Messages

I like this idea a lot! Thinking of ways to excape a room is something difficult to do originally, so this should get the creative juices flowing. I was playing around with ideas for such a thing too. Hmm, I have an idea, maybe the winnning idea (by vote) will be made into a small game? Or maybe it's just left alone and yje winner starts the next thread.

You need a hosting site. If the file is smaller than 1 megabyte, you can upload it here:
http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/upload/upload.html
Otherwise, you need to sign up for a free hosting company. There are many, however a lot of them have a file size limit or don't allow files like .zip, .rar, .exe, etc...

These seem to be good ones:
http://www.domaindlx.com/
edit: Ah, damn, no it's not..
"We do not allow any type of programs, software, or MP3 files on our server.  Also hotlinking is not allowed."
In that case, I think these are the only ones I've found that allow these file types:
http://www.tripod.lycos.co.uk/
http://www.portland.co.uk/freewebhosting.esp
http://www.50megs.com/ (not sure yet)
Still, I think it's likely that your file is smaller than 1 meg anyway, my mags games usually are very small when zipped.

Kraf: What, already? Man, you're fast. Tell me your secret!
I haven't even gotten around to starting yet, especciaaly since AGS, Photoshop, and most other programs don't work. I do hope to make a short game if I have time.

*drools*
:o

This is avery smooth, awesome background! I don't think I have any critics, except maybe add more objects to it, it's a little bit empty. The largest vase on the foreground is shaped oddly, or so it seems. The lines for the outline of the bottom are in the background.
Did you use vectors? It's really smooth and beatiful. I love the shading style.
The window(?) looks too blue for me, I think it should be less saturated, more transparent, showing the outside possible. Or maybe it's a fish tank with no fish .
The shape of the shelf is a bit strange, like it's off perspective or something. Also, the gradients on the vases would look better in normal shading like the rest of the image I think, or maybe if you just add your shading to the gradiented vases, like the one in the background.
I like the shapes of the room and the objects, reminds me of Dott only all stylized and smooth .

About the celing: Well, maybe you can show us what it looks like black? I think I like the way it is now, too. Otehrwise, you could use a darker color of the walls color and add some shadows. Maybe a lamp hanging too, if you want.
Another glitch, i think - the shade for the leftmost wall (my left) is partially above the wall aswell, where the ceiling would already be.
Also, there are some white pixels here and there, such as at the bottom of the same wall, right side of the vase, adn in the top-left corner of the window, I think.

I really love everything else about this pic, especcially the whole cartoony look, and the different color boards at the bottom of the walls.

Keep it up, and write a tutorial if you can!

Modification: Hmm, reading Zor's post I now feel a woode something, like wooden planks, would be totally awesome.

Peter Thomas:
Ok,Ã,  nice to hear you like it...Ã,  But doesn't it fade to black already?

It does fade to black, but the face should be entirely balced out I think.Right now you can still see some of it. I think this would also improve the effect of the eyes being opened red during the fade, which right now looks a little odd.

Dux: Indeed, it's a great community! Welcome to AGS..

Oh, actually i thought you meant low-res in letterbox mode, which is 320X240, but I guess you're using normal low-res.

Yeah, reorganising should be nice, this topic has gotten carried away...
I guess I kinda made it more difficult by adding a reply for dikla (I always see this hebrew sounding names here! ) in the off-topic post.
Maybe the off-topic part could be seperated (I could repost my reply to dikla). If others think they'd fins this useful, maybe it could even be moved to the tech archive.
------------------------------
Ah, so creating a struct creates a new variable type, in a way? Thus declaring a variable of this type means it can have the properties in the struct?
Is this the same as declaring each variable seperately, only faster? Such as:

int hero_fighting;
int hero_magic;
int villain_fighting;
int villain_magic;

Does the engine react negatively to an int called hero_skills.magic when it's not part of the struct? just wondering.

So, if strings cannot be declared in structs, is there a way to include one anyway?

For example:

struct char {

int alive;
//can a value such as 1 be assigned by default here?

//string name; is this usable?
//if not, is the only way to implement it declaring it outside the struct?

}

Structs, when reffered to in the script, are similar to text script global variables in the manual, right?

I also noticed char can store 1 letter character or a number 0-256, so it's usually used for pallette
what about this: char num[100]; does this limit characters to be 0-99/ 0-100? can letters still be used?



One more thing (for now ):
Can int be 3.45 for example? or is it limited to "complete" numbers? same for char.

------------------------------
edit: SSH-
what does '#define function int' do? I

Odd, I also noticed the "=", and was going tomention it but then saw it had been edited .

I was going to ask you this is PM, but as long as you're here:
what do you mean char[200] is a fake string? Does the [200] specify that there can be 200 characters, thus identical to a string, excpet that numbers 0-256 can also be used?

I feel a lot clearer on ags scripting now. I guess it's my recent drive for scripting challnges that made me want to know every single detail and way things work in ags.

Rofl, Morgan, maybe CJ shouldn't have removed the gender indicators near usernames .
Not that it matters .

I like the idea of a monkey sitting and desigining something. If possible, I think it would be nice to see part of the sketch..
Or, you could have a Huge canvas that the monkey has just finished painting/designing on and is signing. The canvas is very big so on it you see the name of your company. This could be entirely in black and white aswell. Just an idea, I sometimes get ideas apparantly .

Ok, I'll make sure to use return 0; in the future.

So, what's the point of writing something if it won't be executed? The only occasion I can see where this would be useful is for if statements, such as:

function OneTwoThree(int num) {

if (num == 1) {
return 1;
}
else if (num == 2) {
return 2;
}
else if (num == 3) {
return 3;
}
else {
return 0;
}

}

A useless function of course, but this is the only way I can spot to use return more than once and to have something after return too. I guess this isn't really a question, but I did wonder if there was another reason and way to do this (multiple returns I mean).

Thanks for all your enriching information! Is there anything else AGS supports or "doesn't support"? I.e. things not in the manual. I saw a struct declaration in a script, and I love #define already. I'll learn C# in 3 years in school, but it never hurts to learn a bit of introduction first. Though I understand this is probably very different, since it's object oriented (not quite sure what that means).
To the best of my knowledge, structs are like arrays of variables, looking like this:

struct object {
int size;
string name;
//etc..
}
and then reffered to as:
object_struct.size=7;
I'm not quite sure about it.
Can it be sued similarly to properties in VB? i.e.
object.property = value;

I don't quite get the char and short variables, and what they are good for.

edit:
Oh, I noticed there is an unanswered question here:

1) i want to display a massage "you cant have it" when the player enter the room and touch the hotspot. after he use an inventory item, i wantÃ,  a new massage to appear "now you can take it". but whatever i try i keep getting one message after another on clicking the hand twice. (even after i used the item)the first click i get the 1st massage and the 2cd click gives the 2nd massage. can i just remove a massage?

I don't know what script you used, but the way I would do it:

[If, after the player has used the inventory item on the hotspot, you want the normal hotspot interaction to display the 2nd message, add what I put in red also. Otherwise, ignore the red bits, it's jus that I didn't quite understand what you wanted to achieve. ]


//at the top of the room script
int useditem;


//run script for intercation with hotspot

if (useditem == 1) {

Display("Now you can have it.");
}

else {

Display("You can't have it.");
}

//run script for use inventory on hotspot
if (character[GetPlayerCharacter()].activeinv == 4) {
//supposing 4 is the inventory item you need to use
Display("Now you can have it.");
useditem = 1;
}

Heh, thanks for the info .
However, I don't think that if my funtion isn't meant to return something, like many others, there's no point telling it to return at all.. What happens if a function doesn't use return, and then accidentally is used this way:
int value = MyFunction();
Does the editor notice the bug or will it occur in the test?

Also, can any commands be used after return;? For example:

GetPlayerMood() {
player_char_mood = player_char_happy - player_char_sad

return player_char_mood;
player_char_mood = 0; // or "player_char_mood;", is this allowed?

}

Actually there isn't a point to use it in this case, but I couldn't think of anything better, and this function is a pretty silly example too..

P.s. Soory for the hi-jack, I'm just curious. Trying to up my level of understanding of scripting..

I love the characters, though the lady is pretty scary. I like the new elephant immensly! Also, lovely animation.
The voices are
EDIT: I forgot to finish this sentence silly me! heh, I always write posts in pieces, so there you have it. Actually, I can't listen to the voices now, cause my PC is fu**ed up, media player/winamp/anything isn't working.

One thing you seem to have confused about the resolution: don't you mean: 320X240?
340X200 isn't possible afaik, unless this is background size and they scroll, or the actual res is 640X400.
Most likely you just mixed it up a bit .

Looking forward to playing this game/a demo!

I think the teeth are flat on purpose, so that there can be text there. I like it . Perhaps you could define the lips a bit more?
edit: Well, I guess not.. We posted at the same time, . Still, I like the idea of incorporating text into pictures, but you could justdraw a funny monkey-ish font for letters and oput it below. I think a custom made font, if you have the time, would look great. Somethin hairy perhaps.

I for one totally get a primate feeling, not quite an the one in the picture Haddas posted, more of a monkey, which is just as well. Maybe just the ears shoud be smaller, but I kinda prefer it this way.
I'm not sure why, but the ape does look a bit too human, the expression I mean. If you want it to look wilder then maybe this shiuld be changed. Then again, it's got a cartoony feel you may be going for .

Hehe, real life can be so annoying! It seems like exactly at the point when I was ready to make some progress in an ags game, there are suddenly 15 upcoming tests, 3 days apart on average, an oral presentation, loads of math homework, a math competition to prepare for, french jomeworl to do, and a few more small things..
And I'm just in 9th grade! I'm afraid to imagine how little free time I will have next year.

Whoops, got carried away, I just wanted to say take your time .

P.s. I'm still not sure if I would like vectors or pixel art.. Is it possible to have both?

But it's added automatically when you use the run script command from the interactions editor. Just making a note.

One thing I was wondering myself, if you write a custom function for example, and use return; at the end what does it return?

function Action1 (int param) {
param = GetPlayerCharacter(); //or something..
return;
//I know using return param; would return the player character, but sometimes return; is used alone..
}

Also, it's probably not a good idea to use: return GetPlayerCharacter();, right?

 :o
This is the first time I've used this new smiley, as I'm not too fond of the new style for them, but this simply requires it!
Is there an actual executable download to test this out, or is it a plugin? I would love to take a look at it, even if I have to download the Aurora engine for it... Is it still available onlone?
This is inspiring me to try and make a world as a basis for a game. I was thinking of doing something simple, like a swamp area with mainly plants and mosquitos and other bugs, for a simpler start.

Wow, I never thought of the idea of using placeholders before characters are available! That's a great use for this resource. Now, characters are not even close to being my forte, but if you want I can draw some backgrounds that I doubt anyone will want to use as anything other than placeholders . Of course, this'll take some time as it's pretty hard to believe the amount of work we have to do for school. It's a test every 3 days minimum, and oral presentation, huge math homework, etc etc..
If there's something in particular you'd like me to draw and add (if you even want backgrounds), tell me. I mean, a certain type of location, sorta like Insta-game being in space.

I'm gonna use some of those sprites as placeholders now .

Yeah, I kinda think it looks like writing in blood with a knife or something, so that's cool.. Or it might be a knife cutting through the background and blood coming out..
My last and final suggestion, which I just forgot to write, is for there to be a bit more blood leaking from the words, like in the previous version. Actually I'm no longer sure it's better to have it written than to have the letters "leak" down, but I'm sure just a little blood drip will make it creepier .

I'll try and imagine my own sound effects idea later, maybe you'll like it. I'm pretty crazy for sound effects, I just love them!

I love this new version! And wow, 71 frames, that's a lot of work!

I like Haddas' sounds idea, but I think there is something slightly dofferent on the edge of my eardrum . The tone is the same though, the surprise of the eyes opening red, combined with fear, etc.

Suggestions still:
1) Maybe, like Haddas said, the eyes should only open up red after fade out is over? It'd make the event seem more dramatic and sudden, plus watching this repeatedly really makes it seem sometimes like it fades out and then becomes brighteer suddenly, which it doesn't, it's just an effect of the eyes being opened simultaneously I think.
2) I think the fading out should go just a bit further, being a little darker at the end. Maybe not.
3) The shine on her hair seems strange, a bit, maybe it should be brighter or slightly differently shaped (though I think the shape will look better when brighter too). Maybe I'm wrong though, I dunno much about hairshine.
4) The Background of the cutscene is pretty close in color to the haircolor. Maybe it should be pitch black? Thst way it's just her head that's fading out, more focus on her too.
5) Once again, I could be wrong, but shouldn't there be some shade on her shirt? Either part of the breasts being visible or I dunno... Maybe I'm just bugged ever so slightly by the flat colour.

Lastly, I'll whip up something in M$Pain to explain what I meant for the blood, but I think it'll be too much work to redo it... What program do you use? How did you make the writing? Was it just a lot of patience or is there a technique you used?

P.s. It seems you've changed the red eyes slightly, I like it . I also like the smile, just mentioning.

edit:
Ok, sorry for the weird artifacts, I didn't know MSPaint did that to gifs:


I don't think I drew it well, but I've already uninstalled Photoshop and don't have much time anyway. What I meant was, you know how it looks if you dip a brush into paint or blood, and have painted for a while, then the paint becomes less fluid? You see stripes of paint? Well, that's what I meant. Or even just think letters. This just looks more like a red pencil than blood.. Dunno. Maybe it's a feather pen dipped in blood, but then it should be a bit smoother .

I'd just like to point out that I very much like the psychadelic painting! I take a weird painting over a human portrait any day .
You might want to add a window. I think making the door somewhat bigger (not too much) would make it fit both in the room and with the char.
What bothers me is not the current lack of objects detail, I'm sure you'll add more, but the whole image seems busy with textures. I can understand that it makes sense to have textures in all of those places, but it hurts they eye. Maybe it's just too much brightness on the carpet. Still, if it's possible to tone down the textures a bit on the walls at least, to make it a bit more subtle (if it's just plain walls), or to define it more (if it's wallpaper, though I dounbt it). As for the textures themselves, I like them, except for the one on the bed and carpet, it's a bit too bright and eye hurting.
Overall a great background, nice perspective and lack of ceiling (this always gives me trouble), and I love the plant (is it supposed to look a bit neglected and "not in it's prime", since it's a prison like room?) and the painting very much!

P.s. I'd suggest for the bed to use a different color, since the reds mix together, and to make the texture go:

/
\

instead of:

\
  \

as it seems to be now.

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind for other things. I'm starting to really lovbe #define.