I just got back to these forums, was reading the thread, and I was like oh ho ho, April Fools, scrolled back up to see when he'd posted it, and was like, um... March? Holy crap he's serious!

It was actually posted at 00:00 on 1 Apr, but because the daylight savings has kicked in since then the time has got wound back to 23:00 on 31 Mar.

Seems like us idiots would stop believing ANYTHING CJ says bewteen March 30th and April 2nd. :D  Of course, he'd make up "stupid AGS people day" and trick us all again anyways. :)  Of course, he COULD have made the credit card thing functional and earned himself a couple hundred bucks in the process. ;)

Jesarsh fucking Khrisht.

As soon as I saw this thread I immediately thought it was an April fools joke. Then I kept reading and it sounded real, not to mention it wasn't posted on April fools (which would be too obvious anyway).
So I wouldn't be an asshole, eventhough knowing that CJ does infact deserve such a prize as $100 dollars for all the devotion and time he's put into it, to be dissapointed if this really happened?

This was going to be my post before I found out:

Next thing you know AGS will support the creation of FPS

1. Adventure genre "dies", adventure gamers pissed
2. The dreadful rise of FPS
3. The rise of underground adventures
4. The Rise of AGS
5. The creation of incredibly fun freeware adventures created by the original "riffraff" (the same ones some of you want to kick the fuck out now and keep seperated from the payers...) that first nested in this community and made it popular and successful
6. AGS supports new and improved features including plug-ins
7. AGS grows even bigger
8. A price is slapped on it's ass
9. "Riffraff" is kept away and only professional-grade games are paid attention to
10. The "poor" lose their interest and say "fuck AGS" altogether
11. More and more updates and new features are created
12. AGS supports polygons
13. FPS start to be created with AGS
14. The price is increased
15. Less adventures are made
16. Name changes to FPSGS
17. The underground adventure genre dies

woot

Some scary shit, CJ, YoU ASSNUT!!1 :)

If this really happened though, I would eventually register anyway, since AGS is well worth it. But still, I'd be disapointed knowing that it's totally gone the other direction and going against everything AGS stood for in the beginning.


--Snake

--EDIT--
Oh and:
18. In time, only Star Wars games are created with FPSGS
19. Old AGSers write letters to CJ saying that they are no longer fans
20. CJ commits suicide

When I first read this I thought it's just an April Fool's joke, then when people said they'd registered and it was real I got confused  ::)

***Note to self: send goons after cj***

I suspected that this was an April fool's joke, but I was getting worried by the time I reached the third page...

Quote from: LaceyWare on Tue 13/04/2004 21:29:33
I suspected that this was an April fool's joke, but I was getting worried by the time I reached the third page...

yup... scary heh...

I can't download the prototype, the links down.

Yes, but can you read?

Quote from: AGS_guy on Wed 14/04/2004 11:32:29
I can't download the prototype, the links down.

Uh yeah, it was only available for 1st April.

Quote from: Pumaman on Wed 14/04/2004 20:29:58
Uh yeah, it was only available for 1st April.

What!?
I want to be fooled all year long!!!!

Are the copies we got going to gain any value?

Put one on eBay and find out.

Hmm, this somehow randomly reminds me of Jurassic Park.

God creates man,
God creates CJ,
CJ creates AGS,
AGS creates games..

Games destroy man.
CJ inherits the earth.

I was gonna say: PSSH! I've been tinkering with this program since pretty much the first version ever. It was a poor doodle of the floor plan of my house with green, white and black, with a whopping 10 hotspots and 3 whole rooms! I'm just a poor little kid who can't afford something like this, unless I get a job, but I'm too lazy for that. I think I will just download the program, and deal with the message. Or I will just get rid of it by finding a key generator off kazaa or just going into the program and deleting the message, the same way I got rid of some of the options in the setup file that comes with my games. Actually I will probably never do that. I will probably just stick with the version I have now, or eventually register. But I am still blinded with rage right now! Maybe I will make MY site a pay site, to pay for all these programs that were once free but are no more! Oh, I'm mad!  :)

But still, it's a really good idea. Kudos to you!

Maybe someone should tell him.

Or maybe he should die learn to read.

Maybe someone should inform all of you that it's been 2 weeks since this joke has gone old.

Let it die.

Quote from: Pumaman on Thu 15/04/2004 21:39:32
Put one on eBay and find out.

Hey, dont think i wont take you for your word!
But, we dont have ebay here, so, blegh.

While checking out the new website design, I noticed the first entry of the news archive:

"2 December 1998
Minor update now online. Removes shareware nag screen, and adds facility to define startup position of the character on the first screen."

Was AGS shareware at one point?

Hehe yes, well when I first wrote Adventure Creator at the time it seemed that every other program was shareware, so it seemed the 'cool' thing to do. Then someone e-mailed me to ask how they could register, at which point I had a think about it and decided that going shareware would be far too serious for a temporary project that I would only work on for a few months.

Funny how things turn out  :P

probably never thought your little temporary project would become so popular.

:)

can you still publicly release your games with the older versions? i only need the version i have at the moment, i dont think i'll ever get more advanced.

Hey Dan, long time no see.

This was a joke APRIL FOOLS! HA HA HA! You can publicly release games with old versions, new versions, blah de blah blah.  Nothing has changed.

Quote from: DragonRose on Tue 20/04/2004 16:36:30
Hey Dan, long time no see.

This was a joke APRIL FOOLS! HA HA HA! You can publicly release games with old versions, new versions, blah de blah blah.  Nothing has changed.

Yeah. i read more than the 1st page after i posted...


but CJ, that really was NOT funny!

Yes it was!

I think that that prank was the best thing to happen to AGS.  
WHY?

Becasue it made you not take AGS for granted.  We should all thank CJ for making AGS freeware, not the other type.
Now, whenever I use AGS, I think about how thankful I should be that suck a great program is not shareware, like so many great programs are.

Thank you, CJ  :)  

This is still being posted on?

I think to avoid confusions, the first post subject should be edited to include words like [April Fool].

Quote from: Gilbot V7000a on Thu 22/04/2004 04:21:05
This is still being posted on?

I think to avoid confusions, the first post subject should be edited to include words like [April Fool].

Actually, I think it's kinda funny that people are still falling for it.  :D  Not enough time to read through but still enough time to post about it.

QuoteYes that's true because I want the Pluerphberg DVD, the Larry Vales vanity plate, and the Night of the Merhit wall clock, and I'll take the stupid $180 maximum value option to get ripped off for all the "free" extras!

LMFAO! I literally fell out of my chair because I was laughing so hard.

QuoteI think that that prank was the best thing to happen to AGS.
WHY?
Becasue it made you not take AGS for granted. We should all thank CJ for making AGS freeware, not the other type.
Now, whenever I use AGS, I think about how thankful I should be that suck a great program is not shareware, like so many great programs are.

Exactly what I wanted to say. I am definitely more grateful after reading this thread. Here I am on APRIL 25 reading this and I fell for it the whole time until CJ finally gave it up. *sob* I'm still getting over the shock. I actually feel sad that I didn't have a chance to yell out my long speech about the injustices of making separate boards for members and non-members. *sighs and tries to recover* anyway.....I need to head over to my GBA meeting. (Gullible Believers Anonymous).

Long Live The Underground!!

is this some kind of joke or is this something so I would just quit AGS like I did to the others?

P.S. Read the whole thread then you will understand.

woo hoo, 500th post!!

No don't listen to him... it is becoming shareware, and you should register. I know I have...

:P

Damn you.  fell for it untill I actually read the thread...lol (I actually wasn't believing it...Thats just too cruel to do to us)  8)

Why would you trick us like this CJ?

WHY!?

*breaks down and cries*

Damn, I just read this today ( 8 June 2004) I wasn't expecting an April Fools joke...

I just didn't see it coming.

Oh thank god the ordeal is over.

*awkward pause*
I love you.

People are still falling for this? I can't believe that, nevermind the joke...

We should put "2004 1st April Day Fool" or whatever it's called, so the newcomers won't suffer a heart attack.

heh, haven't noticed this thread before, but when i saw those jokes on the register page i knew it was a joke:P

/me strikes a heart attack

I didn't look at the register page.

Ah.

WHAAAAAAAAAA !!!!!!!

I just read the tread for the first time !!! ... I sure feel stupid now. I read it from the very beginning.

Wow ... I am so glad this was a joke (and I didn't get it).

I feel stupid too.
I registered after reading the first post.
fortunatelly I didn't give my credit card number  :P

Ha ha, three months have passed and people are still getting fooled.

Ha ha. You fools.

First I got really dissapointed, then very VERY mad and about to punch the desk.  So this is some sort of sick july 11 fools joke is it?  :P

glad ags is still free tho, very glad.

aprill fools actually... THis thread is old and its still getting people who cant be bothered to read it first :)

how could u!!?!?

oh wait, this was only a joke?

crap.

hey CJ if u get a ticking box in the mail, DONT OPEN IT!

What happened if you registred?
Was it something like "You are an idiot" or something?

no, you got a 404.

No, you didn't get a 404.
Just try registering and see for yourself.
http://www.agsforums.com/register.htm

Quote from: Highwaygal on Wed 21/07/2004 17:00:23
No, you didn't get a 404.
Just try registering and see for yourself.
http://www.agsforums.com/register.htm

I don't know... Can't anyone just tell me?
I fell for a really nasty april fools joke once.

just click the register button and don't fill anything in, it's just CJ for floop's sake, he's not trying to swindle you out of your credit card info

Spoiler

wink wink

[close]

he doesnt even ask for credit card info.

OMG DON'T LISTEN TO THEM!

I FILLED OUT THE FORM AND MY CREDIT CARD INFO AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW I HAVE DUCT TAPE AND SMELLY CHEESE BEING CHARGED TO ME! DAMN YOU CHRIS JONES!!!!

Otherwise, A++++++++++ SELLER WOULD DEAL WITH AGAIN.

AGS isn't going to be shareware?! THANK GOD!!!!!
*Corey throws party and drinks way too much*

Wow! My heart stopped when I read this but thank god its just a joke.

I was SO pissed off I sat in the living room with this look >:(.
After a while I decided to read some more pages and found out. I don't know what I would do without AGS. Thanks for the prank, I must say it makes me feel good to use it(not that it hasn't in the past). Man, I need a drink...

Quote from: Pesty on Thu 22/07/2004 12:29:19
OMG DON'T LISTEN TO THEM!

I FILLED OUT THE FORM AND MY CREDIT CARD INFO AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW I HAVE DUCT TAPE AND SMELLY CHEESE BEING CHARGED TO ME! DAMN YOU CHRIS JONES!!!!

Otherwise, A++++++++++ SELLER WOULD DEAL WITH AGAIN.

lmfao


also I dont think many of us would be pissed off at AGS going shareware, I mean, Chris kind of would deserve it (and it means we can bitch at him for updates >:) )

sorry for double post!

I wouldn't pay for AGS because you can't put the scripting language on your resume. Which means, all that practicing,  for nothing.

But I think people would like to see 90's point and click games on the market. Parents would be like, Woah! I remember these! :D

AGS would make it easier to learn other scripting languages its similar to C/C++

I don't think it's only worth paying for a software if it can make your resume better.
For example, people paid for games, so, did you mean that they shouldn't pay as they can't write them in their resume ? (Well there does exist jobs that are related to gaming experience, but...)

If there's a commercial software and you think it's not worthy of paying for it, just don't use it, if you think it's fair to paid for its usage, just pay, it's just that simple.

I'll definitely pay for AGS if that happens, as I like using it (on the contrary, if I don't like using it I just don't use it anymore).

Plus, you can actually earn money by selling your AGS games (though there're little success marketing adventure games currently).

That's why it ain't worth making like 10 bucks off a game that you might have spent along time on. But, if I had the money and AGS was shareware, I would pay for it.

LOL! :)

I didn't read this before, so blame me

but it was a great one  ;)

Flip sake! Did somebody bump this just to scare the crap out of me? Still, gave me a good laugh. It almost had me, but I thought it was too suspicious that CJ didn't post after the first one (until he revealed the joke obviously). Leave the title - it'll teach us riff-raffy n00bs to be grateful for the wonderousness that is AGS. Lol. :D

Ha, its so funny seeing this thread keeping on being brought up and scaring more people. It is a great april fools joke in that it is still fooling people 5 months after april. :P

Chris will probably not have to come up with any other April fools joke ever again.

Which is good, so that he can work on AGS instead.

 :D :D :D
Yep, I just stumled into this thread for the first time, and actually scrolled to the end to ask, what came out of it, since I didn't get any shareware warneing.

LMAO!

dammit, I wish someone would lock this thread, I keep seeing it and thinking 'The bastards!!!  They've succumbed to the "shareware tag", noooooo'

They sure have... Chris and his... Um... Dopplegangers? Room full of programming monkeys?

Think more like of the Uncle Scrooge's(sp?) office where the accoutants(sp?) work... the big room full of desks(sp?)... :P

Haha, best joke ever. I actully belived it, until I saw the registration page. Silly Wabbit.

Quote from: auhsor on Thu 26/08/2004 15:22:47
It is a great april fools joke in that it is still fooling people 5 months after april. :P

Or a terrible April Fools joke, since they're supposed to stop at lunchtime.

I wonder if it'll still be going next April Fools Day...

Sssh... this is all just the result of CJ's careful planning...

Don't you guys see? It's not really a joke ... He's just warming us up till when he does decide to make AGS shareware, then we won't take it so hard.

(little does he know...)

*Zor glances at the shining meat cleaver lying next to him.

Next time.................hey, wait, this thing has been going on for like 4-5 months! Let's not believe him for March 20, 2005 - April 2, 2005. USPSIDE: CJ deserves the money. BIG DOWNSIDE: He robbed us...........

Yes, that made complete sense

Well i agree it is reasonable to make ags shareware.
It is expensive if you live overseas cause converting the
money is a problem(i would be willing pay up to $150 australian though).
Could their be done a special deal for people overseas.
I would like to keep up with the jones hehe, so if we
register would we get the latest versions for free.
Well ags is the best and easiest adventure no game creator I have used.Esspecially the painting for walk-behinds,I like it more than The games factory! (the sequel of Klik and play)

for overseas deals just email me your credit card number, Im Mr. Jones Personal accountant.

Heh, I wouldn't say it publically if I were you. Hmm, I didn't know that I posted the 200th post here.....

Well I'm sure CJ has some other better means of earning big money. I just received this mail today:

Quote
From: chris_2jones@bumera

From the Desk of: ENGR.CHRIS JONES (B.SC,M.SC,Ph.D., MNIE, FIE)
DIRECTOR PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
NESLSON MANDELA BUILDING,
PRETORIA - SOUTH AFRICA.

Dear,

VERY URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL

It is my great pleasure in writing you this letter on behalf of my
colleagues.Your particulars were given to me by a member of the South Africa Export Promotion Council (S.E.P.C) who was with the federal government delegation to your country during a trade exhibition.I have decided to seek a confidential co-operation with you in the execution of the deal described hereunder for the benefit of all parties and hope you will keep it as top secret because of the nature of this business.

I am ENGR.CHRIS JONES, Director Of Project Implementation, South Africa Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. I am making this contact with you, based on the committees need for an Individual/company who is willing to assist us in the execution of this business. Within the Ministry Of Energy And Natural Resources, where I work as a Director of the Project Implementation and with the good co-operation of four other top officials, we have in our
possession as over due payment bills, totaling Twenty One Million, Four
Hundred Thousand United States Dollars(US$21,400,000) Which we want to
transfer abroad with the assistance and co-operation of A Foreign
Company/individual to receive the said funds on our behalf. More so, we are handicap in these circumstances, as the South African Civil Services code of conduct does not allow us to operate an offshore account. Hence your importance in this transaction. This amount $21.4Million represents the balance of the total contract value executed on behalf of my ministry by a Foreign Contracting Firm, which we the Officials over invoiced deliberately. Though the actual
contract cost has been paid to the original contractor, leaving the
balance in the tune of the said amount, Which we have in principles gotten approval to remit by Key Tested Telegraphic Transfer (K.T.T). to any Foreign Bank Account you will provide by filing an Application through the Ministry Of Justice here in South Africa,for the transfer of rights and privileges of the former contractor to you.

I have the Authority of my partners involved to propose that you should
be willing to assist us in this transaction, Your share of the sum is
30% of the $21.4Million, 60% for us and 5% for taxation and miscellaneous expenses and remaining 5% will be for charity organisation. The transaction it self is 100% safe, on your part provided you treat it with utmost secrecy and confidentiality. Also, your area of specialization is not a hindrance to the successful execution of this transaction. I have reposed my confidence in you and hope that you will not disappoint me.

I want to assure you that my partner and myself are in the position to
make the payment of this claim possible, provided that you can give us a very strong assurance and guarantee that the funds will be secured and please, remember to treat this matter very confidential, because we will not comprehend with any form of exposure as we are still in active Government service. Please,reply immediately .

Once again, remember that time is of great essence in this transaction.

I wait in anticipation of your fullest co-operation.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Yours Faithfully,

ENGR.CHRIS JONES.


Acest email a fost trimis din interfata web http://www.xxxxxxxx.xx

GREAT! Now we can make big money together! :=

 :'( Is he serious about this? This scheme has been going on for months. Wait, why'd you post this here? It said it was urgent.....

Edwin, its a 419, its YEARS old. He was joking and saying CJ has 21 million

I was not joking, I indeed received this mail, I'm going to make big money now!

Do it! I am a billionaire thanks to scams deals like this one!

Oh Edwin, please try to stop embarassing yourself, it's making me cringe.

:P

I feel something like... honoured to post just under CJ (Yeah, I know how it sound.). Well. I'm a real newbie. I think my AGS is ver. 2.6 (I can't check now, cause I'm not on my computer). It's sad the program is going shareware and I'll have to stick to my version. Nevertheless it's life and you need something from it CJ. Best of luck with it.

Quote from: lelev on Wed 29/09/2004 12:17:18
I feel something like... honoured to post just under CJ (Yeah, I know how it sound.). Well. I'm a real newbie. I think my AGS is ver. 2.6 (I can't check now, cause I'm not on my computer). It's sad the program is going shareware and I'll have to stick to my version. Nevertheless it's life and you need something from it CJ. Best of luck with it.

Can't believe people still fall for it...
Lelev, check out the DATE of the first post. foo

Well, I didn't check the date, but I've seen it's on the 11th page so it must have started long time ago... I thought there's nothing wrong in telling something to Chris though. 

It was posted a day before april 1st, was what I ment...

CJ groupy ^_^

Now I really feel like a fool  :o

please see this message, this is a message from the creator of AGS and this topic
http://www.agsforums.com/yabb/index.php?topic=12733.msg152491#msg152491

Heh, CJ, next april's fools day, there's no need to even figure out a new prank - Just revive this thread with a "Right - I changed my mind! It is shareware! Foo's!111! Hah, pay me teh money, you spoiled brats!11!" and let the shocked community have it's say, just to reveal the "Haha, you fell for the same trick twice in the same thread, lolorz, haha" finale after the upset voices have been shouting for a while...Ã, 

I'm sure it'll work! Honestly!

I laughed so much seeing you post :D
see, i am still laughing

Sigh, even though I read about 80% of this thread including CJ admitting that it was a hoax, why do people still play along after 2 pages of angryness to CJ. I don't get it. :-\ And I was not embarrassing myself, I don't feel embarrassed...*Hides the :-[ expression on Edwin's face....

Well, actually it's no surprising to me if a newcomer fall for it, the thread is long, and it's unfair to call newbies fools if they fall for it, since they may not even have the time and chance to get used to our forums.

Though of course, if it's some regular member still falling for it, it's worth a laugh and I'll enjoy the fun of mocking him. ;D

Well, yesterday I came to this forum for the first time and not from my computer. I didn't check the date and I read the first page, but didn't have time for the others. Now I feel embarassed  :P

eeep... what if next year its 'AGS will NOT become shareware'

No, next year it would be:

"You can't download AGS for free anymore, but you can now buy it for the price of a soft ice-cream cone in a 7-11 nearby!"

The next will be as this - due to the loss of CJ's blue cup AGS will never be updated again!

i'll have to save a but so i can register..
but then i was planning for all my games to be freeware anyway.. i'll just keep the free version till i get some $.. unless you'll take payments of 25$ when i get the cash

~I'm so Poor thet my pc is nothing but a cardbord cut out LOL

Pumaman doesn't have to make a new april's thread - this one's still working fine.  :)

Quote from: Hotspot on Thu 30/09/2004 17:23:04
eeep... what if next year its 'AGS will NOT become shareware'

Quote from: Gilbot V7000a on Wed 06/10/2004 09:32:51
No, next year it would be:

"You can't download AGS for free anymore, but you can now buy it for the price of a soft ice-cream cone in a 7-11 nearby!"

Quote from: lelev on Wed 06/10/2004 17:43:22
The next will be as this - due to the loss of CJ's blue cup AGS will never be updated again!

STOP giving him more ideas

Quote from: darkx5 on Thu 07/10/2004 16:22:18
i'll have to save a but so i can register..
but then i was planning for all my games to be freeware anyway.. i'll just keep the free version till i get some $.. unless you'll take payments of 25$ when i get the cash

~I'm so Poor thet my pc is nothing but a cardbord cut out LOL

are you joking???
this is an april's fool joke, see this:
http://www.agsforums.com/yabb/index.php?topic=12733.msg152491#msg152491

blackman, shutup! You know damn well that the april's fool joke was that the AGS to become shareware is april's fool joke.

;)

WHAT AGS SHAREWAREZ????
THAT SUXORS!!!!!!!!!1111111111111!!!!!!!!!!
IMO AGAST IS BETTER!!!!!!!!! ;D

-Cleverly concealed as a l33tspeaker, I will infiltrate their HQ and take out their leader!!!

Quote from: Andail on Thu 01/04/2004 22:27:59
Hello and welcome to Abnormally Gullible Sods

Hello, me! Hey wait, What's he gonna do NEXT year! The horror!  :o

Quote from: Goldmund on Thu 01/04/2004 01:11:06
Wow! Congratulations, CJ!
From now on AGS will be found in Astalavista and Crack.ru search engines!
You may consider yourself a pro!


I will pay the fee gladly as soon as I have the money, and I'll have my job interview on monday, which means that in a month I should be rich enough to afford it. Unless they pay less than I hope.

Do you have any special financial program for AGSers of Eastern Europe?

i don' have money, i'm only a student, and i guess the orfanate (i don't know how to write it) will not pay anything ... i'll be stuck and have to learn how to make full games to sell with other editor ?

Oh dear, it's getting painful now.
:P

Well if you register I think you can get face-to-face game making tutorials for free, that's one of the fine privileges you pay and support for a fine software package (aside from online monitoring of your private files in your computer).

Spoiler

LIES!

[close]

Did we here forget what happens to our email address'?

:P

OMG, i`ll be glad to go for other programs to make games ( hahah, what a joke)
really, this shows how much did i read about this ...  ;D

No, next year, Chris will instruct another forum member to post a topic saying, "Chris Jones has died!" Ooooh, EVIL!

Now that he's read that, that's probably what he WILL do!

Well, he could make it realistic by working on it a bit and make that forum member to post a picture that "prooves" that :p

by the way, i think we should stop giving him more ideas  :=

No, we should give him every idea possible, that way he won't have any original ones bwahahahaha

Quote from: Scuthbert on Tue 04/01/2005 18:16:25
No, we should give him every idea possible, that way he won't have any original ones bwahahahaha

good point ;D

well, with the new year coming, i think we will be ready for the next april fool joke ;) cause this thread has been alive for like 7 months

and if something "strange" happens next, we will already know if it is an april's fool joke

Spoiler

althought he could make his own "joke day", what i mean by that is that it won't be an april's fools joke anymore, he will do things like that whenever he want's :-/

[close]

PS
Sorry for my lame english

And it'll be alive, not 7 more months, but forever, if you post make your monthly update to it...  :P

so yeah the inevitable happend <bleh so what i cant spell>
I think its great and a program of this calliber has to turn shareware. I know that kids are going to have a problem with the fees and that it will now kill their ambition to build this? Cant teams buy a package or sumthing to lower costs? I myself live in S A and for me a 100 $ is like R600-00 So this varies up n up n down... so for me to fork out almost a grand for the software aint gona happen cause i can pretty much just buy 3ds max... and live my happy life and learn to code java! I use blender and all these nifty lil freeware programs cause they whip some of the big bad boys anyway. so yeah Chris went and did the inevitable and I dont blame him he just didnt think it all through enough.
Chris depending on how passionate you are about your lil program and you community you should let some of the programming boys keep it maintained and you can still do it wen you really want to I say if you dont do a proper proposal you should just kill the project and hand over the code if this is to harse then well you couldnt love it like you said you did... Thanks for the support through the years to the community. Re check your pricing and iam sure that most people wont mind paying you. Just remember as soon as we pay were customers and you need to keep us happy! So what i suggest is make yourself a nice lil pdf with all this info in. ... pricing packages registration fees once off or monthly ect. Just a though use it dont. whateva

Personally I wouldnt mind paying a small fee but as a paying customer I would like regular updates. Now as it is as freeware ive only seen one proper update since ive been using ags (started in October 2004), so over 6 months the last update was in november :-\

Oops!
You have tried something we didn't think of. Whatever it was, it's not necessary to finish the game.

SKY Version 1.04.2004

CJ YOUR NUTS MAN !!!
This is the best aprils fools joke no no wait the best aprils fool and may june july ect joke ;D

So I guess you do love your community ! YOU GO MAN!
Still I think you should get the gus to help you out cause it might get time consuming like you mentioned...
besides can we critisize your program if youd like iam good at the bugs thing.. :)

All I can say is  ;D There are no other words. I don't think we need another thread this year for april fools.

I hate you CJ!!! :D

When I first saw this thread my heart jumped out of my throat. I really thought you were gonna do it!
If you EVER make AGS a shareware I'll come to kill you with my own hands...

*Agrees on most of Pablo's post*

13 pages...omg. That's some April Fool's joke. :)

Hehe think about it, if it's real it wouldn't be moved to this popular threads forum, since it would be an announcement then.

Less than a month more, and it'll have been running for a year. That HAS to be a record of some sort, no?  :=

Indeedness... :D

The question is... can he pull it off again...? I mean surely no-one would believe anything he says on april fools....

....would they?

How can last years April Fools day joke be topped?  I don't know, but i'm keeping my eyes open just waiting for it.

Next thing you know, CJ will tell us that all the Forum data was eaten by his dog or something and we all have to re-register.  :)

Shawn

shhh, youre ruining any potential fun.. i hope these posts are deleted.

Quote from: Dark of Night on Fri 01/04/2005 00:34:36
Next thing you know, CJ will tell us that all the Forum data was eaten by his dog or something and we all have to re-register.Ã,  :)

Well, CJ did tell us his harddrive crashed and the data in it were lost.





But this is not a joke.