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[Overview:]

Ben 'Magic' Brown (ben.brown@talk21.com) is proud to present ...

Techs - A Helpdesk Simulation

Overview:

"Techs" is the main component of my final year project as part of a degree in Business Computing. My focus has been on producing a helpdesk simulation where users are challenged with running an IT support service and have to solve computer-based problems for fellow staff members. I am using the Adventure Game Studio software to create it.

At present I have created ten functional rooms and scenarios encompassing an introduction sequence, a tutorial instructing new users on how to use the interface and a sample scenario of an IT problem, along with three sets of character sprites (Two are borrowed from the Reality on the Norm Pack with permission), sprites and interactions for the various objects (Computers, desks, doors, etc) and character dialog.

The current date of writing is the 14th of March and the hand-in date is the 29th, so I have yet to add several more scenarios for the simulation itself to be complete.

Screenshots:

Title Screen:


Tutorial:


A help request:


Problem analysis in progress!


Development Progress:

Design: 100%
Scripting: 75%
Graphics: 75%
Sound/Music: 90%

Expected completion date: 29th March, 2007
(Because it has to be handed in then!)

Demo

Here is the current version of the software. Feel free to e-mail or post feedback or bugs.
Download.
(NOTE: Check the Winsetup.exe to ensure you have the appropriate settings, including music activation)

Thanks again guys. I'm just returning to the report for a while and am mentioning some of these now.

SSH: Could you show me a screenshot, a description (A few sentences will do) and even your first and surname?

Pablo: Your labyrinth program is fun, if simple, but it'll suffice for showing the range of "programs" that can be made with AGS. I've made my own description and screenshots, but I'd appreciate your first and surname too for reference.

Reference = So I look more professional rather than quoting someone's alias!

Thanks for the replies.

It's serious work, that's for sure, but 'game' suggests 'entertainment', and that not necessarily serious as I'd use the word.

As soon as I proposed my original concept I was asked about this:
---
TUTOR: How do you draw a distinction between simulation and a game?

MAGIC: A simulation aims to be a serious and realistic rendition of something in life, while a game can be as contrived as it needs to be in order to be fun.

Both require interaction of some level and have other similarities.
---

BaRoN: Mind if I mention your simulator and possibly even screenshot? I'll PM Passer-by too.

I suppose I could even take a look at old 'edutainment' games too.

In short, does anyone know of any examples where people have used AGS for a 'serious' production?

I'm doing an IT helpdesk 'simulation' for a uni project and since I'm just writing up my documentation I'm wondering if I could mention non-gaming usages of AGS-made products as comparisons.

Here are a few screenshots for the curious (It's not finished so don't verbally hurt me!):

That works. Excellent - thank you very much!

Please post error messages as text not images. It makes it easier for people with the same problems to search for an answer.

Bah, I've got a month left to implement five more IT-based scenario's and finish my 10,000 word report so nuts to writing up error messages when a print screen works as well!

(Seriously, I'll try to from now on though)

Thanks very muich for the responses, and apologies for not posting this in the Beginner's area originally.

Ok, that makes sense about the two types of variables. I've removed the Conditionals and I'm trying to use GlobalInts in a script now as that's going to be easier for me, like so:


However, I'm now getting the following error:
Error (line 8 ): '.RunDialog' is not a public member of 'Game'. Are you sure you spelt it correctly (remember capital letters are important)?

Here's the actual script which I'm sure is the same as Stratzer gave me:

// script for Object 5: Interact object
   // If Bruce has run dialog option 2 with Lisa, he can access the Solve button, otherwise he can't.
  if (GetGlobalInt(101) == 1) {
    Game.RunDialog(2);
  }
  else if (GetGlobalInt(101) == 0) {
    DisplayMessage(5);
  }

And just in case here's the whole room script:

// room script file

#sectionstart object5_a  // DO NOT EDIT OR REMOVE THIS LINE
function object5_a() {
  // script for Object 5: Interact object
   // If Bruce has run dialog option 2 with Lisa, he can access the Solve button, otherwise he can't.
  if (GetGlobalInt(101) == 1) {
    Game.RunDialog(2);
  }
  else if (GetGlobalInt(101) == 0) {
    DisplayMessage(5);
  }
}
#sectionend object5_a  // DO NOT EDIT OR REMOVE THIS LINE

I've also tried Game.RunDialog(d1Solution) as d1Solution is the dialog Script Name, but I'm getting the same error.

[set-globalint 1lisatlk 1]

Hi there.

Short version: How do I set a variable properly in a dialog script and have it carry over to when the user interacts with an object through a condition of if it is set or not?

I'm actually doing a "Simulation" as opposed to a game for a university project where the 'user' is an IT Technician whom has to solve computer-based problems. I'm a novice AGS user and have been using it for several months and only recently have I needed to do proper scripting rather than creating rooms and objects. Onto my problem:

The first scenario I'm creating requires the player to talk to an NPC to find out the nature of the issue (Setting up Out Of Office Assistant in Outlook ) and only then can they go through the 'solve' process when they interact with the PC. So I have the following dialog with a set-globalint variable as mentioned in the AGS Helpfile:

// dialog script file
@S  // dialog startup entry point
Bruce: Lisa...
Lisa: Yes?
return
@1  // option 1
Lisa: I'm fine, thank you.
return
@2  // option 2
Lisa: I'm going on holiday for a week and I will be expecting a lot of emails.
Lisa: So I'd like those people to get mailed automatically when they mail me.
Lisa: Can you make it do that?
Bruce: I think I know what you mean.
Bruce: I'll have a look now.
set-globalint 1lisatlk 1
return
@3  // option 3
Lisa: Ok.
stop

Then on the 'room' for Lisa's desktop, the Player Character uses her Outlook:


And the variable settings:


So if the user hasn't spoken to Lisa about the problem, they get a message saying they don't have enough information, while if they have spoken to her then dialog2 (The dialog where the user has to select the correct solution) runs.

However, whenever I run the game it acts as if the variable isn't actually set. What am I doing wrong?