Colin Simpson Leaves Employment

[Intense Degree]

Colin Simpson Leaves Employment 

After what may well have been the worst weekend of his life the final insult comes when Colin Simpson has to go back to work on Monday morning! But can he continue to put up with a job he hates for a horrible boss?








EXPERIENCE the thrills, boredom and petty mindedness of working in a real office!

ENJOY the company of other employees, most of whom you would never talk to outside of work!










This is a short game and is my first released game so please do not expect too much or be too harsh!

Big thanks to my Beta Testers Big Ron and [ Arjon ] - cheers guys.

Hope you enjoy it....


DOWNLOAD

[EDIT] or here if that didn't work http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=6d768777a892ca82aaca48175a79d1c3e04e75f6e8ebb871


Intense Degree

[xenogia]

Downloading now, sounds interesting.
edit: no download option.. sigh

[Intense Degree]

Sorry about that, posted the thread by mistake before I had finished the post!

[Leon]

Congratulations with this release. Looking interesting. Downloading now, commenting later.

Note:
- Clicking the link opens the same page in a new tab... ?
- Right click / save target wants to save index.htm
- Copying the link to the addressbar works!!! (for me).

Long live freeweb!

[Intense Degree]

Sorry about that! Hope you enjoy playing it anyway...

OK, uploaded to a mirror as above which will hopefully work better.

[Peter Bear]

ended, well that was quite a good game as I reviewed it.

The character animation is not the best part ... The story, dialogues and puzzles were good.
I was afraid of the beginning I thought it would be a "you read more than you play" game, but no

another thing : does the story comes from true events ? ( not the intro, but the internet at work part )

:p

[Intense Degree]

another thing : does the story comes from true events ? ( not the intro, but the internet at work part )

:p

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

It's not really based on true events although Colin's office is the exact office I had in my last job (I attempted to draw it as I was sitting in it at my desk - the rest of the office is nothing like my old one though) and we did have our internet access taken away at one point...

[Stee]

err help please?

Spoiler

password is TR3N17 right? It won't let me login. Ive retreived password from margarets diary, and am waiting for sue to finish with reports. I have

[close]

[Leon]

Well the end was quite sudden... expected a bit more 'sparkles' there. But other than that, great puzzles. I loved the way the dialogs kept changing with each event. Well done. Animation could get a bit more attention, as said before. I didn't like the heavy borders around the dialogs. A thinner line would attract more.

Great how you handled the emails. They were already readable from screen but clicking them would repeat them in dialog, just in case. Well done!

What I noticed though:

Spoiler

Whenever Larry has to go to the toilet (far left.. ) you still can't enter Paul's office because Larry might see you.. and even funnier... you can still call Larry and he'll even answer  On the toilet?? I know about mobile phones and wireless but.. 

[close]

@Stee:

Are you sure you didn't make a typo? I can use it, it isn't case sensitive and I can use it first thing after starting the game, even without having the written one in my inventory.

[Stee]

positive

Spoiler

you have TR3N17 right?

[close]

it seems it will only allow me to enter 5 characters

[Intense Degree]

@Leon - Thanks for the comments and glad you enjoyed it! I'll deal with those bugs completely intentional easter eggs(!) in an updated version.

@Stee - You have the correct password and as mentioned it is not case sensitive. It sounds like the file may have been corrupted when you downloaded it. I would try to download/install again.

[Leon]

I can't imagine it would be a corruption thing. More corruption of the user.. 

@Intense:

While you're updating you might want to look at:
- a typo in the game, not sure which screen. Margaret says Loook instead of Look
- I crashed the game pressing restart at the end: Error: unable to restart game (error:File not found). Maybe a rename during production and not in the script? 

@Stee:

You don't start with a space or anything? Come to think of it..... do you enter the numbers through the separate keypad or the number keys above the letters? Using the numbers on the keypad whilst not having the NUM-lock pressed, will result in a different character. You might want to use the other set of number keys. Or are you using a laptop....?

[Zargblast]

Enjoyable little game. I noticed one bug

Spoiler

When Carol's in the kitchen it's still possible to 'phone her at reception.

[close]

Also, you seem to have a static cupboard, stapler and calculator. They should all be 'stationery'!

[Intense Degree]

@Zargblast - thanks for the bug report, I can't believe how many times I spelt that wrong! Glad you enjoyed the game otherwise.

@Leon - I can't find that "Loook", let me know if you remember where it was. Also Restart seems to work fine for me at the end but I will have another look...

Also a walkthrough of my game on Ultimate Game Solutions? Now I know i've made it!  8). Thanks very much Leon.

[Stee]

Yeah I'm running on a laptop, as I'm not at home on my main rig for another couple of weeks. Its a dell inspiron 1720, which has a num pad and the normal keys. I will go have a quick test anyway,I'm sure i've tried that. And ill turn off num lock just to be sure.................

UPDATE: Nope same problem. I d/led the media fire one, will give the other one a try when i  get the time to retrace my steps.

I would like to say im actually starting to enjoy the game, despite my first impressions. The idea of a game about working in an office, graphics (no offence there better than i could ever do) and the "first game" scenario didn't really appeal to me and never really has so congrats and convincing me to give first timers a shot, as I can be quite stubborn on that front, and an enjoyable game.

If only I had the time to make my own...

[Leon]

Intense:

My mistake, it was Colin talking to Margaret. When he's got his assignment from Larry to get the new files. Talking to Margaret: Larry said there were some more reports for me to loook at.

[Stee]

just tried a different version (the freewebs one as opposed to the mirror on mediafire i previously d/led). Im still not able to enter the password, wont let me type more than 5 characters). Shame really. The only other option i can think of is if someone would like to send me the game with a save after the password has been entered (providing you dont have to enter password every time) and i should be good to go. Would be much appreciated. 

[Leon]

Two options: I can send you one with the password disabled from the beginning (but then you need to start again) or you send me your game and I'll enter it for you. Then I can also have a look wether it's in the game (of which I'm convinced it's not).

[Stee]

I doubt its the game since other people seem to be running it fine. Probably something to do with me running it on a laptop on vista.

If you could sort it out on my save for me it would be much appreciated. Uploaded here:

http://www.agsn.co.uk/I Broke Colin Simpson.zip

If not im not too bothered about starting from scratch again (i can afford a couple more days off). Either way much appreciado 

[Leon]

Alrightie......    :o :

This is something I have never seen before. I've been able to reproduce your problem...

It seems to be the resolution.... starting a game in 320x240 results in the problem. I started a new game in 320 and couldn't enter more than 5 digits. Then I started a game in 640x480 and there was no problem. All was in windowed mode since my screen wouldn't allow 320 in full mode.

So the conclusion is that it is the check on password. Could it be that the contents of the box is checked for correctness based on the screen location (position of the cursor) instead of real content of the input box?

[Stee]

yeah it was definitely the res issue. Thanks for the help.

[Intense Degree]

Updated version now available which should fix all reported continuity/spelling bugs found so far! (Links in first post).

[Dave1985]

Ehh. I didn't like the puzzles at all, they consisted mainly of pixel hunts (that is, find the noticeboard that looks just like the other uninteresting noticeboards but has actual plot-advancing stuff on it), faffing about with your telephone or distracting people with idiotic tricks while you steal/plant evidence from/on them. Not exactly my thing.

The character was a hateful little bitch too, blaming his misfortunes on everyone but himself. He wonders why the boss is pissed off at him after running in late for the umpteenth time. He throws a righteous-indignation rant when the boss tells him he hasn't done any work all day. Well, excuuuuse me, but I've got little sympathy for the guy. Getting shat on by your superiors is what you get paid for at a company like this, it doesn't entitle you to poison their coffee, ditch work and generally be a cheeky bastard.

Also, actual jokes and a somewhat more epic ending would've been nice. I felt that it was a bit anti-climactic. Even a little slapstick humour would've spiced that part up; merely saying "FUCK YOU" and walking out doesn't really make you a winner.


I hope you didn't take offence and acknowledge what I've written as constructive criticism and perhaps the sequel will be a bit different in these regards.

[Crimson Wizard]

Owww... office nightmare  :

Haven't finished game yet, but I already have couple of notices.

First of all, it is a bit annoying you cannot skip title cutscene and go straight to main menu and restore the game. I suggest you add an ability to skip it by pressing Esc or something.

Second thing I'd like to mention is that I could not locate the passage to last corridor section, the one with WC and Kitchen doors, until I saw how "Pierre" walked there during the cutscene. I mean, it was not quite obvious for me that there is any passage at all. Good thing is that it isn't needed for solving any puzzle before the cutscene with Pierre. Maybe it is because cupboard is standing so that it makes an impression that the way futher is unavailable.

[Crimson Wizard]

Okay an update
I found it rather non-obvious that you have to click on Sue's email to make Colin read it and understand what to do next.

The character was a hateful little bitch too, blaming his misfortunes on everyone but himself. <...> Well, excuuuuse me, but I've got little sympathy for the guy.

I'd like to comment that I personally do not mind playing a bitch or an idiot ... although sometimes I thought it would be nice if Colin had a shotgun. and enough guts to use it

[Intense Degree]

@Dave

Ehh. I didn't like the puzzles at all

Fair enough, it's nice to have honest opinions!

they consisted mainly of pixel hunts (that is, find the noticeboard that looks just like the other uninteresting noticeboards but has actual plot-advancing stuff on it)

To be honest I don't see how that is a pixel hunt. The noticeboard is clearly visible and labelled and in a "public" space (the kitchen) rather than by a "personal" desk.

The character was a hateful little bitch too, blaming his misfortunes on everyone but himself. He wonders why the boss is pissed off at him after running in late for the umpteenth time. He throws a righteous-indignation rant when the boss tells him he hasn't done any work all day. Well, excuuuuse me, but I've got little sympathy for the guy. Getting shat on by your superiors is what you get paid for at a company like this, it doesn't entitle you to poison their coffee, ditch work and generally be a cheeky bastard.

Firstly, this is meant to be about someone who has had it up to here with the job generally and after a terrible weekend at home this represents the day he has finally had enough (the last straw of the cumulative effect). If that wasn't apparent from the intro and general attitudes of the characters then I apologise for the bad storytelling and characterisation on my part.

Secondly this is a short game and is supposed to be part comedy and part living out of the fantasy of packing your job in which I'm sure we have all had in rubbish jobs before! In fact Colin comes in with the intention of working that day (and has clearly been working hard for little thanks the previous week) but is prevented by doing so by circumstance (bad weekend resulting in broken alarm clock) and the ridiculous officiousness found in many work places today (i.e. password on computer that they will not give him).

Also, actual jokes and a somewhat more epic ending would've been nice. I felt that it was a bit anti-climactic. Even a little slapstick humour would've spiced that part up; merely saying "FUCK YOU" and walking out doesn't really make you a winner.

This is intended to be a game taking a wry look at frustration in a bad job and the attitude you can get because of it. Personally I don't see how or why I could or should have put actual jokes or slapstick humour in there to be honest.

Point on the ending is taken and I concede it does end a bit suddenly. However, Colin is not necessarily supposed to be a "winner". Leaving your job as an over-reaction when you have no other job lined up is not really a winning idea and that is why most people don't do it no matter how much you may feel like it sometimes! Still nice to play out the fantasy though

Anyway, thanks for you opinions!

@Crimson

Thanks for the comments I will bear these sor tof things in mind for any future games.

[Stee]

Point on the ending is taken and I concede it does end a bit suddenly. However, Colin is not necessarily supposed to be a "winner". Leaving your job as an over-reaction when you have no other job lined up is not really a winning idea and that is why most people don't do it no matter how much you may feel like it sometimes!

:

I'd like to point out at this time that I am still looking for a job so if anyone wants to give me lots of money for doing nothing feel free to pm me (and I don't mean any of that "I earn upto £5,000,000 a day working from home crap. Rich princes from Nigeria requiring my bank account need not apply  )

[Leon]

At the end I thought Larry would give Colin a raise because of good work or something, just as Colin is about to leave. But Colin won't know that, will he?

[ThreeOhFour]

Haha this game made me laugh and did indeed remind me a bit of my days as an office worker

I would have liked the ending sequence to have shown something like Colin sitting in his underwear playing the new Ben Jordan (after fixing his busted computer) at home and realising how good life is... but I guess it is your decision.

Also, the whole stationery thieving thing is accurate, which adds to the humour.

Nice work, especially for a very first game

[Intense Degree]

I would have liked the ending sequence to have shown something like Colin sitting in his underwear playing the new Ben Jordan (after fixing his busted computer) at home and realising how good life is... but I guess it is your decision.

I can't tell you how much I wish I had thought of this earlier! It wouldn't have fitted in with my ideas for a sequal although I don't know if that will ever be made anyway.

[ThreeOhFour]

Heh, well it is basically what I did after quitting my office job, so I thought it was a fitting ending 

[Kastchey]

No way! That's what *I* did after quitting *my* office job =D

[Dave1985]

To be honest I don't see how that is a pixel hunt. The noticeboard is clearly visible and labelled and in a "public" space (the kitchen) rather than by a "personal" desk.

Ok, not pixel hunt then, but there were other noticeboards that looked exactly the same with no relevant info on them, thereby rendering them all unimportant in the player's eyes. Maybe if you had a note with a red cross or something on it, it would've been more logical, but having the player run around aimlessly until they accidentally come upon THE noticeboard is a little bit dodgy gameplay decision.

Firstly, this is meant to be about someone who has had it up to here with the job generally and after a terrible weekend at home this represents the day he has finally had enough (the last straw of the cumulative effect). If that wasn't apparent from the intro and general attitudes of the characters then I apologise for the bad storytelling and characterisation on my part.

Yes, that's perfectly fine, but what was apparent to me from the intro was that the guy basically screwed up his own weekend with his negligence, and has no one to blame but himself, but I don't want to reiterate myself too much here.

Secondly this is a short game and is supposed to be part comedy

That statement I take issue with, because overdone sarcasm doesn't really qualify as comedy.

Anyway, thanks for you opinions!

@Crimson

Welcome anytime.

[Buckethead]

oh forget to post a comment here.

First I would like to say that Dave's comments make me lol. They also got me curious about the game.

I did notice the issues mentioned but they were not much of a problem. I thought it was enjoyable to wander around the office and do the puzzles. The things you had to accomplish were usually clear exept for a few times. I thought the way the 2 women in office looked so pretty hilarious. I also liked how characters moved around the office if they needed to. I do hope this game get's a sequel. Perhaps Colin will find employment in part 2 lol. But perhaps that would be too much like Sydney find employment. Anyway it was fun while it lasted. The end was indeed a bit disappointing but it does leave room for a sequel or something.

[pxmm]

I just played through and enjoyed the mischievous nature of the puzzles, as well as the satirical nature of the people and objects (like the computer) in the office.

I was always clear in what I needed to do but I feel a sequel could do with more variety in the puzzles rather than 'distract X to get Y', but the situations and dialogue were engaging enough that I barely noticed.

[CosmoQueen]

Just played it and it was a really cool game. I totally second what pxmm said about the puzzles. Any chance we'll be seeing another part to this in the future?

[Intense Degree]

@ Cosmo.

Many thanks for the kind words. I do have an idea for a sequal (although it would be different to the first) which I am thinking about but judging by my usual work rate it will take ages to make, if it ever gets off the ground that is!

I have been playing around with a couple of ideas, but that it all they are at the moment. I also need to get a lot better at animation etc! Having said that watch this space (or the GIP space really) cos you never know!

[SPNVR]

How we can phone Paul? His phone always busy. After reading system administrator's letter, his phone is busy too.