Cosmos Quest I-III - The games are removed by the author.

[Iliya]

Cosmos Quest I-III - The games are removed by the author.

[Takyon]

Game looks nice. You sold any yet?

[JpSoft]

Looks like the kind of game you can pay for it. Godd work and good luck.

Jp

[Bai Karl]

Third in a row great space adventure! Graphics, sounds and music really good (wonderful  trip hop end theme).  Great navigational improvements. I'm happy to see that there is label for every hotspot or object (that wasn't present in the forst two games). Another difference is that the main character has been changed. Another good thing - the game ends with "to be continued".

I would like to see more planets in next chapters  .

[BLUEKNIGHT38]

I really liked your other two games; I purchased this one and think that this is the best one, yet.  I also liked all the improvements you accomplished on the third installment.  Looking forward to the next episode in this series.  Have you started work on it?
Keep up the good work. 

[Iliya]

Looking forward to the next episode in this series.  Have you started work on it?
Keep up the good work. 

Thank you for the good words about Cosmos Quest 3. Yes, I started to work on Cosmos Quest 4 and soon I will post a screenshots.

[Bai Karl]

I liked the music in the restaurat. It looks like a music from Twin Peaks? Is this your work?

[xenogia]

I am guessing it would be all of his work considering he released it as a commercial product.

[Iliya]

The restaurant jazz theme is written by me. I used old tracker and samples for composing it.

[Iv4n]

I played the demo and it was superb!  A bit short though. I'm wondering what is going to happen next...

[Iliya]

I also liked all the improvements you accomplished on the third installment. 

I also added these improvements to Cosmos Quest I and Cosmos Quest II, because I recevied a lot of critics about the navigation and pixel hunting in 1st and 2nd part of the game. Now I hope that Cosmos Quest series is more player-friendly game.

[SSH]

You might want to contact sites like AdevntrueGamers, Adventure Classic Gaming and JustAdventure and offer them a review copy...

[Iliya]

You might want to contact sites like AdevntrueGamers, Adventure Classic Gaming and JustAdventure and offer them a review copy...

I contacted http://www.adventureclassicgaming.com, and soon they will publish revew for Cosmos Quest III and Interview. Thank you SSH.

[Iliya]

Hi everyone. Cosmos Quest III was translated in Spanish. You can buy the spanish version from the official website: http://www.cosmos-quest.com

[Iliya]

Hi everyone. Here are some news:

- Cosmos Quest III: The Mines of Isagor is available for FREE DOWNLOAD.
- Now I'm working on new sci-fi adventure game. More news coming soon.
- Cosmos Quest IV Demo and Trailer coming soon.

Cheers...

[Bai Karl]

Waawawiiwaa...

Great news! It's better for the game to be freeware!

[Meystari F]

Downloading. I agree the last reply.

[Meystari F]

I have finished the game.     Great game but it was very short game.   

Will the next chapter be longer?   

[Iliya]

I have finished the game.     Great game but it was very short game.   

Will the next chapter be longer?   

The longer games need more time for creating and I don't think that the game is very short.
I'm glad the you like the 3rd chapter. Soon I'll post a demo for Cosmos Quest IV.

[Iliya]

Cosmos Quest I-III - The games are removed by the author.

[david]

Why oh why is it removed? Do you think that there is not enough posts to be satisfied?  :o

hope to change your mind  8)

Great New Year I wish you full of satisfaction 

[cireja]

[Khris]

All the games can still be downloaded on the authors webpage.

[Iliya]

I will try to explain why I removed the games from the database.

Some of the developers here are trying to promote their games on other websites. Some are trying to get a review for their games from other good websites for adventure games. And with this AGS panel review there is no way someone to take you seriously.

My goal wasn't to insult the AGS community. As you can see on Cosmos Quest website, I still support AGS as great tool for creating a games. I just don't agree with AGS Panel. I tried to avoid definitions like "leaden pace", "bland characters", "lack of direction", "ponderous gameplay" for my game that came from one person. Actually, the definitions were the things that irritated me most, not so the cups.

Why I didn't send a PM to AGS panel before the deletion? I did't know who is in the AGS Panel. Now, due to the deletion, everybody knows who to contact. And I'm glad that there is a movement in that subject (the official information thread about reviewing the games).

[Calin Leafshade]

So essentially it WAS just to avoid a bad review?

[Iliya]

So essentially it WAS just to avoid a bad review?

Not "bad review" - "insulting review".

[Calin Leafshade]

well they werent insulting you were they?

If the characters are bland you say they are bland.

Reviews arent constructive criticism for the dev they are information for the public.

[Iliya]

well they werent insulting you were they?
If the characters are bland you say they are bland.
Reviews arent constructive criticism for the dev they are information for the public.

A single person can't be objective. If I had to make a review for a game that I don't like, I'll never use these definitions. If these definitions are coming from many reviewers, I'll accept them.

[ddq]

I literally cannot believe what I'm reading. Therefore, I will stop. Someone message me when this all blows over.

[Calin Leafshade]

if a single person cant be objective then neither can a group of people.. you just get an amalgamation of lots of subjective views.

But frankly thats rubbish anyway. A single person CAN be objective and follow a criteria.

but even if that WERE the case its still incredibly bad form to silence a negative review.

I have no more to say on the subject

[Dualnames]

Apart from Calin there's no one else that can be in Harg's shoes, and I think Cal, you're showing a little bit of hatred (and/or similar feeling) towards Harg, for no apparent reason. I think it'd be best if we all just settle down on this, and let thing go on their way. That's all. I think Andail has taken a really nice step towards that direction.

[Iliya]

A single person CAN be objective and follow a criteria.

Calin, are there criteria for a good music, or criteria for a good painting? Some will say its good, some will say its bad. But a single guy to decide what will be written on your game page from the name of AGS Panel... it sounds unfair.

[roll]

Harg, you know what?















































Радвам се да видя Българин в този форум. 

[Crimson Wizard]

Радвам се да видя Българин в този форум.  

== "Good to see Bulgarian on this forum?"  :

Erm, sorry of oftopic.

[Macay]

A single person CAN be objective and follow a criteria.

Calin, is there a criteria for a good music, or criteria for a good painting? Some will say its good, some will say its bad. But a single guy to decide what will be written on your game page from the name of AGS Panel... it sounds unfair.

A criteria is hard to apply to any creative work, but it can be applied to the technical areas of a creative work, and games have a heap of technical areas. I assume the AGS Panel have played a rather impressive number of adventure games in their time here and otherwise, as such they would have the experience necessary to be viable critics. The removal of the game due to a bad review is discourteous, and doing it due to finding the review insulting is pompous, getting insulted is by all means completely useless and all your fault, you can only insult yourself, blaming others for your own emotions is bad form. The negative review might have cost you some customers but independent adventure games are rarely something you can live off of, or make any serious money from. The market is not all there and as such the creation of these sort of things are more from passion than pay day. As such, the removal might put a dent in your reputation which in the future might prove to be a bad financial move.

Do you disagree?

[Iliya]

A criteria is hard to apply to any creative work, but it can be applied to the technical areas of a creative work, and games have a heap of technical areas.

I absolutely agree with that! I think that AGS panel should only comment the technical areas, and shouldn't decide what is bland and what is not!

[markbilly]

A review is an opinion of one person, yes. That's why many reviews should be read before making a judgement. But if one person writing a review thinks your characters are bland, and unless they are being malicious (which I cannot believe anyone here would be) then maybe they are a little bland.

That's nothing to go deleting things over, just bear it in mind for your next project...

If only technical areas are commented on, then the art is forgotten. Far more so than if someone calls some characters bland.

[Snarky]

The singular of "criteria" is "criterion". A criterion, multiple criteria. Never "a criteria".

That's all I have to say about this discussion.

[Iliya]

The singular of "criteria" is "criterion". A criterion, multiple criteria. Never "a criteria".
That's all I have to say about this discussion.

Snarky, which one is correct "Не ми се яде сирене" or "Сирене не ми се яде"?

[Snarky]

I wasn't having a go at you, if that's what you're getting at. I know English isn't your first language. You weren't the one misusing "criteria", anyway.

Since I derailed the discussion, I guess I'll do my bit to get it back on track:

You have every right to decide how best to promote your game, of course. But taking out the download links from the games db isn't going to make the review go away, and (as you can see) gives a lot of people the impression that you're just throwing a tantrum. So it's probably counter-productive. Even if it grates, the best thing would probably have been to grit your teeth and post a polite response/rebuttal on the games page.

For example, when I posted critical feedback on the page for A Second Face, Le Woltaire responded with a quite gracious message. I think that kind of thing makes people who read it put less weight on the negative comments.

[Ryan Timothy B]

I decided to give this game a try since this whole ratings controversy with your thoughts on the panel.

Without trying to sound like I'm agreeing with the panel out of spite to your actions to remove your game, but after playing CQ3, I must admit that 2/5 cups is a worthy rating.  CQ3 has a poorly written story, horrible and unreal puzzles, bad visual indications of exit locations, confusing dialog, and no real known purpose as to why everything was happening.  It seems like there is only 6 textures in the whole game, every background, every detail in that background uses the same low resolution, repeating texture.

The only thing in the game that I really liked were the animations.

Here are some of the things I've written down while playing the game, things that bothered me or things I felt deserved attention:


After setting the ship to full speed and dying right away, you get the battle cutscene and the text says:
Getz, your shuttle was an easy target for the battle crafts. Radion Space Saion as well. (should be Station)

Why was the messenger useless to me before getting a message, but once there is one, I suddenly want the messenger?

Why is there a barrel of oil with a crowbar on top in the middle of no where?  And looking at the barrel tells me that the area is unpopulated.  I don't get it.  Also using the crowbar on the barrel says "You can't open it, it's sealed". ?

Finger scanner on a random rock?  Hardly visible?  I could have played for weeks without noticing that.  Thankfully there was a walk-through on the internet.  Even once I was told in the walk-through that a rock has a finger scanner, it still took me a while to visually spot it.  It's in a completely random spot, I would have been perfectly happy with a finger print scanner beside the door itself.

The hotspots to go to another room/area in the ice world are a complete pixel hunt. Everything is so zoomed out, and there isn't a single indication that one edge of the screen would take you somewhere when the other edge wouldn't. Not even a trail of condensed snow, or anything that would indicate a path. That my friend is a pixel hunt.

Responses are very odd.  Like using interact with the keycard scanner results in: "Don't tell me that you intend to put your hand in the slot!".  Umm no, I intend to interact with it, thanks though.

Looking at the battery: "It's a battery - Loaded", should be "It's a fully charged battery".

The oil allergy is complete rubbish, and I felt this destroyed that whole scene. I tried forever to swallow the pill, but for some unknown reason, swallowing the pill isn't possible and the player won't tell you that. You need water.  It's a poorly thought out puzzle, idea, and the AGS default inventory GUI made this puzzle even worse.  Especially without the ability to click on the player character.  You'd think interacting the pill on the pill would at least give you a message telling you that you need water, or something as informative.
You also just 'happen' to have only one pill for your 'oil allergies' in your inventory from the start.  I always carry a single pill in my pockets, screw the pill bottle.

All of your 'next' room hotspots in this Isagor bunker are like 20 pixels from the edge of the screen.  You have these huge openings on all the doorways, and you choose to place the hotspot on the edge of the screen instead.

Rhomulian? It's a little close to Star Trek, Romulans.  I get annoyed every time I read it.

A small thermos filled with raw oil is enough to power a space craft?  You could have completely done without that puzzle, and instead you could have just had some sort of power crystal you take from some location in the bunker, perhaps from the power train itself.  Or you could have just had the spacecraft full of fuel/energy to begin with.

The girl in the cell just happens to know the button that you press, and not only that she knows the degree it was facing too.  It was a 270 degree 'C' and a horizontally mirrored L.  Why couldn't she just say "It was a downwards facing C, and backwards L" if anything.

The guy guarding the casino; ask him the right question instead of the 'left' questions?  That's English wordplay, not Zigi wordplay.

How many times do you have to look at the panel to get the robot to serve a table, before the damn thing finally decides to start flashing?  You literally just have to leave the room and come back and suddenly for no reason it's flashing.  Why would there be a need for a serving panel if the customer is pressing it on the table?  Why wouldn't the robot not just go there instead of the need for human interaction.

A hole in the coin? I can understand 'maybe' the robot dropping the coin if there was a hole in it, but the restaurant owner tells you he does it all the time.  So what were the odds that, that coin had a hole in it?  Also what are the odds that you have papers in your inventory on robot repair?

Putting that fruit on those steamers seemed like a random puzzle.  You're telling me that one fruit has enough potency to knock out everyone in a large room?


The biggest issue is that your puzzles are more like annoyances, rather than minor obstacles.

I'm sorry man, I'm not trying to sound like an ass, but it's how I felt through the whole game.  Confused, confused, and even more confused.
I know you took a great deal of time to make this game, perhaps I am sounding a little more harsh since you've been angry about your rating, but my opinion is definitely the truth.

I'm hoping if you make another game, you either completely drop the Cosmos Quest series and make something new, or completely think out your game design beforehand.  Not just puzzles, but story as well.  I have no idea why CQ3 ended in a war between the two species only because I helped escape the prisoners and drugged the mine owner at the casino.  I'm completely baffled.  And I have no idea why the game didn't end after I helped the prisoners escape, there was no indication as to why I was sitting around the restaurant or why my stolen vessel was considered a threat.  Not to mention why I was sent to a prison cell at the end.  Is this something you need to play CQ1 and 2 to understand?

[Iliya]

Ryan,

For all your notes and misunderstandings, I have an explanation except for "Radion Space Saion" for which I'm sorry. I also want to apologize that my English is not fluent. I'm not going to explain all Ryan misunderstandings, just some of them:

Q: Why was the messenger useless to me before getting a message, but once there is one, I suddenly want the messenger?

A: Do you always carry your cellphone when you at home? Why do you want a messenger, with no messages in it? The correct question here is: "Why the character automatically didn't read the message when you already have the messenger?" Its because of the players that are non familiar with the Classic Sierra GUI. Because this is the first object that you are taking, and because it's obvious that you have to read this message, I wanted the players to get used with the object inventory. I wanted they to know that there is a lot of useful information. Just like with the pill.

Q: I tried forever to swallow the pill, but for some unknown reason, swallowing the pill isn't possible and the player won't tell you that.

A: If you look at the pill in your inventory, you will get a message telling you that the pill is SOLUBLE and it's for your oil allergy (in the world of Cosmos Quest there is lot of oil and because the main character is mechanic who have to work with lot of oil, he always have the pill with him. But you don't played CQ1 and CQ2).

Q: Why is there a barrel of oil with a crowbar on top in the middle of no where?

A: When you step on the surface there is a message that the scanning system on the shuttle detects a weak bio-signal (the dying Harg in the snow). That's why you decided to stop there. So it's no "middle of no where". So this answers why there are things like barrels, crowbar and e.t.c.

----------------------------------------------------------

I see that in this community there are people that always shoveling for the bad things in the games. And even word for the good things. I don't know why? We all are making amateurs adventure games. We have to support the game developers! We are not professionals. If we are, we shouldn't be here in this community.

Cosmos Quest is a game that is influenced by my favorite Space Quest with all his dead ends, and sudden deaths, arcade games and illogical puzzles (like when you carry whole ladder in you pockets - SQ3). And this is well described on the website of the game. I'm not saying that Cosmos Quest reached the level of Space Quest. No. Cosmos Quest is an amateur adventure game - made by one man, not by the whole crew.

Unfortunately, I still don't see reason to add my games in a community that only digging the dirt.

At the end, I want to say. I have my supporters. I have people that like Cosmos Quest. And Ryan, I will make Cosmos Quest 4! And will make it just like Cosmos Quest 3.

PS: I expect you to ask me why when your are in open space (in vacuum) you can hear a sounds? It's a game. In every game or movie you will find something illogical.

[------]

I'm sorry man, I'm not trying to sound like an ass, but it's how I felt through the whole game.  Confused, confused, and even more confused.
I know you took a great deal of time to make this game, perhaps I am sounding a little more harsh since you've been angry about your rating, but my opinion is definitely the truth.

I think there're a lot of truths, not only one. CQIII is a Sci-Fi adventure game. I think the most of puzzles are logical inside this context.

And if you analyze all the games like have you done with CQIII, the most of adventures would not obtain more than 1 or 2 cups. I think that you are too hard with Harg because of his decision. Definitively, it isn't fair.

[IndieBoy]

And Ryan, I will make Cosmos Quest 4! And will make it just like Cosmos Quest 3.

Eeek!

[Khris]

That's the spirit! Why the hell would you listen to valid points of criticism, right?

[Ryan Timothy B]

A: Do you always carry your cellphone when you at home? Why do you want a messenger, with no messages in it? The correct question here is: "Why the character automatically didn't read the message when you already have the messenger?" Its because of the players that are non familiar with the Classic Sierra GUI. Because this is the first object that you are taking, and because it's obvious that you have to read this message, I wanted the players to get used with the object inventory. I wanted they to know that there is a lot of useful information. Just like with the pill.

No.  But it's an adventure game.  If he is already going through all that work to pick up the messenger, why doesn't he just take it with him instead?  It doesn't familiarize me with anything, it only annoys me.  Oh.. whats this?  I have to walk to the left side of the screen, touching or looking doesn't change anything, then walk back to the phone and it's suddenly beeping.  Joy for that.

Another thing that completely annoyed me was the fact that you're heading towards this outpost/space station.  Once he gets the message, and knows that where he is traveling will result in death, tell me why touching the speed will speed up the ship and not stop it?  There is zero reason for it.  No, instead you have to QUICKLY look at the navigation screen and find where Q1 and the coordinates are.  If you do it too slowly, you die.  That doesn't familiarize anyone with the inventory at all.  You shouldn't have a speed required task in the beginning of a game, because as you've said, you're trying to familiarize everyone with the controls.

A: If you look at the pill in your inventory, you will get a message telling you that the pill is SOLUBLE and it's for your oil allergy (in the world of Cosmos Quest there is lot of oil and because the main character is mechanic who have to work with lot of oil, he always have the pill with him. But you don't played CQ1 and CQ2).

I understand your twisted logic for having an individual pill in your pocket.  But what would be the harm in having the whole pill bottle?  It wouldn't change the game, it would just make his stupid allergy look more authentic.

Soluble: capable of being dissolved or liquefied.
Now what does that tell you?  It means the pill can be dissolved or liquefied.  What is your saliva made of?  Sand?  Don't argue with me on this one, that was a stupid puzzle, and you can't protect it.

Q: Why is there a barrel of oil with a crowbar on top in the middle of no where?
A: When you step on the surface there is a message that the scanning system on the shuttle detects a weak bio-signal (the dying Harg in the snow). That's why you decided to stop there. So it's no "middle of no where". So this answers why there are things like barrels, crowbar and e.t.c.

Ok now let me take you out of this fairy world you're living in and ask you again.  WHAT is the REASON for having a barrel in the MIDDLE of no where?  They have a shuttle bay for transporting their goods.  The barrel wasn't anywhere near the base.  And it was only one barrel.  Not a whole shipment or anything.
It was odd, and completely out of place.

I understand why the ship landed, the weak bio signal (it's funny cause the Harg was frozen).  I would have prefered "my ship saw this barrel in the middle of no where, some idiot worker left it there I guess, now I must land and walk 5 km to an invisible finger print scanner".

Cosmos Quest is a game that is influenced by my favorite Space Quest with all his dead ends, and sudden deaths, arcade games and illogical puzzles (like when you carry whole ladder in you pockets - SQ3).

But your game isn't comical (or at least I hope it wasn't supposed to be).  Don't try telling me that putting a ladder in the pants of the ego in CQ3 wouldn't break the game.

Unfortunately, I still don't see reason to add my games in a community that only digging the dirt.

I don't dig up 'the dirt', I just don't have any problems telling it like it is.  It's for that very reason you stated, "We're not professionals" (you did sell the game commercially, so technically you're a bad professional), I give advice on what I thought was weak.  It's what I do.

And will make it just like Cosmos Quest 3.

Eeek x 2. lol
At least let me read your storyline and puzzle guide, and I can try to help you.
Do me one favor though.  Don't zoom out so much.  All Sorry, I meant most, of your backgrounds, the character was this tiny little guy.  It makes it so much easier for the person playing to be drawn into the world you create if everything is closer.

PS: I expect you to ask me why when your are in open space (in vacuum) you can hear a sounds? It's a game. In every game or movie you will find something illogical.

Every game / movies / tv show do it.  Heck, I'd do it.  It only makes sense to do it.  Otherwise it'll look empty without the sound effects.
One tv show I know of is Stargate: Universe, and they actually drown out the sound.  So it's very faded and kinda echoey (kinda like when your head is underwater).  Still not realistic, but very effective at giving that 'empty space' feeling.

Edit:

And if you analyze all the games like have you done with CQIII, the most of adventures would not obtain more than 1 or 2 cups. I think that you are too hard with Harg because of his decision. Definitively, it isn't fair.

Nah.  I don't think I'm being unfair at all.  I haven't played all that many AGS games (maybe 30-40 games--possibly more).  There is only one game (edit: other than Cosmos Quest 3) that I can think of at the moment that sent my brain for a trip, mostly because most of the puzzles were a little odd.  But it was actually a comedy game, so the puzzles felt like they fit, it just takes me a while to think it through (I believe most of the game I used a walk-through).  It was Charlie Foxtrot.  Now that game follows closer to Space Quest than Cosmos Quest.  
Which I don't actually see a resemblance to Space Quest in CQ3.  He's wearing a solid suit of armor.  It's not funny.  And there isn't a narrator or even the player character that tells you what is happening in the storyline (at least not well).

And Harg, I understand you're not a native English speaker.  I understand that your grammar, and word placement was a little odd in CQ3.  I didn't actually make that a weak point, because I understand.  It was mostly just the convoluted puzzles and confusing storyline.

[Calin Leafshade]

I see that in this community there are people that always shoveling for the bad things in the games. And even word for the good things. I don't know why? We all are making amateurs adventure games. We have to support the game developers! We are not professionals. If we are, we shouldn't be here in this community.

This is not amateur adventure game studio and we are not 'here' to do anything except what we want. Some people who are in this community have no interest in making games they just want to play ones other people make, which is fine.

We should all try to transcend this idea of 'amateur' anyway... if you are going to do something, do it well.

[Bai Karl]

Ryan Timothy, you have your point of view. It sounds little strange to me how a pill can be so important to you. And "why the barrel is there"? Dude, use you imagination? I can imagine at least 10 reasons for that!

'To kill a fly with a fork' - this is an odd puzzle, not these.

And stop this game dissection.  It's obvious that you are prejudiced.

[Dualnames]

I see that in this community there are people that always shoveling for the bad things in the games. And even word for the good things. I don't know why? We all are making amateurs adventure games. We have to support the game developers! We are not professionals. If we are, we shouldn't be here in this community.

This is not amateur adventure game studio and we are not 'here' to do anything except what we want. Some people who are in this community have no interest in making games they just want to play ones other people make, which is fine.

We should all try to transcend this idea of 'amateur' anyway... if you are going to do something, do it well.

I was about not to say more on this topic, but well, your last phrase is wrong. In every aspect of it. If what you said would ever become true , the world wouldn't be the same.

Especially for games. Doesn't mean that making a good first game or something like that, that it places you in the pantheon or anything.

"It's not how many times you'll fall..it's how many times you'll rise that matters."

[Calin Leafshade]

Dualnames what exactly about my last statement could you possibly disagree with?

I said all developers should try and make their work as professional and 'non-amateur' as possible.
and yes its fairly obvious that amateur games will ALWAYS exist but that doesnt mean we shouldnt try and better ourselves.

[Dualnames]

Dualnames what exactly about my last statement could you possibly disagree with?

I said all developers should try and make their work as professional and 'non-amateur' as possible.
and yes its fairly obvious that amateur games will ALWAYS exist but that doesnt mean we shouldnt try and better ourselves.

Of course we should better ourselves. No point arguing in that. I just disagreed with the "do something and do it well", it sounded a little more awkward than I thought.

Hope no hard feelings for my misunderstanding.

[Macay]

The singular of "criteria" is "criterion". A criterion, multiple criteria. Never "a criteria".

Good to know that.

[ddq]

The singular of "criteria" is "criterion". A criterion, multiple criteria. Never "a criteria".

Good to know that.

While we're on the subject, know the difference between data and datum. Also, indexes is pronounced "in'-deh-seeze," not "in-dex'-ez." Captain Silly Grammar Advice strikes in the night!

[cosmicr]

The singular of "criteria" is "criterion". A criterion, multiple criteria. Never "a criteria".

Good to know that.

While we're on the subject, know the difference between data and datum. Also, indexes is pronounced "in'-deh-seeze," not "in-dex'-ez." Captain Silly Grammar Advice strikes in the night!

Indexes is pronounced 'In-dex-es',
'indices' is pronounced 'in-deh-sees'

[ddq]

Indexes is pronounced 'In-dex-es',
'indices' is pronounced 'in-deh-sees'

You know I would make a mistake as stupidly simple as that. I totally left out a whole sentence about how one worked only for the noun form and the other for the verb. As usual, I blame Japan.

[Snarky]

Fortunately, there's a thread for that.

[ddq]

A thread for that? Really?!? Swee- Aww... I thought it was for blaming Japan...
Either way, this is starting to get off topic in this already off topic thread, so let us resume discussion of the potential for individual objectivity.

[m0ds]

I haven't played Cosmos Quest,
but I hear it's very good 
Everyone should play the game,
because "it feels like wood!"

Barrels (and crates) are certainly a species of their own in game design. I think all adventure gamers should expect a certain level of barrel in the wilderness or crate falling from sky. In the astral planes there are portals just lying around, so why can't a barrel?  :

[Iliya]

Very original, Mods. But where the barrels and the crates are located, is not wilderness!!! So your post is meaningless.

[Bai Karl]

Barrels (and crates) are certainly a species of their own in game design. I think all adventure gamers should expect a certain level of barrel in the wilderness or crate falling from sky. In the astral planes there are portals just lying around, so why can't a barrel?  :

Barrels are few meters from the entrance of the bunker, and the crates are inside the bunker. I don't see nothing unusual. I wonder why are you so mean to this game?

------------------------------
If James Cameron is reading this I want to ask him something? Why there are bows and arrows on Pandora planet!?! Are they falling from the sky?

[Ryan Timothy B]

Barrels are few meters from the entrance of the bunker, and the crates are inside the bunker. I don't see nothing unusual. I wonder why are you so mean to this game?

50-100 Meters isn't a 'few'.

Anyway, there a few reasons why I was putting up a big stink about the lonely barrel and individual pill in your inventory.

The only purpose this barrel had, was as a table to hold the crowbar.  Interactions didn't matter.  Looking at it was confusing since he says that the place is unpopulated but a barrel in the middle of no where would suggest otherwise.
Basically the only true purpose this barrel had, was to waste your time by having you click on it and being confused as to why it was there.

The crowbar wasn't useful until you entered the bunker, but even then.. the crowbar was used to pry open something that is locked.
It's like having an adventure game about unscrewing things with..... a screw driver!   There is no challenge, and you know what you need to do before the player finishes his "it's locked" sentence.

Which the Pill also falls under this mundane task.  Right when the game first started up and I checked my inventory, I saw a pill and the dialog is "it's for your oil allergies".  From that very sentence it was as if I had ESP and I had predicted that I would encounter oil.
And seeing only one pill just makes things appear even more convenient because he only encounters oil once, and also much less realistic


It's not a puzzle if it's mundane.  And that's why I had such issues with it.


The other puzzle I had completely forgotten to mention was the Panel and guard moment.  You're standing behind barrels, and you can't move or leave that spot or the guard will see you.  You have to pick up the mineral ore that is sitting conveniently in front of you, and for some reason throw it at the electronic panel.  Which blows up sparking and smoking.

I can understand if throwing the mineral ore at the panel would distract the guard, and I could sneak by him.  But it doesn't.  He walks over to the panel.  Looks at the damage, then suddenly leaves as if he remembered that he left his tuna casserole burning in the oven.

If you were in that situation in real life, you wouldn't be throwing anything at an electronic panel.  Because the moment you did that, you'd know the guard would be on the lookout.  He wouldn't run off to play hopscotch with the neighbor's kids.

I understand that your intentions were to have it seem like the guard is going to tell someone that the electronic panel is broken, but it's just not logical.


Sorry, I don't mean to be dissecting every pixel of your game, but I really want to help you.  With your 3D animating skills and backgrounds (with better textures), were combined with a good storyline, dialog and puzzles, I believe you could make a pretty good and entertaining game.

[abstauber]

@Harg:
Although I haven't played Cosmos yet (not a big fan of pre-rendered graphics), I think you're taking this a little too far and please, you don't have to defend your game as it would be one of your children.

Just think about why you are so annoyed by the feedback.
I think Ryan is making a lot of valid points here, so why not listening to users feedback. Let go of the idea that Cosmo's the ideal game and the world is an unfair bunch of loosers who don't appreciate cool game design.

If you have so much positive feedback and selling Cosmo made you rich: cool.
If not, I can't believe, it's the AGS game DB's fault. So just swallow your pride, sleep a night over it and make a better Cosmo 4


@Stanislav/Bai Karl:
Go fanboying another highres game please

[Iliya]

Looking at it was confusing since he says that the place is unpopulated but a barrel in the middle of no where would suggest otherwise.

abstauber what Ryan is saying is not true! No one said that area is "unpopulated". What the game is saying is "... area is inhabited" which is opposite to what Ryan is saying. And he made 2 long posts about that!

About the panel and the guard:
There are few messages before that moment that are saying that guard's race has bad eyesight". That's why you decide to throw the mineral, because you're sure that he will not see you or you may hide from him.

About storyline: You didn't play Cosmos Quest 1 and Cosmos Quest 2 and you can't judge the storyline. It's written everywhere that Cosmos Quest are series.

With your 3D animating skills and backgrounds (with better textures), were combined with a good storyline, dialog and puzzles, I believe you could make a pretty good and entertaining game.

If AGS panel review was similar like the above this discussion would never happen.

[abstauber]

I still don't see reason to add my games in a community that only digging the dirt.

That's not true either (which you know deep inside)

Anyway I give your games a try for a more qualified discussion - but I bet when I'm through everyone has already calmed down...

By the way... this is one hell of marketing strategy 

[Ryan Timothy B]

abstauber what Ryan is saying is not true! No one said that area is "unpopulated". What the game is saying is "... area is inhabited" which is opposite to what Ryan is saying. And he made 2 long posts about that!

Oh, well if that's what it read, I apologize.  I must have remembered it differently.
It's still odd, none the less.  Without the barrel, the game wouldn't have been affected.  Having it doesn't add anything to the game but confusion.

With your 3D animating skills and backgrounds (with better textures), were combined with a good storyline, dialog and puzzles, I believe you could make a pretty good and entertaining game.

If AGS panel review was similar like the above this discussion would never happen.

I said 'were'.  If your animating skills 'were' combined with a good story, dialog, puzzles, and better background textures, I believe you could make a decent game.  CQ3 is obviously lacking in those areas.

[Iliya]

I said 'were'.  If your animating skills 'were' combined with a good story, dialog, puzzles, and better background textures, I believe you could make a decent game.  CQ3 is obviously lacking in those areas.

Yes Ryan, I understand that you and AGS Panel don't like the story, dialogs, puzzles and e.t.c. in CQ3. What I said is that I prefer the things to be said like you did it not like the AGS panel did it. And that was the reason for the removal (I said that in my previous posts). AGS panel review is insulting.

Anyway I give your games a try for a more qualified discussion - but I bet when I'm through everyone has already calmed down...

abstauber, please do not play any Cosmos Quest game, please! I don't need another discussion!

[abstauber]

deal 



:'(

[Grim]

By the way... this is one hell of marketing strategy  

Though I haven't posted here and never played any CQ game I've kept my eye on this thread for a while and must admit I'm finding this discussion most fascinating!.. I actually feel like buying the game myself just to see that bloody barrel with a crowbar on it:) In fairness, crowbar is a kind of item that should appear in every decent game at least once:) Same with the barrel. In a perfect world, you'd use that crowbar to open the barrel, then take the pill and drink the oil. Why not?

[MrCheminee]

  You and I both, Ive been watching this topic every day since the start of page 2. Maybe the Barrel with the Crowbar on it could become a new hype? I know I will have them in my game, just for the heck of it! Lets just hope my game wont be as misunderstood is this one... 

[abstauber]

MrCheminee, I smell bland characters and ponderous gameplay

@Grim Reaper
I'd like to test it too but apparently my license has been revoked.
(yes not being very mature myself)

Now we can all lean back and wait until Godwins law applies 

[MrCheminee]

@abstauber, that could be true, since my maincharacter is losely based on myself...

The only reason I have not played CQ3 is that I read all the time that I wont understand most of it without playing the first two games...



Edit. Maybe someone could send me a screenshot of this famous barrel + crowbar? 

[ddq]

Now we can all lean back and wait until Godwins law applies 

Have you played Hitler's game? It actually has some pretty solid design. Nice retro graphics and catchy music too. Unfortunately, the story's a bit cliche, it's all up to Adolf to collect the parts for his doom machine and even though you're the fuhrer, your officers still won't give you the gearshift until you fetch their kitty litter. The dialog is hit and miss, though it features some genuinely classic humor. I'd check it out if I were you.

[WHAM]

Have you played Hitler's game? It actually has some pretty solid design. Nice retro graphics and catchy music too. Unfortunately, the story's a bit cliche, it's all up to Adolf to collect the parts for his doom machine and even though you're the fuhrer, your officers still won't give you the gearshift until you fetch their kitty litter. The dialog is hit and miss, though it features some genuinely classic humor. I'd check it out if I were you.

I'm sorry, I just had to laugh my arse off! And to think that I could just watch and snicker at the thread for so long, and then suddenly someone stuck nazis here, and it all just got somehow...

Better! 

[Ryan Timothy B]

Well since everyone seems so interested in this barrel (which wasn't my intention, he just keeps sticking up for it like it had a purpose or seemed logical).

http://www.bryvis.com/entertainment/other/agsf/cq3_screen1.png
This is where you land your ship.  Don't try cleaning your screen, the little spec in the background is actually the player ego .  The left side of this screen takes you to this next background.

http://www.bryvis.com/entertainment/other/agsf/cq3_screen2.png
This background is mainly just showing what the panel and I had meant by the exit hotspots being so tiny and hit and miss since there is no indication that a hotspot should be there.  They aren't the 'exact' size, but very close.  Then two backgrounds from the one of these hotspots takes you to the next background.

http://www.bryvis.com/entertainment/other/agsf/cq3_screen3.png
This is the hidden finger print scanner which to me looks like a badly textured rock with something odd happening to the lighting.  I never would have noticed it until after playing for several days or accidentally moving my mouse over it.  It opens the door in the cliff face two backgrounds from this one.

Oh and CQ3 isn't commercial anymore, so you guys have zero excuses now!! haHa!

[MrCheminee]

Thanks!    But where is the crowbar???

[Dualnames]

I really want to quote AVGN. Imagine if he was reviewing the bucket puzzle..

[Igor Hardy]

Oh and CQ3 isn't commercial anymore, so you guys have zero excuses now!! haHa!

But I would have to play CQ1 and CQ2 first, and the screens showing a ripped SQ6 2D Roger Wilco sprite on prerendered backgrounds are off-putting.

[Bai Karl]

But I would have to play CQ1 and CQ2 first, and the screens showing a ripped SQ6 Roger Wilco sprite on ugly prerendered backgrounds are off-putting.

To tell you the truth Ascovel, any Cosmos Quest part looks much much better than Frantic Franko. Stop using words like "ugly"!

[Igor Hardy]

To tell you the truth Ascovel, any Cosmos Quest part looks much much better than Frantic Franko.

If you would elaborate on what Franko looks are missing in the game's thread, I'd be happy to read it.

[Ryan Timothy B]

To tell you the truth Ascovel, any Cosmos Quest part looks much much better than Frantic Franko. Stop using words like "ugly"!

Stan, that's only because you are brain washed by resolution being the best part of a game rather than art and style (I've read your previous threads).

[Calin Leafshade]

I have to say i actually dislike higher resolution games. But not *because* they are higher resolution, simply because people never seem to pull off the art style.

[Matti]

Stop using words like "ugly"!

Stop using this avatar. Marx would've fought alogside the pixelproletariat against the dictatorship of bourgoise modern graphics. 

[Bai Karl]

Cosmos Quest 2 was chosen as pick of the month in 2008. Let's see what AGS wrote for Cosmos Quest II:

"It's hard to do high-resolution games as an amateur, as all those extra pixels take a lot fo the work if they are not going to just be filler. One game that does it better than most is Cosmos Quest II. It's pretty hard, but if you're not afraid of tricky puzzles or don't mind occasionally referring to a walkthrough then you'll be fine!"

And now the opinion for this game is completely different. There is something wrong here.

[Dualnames]

I feel some people needed constuctive criticism and really beged for it, and when it came, they started acting Divas!

Stan, you've always been a little "hard" to get along with, but insulting Ascovel because he said that he's sincerely being put off by a ripped graphic, is wrong.

Harg, on the other hand, I'm disappointed by your behaviour that I stood out for you at some points. It's clearly obvious that you just wanted that one more cup.

Otherwise you'd more open to critisicm and agree to some (if not all) Ryan's valid points. I'm just disappointed by all this. Terribly. :'(

[Bai Karl]

Stan, you've always been a little "hard" to get along with, but insulting Ascovel because he said that he's sincerely being put off by a ripped graphic, is wrong.

Dualnames, I agree that ripped character frames are bad author's decision. But I can't stand when someone is saying "UGLY". This "UGLY" game was chosen by AGS for the pick of the month just because of the graphics.

Once again what AGS write for Cosmos Quest II:
"It's hard to do high-resolution games as an amateur, as all those extra pixels take a lot fo the work if they are not going to just be filler. One game that does it better than most is Cosmos Quest II. It's pretty hard, but if you're not afraid of tricky puzzles or don't mind occasionally referring to a walkthrough then you'll be fine!"

[Atelier]

Lighten up everybody, in the bigger picture it is just a game after all.

[Dualnames]

Here's my entry for this competition. Perhaps its harsh. Children shouldn't be near this for ANY reason!

Stan from Stanislav:
A story of Romance

This is what Stan said when he was young...

This game is proof that 320x200 is not dead I'm joking. Good anination. All these shops on 2nd screenshots reminds me of Larry I

And this is why Stan got his hatred for 320x200 resolution

Today I tried the pick of the month game Cougar Quest for a Freedom. When I run it the error appears:

http://www.prisonbreakquest.hit.bg/problem320x200.JPG

Are you familliar what kind of driver I have to install. I installed the original video card driver but the error still appears.

And this is what follows...

Now he's not wrong there:

Oh GROW UP ALL OF YOU.

Stan, just because you didn't get a hundred replies, wetting themselves with glee in ten minutes doesn't give you the right to go on a personal vendetta against every lo-res game in existance, nor does it mean the AGS community is unfairly biased against good graphics, (Graphist, if you will) There are more lo-res Pick-Of-The-Months is because THERE ARE MORE LO-RES GAMES.

If you want to garner respect with the community, reply to threads nicely, follow the rules and be respectful. It's just that simple. Change your attitude before you get a reputation as Andy Penis II (if you got that joke, conglaturations[and if you got that, a winner is you{and if-never mind}])


In short:

Stan, I'm the 3rd man to tell you this, I think!

Just SHUT UP! Ok? quit posting, and quit chassing anything about this community that the WHOLE bloody community does not care about, but only you! Quit it, ok? Let go!

AGS website can be whatever EACH BLOODY MEMBER wants! If they want it to be the low res, graphics place, let it be. If they want it to be a high resolution (Vince XII has made one and Atropos as well), then let it be one. If they want to play Dos games, let it be one.

For fucks shake, quit acting like you know better with any kind of arguments, because they are simply lame and not worth the trouble anyone is going through to let you know!

Really, relax, leave and come back after a few weeks time to deal with YOUR game. Or maybe express KINDLY what you'd like to see (in which case you'll get the very normal reply "Why not do it yourself".) In fact! WHY NOT write the high res games yourself? Why not give it a try? After all they are SO MUCH BLOODY better than the low res ones, that it MUST be worth the trouble. If you can do it, then make sure your marketing succeeds. If not, then make sure to let us know why on earth you failed, because all the people making games in low res, have their own reasons.

RESPECT EVERYONE ELSE IN HERE AND LET GO

DanielH, what do you want? This is my opinion!

That is completely pointless. Imagine this thread were an actual conversation. It would go like this:

explosivebadger: Hi, I'm kind of new, what are the games in the banner at the top?
Stan: I think the games look rubbish.

Say it out loud. Your post makes no sense! It didn't answer his question or help in any way. It was a completely negative post which only gave this newcomer a bad view of the community.

Forget it. Goddamn troll. Not like you're listeneing anyway.

And that's his view..

"Closed community" because AGS people here tolerate same games and same authors. And of course 320x200 (240) resolution mostly. New ideas are not welcome.

[markbilly]

I'm quite reluctant to post in this absurd thread, but please would someone lock this?

[Khris]

Why? And why do people have to barge in other threads and want them locked?

Besides, between Stan being a troll and the ensuing hilarity, there were some valid points made here, so why stop now?

[WHAM]

I'm disappointed, exhilarated and can't stop laughing at the fact that this thread is already 5 pages long and still hasn't been locked away!  

In any case: If you create a game and put it up on the internet (and especially if you ask money for it at any time) you must be well prepared to stand for any criticism that gets thrown your way. For this game, the creator originally asked for money, which means that the game will be reviewed on an ever-tougher scale compared to free games. If (as I understand) the previous games were free and this one is not, I can very easily see why this game would be expected to be much more advanced, fun to play and all-in-all interesting!

No matter who writes the reviews, they are always just personal opinions and should be regarded as such. The number of cups a game gets does not directly translate to it being good or bad, its just a score given to it by a person or a group of people!

This game got a review the creator felt unsatisfied with, and in response he tears his creations off the website it was "slandered" on and acts like a 5 year old about the matter. That is NOT how gaming-critique, or any critique works in the real world. If you don't want to hear negative critique, don't post your creation on the internet, but rather show it to your grandmother. She won't get it, but at least she will tell you its "Very nice, dear." Then she will ask you to have another piece of pie.

As a personal review (I downloaded the third game now that it's free and tried it out a bit), I can say the following:
- The story in its own seems like nothing very inspiring or interesting. Also the names seem a bit outlandish, but that is an artistic decision and I will not comment about that any further. The main character doesn't seem to have much personality, at least about 15 minutes into the game (he hardly speaks, or makes any really interesting remarks about his surroundings).
- The animation is of very good quality and has been done with precision, though personally I dislike using 3D models and then squeezing them into 2D sprites.
- I liked how one of the first puzzles in the game is time-related. This is something many games overlook completely, and you deserve to be commended on noticing this.
- Overall the backgrounds seem quite bland and the textures seem to be of quite low quality compared to the level of character-detail. After I landed on the planet the game takes place on, I could hardly stand the ground textures, as they were a reak eyesore. However, the low-quality rock textures DO hide the little fingerprint scanner so that it is just pure luck to find it, unless you know what you are looking for.
- The way the main character speaks is very unnatural. If you simply read out loud what he says, you will find that most of his lines are extremely awkward and... well... bland. Spell-checking never killed anyone. You should get someone to proof-read your game and properly test it for you, while pointing out words and phrases that might not strike you as odd (especially if english is not your main language) but are actually very alien to a proper english-speaker (the crowbar seems to be "bended" on both ends, whatever that means.)
- Overall you seem to have put a good deal of effort on sound effects (the background noises in the ship, the wind on the planet etc), but GOD that little noise that tells me I got a point for doing something right is immensely annoying!
- The barrel with a crowbar on top of it DOES stand out as being there for no obvious reason. If there were more barrels, you could at least say that they are waiting to be shipped and the rock I landed on is used as a landing site anyway.

EDIT: Also, it seems that about 5 posts were added to the thread while I was writing this. That's got to be a record!
2:nd EDIT: My god! I just realized that there ARE two barrels, though one of them is well hidden behind a rock, perhaps to hide the fact that it's crowbar was missing! This is a breakthrough, gentlemen! The barrel now has justification! I guess...

-WHAM

[Bai Karl]

Dualnames, I'm just saying that I prefer hi-res games. And why do you post this screenshot with the red highlights. I have nothing to do with that!

[Ryan Timothy B]

- I liked how one of the first puzzles in the game is time-related. This is something many games overlook completely, and you deserve to be commended on noticing this.

You made good points Wham, but I'm curious about this one.  Are you saying that a time based puzzle in the beginning of a game is a good idea?  Or that it makes it more realistic since the ship is actually making it to the destination, instead of how most games you could sit there for a week and nothing would happen?

I agree if this was done well, it would have been a better intro.  But him not knowing that his ship is traveling to a trap (other than the few words that show up before the game starts), as a player you really don't know that you're on a time limit.  When I started the game for the second time to take those screenshots, I went to the bathroom first and when I came back I was already dead.  So without any interactions, the time limit starts immediately.

And another thing that makes the time limit worse, is the messenger.  He doesn't grab it when he starts off in the room, but (I actually checked this) all you have to do is cross into the next room, and come back to the start room and the phone is beeping.  Without any interactions between going back and forth.

[WHAM]

And another thing that makes the time limit worse, is the messenger.  He doesn't grab it when he starts off in the room, but (I actually checked this) all you have to do is cross into the next room, and come back to the start room and the phone is beeping.  Without any interactions between going back and forth.

True, I also think it would've been much more clear if the messenger had been available immediately and not after walking to and back for a few steps. It sort of breaks the immersion, if you first check that screen, and then do as I did on my first play, just waited for the ship to arrive at its destination, oblivious to the danger as I had not received the warning message. Then I died.

Now it just feels like the "walk around, THEN get the message" is just a cheap trick to make me click around more, and to make the game feel more complex than it is or should be.

EDIT: To clarify: I think that having a time limit (as long as there is a logical explanation for it storywise) is always a good thing, as long as the puzzles involved are not overtly complex (which, in this case, they are not). They give the game a sense of urgency and realism, as the game world seems to flow forward even if you, the player, go to the kitchen to have some pie.

[Iliya]

Thank you WHAM, I accept your critiques.

[Grim]

Just downloaded it and started playing.... And I bloody died right at the beginning!!!! It was like a slap in the face with a smoked mackarel!!!!!!! I tried again, thought that maybe I should reduce speed of the spaceship near the base or switch of the autopilot... but I died again! Good lord, anyone knows what to do?

[Iliya]

Just downloaded it and started playing.... And I bloody died right at the beginning!!!! It was like a slap in the face with a smoked mackarel!!!!!!! I tried again, thought that maybe I should reduce speed of the spaceship near the base or switch of the autopilot... but I died again! Good lord, anyone knows what to do?

Grim Reaper, are you talking about death ?

[abstauber]

@Grim Reaper
you have to wait until the messenger in the uniform give you a message. Then you can hurry to the nav. computer (which I haven't made in time yet just sucessfully did)

@Harg
come on...

[Grim]

@Grim Reaper
you have to wait until the messenger in the uniform give you a message. Then you can hurry to the nav. computer (which I haven't made in time yet just sucessfully did)

@Harg
come on...

Really? I mean, really? I would have never guessed that! Thanks!
But why won't the game give you any pointers that this is what you have to do?
I'll keep playing then. I really wanna find out what happens next:)(maybe a piece of ceiling will fall off and kill me)

[Crimson Wizard]

I really wanna find out what happens next:)(maybe a piece of ceiling will fall off and kill me)

You always knew hitting the ceiling is counterproductive.

Restore Restart Quit

[Ryan Timothy B]

That reminds me, Crimson.

Hey Harg, just for a heads up. Next time you make an adventure game and have the death screen return you to the start screen, make sure you toss a Load/Restore button in there.  Most gamers don't know about F5 (if that is the button), and having to play the game just to load is a nuisance. k

I forgot to mention that earlier.

[Chicky]

Woo! Finally an excuse to talk shit in the wrong forum!

zsdpfgjldf;hodg dfgj;cfxbn;o  sdfgsdfsdfsdf sdfds

That is my contribution!

 

Attack my Larry army! Fight the war for poorly rendered adventure games!

Oh no, here comes gay sailor Roger and his retarded sex slave!    

                      :