Terror of the Vampire! [MAGS 2017]

Started by Scavenger, Sat 01/07/2017 11:39:27

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Scavenger

TERROR OF THE VAMPIRE!

A new Game by Eggie, Scavenger, and Samael

In the vaguely 19th century, in vaguely Eastern Europe, a vampire menace grips the countryside! The menace of superstition and the belief that vampires exist!

Join Dr. Ego Goodmind, BHD, as he does research for his newest psychology book, The Empirical Vampirical. But is he in over his incredibly big head this time? Only time will tell.



Featuring:

  • 8-bit Graphics with hand programmed raster effects.
  • Plenty of obtuse puzzles, and even more obtuse characters!
  • Animation! So much animation!
  • A searing critique of contemporary psychiatry (assuming you live in the 19th century)!

Download Link (24mb)

Click'd

#1
It even comes with an "Extras" folder. I like that.

Spoiler
If you try to pick up the chain after you freed Byron the game acts as if he's still there, the dialog plays. Greyed out, though.

And the game crashed. Some time later, that is. When talking to Hoxton.

---------------------------
in "GlobalScript.asc", line 1653
from "__DialogScripts.asc", line 12
from "Dialog 4", line 78

Error: FaceCharacter: characters are in different rooms
[close]

Eggie

Quote from: ClickClickClick on Sat 01/07/2017 11:57:37
Spoiler
If you try to pick up the chain after you freed Byron the game acts as if he's still there, the dialog plays. Greyed out, though.

And the game crashed. Some time later, that is. When talking to Hoxton.

---------------------------
in "GlobalScript.asc", line 1653
from "__DialogScripts.asc", line 12
from "Dialog 4", line 78

Error: FaceCharacter: characters are in different rooms
[close]
Hey, thanks for the reporting.
It's not pretty but this quick and dirty fix should at least stop the game from crashing at that moment: https://db.tt/jNWljByQn2

Scavenger


Mandle

Looks amazing!

I think this line in your blurb "But is he over his incredibly big head this time?" should maybe read: "But is he in over his incredibly big head this time?"

Can't wait to play!

DBoyWheeler

Played it for a bit...

Spoiler
I got to where the stool was, but when I tried to use the meat tenderizer item, the game crashed.
[close]

Scavenger

Spoiler
What did you use the meat tenderiser on? What was the error message? I can't find anything that would crash the game there.
[close]

DBoyWheeler

Spoiler
I was sitting on the stool after it rotted.  I tried to use the meat tenderiser on the stool while sitting.  But as soon as the cursor went over the stool, the game crashed.
[close]

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Riaise

Argh, I should have read this thread earlier. I've just had the same problem as DBoy.

Spoiler
I clicked the meat tenderiser while sitting on the stool and the game crashed with this message:
[close]

It's a shame, I'm really loving the game so far!

Shadow1000

I'm having the same crash. But is anyone sure that it's necessary to do that to solve the puzzle? I actually don't know the solution myself but if it can be solved another way then it's not a game-breaker.

SHADOW

Scavenger

Thanks for the feedback, everyone, I'll get to work bugfixing as soon as I can!

I hope at least y'all enjoy it even if it is (slightly) buggy.

I can tell you that using any item while sitting down is not the solution, at least.

Shadow1000

Quote from: Scavenger on Mon 03/07/2017 20:42:18

I can tell you that using any item while sitting down is not the solution, at least.

Well, what I was thinking is
Spoiler
that you want to get the bar owner to sit on the rotten stool. But you can't move any of the stools while he's out because he hears you. I am guessing that you have to muffle the sounds of moving the stools or something but I don't see any way to do that, so I moved on to playing the other games from the competition :)
[close]

Scavenger

Shadow1000:

Spoiler
while Hoxton is away, MOVE the table.
[close]

TooDrunkToFuck

I have some problem to play this game on fullscreen mode,  directdraw do not support 640*480 8bit, this graphic card don't support this resolution
if i select direct3d, driver of direct3d don't support 256 color.....
Any fix, please?

Scavenger

If you change the Graphics Filter to 4x nearest neighbour, it should try to run the game at a higher resolution. Unfortunately, if your graphics card is too new, you may have to play in a window instead!

TooDrunkToFuck

Quote from: Scavenger on Tue 04/07/2017 13:39:07
If you change the Graphics Filter to 4x nearest neighbour, it should try to run the game at a higher resolution. Unfortunately, if your graphics card is too new, you may have to play in a window instead!

i have a 6900 gpu, isn't too new, but fullscreen don't work on any mode.

:~(

Shadow1000

Quote from: Scavenger on Tue 04/07/2017 08:20:22
Shadow1000:

Spoiler
while Hoxton is away, MOVE the table.
[close]

Thanks! Even though there actually was a hint to this effect in the boy's room upstairs, I don't think I would have ever figured it out on my own.


Shadow1000

Arrrggghhh! I was really enjoying the game and then it crashed :(

Spoiler
when you use the item intended to unscrew the yoke and the bell falls, the game ends
[close]

I really hope there's a solution!


Scavenger

I don't get it. I tested that bit over and over, there's no crash there! Can you give me the error message that pops up? I've been trying to crush bugs since we released so any information is good x3

Shadow1000

I got the crash three times so there must be a way to trigger it :)

Message:

Quotein "VFX.asc", line 888
from VFX.asc", line 228

Error: DynamicSprite.Crop: requested to crop an area larger than the source

Thanks!


Mandle

Another bug:

Spoiler

If you have already revolved the table while the innkeeper is out of the room, and then try to sit on the rotten stool Ego says something like "I don't want to do that right now", but then turns invisible forever.
[close]

Scavenger

Shadow1000: Thanks for the exact bug, I won't need to trigger it to put in a patch for that.

Mandle: Some other people got that too, I'll have a look at what causes it.

Monsieur OUXX

 

Blondbraid

I just tried the game, love the story and visuals, but I'm stuck
Spoiler
how do you steal the tankard while the inleeper is outside?
[close]


Scavenger

Blondbraid:

Spoiler
How does he steal your soup? Copy him.
[close]

Mandle

Quote from: Blondbraid on Wed 05/07/2017 21:44:05
I just tried the game, love the story and visuals, but I'm stuck
Spoiler
how do you steal the tankard while the inleeper is outside?
[close]

Hehe...
Spoiler
Sorry, I just thought it a bit funny that you got stuck here because...well...you know... ;)
[close]

Riaise

How do you
Spoiler
cool down the cross?
[close]

Mandle

Quote from: Riaise on Thu 06/07/2017 11:04:52
How do you
Spoiler
cool down the cross?
[close]

Spoiler
You need a cool liquid to dip it in...
[close]

Monsieur OUXX

There should be a thread in "hints and tips"
 

Riaise

Thanks, Mandle. I had to start the game again because there is a bug stopping me from getting to that point.
Spoiler
Once Hoxton had broken the stool, I couldn't ask the barman to serve me anything else.
[close]
Also, I had another crash:
Spoiler
In the bell room, I went back down the ladder and when I returned the bell had stopped swinging and was stuck in the right-hand position. I left the room and returned again to see if that would fix it, but it just crashed instead.

[close]

I finally managed to finish the game after that, though! :-D It's a really great game, so many funny moments, and the graphics are fantastic! It's just a shame about the crashes!

Shadow1000

Quote from: Riaise on Thu 06/07/2017 14:22:31

I finally managed to finish the game after that, though! :-D It's a really great game, so many funny moments, and the graphics are fantastic! It's just a shame about the crashes!

How did you get past this point without crashing? I finished all the other games and I really want to finish this one so I can get on with posting my comments and voting. Thank you!


Riaise

@Shadow1000:
Spoiler
You mean in the bell tower? Don't leave the room once you're in there. You need to pick something up and use it to get up to the beam.
[close]
Or have you already done that?

Shadow1000

Quote from: Riaise on Thu 06/07/2017 15:00:25
@Shadow1000:
Spoiler
You mean in the bell tower? Don't leave the room once you're in there. You need to pick something up and use it to get up to the beam.
[close]
Or have you already done that?

Spoiler
Yup. I'm up there and I'm using the flattened crucifix on the yoke. The bell starts to drop and the game crashes.
[close]

I had this 4 times and can't get past this point.

Riaise

In that case I must have been lucky, because that's exactly what I did and the game carried on. Sorry about that. :-\

Shadow1000

Quote from: Riaise on Thu 06/07/2017 15:07:07
In that case I must have been lucky, because that's exactly what I did and the game carried on. Sorry about that. :-\

Okidokes. So far nothing from the author so I guess I'll call this one a wrap and proceed with my comments and voting.

Thanks anyway!

Mandle

Quote from: Shadow1000 on Thu 06/07/2017 15:10:10
Quote from: Riaise on Thu 06/07/2017 15:07:07
In that case I must have been lucky, because that's exactly what I did and the game carried on. Sorry about that. :-\

Okidokes. So far nothing from the author so I guess I'll call this one a wrap and proceed with my comments and voting.

Thanks anyway!

Have you tired playing the game on the alternate graphics setting? Sometimes the graphics setting can cause crashes with certain effects.

It would be a real shame if you didn't get to the end of this masterpiece because it is a very touching ending IMO...

Scavenger

I'm trying to fix it, I'll release a bugfixed version in a bit, I'm trying to get together all the bugs and do em at once.

Are you playing on fullscreen mode or something? What's different to the default?

Shadow1000

Quote from: Scavenger on Thu 06/07/2017 15:32:04
I'm trying to fix it, I'll release a bugfixed version in a bit, I'm trying to get together all the bugs and do em at once.

Cool! Will I be able to continue from where I left off or will my saved games not work with the new version?

Quote
Are you playing on fullscreen mode or something? What's different to the default?

Yes, playing in fullscreen. I can't remember if I changed any defaults but I don't think so.

Cheers

Blondbraid

Quote from: Scavenger on Wed 05/07/2017 22:13:48
Blondbraid:

Spoiler
How does he steal your soup? Copy him.
[close]
Spoiler
Now this might be silly to ask but...
How do I get soup?
[close]


Mandle

Quote from: Blondbraid on Thu 06/07/2017 16:42:26
Quote from: Scavenger on Wed 05/07/2017 22:13:48
Blondbraid:

Spoiler
How does he steal your soup? Copy him.
[close]
Spoiler
Now this might be silly to ask but...
How do I get soup?
[close]

Spoiler
You must find a way to convince the elitist chef that a bland ingredient is an awesome "hipster" way to recapture his "muse" for cooking
[close]

Scavenger

#41
Quote from: Blondbraid on Thu 06/07/2017 16:42:26
Spoiler
Now this might be silly to ask but...
How do I get soup?
[close]

Spoiler
Ask the Barman for some (There should be a "can I order anything"). If the cook won't let you have anything, well, you'd better solve his problem as well.
[close]

Also, I think I may have solved all the bugs, I'm just having a couple of people run through the game before I release it again. I'm not sure if save games will work, I really doubt it, but it's a really short game.

Shadow1000

#42
Quote from: Scavenger on Thu 06/07/2017 15:32:04

Are you playing on fullscreen mode or something? What's different to the default?

Ok I ran the setup and played in window mode and I was able to load my previous game and complete it.

All I can say is that this game is absolutely BRILLIANT - beginning to end! The ending honestly outweighs the frustration of the crashing; I'm glad I persisted. I'll post my comments when I vote (although I've finished all the games, I am still undecided, especially after playing this one!)

You guys definitely have a talented team. Congrats on that and I hope to see more titles from you guys.

Scavenger

Alright! I think I've fixed ALL the bugs. It shouldn't crash again. You can download it from the game site or from this mirror:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0zq42b3o8gsmmsv/Terror_of_the_Vampire_v1.32.zip?dl=0

SilverSpook

Awesome game, and very funny. Graphics are stellar, animations are amazing, pretty much everything is amazing here. It's also got something to say, and a heart, beneath the cartoon exterior, which you can't say about every game. Five overweight rodents out of five! :D

Tycho Magnetic Anomaly

#45
Well, there is no doubt in my mind this game is at such a high standard, and perhaps I was lucky to play this after bugs had been ironed out but I will ignore them and focus on your game.
The graphics are wonderfully charming, and so much of it too. As with the graphics the characters and their dialogs fit the bill so perfectly.
I assume you made the music custom for the game? and its great, but I thought some of music distracted away from the atmosphere of the game, I think if you toned down the beats of one or two of them they would set more into the atmosphere of the game.
The work gone into this astounds me considering the time it had to be done in, and some of the effects seem to really be pushing AGS such as that amazing glass refraction.. just wow. I cant tell you how long i spend scrutinizing that refraction ;)
The composition of the rooms are top notch, and I really admire and am inspired by how you  use the foreground layers to help compose your scenes.


I have not completed this game yet, but felt I had played more then enough to give feedback, so I may comment a bit more when I complete it fully.

Considering the clear amount of work gone into this in such a short space of time it is a true achievement you got it done. No reason why you cant make a few bob on this by making further improvements and expanding on it more.

Well done.


Thanks Mandle:
Ok I actually rated this game but no orange mugs appeared, and its not giving me an option to rate again.

Mandle

Quote from: Tycho Magnetic Anomaly on Sat 08/07/2017 16:53:31
some of the effects seem to really be pushing AGS such as that amazing glass refraction.. just wow. I cant tell you how long i spend scrutinizing that refraction ;)

Yeah, me too! I spent a lot of time just scanning back and forth and checking out how that refraction worked...

Still have no idea!

Blondbraid

I'm stuck again.
Spoiler
I have garlic, a stake and lard, but I still don't know what I need to do to free Byron.
[close]


Scavenger

Quote from: Blondbraid on Sat 08/07/2017 19:28:51
I'm stuck again.
Spoiler
I have garlic, a stake and lard, but I still don't know what I need to do to free Byron.
[close]

Spoiler
USE the LARD on the CHAIN. Also, if you haven't got a tankard of ale by now, you'll have to restart, since that's a walking dead we accidentily left in there. I've fixed it but haven't published the fixed version yet.
[close]

Blondbraid

I just finished the game, and I must say that it is a very good game, even if I felt very directionless in the beginning.
Music, graphics and atmosphere are absolutely top-notch, the characters and story were fun and memorable and the ending was surprisingly touching.
All in all you have made a great game Scavenger!


Riaise

Quote from: Tycho Magnetic Anomaly on Sat 08/07/2017 16:53:31
Ok I actually rated this game but no orange mugs appeared, and its not giving me an option to rate again.

The orange mugs will only appear after enough people (I think five?) have rated the game. :) Your rating still counts towards the total.

Pilchard

#51
I've played this now - excellent work!

Technically very impressive, from the level of animation to the array of visual effects (it does several things that I imagine are quite tricky in AGS),

There's a lot of strong writing running through the game. I like how each character had a distinctive voice that came across in just about every line they were given. Also you've gone to the trouble of plenty of specially handled (and often wordy) events for trying different things out. There were only a few things I attempted that got no response from the game.

It's neat how
Spoiler
you end up losing all of your vampire-hunting inventory in your efforts to reach Byron in the bell tower.
[close]
The overall puzzle structure was quite clever, and that's a good example.

Spoiler
The manipulation of the GUI in the finale was a novel twist - fun to see this used to serve the plot.
[close]
The latest version seems pretty robust, no bugs encountered!

Monsieur OUXX

By the way, before I forget --> This game should be nominated for best AGS programming.
 

Mandle

Quote from: Monsieur OUXX on Thu 13/07/2017 11:42:28
By the way, before I forget --> This game should be nominated for best AGS programming.

For the visual effects?

I was wondering about that actually: were the visual effects all original coding or were pre-existing modules used/borrowed from at all?

Monsieur OUXX

#54
Quote from: Mandle on Thu 13/07/2017 12:36:53
were the visual effects all original coding or were pre-existing modules used/borrowed from at all?
It's the result of the many months of Scavenger's "research and development" 8-) -- you can have a glimpse here : http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=52909.msg636525865#msg636525865

@Scavenger: you forgot to write the "About" screen, even in version 1.33.

Suggestions:
Spoiler

  - when the player does the wrong action when trying to achieve something while the innkeeper walks out, he has to suffer the whole walking back of the innkeeper and his animation drinking his beer. You should make that a cutscene, it's excruciatingly long, especially if you fail repeatedly to find the right action.
  - when the vampire hunter sends you on a quest to get some items, then there is no dialog reminding you of what you must do. I'm stuck there because I don't know what she expects from me.
[close]

 

Tabata

Like it has been said often already - those graphics and animations are sooo good and the story was very entertaining.

Had several probs during the play that I think already have been mentioned (and fixed in the new version)
Spoiler
like
> the crash when sitting on the rotten chair and using the knife on it
> or the main char becoming invisible for the complete entering and climbing in the tower until reaching the bell
> and walking up near to the beam (without the ladder!) to get stuck there.
[close]

That aside it is a great game and hopefully the beginning of a bigger one. 


Tabata

Thank you, Monsieur OUXX, but you might have misunderstood what I tried to say in the spoiler.
I was stuck because of a bug/dead end.

I simply replayed that part and completed the nicely done game before I posted my note :grin:
but knowing about a wt and where to find will be cool for all the players to come. ;)

selmiak

Finally I got around to playing this game. I was clueless at first but then the story gets traction. The characters are well developed (but the vampire hunter's english is making my head hurt :P) and sometime a bit too wordy but towards the end it get more to be a story. The animations and backgrounds are top notch and the coded gfx effects are a joy to look at. I moved around the tavern alot just to see the lamp do all the distortions. The funny animations and jokes in the dialogs and wrong use of items cheer up the grim story of the vampire. What a great game this is!!! ;-D
Sadly I can't longplay it as the fx clog up my memory when the recorder is running too...

selmiak

And then I did a longplay of this cool game. The complete playthrough is ~1 hour long and I hope I got most of the dialog in some usefull order to make sense while watching the longplay of the game/story if you don't want to complete this game yourself. enjoy!







blur

 Lured by the advertisement in the forum thread called "AGS Awards 2017 - For your consideration", I tried to load the game but all I got was
No placeholder functions for the plugin 'agspalrender' found. The game might fail to load.
Loading game failed with error:
Script link failed: Runtime error: unresolved import 'PALInternal::LoadCLUT^1'.

The game files may be incomplete, corrupt or from unsupported version of AGS.91
(wtf)
Which now begs the two questions:
Where can I find the sources for the agspalrender plugin?
Will there be another version of the game that uses a module instead of a plugin?
???

Crimson Wizard

@blur, are you running on Windows, or another system?

blur

No and yes.
I tried to run the game with the AGS engine Version 3.4.1.11 on a 64 bit Debian/Linux.

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