Topics

I haven't posted here in ages, but I come to ask for, following the transition to SDL2, for SDL2_net v2.20, the seemingly final version of that library for SDL2 (with the move to focusing on SDL3), to be included with AGS. SDL2_net is a pretty powerful, but also simple to understand, socket-based networking library. I feel like having networking as an option, would give the engine new uses beyond traditional Adventure Game (such as people making multiplayer versions of board games, card games, dice games, etc, which could realistically use AGS with just the inclusion of networking).

I've made a short documentary on Chainsaw Monday, the Major Layoffs at Sierra On-Line which happened 20 years ago, on February 22nd, 1999 in Oakhurst, CA and ultimately destroyed the company, albeit slowly and needing another set of layoffs in 2004 to finish off the job! Anyway, its good to remember Sierra... And, its good to know why you shouldn't let somebody else buy out your company, especially if they're fraudulently fiddling with the business statements!

[Engine]

I love all the work you're all doing in AGS, but I really do believe in order to make AGS even more amazing, reliable and easy to use across multiple platforms there needs to be some changes to AGS' interior. Below I've listed the proposed changes I believe would have to be made as Engine and Editor V4.0 Alpha suggestions, these are not things that will happen... But if they can, I believe they should.

Engine

• Consider a move away from Allegro (including alfont, almp3 and alogg) and dumb (that's the name of a library!) libraries, opting to instead move to SDL 2.0 (including SDL_image, SDL_mixer, SDL_ttf and SDL_net) (https://www.libsdl.org/). I understand that this would take a lot of work, but I truly think if coupled with the needed rewrite... AGS Games could run more reliably, and it'd be easier to make AGS cross-platform without needing extra teams working on different ports.
• Networking is something that could be added as a little side-thing simply because SDL_net does a lot of the real work and only editor functions would be needed, I think.
• If a move to SDL 2.0 happens, consider allowing OpenGL and Vulkan support for newer graphic cards and processors.
• Consider looking for a new video library which is built for SDL 2.0, just because it'd probably make videos much better overall and possibly even add functionality.

Editor

• Consider making a move to Lua as a coding language, and allow Lua to handle Arrays, Lists, Random Numbers, and such. Rooms and scripts would be coded in it and work with AGS using bindings. I believe Lua would be much better for AGS because it'd be much faster to compile and run, and be much easier for game design.
• Consider moving away from .NET for the editor's framework to Mono (http://www.mono-project.com/). Mono is based upon the .NET framework and is cross-platform with Windows, Mac, Linux and I believe also phone platforms... This coupled with SDL2's cross-platform nature could mean Windows, Mac and Linux Editors and Engines could be built from one person with much less difficulty than there already is.

So, I've tried a lot of fonts, and a lot of them whilst looking great have little problems that are quite annoying... Like kerning problems, extra space between certain letters or just generally spaces that are a bit too big. Is there anything I can do to fix this without editing the font itself?

Hi all, I'm probably just missing something or really stupid, but I've looked through the settings of my game... I've tried everything I can but still when I launch my game at 1920 x 1080, there's a HUGE amount of letterboxing on the top and bottom but not the sides. How can I fix this?

http://tdosci.weebly.com -- I thought you guys might be interested in my website, it's been my pet project for a while. It's goal is bringing Sierra Classics (such as the Laura Bow, Aces and Hoyle games) to GOG.com for affordable prices using their 'Community Wishlist' feature and the help of the Sierra Community, instead of them being only on eBay for sometimes two to three figure amounts. This is done by having box art of titles not yet on GOG (supplied by Sierra Chest) with a click-through link to it's GOG Wishlist page.

The problem I could have with a project like this, though, is bringing a steady stream of traffic to the website. It's a one-time use sort of thing for a user, primarily because the site isn't prone to new content or regular updates. I see the usage being: 1) You go to the site. 2) You vote for the games via GOG Wishlist. 3) Optionally, social sharing... Then that's it, basically, you never return. To cover this, I'm looking to partner with other Sierra Sites. As in, have banners on each other's links page or something else feasible and free for both parties.

I need a way to create and skin a GUI from script, this is because I need one that can be any size, with any title and any text in it. Width, and Height, Title and Contents would be made on the spot. Having a default GUI doesn't fit what I'd need at all.

I'm looking to create a prototype of Sierra's ImagiNation Network, to see if it's possible to revive the service under a new engine... Something which would be a lot better than trying to mess with the custom version of SCI (LSCI) which INN uses. Not including networking stuff that would probably be a module... There's some minor Engine & Editor things that would need changed to facilitate the game and sadly, I don't know C++ and can't add these changes myself:




1.) A change to Display, DisplayAt, DisplayAtY, DisplayMessage, DisplayMessageAtY and DisplayTopBar to support generated buttons (As in, not a GUI), even with a different GUI for each button (depending on what Button GUI it calls). Also a drop down menu in the GUIs Section of The Editor which is "New Button GUI", similar to "New Text Window GUI" but for buttons.

2.) A way to place buttons on the screen without a GUI, even with a different GUI for each button (depending on what Button GUI it calls).

3.) A change to DisplayTopBar to support a custom TopBar Border and Postition. Also a drop down menu in the GUIs Section of The Editor which is "New TopBar GUI", similar to "New Text Window GUI" but for the TopBar.

I'm looking for a way to do Sockets (TCP/IP Networking) in AGS v3.4.x -- I am trying to make a prototype for a revival of Sierra's ImagiNation Network which ran from 1991 to 1996. I have tried other engines, and have got a considerable amount of basic sprites created based on the original source material. But one problem I have is networking, I know perfectly well how to use sockets, but not how to code the functionality of it, the underlying network and how it interacts with the computer itself (as a module most likely).

Hey there, I haven't been here in ages. But I'm back with AGS and working on a more manageable game. I've got a problem with Text Windows. I'm using one to create a "Speech Bubble Effect" for something that isn't a character, but it's not giving me the desired look I'd expect.

Preview of Text Window GUI in AGS Editor.


Top Left is 5Px X 5Px
Top Middle is 5Px X 5Px
Top Right is 5Px X 5Px
Middle Left is 5Px X 5px
Middle Right is 5Px X 5Px
Bottom Left is 10px X 11Px
Bottom Middle is 5Px X 11Px
Bottom Right is 5Px X 11Px

This is what the result is:

I have a problem, I want my Cursor to change when over a certain hotspot, to a different animation, but when I do, it looks slow, and when moved, it flickers over the hotspot, I want a way that It wont flicker over the hotspot, and will go at a Delay speed of 1, instead of 5, I currently have:

function hSkull_MouseMove()
{
Mouse.Mode = eModeSpin;
}

I'd like to know how do I make it so when the mouse goes over my button on a GUI it changes the pointer to a different one, so when it is not on the button, it is a boned hand shaking to say "no" and if you are on the button, it has an eyeball, much like 7th guest and 11th hour...

I am making a game like Imagination Network and I tried copying and pasting from the original  to make a textbox and It didnt work... could someone make all 8 pictures needed please, I'd like one that is better looking than the original, If you were to do it, I'd thank you so much... I'd also like a red and blue 3D button... also HD looking... and I would like to know how to code Buttons in to the game that are not like the original... Red if you cannot click it and blue if it can... Thanks so much...

I got an Idea but i wanna know if it would be hard 2 do:

If I had like a GUI based game with video like a computing (have it based on somebodies computer) game, but have other aspects like living someones life... while staying out of trouble... but in the end getting in trouble... and then keep the story like that

I need some help...

I am making a Phantasmagoria style GUI where you have your Inventory, your look icon, Control Panel Button and Skip Button, Hint Icon, but how do i need help:

1.)How do I postion the GUI Near the bottom of the Screen
2.)Where do I put the Theora Code?
3.)How do I set a Timer after an Action or if you do not click for 30 seconds the Actor looks from side to side before returning to original position
4.) is there anything else I would need to do to make a FMV Game?

I need Some Help:
I want to Use a SCUMM .agt (FOA or MI2) file in 2.72, but i get a script error... does anyone have a copy of AGS 2.61?

I know I have asked this before but i am making a game and I'd Like to:
1.) Have a "Name Your Game" Screen (I have Made a Text Box and Buttons with Letters A-Z, All I Need is Help on Coding Each Button to add a Letter into the textbox, Moving the Mouse to that Button if you enter the letter with a keyboard and how to save the Data of the Name your game screen and use it to Create a Save Game)

2.) How do I code Theora into my Game (Any Code will be Helpful, and how do i program it into the room scripts: so when i start the game and it goes to room 999 (Logo) it plays the Logo and then goes to the Title Menu

I am a Newbie and i cannot do this without help,
Thanks,
Techodog

I am new to this forum and AGS, I need help...

I'd like to make a Progress bar like KQ7 or Phantasmagoria, How would I do this?