The Decorcist.

RetroJay · Mon 09/02/2015 19:28:08

Hi All Good Peeps Of AGS.

J-Soft Is Proud To Present.

THE DECORCIST

The Story.
Lord and Lady Featherstone are thrilled when they inherit Grantley Mansion from a widely travelled, recently deceased, Uncle.
The building has stood empty and neglected for years, but they are confident that it can be restored to its former glory.
Deeds signed, key in hand, they take possession only to discover, to their horror, that the mansion is already possessed by a legion of unearthly squatters.
Remembering an advertisement he has seen in the local newspaper Lord Featherstone enlists the services of Dan a renowned, but unconventional, Decorator to rid the place of these uninvited guests by performing a Decorcism.

The Decorcist is a Platform/Adventure which is played over two rooms.
However, there is a lot more to the game than meets the eye.

The Decorcist is 640x480.
Controls are Keyboard only.

Please Click The Link Below To Download...

The Decorcist

I hope you will enjoy my game.

EDIT:
Please note that I have decided to change the name of my game from 'The Decorator' to 'The Decorcist'.
Why I hear you say...
Well I have found another platform game out there, on the web, that is going by the original name of my game.
I DO NOT want my game to be confused with this other game.

Yours.
Jay.

CaptainD · Mon 09/02/2015 19:30:01

Congrats on the release! This looks really weird (I mean that in the best way possible!

)

NickyNyce · Mon 09/02/2015 19:42:29

Congrats RetroJay!

This looks wonderful, I can't wait to see it.

Downloading!

Slasher · Mon 09/02/2015 20:05:21

Congrats....

Downloading... Looks fun

Vincent · Mon 09/02/2015 21:00:15

Ciao RetroJay,

The graphics looks beautifully very cute

Congratulations.

I definitely want to play this right now

Downloading -

RetroJay · Tue 10/02/2015 05:46:26

Hi CaptainD, NickyNyce, Slasher and Vincent.

Thank you ever so much for your interest in my game and for downloading it.

It really was a difficult learning curve, creating this Title.
I wanted to do something different but didn't know what I had let myself in for.
More times than not I just sat there looking at line upon line of script mumbling to myself "Why aren't you working!" and dribbling.

The actual idea for "The Decorator" is one that I had many years ago, when I was but a child.
whilst sitting in front of my Spectrum 48k, Library books on the subject of "Basic" strewn across the desk, I embarked on creating my first game... "The Decorator"... You guessed it!...
I got nowhere and eventually gave up!
In my defence though, I did manage to get an 8x8 pixel blob to move around the screen... sort of.

If only AGS had been around in them days.

Anyway, Enough reminiscing, I really do hope that you enjoy playing.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts, be they Good or Bad.

Yours.
Jay.

AnasAbdin · Tue 10/02/2015 09:02:40

Congrats RetroJay

was looking forward this one!
Just downloaded it and I have no idea what to do! Tried all doors, objects... etc until I am wondering whether the 'E' key is active or not $:-\$

RetroJay · Tue 10/02/2015 09:10:17

Oh Shit!

Sorry Guys.
For some inexplicable reason I have put E as Examine.
It is actually the A key.

I will rectify this asap.
Thank you for noticing this monumental cock-up.

Yours.
Jay.

RetroJay · Tue 10/02/2015 09:39:16

Hi Again.

I have just uploaded the revised cock-up free version and fired my game tester.

Very sorry if this error has caused any grief.

Yours.
Jay.

NickyNyce · Tue 10/02/2015 11:15:36

Thank god AnasAbdin said something. I played for at least an hour and was mumbling to myself while staring at the screen..."Why isn't this working?"

I'll try again later and let you know my thoughts.

selmiak · Tue 10/02/2015 11:38:40

brrram bam bfraddamom

AprilSkies · Tue 10/02/2015 11:42:34

Quote from: NickyNyce on Tue 10/02/2015 11:15:36
Thank god AnasAbdin said something. I played for at least an hour and was mumbling to myself while staring at the screen..."Why isn't this working?"

I'll try again later and let you know my thoughts.

ahahah same here

Btw very very cool game!!!
I love it! and it's hard like old games were! well done!

RetroJay · Tue 10/02/2015 11:53:12

Hi AprilSkies.
Thank you. I am really happy that you like it.

NickyNyce.
I couldn't stop laughing when you used my line, but at the same time felt incredibly sorry for your wasted hour of play.

AnasAbdin.
A HUGE thank you for noticing my error.

And finally, Selmiak.

Yours.
Jay.

Slasher · Tue 10/02/2015 12:12:59

You should have an info (buttons to use etc) link in-game such as display keys to use

RetroJay · Tue 10/02/2015 12:28:02

Hi Slasher.

I'm not sure what you are talking about.
I have the Instructions screen which tells you which keys to use, it's just that I made a silly error and put E instead of A for examine.

Yours.
Jay.

AnasAbdin · Tue 10/02/2015 14:25:17

Well I'm glad it was a minor issue and was discovered quickly anyway

I finished the game, the trophy is a lovely touch

Here are a few pros and cons I thought about while playing:

pros:

The adventurous feel of the game
Characters sprites
Music and sound effects
The surprise element of unveiling new places and character
The 'Do not disturb' part

cons:

The game speed is a little (too) slow
Backgrounds inconsistency (specially the 2nd room)
The player's "Sanity" is very limited and recharges only once

Most of the playing time, I was either waiting on a ladder or in the attic. Every time a bucket appears far way I get depressed. The 'save points' could have been implemented better (every other door or an object to interact with...) Every time I 'die' and the game starts over I really understand the choice of 'sanity'.

Graphically speaking, the game is good. Some rooms could use different wall papers, patterns, furniture, lighting etc... I love the use of tint, darken and silhouette. The black cat cracked me up. In the second room some platforms are made only to host buckets. The idea of the game is awesome. If it was a little faster and had more levels I'd definitely want to play it over and over.
Well done RetroJay, you inspired me to make a platformer

RetroJay · Tue 10/02/2015 15:43:15

Hi AnasAbdin.

Thank you for your honest opinion.
I am really quite chuffed with your review.

I take it that you had no trouble with the last puzzle then.

Glad to hear that I have inspired you to make a platformer.

Thank you for playing.

Yours.
Jay.

AnasAbdin · Tue 10/02/2015 16:07:05

Quote from: RetroJay on Tue 10/02/2015 15:43:15I take it that you had no trouble with the last puzzle then.

Spoiler

First I thought I had to get an item... then I tried muting the music

but then I forced another brain cell to think and got it

[close]

AprilSkies · Wed 11/02/2015 08:03:37

Can You add a "ESC / Skipping" key to skip the cutscene of the hero walking back to the starting door when you die?

RetroJay · Wed 11/02/2015 11:04:57

Hi AprilSkies.

Hm. Give me some time and I will see what I can do.

Of course, the easiest way is for you to stop getting killed.

Yours.
Jay.

AprilSkies · Wed 11/02/2015 11:35:45

LOL! of course

Btw I don't mind dying.. it's a kind of "retro-frustation" that is totally absent in modern games ^^ And I appreiate it. It makes you play, and play and play again.

RetroJay · Wed 11/02/2015 12:14:17

Hi AprilSkies.

Sheesh! I have found a way of implementing the 'Escape key' to skip the Death scene.

I have had to change some script around though.

Give me some time to finish it and I will let you know, here, when I have uploaded the revised Version.
Btw... Have you reached a save point yet?
There are three of them to be reached throughout the game.

Yours.
Jay.

Vincent · Wed 11/02/2015 14:39:28

Ciao RetroJay,

I really got fun playing this game

It made me remind Dangerous Dave in the Haunted Mansion, do you know this ?
Only good thoughts for me anyway, congratulations again

RetroJay · Wed 11/02/2015 15:23:30

Hi Vincent.

Thank you very much for your positive feedback.
I am so pleased that you enjoyed playing my game.

I must say that I am not familiar with 'Dangerous Dave in the Haunted Mansion'. I will have to look it up.

Spoiler

Did you get your trophy?

[close]

Yours.
Jay.

RetroJay · Wed 11/02/2015 15:34:39

Hi All Good Peeps.

I have just Up-loaded my revised version of 'The Decorator'.
After a suggestion from 'AprilSkies' you can now Skip the cutscene when Dan runs, Terrified, out of the Mansion by pressing the 'Escape' key.

I have also updated the 'Readme' file in the game folder.

I hope this alleviates the frustration.

Yours.
Jay.

Vincent · Wed 11/02/2015 16:09:26

Ehy RetroJay,

I'll be honest here but I keep dying all the time again

I wish I could have some kind of cheats...
...but jokes aside, I still have to finish it (?!!)

eheh

I'll definitively put this game on my folder of (Only great games build in Ags are allowed here !)

BarbWire · Wed 11/02/2015 16:17:12

Hi RetroJay.

I know that I have already tested your game... But.
I have just downloaded your game to try it out with the changes you have made and noticed that the download counter seems to be stuck at 35.
With my download it should be 36.

Edit:
Never mind.
It does seem to be working as I just checked and its gone up to 37.

AnasAbdin · Wed 11/02/2015 16:20:53

Quote from: Vincent on Wed 11/02/2015 16:09:26I'll definitively put this game on my folder of (Only great games build in Ags are allowed here !)

Me too

The Decorator made me dig up my old disks and get Crystal Caves and Secret Agent. Just as I stabilized my AGSing pace now I got addicted to this!

RetroJay · Wed 11/02/2015 16:24:56

Hi Barbwire.

That would be just my luck.
I looked at my downloads this morning and it was on 35.
I thought it strange how it hasn't budged, since then, by even one.

Edit:
Hi AnasAbdin.
I'm glad that my game has made everyone Nostalgic.

Edit Again:
Ah. Thanks Barbwire.
I too noticed that my downloads have changed... Phew!
All is well with the world.

Yours.
Jay.

AprilSkies · Wed 11/02/2015 19:13:24

yay!

And Retro-Jay.. read my "retro"-frustation as a good thing, not a bad one ^^
Who played Megaman on the SNES will understand what I mean

RetroJay · Wed 11/02/2015 21:10:26

It's ok AprilSkies.

I know exactly what you mean by "Retro"-frustration.
I started gaming on the Spectrum 48k and played games like 'Jet Set Willy' and 'Technician Ted'.
After going through all the models of 'Sinclair Spectrums' (Not the ones that 'Lord Sugar's Amstrad company murdered) I then went through the Commodore series ending up with the Amiga 500.
I upgraded that to a whole... wait for it!... a whole whopping 1mb.

Nearly every game, back then, frustrated the hell out of me but I kept coming back for more punishment.

I'm glad that my game has delivered some 'Retro-Frustration' it was just what I intended to do.

I am so happy that people have enjoyed my game.
I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Yours.
Jay.

Saub · Thu 12/02/2015 20:31:53

Great game, a unique mix of retro arcade action and adventure game. Definitely frustrating, but "just one more go"ish!

Also, I really like how the title screen evokes good old Spectrum/C64 cassette box art, sets the tone nicely.

RetroJay · Thu 12/02/2015 21:44:46

Hi Saub.

Thank you for your kind words.
I am really happy that you like my game and my artwork.

Now go on, I'm sure you have time for "just one more go".

Yours.
Jay.

Creamy · Thu 12/02/2015 22:14:31

I've tried the game. It looks promising but I gave up for now:
1) I can't figure out the controls, despite the instructions board. It might have something to do with my AZERTY keyboard though. Am I supposed to have some magical paint at the beginning? I can't grab the golden key at the top-left corner.
2) It took me some time to notice that I could use the ladder downstairs. I wanted to open the white door so bad

3) the character is a bit slow for my taste.
4) I'm a wimp these days so dont't take these criticisms at face-value.

Kudos for the very lively mansion. I'll come back to it someday.

Slasher · Fri 13/02/2015 08:58:09

Hi.

gonna give it a good run through this weekend.

Looks good so far

RetroJay · Fri 13/02/2015 09:06:01

Hi Creamy.

Thank you for playing my game.

I have sent you a PM to see if I can help you get started.

Yours.
Jay.

RetroJay · Fri 13/02/2015 09:09:07

Hi Slasher.

Thank You for your interest.
I hope you enjoy playing.

Don't give up, Remember "No retreat, No surrender!".

Yours.
Jay.

Mehrdad · Fri 13/02/2015 15:44:51

Congrats Jay . Very nice retro game . voted

RetroJay · Fri 13/02/2015 16:20:22

Hi Mehrdad.

Fantastic! Thank you.

I am so pleased that you enjoyed my game.

Yours.
Jay.

Cassiebsg · Fri 13/02/2015 23:08:31

Just gave it a try and it's very addictive!

I probably won't have the patience to complete it unfortunately, I never liked the "die and start over". Wish you had added more checkpoints, or even let the player "cheat" and save at each door.
Is there anyway to restore sanity?
I keep getting hit cause I get stuck trying to get on or leaving the stairs.

When on it you can walk slightly to the sides, but unless you're right at the top or at the bottom the you get "stuck" (meaning you leave the up/down view). Maybe you could have "locked" the player on the up/down views until one can actually walk away from the stairs?

Think I'll give the link to my dad, it's just his type of game.

RetroJay · Sat 14/02/2015 10:44:11

Hi Cassiebsg.

Thank You for playing, I'm glad that you like it.

After reading your suggestions...

WATCH THIS SPACE!
I am, at this very moment, trying to implement an 'Easy Mode' where the game will 'Auto-Save' after painting every door.
Also I have sorted the ladders out, just now infact. (Dan always has his back to you and only side steps on the ladders until you reach the top or bottom.)
I think it looks better. (Never was happy about the way I had it but suddenly had an apostrophe.)

Hopefully, I will be able to upload yet another version before I got to work, this evening.
If not then it will be Monday evening.

Yours.
Jay.

Cassiebsg · Sat 14/02/2015 12:14:56

Sounds great Jay!

don't forget to update the trophy to show "easy mode".

RetroJay · Sat 14/02/2015 16:58:58

Hi Cassiebsg an All.

Just to let you all know that I have up-loaded yet another version of 'The Decorator'.

Working on Cassiebsg's suggestions I have Implemented: Two gaming Modes.
1- Normal Mode. (Three Checkpoints throughout game.)
2- Easy Mode. (Checkpoints on every door that you paint.)

Other Changes.
1- There is an extra boost of Sanity in the Mansion, should you require it. (Only appears after door 4 is painted.)
2- The Back of Dan is now only shown when on the ladders, he will not turn to the side view unless he has reached the top or bottom of a ladder.
3- There are now two Trophies to be awarded, a Gold in 'Normal Mode' and a Silver in 'Easy Mode'. (Although nobody was supposed to know about these until they found them.)

4- Readme File has been updated... Please read.

I have been working on this version all day and have managed to get this done just before going to work.
This means that I haven't had time to thoroughly test it, like I would have liked to.
If any bugs have slipped through the net then please let me know and I will try to rectify them Monday.

Yours.
Jay.

AnasAbdin · Sat 14/02/2015 17:02:54

Kudos to Jay for being very patient and editing the game according to the people's demands! A real great game developer

Vincent · Sat 14/02/2015 17:11:45

I thank thee RetroJay <3
This is for people like me : Easy Mode. (Checkpoints on every door that you paint.)

Amazing!

Thank you very much RetroJay again, and for your patience too

AprilSkies · Sat 14/02/2015 17:26:06

Yeah Jay!
I didn't see no one aditing so fast ^^
Those are just gift to the players ^^ te game was already good itself tho

AnasAbdin · Sat 14/02/2015 17:33:52

Quote from: AprilSkies on Sat 14/02/2015 17:26:06
te game was already good itself tho

This game is so good we are dying to play it and determined to finish it

Vincent · Sat 14/02/2015 17:41:28

Quote from: AnasAbdin on Sat 14/02/2015 17:33:52
This game is so good we are dying to play it and determined to finish it

Damn yeah, I want to get both of the thropies now!

Cassiebsg · Sat 14/02/2015 19:49:04

Thanks Jay! This is great!

Believe it or not, but I managed to have to re-start the game in easy mode, and I was already at door 5... I painted it, but only had "one" sanity left and no time to leave the door to a safe place...

But totally my fault, cause I decide to risk it, even though I was 99,99% sure I would not make it...

EDIT: Stuck at the last ~~door~~ paint...

RetroJay · Sat 14/02/2015 23:10:34

Hi Cassiebsg.

I am at work typing this on my phone.
I have sent you a pm with a hint.

I will check back later to see if you need another hint.

Yours.
Jay.

Cassiebsg · Sun 15/02/2015 10:42:35

Thanks bunch for the hint... but now...

Possible spoilers ahead:

Spoiler

Is that actual math? Do I need to add colors and make new colors?
I admire those who get the riddle with no hints! And you for thinking of it!

I've been tying to figure it out since the game started...

But if it's actual trigonometry, then I have a chance in hell, cause I can barely remember much if anything at all... I always sucked at math.
But if it's logic, then don't send a hint, I like logic challenges.

[close]

EDIT: I love it when a plans comes together.

EDIT2: Finished!

Spoilers ahead:

Spoiler

A pixel hunt right at the end?

[close]

RetroJay · Sun 15/02/2015 17:56:35

Hi Cassiebsg.

I'm happy that my hint helped and I'm glad that you finished.

So you managed to solve the last puzzle without too much problem then.

Did you get your Trophy?

Spoiler

I'm sorry that you thought it was a pixel hunt at the end.

I personaly wouldn't have called it a pixel hunt, I thought of it more as just observation.
Also designed to encourage the player to go back into the garden and see the changes after Dan had performed his Ritual.

[close]

Anyway, I hope that you enjoyed the experience of being a... Decorator.

Thank you for playing.

Yours.
Jay.

Cassiebsg · Sun 15/02/2015 18:08:36

Quote from: RetroJay on Sun 15/02/2015 17:56:35
Spoiler
I'm sorry that you thought it was a pixel hunt at the end.
I personaly wouldn't have called it a pixel hunt, I thought of it more as just observation.
Also designed to encourage the player to go back into the garden and see the changes after Dan had performed his Ritual.
[close]

Spoiler

Yes, lovely Throphy!

Only reason I'm not "wearing it" yet is cause you made it a bmp, am not sure bmp works on the browser...
Well, I could not see it, so in the end, I went every where pressing A and Z until he said he got it.

I had even been there twice, but at that time I was still looking with my eyes, thinking I would be able to see it.
Oh, I did went into the garden just too see how it looked even before I noticed I couldn't leave the house just to see how it looked... I did wonder "Why didn't he just leave?" after the ritual...

[close]

RetroJay · Sun 15/02/2015 19:57:05

Haha!

Glad you got your trophy and put it on your signature.
That looks sooo cool.

Well done, my friend.

All you've got to do now is... Go For Gold!

Yours.
Jay

Cassiebsg · Sun 15/02/2015 21:17:23

PS - Forgot to ask, when will we see more levels?

RetroJay · Mon 16/02/2015 11:33:22

Hi All.

Sorry my replies have been brief.
I work all over the weekend with only limited internet on my phone.

Cassiebsg.

QuotePS - Forgot to ask, when will we see more levels?

Well... The comments that I have received from doing this game has certainly given me the enthusiasm to do more of the same.

Also I know more about creating these types of game, now... sort of. $:-\$
So with that in mind, we may see the return of Dan in the not so distant future.

Anasabdin, AprilSkies, Vincent and Cassiebsg. (In no set order.)

Thank you, all, ever so much for your very kind comments.
I like to take my time when creating a game so as when release time comes it should be 'Bug Free'.
Also, I like to listen to peoples opinions and make changes to a project, if it makes the game better for the player.

I'm absolutely thrilled that you all enjoyed playing 'The Decorator'.

Yours.
Jay.

RetroLee · Wed 18/02/2015 09:44:16

Love the graphics, gameplay and general feel of the game. For people not as brilliant as me.

(Not wanting to blow my own trumpet) I thought the implementation of an easy mode was a clever
idea.

Crimson Wizard · Mon 23/02/2015 14:53:05

This is made using Draconian Edition, correct?

I just want to mention that if anyone would like to run this game on Linux, you should use AGS 3.4.0 interpreter, which is compatible with Draconian, otherwise you will be getting errors like "unresolved import 'Character::ChangeRoom^4'".

RetroJay · Mon 23/02/2015 16:21:48

Hi Crimson Wizard.

Yes, You are correct. It has been made using the Draconian Edition.
Sorry if anyone has had problems running my game, I didn't realise that it would be a problem on Linux.

Thank you Crimson Wizard for posting a fix.

I like using the Draconian Edition because of the black scripting window mainly.
Also I think that the 'eFaceDirection' commands is a nice little touch.

Crimson.
How stable is 3.3.3 or even 3.4.0.
Would I be better off using one or the other now for future game development.

Yours.
Jay

Crimson Wizard · Mon 23/02/2015 17:22:33

Quote from: RetroJay on Mon 23/02/2015 16:21:48
How stable is 3.3.3 or even 3.4.0.
Would I be better off using one or the other now for future game development.

3.3.3 is very stable, but it does not have new Draconian scripting commands.
3.4.0 has (almost) all new Draconian scripting commands, but it is still in development and has bugs. Some people use it for making games though.

Thegolddiger · Thu 26/02/2015 17:47:26

This game is definitely weird.

RetroJay · Thu 26/02/2015 18:12:46

Hi Thegolddiger.

Weird in a good or bad way?
I would welcome any comment you have to make about it (All feedback is good.)

Yours.
Jay.

Thegolddiger · Mon 02/03/2015 18:26:58

Weird in a good way. It's a fun game.

RetroJay · Wed 04/03/2015 09:20:57

Hi Thegolddiger.

Thank you for playing my game.
I am happy that you enjoyed playing.

I must say that I am very pleased with the way my game has been received.
It was a lot of fun to make... most of the time.

We all may see Dan return in another adventure, in the not so distant future.

To everyone who has played 'The Decorcist'.
I thank you all.

Yours.
Jay.

RetroJay · Mon 09/03/2015 22:36:35

Hi All.

Please note:
I have changed the name of my game from 'The Decorator' to 'The Decorcist'.
The reason that I have done this is because I have seen another game online that I really would rather not have my game confused with.
Not that I suppose any of you really give a toss.

Just thought that I would mention it.

Yours.
Jay.

AprilSkies · Tue 10/03/2015 07:30:42

The Decorcist is BRILLIANT!!!!!

RetroJay · Tue 10/03/2015 13:34:14

Hi AprilSkies.

I'm glad that you like it.

I thought to my self 'Well he performs a Decorcism on the Mansion so he is a Decorcist'
You know I would have loved to have re-created the picture from 'The Exorcist'.
The one with the priest standing outside the house holding his bag but instead of him it would have been Dan.

SinSin · Fri 01/05/2015 22:09:45

Congrats on the release.

I enjoyed it greatly

Spoiler

Is that a Rick Dangerous 2 sound effect I hear ?

[close]

RetroJay · Fri 01/05/2015 23:23:31

Hi Sinsin.

Thank you for playing my game.

I am so happy that you enjoyed the experience of being a Decorcist.

Did you get your Trophy and more importantly... If you did, which one did you get?

Spoiler

Rick Dangerous 2. Never heard of it...Haha!

You are quite right, my friend, it is a sound effect from that AWESOME game.

[close]

Yours.
Jay.