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Messages - Andail

#702
You simply have to kill Snarky, that should do it.

Ps: There's currently no need for another moderator, but thanks for your offer!
#703
I think Resonance is really good, because it works on many levels (scientific (in many fields) and symbolic) although it must be hard to google for it, since the word is pretty common? Don't know if that's a problem.

CaptainD, sorry if I'm being ignorant here, but is your game's name related to "Death wore endless feathers? in any way" Or is the similarity coincidental? I think the name is good because it stands out and it's also quite clearly evoking an image of goofy but intellectual comedy.

Perhaps the biggest danger is when the name is too bland or generic. That, and not fitting the genre.

I fear that The Samaritan Paradox is a little complicated and hard to remember, but I'm thrilled about the fact that even though it techincally exists, nobody knows precisely what it is, and people tend to use it in their own way (the original definition being rather techincal).

#704
Notice how the thread title is not stolen from another recent thread.

My question is: Do you think the name matters when people buy/play games, and if so, what constitutes a good name?

Would Pleurghburg have been received even better if it was called "9 days some kind of detective"?

Would nobody play Resonance if it bore the name "Mortal science - The quest for danger"?

What's the best/worst names you know of?
#705
When I first read the thread title, I thought this would be a discussion about if game names matter, as in, do games with cooler names attract more people, and if so, what makes a name good?

I have to say the actual query disappointed me a bit... why would you use an already taken name? Seems unnecessary.
#706
Yay!*
Nooo!**
Yay!***
Nooo!****

* Another podcast.
** Grundislav taking podcasting break.
*** Vince possible substitute.
**** Out of orange juice.
#707
Critics' Lounge / Re: Color/Background Help
Sun 11/08/2013 13:47:32
Looking good! I think you generally have a good style going here.
Made a paint-over with some subtle changes.
* Removed some of the small patches of dark in the ceiling - they were too small, looking more like dirt than anything else. Also increased the corner shadowing to make it more distinct.
* Brighter lamps. The light source(s) in a room must be much brighter than anything else. Since your background was pretty bright, the lamps have to go white, basically.
* Highlights in ceiling must follow the perspective, so instead of circular I made them more elliptic.
* Added some very crude highlights in the floor, just to demonstrate.
* Added blue panels - I understand you have a stylistic reason for going sepia with your graphics, but a minor complimentary colour here and there can do wonders to liven up the scene.
* Darkened the scene somewhat and increased contrasts, to make it less washed out
* Removed most of the generic reflections on the vault door, and made a more focused reflection of the lamp. Not sure if this is the way to go, but I felt your rendering was far too generic, and a bit distracting. This is more relaxing to the eye, at least.

#708
Have a great Mittens, everyone! Sad I couldn't make it.
I was in Berlin earlier this summer and warmed up the place for you, though :)
#709
Thanks for some good advice.
I made sure to reduce the non-interactive segment of my intro, until you virtually start controlling the character right away.

The only point my game fails at here would be the 320x240 ratio - which sucks I guess but it's not really possible to change now. I have to say I'm less worried about the "4:3 ratio in 2013? Outrageous!"-response than pure functionality issues, since most people looking into point-n-click games in 320x resolution probably aren't too bothered by the game looking old fashioned...
#710
General Discussion / Re: Tropes vs Women
Fri 09/08/2013 12:37:14
    Quote from: LUniqueDan on Fri 09/08/2013 06:58:18
    I'm afraid the real issue here is the usual "Damned if you do, damned if you don't issue" relatively common with most of the "cultural studies".

    No, it's called a complex issue. Just because there are no easy answers doesn't mean you can disqualify the entire field. Everything that demands a deeper analysis will yield conflicting answers. If you want an absolute right or wrong answer, you can turn to mathematics (or AGS coding).
    Quote
    This high-level bitching is useless, sterile and can't be use in order to rationnaly solve any gender issue.
    What? What's "high-level bitching"?

    Quote
    • Mario didn't give a damn ? It showed how we tacitely agree with violence against women ! (Patriarchy)
    • Peach saves Mario ? Despiction of Women as slave/male'tool ! (Patriarchy)
    • Princess Peach didn't give a damn ? It's the bad vamp/bitch trope ! (Patriarchy)
    • They both save Luigi in a cooperative mode ? They kill poor throopas in a violent game !(Patriarchy)
    Has anyone ever said this? Or are you just coming up with imaginary scenarios because they fit your theory? Can you link to a feminist/gender theory debater who said these things?

    Quote from: Monkey_05_06
    I second the notion that the exposure to these comments would do more to reinforce her point than the detriment done by closing them off and appearing completely closed-minded. Preventing feedback, valid and viable or not, seems to me an equally aggressive tactic to those posting the trollish comments in the first place.
    Except that in this case, the comment section became a breeding ground for bullies to encourage each other to come up the worst possible threats. Such mob mentality is better nipped in the bud.

    Quote
    The AGS community is open-minded? lol, funny.

    As egotistical as I am, I'm not ashamed to admit that I believe most people fall somewhere below "imbecile" on the intellectual scale.

    I spend a lot of time on self-evaluation, and any debate I enter, I do so knowing not just where I stand, but why I stand there. Most people don't do this.

    Just wanted to express my disagreement with the statements quoted - no further comments, really. If you want to come across as arrogant and disdainful, be my guest.

    Also, this whole "we shouldn't call it feminism, we should call it egalitarianism" is a bit insulting to the femininst movement.
    Up until 100 years ago, women couldn't vote, couldn't inherit and were practically considered legally incompetent. This didn't change thanks to a bunch of self-contented men saying they prefer the term "egalitarianism", no it was really hard work by feminist organisations.

    You can't just say that you prefer everyone to have equal rights and expect that to change anything. It's called feminism because that's where the focus is, that's where its roots are.

    And Myinah described aptly why their work isn't done yet. [/list]
    #711
    General Discussion / Re: Tropes vs Women
    Thu 08/08/2013 10:33:03
    Quote from: dactylopus on Thu 08/08/2013 04:29:09
    Quote from: Ryan Timothy on Thu 08/08/2013 04:01:46

    I would've preferred to see the Twix commercial done this way: at the end, after she kisses him, he should've hung his head and said "I'm sorry, I was goggling", as she passes him the baby she says "I know".
    Ryan makes some excellent points here.  In fact, reading this made me realize what I was really trying to say, but I was perhaps a little afraid of being sexist myself.  I mean, I acknowledge the complaints that are being made about the women, and how they may be viewed as gullible in these commercials, but I actually think that the men are portrayed in a more negative light.  The only problem is that there is no overt indication that the men are the bad guys here.  In fact, the men get away with their deplorable behaviors.  I think that is why the ad is viewed as more negative to women, because women are the ones who are suffering the consequences.

    I don't think that any modern feminist today is saying that women are the only victims of a patriarchal society. There are a number of areas where men suffer from conservative gender roles, like how they're less likely to get custody of the children in a dispute, how they have to pay more for insurance (as Ryan points out) and how they die more violent deaths, etc.

    But modern feminism describes these issues as yet more symptoms of a flawed patriarchal system. Men lose custody disputes more often because they generally spend less time with their kids, since they focus on their careers instead (largely due to an outside pressure to succeed financially, or just conservative gender ideas). Men have to pay more for car insurance because men in general drive more recklessly, which sucks but then again is just another tragic consequence of how we are supposed to act and behave (young men are encouraged by each other to drive fast), and Ryan, I'm sure Anita would love to discuss this, since it's a perfect example of what she's trying to say (treating genders differently is destructive), but I guess she was simply focusing on games and media in that video.

    Men die more violent deaths because men generally don't want women to participate in wars (they fear they couldn't concentrate with female soldiers around them...) and thus wars are historically fought between men. A typical modern feminist would love to have female soldiers as well, so it's not like feminism is only about protecting women at all cost.

    Okay, this is getting a bit wordy, but I want to touch upon something that is being repeated everywhere, here and in comment sections throughout the web:
    QuoteDo something constructive instead of whining! Create a game of your own, dammit!

    This is absurd for two reasons:
    1. Anita clearly isn't a game maker.
    2. Anita isn't simply saying that we need more games with strong female characters, she's saying that we need to stop producing games with stereotypical gender roles. It's not like she can undo others' doings.

    I mean, it would be a totally differnt thing if I made videos and started blogs complaining that games need more profound stories, because a) I'm a game designer, and b) by creating a game with a more profound story I'm actually remedying the situation. So that's simple. But saying that Anita should make a game and stop complaining is like telling an animals' rights activist that he can create his own laboratory, where he's free not to torture animals. While an interesting thought, it doesn't really undo the wrongdoings of others.

    A lot of people here are saying that she doesn't provide a solution, she's just complaining. I think she's said quite clearly what the solution is: Stop depicting women stereotypically. It's not like she's telling people to invent some kind of brand new vaccine or something; it's actually a simple suggestion. "Hey, I see you're planning on giving your female character huge, gravity-defying boobs and a big cleavage. How about rendering those breasts more realistically, and dressing her more practically? Just a thought."
    #712
    It's too curvy - I thought this was a female figure before I read the text. The waist-hip ratio is far too feminine.

    The calves are too thick (your calves aren't thicker than your thighs, right?), thighs appear too short, with the shading beginning over the knees.

    It looks like he's pressing his arms against his sides. The shades also give him a bit of a hunch. Try a more relaxed pose.

    I assume the exaggerated head size is a stylistic choice, so I'm ignoring that.

    Quick paint-over:
    [imgzoom]http://www.esseb.com/andail/andyeditfigure.png[/imgzoom]
    #713
    Soxbrooker, of course, you can update your post as many times as you want. I'll just pick the latest one when I compile all the sketches and we move on to the next round.

    Note that Loominous and Waheela, both workshop veterans by now, have entered the competition using their "you may enter late" cards, which are now spent.
    #714
    Alright, this thread isn't too crammed yet so I think we can still use it. I've added a few criteria when it comes to selecting the games for you, namely;
    * The game is a complete adventure game (no demos, no experimental crap or platformers)
    * The game has at least 3 panel cups (to ensure a modicum of quality)
    along with those already listed:
    * Less than 3 years old
    * Freeware
    * No cover art already
    * Functional link

    If any of you got a title not matching the critera above (through an oversight on my part), just let me know and you'll get another one.

    LET THE LUCKY DIPS BEGIN

    Ben 304                   
    Interestingly enough, you got Escape the Barn, by Cat. I didn't even have to reroll once, so I guess this is destiny.
    Exciting for Cat!
    http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/1540/

    Illyich
    After countless rerolls, you got KTX-1, by DKH
    http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/1540/

    Cat
    You got 9 months in, by Tzachs.
    http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/1528/
    This game kind of has some sort of cover art, albeit underdeveloped. If you want to switch, just say so! But I really think it could gain from a hi-res digital painting. I liked this game, btw.

    Ascovel
    You got 15 minutes, by Tim Hengevelde.
    http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/1432/
    Looks like an interesting art style.

    Miguel
    Red Flagg - Don't Call me Blue REDUX, by Luke "SpacePirateCaine" Rideout
    This should be short and sweet. No female protagonist, sorry!
    http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/1266/

    Selmiak
    Abduction, by Mode7.
    A challenging art style to work with.
    http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/1363/

    Babar
    Technobabylon II, by Technocrat.
    One of the more acclaimed titles of the bunch. Good luck!
    http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/1387/

    Soxbrooker
    By the Numbers, by AJA
    2010 OROW winner, so that's pretty cool.
    http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/1335/

    san.daniele
    The Visitor, by Nicky Nice.
    http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/1492/

    nihilyst
    The burger flipper, by elruffo.
    http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/1617/

    Miez
    You got Ben Jordan case II Deluxe, by Fransisco "Grundislav" Gonzales
    This is a remake from 2010 so it fits the age criterion.
    http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/1295/

    slapstick
    I forgot, by Domithan
    http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/1414/

    oraxon
    Jonah's Place, by Kasander
    A pity Kasander isn't participating in this round, would've been fun.
    http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/1603/

    calicoreverie
    Escape From The Chaotic City, by Christian Cammilleri
    http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/1290/

    Layabout
    Dinner for Pigeons, by Pressure Cooker
    Another game with very distinct graphics.
    http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/1421/

    CitizenParagon
    UNGA needs MUMBA, by Knoodn
    This character is very known, but also very cartoony, so making a hi-res painting can prove tricky!
    http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/1567/

    Dervish
    Snakes of Avalon, by Ascovel and Baron
    Will Ascovel approve? Excitement! Nominated for basically everything in the 2010 Rogers.
    http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/1357/

    Loominous
    Robolution, by Tzach Shabtay
    Robot protagonism ftw!
    http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/1336/

    Waheela
    You have The Far Corners of the World: Chapter 1 - The Book, the Box and the Key, by Wesray.
    http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/1472/

    Ghost
    You have Submerged, by WHAM.
    http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/1404/

    NEXT STEP
    You now have a week to sketch out the basic layout of your piece. Be rough and bold, and don't worry about the finished result yet. Write a few lines about the style and the characters you wish to depict. What feelings do you want to convey? What style? Consider how the text will go with the art. Google tons of box art pictures!

    You have until Monday 19th to post this concept/sketch. Mitteneers will post their sketches when they get back from Mittens.

    I want the finished picture to be 700 x 900 pixels, portrait orientation, but the sketches can be any size.

    GO!
    #715
    I don't see how regional varieties of spelling is important anywhere except perhaps for road signs or texts that exist within the game universe. Normal messages wouldn't be seen by any of the characters, so the spelling shouldn't matter. Also, as Snarky points out, English has so many geographical varieties that nobody can keep track of exactly which one is being used, or how consistently.

    Thirdly, English is basically a lingua franca now, and I don't expect that even a majority of my future players will necessarily be native English speakers, so if there's a professor in Sussex complaining about how I've used both "lift" and "gas" in the same sentence, I couldn't be bothered.

    Having said that, I do pay a lot of attention to words and their spelling in my texts, so I hope there's not that much to complain about :)
    #716
    General Discussion / Re: Tropes vs Women
    Tue 06/08/2013 08:58:31
    Quote from: Ryan Timothy on Mon 05/08/2013 22:36:37
    I meant that I have no issue playing as the female character in a game like Hunted, just to stare at her ass on every cutscene that she lifts a door, while she walks sideways between tight areas, or ducks under stuff. Do I want EVERY game to be like this? No. Heck no. But I certainly enjoyed the extra bonus of seeing that beautiful character doing provocative poses and such; so no, I never felt it was a bad thing at all, that a game developer made a game with sexual interest in mind.

    Ok... well, the gender discourse isn't about what you personally have issues with, it's about how certain symbols and stereotypes (depictions of women in this case) affect our society at large.

    Some things people need to stop repeating in this thread:
    * "Sex sells and companies only cater to their buyers" - this is obvious, and nobody disputes it. It's a part of the problem. It's not the answer to the question "how do gender stereotypes affect the way we treat each other?"
    * "I don't mind looking at nice asses" - again, obvious. All people do. It doesn't address anything we're discussing here, it's not even related to the question.

    I personally believe in the power of symbols, even the most subtle ones. I believe we're profoundly affected by the tinies signals, if we keep being exposed to them.

    Most posters here have testified that their personal opinions would never be influenced by stereotypes seen in games or movies, but most people also don't believe they're influenced by commercials when they shop for groceries. And then we haven't even mentioned yet how young, impressionable children are affected.

    I once held a sex ed course (yeah, really) for my 8-9-graders, and the amount of misinformation, stereotypes and prejudices they harboured was staggering. It was so obvious how their views on women (and what they're supposed to look and act like) were more or less a direct product of mainstream media, and especially video games.
    #717
    Seems we have a solid starting field, and if more people want on board you have until 2 pm (London time) before I close registration.
    By tonight you will know what game you'll be working with.
    #718
    General Discussion / Re: Tropes vs Women
    Mon 05/08/2013 19:09:49
    Quote from: Sunny Penguin on Mon 05/08/2013 16:22:19
    Whether you agree with Anita or not,  her decision to disable comments on her videos after being publicly funded to make them was/is a pretty 'meh' thing to do. Telling people how it is and closing off any chance of a debate is not the logical nor the mature way forward imo.

    Eh... welcome to the internet? Have you seen the comment sections of videos/articles/blog entries that take a feminist standpoint? I bet Anita would love a constructive discussion, it's just that she probably got 99 rape threats for every constructive comment. Which in itself proves that there's a lot of work to be done when it comes to gender equality.

    I don't see a need for a "damsel in distress" trope - for a plot device, you can just say that a person needs your help. The terms "damsel" and "distress" have connotations of helpless, personality-lacking but physically attractive female characters whose weakness has made them victimized by men.

    However, I'm not sure how much you need to actively work against these stereotypes and clicheed tropes; I believe modern, plot-driven games (or movies or books) will gradually become more gender neutral, as a natural process. Just compare action movies from the 80's with those from today, and you'll see a vast increase in strong female characters.

    Ryan Timothy; I'm not sure what you wanted to say with your last post. You admit that you're enjoying stereotypically sexualized female 3d-characters, and therefore... well, therefore what? Do you find the way the game designers have exploited her sexuality (to provide eye candy for male players) a good thing or a bad thing? Please explain.
    #719
    You can't use the || like that. You have to repeat the entire cEgo.HasInventory (iInv) every time. Also, mind that with your code, he will say that if he has any of those items, not all of them. Just saying, in case you wanted && instead.
    #720
    Ok, I felt it was time for a little update, just to keep this thread alive. I've been working a lot lately, and I think the game is coming along nicely. I'm pretty confident I'll make the 2013 deadline.

    I simply nicked this update from my blog entry I wrote today!




    Ok, so I've begun painting some real Gothenburg locations. There aren't many exterior scenes planned for the game, but I felt that having some “famous” places featured was kind of necessary (and probably expected), if only for cutscenes.

    I've postponed painting these, since it's rather tedious work â€" city scenes aren't my favourite type of backgrounds to render, with all the repetitious details and textures, and getting the right balance between photo-realistic and cartoony is actually very difficult. While there's a lot of tracing going on, you can't be too exact or the picture won't look handpainted, but if you simplify too much it will look flat and cell-shaded. Which isn't what I'm looking for.

    I want all the Gothenburg scenes to convey the cold, damp autumn feeling you'd probably hate this city for, weren't it for some other redeeming qualities (which I can't exactly pinpoint now). So there's this constant overcast, and the patches of snow will appear to risk being washed away by rain any minute, I think this will make the contrast between the real world and the book world much more palpable.
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