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So for years after falling off the radar, I still love this community. You guys rock and I have a lot of legitimate friends from here.

I subscribed to UE4 a few months ago, as I still like to play around with game concepts (although terrible at completing thing).

In about 8 hours of messing around, I made a rather good (in my opinion) of replicating the gameplay feel of grim fandango (with a few modern aspects).

Ui system is totally incomplete. A basic inventory system and item pick up mechanics is next on the agenda. Point and click interface as opposed to "tank" controls should be easy enough to implement quickly.

Video here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KBaduuBrp-E

It begins...

[***Update***]

G'day.

As all (or most at the very least) of the Mittens attendees know, it was generally decided that Mittens 2012 would be held in the USA. More specifically the west coast.

I'd like to offer my services as host for the event if nobody has any issues with that. If you do just post and we can sort something out. Most likely Francisco will serve as a co-host as it may be easier dealing with American bank to bank transactions. (even though my Mastercard is accepted world wide)

There was some discussion about the slim possibility of hosting an Australian Mittens. I'd also like to get an opinion on that. Queensland has excellent beaches and the Great Barrier Reef. My suggestion would be somewhere like Airlie Beach, in the Whitsundays:

If this were the case, I'd suggest late October. October enjoys temperatures of around 28-30 Celsius, ideal for you northern hemisphere people. There are obviously a few detractors from the Australian Mittens Prospect. Large houses are not as common, so we might have to get holiday apartments. Airfares are pricey and flights are long.

Otherwise, California (most likely LA or San Fran), mid-late August.

***Update***

Ok, so I figured that Australian Mittens was not going to be a viable possibility (and I don't mind that at all!)

So sticking with the original plan and from what everyone has said, Mittens 2012 will be in California.

Here are a few of the properties I'd like to put forward.

*prices may vary due to taxes and extras*

The Pickford House

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p285192

23+ people (Blow up mattress up to 29), good reviews. Downside is there is no beach nearby.


Villa Bellagio

http://www.vacationpalmsprings.com/home_detail.php?home_name=la-quinta-luxury-pool-vacation-rental

9 Bedrooms & up to 32 people. This is the place to get if we get a good number of people.

The rate is $9197.63, which includes tax and cleaning costs. which is 367 for 25 people or 300 for 30. If we get the numbers, this house is incredible. Right near the Salton Sea!!

Restoration Oaks Retreat

http://www.restorationoaksretreats.com/index.html

Lovely ranch setting that sleeps 20-25ish. Pick Blueberries! See the youtube video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oDHEo2CZOs

$3990 for the Main ranch house and guest house. Close to Santa Barbara and Los Angeles

Beachfront Villas, Seal Beach

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p171375

3 villas in total with 9 bedrooms. Sleeps up to 24 people. Beachfront. Los Angeles location.

This is very pricy at 4000+ per villa. Probably out of the pricerange, but it's in a great location.

THE TITAN

http://www.houseboating.org/boat_info.cfm?id=453079412

The titan is a houseboat on Lake Shasta (northern California). It sleeps 22, has 3 levels, has a waterslide from the top level that spirals around and dumps you into the lake. It also costs a bunch at 13000 a week. Oh well, we can all dream of being on a boat.



So these are the current options I have found. Please take a look and let me know what you think. I'd love to get an idea of numbers as well, but it's probably too early for that.

In addition to the regular Mittens gathering, a number of us will be making a jaunt to San Francisco. This will most likely be the weekend after Mittens. I will be renting a car for the duration of Mittens plus the road trip. Not sure about having the car in San Francisco, but I'll decide that when I plan my trip as I'll be doing at least 3 weeks in America.

Hello fine AGS folks.

You may have heard on the news/internets that a rather devastating flood has hit Queensland and Brisbane. Fortunatly, the number of deaths cause by this disaster has been relatively low (16 at last count). Unfortunately, many people have had their homes and/or businesses destroyed.

I live in Graceville, a suburb on the south side of Brisbane. Well I lived there until the 12th of January, before floodwaters rose to levels where we had to abandon the house. We were lucky, as we made the decision to move all our internal goods to a friends house, on high ground. 614 Homes were affected by the flood in my suburb alone, making it the 5th most affected suburb in Brisbane, housing wise.

This is an event that I never believed I would be facing. I am living at a friends house until we are able to clean up thoroughly, with my parents doing the same at their friends house.

We have no flood cover on our insurance policy, as being in an area that has flooded before, even though our house is supposedly raised well above the predicted 100 year flood risk height, the insurers will not cover it. Supposedly our house should never have flooded, but we had 30cm of dirty, muddy water engulf our house.

I suppose I really just need to talk about this more, which is why I am sharing it here.

If you do feel it in your heart to donate some money to the flood appeal, you can do so here: http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html

This is a view from my driveway, just before I left my home on Wednesday morning.

So in Brisbane, Australia's first 'video-game' bar is opening next month. The Mana Bar is the creation of Guy “Yug” Blomberg and Ben “Yahtzee” Croshaw, former big-shot AGS creator, along with friends Pras Moorthy and Shay Leighton.


Look at him there in his fancy hat.





In addition to letting you play games while you drink, the venue will also cater for special events including game launch parties, games trivia nights hosted by Yahtzee, developer sessions and Q&As, as well as multiplayer gaming tournaments.

I will certainly be heading there once it opens, and you should check it out if you are ever in Brisbane. I've met Guy Blomberg before and he's a really down to earth and very cool guy. Be amazed by his card tricks!

Photos stolen from the Mana Bar facebook fan page http://www.facebook.com/TheManaBar and text mostly borrowed from this article http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/01/australias-first-video-game-bar-opening-next-month/

It has come to my attention that some game developers are removing their games after harsh criticism from other ags users and game players.

Now some people do this for pure infantile reasons, and some do it due to offensive comments from others. I don't like the way this is going. I created the game that inspired the p3n1sh award. Just ask DGMacphee. It received harsh critism from some users, and it received praise in its highest form (someone else created a remake, god knows why, Eric made a fan sprite). Would I consider removing it? No. It's legacy will remain forever, not that I'm proud of it (I sometimes wish it would just die), but it is still my work. I made the game for me and a friend (who created said character in biology class). Don't listen to people. Make games for you primarily, then the audience. You are all creatives, and you deserve to have your work praised and criticised.

Look at modern art for god sakes. I say a guy in a bear suit is not art, yet others say it is. Still won the Turner Prize didn't it.

Hi guys

http://www.bytejacker.com/episodes/rapidfire/11172008

This is the first of 2 episodes to feature well known AGS game designers Grundy Dave and Ivy. I was there for the filming, and let me tell you part 2 is going to be awesome!

Anthony Carboni treated us all very well and even though he is unfamiliar with the AGS scene, I'm sure after this he will be following it a bit closer.

Watch it!

Heya,

So has anyone got any experience of this? I am in the process of doing it, and as usual, I'm getting the typical run-around.

I went to New York in May. My flight was booked on the 30th April 2008, and I recieved a phone call the day before from my travel agent telling me my flight was cancelled, would i like to go on the 1st of May or a refund. I went a day later (well, more like a day and a half.) I got less time to enjoy my trip, my hostel got a bit screwed up (but thankfully due to the awesomeness of the people working there, it got sorted out rather quickly.)

I sent American Airlines an email through their website (a horrible way of doing things. It has a limited number of characters, and if youve previously had a reply, you have to go through the whole process over again). Basically quoted the regulation and the fact that unless they can prove that Extraordinary Circumstances caused my flight cancellation, they owe me â,¬600.

I received a respones today.

May 26, 2008

Dear Mr. Keepence:

Thank you for your email and I apologise for the delay in our response.  I am very
sorry to learn that we have disappointed you.  There is no question that you were
inconvenienced when we were unable to get you to your destination as planned on 30
April and we are truly sorry.

The EU Regulation (EC Reg. 261/2004) that you mention does provide certain rights
for passengers whose flight is delayed or cancelled -- or who are denied boarding
due to an overbooking of the flight.  The type of compensation and amenities
provided are based on the circumstances surrounding the event, and does not always
include compensation.

After reviewing the extraordinary circumstances surrounding flight AA115, it is
clear that this event was beyond American Airlines' control.  The flight did not
operate due to an unforeseen mechanical problem with the inbound aircraft.  In this
case, EU Regulation 261/2004 does not apply, and we are not required to provide the
compensation outlined in the text of the regulation.

Should you have any further queries pertaining to this regulation, the contact
details for the National Enforcement Body according to EC regulation 261/2004 in
the United Kingdom are as follows :
               Air Transport Users Council
               Room K705 -- CAA House
               45-59 Kingsway
               London WC2B 6TE

As more tangible evidence of our concern and regret for your disappointing
experience, I have sent you a transportation voucher under separate cover to the
address provided in your email.  It may be redeemed within one year of the issue
date toward the purchase of a ticket for future travel on American Airlines or
American Eagle.

Mr. Keepence, again, we are sorry for your disappointment and for the
inconveniences you encountered as a result of the cancellation.  Unfortunately, our
schedules can't be guaranteed as we must often make changes in order to resolve
problems caused by weather, flight conditions, mechanical difficulties, or other
operational challenges.  We hope that you do not let this incident discourage you
from travelling on us.  We look forward to seeing you onboard again soon.

Sincerely,

Arjanne Suierveld
Customer Relations
American Airlines

It sounds to me like an automated response to be honest.

I wrote back asking for evidence that the Mechanical Problem were indeed extraordinary (although i did not hear about Godzilla eating the wings of planes in New York on the 29th of May), To show evidence that they did not have back up planes or could not get a chartered plane or something. It seems to me they probably just had an early morning flight (my flight) that was underbooked to be honest. It wouldnt suprise me, what with the rising cost of oil.

I am eagerly awaiting their response, oh and my comlpimentary flight vouchers. Guess I'm off to the states again this year.

Hey,

I found this article today, which may help alot of you. It discusses the vital information you need to bring your character to life.

http://www.thecareergamer.com/?p=155

Playing games where the characters are a lifeless bore is a tedious experience, especially in games which have a proper story. The public need to sympatise with the character. Developed characters are essential in driving your story forward, they can even help you write the story.

So read, discuss, input.

Hi, I'm Layabout.



His name is Edgar Halthawne. He has a claw for his left hand. I need help.

What do you think of the style? What do you think of it???

Please tell me, I need the attention! I need love!

His right arm needs attention, but it's just supposed to be hanging there rather limp, it is not his 'strong' arm.

Here he is, Fat Steve in santa outfit.



How does he walk...

What needs refinement.

(obviously he is at an early stage, but we can fix that, we have the power...)

Been a long time...

Anyway, I have this



I know there are a few issues with perspective, which is one thing i always have difficulty with. But as for style and composition, what are your opinions.

Thanks

Hi,
I've got an idea in my head about creating an adventure game, where all the puzzles involve a kind of crosswordy kind of system.

Technical requirements:

A crossword, in which you can input the correct letters. Incorrect letters will not be marked as incorrect. It just won't allow you finish the game. Correct solutions will produce feedback (maybe, not sure about this one... after all, newspaper crosswords don't).

The main idea at the end of the game is to finish the crossword and save the day by using your powers of crossword solvery. Say you talk to someone, they give you a 'cryptic conundrum', which in turn, if you solve it, you recieve a cryptic clue to one of the crossword words. Sometimes you may get a 'bonus letter' added to the crossword screen.

Fair enough. Good idea you say. Interesting. Different.

Logistically, how would one go about implementing such a system. I am self admittedly not very adept with ags scripting, I do know the crossword would be a GUI box, with text input boxes. Issues arise such as only being able to input one letter into each text box. Getting ags to recognise that the correct solution to each number has been inputted. Would it be easier to click on a button and input the whole word? When you have letters in a word (from other solutions), would these be displayed in the input box.

I'm really just asking for ideas and possibly solutions from those who's understanding of ags scripting is far more advanced than mine. Thanks...

I'd just like to inform you folks about a little project I have started. An experiment? Maybe... Zany? Oh yes... Stupid? Just a little bit...

Just follow the link and read to your enjoyment!

http://thehoroscopian.livejournal.com/

Yes I am using a fake name, don't spoil my fun. You may address me as Horatio or Mr Javoix or Idiot.

Girl problems. Great things aren't they.

There is this girl. Her name I won't mention, but she works with me, and she lives a room away from me above the pub. I once said I'd never want to be with an English girl.But I do. She is pretty. We can stay up to all hours of the morning. We kissed last Saturday night (well 3am sunday morning) We had a few drinks after work. We went to talk in her room. We got all cosy. We kissed. alot.

Since then, every moment alone, the same thing happens. We kiss alot.

I haven't slept with her yet.

On Monday, She was working, I was not. I saw her just before she started her shift that night. We kissed a bit. Going downstairs, in the corridor, she grabbed me and snogged me. It was nice.

She was working for 4hours, so I drunk a few vodkas in the pub with friends and locals. A few vodkas equates to about 6 Vodka and cokes. Not a big binge or anything. I went to see her after work. She said she told the German chef, that they would have a chat. She asked me to take her to his room. He told me not to come in. She said to let me come in for a bit. He said 'the girl told me to tell you she wants you to stop harrassing her in her room.' I was shocked. She told me that was not true quietly.

I went downstairs to drink some more. When she had finished her chat with the German chef, i knocked on her door. She told me to come it. We had a chat, and she told me that he was stirring shit.

The next day, the German Chef told me to stay out of the kitchen, and the same thing that he said the night before. Even though she woke me up to walk one of the locals dogs, who was away on holiday. I was angry. So I got very drunk.

I talked to her that night, and things should hopefully be sorted out.

I just need clarification on her feelings and everything. But she has been away at the German Chefs house in Liverpool since tuesday night. Which is a good thing, because it means we've both had time to think about feelings and everything. She will be coming back at stupid o'clock tonight. I texted her, she replied, and said she is looking forward to seeing me when she returns. So I guess its all good, I just need clarification on where I stand and what will become of us.

I just want to know her feelings on everyhting between us, so if its not going to be, I don't get too involved. I really like this girl, and would like to have a proper relationship with her if possible.

Firstly, I don't want this thread to erupt into a flame war.

So the rules are...

1) If you have personal issues with the catholic church, post them with respect, outlining real reasons for your belief.

2) Respect other peoples beliefs.

3) If you can't say something polititly, don't freaking say it.

Anyway,

On to the Da Vinci Code.

I am one of the people who actually enjoyed the Da Vinci Code. It certainly kept me reading from cover to cover. Perhaps this was due to a familiar context. You see, an adventure game used this exact same back story. It was a little known game called Gabriel Knight: Blood of the Sacred, Blood of the Damned. The two fictional creations used the same source material, a little known book until recently called Holy Blood, Holy Grail.

Critics have slammed the film 'the Da Vinci Code' due to the fact that it apparantly a boring piece of shit.

I will reserve my judgement for when i see it myself.

Perhaps it is true that Jesus married Mary Magdelene. Maybe he didn't. Maybe Jesus didn't exist. It's fun to speculate.

Yes, it's Fat Steve again. I love him so much.

I created this character in high school. In lessons, I would draw this character doing some crazy hijinks. There was even a website dedicated to this character (which is long gone). He was sort of based on my friend, who was fat, but isn't any more.

When I originally came to AGS, I was going to make a Fatman game. Like any other ags newbie, I didn't have a storyline and just started making a game. It was rubbish, and I only got as far as a demo, which a few people have seen.

Anyway, since I've been back, I want to learn the new scripto system and stuff, and hopefully make a game that is fun to play.

Fat Steve is his name, and here is my newest version of him.



He now works as a janitor in a school, so he has lost his hawaiian shirt, which was his trademark...

His partner in janitorial crime is Johnno, a skinny guy with a bon jovi mullet. Based on a white van man who used to deliver vegies to where I worked at Dominos...

So let me know any critiques or issues you have with the image. I like it, except for his left shoe, which I don't like so much and will change.

Style will probably not change, as I am happy with it, although suggestions are welcome. I chose it because it is efficient.

Edit: Changed a few things and added some shadowythingamabobs...

Discuss

Hi.

My name is Layabout. You may have seen or heard of me. Or even met me if you were lucky.

I announce my proper return, as now I have a computer. Which is cool and stuff.

P.S. I did not die on that night out in oxford with M0ds.

Hi.

My name is Ryan, and I'm from Australia. I recently moved to London because I was bored. For those who do not know, That is about 22 hours on a plane. Which is a hell of a long time.

Luckily I got to stop off in korea for 16 hours, staying in a classy hotel, and sampling the nightlife. Which involved beer, singing, and sekret doors. The sekret doors were so mysterious, I did not want to find out what lay behind them. Alot of asian men seemed to be interested in venturing through the Sekret door, which also I must add, included a price list. I'll let you imagine what was going up there. The next morning I went back to Icheon Int. Airport, which is space age fantastic looking, and got on my plane to Heathrow.

Which was a dump. For one of, if not the busiest airports in the world, it was shithouse!! It was dirty, smelly and dark. So I hopped on the Tube and went to the Hostel I planned on staying at. The tube was nice I guess. Very interesting. I've never seen a train system where trains come by every 3-5 minutes. In Brisbane, you'd be lucking If one came every half an hour!

The Generator...
Is awesome! I've never drunk so much in my life as I did in my 2.5 week stint as a generator regular. Sure the rooms were small, but they were only used to pass out after a hard nights drinking. £1 whisky and cokes!!! I was guzzling them down until happy hour was over and they changed to £2 whisky and cokes. Which I guzzled down until they closed the bar. There were many at the Generator whose most exciting part of the day was when the bar opened.

So on the first night I was sitting in the bar by myself with a whisky and coke in hand when a fellow antipodean, who mind you had a great rack, came up and invited me to sit at the OZ table. I made friends on the first night! They were really cool and stuff. The blond one, Madeline, was keen on me. I would have, but I lost my mojo! But only temporarily, because I got it back when I met my current girlfriend, Katherine. She is awesome to the max. I also met my current housemates that same day (a thursday), Robert, a stinkin bush voting yank, and Ivan and Andrea, two crazy mexicans who are married. We move to a house in Willesden Green NW2, which is not bad, It's better than being hungover for 2.5 weeks straight, turning into a raving alcoholic.

I visited other places like most of the famous sites, but now I need a job.

Ryan Keepence,
Adventurer.