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AGS Games => AGS Games in Production => Topic started by: tor.brandt on Thu 01/12/2016 13:15:41

Title: A Place In The Sun
Post by: tor.brandt on Thu 01/12/2016 13:15:41

GAME IS RELEASED!! (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=54289.0)
(click link above to visit the game's release thread)


I'd like to present a game that I've been working on for the past couple of months:
A Place In The Sun


About the game:
A Place In The Sun is a short game (can be completed in 30-45 minutes, probably less for some) with a classical SCUMM-like interface.
You play the protagonist in his "quest" for just making some damn coffee to survive yet another night of overworking, while trying to handle his complaining ex-wife as well as bear the burden of bad conscience about a neglected daughter.


Some screenshots:

(http://i.imgur.com/c1aLGU8.png%5Bsize%5Dheight=20)

(http://i.imgur.com/d65iXO5.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/uzwReUj.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/4ij5fij.png)


Development progress:
Story: 100%
Scripting: 99%
Graphics: 100%
SoundFX: 100%
Music: 100%

Expected completion: Sometime during December 2016


Development diary:

December 1st 2016:
I've had a handful of great testers trying out the game, and have made some improvements based on their feedback.
Right now I'm conversing with my music composer about the soundtrack, which is almost the only thing still missing.

December 4th 2016:
Almost done with the SFX design; only need a couple more sounds, and a little bit of editing.
Also did a little bit of additional scripting.
Now pretty much all still missing is the music track (and probably a little fine tuning here and there while I wait for the music).

December 15th 2016:
I've had one last tester try out the game, and made some great tweaks and finetunings based on the feedback.
Also, I've finished the SFX design, and I decided to throw together some music myself; I'm very satisfied with the overall result.
Now all that's left for me to do is play through the game some more times in the hopes of tracking down the (hopefully non-existing) remaining bugs.
I expect to release the game before the end of this week!

December 16th 2016:
After playing through the game a couple of times, I decided it was finally time to release.
The game is now available from the game entry page!
Title: Re: A Place In The Sun
Post by: Nixxon on Thu 01/12/2016 13:34:29
Oh man this looks sweet!

I love that colour palette and overall vibe. Can't wait to see more!
Title: Re: A Place In The Sun
Post by: tor.brandt on Thu 01/12/2016 14:18:44
Quote from: Nixxon on Thu 01/12/2016 13:34:29
Oh man this looks sweet!

I love that colour palette and overall vibe. Can't wait to see more!

Thank you :-D
Title: Re: A Place In The Sun
Post by: Danvzare on Thu 01/12/2016 15:48:48
This looks good, I especially like the art style.
Considering the lack of verb commands, it doesn't seem as though there's anyone in the game to talk to, or anything to close either. Which is interesting.

I look forward to playing this when it's completed. :-D
Title: Re: A Place In The Sun
Post by: tor.brandt on Thu 01/12/2016 16:36:47
Quote from: Danvzare on Thu 01/12/2016 15:48:48
This looks good, I especially like the art style.
Considering the lack of verb commands, it doesn't seem as though there's anyone in the game to talk to, or anything to close either. Which is interesting.

I look forward to playing this when it's completed. :-D

Thank you!

You're right there will be no one to talk to, but the absence of a Close verb is not as intriguing as it might seem; I made the entire interface before finishing the story, so originally in place of Open there was a Talk verb, because back then I thought there would be someone to talk to...
I put in the Open button as a compromise between the options of having a totally redundant Talk button and removing the button altogether, ruining the GUI design.
At this point I'm simply too sloppy to make a total overhaul of the interface :-D

Edit: Although it still bothers me to have a practically redundant button too, so I'm still trying to think of a better solution. I might end up merging the Open and Use buttons to one big Use button...
Title: Re: A Place In The Sun
Post by: Nixxon on Thu 01/12/2016 23:03:29
Out of interest are you thinking of having speech in this game?
Title: Re: A Place In The Sun
Post by: tor.brandt on Fri 02/12/2016 00:13:46
Quote from: Nixxon on Thu 01/12/2016 23:03:29
Out of interest are you thinking of having speech in this game?

No, there won't be speech.
I actually often like it better without speech, and especially this game I think benefits from the silence.
Title: Re: A Place In The Sun
Post by: ThreeOhFour on Sat 03/12/2016 02:53:29
Looks great, good luck polishing the game up for release!
Title: Re: A Place In The Sun
Post by: tor.brandt on Sat 03/12/2016 12:57:53
Quote from: ThreeOhFour on Sat 03/12/2016 02:53:29
Looks great, good luck polishing the game up for release!

Thanks!

And by the way, I've really enjoyed playing your games, especially Heed :-D
Title: Re: A Place In The Sun
Post by: AnasAbdin on Sun 04/12/2016 08:06:07
I love games with personal stories like this :)
The color palette you're using is perfect for the situation I really like the style.
Good luck and hope to try it soon :)
Title: Re: A Place In The Sun
Post by: SilverSpook on Sun 04/12/2016 08:19:29
Excellent work, and quite an original color palette!  Good luck with this.
Title: Re: A Place In The Sun
Post by: Cassiebsg on Sun 04/12/2016 08:40:34
Looks interesting. (nod)
Good luck with it!
Title: Re: A Place In The Sun
Post by: tor.brandt on Sun 04/12/2016 11:21:40
Quote from: AnasAbdin on Sun 04/12/2016 08:06:07
I love games with personal stories like this :)
The color palette you're using is perfect for the situation I really like the style.
Good luck and hope to try it soon :)

Thanks! I'm aiming for release this December :-D

Quote from: SilverSpook on Sun 04/12/2016 08:19:29
Excellent work, and quite an original color palette!  Good luck with this.

Thanks! I usually use palettes like this one :-D

Quote from: Cassiebsg on Sun 04/12/2016 08:40:34
Looks interesting. (nod)
Good luck with it!

Thanks! :-D
Title: Re: A Place In The Sun [UPDATED December 15th 2016]
Post by: tor.brandt on Thu 15/12/2016 10:36:43
I updated the top entry today.

Oh, and here's an image showing the final interface:
(http://i.imgur.com/5Mn8OQi.png?1)
Title: Re: A Place In The Sun [UPDATED December 15th 2016]
Post by: Danvzare on Thu 15/12/2016 10:43:07
Ooh, I like that huge USE button. :-D
It better get used a lot if it's that big. (laugh)
Title: Re: A Place In The Sun [UPDATED December 15th 2016]
Post by: tor.brandt on Thu 15/12/2016 11:25:44
Quote from: Danvzare on Thu 15/12/2016 10:43:07
Ooh, I like that huge USE button. :-D
It better get used a lot if it's that big. (laugh)

Yeah, if I had know back then what I know now, I probably would have made the main GUI's height half of what it is now, such that the three verb buttons were in one row, BUT to do so now would require me to redo all backgrounds, hotspots, areas, etc. etc., and all in all I think this is a pretty good solution :-D
I think the size of the Use button can be justified since the Use command translates to a lot of different verbs in the action text, so it really is a universal button in that respect. And somehow I also like how it looks design-wise :)
Title: Re: A Place In The Sun [UPDATED December 15th 2016]
Post by: Danvzare on Thu 15/12/2016 11:58:39
Quote from: tor.brandt on Thu 15/12/2016 11:25:44
I think the size of the Use button can be justified since the Use command translates to a lot of different verbs in the action text, so it really is a universal button in that respect. And somehow I also like how it looks design-wise :)
My thoughts exactly. :-D

As for halving the height, there's another problem with that, you forgot to mention. There would be a lot less space to show inventory icons.
Title: Re: A Place In The Sun [UPDATED December 15th 2016]
Post by: tor.brandt on Thu 15/12/2016 12:04:50
Quote from: Danvzare on Thu 15/12/2016 11:58:39
As for halving the height, there's another problem with that, you forgot to mention. There would be a lot less space to show inventory icons.

Yeah, it would have to be a one-row inventory window.
This wouldn't be a problem, however, in and of itself... But together with the other problems, it's just way more trouble than it's worth :-D

Anyway, I've definitely learned that you should always build your GUI based on what the storyline demands.
Title: Re: A Place In The Sun [UPDATED December 15th 2016]
Post by: selmiak on Thu 15/12/2016 12:27:46
looking good.

About these verbs and the placement...
Spoiler

you could always go this 1/3 size buttons route with icons or vertical text.
(http://i.imgur.com/TK6bNsu.jpg)
yes, the last one is a wrench + a cogwheel  ;)

[close]
Title: Re: A Place In The Sun [UPDATED December 15th 2016]
Post by: tor.brandt on Thu 15/12/2016 13:06:03
Quote from: selmiak on Thu 15/12/2016 12:27:46
looking good.

About these verbs and the placement...
you could always go this 1/3 size buttons route with icons or vertical text.

Thanks!

And thank you for your suggestion. That's a good idea.
However, I will stick with my design as it is for this game.
But I'll keep the idea in mind for future projects :-D
Title: Re: A Place In The Sun [UPDATED December 16th 2016]
Post by: tor.brandt on Fri 16/12/2016 15:54:53
I released the game! *shudder* (laugh)
Title: Re: A Place In The Sun
Post by: Darth Mandarb on Fri 16/12/2016 19:42:33
Congrats on the release!

I added a link to the Completed Games Thread (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=54289.0) in the first post.