MAGS November: Breaking In (Winner announced!)

[Dualnames]

What is MAGS?
MAGS is a monthly competition for all amateur adventure game makers. The idea is to use AGS to create a game in under a month, following the rules set by the previous winner.

For more information please visit the Official MAGS website.

Why should I enter MAGS?
We're not here to tell you that you should enter MAGS, but merely allow it as a creative opportunity to help you work to a deadline, improve your skills, and generally as a good kick-start for the new comers (a.k.a n00bies).

MAGS is the perfect opportunity to make a game, and the wonderful prize is to announce the next month's rules, and all competitors get the game placed on the MAGS website.

MAGS is meant to be fun and is aimed at everyone, despite their skill. If you have poor art skills work on graphics, and vice-versa, as the voting is based on "favourite" games, and not the most artistic, you may get help for the competiton, but should try not get anyone else to do any part of the game for you.

You are not allowed to (re)use material already created before this competition, you game must be completely new! An exception goes for sounds and music where you can also use free material that is available to the public.

Please do not just enter the competition with a rushed entry (a game created in just some hours or a few days)!

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

Topic: Breaking In:

This month's guidelines were set by last month's winner Babar:

There must be a concerted effort, by a team of people, to break into some reasonably major obstacle.
So it could be breaking into a bank, or a prison, etc., but try not to go for something as simple as "Being locked out of my own car".

Also, not necessary, but try having the player character be switched from one person to another during the course of the gameplay.

For extra awesomeness points: BEARDS
...And that is all.
_______________________________________________


Thread Rules:

1)Comments are allowed at all times but should be hided before and while the voting.
2)Partecipators are allowed to patch their games even while the voting but I should be informed via pm or here, and only IF the game has a serious bug that makes it crash. Due to the inability of keeping track of versions of the games, I've settled to this. So you can patch your game, if it crashes or if it can't be completed.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Winner is Abstauber!!

[Scarab]

Dammit! I've already started a game about this, so I can't use that idea

Not only that, but one of the inventory items WAS A BEARD!!

Curse you Barbar, and your ironic twist of fate

[DrWhite]

Cool topic. Probably won´t have the time to make up an a game, but I´m looking forward to playing the entries.

[Bulbapuck]

Wait a minuite... I have a beard!!! This must be a sign!

Awesome topic Babar
I'll start working on something today, however, I can't promise I'll finish due to school being a higher priority.

[Helme]

My first MAGS-game had a beard as an inventory item, but you had to break out not in...

[Crimson Wizard]

Actually I do have an idea (and for quite a time), but I can't promise anything. 

[Kastchey]

A team effort to break into something big plus character switching during gameplay? Well that certainly does ring a bell 

[Bulbapuck]

The school schedule is getting the better of me :'( The only chance to get it done before deadline is by a team effort, however, is that allowd?

I assumed it wasn't until I saw this game by ben304 and Paolo.

What do the rules say here?

[ThreeOhFour]

There are a few different games that were team efforts in the past 

[Bulbapuck]

There are a few different games that were team efforts in the past  

Neat-o thanks, now I just need to find someone to work with

[cat]

What do you need help with? Story, Graphics, Coding?

[Bulbapuck]

What do you need help with? Story, Graphics, Coding?

Sent you a PM

[Rocco]

like this robbery themes very much.
i made similar rules, a few years ago -> http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=13652.0
oh man 5 years, time is running like hell. 
so maybe i will give it a try, but  i struggle a bit with the teameffort.
lets see...

[Crimson Wizard]

I actually started making a game which includes breaking in couple of days ago, but it looks like much work to do, because I wanted to practice making better character animations, so I don't think it will be MAGS game

[DrWhite]

Well, looks like I´m really going to make up an entry. Thanks for the inspiring theme, Barbar.

[Babar]

Yay! I am happy. And I also encourage Rocco and Crimson Wizard to go for something!

[abstauber]

Hey,

I've decided to give this a try too. And Rocco, I'm using one of your modules - so at least there's a little team spirit outside the games

[DoorKnobHandle]

Since modules were mentioned, one thing I've been wondering for ages: is it okay to use modules/plugins (even if you haven't published them openly yet) that you made before?

Won't enter this one btw., just a general question.

[Dualnames]

Since modules were mentioned, one thing I've been wondering for ages: is it okay to use modules/plugins (even if you haven't published them openly yet) that you made before?

Won't enter this one btw., just a general question.

Ah, coding snippets are allowed. Since you're allowed to use a template to make a MAGS game that it is made before the competition starts, I don't see any point not allowing modules.

[abstauber]

Phew, this would have disqualified me instantly

[Scarab]

Aw what the hell, I'm going for it!

(the irony is I'm postponing a game about breaking in to make another game about breaking in.)

[Rocco]

Hey,

I've decided to give this a try too. And Rocco, I'm using one of your modules - so at least there's a little team spirit outside the games

Im glad to hear, that the moduls are usefull somehow. 
but i unfortunatly guess, that i cant come up with something until 25th november.
i discovered this thread too late, and had no time this weekend to work on the game,
so time is running out for me. 

[abstauber]

Regarding the deadling:
until 25th means 24th, 23:59?

[Dualnames]

Regarding the deadling:
until 25th means 24th, 23:59?

Yep. Or to be precise it's around 25th 8 to 10 o'Clock. It's when I go to work so it's usually when I close the competition.

[DrWhite]

Hm, I don´t know if I can finish my entry till wednesday, and also I´ll certainly be offline till thursday morning. So, would it be ok to get an extra day or two?

[Dualnames]

Hm, I don´t know if I can finish my entry till wednesday, and also I´ll certainly be offline till thursday morning. So, would it be ok to get an extra day or two?

It can't always be October peeps. Perhaps one more day if it's okay with all of you.

[Bulbapuck]

It's very, VEEERRRYYYYY okay with me!!! In fact, I was thinking about suggesting it myself.

[abstauber]

Phew

So it's wendsday 23:59 GMT+0 ?

(and of course it's okay with me)

[Dualnames]

Phew

So it's wendsday 23:59 GMT+0 ?

(and of course it's okay with me)

Okay peeps one more day..

[Crimson Wizard]

And I am not doing anything this time, sorry Babar  



I mean, I will just sit and watch how you struggle to beat each other, mwahaha

[DrWhite]

So, heres my entry ... I hope mostly bug-free.

The game is called Alpha Dog. Its about four friends: Frank, Stanley, Mike and Dog - they are the pets of Billie. One day, just when Billie is away at a school-trip, the evil dog catcher Ivan catches Mike. So the other three friends have to rescue him.



Game page: http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/games.php?action=detail&id=1240
Download link: http://www.box.net/shared/fx91j2oa80

... and thanks to Helme for giving me lots of coding-advice.

[OneDollar]

Robbing the Princess

Alec and Suzy have tracked a stolen cargo crate to the dock, but it looks like it's already been stowed onboard a ship called The Princess. Playing as both characters you'll need to help them find a way onboard and into the hold.

****

This is the first MAGS I've done since becoming full time (I was a student supposed to be revising for exams with my first, and only worked three days a week for the other two) and I really noticed the lack of time. I've done much less testing and polishing than I wanted to, and there's a few areas I'd like to have done differently but the game is finished, it's on time and hopefully it's bug-free. I hope you enjoy!

[abstauber]

Finally, here's my entry:

A E R O N U T S

THE BARON STRUCK AGAIN!!!
As every Friday, Elfie Mac Millen wants to visit her dad at the military base where he is working as a scientist on a covert mission.
Unfortunately, the Army is not the only one interested in Mac Millen's brain power … Baron Borisov, always mean and greeding for power, doesn't hesitate to get him under his thumb. So he and his henchmen hijacked Elfie's father and brought him to his secret sea fortress.
But Elfie sticks to her guns and tries to find her dad... with your help!

Screenshots:




Get it, while it's hot:
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/games.php?action=detail&id=1238

[Bulbapuck]

THE HUNT FOR GOLDBEARD

A small game made by me (Who did whatever),
Brentimous (Character art and animation, story help),
and cat (Background art and story help).

Screenshots:


Download link:
http://shutupload.com/dl/1b94f393126d/

Download........... NOW!

[Leon]

Oh great! There goes my weekend... 

@1$: When I tried to let Alec go through the doorway of the ship, he all of a sudden was at the top of the roof. He can't get down (too heavy & rusty) and can't get to the ship (Suzy already did). Bug? Case of game over & try again?

[Crimson Wizard]

Very interesting entries, and abstauber's arcade/adventure looks like nuts! I'll check it first.

[DrewCCU]

im playing abstauber's game now ... been playing it for about the past hour ... i chose it first because it just looks/sounds pretty sweet ... and ... who am i kidding? i wrote the music for it (and did some of the sound effects) so i wanted to see my music in action ... lol.

but this game is pretty sweet ... i mean its challenging, funny and fun and leaves u wanting to know what happens next ...

abstauber you did a great job with this game. ... i found 1 or 2 glitches so far - nothing major:
on the first arcade sequence, when you die (and you probably will die ... i did like 5 times before i beat this part - lol ... okay who am i kidding? i died like 10-12 times)
anyway, when you die and you get the option to restart level or go back to main menu, if you choose restart level it crashes. which its not a huge deal cus i saved it right before i got to that part of the game so i just reloaded my saved game (2nd arcade sequence works fine as far as restarting the level)

AND - in the ship as the screen moves up and down slightly (which is a really nice effect btw) but anyway - as it moves up and down the room/screen gradually starts sliding down below the menus at the bottom ...

i didnt really encounter any other bugs that jumped out at me ... but good work man!


as far as everyone else's game goes ... i am going to play them too - but i don't think it would be fair for me to judge since i kind of helped with the AeroNuts game. But i will play and tell u how awesome they are!!!!

[Dualnames]

Wonderful entries all!!So the voting starts! When the day turns from 29 to 30, I'll close the voting, so start doing it!

Voting (till the 29th):

For voting please visit the MAGS site or make your choice right here:

The Hunt for Goldbeard by Bulbapuck
Robbing the Princess by OneDollar
Alpha Dog by DrWhite
Aeronuts by abstauber

Please vote only once and be sure to have played all games before sending your voice! Good luck to all participants.

[abstauber]

@DrewCCU
Thanks for the bug report! I've fixed the save game crash and carrier floating bug. And I always thought the arcade path is still too easy

@Crimson
Yay

@everyone else
Very cool entries everyone! I'll post more as soon as I come to play you games.

[kaputtnik]

Fantastic entries! Also shows the potential of the community, I love how Babar's "team effort" challenge has really inspired some new people to team up.

[Dualnames]

BTW, this is my 3rd year in this community, and who'd have thought I'd end up hosting the MAGS..

Anyway, start the voting people!!

[abstauber]

@Dr. White

Spoiler

I tried to use the dog leach on the spider and now it's eating a cracker? And the leach is gone... restarting time? Oh and the windows on the backyard are still hotspot 6

[close]

@Bulbapuck

Spoiler

I'm stuck too. I have the 3 spheres but no clue, in what order to put them. Btw. you left the debug mode on, but that didn't help me either

[close]

--edit: not stuck anymore. Thanks Leon!

[DrWhite]

@ Abstauber
Stupid me. I´ll change that immediately... i beta-testing would have been a good idea.

[abstauber]

Spoiler

btw. I'm stuck again. I'm inside the building, have the needle and no clue what to do. How do I reach the panel in the last room?

[close]

[DrWhite]

@ Abstauber

Spoiler

How did you reach the last room without using the needle? You have to stick the needle into the cable of the lamp in the citchen, switch on the light to sabotage the electricity.

[close]

In the last room...

Spoiler

you have to use Stan and walk under the panel. Then jump onto him with Dog, then climb up with Frank and use the panel.

[close]

@Dualnames
As there where bugs that don´t keep you from finishing the game, but make some puzzle solving unneccessary, I uploaded an updated version. I hope that´s within the rules.

Going to play the other entries now. Seems to be a fine month again.

[abstauber]

Spoiler

you have to use Stan and walk under the panel. Then jump onto him with Dog, then climb up with Frank and use the panel.

That doesn't seem to work. Dog says; What? or That doesn't work. Depending on using the shell or the whole Stan.
Argh.. and now I have Stan + Stan's Shell in the same room.  Seems like I have to restart again.
----
edit: It worked this time. But the camera kept working even after I used the needle. But I'm through anyway

[close]

[Leon]

@Bulbapuck:

Some strange behaviour, no real bugs (apart from the already mentioned debugmode)..

Spoiler

Joanna can see the panel and the spider though the door is closed.
Phill can't kill the spider, Joanna can... ?

[close]

Typo: Joanna says: It semms to have fallen --> seems..

Sidenote: I don't like the response when interacting with the statues. As explorer, you're supposed to examine and touch things..? Furthermore..

Spoiler

She has problems with the statue heads but kills the spider without hesitation. Hmmm....

[close]

[OneDollar]

@1$: When I tried to let Alec go through the doorway of the ship, he all of a sudden was at the top of the roof. He can't get down (too heavy & rusty) and can't get to the ship (Suzy already did). Bug? Case of game over & try again?

Yeah, that's a restart. Sorry about that, there seems to be some rare glitch in the AGS pathfinding (seriously, all I'm doing is calling a Walkto ProcessClick. I saw this bug once or twice in the hundreds of times I've played through the start but could never reproduce it on demand. I thought I'd put something in to correct it if something went wrong, but it must have slipped my mind.

If it starts to become a big problem for a lot of people I'll patch the game, but as you requested

2)Partecipators are allowed to patch their games even while the voting but I should be informed via pm or here, and only IF the game has a serious bug that makes it crash. Due to the inability of keeping track of versions of the games, I've settled to this. So you can patch your game, if it crashes or if it can't be completed.

[DrWhite]

@ Abstauber

Spoiler

In the updated version Stanley should say that he´s standing on the right spot. Then just get him into his shell and use Dog´s jump on him.

[close]

... but I really wonder how you could get Stan and his shell into the same room. Shouldn´t be possible.

[abstauber]

@DrWhite
You should open an own thread for your game where I can file those bugs

Spoiler

The magical cloning occured when I have been clicking on the doors to skip walking (since Stanley's on the slower side). And the shell can walk too

[close]

Anyhow, your music is really nice. And somehow it reminds me at Nick Knatterton

[Bulbapuck]

@Bulbapuck:

Some strange behaviour, no real bugs (apart from the already mentioned debugmode)..

Spoiler

Joanna can see the panel and the spider though the door is closed.
Phill can't kill the spider, Joanna can... ?

[close]

Typo: Joanna says: It semms to have fallen --> seems..

Sidenote: I don't like the response when interacting with the statues. As explorer, you're supposed to examine and touch things..? Furthermore..

Spoiler

She has problems with the statue heads but kills the spider without hesitation. Hmmm....

[close]

Sorry about that, it's a stupid joke I put in because I was reeeeally tired when I finished up the game. Anyway, thanks for the bugreport

I'll uplaoad an updated version when I get home, but before I update it, I need to know:
What is debug mode? (n00bish question, I know...) And how do I turn it off?

[bicilotti]

What is debug mode? (n00bish question, I know...) And how do I turn it off?

General settings -> compiler -> enable debug mode (false)

[DrWhite]

@DrWhite
You should open an own thread for your game where I can file those bugs

I did so.

Anyhow, your music is really nice. And somehow it reminds me at Nick Knatterton

couldn´t get a better compliment, thanks.

[Dualnames]

I find Abstauber's and onedollar's idea to have the game into the database, so I can use that as a download link to allow them to patch the game any time, and me not to bother at all. So if you guys already given your entries and add them to the database, pm me the link of the database so you can patch em up!

EDIT: Updated both Abstaub's links and DrWhite's. You may update your games at will this way.

[Bulbapuck]

Thanks bici for the help

Well here's the game page for my game, however I updated my original post with an updated link (after Leon's excellent report ) so I'd prefer it if people download that. http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/games.php?action=detail&id=1239

The reason I haven't updated the game page is that I misspelled the password and now can't edit the game...

I hope I have the time to play all the games soon

[OneDollar]

Okay, I've put in a quick workaround that should let you keep on playing if the bug strikes. As I said it seems to be quite rare, so it's probably not worth updating your game unless you're having problems. Anyway, all new downloads are version 1.1 with the fix. If anyone can give me more details about when the problem happens or how to reproduce it I'd be very grateful. It's really got me stumped.

I hope this hasn't spoiled the game for anyone.

The reason I haven't updated the game page is that I misspelled the password and now can't edit the game...

PM a moderator, they'll probably be able to reset it for you.

[Helme]

I hope I have enough time to play all entries. They all look very sweet.

[Helme]

Finished all games and voted!

Alpha Dog: I was involved in the production, so I won't comment it.

The hunt for goldbeard:

Spoiler

I had fun playing it, but I disliked that lots of puzzles were quite artificial

[close]

Robbing the princess:

Spoiler

The best puzzles and the team-aspect was well executed.

[close]

Aeronuts:

Spoiler

What a charming main character!!! The changing facial expression add lot to the athmosphere. The arcade part of the games works well and was lots of fun. The only weak spot is that there is not much of a team-aspect.

[close]

I voted for...

Spoiler

Aeronuts. Elfie is just so lovely!

[close]

[Dualnames]

Thanks bici for the help

Well here's the game page for my game, however I updated my original post with an updated link (after Leon's excellent report ) so I'd prefer it if people download that. http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/games.php?action=detail&id=1239

The reason I haven't updated the game page is that I misspelled the password and now can't edit the game...

I hope I have the time to play all the games soon

Done.

Anyway, stop voting one of the voters you guys! I mean one of the entries has all of the votes..(apart from 5 that missed it  ). It's a victory already, but I can't announce it just yet. Too bad though the rest of the entries do deserve some attention, for I find them all to be finest of entries I could hope.

[abstauber]

Anyway, stop voting one of the voters you guys!

Isn't this supposed to be something, a moderater rather shouldn't do? 

[OneDollar]

  Guess we'll find out when a different game suddenly wins.

Edit:
I've now finished the other three entries, and all are very nice games. I'm not going to vote 'cos that wouldn't be fair, but I enjoyed playing.

@Bulbapuck
One area I got stuck on:

Spoiler

I figured I had to squash the spider in the bowl with the rock in order to get the red sphere, but the game wouldn't let me do this (nothing happened). After consulting Leon's walkthrough I concentrated on opening the gate, then suddenly I could squash the spider. I guess this is to stop the player getting into the next room without opening the gate, but I was focused on trying to get the red sphere and couldn't. Perhaps you could stop the characters being able to trade the rock (it's too big to fit under the door or something)?

Also all of the interactable areas of the inventory items seemed to be at the bottom right of the arrow, rather than the point, which made using object a little difficult.

Was that a bit of a Pan's Labyrinth reference at the end?

[close]

[Travis Anthony]

@ abstauber
Great mags game.  My final score was 110850.
I didn't really like how the airplane would reset to the start point every time that you got hit.  Seemed weird.
I would definitely get someone to proof read it though.
Nice art work.  The dog wasn't much of a "team" though. :p

[abstauber]

Hehe,
well you could also see it as teaming up with the plane. Then you also have your player-switch

And that's one awesome score. For how long have you kept the last boss alive?

Oh- and proof reading is in the works

[frogking]

@abstauber:

Your games looks really sleek but I encountered two problems:

1.

Spoiler

After giving the bag with rodent to the dog, I couldn't get it to follow me. I got the message that I'm his friend but walking up to the dog didn't have any reaction. I restarted the game (and also tried doing everything in a different order) and it worked. I think the first time I opened the fence before leaving to fetch the rodent. I also have a savegame with this problem.

[close]

2.

I saved immediately after playing through the first arcade sequence. Now I can't load
it, the game, it always crashes with "crossfade: buffer is null attempting transistion".
I might have saved tooooo quickly?

[abstauber]

Hi Frogking,

thanks for playing. Yes this "Dog-Problem" has already been reported to me. All I'm doing is to check, if Rufus has the "rodent-bag" in his inventory.
And it appears, that sometimes cRufus.Addinventory does not work. I'll see if I can switch it over to a global var.

The second problem is that stupid me has used AGS 3.2RC2, which still seems to have trouble with saving and the new sound system. So unfortunately we all have to wait for the final version of AGS 3.2

[Bulbapuck]

@Bulbapuck
One area I got stuck on:

Spoiler

I figured I had to squash the spider in the bowl with the rock in order to get the red sphere, but the game wouldn't let me do this (nothing happened). After consulting Leon's walkthrough I concentrated on opening the gate, then suddenly I could squash the spider. I guess this is to stop the player getting into the next room without opening the gate, but I was focused on trying to get the red sphere and couldn't. Perhaps you could stop the characters being able to trade the rock (it's too big to fit under the door or something)?

Also all of the interactable areas of the inventory items seemed to be at the bottom right of the arrow, rather than the point, which made using object a little difficult.

Was that a bit of a Pan's Labyrinth reference at the end?

[close]

Ooooh, I feel so stupid now Why didn't I think of that? I'll update it later this week. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. Also, I have to check that interactable area thing out, because I was so sure I specified that with every item. Obviously I didn't. Thank you again!

Also, the reference: I saw that movie once but I don't quite remember it, so maybe something stuck to my brain and I used it? Anyway, if it was clever I'll say that it was my intension all along

*sigh* every time I post here I'm saddened by the fact that I don't have any time to play these games.. They all look so awesome.

[DrWhite]

Played all entries and I liked them all. At the end I voted for

Spoiler

Aeronuts, because it was just so outstandig, and also because it was that kind of game I really would like to make myself. Great graphics and music, lovely characters (even the Baron) and the most impressive use of shakescreen I have experienced in the last time.

[close]

But also ...

Spoiler

If Aeronuts wouldn´t be so outstanding, I´d have big problems to say which game is the best this month.

[close]

[Dualnames]

Hi Frogking,

thanks for playing. Yes this "Dog-Problem" has already been reported to me. All I'm doing is to check, if Rufus has the "rodent-bag" in his inventory.
And it appears, that sometimes cRufus.Addinventory does not work. I'll see if I can switch it over to a global var.

The second problem is that stupid me has used AGS 3.2RC2, which still seems to have trouble with saving and the new sound system. So unfortunately we all have to wait for the final version of AGS 3.2

You've won mister!! You've got a pm, so give the reply ASAP!!

[abstauber]

Wonderful

I hope I'll come up with something good.

Thanks again!!

[Gudforby]

Congrats!

Didn't have the time to play through all the entries this month though...

[OneDollar]

Congratulations Abstauber! I think most people knew who was going to win from the start though... it was a great entry.

[kaputtnik]

I voted for Dr. White! Just so you know, it's not my fault if abstauber comes up with a freaky seasonal MAGS topic like "A New Year's Eve 2000 B.C." or "Spinoffs to Star Wars Holiday Special"!

[discordance]

"Spinoffs to Star Wars Holiday Special"!

noooooooo!  :o

Actually that would be a great rule. I know what kind of game I'd make: A shooter in which you disembowel everyone involved! That would be incredibly therapeutic.

[Ryan Timothy B]

Congrats Abstauber.

I was hoping to wake up this morning to see the December competition start.  Since it's December, the deadline is usually the 20th--due to Christmas disrupting our regular lives.  Pretty soon the December competition will turn into an TRTW competition (two room, two week).    For me, being laid off and all, it's a perfect time to work on a game.

[DrWhite]

Congrats Abstauber. I´d say the best game won - probably the best Mags-game I did play. And so addicting - I´m still beating my highscore.

[abstauber]

The theme already has been submitted, although is was already quite late yesterday.

Thanks you all again

@kaputtnik and discordance:
Yes, Star-Wars Christmas would be very cool indeed. Well... seems like I've ruined it for this year