Author Topic: MAGS March “Glass of Water” (RESULT) (Read 3468 times)

Stupot · « **on:** 01 Mar 2019, 07:09 »

The voting is over and we have a runaway winner:

Hydrate by Retro Wolf!

Well done, sir. You'll be contacted soon about coming up with a topic for May.

Thanks a lot to all participants and voters.

	Hydrate by Retro Wolf
	Flukie by VampireWombat
	Suspicious Mind by Creamy and Kastchey

Topic: Glass of water
Suggested by: Cassiebsg and morganw

The theme for this month is "glass of water".
Specifically the game must display the text "glass of water" during a complete playthrough.
Use of any pre-existing assets is permitted.

Rules:

the case of the text may be modified
e.g. "GLASS OF WATER" or "Glass of water"
the text can be part of a longer phrase
e.g. "I'd like a glass of water"
the game name must not reference a glass of water
(this is to help ensure that game names are not duplicated and that the text displaying requirement is not met by the title screen)

Deadline March 31st

competition.

What is MAGS?

Started in 2001, MAGS is a competition for amateur adventure game makers. The idea is to create a game in under a month, following the rules set by the previous winner. It aims to help you work to a deadline, improve your skills, and provide a kick-start into making adventure games. Regardless of skill, MAGS is for everyone. Voting is based on "favourite" games, and not the most artistic, or the best coded. If you have bad art skills, use it as a chance to do some graphic work. If you're sub-standard at coding, use it as a chance to give scripting a go. Ultimately, people will vote for the most enjoyable entry.

Rules

Entering MAGS is simple. First, conceptualise your game following the month's criteria (see above). Second, create your game fuelled only by coffee. Finally, post your game in this thread, including:

* A working download link
* The title of your game
* A suitable in-game screenshot

At the end of the month, voting will begin, usually lasting for fourteen days and the winner chooses the next month’s theme.

Nixxon · « **Reply #1 on:** 01 Mar 2019, 11:26 »

I'll drink to that.

VampireWombat · « **Reply #2 on:** 01 Mar 2019, 12:59 »

Hmm. I have to wonder if using the alien that was going to be in last month's game and exploring a different area would be going against the spirit of MAGs. I'd still have the alien crash to Earth, but it would be exploring a house.

Cassiebsg · « **Reply #3 on:** 01 Mar 2019, 13:00 »

@VW

Quote

Use of any pre-existing assets is permitted.

VampireWombat · « **Reply #4 on:** 01 Mar 2019, 13:54 »

Alright, I think the ideas I've had in the last hour are enough to take things enough in a different direction to not need to fear upsetting the spirit. Subverting, parodying, and otherwise ruining scifi tropes is a go.

HanaIndiana · « **Reply #5 on:** 02 Mar 2019, 00:01 »

I love this place. You guys crack me up.

VampireWombat · « **Reply #6 on:** 06 Mar 2019, 21:44 »

So, umm... Am I going to be competing against myself this month?
Someone could make a Maniac Mansion Mania game where weird Ed's latest hobby is ventriloquism and you offer him a glass of water, for example.
Or a game somewhat influenced by Jurassic Park and vibrations from some creature cause ripples in a glass of water.
Perhaps your character is stranded in a desert and hallucinates a glass of water.
Maybe characters are forming a band and one of the people rubs their finger over a glass of water.
Have a game that you want to make, but have no idea how to use a glass of water? Use a glass of water as a MacGuffin or red herring item.

Perhaps this might inspire someone?

Slasher · « **Reply #7 on:** 08 Mar 2019, 19:51 »

You never know

Stupot · « **Reply #8 on:** 08 Mar 2019, 23:24 »

Quote from: Slasher on 08 Mar 2019, 19:51

You never know

Oh, hello. Is there something we should know, Slasher?

Slasher · « **Reply #9 on:** 09 Mar 2019, 10:18 »

Quote from: Stupot on 08 Mar 2019, 23:24

Quote from: Slasher on 08 Mar 2019, 19:51
You never know

Oh, hello. Is there something we should know, Slasher?

I have not decided... So who knows?

VampireWombat · « **Reply #10 on:** 13 Mar 2019, 11:47 »

So... Still no one else officially participating?

I've been struggling a bit with mine, so it looks like it's going to go in a very different direction than was originally planned. The beginning is going to be more or less the same, but the core game will be quite different.

Blondbraid · « **Reply #11 on:** 13 Mar 2019, 16:38 »

Quote from: VampireWombat on 13 Mar 2019, 11:47

So... Still no one else officially participating?

Wait, what? Slasher isn't making a MAGS entry?!

Slasher, are you alright?

Slasher · « **Reply #12 on:** 13 Mar 2019, 17:22 »

Well, if i get a couple of free days

VampireWombat · « **Reply #13 on:** 16 Mar 2019, 14:19 »

I'm wondering why the lack of interest this month. Is the theme not inspiring? Is everyone on vacation or something? Is everyone burnt out on making MAGs games?
I can understand the feeling burnt out option, since that's how I'm feeling. Especially with no one officially making a game and Slasher only being a maybe. There's a certain energy seeing other people posting progress on their games.

I see 4 possible ways for me to continue with my game. I could just make it more or less how I planned at the beginning of the month. I could convert it into a Maniac Mansion Mania game. I could use the newer ideas I've had the last week or so make it a longer and possibly more fun game. Or I could just put in the least effort possible. Each option has its own merits.

Durq · « **Reply #14 on:** 16 Mar 2019, 14:33 »

Quote from: VampireWombat on 16 Mar 2019, 14:19

I'm wondering why the lack of interest this month. Is the theme not inspiring? Is everyone on vacation or something? Is everyone burnt out on making MAGs games?
I can understand the feeling burnt out option, since that's how I'm feeling. Especially with no one officially making a game and Slasher only being a maybe. There's a certain energy seeing other people posting progress on their games.

I see 4 possible ways for me to continue with my game. I could just make it more or less how I planned at the beginning of the month. I could convert it into a Maniac Mansion Mania game. I could use the newer ideas I've had the last week or so make it a longer and possibly more fun game. Or I could just put in the least effort possible. Each option has its own merits.

I think the theme is fine. I had a slight case of burnout from entering MAGS two months in a row. How far along is your game?

Slasher · « **Reply #15 on:** 16 Mar 2019, 17:43 »

It matters not if you are the only horse in the race....

It's happened to me a couple of times

Burnt out is a loss of inspirations.....I'm far from that...

VampireWombat · « **Reply #16 on:** 16 Mar 2019, 18:38 »

Quote from: Durq on 16 Mar 2019, 14:33

I think the theme is fine. I had a slight case of burnout from entering MAGS two months in a row. How far along is your game?

Yeah. And working on 3 last month didn't do me any favors.
I have the 2 space scenes and the alien design. If I do the longer game, then I have the background for one area maybe 1/8th done. And I have base code for minigames if I go with the longer game.

Quote from: Slasher on 16 Mar 2019, 17:43

Burnt out is a loss of inspirations.....I'm far from that...

I don't quite agree. Burnout can also be from expending too much creative energy, loss of motivation, or loss of purpose.

Kastchey · « **Reply #17 on:** 16 Mar 2019, 19:46 »

The theme is fun and I'd love to join but I won't have enough time to put a game together this month.

Though if someone's thinking of submitting a short entry and could use a little help with sprites and backgrounds to meet the deadline, let me know.

Cassiebsg · « **Reply #18 on:** 16 Mar 2019, 20:41 »

VW, put up a start, then an end... then fill in the middle as time allows.
If you can fill little "meat" in, we get a shorter game. If you can fill half of your planned, then we get a medium game. And if you manage to get everything in, we get a complete game. But in any of these scenarios we get a game!

I would hate for it to end in nothing again.

VampireWombat · « **Reply #19 on:** 16 Mar 2019, 21:09 »

Actually, I've thought of some ideas this afternoon and think I've come up with another option. A game set mostly in a single room and mostly dialog driven. It would have at least 2 possible endings depending on dialog options chosen.

KyriakosCH · « **Reply #20 on:** 21 Mar 2019, 22:05 »

Quote from: VampireWombat on 06 Mar 2019, 21:44

So, umm... Am I going to be competing against myself this month?
Someone could make a Maniac Mansion Mania game where weird Ed's latest hobby is ventriloquism and you offer him a glass of water, for example.
Or a game somewhat influenced by Jurassic Park and vibrations from some creature cause ripples in a glass of water.
Perhaps your character is stranded in a desert and hallucinates a glass of water.
Maybe characters are forming a band and one of the people rubs their finger over a glass of water.
Have a game that you want to make, but have no idea how to use a glass of water? Use a glass of water as a MacGuffin or red herring item.

Perhaps this might inspire someone?

x1 x2 x4 x8

That looks pretty scary

VampireWombat · « **Reply #21 on:** 22 Mar 2019, 15:40 »

I don't know if it's that scary...

And I honestly have no idea what game I'm actually going to make for this month. There's still time to do the longer game if I can actually get sprites made. There's also a chance I could do the first game I mentioned at the beginning of the month. Or the one room game. Or I may just end up doing a game based on the "scary" image. But I will do something, even if it's only a minute long...

Retro Wolf · « **Reply #22 on:** 24 Mar 2019, 22:20 »

I will 100% release a short game in time for the deadline.
It's been too long since I finished a project so I scaled back my ambition and minimised animation.
95% artwork is original and drawn this month.
The game is pretty releasable as is, which is why it's a definite 100%.
So if I get enough time this last week I will polish it as much as I can.

Unless I get struck dead by lightning or something!

PM me if you want to test it and try and break the game for me.

VampireWombat · « **Reply #23 on:** 25 Mar 2019, 14:17 »

Ah, finally definite other game being made.
Now I almost feel bad that what I'm going to be making is based on/parodying 2 of the worst E.T. knockoff movies I know of and won't have any actual puzzles, just dialog choices. Almost.

Retro Wolf · « **Reply #24 on:** 26 Mar 2019, 09:16 »

I didn't announce I was working earlier on, because I've started a hundred games I've never finished!
Look forward to see what you come up with VampireWombat, even if it is a small project.

VampireWombat · « **Reply #25 on:** 26 Mar 2019, 12:08 »

Yes, I can kind of understand that. I think that I now have more unfinished MAGS games than I have finished.
Hopefully I won't disappoint. There won't be any normal exploration you'd expect from an adventure game and if the inventory is used at all, it'll only be in one room. In ways it will probably be closer to a visual novel.

Retro Wolf · « **Reply #26 on:** 27 Mar 2019, 13:32 »

You are Shar, the last remaining engineer on a heavily damaged mining station in deep space. Many are dead, water supplies are gone, the last high ranking officer is drunk out of his face, what will you do?!
A quick and easy point and click made for MAGS March 2019.
The theme is GLASS OF WATER.

Music by Eric Matyas.
Testing by Cassiebsg.

https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/2335/

It's been too long since I've finished a project, even though it's a small one, I enjoyed the process.
I'm releasing it before the deadline because I'll be too busy this week, but I consider it complete.
Special thanks to Cassiebsg for her input.

Walkthrough is bundled with the game.

Warning: No saving system, this might be a bit controversial, but due to the short length of the game I didn't bother.

Stupot · « **Reply #27 on:** 27 Mar 2019, 14:54 »

Looks neat, dude :-)

Stupot · « **Reply #28 on:** 30 Mar 2019, 23:20 »

Does anyone need a little more time?

Kastchey · « **Reply #29 on:** 31 Mar 2019, 10:06 »

Perhaps... we might have something, but it's uncertain whether or not we will manage to deliver even with the extension.
I'll try to confirm ASAP.

Congratulations on your Lifetime Achievement, by the way!

Edit: Ours is unlikely to be finished today, too much going on. We could try with an extension if any was given but as we both agreed that we would finish the game no matter within or outside of the competition, any decision will be fine

VampireWombat · « **Reply #30 on:** 31 Mar 2019, 15:01 »

An extension would be great. I could technically finish today, but an extra day or two would make a big difference.

Retro Wolf · « **Reply #31 on:** 31 Mar 2019, 17:08 »

I have no problem with an extension if people need it, but I'm leaving my game as it is.

Creamy · « **Reply #32 on:** 31 Mar 2019, 21:24 »

*wipes his greasy hands.

I confirm that Kastchey and I need an extension.

VampireWombat · « **Reply #33 on:** 31 Mar 2019, 22:01 »

I will continue under the assumption of an extension, but I will have a semi playable version prepared just before the deadline just in case...

Unfinished, barely playable version that will hopefully be finished if/when there's the extension. Probably buggy, doesn't have all the dialog options, doesn't have finished art for most things, and doesn't have the intro or true endings.

https://vampirewombat.itch.io/flukie

Ponch · « **Reply #34 on:** 01 Apr 2019, 01:02 »

Quote from: VampireWombat on 16 Mar 2019, 14:19

I'm wondering why the lack of interest this month. Is the theme not inspiring? Is everyone on vacation or something? Is everyone burnt out on making MAGs games?

I never announce when I'm working on a MAGS entry anymore because I never finish them. For example, I started one this month with a very nice glass of water as an inventory item, but I'm not even halfway done with it.

It's embarrassing how many of these half-finished things I've accumulated on my hard drive over the years. I miss the days when I had more free time.

VampireWombat · « **Reply #35 on:** 01 Apr 2019, 12:53 »

Quote from: Ponch on 01 Apr 2019, 01:02

I never announce when I'm working on a MAGS entry anymore because I never finish them. For example, I started one this month with a very nice glass of water as an inventory item, but I'm not even halfway done with it.

It's embarrassing how many of these half-finished things I've accumulated on my hard drive over the years. I miss the days when I had more free time.

I guess I can kind of understand. I tend to talk about mine in the threads as a way of motivation. Which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't.

I think I'm up to about a 80% failure rate on completing games. But each one does go towards helping me improve in some way, so none of them are total failures.

Cassiebsg · « **Reply #36 on:** 01 Apr 2019, 13:43 »

Better try and fail than fail for not even trying... (or something like that

)

Retro Wolf · « **Reply #37 on:** 01 Apr 2019, 13:58 »

I've been indie games making 10 years, I'd imagine about 50 projects abandoned!

But most of them I learned something definitely, I know a lot more now then I did then.
Shame I don't have as free much time now like I did in the beginning.

VampireWombat · « **Reply #38 on:** 01 Apr 2019, 23:10 »

I really hope the extension wasn't until 50 minutes from now or 10 minutes ago. Here's what I currently have just in case.
Still not done. But has more than yesterday's version.

https://vampirewombat.itch.io/flukie

Kastchey · « **Reply #39 on:** 02 Apr 2019, 00:38 »

Usually if there was an extension given, it would have been until Stu closed the competition so I think you've safely delivered, VW

Ours is *almost* playable so if we are still allowed to finish and submit it today - great, if not then it's 100% fine, it's the second day past the deadline so we've already pushed it...

Stupot · « **Reply #40 on:** 02 Apr 2019, 06:29 »

I’ll be wrapping this up about 8am Wednesday morning Japan time, so that’s midnight UK time.

VampireWombat · « **Reply #41 on:** 02 Apr 2019, 22:37 »

Not as finished as I'd like, but ah well.

https://vampirewombat.itch.io/flukie

Creamy · « **Reply #42 on:** 02 Apr 2019, 23:59 »

Here you go:

It's untested and probably buggy as hell but finishable.

Suspicious mind

WARNING: contains violence and strong language.

Kastchey · « **Reply #43 on:** 03 Apr 2019, 00:01 »

Don't worry, if Stupot shows up we'll scare him away. With a Gamera.

Edit:
It's up, nice! And a little screenshot to go with it:

Shadow1000 · « **Reply #44 on:** 03 Apr 2019, 02:52 »

Quote from: Creamy on 02 Apr 2019, 23:59

Here you go:

It's untested and probably buggy as hell but finishable.

Suspicious mind

WARNING: contains violence and strong language.

Cool game. How do you save?

Stupot · « **Reply #45 on:** 03 Apr 2019, 04:21 »

Time for the voting. Three games this month.
Thanks for the last-minute entries. Now we have a contest on our hands.
Please vote using the poll above.

	Hydrate by Retro Wolf
	Flukie by VampireWombat
	Suspicious Mind by Creamy and Kastchey

Let me know if I've missed anything out.

Kastchey · « **Reply #46 on:** 03 Apr 2019, 07:59 »

Quote from: Shadow1000 on 03 Apr 2019, 02:52

Cool game. How do you save?

Mm.. Possibly.. you don't? I made GUI elements for loading, but I'm not sure if Creamy had a chance to add the script.
We had a tight time budget :<

Best if he confirms, though.

Creamy · « **Reply #47 on:** 03 Apr 2019, 14:02 »

Quote

Mm.. Possibly.. you don't? I made GUI elements for loading, but I'm not sure if Creamy had a chance to add the script.
We had a tight time budget

Exactly. I've coded the load button but not the save one.
The closure was really hectic. That's the charm of MAGS competitions

Shadow1000 · « **Reply #48 on:** 03 Apr 2019, 14:58 »

Quote from: Creamy on 03 Apr 2019, 14:02

Quote
Mm.. Possibly.. you don't? I made GUI elements for loading, but I'm not sure if Creamy had a chance to add the script.
We had a tight time budget

Exactly. I've coded the load button but not the save one.
The closure was really hectic. That's the charm of MAGS competitions

Completely understood. Do you think you might add this in and re-release the game, even though the contest is closed? I'll explain why this is important for this game in my comments.

Cassiebsg · « **Reply #49 on:** 03 Apr 2019, 15:43 »

I'll join Shadow in the request for a saveslot...

Shadow1000 · « **Reply #50 on:** 03 Apr 2019, 16:11 »

Here are my comments on the games:

Hydrate:

Spoiler: Show

Flukie:

Spoiler: Show

Suspicious Mind

Spoiler: Show

My vote went to:

Spoiler: Show

Honestly, it should serve as a model for how MAGS entries are done well...

Kastchey · « **Reply #51 on:** 03 Apr 2019, 16:22 »

I can understand how not being able to save makes the game hardly playable. Adding f5 and f7 hotkeys to invoke the standard save and restore GUIs should be a quick fix, I think

Shadow1000 · « **Reply #52 on:** 03 Apr 2019, 16:29 »

Quote from: Kastchey on 03 Apr 2019, 16:22

I can understand how not being able to save makes the game hardly playable. Adding f5 and f7 hotkeys to invoke the standard save and restore GUIs should be a quick fix, I think

I actually tried hitting some function keys just in case. I got the F9 which restarted the game. Better than getting shot

Creamy · « **Reply #53 on:** 03 Apr 2019, 16:51 »

I understand it too and I always meant to add it.

I don't want be unfair to the other contestants but I don't want to annoy the players either.

On the game page, the mirror link now takes you to a post MAGS version. Click on the floppy disk in the lower right corner to save.

Shadow1000 · « **Reply #54 on:** 03 Apr 2019, 18:17 »

Quote from: Creamy on 03 Apr 2019, 16:51

I understand it too and I always meant to add it.

I don't want be unfair to the other contestants but I don't want to annoy the players either.

On the game page, the mirror link now takes you to a post MAGS version. Click on the floppy disk in the lower right corner to save.

Hmm...I don't see the updated version...

Kastchey · « **Reply #55 on:** 03 Apr 2019, 18:33 »

That's because the updated version is in the mirror, rather than the main download... where it says: "If the download fails, try the mirror."

I think Creamy wanted to keep things fair and ensure that anyone who plays the game first downloads the version he uploaded before the final deadline.

VampireWombat · « **Reply #56 on:** 03 Apr 2019, 18:35 »

Quote from: Shadow1000 on 03 Apr 2019, 18:17

Hmm...I don't see the updated version...

https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/2337/mirror/

Cassiebsg · « **Reply #57 on:** 03 Apr 2019, 18:44 »

Even with the save game... $:-\$

Spoiler: Show

Kastchey · « **Reply #58 on:** 03 Apr 2019, 19:11 »

Hint 1:

Spoiler: Show

Hint 2:

Spoiler: Show

Solution, in case hints didn't help much:

Spoiler: Show

Cassiebsg · « **Reply #59 on:** 03 Apr 2019, 19:17 »

Spoiler: Show

good job, eve if slightly too frustrating. Also the save game might not help, if you pick the wrong option at the start.

Kastchey · « **Reply #60 on:** 03 Apr 2019, 19:35 »

Quote from: Cassiebsg on 03 Apr 2019, 19:17

Spoiler: Show Hide

Okay, that (the last clue) helped (barely)...
think the problem is that we're used to be "frozen" when in speech mode. That we don't even think about many of the options.

Spoiler: Show

Creamy · « **Reply #61 on:** 03 Apr 2019, 21:02 »

Spoiler: Show

Quote

good job, eve if slightly too frustrating. Also the save game might not help, if you pick the wrong option at the start.

Thanks Cassie. We may try to balance it later.

About the other games:

Flukie

Spoiler: Show

Hydrate

Spoiler: Show

Retro Wolf · « **Reply #62 on:** 03 Apr 2019, 21:28 »

Flukie

Spoiler: Show

Suspicious Mind

Spoiler: Show

Thanks to everyone who checked out my game!

VampireWombat · « **Reply #63 on:** 03 Apr 2019, 21:42 »

Thanks for the comments. At some point I'll probably take the time to make a longer version of Flukie with more areas, actual puzzles, and the addition of Twitch. Unfortunately I just didn't have enough time once I finally got into the groove of making it.

Shadow1000 · « **Reply #64 on:** 04 Apr 2019, 02:32 »

Thanks to VampireWombat for the download link.

I actually did not use the save, after all that! Last night I got stuck at the same place as Cassie, and the hints got me past there. I have the same concern that was already mentioned and honestly, I don't think I would have solved the end without the hints.

morganw · « **Reply #65 on:** 05 Apr 2019, 01:01 »

Hydrate

Spoiler: Show

Flukie

Spoiler: Show

Suspicious Mind

Spoiler: Show

I was torn between two, but went for:

Spoiler: Show

HanaIndiana · « **Reply #66 on:** 06 Apr 2019, 20:20 »

Great games everyone! I liked the different takes on the theme.

Stupot · « **Reply #67 on:** 15 Apr 2019, 02:05 »

Last chance to get your votes in. Make it count.

Stupot · « **Reply #68 on:** 17 Apr 2019, 04:41 »

The voting is over and we have a runaway winner:

Hydrate by Retro Wolf!

Well done, sir. You'll be contacted soon about coming up with a topic for May.

Thanks a lot to all participants and voters.

Kastchey · « **Reply #69 on:** 17 Apr 2019, 06:59 »

Congratulations RetroWolf, well done!

Retro Wolf · « **Reply #70 on:** 17 Apr 2019, 10:35 »

Thanks to everyone who played my game! I hope you guys will like my selected theme for May, I've had it in mind for a long time.

Cassiebsg · « **Reply #71 on:** 17 Apr 2019, 10:48 »

Congrats and looking forward to see what it will be.

Shadow1000 · « **Reply #72 on:** 17 Apr 2019, 14:52 »

Congrats! Well done

Creamy · « **Reply #73 on:** 18 Apr 2019, 19:46 »

Glasses up to Retrowolf!

Shadow1000 · « **Reply #74 on:** 18 Apr 2019, 20:49 »

Congrats, Retrowolf!

selmiak · « **Reply #75 on:** 22 Apr 2019, 09:48 »

*raises a glass of water on retrowolf*

Retro Wolf · « **Reply #76 on:** 22 Apr 2019, 21:12 »

Thanks everyone!

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Poll

What was your favourite game of MAGS March?

Author Topic: MAGS March “Glass of Water” (RESULT) (Read 3468 times)