Quest for Cinema Version 3.00

[Estaog]

My first game:

My site

Hope you enjoy!

Edit: Updated version now out (again).

[Phemar]

I want to download, but http could not be found...

Also maybe include some screenshots, or info etc...

[Estaog]

Fixed the link, for screenies, go to the game in production tread

[Barbarian]

The link you posted in your message above is incorrect.. you have it as:
ftp://http/www.freewebs.com/adventuremaniac/

but, it should actually be:
http://www.freewebs.com/adventuremaniac/

PS: I tried to download your game, but looks like there's a problem with your site, or the file is missing?
I get "Server has internal error" message.Ã,  Ã, Looks like you might need to fix something there or perhaps find a different location to host the file?

[Estaog]

Try now

[Barbarian]

Hmmm.. Nope. No luck. I still get either an "Server has internal error" message, and sometimes a "Your current security settings do not allow this file to be downloaded." I currently have my IE settings at around Medium to Medium High.. but it's a real pain to re-set all my security settings lower just to download a file, and really, I don't want to lower my security settings just to get one file that I should normally be able to get. I think perhaps Freewebs may be trying to force something else that my settings don't like? I generally don't have any problems downloading files from the net.Ã,  How big if your complete zipped/rared file? It could also be possible the file is over the allowed size-limit that freehost allows (most free-hosts really restrict the file-size per file allowed and bandwidth too). Do you got Yahoo Messenger or ICQ, perhaps we can find a way that I can host your file for you tempoarily untill you can find a more stable place to host files from.Ã,  Well, if interested, Private Message me how I can contact you.

*Edit: It looks like your page is attempting to run "Active X" control scripts, that's why my security settings don't like it. Active X scripts can be malicious and dangerous, so for un-known or un-trusted zones/sites, I have my setting to disable them from running.

** Okay, I've tried your link using an alternative browser (Netscape), and it's working this time. I'm downloading the file now.
It looks like your page opens up some java chatroom automatically and some other pop-up ad? It could be what my IE browser didn't like it, it may have thought it was a malicious script.Ã,  Anyways, if you still want an alternative place to host your file, let me know and I may be able to set something up for you.

[Estaog]

Thanks a lot blackbird, and that java is going to be a chat room, still fixing it though.Dont worry about it.Blackbird seems to be downloading it just fine, maybe you have a problem?

Question:Do you need a programm to view java applets?

[Haddas]

I still can't get it to work

I so wanted to play this. It has been anticipated for some time now.

[viktor]

I played the game and I've got some good and some bad news:

first the good news: the walking animation is good and the graphics arent bad
theb the bad news: The guy walks to slow. Speed up his walk a bit. And the rooms look sorta wierd (t least to me, if that's your stile excouse me).

[Barbarian]

Okay.. I got the file and tried out your game for a bit.

I got to get some sleep now, so I'll try it out more later. But a few comments:

Heheh.. From what I seen so far, it's really funny.Ã, 
And the cheezy music in the background seems to fit well.
The graphics are really "simple but effective" for the style of game you seem to be going for here.
I like the way he moves is comical too.

Okay, onto some constructive critisismÃ,  when the game first starts, it first briefly flashes and starts with a brief "Are you leaving me?" message, then it goes to the main "Quest for Cinema" title screen. Okay, so no problem, I start a new game and let things unfold.

So, I start to explore.. and one of the first problems I have is I get stuck in the bathroom with no easy way out. I had to end up "pixel hunting" with the walk cursor to find my way back out again. Perhaps you should make it easier to leave the bathroom, or show where the exit is because when you're in the bathroom the door is hidden out of view.

Also, everytime I go to look, use, etcÃ,  anything.. he always walks over to the spot before I get any response of what happens, even if it's an item that I can't do anything with. If it's nothing of any real importance, perhaps there's no need to make him walk all the way over to it first. Anyways, I guess that's just minor annoyance for now.

Other problem I had, was, for some items, like when you have more than one small item in an area, he always walked in the way and blocked off access to all the items, so if I wanted to do any more interations with the other items, I always needed to walk out of the way again.. So, you might considering that instead of him walking in such a way that he blocks off access to all the items, that perhaps you can have him stand a little off to one side instead, that way you could still interact with all the items without needing to move out of the way more multiple times.

The other thing, I didn't find any obvious save / restore / exit options, so I had to try the various keys on the keyboard (I think it was in the funtions keys) untill I finally found the option to quit.

Oh yeah, his walking speed is a bit slow too...

Ã,  Ã,  Okay, it looks like a really nice and fun first game you've made so far, and I'll check it out more later.
Best regards.Ã, 

[viktor]

just one question here. I can't do anything in the inventory exept look. Is that ment to be like that or is this a bug?

[Estaog]

Oh im so sorry i forgot to add a save gui!
I will release a fixed version later on.
To quit you have to press F1, and the reason that picture flashes is because in the first room, the game disables it.Never happened to me, maybe slow perfomance??
In the fixed version i will not make him move in look mode, will be much easier.
Thanks for all the good reviews guys.

Oh by the way come chat on my site once i fix the chat room

[Estaog]

just one question here. I can't do anything in the inventory exept look. Is that ment to be like that or is this a bug?

Yes, it was made like that that.

[Sam.]

grrr.. can someone zip this up for me? I dont have rar so can't play the game.

[AGA]

Get WinRAR here to unpack it.

[Estaog]

No worries, i added a zip version at my site, come chat all!

[Kinoko]

The link to the .zip file doesn't work.

[Estaog]

Fixed it.

[InCreator]

Huh--
Despite weak graphics side and lots of grammar errors (especially that annoying "dosent" instead of "doesn't" or "does not" in many places), I think that it would be fair enough to...
...call this an adventure game.
Gongratulations.

And don't think that this is sarcasm or something -- It's not! Myself, among with not-so-few people are still muddling to get this first-released-adventure-game done.

Since not many have tried your game yet, really - make cowman walk faster, not-interactable(he blocks things all the time that are behind him!) and ask someone to proofread the game for you, this would make things alot better and you could be alot more proud about your release.
I'd offer to help by myself, but my english ain't that much better. But there's lots of helpful folks here. Just ask!

And don't forget to visit Critics Lounge frequently - your drawing skills have potential, but still pretty long way to go, because you actually haven't developed your very own style yet. Skills come with practice. I believe that you have no need for RON characters or other borrowed stuff soon, as long as you keep trying and practising(sp?).

[Estaog]

Thanks a lot man, i am working on the fixed version.Thanks for all the good reviews (again)

[ScottDoom]

hey tanker if you wan't i'll proofraed you're next game.

Hahaha. That's great. Why? It's great because you put "raed" in bold to mark your mistake that you made on purpose, but right after that you made a real mistake that you probably didn't catch. It's "your next game," as in the game belongs to him. Not "you're next game," which would mean something like him being the next game. 

Oh, and I'll try out this game when I have time just to see what it's all about. I'll wait for the updated version.

[Estaog]

Hey thanks Blackbird!I will tell you when i need proof reading.

Good news:
Version 1.50 is out!Fixes are on the readme.Update now.

[Barbarian]

Okay, I downloaded your newest version and spent a bit more time today playing it.
Thanks for making some of the fixes, game play is improved from your first released version.

Anyways, I'm stuck in some places, and not really sure what to do or where to go next.

A couple fo things to also consider. You have the "Bob" and "Vikingo" guy using the same talking color as your main character, so when you talk to them, it's hard to tell who's saying what, so you might consider having different talking text colors for different characters.

Also, when I went to the part where the big steel door is.. I was really stuck in that spot for a while, as there was no appearant way to exit that area again. However, with some repeat pixel-hunting and clicking on the right-lower-edge of the where the background was, it finally was able to exit that area. Perhaps make it easier to find a way to exit that area, as right now, it's like it's almost a dead-end with no way out.

I wasn't able to use or interact with any of the inventory items other than looking, but I guess that's how you made your game as reading previous posts here.

And, I don't know if I can't explore any more areas because of badly-designed walking areas (such as in the Steel Door area or the Bathroom), or if it's only about 9 rooms/areas to explore overall that I could find?

Oh yes, for the stairs, I needed to "use" them to walk up them, but when I want to walk back down than it says to "walk".Ã,  Perhaps should be consistant. Just seems strange that had to "use" for up and "walk" for down.

Anyways, I rexplored all the 9 areas I was able to find a few times each, and talk to the 3 NPC's I could find several times, but, basically I'm stuck and can progress no furthur unless there's something I'm missing.

Ã,  Okay, overall, the game is comical and fun, and I like some of the comments you put in, but it really needs some improvments to be more playable.Ã,  Best regards.

[Estaog]

Oh yes one more thing i forgot, you can pick up the inventry(use).I dont think the stairs is a major bug, but i will fix the others.I dont have much time because i am working on my site (you can visit btw) but dont worry, it will come up.

[Estaog]

Version 2.00 now out.

[Redwall]

In the future, you might want to consider something known as "beta testing".

[ScottDoom]

Well, considering we don't have to pay for this game, we could consider this beta testing.

Although I do agree that it would be wise to give the game to a select few people to test before full release.

[InCreator]

In the future, you might want to consider something known as "beta testing".

Indeed. Making a game and then improving it for ever while people have to update it every day is stupid.
It's almost like we're making the game with you together, Tanker.

Get all known bugs out, do all improvements and then - before releasing, ask few people to beta test it. This means - have them to try out whole game, find all bugs and got-stuck-places, errors and mistakes. When testing is complete too, and bugs are swept out, THEN you compile the final version and share it with greater publicity.

You need other people to do that because adventure games usually have a defined way from start to finish and ways people try to find it - are personal, so other people think differently and try alot more different things - which increases the possibilty to get stuck or fing bug in a place you would never try or expect.

[Estaog]

I wanted to beta-test it, but i thout it would spoil it for everyone.Il do it next time.

[Phemar]

Well the zip link works for me, I just downloaded:

Spoiler

1. The cinema guy's talking color is transparent, rendering the writitng illegible.
2. I don't know how to use an invemtory item with something.
3. The interface still has a lot of bugs.
4. You should switch it to  "GUIS don't change when disabled."
5. The character still walks painfully slow.
6. Why would there be a ham in your bedroom cupboard?

[close]

That's all from me, nice game so far.
Far better than my first one...

[Estaog]

Man thats the last time i ever made a game without beta testing it, anyways check out the new version.

[Estaog]

Any problems post here (bugs/ask for hints)!

[Mr Jake]

Im not try to play Moderator but PLEASE stop double posting

There is a Modify button in the top right  of your post, you have just over a third of the post since you registered a couple of months ago then I have got since August 2002.....

[mätzyboy]

Ok! I tried out your game, as promised...

Cowman is cool! The new walkspeed is fine imo. I think your disclaimer about having asked before using graphics seems fake since you have used MI grapchis for inventory, and I doubt you have asked for those...

My biggest concern though is the lack of hints of what to do next. I picked up a bunch of stuff (ham, oil, pot, idol, paper cup and maybe something more) giving me some ideas that maybe I should cook something? The NPCs were interesting but gave nothing as far as hints on what I had to do to get into the cinema...I also got stuck in the "room" with the metal door, bread, fence and so on. The hotspot for the hill is so big you can't walk out of there! I read that Barbarian managed to get out, but I didn't... I also don't think that having to use "pick up" in order to use inventory is a good way of doing it. I picked them up once, now I want to "use" them!

Still, not bad! I'ts amusing to just walk around with a man dressed as a cow! I had no problems seeing what stuff were. I only wish I had a clue of what to do... And that hidden "get someone to move in" thing tempts me aswell... Maybe you could supply me with some hints?

Cheers! /Mätzyboy

[Estaog]

Veriosn 3.00 is out (update all).

Some hints:
You can open the maintenance box with the library pass.
The library pass can easily dissolve.
The viking has a shop, use it!
Always try to mix the same stuff.
The handless guy needs something, help him and you might just get something back!
The idol can be used as a hook!
The tv wire is sharp.
The oil also cleans.

This should be enaugh to help.

[Rui 'Trovatore' Pires]

Here's an advice from someone who made the same mistake - get ALL the bugs and fixes, even if you have to get even ten beta-testers at this late date, and release a final version. I know how frustrating it is to keep updating little things one could have avoided with a little forethought...

[lesss]

HOW DO YOU GET THE DOOR OPEN

[Estaog]

Here is a guide:

Spoiler

Open the maintenance box with the library pass, and turn on the valve.Open the drawer up on the maintenance box to get the money and the library pass.
Then fill the pot (found outside) with water (beach) and use it with the sink to boil it.
Use the library pas with itÃ,  to make it red paint.
Open the wardrobe lower door and take the meat and the oil.
Use the meat with the tv wire.
Take the string found on the toilet.
Go into the forest and pick up the idol.
Use the idol with the string to make a grappling hook.
Use the grappling hook with the bread, sorry for the walkbale area.
Use break with wire.
Use slice of ham with now sliced bread.
Give other ham to the handless guy, he gives you the cinema ticket.
use the oil with the cinema ticket to reveal the label.
You can now complete the game by giving the ticket to the cinema guy, but here is how to get the secret:
Talk with vikingo.
Combine the money with the pennies, and go talk with vikingo again.
He gives you a hand, use it with the upper wardrobe door to and then get the wall paper.
Use the balls for a funny phrase.
Use the wallpaper with the hand, give the hand to the handless guy.
He gives you a straw.
Get the cup from near the cinema.
Use the cup with the red paint, and then use the straw with it.
Finally use the cup with the burger and go talk with vikingo.
Congrats to me for completing the game for you!

[close]

[Tiki]

Use the balls for a funny phrase.

I hope that what I'm thinking is not what happens.  Also, maybe you should make that guide a spoiler, as not every single person who uses these forums will have beaten your game.

[Moox]

I havent even played it, THANKS ALOT TANKER

[Estaog]

I havent even played it, THANKS ALOT TANKER

I didnt force you to read it, dont blame it on me. I was half asleep when i wrote it so it might even be wrong. Anyways here it is, hidden.

[jane]

Totally confused with this game............how do I use item with another item. Have tried pick up, use etc and nothing works

[Estaog]

You pick it up, and then just click on another item. Its simple.

[jane]

Thanks, have managed to work that out now..............is taking me umpteem attempts though to interract with another object.  Where is the kitchen?

[lakerz]

For what it's worth, I was never able to finish this game. 

Spoiler

Whenever I gave the guy the wooden hand with wallpaper wrapped around it, he said here's a cinema ticket.  However, the ticket never appeared in my inventory.  I tried switching up the order I did things in, trying to get the ticket right away or right at the end.  No matter what, the swine never actually gave me the ticket.

[close]

This game had its moments, but could use some polish.  Not bad for a first effort though!