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The room is supposed to be a room in my country house, and it's supposed to be nighttime.
I decided to post it here for some C&C before detailing whole thing up.

I haven't drawn BG-s for a long time, so I might be a bit rusty...
Details to be added: Foodstuff on table, light switch, some stuff on the fireplace, live fire, ceiling lamp, wires on wall, stuff on the cabinet, maybe something to line area between walls and ceiling, it looks weird right now.
But I want to be sure in basic geometry and layout first.


The black cylindrical thingy in the middle is the fireplace, alot of Soviet era buildings had one of those. I will animate it fired up in the game.

So... what do you think? Anything hurting the eye and to be changed?


2x:

I wanted to figure out how beta testing traditionally works with AGS games.
How is it implemented, what is the time frame and form of communication?

What I imagine is create a thread, people PM with their wish to test, they get links to game, they have a time frame of some sort, and they PM or e-mail back with found bugs.

Is this how things should work or is there a better way to handle the testing?
And how much time does it usually need?
Experiences, anyone?

Blocked.

That's all I feel for almost 4 months already.
I waste countless hours sitting and looking at my monitor, not really doing anything. I mean, I'm kind of person who can find entertainment for myself even when locked up in a cage. I'm NEVER bored, unless I'm in really bad situation where I cannot even isolate and dive into my thoughts, like when sitting in a dentist's chair. But otherwise, I don't really know what boredom is.

And yet, I sit for 4 months, feeling desperate urge to do something, and yet cannot do a single thing. All games have been played, all movies watched, no interest in new ones and hundreds of projects waiting to be continued.

I open up AGS, 3ds Max, FruityLoops, ArtGem, Game Maker... I browse some of my unfinished pieces of art, game or music and listen/watch. I really like what I see and I really feel that I want to finish those.

But in few seconds, I hate them. I have zero inspiration and nothing goes right even if I try.
So it's endless loop of opening a file, modifying it, and closing without saving changes. Some of them, Like Henri (AGS game), some Game Maker games and many 3d projects are extremely near to completion and yet these bits and bytes stay unfinished. I hate this. I feel need to create, It's in my soul and veins, but can not actually do anything. Not anything I'm satisfied enough to release or even save.

Is there a cure?

I'm so sad!

I bought my PC about a year ago, and it worked perfectly.
Then, this spring, video problems rised their ugly head, games started to look really terrible...

Like this, this and this

I didn't know what's the matter at first, tried reinstalling drivers, clocking over and under, playing with directX, etc.
But recent observations have proven that my video card simply heats to melting!

Without anything working, simply at XP desktop, its temperature is around constant 57°C. Whenever I start a game, it quickly rises to 93°C! Near 90, artifacts and texture stretching occurs, and every degree adds some more litter onto screen. In some newer games, game engine tries to cast shadow to the artifact too and it gets really weird.

Now, video comes from my Geforce 7900GT/GTO card. I opened case, cleaned everything, suspecting evil dust, though there wasn't much, and noticed that even though fairly modern,  my card doesn't have any fans attached to it. It simply has a heatsink (radiator thingy?) and two (aluminium?) tubes going from sink to other side of the card. It's placed (strategically?) under extra large CPU fan (Intel Core2 Duo E6400 CPU needs it, I guess), supported with downward power unit fan(I think) and one extra slow fan, which sometimes doesn't work and produces nervous crieking noise.

Anyway, even with this slow fan going around, heating doesn't get much lower.

Sorry for low quality, used cellphone for photos:


The whole cooling plan


Closeup on video card

Now, I'm not an expert, and don't know much about cooling, thermal pastes or even where GPU is, under heatsink or the other side (there's a little suspicious tin box connected by those two tubes), but I really don't understand why this stupid card got cooled well before (everything worked at high settings for about half a year) and overheats now.

I've been googling for various video card forums and threads, but nothing found nothing simple or cheap.
I'm also aware of the fact that many new cards come overclocked from store, but I've underclocked this card more than it's healthy and still heating was there. With constant crashing as a cool add-on. So...

Suggestions?

Well, I'm trying to find a nice-looking way for large portraits and older Neo-geo style seems to be most appealing.
Here's Ben... what do you think?


2x:


First one is original from Case 6, another one's mine. Did I overdo contrast? Does it feel totally wrong? If so, what should I change? The mouth took most time to draw, and I still kind of feel that I should change it somehow.
Personally, I find Grundislav's original cuter and younger...

EDIT: The green edit: Redrew mouth... better?


2X:

Not sure if it's suggested yet, but variable X and Y pixel offset for tiled sprite import would be nice.
Simply because it's really hard to draw tile/sprite -sheets without visible border on each frame and it would be helpful to have custom offset to "jump" over borders.

Because if the sprites are drawn as AGS suggests - without any separation, it's hell of a math to determine how big should the import drag-box be and even worse to edit the sheet later. Atleast my sprite sheets, especially animations, are never "finally done" before I test them in AGS and usually, I have to fix the sprites here and there, import again, etc. Custom offset could easen things alot.

Until then, I'm using Game Maker (It has near-perfect system for this, with both cell and pixel separations) to extract sprites from sheet and copy-paste them over to AGS... But seeing this really useful, I think that AGS deserves better sheet handling too.

What happened to team challenge, anyway?

I know that in 2004, entries barely made to the deadline and most teams broke apart, but isn't that's the challenge?
Trying to stay and work together and finish the thing?

How about trying again?

Music for Henri: DD&D! has reached track 14...

I feel like I'm improving, but I'm not sure if this (hear below) is the way to go.
My previous tracks have been mostly found suitable for adventure game. By community here, I mean.

http://www.increator.pri.ee/muz/Henri/Henri%20-%20track14.mp3

How about this one? It's more ambient, uses breakbeat and is somewhat depressive.
Compared to all others, it's alot harder and maybe more painful.

Also, what to improve here? I know that there's no bassline, and I don't know if I should add it.

I just finished hosting a tune contest and came onto a strange idea...

The truth is there is loads of good musicians among AGSers. And I don't mean garage-rock-band ones.
Just listen at some entries from various tune contests, there's some brilliant music out there.
The main strong genres seem to be ambient and chillout type of music.

So, how about compiling a disk? Like, some musicians donate some of tracks (according to disk overall genre) and we compile them into something that can be sold, online for example? I know that every (hobbyist) musician has lots of good tracks just wasting hard disk space...

Wouldn't it generate some money?

And then we could give money to CJ or starving children or something.
Not that I really had any connections or possibilites for music distribution, but I'm sure some of AGSers have.

It's just an idea that's bugging me few last days. Would it work?

[Express a mood.]

For this Tune Contest, the theme is quite simple:

Express a mood.

Whether it be extreme frustration, happiness or shame, put it into music and try to use sound to express it.
Maybe even tell a story, like fighting a bad habit, or finding a fortune.

Also, don't forget to include the mood you're describing with your entry, unless it's too clear.

Let's go!

EDIT: I also just finished a piece that I think could make a nice example of one of the ways to go...
Of course, entries so far provide as good examples.

It's not very happy one and of course you don't have to do something similar, but eh--
www.increator.pri.ee/muz/suicidal_thoughts.mp3

Can I bring characters or objects infront of GUIs, (also text windows)?

I'm trying to make transclusent text window in AGS for ages.
AGS doesn't support either alpha backgrounds or gui transparency in text windows.
Atleast, older versions didn't. And I haven't heard anything about this implemented yet.

Then again, I recall seeing one in an AGS game sometime ago... sadly, I can't remember which game it was!

This time, I'm trying to make another GUI, just a transclusent black box to appear behind text window... While text window itself has no background, only text.

How to make it? I made the box, but can't get it to appear at same time when text window does.

Text gui and transclusent gui are named gText and gAlpha accordingly... some I have some questions:

* Can I force two guis to appear at same time? Of which, one is text window?
if (gText.Visible == true) gAlpha.Visible = true; in repeatedly_excecute didn't work.
Forcing gAlpha.Visible just before ProcessClick did work... but not right. If shows gAlpha after text box is gone.

What to do here?

* Can I copy dimensions of text box into gAlpha? Text boxes resize automatically according to text, and I need these dimensions for gAlpha too.

If it's pointless quest...

* Can I make my own text GUI without using "text window" setting from GUI editor? If so, how do I make sure that text doesn't go transparent (yet background goes) and what do do about dimensions?
I imagine that custom text gui should have a label that shows currently displayed text... how to ensure it's centered all the time?

Or...
* Can anybody remember the game that actually did what I'm trying to do?

* I tried to give textbox some text (but not display it), get its dimension then and assign it to my custom gui.
This didn't work...

gText.Text = "blablabla";
gAlpha.Widht = gText.Width;

it didn't like text assigning...
"gText is not a public member of GUI"

So, I still have to figure out how to resize guis according to label text.

And...
* How did they do it in 1992? Especially while restricted to 256 colors?

I'm looking for something that can ease melodymaking and what was compatible with Fruityloops.

Now, I stumbled onto this:

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/7323

Is it what I'm looking for? Since I don't know much about (MIDI) keyboards, is it worth it?
All I need is to play notes on something else than PC keyboard, since key positions are so unsuitable and it's hard to try to make a melody.
I can't buy anything more expensive, but I'm not sure if this thing is worth the cost. I bought cheap tablet once, and regret it until today. Simply, because I can't really use it, it's too inaccurate. Is that same with keyboards?

I found myself is sudden love with games that show some reality, especially special forces work or murder mystery.
I mean, serious games. Then again, I dislike stupid horror games, like Dark Seed, etc.

I played through all Police Quest series... (first two were quite good, despite ancient and painful interface)
I played Blue Force...
I played Cruise for a corpse
I played KGB (and still it's my most favourite adventure game ever)
I played some AGS games starring a cop... Larry vales (not quite the thing, but okay), Pleurghburg...

And I don't know what else is out there. I believe I've played all major adventure games until 1996.
Are there anything similar left worth to try? With point-n-click interface atleast?

It shouldn't be police game, but something along the lines - the less humor and more realism, the better.

Right, there's and instrument/sample I can't name.
It was widely used in all forms of dance/house music in early 90's.

I recorded a short clip of 2 songs where the instrument is used and would really like to use it.
My best guess is that it's something pizzicato related with some hard effects used on it.

www.increator.pri.ee/muz/what.mp3

Yes, the bubbling thingy!

If someone could give this a better name...
- or name a synthesizer that had this sound (usual source of common used sounds during this era)
- a site that has this sample for download

or any ways to replicate the sound in fruityloops, like
- what effects to use on pizzicato/3xosc/whatever to make it bubble like this
- or a good VST that can make this sound

I would be really grateful. Thanks!

The songs in this clip are Nightcrawlers - Push the feeling on and The Course - Ain't nobody

[doesn't have]

Well, I've used XP Home edition for half a year for now.

And I see it slowly dying. Like, wtf?

First, months ago, at some point, my registry died. All software that existed, got uninstallable.

From add/remove programs (and also with ToniArts Easycleaner), numerous entries are missing. I can't remove programs installed, windows doesn't show them! Next, some software stayed on this list, but there's no more "remove" button next to them. I can't remove them in "normal" way! All newer software installed after this registry crap still get their "remove/modify" icons. But what's installed before breakpoint, is unaccessible from the menu. Well, atleast the programs themselves work fine.

Second, I can't search anything on hard disk. Windows XP home doesn't have normal way to search for files and folders, there's that crappy "Desktop search" program, which doesn't really work. Everytime I start it, it requires to index files on my 250GB harddrive. And it sits there. Indexing. Which will never be complete. I left computer working at this indexing task for 2 days and it still wasn't complete, so I guess that this is broken too.

Third, the artificial matter of pure evil named "Windows Defender" does not work. At all. It either hangs or doesn't open. And since it was installed before registry breakpoint, I don't know a way to remove it. It sometimes decides to start by itsself and freezes computer.

Fourth, most of items in Control Panel won't open. Completely at random. I click, machine hangs a bit, and nothing happens. Or "not responding" event happens.

Fifth, Windows Live Messenger stopped working few days ago. How? Hell knows. The messages, in conversation won't go through. Though, it doesn't say anything. Or they lag for 20 minutes and suddenly all that's been written by other human during these minutes appear on my screen in one big delayed bunch. It's really awful to see a long list of messages which end with "are you there?", "why don't you reply anything?", "what kind of sick game is this?", "I'm blocking you!"...
But more ofter, WLM does not connect at all. It shows error and loses internet connection Gateway. Which destroys internet connection for good, until I restart both modem and machine. Again, Windows Live was installed before registry died - how do I remove it now?

I have no viruses, and common existing adware is your very typical "browsed 30 mins on windows machine", which I wipe out every day.
Like some tracker cookies and advertising.com.

But Windows keeps on dying. Few days ago, another problem started - opening a folder sometimes hangs machine for some time.

Is that normal?
I have this strong urge to wipe dust off my pirated copy of XP professional and replace legal XP home.

In my game there's 2 locations: one infront of the club and another inside.
Now, I made one background track, and muted version also. Muted version has more bass and less mid/high range sound, so it would sound like music is playing inside the club.

What I want to do is that while character is is outside, muted version plays, and as soon as player enters club, original one would play.

Problem is, both tracks are exactly the same length and content, but I want original song to pick up playing where muted version was stopped due location change. How could I do this?

I'm using "music continuity" plugin and this may interfere with my plan also... Though, crossfading from bass version to original and vice versa could sound even better than simple change.

Sad that AGS doesn't support any equalizing or VST plugins yet...

Well, I made a tiny cutscene video to Henri, with car arriving at country house.

It's only 9 seconds long, but something entirely new compared to the way I made Henri earlier.

Well, what do you think about it? My main concern is that... is it too dark for some people? It's supposed to be night, but I adjusted brightness up a bit, and don't want to overdo it. Then again, maybe it's too bright - and doesn't feel like night anymore? I can only tell what I see on my own LCD monitor. The daytime scene is out of question because I'm actually unable to model a (semi)realistic car or anything important cutscene should show. Darkness hides things pretty well

Well, It's 1,4MB of size, needs XVid codec, and if sound doesn't play, AC3 mp3 codec. It also has lens flare! .D

I'm aware and not satisfied with this tiny "too-fast-rotation" car does at one moment and intend to change it, but rendering takes lots of time and I want some general opinions before I continue. Is sound panning okay?

Would this kind of 3D cutscene-ing fit to my pixel-drawn game (see banner>thread>screenies below my post)? In general, I'm very unsure should I use and produce more of 3D cutscenery like this...

Ah, and the video.

http://www.increator.pri.ee/i/crits/six.avi

The car is SUPPOSED to be Soviet-era VAZ 2109. Supposed...

[Noob]

Ladies and gentlemen,
Take a look at this:


2x:


And tell me your opinions, improval suggestions and criticism.
I could use some advice to fill empty area... note: it's stone age on picture.

Also, here's the planned protagonist... with most popular name from prehistoric ages...
2x:

...Noob... from the Eagle River clan.

C&C him too!

Thank you.

I got my hands on a book on PHP for beginners and full with enthusiasm, I started to learn this thing. Again.
But I have a tiny problem:

<HTML>
<?php
  echo "Hello world!";
?>
</HTML>

Results in... nothing. Why?

Firefox browser shows a blank screen. IE 7... same thing! Tried to save as .php and as .html
None works.
I feel extremely stupid.

What am I doing wrong?