Messages

Is it allowed to use puplicly availble GUIs such as Proskrito's MI2 GUI?

Well, this is not really forbidden, but it would be nice if you'd adjust it in some way like working on the graphics for example - making it a little more unique.

Right, so can I?
Use the first 16 colors of MSPaint and not fiddle arroun with the pallete?

Yes, of course. Good luck for your game...

Actually Klaus, when you give a drawing a save as, you can choose the number of colors: monochrome, 16-colors, 256 colors and 24-bit. At least that's how it is at my MSPaint. Anyway, on any mode from 16-colors and above, the first 16 colors are those of the EGA pallete.

Ah, thanks. I searched the web for the MSpaint palette and only found infos and screenshots with 28 colours. So I wasn't sure about this. That's how my answer came up.

Ah... And by the way, can I use the default 16 colors from MSpaint?

I don't use MSpaint but doesn't it offer 28 colours by default? Maybe these include the required palette but please only use the 16 colours (+ grey scale).

May I use Sepia tones rather then black and white?

I see your point but please use the grey scale.

BTW could someone post that original 16-colour palette again (too lazy to search), maybe even include it in the first post..?

I added a link to the original CGA palette in the first post.

Does this mean that the entire spectrum of grey can be used in addition to the 16 colours?

Yes, that's correct.

I tried both Google and Wikipedia, but I can't find anything called "Barentsev".  Do you mean the Barents Sea north of Europe (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barents_Sea)?

Yes, that's what is meant here. I adjusted the guidlines to your suggestion. As search engines return at least a mini number of results I guess "Barentsev" might also be used in some regions...

- The hero might be beheaded

Ok my question is praborly even more confusing then that rule.
btw, can his/her head also burn off or something?

This is only an optional rule. So you don't have to work on this if you don't want to (it actually sound very cruel :/). Anything could happen to the hero at the end: He/she may live on, may burn off - just as you like. The offered idea is just a possible way to end the game if you run out of ideas or if you want to follow FSi's guidelines as close as possible. But again: This is not a "must-have" rule.

- include world conspiracy.

Sorry but I don't quite understand this.

I'd say you can use world conspiracy (this Illuminati thingy) as a main topic, as reference at some point or just use it in a dialog or something. But maybe FSi as the creator of the rules can offer us some more information...

*Newbie alert*  Can these 5 items come from any of the posts  in the list, or just the first post?

They may come from any post there - it's quite a long list. Be aware that some items mentioned are already "in use" somewhere (see the comments there). We don't look too close here, just try to go for the "unusual"

[What is MAGS?]

What is MAGS?
MAGS is a monthly competition for all amateur adventure game makers. The idea is to use AGS to create a game in under a month, following the rules set by the previous winner.

For more information please visit the Official MAGS Website

Why should I enter MAGS?
We're not here to tell you that you should enter MAGS, but merely allow it as a creative opportunity to help you work to a deadline, improve your skills, and generally as a good kick-start for the new comers (a.k.a n00bies).

MAGS is the perfect opportunity to make a game, and the wonderful prize is to announce the next month's rules, and all competitors get the game placed on the MAGS website.

MAGS is meant to be fun and is aimed at everyone, despite their skill. If you have poor art skills work on graphics, and vice-versa, as the voting is based on "favourite" games, and not the most artistic, you may get help for the competiton, but should try not get anyone else to do any part of the game for you.

You are not allowed to (re)use material that you already created before this competition, you game must be completely new!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Mikko didn't replay in a while this month's guidelines are set by FSi, the second winner of last month's competition.
You fear or love the old adventure games of the "early days"..? So this time we go for some elements that were typical in those games.

Topic: Retroparanoia

The game MUST:
- only make use of the first 16 "default" colours (CGA) and/or shades of grey (whole spectrum).
- include world conspiracy.
- have at least 5 items from the "Things that haven't been inventory items yet" list.

If you think this is not enough of a challenge here's some more nice "have to"'s, but they are OPTIONAL:
- The game could start on a small island in Barents Sea.
- The hero might be beheaded (have his/her head chopped off) at the end of the game.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All entries need to be in by September 26th.

Please post a download link of your game entry to this thread, best with a screenshot. Thanks and good luck.

Okay, so Mikko hasn't been online for almost a week. Maybe it would be better if FSi decided the next MAGS quidelines. Since MAGS is already a bit late.

Wow, that's exactly what I did about an hour ago . By the way: There's also a list of topics to choose from (usually for month's without a previous winner). So in any case the next MAGS will start in 24 hours.

[der.uwe]

One week is over and again so many nice entries making it hard to decide who's to win.
Many thanks to all of you...

Clip: Very cute little sprite. I hope she can convince her parents...
Tocsik: Oh, this looks like silicone lip augmentation.
SSH: Probably the most famous princess in AGS history.
Jack "Shade" Sparrow: Her hairdresser did a very special job...
PureGhostGR: That's very stylish. Could also be a nice playing card.
Sinsin: Gothic make-up, gothic dress. No wonder she's from the realm of Gothotica.
der.uwe: Wow, she surely does not need to be rescued or protected.
RyRayer: She's not that happy and a prince is really needed here...
lilemX: Not sure if these "arguments" are positive or negative.
Neil Dnuma: She could win a Monroe look-alike contest.
Illustrious: Very attractive realistic style - maybe for a talking animation.
magichuck: I hope she can breathe, her waist must be laced very tight.
> By the way: This blur effect caused too many colours. You made a good start but better go with a cleaner shape.
Ali: Great. You can do cool things with 4 colours only.
Drawken: No doubt - this IS a princess!

So it wasn't an easy thing to make a selection out of these great entries. After endless reflections and thoughts I came up with the sprites from PureGhostGR, der.uwe, Neil Dnuma, Illustrious, Ali and Drawken. Still much too much...
Here's my final list:

   3rd: The Bronzen Lace goes to der.uwe and Drawken!

   2nd: The Silver Hairbrush goes to Neil Dnuma!

   1st: The Golden Apple goes to Ali!
     Nice idea and unique design!

Congratulations to the winners and again many thanks for this nice competition.

So the voting is over now. Two very different games but only one winner. At the beginning the votes were very close, then one made some bigger steps...

The winner of this MAGS is
Mikko with his entry Clown at the Circus

Congratulations. Also many thanks to FSi for joining the contest with a very unique entry. It's always nice to see new game and navigation concepts.

Mikko: Please check your PM and send your new rules to me as soon as possible. Thanks.

[Topic:]

Once upon a time a child was born in a kingdom far, far away: Her Majesty's only daughter. Noone ever got so see the girl. Now 20 years passed by and ... this is where the Sprite Jam starts.

Topic: Princess

Create a unique sprite of the 20 year old princess for an adventure game. It's up to you if she's the lovely beauty now that every prince want's to marry or if she's the unsightly lady that even dragon hunters fear to face...


Rules:
- maximum number of colors is 32 inclusive transparency
- sprite size must not be larger than 150x150 pixels
- long-haired princesses are prefered

I hope you enjoy this Jam. Good luck and have fun!

Yippie Yeah! Many thanks Ago75. There are great sprites here, all so different in style and technique - this must have been a really hard decision for you. I'll soon start the next Jam.

Don't be scared: The fish won't be harmed at all - it's the boys best friend Keith the no herring. 

By the way: A making-of of this picture (with some more colors) can be found on my blog. So if you're interested just have a look.

[zabnat:]

Okay - we stay with two entries. Very different entries indeed. Here we go...
For voting please visit the MAGS site or make your choice right here:

Mad Homicidal Clown From Hell Rampage by FSi
Clown at the Circus by Mikko

Please vote only once and be sure to have played all games before sending your voice! Good luck to all participants.

For the time of voting now you're invited to post your opinion about all entries: Pros and cons of the games. What did you like, what not. In this case it's interesting how you compare the games - if this is possible at all.

zabnat: Even if you can not make your game in time MAGS still is a good start as it offers the "impulse" for the creation of a new game. Think of Spooks that also started as an unfinished  MAGS game. Okay, if you can't make it in time you can't win here but you have a second chance in the AGS awards and all in all it's just about having fun, isn't it?

Two games in - some more to come? You still have 24 hours from now (see timestamp of this post) to submit your entries then the voting will begin.

Not really many posts in here this time, especially as it's a topic that offers a lot of space for own ideas. Now about one week is left for creating your games and I hope some entries are on the way. Of course you're allowed to post previews and teasers here. Don't hesitate to do so

Must entry be exactly point-and-click adventure?

No, as it is not explicit written in the ruleset you can create any kind of game you like.