MAGS June "Flight" (RESULT)

[Stupot]

Theme: Flight
Set by: ddavey1983

Here are the entries. Vote using the poll above:

	The Death of Oceanspirit Dennis by Ponch
	Flash McCoy by ddavey1983

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it Superman?

Or indeed a spacecraft, a balloon, a drone, an angel, a bee, a witch, a bat, a kite, a helicopter?

Any link to flight is the theme for this month's MAGS.








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 guidelines 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, conceptualize 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.

Remember that this is a challenge to see what you can do in a month, so any tinkering you do after that, including fixing minor glitches, is against the spirit of the competition. The exception to this is that you may go in and fix major, game-breaking bugs only during voting. We want you to have a game that voters can actually play and that runs on their machines.

So to reiterate, during the voting period fixing major, game-breaking bugs is okay, fixing minor glitches or making cosmetic changes is cheating.

Tips
Here are some ways to make sure you have a game to submit at the end of the month:
* Make a tiny game. Plan small, then cut it in half. Find shortcuts (e.g. if making walkcycles is time-consuming, make the characters static or have it in the first person).
* Plan to have your game playable and submittable with a week to spare. This way you have a week to fix bugs, add some flourishes and maybe even get someone to test it.
* Plan to submit it a day or so early. This way, if there are any technical issues with uploading, they can be sorted out in time.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Need a little help with graphics? Perhaps The AGS Trove has something you can use.
Don't want to go it alone? Try the Recruitment board.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Slasher]

If I can muster the energy I'm in...

A few ideas buzzing in my head....

[Mandle]

If I can muster the energy I'm in...

A few ideas buzzing in my head....

OH! HELLO old friend! Me and Stu were just talking about you yesterday. Glad to see you are still walking the earth. I hope to compete against you in this round.

[Ponch]

Very tentatively planning a small MAGS game this month. We'll see what happens.

[Slasher]

OH! HELLO old friend! Me and Stu were just talking about you yesterday. Glad to see you are still walking the earth. I hope to compete against you in this round.

Nice to hear from you to, Mandle.... I'm ok up to a point....usual age stuff

I will probably do something quite simple just to get me back into the flow...

Meanwhile, take it easy and good luck my friend...

[Mandle]

Cheers, Slasher... Feeling my age too. Oh well.

[ZapZap]

Is it ok if I recycle a barely started game I tried to make for another MAGS? (I think the theme was "Sky"?)
There were angels and planes involved...

[Ponch]

The month is half gone and my game is more than half done. This is the closest I've come to a finished MAGS game in quite some time! 

[ddavey1983]

I'm pretty sure I'm going to have an entry ready. It probably won't be as long as I intended but it'll be something.

And this one's not like the last two...

[Stupot]

How are we getting on, folks?

[Ponch]

Working on the closing cut scene this week.
Very small, simple game. I didn't have a ton of free time this month, but at least I'm going to finish this one. 

[Mandle]

Working on the closing cut scene this week.
Very small, simple game. I didn't have a ton of free time this month, but at least I'm going to finish this one. 

I'm so looking forward to playing one of your games again!

[ddavey1983]

On course to finish in time...I think!

[heltenjon]

Looking forward to what you guys have up your sleeves! I've been busy with work and some betatesting this month, so I'm ready for some MAGS goodness coming our way soon.

[Ponch]

I'm so looking forward to playing one of your games again!

Wait no longer! The future is now! 

THE LEGEND HAS RETURNED!

THE DEATH OF OCEANSPIRIT DENNIS
An OceanSpirit Dennis Game For MAGS

Almost in time to celebrate the 12th anniversary of the creation of Oceanspirit Dennis,* I am proud to present my incredibly crappy platform game based on Geof's old platform code from way, way back in the day.

Dennis has met his end and it's up to you to help him escape Heaven so he can get back to being a ninja-detective-pirate.

Features many if not all of the following things:
Shocking collision detection!
Shameless copyright infringement!
Embarrassing ancient code!
Nonexistent playtesting!
Lackluster effort overall!

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD!!
(Right Click and "Save As" if needed)


Thanks for playing!
____________________
* The anniversary was actually last month.

[heltenjon]

Always nice to read your Readme files, Ponch. 

[Ponch]

Always nice to read your Readme files, Ponch. 

Have you played the game? As much work went into the text file as the game. 

[heltenjon]

Always nice to read your Readme files, Ponch. 

Have you played the game? As much work went into the text file as the game. 

Yes, and currently I hate you.  This game really reaffirm my love for point and click adventure games and slow, complicated puzzle solving.

Currently at

Spoiler

Level 2 - Country Roads. Have managed to determine that the low road is the wrong one and the high road is bloody difficult.

[close]

[ddavey1983]

Flash McCoy
A traditional point-and-click adventure game



Flash McCoy, World War 1 flying ace once soared above the battlefields of France, downing multiple enemies before breakfast.
Now, down on his luck, he delivers the mail in the middle of nowhere and all he downs before breakfast are double whiskies.
However, Flash's quiet existence is about to be turned upside down when a routine delivery turns out to be anything but.

Made by GOC Games for MAGS June 2022.

https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/2620-flash-mccoy/
https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=60075.0

[heltenjon]

Hehe...I can't help but notice that I wrote (about Ponch's game)

This game really reaffirm my love for point and click adventure games and slow, complicated puzzle solving.

and  then this turn of phrase:

Flash McCoy
A traditional point-and-click adventure game

But Ponch, colour me confused. I retried your game today and got an ending. But I played level 2 with another tune and extra moving parts and everything. I thought I got there by going far enough to the right, but missing the final platform, but now I just don't know. If there's a secret level, I may have found it by mashing the keyboard. 

[Ponch]

But Ponch, colour me confused. I retried your game today and got an ending. But I played level 2 with another tune and extra moving parts and everything. I thought I got there by going far enough to the right, but missing the final platform, but now I just don't know. If there's a secret level, I may have found it by mashing the keyboard. 

Sorry, but there's no secret level. The vinyl record is just there to allow you to change the music to Sensei XL's second favorite song. The long platform ride back to the start of the level is just to waste the player's time add valuable play experience to the, um, game loop... or something. 

Playing Flash McCoy now. 

[heltenjon]

Sorry, but there's no secret level. The vinyl record is just there to allow you to change the music to Sensei XL's second favorite song. The long platform ride back to the start of the level is just to waste the player's time add valuable play experience to the, um, game loop... or something. 

I don't know of any vinyl record...so that must mean that I've hit this while falling to my...um...still-death some time? Works for me. I was sure there were more platforms, as well, but I must remember it wrong.

[Shadow1000]

I am having trouble downloading THE DEATH OF OCEANSPIRIT DENNIS. When I click the download link, I see a tab open in my browser and then it just shuts down. I suppose it could be my anti-virus but I don't see any warnings. Is there an alternative link or does anyone have any advice?

[Ponch]

I am having trouble downloading THE DEATH OF OCEANSPIRIT DENNIS. When I click the download link, I see a tab open in my browser and then it just shuts down. I suppose it could be my anti-virus but I don't see any warnings. Is there an alternative link or does anyone have any advice?

Really? Weird. I just tested it on my Win 11 laptop and my tablet and it worked. I'm not sure what's causing the problem. It's a direct link to my server. Maybe try "right click and save as"?

[Shadow1000]

I am having trouble downloading THE DEATH OF OCEANSPIRIT DENNIS. When I click the download link, I see a tab open in my browser and then it just shuts down. I suppose it could be my anti-virus but I don't see any warnings. Is there an alternative link or does anyone have any advice?

Really? Weird. I just tested it on my Win 11 laptop and my tablet and it worked. I'm not sure what's causing the problem. It's a direct link to my server. Maybe try "right click and save as"?

Ha! That actually worked. Chrome tried to block it but there was an option to keep the download so I have the game in my hands now. I hope to play it sometime tonight. Thank you!

[Ponch]

Ha! That actually worked. Chrome tried to block it but there was an option to keep the download so I have the game in my hands now. I hope to play it sometime tonight. Thank you!

I should have thought of that when I made the post for the game. I've fixed it now. That's what I get for being a grumpy old man. I know intellectually that Chrome is how most people see the web these days, but I'm still puttering around the Information Superhighway (in the slow lane, with my blinker on) using a fork of Firefox. I suppose I need to get with the times... but I'm probably going to eat some oatmeal and take a nap. 

[Stupot]

Thanks for the entries folks. Voting will open soon, so start playing the games now!

[Stupot]

The voting is now open.

Here are the entries. Vote using the poll above:

	The Death of Oceanspirit Dennis by Ponch
	Flash McCoy by ddavey1983

Happy voting, everyone.

Why not consider making a game for MAGS July.
The topic is "Masquerade

[heltenjon]

My thoughts this month:

The Death of Oceanspirit Dennis by Ponch:

Spoiler

I have played some of these games, so I get some, but not all of the humour from the intro and ending. But as I understand it, there is little use in trying to find a coherent story - the joke is rather that it should turn outrageously at every chance. And so it does here, as well. The game proper is a platform game which I found bloody hard and frustrating, tumbling to my death at most opportunities. I accidentally triggered a music change and was sure I was at level 2 for some reason.  Anyway, the game works and speaks to the stubborn side of me, who says "just one more go". At the same time, feelgood it is not. It was a sigh of relief when I finally beat it. But I'm hardly a pro platform game player. I also let my kids play the jumping part, and they had fun with it. I'm also now singing the Geronimo song at all times. 

[close]

Flash McCoy by ddavey1983:

Spoiler

Good-looking and atmospheric, reminding me of old film serials that I've never seen, only heard of. It's a solid point and click with variety in the puzzles and a clear sense of purpose. I knew what I had to do at all times. Easy to moderate difficulty level, but fun while it lasted.

[close]

Who to vote for?

Spoiler

You could argue that I got several hours of entertainment from the OCD game, but as it is with platformers, most of the time I knew what to do, but simply didn't manage to execute it. Flash McCoy was a shorter experience, but as a adventure game fan at heart, I did enjoy it more, so it got my vote.

[close]

[Shadow1000]

My feedback:

Flash McCoy by ddavey1983:

Spoiler

Great adaptation of the theme. Good story-segment and appropriate-length for the contest. One of the challenges of creating an entry under time constraints is how to create something complete enough to be playable while providing enough fun for the player to have a good experience. This game really meets all the criteria. Just to round out my comments: lots of puzzles, but on the easier side; impressive graphics and animation.

[close]

The Death of Oceanspirit Dennis by Ponch:

Spoiler

I kinda got what was going on in the opening but got lost in the dialogue that seemed to really drag on so I ended up skipping it. I was able to jump from the first smiley-face-in-the air to the second and then to a third one. After about 5 minutes I asked myself if I was enjoying watching the character fall just to do it again and again. I answered myself "no" so I stopped playing

[close]

My vote:

Spoiler

Flash McCoy. The only thing that could be improved would be to tweak up the puzzle difficulty a notch but otherwise, very well done!

[close]

[Ponch]

Voted! 

[glurex]

My thoughts and feedback:

The Death of Oceanspirit Dennis by Ponch:

Spoiler

Since it's the first episode of OD that I have played, maybe 'The death of...' it's not the best way to start the saga. The intro was funny though and I liked the animations and music. Sadly I'm very bad at jump/plataform games, and I wasn't able to finish it. Sorry Ponch! 

[close]

Flash McCoy by ddavey1983:

Spoiler

Nice classical graphic adventure. I like the retro graphics style, the animations, the atmosphere... and the puzzles were right. The only weird thing is that I can't find the way to save the game (and there's an option to load) but this being a short game wasn't really a big problem. Enjoyable!

[close]

My vote is for:

Spoiler

Flash McCoy. Mainly because I like adventure-ish games and the game is well made! The ending makes me want to play the sequel.

[close]

[ddavey1983]

Thank you for all the feeback and for taking the time to play the game. I do really enjoy reading everyone's comments. Especially when they're positive!

I think pressing S brings up the save game dialogue. I wrote it in the readme but forgot to put it in the game itself! I usually have a little info button on the main menu that explains the key commands but apparently not this time!

[Ponch]

Congrats, ddavey1983. Your game was much better than mine. A well-deserved win. 

[Stupot]

Congratulations to ddavey for Flash McCoy. Well done on such an emphatic win. You may start thinking about a theme for August.

Comooserations, Ponch.

Thanks to everyone who voted.

[ddavey1983]

Thank you to everyone who voted, I'm really pleased!

Thanks for that as well Ponch, that's very kind. I loved your game too, even if I was rubbish at it!