http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1102246.htm
Not only do they make shitty films but they block projects that look decent.
Not only do they make shitty films but they block projects that look decent.
- Welcome to Adventure Game Studio.
This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.
#22
General Discussion / Casey Kasem's birthday!
Tue 27/04/2004 08:52:45
He's 72 today! Here's a tribute to the voice of Norville 'Shaggy' Rogers.
To celebrate, here's a picture of a Scooby and Shaggy figurine where both are looking freaked out (possibly from seeing ghosts, but I can't confirm it)
To celebrate, here's a picture of a Scooby and Shaggy figurine where both are looking freaked out (possibly from seeing ghosts, but I can't confirm it)
#23
General Discussion / Seeking approval
Sat 24/04/2004 07:09:48
I was watching the film Stand By Me today. It's a brilliant film. One of my favs. Seen it many times before.
I also watched the DVD "making of" doco. Rob Reiner talked a lot about the themes of the film. One of the undercurrents of the story was the juxaposition of Gordie's relationship with his father and his relationship with his friends.
Gordie's relationship with his father was buffered by his Brother, Denny. Gordie was able to seek approval of his writing through his brother, as opposed to his father. When Denny died, he lost that.
The film's progression deals with Gordie's seeking such approval from his friends, namely Chris.
I was wondering how people saw "seeking approval" of others.
I'm not talking about conformity or such, but just being told you've "done a good job".
I knew that, as a boy, I'd seek approval from my Dad, but felt knocked back at times. Don't get me wrong, because I love him dearly. But, looking back, I sometimes wished he'd supported me a little more.
Some things he said really hurt. I remember one time, we went through my first high school report card. I'd scored averages on most of my subjects and I failed art. He called me many synonyms for "average" and a few for "below average". I know he was trying to scare me away from being average, but I think it had the opposite effect: it made me feel worse.
And I think I found what I needed through people who laughed at my jokes. Like, I'd fool around in some classes. Other students would laugh. I'd even throw jokes into my science reports and made my science teacher laugh. He gave me higher marks too.
I think making people laugh was what saved me. I found approval from people who did laugh. I don't think my Dad found me all that funny as a child. Mabye he does know. I don't know. We do have a better relationship now and he does support me a lot more.
Maybe I just had to find something I wanted to do, like doing drama classes.
Something I was good at.
How about you?
I also watched the DVD "making of" doco. Rob Reiner talked a lot about the themes of the film. One of the undercurrents of the story was the juxaposition of Gordie's relationship with his father and his relationship with his friends.
Gordie's relationship with his father was buffered by his Brother, Denny. Gordie was able to seek approval of his writing through his brother, as opposed to his father. When Denny died, he lost that.
The film's progression deals with Gordie's seeking such approval from his friends, namely Chris.
I was wondering how people saw "seeking approval" of others.
I'm not talking about conformity or such, but just being told you've "done a good job".
I knew that, as a boy, I'd seek approval from my Dad, but felt knocked back at times. Don't get me wrong, because I love him dearly. But, looking back, I sometimes wished he'd supported me a little more.
Some things he said really hurt. I remember one time, we went through my first high school report card. I'd scored averages on most of my subjects and I failed art. He called me many synonyms for "average" and a few for "below average". I know he was trying to scare me away from being average, but I think it had the opposite effect: it made me feel worse.
And I think I found what I needed through people who laughed at my jokes. Like, I'd fool around in some classes. Other students would laugh. I'd even throw jokes into my science reports and made my science teacher laugh. He gave me higher marks too.
I think making people laugh was what saved me. I found approval from people who did laugh. I don't think my Dad found me all that funny as a child. Mabye he does know. I don't know. We do have a better relationship now and he does support me a lot more.
Maybe I just had to find something I wanted to do, like doing drama classes.
Something I was good at.
How about you?
#24
General Discussion / How superfreaky are YOU?1!?
Thu 15/04/2004 15:24:35 #25
Advanced Technical Forum / Realsoft 3D -- need plug-in advice.
Sat 10/04/2004 07:20:38
I got this full program free with a magazine. It's a very powerful 3D renderer.
I checked the website and it had a Software Development Kit.
You can use the SDK to write plug-ins for the program (similar to AGS), but the website also says you can "use the SDK to link Realsoft 3D functionality, such as the Photo Realistic rendering engine to any 3rd party application."
Does this means it's possible to incorperate the rendering engine into AGS?
Here's the web address:
http://www.realsoft.com/
Press the SDK button on the left for more info.
I checked the website and it had a Software Development Kit.
You can use the SDK to write plug-ins for the program (similar to AGS), but the website also says you can "use the SDK to link Realsoft 3D functionality, such as the Photo Realistic rendering engine to any 3rd party application."
Does this means it's possible to incorperate the rendering engine into AGS?
Here's the web address:
http://www.realsoft.com/
Press the SDK button on the left for more info.
#26
The Rumpus Room / GTD: Media Analyses of Games
Tue 30/03/2004 16:08:00
Aim/Rationale: I had this idea for a GTD a short while back after playing numerous games and recognising certain sociological, philosophical, and political elements.
I will discuss certain games with semiotic analysis techniques, which means looking at certain characters and elements and asking what they signify. Some examples are from adventure games, while some aren't (though they do include some adventure elements).
This aids in understanding how we relate to the gaming word on the basis of our own experience. Thus, it's useful for developers (like us) to understand the way a player contructs meaning from games.
WARNING: This thread contains spoilers!
Hitman
This is my main analysis. For this game, I provide two breakdowns: philosophical and a hybrid sociological/developmental.
philosophical - The main character, Agent 47 aka Tobias Rieper, is a genetic product of a scientist. This scientists refers to himself as Tobias' "daddy" or "father". Obviously, scientist represents God within the game. Tobias is released from the scientist's lab and sent into the world to kill his other creators, thus "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me" (Ex 20:2).
Once Tobias kills these other "gods", he realises all his contracts are from the scientist. Tobias has been manipulated by his "God". The game tells the player that to believe in God and carry out his bidding restricts your freedom i.e. God controls you and even the most violent act becomes justified under God's law. This appears apparent when the player loses after the confrontation with the scientist and begins again in the womb-like state, ready to kill for God again. However, if the player chooses the winning path, Tobais rejects God through the act of killing the scientist and becomes free.
This is similar to the ideology behind Nietzsche's theories. Nietzsche claims in The Gay Science: "God is dead; but given the way of men, there may still be caves for thousands of years in which his shadow will be shown. -And we- we still have to vanquish his shadow, too."
sociological/developmental - Using the same characters, I provide another analysis based upon developmental theories. The area I want to examine here is the idea of masculinity. The game takes a fairly standard view on the formation of masculine identity. Once again, the lab gives birth to Tobias and he leaves his womb-like state. However, after this, there is no clear mother-figure. Tobias is left to develop based upon his father's instructions, which includes weapon training.
This is where the standard view of masculine and feminine roles becomes standard (or stereotypical, if you prefer). Masculine identity in society appears as a very violent portrayal. Meanwhile, feminine identity appears as nurturing in society. Despite, the standard view, it appears necessary to the game. The game would feel less bloodthirsty if a woman acted in the Agent 47 role. This is not because women can't be a violent as men, but because the majority of society (and, more importantly, the main demographic of game players -- males, aged 15-40) sees them as less violent.
Nevertheless, Agent 47 develops into a killer based upon his father's teachings. This acts as a study into domestic violence, as we are watching a father beating a son. The final act of killing the father plays like Freudian fantasy, where the son finally re-enters the womb and kills his father.
Another example that emphasises this point is the hotly-debated prostitute that kisses him. When she does kiss him, he shudders. Some have interpreted this as latent homosexuality. This theroy is stereotypically believable (I say stereotypical because I've know a lot of gay men who don't shudder when a woman kisses them), but a more likely theory is simply the lack of a mother-figure in his development. After developing without a mother-figure, Tobias has trouble relating to women.
The only real mother-figure that appears in Tobias' life is Diana Burnwood, who contacts him via a laptop to give his missions. However, we never see her in the game and, we can assume, Tobias has never seen her too. This illustrates that Tobias' feminine role-model is far, far away, which leaves a violent, domineering father-figure.
Also, the relationship between Diana and the scientists demonstrates patriarchal ideology -- the scientist gives Diana the missions to give to Tobias. The scientist is placed above her on the social scale, which demonstrates masculine hegemony. The combinations of all these elements demonstrates a patriarchal and violent masculine role-model that affects the outlook of a developing human being.
I also found many research articles that show serial killers develop as a result of abuse from a parent, mainly the father (Note: There are other factors and influences that add to the development of a serial killer, so keep in mind that this theory is not the be-all and end-all of serial killer research. I use it to illustrate my point about the game).
I will discuss certain games with semiotic analysis techniques, which means looking at certain characters and elements and asking what they signify. Some examples are from adventure games, while some aren't (though they do include some adventure elements).
This aids in understanding how we relate to the gaming word on the basis of our own experience. Thus, it's useful for developers (like us) to understand the way a player contructs meaning from games.
WARNING: This thread contains spoilers!
Hitman
This is my main analysis. For this game, I provide two breakdowns: philosophical and a hybrid sociological/developmental.
philosophical - The main character, Agent 47 aka Tobias Rieper, is a genetic product of a scientist. This scientists refers to himself as Tobias' "daddy" or "father". Obviously, scientist represents God within the game. Tobias is released from the scientist's lab and sent into the world to kill his other creators, thus "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me" (Ex 20:2).
Once Tobias kills these other "gods", he realises all his contracts are from the scientist. Tobias has been manipulated by his "God". The game tells the player that to believe in God and carry out his bidding restricts your freedom i.e. God controls you and even the most violent act becomes justified under God's law. This appears apparent when the player loses after the confrontation with the scientist and begins again in the womb-like state, ready to kill for God again. However, if the player chooses the winning path, Tobais rejects God through the act of killing the scientist and becomes free.
This is similar to the ideology behind Nietzsche's theories. Nietzsche claims in The Gay Science: "God is dead; but given the way of men, there may still be caves for thousands of years in which his shadow will be shown. -And we- we still have to vanquish his shadow, too."
sociological/developmental - Using the same characters, I provide another analysis based upon developmental theories. The area I want to examine here is the idea of masculinity. The game takes a fairly standard view on the formation of masculine identity. Once again, the lab gives birth to Tobias and he leaves his womb-like state. However, after this, there is no clear mother-figure. Tobias is left to develop based upon his father's instructions, which includes weapon training.
This is where the standard view of masculine and feminine roles becomes standard (or stereotypical, if you prefer). Masculine identity in society appears as a very violent portrayal. Meanwhile, feminine identity appears as nurturing in society. Despite, the standard view, it appears necessary to the game. The game would feel less bloodthirsty if a woman acted in the Agent 47 role. This is not because women can't be a violent as men, but because the majority of society (and, more importantly, the main demographic of game players -- males, aged 15-40) sees them as less violent.
Nevertheless, Agent 47 develops into a killer based upon his father's teachings. This acts as a study into domestic violence, as we are watching a father beating a son. The final act of killing the father plays like Freudian fantasy, where the son finally re-enters the womb and kills his father.
Another example that emphasises this point is the hotly-debated prostitute that kisses him. When she does kiss him, he shudders. Some have interpreted this as latent homosexuality. This theroy is stereotypically believable (I say stereotypical because I've know a lot of gay men who don't shudder when a woman kisses them), but a more likely theory is simply the lack of a mother-figure in his development. After developing without a mother-figure, Tobias has trouble relating to women.
The only real mother-figure that appears in Tobias' life is Diana Burnwood, who contacts him via a laptop to give his missions. However, we never see her in the game and, we can assume, Tobias has never seen her too. This illustrates that Tobias' feminine role-model is far, far away, which leaves a violent, domineering father-figure.
Also, the relationship between Diana and the scientists demonstrates patriarchal ideology -- the scientist gives Diana the missions to give to Tobias. The scientist is placed above her on the social scale, which demonstrates masculine hegemony. The combinations of all these elements demonstrates a patriarchal and violent masculine role-model that affects the outlook of a developing human being.
I also found many research articles that show serial killers develop as a result of abuse from a parent, mainly the father (Note: There are other factors and influences that add to the development of a serial killer, so keep in mind that this theory is not the be-all and end-all of serial killer research. I use it to illustrate my point about the game).
#27
General Discussion / 3 hours sleep...
Thu 25/03/2004 00:23:03
I hit the sack last night at 3am. I downloaded an Atari ST emulator. It kept me up all night. I played those classics like Typhoon Thompson, Verminator, and The New Zealand Story.
I loved that trip down Amnesia Lane. Only one problem: I had to wake up a six this morning. I had to help design the journalism department's newspaper. This means waking up at 6am, spend an hour getting ready (shower, dress, breakfast, etc), and a two hour trip to Uni.
9 am. I arrived there and the paper's offices were locked. No big deal. I'll waste an hour at the computer labs.
10 am. The offices were open. No sign of my lecturer (also the senior editor of the paper).
I check my e-mail. There's a message from him to our class. Apparently, there's a problem with the paper's new templates and fonts. Not only that, he was called away on "news events in other places".
This means I'm currently waiting for him in the paper's offices.
And I REALLY need some sleep...
Meh, I guess I brought this on myself anyway.
I loved that trip down Amnesia Lane. Only one problem: I had to wake up a six this morning. I had to help design the journalism department's newspaper. This means waking up at 6am, spend an hour getting ready (shower, dress, breakfast, etc), and a two hour trip to Uni.
9 am. I arrived there and the paper's offices were locked. No big deal. I'll waste an hour at the computer labs.
10 am. The offices were open. No sign of my lecturer (also the senior editor of the paper).
I check my e-mail. There's a message from him to our class. Apparently, there's a problem with the paper's new templates and fonts. Not only that, he was called away on "news events in other places".
This means I'm currently waiting for him in the paper's offices.
And I REALLY need some sleep...
Meh, I guess I brought this on myself anyway.
#31
Adventure Related Talk & Chat / AGS Awards: Ceremony date will be 31st Jan
Thu 29/01/2004 03:08:13
Hi there everybody,
This thread will provide information on the ceremony.
Times
The AGS Awards ceremony will be held at 6pm GMT on the 31/1/2004.
Voting will end 4pm GMT 31/1/2004.
I have decided to start the ceremony at 6pm because it is the beginning of #ags' peak time.
Ceremony
The ceremony will be held on Quakenet in an IRC channel called #agsawards.
Please arrive between 5:30pm-6pm, as the show will begin sharp on 6pm (If there are no technical difficulties).
Please do not arrive before then, as we need time to prepare the channel -- If you do arrive before 5:30, you will be kicked.
Watching the Ceremony
The ceremony works like this:
During the award announcements, everyone in the channel will be de-voiced, meaning they will not be able to type anything into the channel.
The only people not devoiced will be two "bodyguards" (responsible for voicing and devoicing various winners and presenters), a "cameraman" (responsible for taking a log of the ceremony), and myself.
The awards will be announced by myself and a number of presenters. (These presenters will be randomly chosen -- I'll PM you and ask if you'd like to present an award, and if you don't want to just say no).
The bodyguards will then voice the presenter, who will announce the nominees and the winner.
Then, the bodyguards will voice the entire room, which will allow people time to applause -- after this, the bodyguards will devoice the room.
Then, the winner will be voiced and give an acceptance speech -- after this, he or she will be devoiced.
Tips
The reason for the voicing/devoicing is it gets very noisy when people talk during the ceremony - However, you can still treat #ags as an "audience room", where you can chat about the ceremony.
Also, it's usually a good idea to tile both the #ags and #agsawards windows -- This allows you to follow the action in both channels.
Please try and be supportive of all winners as much as you can -- The awards are voted by the entire community, and thus the winners are selected by the majority of he community.
Apart from that, have fun and enjoy the show!
- DG
This thread will provide information on the ceremony.
Times
The AGS Awards ceremony will be held at 6pm GMT on the 31/1/2004.
Voting will end 4pm GMT 31/1/2004.
I have decided to start the ceremony at 6pm because it is the beginning of #ags' peak time.
Ceremony
The ceremony will be held on Quakenet in an IRC channel called #agsawards.
Please arrive between 5:30pm-6pm, as the show will begin sharp on 6pm (If there are no technical difficulties).
Please do not arrive before then, as we need time to prepare the channel -- If you do arrive before 5:30, you will be kicked.
Watching the Ceremony
The ceremony works like this:
During the award announcements, everyone in the channel will be de-voiced, meaning they will not be able to type anything into the channel.
The only people not devoiced will be two "bodyguards" (responsible for voicing and devoicing various winners and presenters), a "cameraman" (responsible for taking a log of the ceremony), and myself.
The awards will be announced by myself and a number of presenters. (These presenters will be randomly chosen -- I'll PM you and ask if you'd like to present an award, and if you don't want to just say no).
The bodyguards will then voice the presenter, who will announce the nominees and the winner.
Then, the bodyguards will voice the entire room, which will allow people time to applause -- after this, the bodyguards will devoice the room.
Then, the winner will be voiced and give an acceptance speech -- after this, he or she will be devoiced.
Tips
The reason for the voicing/devoicing is it gets very noisy when people talk during the ceremony - However, you can still treat #ags as an "audience room", where you can chat about the ceremony.
Also, it's usually a good idea to tile both the #ags and #agsawards windows -- This allows you to follow the action in both channels.
Please try and be supportive of all winners as much as you can -- The awards are voted by the entire community, and thus the winners are selected by the majority of he community.
Apart from that, have fun and enjoy the show!
- DG
#32
General Discussion / Golden Globes and Oscars!
Mon 26/01/2004 02:30:51
I'm writing this as they're announced, but there have been a few winners that have made me very happy -- like:
Best Actor in a Comedy: Bill Murray -- Lost In Translation (YAY!)
Best Comedy series: The Office
Best Comedy Actor: Ricky Gervais -- The Office
Best Supporting Actor: Tim Robbins -- Mystic River
Best Drama Series: 24
LOTR just won best music
And Best Song!
Best Screenplay: Sofia Coppola -- Lost In Translation (Living up to her Dad's good name!)
Now all the hardcore film geeks at the Oscarwatch forums are having an argument over whether LOTR should win Best Drama or not while Michael Douglas wins the lifetime achievement award.
Best Director: Peter Jackson -- LOTR: ROTK (Third time's a charm!
)
Best Actor in a TV movie: Al Pacino -- Angels in America (Hoo-haa!!!)
Best Actor in a Drama: Sean Penn -- Mystic River
Best Actress in a Drama: Charlize Theron - Monster (Haven't seen the movie yet, but heard Theron delivers one of the best performances in movie history ever!)
Best Comedy: Lost in Translation (YAY!!!)
Best Drama: LOTR: ROTK (Like I said, third time's a charm!)
Best Actor in a Comedy: Bill Murray -- Lost In Translation (YAY!)
Best Comedy series: The Office
Best Comedy Actor: Ricky Gervais -- The Office
Best Supporting Actor: Tim Robbins -- Mystic River
Best Drama Series: 24
LOTR just won best music
And Best Song!
Best Screenplay: Sofia Coppola -- Lost In Translation (Living up to her Dad's good name!)
Now all the hardcore film geeks at the Oscarwatch forums are having an argument over whether LOTR should win Best Drama or not while Michael Douglas wins the lifetime achievement award.
Best Director: Peter Jackson -- LOTR: ROTK (Third time's a charm!
)Best Actor in a TV movie: Al Pacino -- Angels in America (Hoo-haa!!!)
Best Actor in a Drama: Sean Penn -- Mystic River
Best Actress in a Drama: Charlize Theron - Monster (Haven't seen the movie yet, but heard Theron delivers one of the best performances in movie history ever!)
Best Comedy: Lost in Translation (YAY!!!)
Best Drama: LOTR: ROTK (Like I said, third time's a charm!)
#33
Competitions & Activities / DG's final AGS Photoshop Phriday -- "I should run Photoshop Phriday because...
Fri 23/01/2004 02:16:09
What is a Photoshop Phriday?
Photoshopping isn't drawing a completely new image -- It's editing images to create a new image, such as editing one image or combining several images.
Also, you don't have to specifically use Photoshop -- Paint Shop Pro, MSPaint, or any other programs can be used.
See this link:
http://www.somethingawful.com/photoshop/
And for other examples, see here:
http://www.worth1000.com/
The two above websites should give a fair idea of what is involved.
Also, make sure your image doesn't exceed the width of the screen -- If it does, I will delete it.
-------------------------------------
What do I have to do?
This week's Photoshop Phriday is: "I should run Photoshop Phriday because..."
I'm hanging up my spurs.
But I'm going to pass Photoshop Phriday on to someone else.
But not just ANYONE.
The person will have to be a SUPER NINJA MASTER BASTARD photoshopper.
Remember that episode of The Simpsons where Grandpa inherits a lot of money from his dead girlfriend and he asks each person in town why he should give the money to them?
That's what this is like.
So, for my final Photoshop Phriday, you'll need to create an image that explains to me why I should give this competition to you.
I'll be judging based upon quality of image and whether your reason is good enough.
Th image should speak for itself, so the less text, the better.
The winners will recieve this competition to mould in any way they want plus the chance to become a moderator for the competitions and activities forum.
The competition will end in one week.
Eidt: Also, the winner can decide whether they want it to run like the Sprite Jams or just to have themselves facilitate it each week like I did -- It's up to the winner.
Photoshopping isn't drawing a completely new image -- It's editing images to create a new image, such as editing one image or combining several images.
Also, you don't have to specifically use Photoshop -- Paint Shop Pro, MSPaint, or any other programs can be used.
See this link:
http://www.somethingawful.com/photoshop/
And for other examples, see here:
http://www.worth1000.com/
The two above websites should give a fair idea of what is involved.
Also, make sure your image doesn't exceed the width of the screen -- If it does, I will delete it.
-------------------------------------
What do I have to do?
This week's Photoshop Phriday is: "I should run Photoshop Phriday because..."
I'm hanging up my spurs.
But I'm going to pass Photoshop Phriday on to someone else.
But not just ANYONE.
The person will have to be a SUPER NINJA MASTER BASTARD photoshopper.
Remember that episode of The Simpsons where Grandpa inherits a lot of money from his dead girlfriend and he asks each person in town why he should give the money to them?
That's what this is like.
So, for my final Photoshop Phriday, you'll need to create an image that explains to me why I should give this competition to you.
I'll be judging based upon quality of image and whether your reason is good enough.
Th image should speak for itself, so the less text, the better.
The winners will recieve this competition to mould in any way they want plus the chance to become a moderator for the competitions and activities forum.
The competition will end in one week.
Eidt: Also, the winner can decide whether they want it to run like the Sprite Jams or just to have themselves facilitate it each week like I did -- It's up to the winner.
#34
General Discussion / "Hello, My Future Girlfriend! This is what I sound like!" - The Return!
Thu 22/01/2004 05:55:23
Mikey is back.
He's grown up and has a new website:
http://www.deceitful.org/
Read about his mullet-raising adventures here:
http://www.deceitful.org/history.php
He's grown up and has a new website:
http://www.deceitful.org/
Read about his mullet-raising adventures here:
http://www.deceitful.org/history.php
#35
Adventure Related Talk & Chat / AGS AWARDS VOTING IS OVER!
Sat 17/01/2004 15:14:41
Get your butts to #agsawards on QuakeNet's IRC server!
#36
Adventure Related Talk & Chat / AGS AWARDS: 'Apprentice' leads the pack with 14 nominations!
Wed 14/01/2004 02:18:33
'Apprentice' leads the pack with 14 nominations!
Herculean Effort Productions (HEP) walked away with 14 AGS Award nominations today for their game 'Apprentice'!
The game scored a Best AGS Game nomination and swept the Story and Character categories.
'Apprentice' also achieved nominations in all technical categories except Best Documentation.
Past AGS Award winner Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw of FullyRamblomatic trailed closely behind HEP with 11 nominations, including Best AGS Game, for 'Five Days a Stranger'.
Wintermute Studios followed with 10 nominations for their game 'Grr! Bearly Sane'.
'Grr! Bearly Sane' surprisingly did not score a nod for Best AGS Game despite a higher number of nominations than other Best Game nominees.
SOCKO! Entertainment's 'The Adventures of Fatman' made history as the first commercial project nominated for Best AGS Game.
'Fatman' scored a total of 7 nominations.
The AGS Community also honoured another past award winner, Dave Gilbert, with a Best Game nomination for 'Bestowers of Eternity.
Mr Gilbert's game achieved six nominations.
Finally, Ratracer Adventure Games scored eight nominations, including Best Game, for 'The Uncertaintly Machine'.
Other categories provided surprises as well.
The AGS Community re-nominated last year's winning 'Snow Plug-in' for Best Utility or Plug-in.
'Snow plug-in' Author Scorpiorus competes against other plug-in such as the 'Credits plug-in' and the 'TCP/IP plug-in'.
Captain Mostly and Squinky face-off against themselves as both are nominated across all three games in the Best Non-Adventure category.
Their co-project 'Vegetable Patch Extreem Turbo 2' battles against Squinky's 'AGS Mittens Shooter' and Captain Mostly's 'Vegetable Patch Extreem Turbo 1'.
Voting for the winners will run from 18-31 January 2004.
The ceremony date will be announced later in the month, along with the Lifetime Achievement winner.
All the nominees can be found here:
http://www.sylpher.com/AGSAwards/2003.htm
Anyway guys and gals, voting will start on the 18th.
Use the time until then to play the nominated games and decide the winner in each catehory.
Until then, see ya!
Herculean Effort Productions (HEP) walked away with 14 AGS Award nominations today for their game 'Apprentice'!
The game scored a Best AGS Game nomination and swept the Story and Character categories.
'Apprentice' also achieved nominations in all technical categories except Best Documentation.
Past AGS Award winner Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw of FullyRamblomatic trailed closely behind HEP with 11 nominations, including Best AGS Game, for 'Five Days a Stranger'.
Wintermute Studios followed with 10 nominations for their game 'Grr! Bearly Sane'.
'Grr! Bearly Sane' surprisingly did not score a nod for Best AGS Game despite a higher number of nominations than other Best Game nominees.
SOCKO! Entertainment's 'The Adventures of Fatman' made history as the first commercial project nominated for Best AGS Game.
'Fatman' scored a total of 7 nominations.
The AGS Community also honoured another past award winner, Dave Gilbert, with a Best Game nomination for 'Bestowers of Eternity.
Mr Gilbert's game achieved six nominations.
Finally, Ratracer Adventure Games scored eight nominations, including Best Game, for 'The Uncertaintly Machine'.
Other categories provided surprises as well.
The AGS Community re-nominated last year's winning 'Snow Plug-in' for Best Utility or Plug-in.
'Snow plug-in' Author Scorpiorus competes against other plug-in such as the 'Credits plug-in' and the 'TCP/IP plug-in'.
Captain Mostly and Squinky face-off against themselves as both are nominated across all three games in the Best Non-Adventure category.
Their co-project 'Vegetable Patch Extreem Turbo 2' battles against Squinky's 'AGS Mittens Shooter' and Captain Mostly's 'Vegetable Patch Extreem Turbo 1'.
Voting for the winners will run from 18-31 January 2004.
The ceremony date will be announced later in the month, along with the Lifetime Achievement winner.
All the nominees can be found here:
http://www.sylpher.com/AGSAwards/2003.htm
Anyway guys and gals, voting will start on the 18th.
Use the time until then to play the nominated games and decide the winner in each catehory.
Until then, see ya!
#37
The Rumpus Room / GTD: Backgrounds and "mise en scene"
Tue 13/01/2004 17:19:49
In film theory, "mise en scene" translates roughly from French to English as "scene arrangement".
That is the ability to design and arrange a frame (props, lighting, characters, etc) to create meaning.
On basic level, a framed image can demonstrate time, place, etc.
On a deeper level, it can also create mood and convey subtextual meanings of characters or plot.
Here are two example from Citizen Kane:
Scene 1:
This frame is from the first scene in Citizen Kane -- It already tells quite a lot about the story i.e. a large, far-away mansion -- it looks very uninviting and even has signs (seen previously) upon its gate that say "KEEP OUT".
This sets up the story in part for the next scene, which is Kane on his deathbed -- We begin to wonder, "Who was that man who owned such a large house? Why does it look so uninviting?"
In other words, this scene becomes a reflection on Kane -- His house demonstrates how he shut himself off from the rest of the world.
Scene 2:
Notice how the smallest figure (Kane) seems to look the most powerful in this scene -- We get a clear sense of relationships in this scene i.e. Kane is the boss.
Such arrangement of scenes is particularly used in film noir, which bring me to adventure games.
Grim Fandango -- very film noirish game.
Certain framed scenes tell a lot about characters and story.
For example:
We learn a lot about Manny in this scene, such as the impression of the messy pile of books on his desk, and the dark decor and lighting.
I'm sure there are tons of other scenes from countless other adventure games, which is what this GTD is about.
Discuss your ideas on background construction and it's relevance to creating meaning in the game.
Think about questions like these:
* What does the foreground tell you? What about the background? How do both contrast?
* How is the scene lit? What kind of atmosphere does it give? How does this contribute to the game?
* What about certain motifs (reoccuring patterns or symbols)? i.e. the closets in Pleurghburg (as a symbol of Jake's fear)
* Does the frame offer some odd camera perspective? How does think create meaning?
* How does the background, characters and objects work together in a room?
These are just basic questions to get you started, but I'm sure people can expand upon this topic.
Here's an good article to give you some ideas too:
http://members.tripod.com/~aarrrggghhh/misnscn.html
Cheers!
That is the ability to design and arrange a frame (props, lighting, characters, etc) to create meaning.
On basic level, a framed image can demonstrate time, place, etc.
On a deeper level, it can also create mood and convey subtextual meanings of characters or plot.
Here are two example from Citizen Kane:
Scene 1:
This frame is from the first scene in Citizen Kane -- It already tells quite a lot about the story i.e. a large, far-away mansion -- it looks very uninviting and even has signs (seen previously) upon its gate that say "KEEP OUT".
This sets up the story in part for the next scene, which is Kane on his deathbed -- We begin to wonder, "Who was that man who owned such a large house? Why does it look so uninviting?"
In other words, this scene becomes a reflection on Kane -- His house demonstrates how he shut himself off from the rest of the world.
Scene 2:
Notice how the smallest figure (Kane) seems to look the most powerful in this scene -- We get a clear sense of relationships in this scene i.e. Kane is the boss.
Such arrangement of scenes is particularly used in film noir, which bring me to adventure games.
Grim Fandango -- very film noirish game.
Certain framed scenes tell a lot about characters and story.
For example:
We learn a lot about Manny in this scene, such as the impression of the messy pile of books on his desk, and the dark decor and lighting.
I'm sure there are tons of other scenes from countless other adventure games, which is what this GTD is about.
Discuss your ideas on background construction and it's relevance to creating meaning in the game.
Think about questions like these:
* What does the foreground tell you? What about the background? How do both contrast?
* How is the scene lit? What kind of atmosphere does it give? How does this contribute to the game?
* What about certain motifs (reoccuring patterns or symbols)? i.e. the closets in Pleurghburg (as a symbol of Jake's fear)
* Does the frame offer some odd camera perspective? How does think create meaning?
* How does the background, characters and objects work together in a room?
These are just basic questions to get you started, but I'm sure people can expand upon this topic.
Here's an good article to give you some ideas too:
http://members.tripod.com/~aarrrggghhh/misnscn.html
Cheers!
#38
Competitions & Activities / AGS Photoshop Phriday 9/1/2004 -- "You Slack Bastard, DG!"
Fri 09/01/2004 14:56:48
What is a Photoshop Phriday?
Photoshopping isn't drawing a completely new image -- It's editing images to create a new image, such as editing one image or combining several images.
Also, you don't have to specifically use Photoshop -- Paint Shop Pro, MSPaint, or any other programs can be used.
See this link:
http://www.somethingawful.com/photoshop/
And for other examples, see here:
http://www.worth1000.com/
The two above websites should give a fair idea of what is involved.
Also, make sure your image doesn't exceed the width of the screen -- If it does, I will delete it.
-------------------------------------
What do I have to do?
This week's Photoshop Phriday is: "You Slack Bastard, DG!"
Okay, I told everyone that there was no PP last week due to me working on the AGS Awards.
But what was the REAL reason.
Your mission, Mr Phelps: Hunt down a piccy of me and photoshop it to show what I was really doing instead of organising a new Photoshop Phriday.
Enjoy.
Photoshopping isn't drawing a completely new image -- It's editing images to create a new image, such as editing one image or combining several images.
Also, you don't have to specifically use Photoshop -- Paint Shop Pro, MSPaint, or any other programs can be used.
See this link:
http://www.somethingawful.com/photoshop/
And for other examples, see here:
http://www.worth1000.com/
The two above websites should give a fair idea of what is involved.
Also, make sure your image doesn't exceed the width of the screen -- If it does, I will delete it.
-------------------------------------
What do I have to do?
This week's Photoshop Phriday is: "You Slack Bastard, DG!"
Okay, I told everyone that there was no PP last week due to me working on the AGS Awards.
But what was the REAL reason.
Your mission, Mr Phelps: Hunt down a piccy of me and photoshop it to show what I was really doing instead of organising a new Photoshop Phriday.
Enjoy.
#39
General Discussion / Top Ten Film Characters (Plus 'The Last Detail' clip I promised ages ago)
Sun 04/01/2004 12:25:22
Here's that clip from The Last Detail I promised from the "Story behind your avatar" thread.
Now everyone will know the deal behind my avatar plus see a great scene from my fav movie.
http://www.sylpher.com/DGMacphee/Photoshop/TheLastDetail.wmv (2mb)
Anyway, it also got me thinking about my favourite film characters -- So, here's my top ten (in no particular order)
* Billy "Badass" Buddusky from The Last Detail(played by Jack Nicholson) -- Before escorting a young sailor tot he brig, he promises to show the kid the time of his life. So, he buys him beer, gets him laid, they go ice skating, then have a BBQ in the snow. The whole film is a critique about those who hide behind authority and claim they're "just doing their job". Buddusky is the ultimate anti-authoritarian trapped in service of one of the most authoritive groups: The US Navy.
* Sgt. Hartman from Full Metal Jacket (played by R. Lee Emery) -- This whatever-dude article explains it best: http://www.whatever-dude.com/posts/166.shtml
* Hawkeye Pierce from M*A*S*H (played by Donald Sutherland) -- I prefer Alan Alda's Hawkeye from the TV series (he's way more wackier), but I love the whole M*A*S*H trinity (the film, the series, and especially the book) anyway.
* Marge Gunderson from Fargo (played by Frances McDormand) -- I just love the idea of a simple, small-town police chief who's preggers. She gets the job done without resorting to corrupt bully-boy tactics (a la Popeye Doyle) or using her sexuality to gain information (a la Erin Brockovich). All she uses is just clean, honest detective skills. Good on her!
* Verbal Kint from The Usual Suspects (played by Kevin Spacey) -- Nearly every line that come out of this guy's mouth is a classic. Like: "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist."
* Elwood P Dowd from Harvey (played by Jimmy Stewart) -- A man who talks to a six-foot invisible rabbit. Do I smell a recipe for wackiness?
* Ben from Leaving Las Vegas (played by Nicholas Cage) -- My favourite love story. A suicidal drunk meets a lonely prostitute and they form a marriage-like relationship. Only problem is, he still wants to drink himself to death. Cage researched this character by hanging out with drunks and taping himself drunk so he could study his speech patterns.
* Karl Childers from Sling Blade (played by Billy Bob Thornton) -- Billy Bob may sound like a hillbilly from Deliverance, but he's a talented actor and writer. I saw this film in high school and Karl became the subject of many mirth-filled impersonations for my drama teacher. (I'm also hanging out for Bad Santa to hit Australia)
* Mark "Chopper" Read from Chopper (played by Eric Bana) -- My favourite Aussie movie. Whenever I watch this film, I feel so patriotic. This film is an unbiased look at Australia's toughest criminal (Oh yes, Chopper could mop the floor with Ned Kelly and then use his gizzards for wax). Bana was previously known for his stand-up comedy -- then he showed his sinister, hard-arsed side in this film. He bulked up a la Raging Bull's De Niro and delivered a most memorable performance.
* The Dude from The Big Lebowski (played by Jeff Bridges) -- Another Coen Bros character. But Jeff is totally the man. He's The Dude! I can just imagine the pitch the Coens had to make to the heads of production: "Okay, we want to make this detective story, right? But the main character is a hippy who goes bowling a lot. Oh yeah, and his best friend is a pissed-off Vietnam vet..."
That's the list but other honourable mentions include: Travis Bickle from Taxi Driver, Hannibal Lector from Silence of the Lambs, Fast Eddie from The Hustler, Don Vito Corleone from The Godfather (I and II), Leonard Shelby from Memento, Jules from Pulp Fiction, Indy from Raiders of the Lost Ark, Joe Buck and Rizzo Ratso from Midnight Cowboy, and the list goes on and on.
So, who are your favourite characters from films?
Now everyone will know the deal behind my avatar plus see a great scene from my fav movie.
http://www.sylpher.com/DGMacphee/Photoshop/TheLastDetail.wmv (2mb)
Anyway, it also got me thinking about my favourite film characters -- So, here's my top ten (in no particular order)
* Billy "Badass" Buddusky from The Last Detail(played by Jack Nicholson) -- Before escorting a young sailor tot he brig, he promises to show the kid the time of his life. So, he buys him beer, gets him laid, they go ice skating, then have a BBQ in the snow. The whole film is a critique about those who hide behind authority and claim they're "just doing their job". Buddusky is the ultimate anti-authoritarian trapped in service of one of the most authoritive groups: The US Navy.
* Sgt. Hartman from Full Metal Jacket (played by R. Lee Emery) -- This whatever-dude article explains it best: http://www.whatever-dude.com/posts/166.shtml
* Hawkeye Pierce from M*A*S*H (played by Donald Sutherland) -- I prefer Alan Alda's Hawkeye from the TV series (he's way more wackier), but I love the whole M*A*S*H trinity (the film, the series, and especially the book) anyway.
* Marge Gunderson from Fargo (played by Frances McDormand) -- I just love the idea of a simple, small-town police chief who's preggers. She gets the job done without resorting to corrupt bully-boy tactics (a la Popeye Doyle) or using her sexuality to gain information (a la Erin Brockovich). All she uses is just clean, honest detective skills. Good on her!
* Verbal Kint from The Usual Suspects (played by Kevin Spacey) -- Nearly every line that come out of this guy's mouth is a classic. Like: "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist."
* Elwood P Dowd from Harvey (played by Jimmy Stewart) -- A man who talks to a six-foot invisible rabbit. Do I smell a recipe for wackiness?
* Ben from Leaving Las Vegas (played by Nicholas Cage) -- My favourite love story. A suicidal drunk meets a lonely prostitute and they form a marriage-like relationship. Only problem is, he still wants to drink himself to death. Cage researched this character by hanging out with drunks and taping himself drunk so he could study his speech patterns.
* Karl Childers from Sling Blade (played by Billy Bob Thornton) -- Billy Bob may sound like a hillbilly from Deliverance, but he's a talented actor and writer. I saw this film in high school and Karl became the subject of many mirth-filled impersonations for my drama teacher. (I'm also hanging out for Bad Santa to hit Australia)
* Mark "Chopper" Read from Chopper (played by Eric Bana) -- My favourite Aussie movie. Whenever I watch this film, I feel so patriotic. This film is an unbiased look at Australia's toughest criminal (Oh yes, Chopper could mop the floor with Ned Kelly and then use his gizzards for wax). Bana was previously known for his stand-up comedy -- then he showed his sinister, hard-arsed side in this film. He bulked up a la Raging Bull's De Niro and delivered a most memorable performance.
* The Dude from The Big Lebowski (played by Jeff Bridges) -- Another Coen Bros character. But Jeff is totally the man. He's The Dude! I can just imagine the pitch the Coens had to make to the heads of production: "Okay, we want to make this detective story, right? But the main character is a hippy who goes bowling a lot. Oh yeah, and his best friend is a pissed-off Vietnam vet..."
That's the list but other honourable mentions include: Travis Bickle from Taxi Driver, Hannibal Lector from Silence of the Lambs, Fast Eddie from The Hustler, Don Vito Corleone from The Godfather (I and II), Leonard Shelby from Memento, Jules from Pulp Fiction, Indy from Raiders of the Lost Ark, Joe Buck and Rizzo Ratso from Midnight Cowboy, and the list goes on and on.
So, who are your favourite characters from films?
#40
Adventure Related Talk & Chat / AGS AWARDS 2003 -- FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION (PLACE ADS IN HERE)
Fri 02/01/2004 15:27:13
Hi all,
This is the place to post any FYC ads for your games.
A FYC ad is simply a graphic that pimps your game to AGS Awards voters.
For example:
Happy pimping!
This is the place to post any FYC ads for your games.
A FYC ad is simply a graphic that pimps your game to AGS Awards voters.
For example:
Happy pimping!
SMF spam blocked by CleanTalk