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[Winner of MAGS 2005-08/Textless isWretched and his game Magsic]

The time for voting is over. After many MAGS contests now we finally faced a real competition again with a lot of great entries... In the end there is only one winner. It's not always like that but this time there's a big distance in the number of votes to the other games.
The winner is not new to MAGS and some months ago he already shared the position of a winner with another participant:

Winner of MAGS 2005-08/Textless is
Wretched and his game Magsic

Congratulations. (Wretched please check your PM).

I can't download the Alien one. 

Oh yes - the site says "The web site you are trying to access has exceeded its allocated data transfer".

So as I downloaded the game some time ago I can put it on my server for the time of voting. You can get the file here until the end of the month: An Alien's Work Is Never Done

Okay, I think we're complete now. Wow - finally yet another competition with a lot of entries. All looking very nice, so it will be difficult to figure out a favourite one. Who's going to be the winner this time?

For voting please visit the MAGS site or make your choice right here (only use one of these two ways of voting - nothing else allowed):

Magsic by Wretched
Goontang Chackalaka by Fine Artist
Dog Escape by ilSilente
Buna Wants Beer by Pablo
An Aliens Work is Never Done by Henryhouse

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

Could you extend the deadline a little? For a day maybe? I would really appreciate it.

Okay - let's go for this: You (and all others that still want to submit an entry) have 36 hours from now (see timestamp of this posting), then the voting will begin.

1. Does the game have to be an adventure game?

Well, this depends on the definition of "adventure game"... AGS offers a lot of possibilities on creating games (from text parser to platform and further more) and ALL is allowed to enter MAGS.
Now for this competition we have the "no text" limitation. There are game types that easily come along without text, let's say something like tic-tac-toe or even a platform game. Everyone knows what to do and so it's no big deal to leave out messages.

For this competition - and I think that's what bluber had in mind (please correct me if I'm wrong) - you should create a game that usually needs text or where you are used to see/read texts to solve the puzzles and finish the game. But this time you have to come along without messages. This could be a classic point-and-click adventure but it doesn't mean you're not allowed to also post a platform game for example. Anyway it shouldn't just be collection some stars and reaching the golden bowl at the end. You see what I mean?

2. Can we have english in the 'Help' section?

Info text in the introduction or as aked in the help section are allowed as they are no real ingame messages.

I was wondering, can sounds be displayed as text?  I.E "BAMM" "ARGHH" "CLANG" "ZOOM" "GRUNT" Lame stuff like that.

I'd say "yes" as it's no real language.

I took the rules to mean that there should be no lingual communication in the game at all, text or voice

Exactly, this is how it was meant to be.

From my point of view "speech" also includes voice acting. What should a voice "say" if not speech? It's okay if it's just sounds or a unknown language, just the same that goes for written texts too. That's why there's no special note about this in the rules. Anyway I think it's all quite clear now after bluber's information.

The most important thing is that you get your game finished in time.

True words you write

[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 opportuninty to make a game, and the wonderful prize is to announce the net month's rules, and all competitiors 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 must not get anyone else to do any part of the game for you.

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Unlike most other topics this competition is not limited to a special theme or  to a number of inventory items, but see for yourself:

Topic: Textless

This month's MAGS has only one limitation - your game should not contain any ingame messages or texts (including speech) in a known language. Exceptions are title and load-save-exit dialogs. You can invent your own language, use symbols and icons all the way or create a game without any message at all.

There are no other rules for this month!
We probably won't see adventures using the standard question-answer dialogs. Anyway it is possible to make short and creative games with this rule. Be inventive

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All entries should be in by early August 25th.

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

[the winner this time is bluber]

Okay now. Let's come to an end with this.

Both said they can not present their games at the moment and this is what needs to be accepted. How sad it ever may be...
We will see both games sooner or later in the "Completed Games" section, just as The Ivy announced (I think this goes for Alias too). So the games won't get lost at all and it's just the competition that misses some entries. But that's life.

Imagine the games would be submitted now, set up in a hassle, maybe untested and "full" of unknown bugs. Sure it wouldn't be that dramatic but even some minor errors could destroy a nice game play, you know what I mean. Even with bug fixes it wouldn't be the same as to have a nice adventure game that just works and is fun.

So noone should insist on an entry. If it's ready in time it's okay, but if it takes some more time we just need to wait. At least the contest was the base for the games and who knows what both would have worked on without MAGS!?
It's on you, The Ivy and Alias, to decide if and when your games will be published. You shouldn't get in a hurry just because of the competition and "destroy" a nice adventure - and I'm sure these games will be great. Take your time and make it a good one.

Finally:
I'll add both other entries to the MAGS entries list after they are released but the winner this time is bluber.
Congratualions! bluber, please check you PM for some information about the next contest. Thanks.

I hope this is okay for all of you.

Hey Ivy, you don't really want to let this all end now that way!?
As written you still can take some more time - hours if you want/need... Of course you shouldn't post an unfinished game and I don't know how far you came up so far. But it sounds as if you're pretty close to completion.

Huh, you see me shocked! 24 hours passed by and no new entries  :o
So we have a winner...

Eeeh no, just kidding Well, I hope bluber also allows this final extension:
The Ivy and Alias: Please post your games as soon as possible. The vote will wait for both of you but please don't let pass much more time now. Okay!?

[yet another 24 additional hours]

Well, of course we need fairness! Now how can we go on?

Sure with only one entry it's not that much of a competition. On the other hand we have the deadline that's already extended for some days. Now as the only participant that sent in an entry before the deadline, bluber, suggested to extend the deadline let's do it that way. A fair offer for all other game creators that only need just some more hours.

The problem is that the new contest should start on August 1st and so we have a very short time for voting - again. In the end the results may be not that clear then and the winner needs to be quick in setting up his/her new rules. We'll see.

Fate is on the lady's side Here's yet another 24 additional hours for The Ivy. Alias, if you want to submit within that time you're also free to do so of course.

Now check the timestamp of this posting - in 24 hours the voting will finally begin.
Thanks bluber for your generous offer.

We're close to "early July 28th" and still no submissions even with extended deadline... Hm.
Okay now. So be sure to submit your entries within the next 15 hours (see timestamp of this posting). Then the voting will begin.

[Important notice:]

Important notice:
The deadline for this competition was extended to early July 28th!
So you have some more days for your creations.
Anyway do not hesitate to submit your entries before the final hour

[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 opportuninty to make a game, and the wonderful prize is to announce the net month's rules, and all competitiors 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 must not get anyone else to do any part of the game for you.

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Topic: Underwater

The game can be presented with any theme, but the following guidelines must be observed:

- The player character must be female.
- There must be at least one game sequence or room in which the player character is underwater (or in some other liquid if desired) and must swim rather than walk. It is not required that the character can drown, though that is certainly an acceptable feature.
- At least three of these inventory items / objects must be included in the game:
* Wire cutters
* An old book of any kind
* A crown
* An orrery or other model of celestial bodies (it doesn't have to be our solar system)
* A rare egg
* A wristwatch with a special function (e.g. radar, communication, turkey call, etc.)

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All entries should be in by early July 28th.

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

Again time for voting is over and there's one clear winner in the end. Unfortunately one entry didn't had a good start and so maybe lost some points (actually I also wasn't able to play this game )

So the winner this time is the golf bunker game by Erenan.
Congratulations.

Yes, seems as if there are no more entries. At least we're already way beyond the deadline... Funny that both participants had the same idea So let's start the offical voting now:

For voting please visit the MAGS site or make your choice right here  (only use one of these two ways of voting - nothing else allowed):

Bunker by Erenan
Bad Bunker by Colxfile

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

So once again we're close to the deadline and we already see two entries. For all those who still want to submit their games please post within the next 23 hours (see timestamp of this message). Then the voting will begin!

[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 opportuninty to make a game, and the wonderful prize is to announce the net month's rules, and all competitiors 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 must not get anyone else to do any part of the game for you.

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Topic: Outside the Boundaries

2ma2's guidelines emphasize on gaming design and try to make creators think outside the boundaries of stereotype adventure gaming.

- No inventories allowed.
- The whole game shall take place in the same location: a bunker.
- Can't use the classic Sierra nor LEC interface.

To clarify:
No inventories means that you're not allowed to keep and use inventory objects with your hotspots. It is however allowed to (ab)use the inventory system for making the interface or any other kind of unique use.

The game will take place within a bunker. What type, scenario or era is fully up to you to decide. It may be WW2, postapocalyps or 19th century tea party as far as I care. You may twist the thesis as much as possible.

You can not use the standard Sierra-interface, nor the popular LEC-emulation. I want to see something unusual. This will affect the actual gameplay and puzzle design, so you might want to choose carefully. Do as you please; it might be a one-click-for-everything design or 10 modes ranging from "smell" to "merry smile". This is the tough part boys and girls.

Remember, there is no right or wrong way to make adventures. If there's a challenge involved, it's a game. If it's a story, it's an adventure!

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All entries should be in by early June 27th.

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

So it's June already and the time for voting is over now. Even after this short time for counting your votes there is a clear winner for MAGS 2005-05.

To make it short - just like the voting priod - let's now announce the winner:
It's the same person that won years back in 2001 with the famous AGS bar story.

Congratulations go to 2ma2 and his entry War Stars.

Thanks to both entrants for the nice and amusing games.
BorisZ: I'm sure your  third entry will make it to the top in the end!
2ma2: Please check your PM!

Okay, so here we go with two entries from two authors that are both already known as creators of a MAGS game. Funny that both games include a chess board (it really was just an example for an old-style game)
Now let's start:

For voting please visit the MAGS site or make your choice right here (only use one of these two ways of voting - nothing else allowed):

War Stars by 2ma2
Starship Caramba by Boris Zdero

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