Topics

[Home Country]

2025 - THE YEAR OF MAGS!

Theme: Home Country
Set by: Repi | Deadline: June 30th

I would like to see local flavor in the form of Game Dev's home country. Latin puzzles from Rome? Choppin' trees and people in Quebec? Original Haitian zombies perhaps? Maybe Finnish people are forced to take public speaking courses by evil, babbling Americans in a dystopian Finland?

So create a game about anything, but place it in your home country.

Whispers of a Machine (Nordic countries)


Kona (Canada)


Sumatra: Fate of Yandi (Indonesia)


Detective Di (China)



What is MAGS?
Started in 2001, MAGS is a competition for all AGS users. The idea is to create a game in under a month, following the guidelines set by the previous winner. It aims to help you work to a deadline, improve your skills, and provide a kick-start into making adventure games and more. Regardless of skill, MAGS is for everyone. Voting is based on "favourite" games, and not the most artistic, or the best coded. If you want to improve you art skills, use it as a chance to do some graphic work. If you're sub-standard at coding, use it as a chance to give scripting a go. Ultimately, people will vote for the most enjoyable entry.

Rules
Entering MAGS is simple. First, conceptualize your game following the month's criteria (see above). Second, create your game, fuelled only by coffee. Finally, post your game in this thread, including:

* A working download link
* The title of your game
* A suitable in-game screenshot

At the end of the month, voting will begin, and the winner chooses the next month's theme.

Remember that this is a challenge to see what you can do in a month, so any tinkering you do after that, including fixing minor glitches, is against the spirit of the competition. The exception to this is that you may go in and fix major, game-breaking bugs only during voting. We want you to have a game that voters can actually play and that runs on their machines.

So to reiterate, during the voting period fixing major, game-breaking bugs is okay, fixing minor glitches or making cosmetic changes is cheating.

Tips
Here are some ways to make sure you have a game to submit at the end of the month:
* Make a tiny game. Plan small, then cut it in half. Find shortcuts (e.g. if making walk-cycles is time-consuming, make the characters static or have it in the first person).
* Plan to have your game playable and submittable with a week to spare. This way you have a week to fix bugs, add some flourishes and maybe even get someone to test it.
* Plan to submit it a day or so early. This way, if there are any technical issues with uploading, they can be sorted out in time.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Need a little help with graphics? Perhaps The AGS Trove has something you can use.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Need a bit of help with music?  Check out Eric Matyas' huge stock of free music resources.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Don't want to go it alone? Try the Recruitment board.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Come As Is]

Altered Reality
Word count: 500-800  |  Voting til: June 2nd

Come As Is by Mandle
The Intern by glurex
The Assize Court by Creamy
ABC on the Line by Sinitrena (Winner)
Winter is Dumbing by Baron

Think of a true event or scenario from your own past and write a fictionalized story by changing something about that event and exploring how the change might have affected the way things played out.

You could simply rewrite the ending to be something more favorable or flattering. You could insert a new item or a new character to the story to see how that would have changed the dynamics. You could change the setting, or tell it from a different POV, and see how that affects the outcome. Use your imagination, but focus on how the change or fictional element affects the outcome of the story.

No need to provide the real version or background context (unless you really want to), and it doesn't have to be written in the 1st person. This is a work of fiction, but it should be based on a real moment from your life, whether that be a childhood memory or yesterday lunchtime.

Good luck.

[Phone]

2025 - THE YEAR OF MAGS!

Theme: Phone
Set by: Soulstuff | Winner: Repi


The winner of MAGS May was:
The Astral Chapel by Repi



Include a phone in a game in any form, can be just something you call other characters, can be an on screen GUI for searching information or just a rotary phone as part of a puzzle.






What is MAGS?
Started in 2001, MAGS is a competition for all AGS users. The idea is to create a game in under a month, following the guidelines set by the previous winner. It aims to help you work to a deadline, improve your skills, and provide a kick-start into making adventure games and more. Regardless of skill, MAGS is for everyone. Voting is based on "favourite" games, and not the most artistic, or the best coded. If you want to improve you art skills, use it as a chance to do some graphic work. If you're sub-standard at coding, use it as a chance to give scripting a go. Ultimately, people will vote for the most enjoyable entry.

Rules
Entering MAGS is simple. First, conceptualize your game following the month's criteria (see above). Second, create your game, fuelled only by coffee. Finally, post your game in this thread, including:

* A working download link
* The title of your game
* A suitable in-game screenshot

At the end of the month, voting will begin, and the winner chooses the next month's theme.

Remember that this is a challenge to see what you can do in a month, so any tinkering you do after that, including fixing minor glitches, is against the spirit of the competition. The exception to this is that you may go in and fix major, game-breaking bugs only during voting. We want you to have a game that voters can actually play and that runs on their machines.

So to reiterate, during the voting period fixing major, game-breaking bugs is okay, fixing minor glitches or making cosmetic changes is cheating.

Tips
Here are some ways to make sure you have a game to submit at the end of the month:
* Make a tiny game. Plan small, then cut it in half. Find shortcuts (e.g. if making walk-cycles is time-consuming, make the characters static or have it in the first person).
* Plan to have your game playable and submittable with a week to spare. This way you have a week to fix bugs, add some flourishes and maybe even get someone to test it.
* Plan to submit it a day or so early. This way, if there are any technical issues with uploading, they can be sorted out in time.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Need a little help with graphics? Perhaps The AGS Trove has something you can use.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Need a bit of help with music?  Check out Eric Matyas' huge stock of free music resources.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Don't want to go it alone? Try the Recruitment board.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Frame]

2025 - THE YEAR OF MAGS!

Theme: Frame
Set by: Soulstuff | Winner: The Twilight Zone - The Lost Episode by Repi

	The Year of MAGS by OneDollar
	The Expedition by Soulstuff
	The Twilight Zone - The Lost Episode by Repi

A game inside a frame of some kind that is smaller than the actual screen resolution of the game on all sides, could be a small frame or big frame.

You can use all the other space to show information about the room, dialogue trees, inventory or nothing at all and be just a piece of art surrounding it as long as the main "view" of the game is in that smaller space.





What is MAGS?
Started in 2001, MAGS is a competition for all AGS users. The idea is to create a game in under a month, following the guidelines set by the previous winner. It aims to help you work to a deadline, improve your skills, and provide a kick-start into making adventure games and more. Regardless of skill, MAGS is for everyone. Voting is based on "favourite" games, and not the most artistic, or the best coded. If you want to improve you art skills, use it as a chance to do some graphic work. If you're sub-standard at coding, use it as a chance to give scripting a go. Ultimately, people will vote for the most enjoyable entry.

Rules
Entering MAGS is simple. First, conceptualize your game following the month's criteria (see above). Second, create your game, fuelled only by coffee. Finally, post your game in this thread, including:

* A working download link
* The title of your game
* A suitable in-game screenshot

At the end of the month, voting will begin, and the winner chooses the next month's theme.

Remember that this is a challenge to see what you can do in a month, so any tinkering you do after that, including fixing minor glitches, is against the spirit of the competition. The exception to this is that you may go in and fix major, game-breaking bugs only during voting. We want you to have a game that voters can actually play and that runs on their machines.

So to reiterate, during the voting period fixing major, game-breaking bugs is okay, fixing minor glitches or making cosmetic changes is cheating.

Tips
Here are some ways to make sure you have a game to submit at the end of the month:
* Make a tiny game. Plan small, then cut it in half. Find shortcuts (e.g. if making walk-cycles is time-consuming, make the characters static or have it in the first person).
* Plan to have your game playable and submittable with a week to spare. This way you have a week to fix bugs, add some flourishes and maybe even get someone to test it.
* Plan to submit it a day or so early. This way, if there are any technical issues with uploading, they can be sorted out in time.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Need a little help with graphics? Perhaps The AGS Trove has something you can use.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Need a bit of help with music?  Check out Eric Matyas' huge stock of free music resources.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Don't want to go it alone? Try the Recruitment board.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[LGBTQ]

2025 - THE YEAR OF MAGS!

Theme: LGBTQ
Set by: Falsely and EmmaGundersen
Deadline: March 31st

Voting is now open. Please vote using the poll above.

	Burn Down the Closet: A Game About Being Agender by Rootbound
	Let's Talk About Anal Sex by Mandle
	Weaving Time by Soulstuff

LGBTQ - Short for 'Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer', this month's MAGS theme encourages you to focus your story on character(s) who aren't both straight and cisgender.

How you explore the topic is entirely up to you! You could focus on the positives: queer love or the joy and pride of a character being themself. Maybe you want to delve into the darker sides of queer identity, like struggling with homophobia or grief. Maybe your hero's unique perspective on gender is instrumental to saving the world or maybe your detective just wants to solve the case so he can get back to watching TV with his husband.

Whatever you choose, don't feel like you have to write exclusively from your own experience. Want to try writing from a new perspective? Go for it!

While you're free to discuss themes of homophobia, transphobia, and other bigotry in your entry, we ask that you don't make the game itself homophobic/transphobic/bigoted. Keep your work respectful. Please don't design a game solely to poke fun of real life groups.

For further inspiration, here are some AGS games that touch on LGBTQ themes:

• If on a Winter's Night, Four Travellers
• Eternally Us
• Rogue
• What Marshmot Convention?
• EARTH AD: Low Estate

The list is short because it was difficult to find a lot of LGBTQ games, which is as much reason as any to add some new ones to the catalogue!

What is MAGS?
Started in 2001, MAGS is a competition for all AGS users. The idea is to create a game in under a month, following the guidelines set by the previous winner. It aims to help you work to a deadline, improve your skills, and provide a kick-start into making adventure games and more. Regardless of skill, MAGS is for everyone. Voting is based on "favourite" games, and not the most artistic, or the best coded. If you want to improve you art skills, use it as a chance to do some graphic work. If you're sub-standard at coding, use it as a chance to give scripting a go. Ultimately, people will vote for the most enjoyable entry.

Rules
Entering MAGS is simple. First, conceptualize your game following the month's criteria (see above). Second, create your game, fuelled only by coffee. Finally, post your game in this thread, including:

* A working download link
* The title of your game
* A suitable in-game screenshot

At the end of the month, voting will begin, and the winner chooses the next month's theme.

Remember that this is a challenge to see what you can do in a month, so any tinkering you do after that, including fixing minor glitches, is against the spirit of the competition. The exception to this is that you may go in and fix major, game-breaking bugs only during voting. We want you to have a game that voters can actually play and that runs on their machines.

So to reiterate, during the voting period fixing major, game-breaking bugs is okay, fixing minor glitches or making cosmetic changes is cheating.

Tips
Here are some ways to make sure you have a game to submit at the end of the month:
* Make a tiny game. Plan small, then cut it in half. Find shortcuts (e.g. if making walk-cycles is time-consuming, make the characters static or have it in the first person).
* Plan to have your game playable and submittable with a week to spare. This way you have a week to fix bugs, add some flourishes and maybe even get someone to test it.
* Plan to submit it a day or so early. This way, if there are any technical issues with uploading, they can be sorted out in time.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Need a little help with graphics? Perhaps The AGS Trove has something you can use.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Need a bit of help with music?  Check out Eric Matyas' huge stock of free music resources.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Don't want to go it alone? Try the Recruitment board.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Becalmed]

MAGGIES 2024

The winning game is:
Becalmed by GOC Games[/b]


Of course, you are urged to try to have played most, if not all of the games before casting your votes, but we know some people have busy lives, so there is also the option to watch some of the games instead, by clicking on the clapperboard (🎬). Please use sparingly and play the game yourself if possible. Thanks to WHAM for the videos.

As always, let me know if there are any issues.
January

Trippy
Apfelmännchen
by cat
February

Into the Woods
Brian Eggs is Lost in the Woods
by OneDollar
March

Cut it in Half
Breakfast Requiem
by Babar and jfrisby
April

Finish Your MAGS Game
In Our Midst
by OneDollar
🎬 Watch
May

Sing a Song of Sixpence
Mathilde's Dream
by Speksteen
🎬 Watch
June

Tourist Attraction
The Zoo
by 4KbShort
🎬 Watch
June

Tourist Attraction
The Stew of Las Moras
by Babar and jfrisby
🎬 Watch
July

Nature
Becalmed
by GOC Games
🎬 Watch
August
Time Warp
No Entries
September

Alien
Abducted Intelligence
by Babar and jfrisby
🎬 Watch
October

Finish Your MAGS Game
The Sphinx of Time
by Babar and jfrisby
🎬 Watch
November

Body of Water
Botos do Diabo
by Babar and jfrisby
🎬 Watch
December

Diverse Perspectives
A Place of Significance
by WHAM
VOTE HERE

[Misplaced Body Part]

2025 - THE YEAR OF MAGS!

Theme: Misplaced Body Part
Set by: WHAM

VOTING IS OPEN

Please vote using the poll above.

	Limblob by Soulstuff
	Finding Balzac by pell
	MAGSMan by Kara Jo Kalinowski

Your game must include a missing, misplaced or otherwise out-of-position body part in some way, for example, as a gameplay mechanic or story element.
Did the museum security guard misplace the jar containing the mummified intestines of an ancient mummy? Did the player character lose their head, quite literally, and now needs to find a way to recover it? See what you can come up with, and have fun!





What is MAGS?
Started in 2001, MAGS is a competition for all AGS users. The idea is to create a game in under a month, following the guidelines set by the previous winner. It aims to help you work to a deadline, improve your skills, and provide a kick-start into making adventure games and more. Regardless of skill, MAGS is for everyone. Voting is based on "favourite" games, and not the most artistic, or the best coded. If you want to improve you art skills, use it as a chance to do some graphic work. If you're sub-standard at coding, use it as a chance to give scripting a go. Ultimately, people will vote for the most enjoyable entry.

Rules
Entering MAGS is simple. First, conceptualize your game following the month's criteria (see above). Second, create your game, fuelled only by coffee. Finally, post your game in this thread, including:

* A working download link
* The title of your game
* A suitable in-game screenshot

At the end of the month, voting will begin, and the winner chooses the next month's theme.

Remember that this is a challenge to see what you can do in a month, so any tinkering you do after that, including fixing minor glitches, is against the spirit of the competition. The exception to this is that you may go in and fix major, game-breaking bugs only during voting. We want you to have a game that voters can actually play and that runs on their machines.

So to reiterate, during the voting period fixing major, game-breaking bugs is okay, fixing minor glitches or making cosmetic changes is cheating.

Tips
Here are some ways to make sure you have a game to submit at the end of the month:
* Make a tiny game. Plan small, then cut it in half. Find shortcuts (e.g. if making walk-cycles is time-consuming, make the characters static or have it in the first person).
* Plan to have your game playable and submittable with a week to spare. This way you have a week to fix bugs, add some flourishes and maybe even get someone to test it.
* Plan to submit it a day or so early. This way, if there are any technical issues with uploading, they can be sorted out in time.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Need a little help with graphics? Perhaps The AGS Trove has something you can use.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Need a bit of help with music?  Check out Eric Matyas' huge stock of free music resources.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Don't want to go it alone? Try the Recruitment board.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Bière Américaine]

2025 - THE YEAR OF MAGS!


THEME: BREAK SOME RULES
Theme set by Babar and jfrisby


The joint winners this month are:

• Skrexeval's Quest (MAGS) by Emma Gundersen
• One Million Years Dungeon by Falsely

Well done to you both.

	Bière Américaine by Ponch
	Skrexeval's Quest by Emma Gundersen
	Artifact by Kara Jo Kalinowski and pell
	One Million Years Dungeon by Falsely

Break one (or several) of the various rules/axioms/taboos of adventure gaming.

Through the years many have written about 'what not to do' when making an adventure game. All those supposed 'rules' and conventions have robbed us of who-knows-how-many cat hair moustaches, mazes, and delicious softlocks. I say those rules are flexible... or asking to be broken!

Backwards puzzles? sure!
Pixel hunts? yes please!
Obtuse puzzles? Moon logic? I like the moon!
Unfair deaths? Kill me now!
Missable clues? Softlocks? Just start over!
Mazes? Amazing!
A cat hair mustache? it could work!
Sliding tiles..... well, lets not get crazy... or maybe?

Many more examples:
https://grumpygamer.com/why_adventure_games_suck

https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/wiki/Bill_of_Adventure_Gamers'_Rights

https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/adventure-related-talk-chat/checklist-of-adventure-game-ideals/?all

https://www.oldmanmurray.com/features/77.html
https://www.pcgamer.com/the-10-worst-and-most-wtf-puzzles-in-adventure-gaming/






What is MAGS?
Started in 2001, MAGS is a competition for all AGS users. The idea is to create a game in under a month, following the guidelines set by the previous winner. It aims to help you work to a deadline, improve your skills, and provide a kick-start into making adventure games and more. Regardless of skill, MAGS is for everyone. Voting is based on "favourite" games, and not the most artistic, or the best coded. If you want to improve you art skills, use it as a chance to do some graphic work. If you're sub-standard at coding, use it as a chance to give scripting a go. Ultimately, people will vote for the most enjoyable entry.

Rules
Entering MAGS is simple. First, conceptualize your game following the month's criteria (see above). Second, create your game, fuelled only by coffee. Finally, post your game in this thread, including:

* A working download link
* The title of your game
* A suitable in-game screenshot

At the end of the month, voting will begin, and the winner chooses the next month's theme.

Remember that this is a challenge to see what you can do in a month, so any tinkering you do after that, including fixing minor glitches, is against the spirit of the competition. The exception to this is that you may go in and fix major, game-breaking bugs only during voting. We want you to have a game that voters can actually play and that runs on their machines.

So to reiterate, during the voting period fixing major, game-breaking bugs is okay, fixing minor glitches or making cosmetic changes is cheating.

Tips
Here are some ways to make sure you have a game to submit at the end of the month:
* Make a tiny game. Plan small, then cut it in half. Find shortcuts (e.g. if making walk-cycles is time-consuming, make the characters static or have it in the first person).
* Plan to have your game playable and submittable with a week to spare. This way you have a week to fix bugs, add some flourishes and maybe even get someone to test it.
* Plan to submit it a day or so early. This way, if there are any technical issues with uploading, they can be sorted out in time.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Need a little help with graphics? Perhaps The AGS Trove has something you can use.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Need a bit of help with music?  Check out Eric Matyas' huge stock of free music resources.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Don't want to go it alone? Try the Recruitment board.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Diverse Perspectives]

Topic: Diverse Perspectives
Set by: Babar and jfrisby


Now voting. Please vote using the poll above.


A Place of Significance by WHAM


Mystery Mansion Mayhem by VampireWombat


Mazzled! by Pell





Your game must centre on multiple different perspectives. This could be anything from multiple people experiencing the same thing differently, the same person having different experiences leading to different ways of seeing things, the same place being perceived differently and so on.



What is MAGS?
Started in 2001, MAGS is a competition for all AGS users. The idea is to create a game in under a month, following the guidelines set by the previous winner. It aims to help you work to a deadline, improve your skills, and provide a kick-start into making adventure games and more. Regardless of skill, MAGS is for everyone. Voting is based on "favourite" games, and not the most artistic, or the best coded. If you want to improve you art skills, use it as a chance to do some graphic work. If you're sub-standard at coding, use it as a chance to give scripting a go. Ultimately, people will vote for the most enjoyable entry.

Rules
Entering MAGS is simple. First, conceptualize your game following the month's criteria (see above). Second, create your game, fuelled only by coffee. Finally, post your game in this thread, including:

* A working download link
* The title of your game
* A suitable in-game screenshot

At the end of the month, voting will begin, and the winner chooses the next month's theme.

Remember that this is a challenge to see what you can do in a month, so any tinkering you do after that, including fixing minor glitches, is against the spirit of the competition. The exception to this is that you may go in and fix major, game-breaking bugs only during voting. We want you to have a game that voters can actually play and that runs on their machines.

So to reiterate, during the voting period fixing major, game-breaking bugs is okay, fixing minor glitches or making cosmetic changes is cheating.

Tips
Here are some ways to make sure you have a game to submit at the end of the month:
* Make a tiny game. Plan small, then cut it in half. Find shortcuts (e.g. if making walk-cycles is time-consuming, make the characters static or have it in the first person).
* Plan to have your game playable and submittable with a week to spare. This way you have a week to fix bugs, add some flourishes and maybe even get someone to test it.
* Plan to submit it a day or so early. This way, if there are any technical issues with uploading, they can be sorted out in time.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Need a little help with graphics? Perhaps The AGS Trove has something you can use.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Need a bit of help with music?  Check out Eric Matyas' huge stock of free music resources.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Don't want to go it alone? Try the Recruitment board.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi all. It's still early but I'm in the process of rigging up the voting etc. for MAGGIES (Best MAGS game of the year). Ideally, I want to be able to kick this off as soon as we have a winner for December.

As preferable as it is for voters to have played as many of the games as they could before voting, I know this is difficult, if not impossible, for most people. That's why in the last couple of years, I've tried to include gameplay videos of some of the entries. That way, voters can at least see each game in action and get some idea of its merits.

Last year I was able to record a few myself, but I am struggling for time these days and would like to invite anyone reading to have a go at making some videos. I know WHAM has covered a few and I'm sure he won't mind if I link to those, but if anyone is interested in helping out with some more, I'll give you a list of the games that need one.

Thanks.

[Botos do Diabo]

The winner of MAGS November was Botos do Diabo (by Babar and jfrisby)

Theme: Body of Water
Set by: Babar and jfrisby
Deadline: November 30th

	GillPartyBus by jwalt
	Bad to the Coral by Rootbound
	Botos do Diabo by Babar and jfrisby

The majority of your game must take place in/on/around a large body of water, something bigger than a pool.






What is MAGS?
Started in 2001, MAGS is a competition for amateur adventure game makers. The idea is to create a game in under a month, following the guidelines set by the previous winner. It aims to help you work to a deadline, improve your skills, and provide a kick-start into making adventure games. Regardless of skill, MAGS is for everyone. Voting is based on "favourite" games, and not the most artistic, or the best coded. If you have bad art skills, use it as a chance to do some graphic work. If you're sub-standard at coding, use it as a chance to give scripting a go. Ultimately, people will vote for the most enjoyable entry.

Rules
Entering MAGS is simple. First, conceptualize your game following the month's criteria (see above). Second, create your game fuelled only by coffee. Finally, post your game in this thread, including:

* A working download link
* The title of your game
* A suitable in-game screenshot

At the end of the month, voting will begin, usually lasting for fourteen days, and the winner chooses the next month's theme.

Remember that this is a challenge to see what you can do in a month, so any tinkering you do after that, including fixing minor glitches, is against the spirit of the competition. The exception to this is that you may go in and fix major, game-breaking bugs only during voting. We want you to have a game that voters can actually play and that runs on their machines.

So to reiterate, during the voting period fixing major, game-breaking bugs is okay, fixing minor glitches or making cosmetic changes is cheating.

Tips
Here are some ways to make sure you have a game to submit at the end of the month:
* Make a tiny game. Plan small, then cut it in half. Find shortcuts (e.g. if making walkcycles is time-consuming, make the characters static or have it in the first person).
* Plan to have your game playable and submittable with a week to spare. This way you have a week to fix bugs, add some flourishes and maybe even get someone to test it.
* Plan to submit it a day or so early. This way, if there are any technical issues with uploading, they can be sorted out in time.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Need a little help with graphics? Perhaps The AGS Trove has something you can use.
Don't want to go it alone? Try the Recruitment board.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Hour Al]

Theme: Finish Your MAGS Game
Set by: Stupot

Time to vote.

	Hour Al by jwalt
	The Sphinx of Time by Babar and jfrisby
	Chupacabra Crunch by VampireWombat
	MvM Demo: Patience is a Virtue by Perpetuall

As there were no entries for August, and therefore no one to set the theme for October, I thought it would be a good idea to have another "Finish Your MAGS" edition, to breathe new life into one of your old abandoned MAGS games.

No extra guidelines, but it might be worth remembering that the haunting season is upon us, so you are invited, but by no means obliged, to include something spoOoOoky.


(May delete gif later)



What is MAGS?
Started in 2001, MAGS is a competition for amateur adventure game makers. The idea is to create a game in under a month, following the guidelines set by the previous winner. It aims to help you work to a deadline, improve your skills, and provide a kick-start into making adventure games. Regardless of skill, MAGS is for everyone. Voting is based on "favourite" games, and not the most artistic, or the best coded. If you have bad art skills, use it as a chance to do some graphic work. If you're sub-standard at coding, use it as a chance to give scripting a go. Ultimately, people will vote for the most enjoyable entry.

Rules
Entering MAGS is simple. First, conceptualize your game following the month's criteria (see above). Second, create your game fuelled only by coffee. Finally, post your game in this thread, including:

* A working download link
* The title of your game
* A suitable in-game screenshot

At the end of the month, voting will begin, usually lasting for fourteen days, and the winner chooses the next month's theme.

Remember that this is a challenge to see what you can do in a month, so any tinkering you do after that, including fixing minor glitches, is against the spirit of the competition. The exception to this is that you may go in and fix major, game-breaking bugs only during voting. We want you to have a game that voters can actually play and that runs on their machines.

So to reiterate, during the voting period fixing major, game-breaking bugs is okay, fixing minor glitches or making cosmetic changes is cheating.

Tips
Here are some ways to make sure you have a game to submit at the end of the month:
* Make a tiny game. Plan small, then cut it in half. Find shortcuts (e.g. if making walkcycles is time-consuming, make the characters static or have it in the first person).
* Plan to have your game playable and submittable with a week to spare. This way you have a week to fix bugs, add some flourishes and maybe even get someone to test it.
* Plan to submit it a day or so early. This way, if there are any technical issues with uploading, they can be sorted out in time.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Need a little help with graphics? Perhaps The AGS Trove has something you can use.
Don't want to go it alone? Try the Recruitment board.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Alien]

Theme: Alien
Set by: Ddavey1983
Deadline: September 30th



This month's theme is Alien. Whether it be little green men, flying saucers or alienation more figuratively, there must be something of the extra-terrestrial in this month's entries.



What is MAGS?
Started in 2001, MAGS is a competition for amateur adventure game makers. The idea is to create a game in under a month, following the guidelines set by the previous winner. It aims to help you work to a deadline, improve your skills, and provide a kick-start into making adventure games. Regardless of skill, MAGS is for everyone. Voting is based on "favourite" games, and not the most artistic, or the best coded. If you have bad art skills, use it as a chance to do some graphic work. If you're sub-standard at coding, use it as a chance to give scripting a go. Ultimately, people will vote for the most enjoyable entry.

Rules
Entering MAGS is simple. First, conceptualize your game following the month's criteria (see above). Second, create your game fuelled only by coffee. Finally, post your game in this thread, including:

* A working download link
* The title of your game
* A suitable in-game screenshot

At the end of the month, voting will begin, usually lasting for fourteen days, and the winner chooses the next month's theme.

Remember that this is a challenge to see what you can do in a month, so any tinkering you do after that, including fixing minor glitches, is against the spirit of the competition. The exception to this is that you may go in and fix major, game-breaking bugs only during voting. We want you to have a game that voters can actually play and that runs on their machines.

So to reiterate, during the voting period fixing major, game-breaking bugs is okay, fixing minor glitches or making cosmetic changes is cheating.

Tips
Here are some ways to make sure you have a game to submit at the end of the month:
* Make a tiny game. Plan small, then cut it in half. Find shortcuts (e.g. if making walkcycles is time-consuming, make the characters static or have it in the first person).
* Plan to have your game playable and submittable with a week to spare. This way you have a week to fix bugs, add some flourishes and maybe even get someone to test it.
* Plan to submit it a day or so early. This way, if there are any technical issues with uploading, they can be sorted out in time.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Need a little help with graphics? Perhaps The AGS Trove has something you can use.
Don't want to go it alone? Try the Recruitment board.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Time Warp]

Theme: Time Warp
Set by: Babar, jfrisby, and 4KbShort
Deadline: August 31st

There were no entries for this month.

Your game should involve some sort of disruption to the regular flow of time. This could be things slowing down, speeding up, things going from one point to a different point in the past or the future, or any other warping you can think of! It can be a worldwide event or something that happens to the player only, or something the player does. Can be wormholes, black holes, people travelling too fast, time machines, reality readjusting, magic, feel free to go crazy!

Image generated with AI.

What is MAGS?
Started in 2001, MAGS is a competition for amateur adventure game makers. The idea is to create a game in under a month, following the guidelines set by the previous winner. It aims to help you work to a deadline, improve your skills, and provide a kick-start into making adventure games. Regardless of skill, MAGS is for everyone. Voting is based on "favourite" games, and not the most artistic, or the best coded. If you have bad art skills, use it as a chance to do some graphic work. If you're sub-standard at coding, use it as a chance to give scripting a go. Ultimately, people will vote for the most enjoyable entry.

Rules
Entering MAGS is simple. First, conceptualize your game following the month's criteria (see above). Second, create your game fuelled only by coffee. Finally, post your game in this thread, including:

* A working download link
* The title of your game
* A suitable in-game screenshot

At the end of the month, voting will begin, usually lasting for fourteen days, and the winner chooses the next month's theme.

Remember that this is a challenge to see what you can do in a month, so any tinkering you do after that, including fixing minor glitches, is against the spirit of the competition. The exception to this is that you may go in and fix major, game-breaking bugs only during voting. We want you to have a game that voters can actually play and that runs on their machines.

So to reiterate, during the voting period fixing major, game-breaking bugs is okay, fixing minor glitches or making cosmetic changes is cheating.

Tips
Here are some ways to make sure you have a game to submit at the end of the month:
* Make a tiny game. Plan small, then cut it in half. Find shortcuts (e.g. if making walkcycles is time-consuming, make the characters static or have it in the first person).
* Plan to have your game playable and submittable with a week to spare. This way you have a week to fix bugs, add some flourishes and maybe even get someone to test it.
* Plan to submit it a day or so early. This way, if there are any technical issues with uploading, they can be sorted out in time.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Need a little help with graphics? Perhaps The AGS Trove has something you can use.
Don't want to go it alone? Try the Recruitment board.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Nature]

Theme: Nature
Set by: speksteen

Well done to ddavey1983, aka GOC Games, for winning MAGS July with Becalmed.

	Becalmed by GOC Games
	Hoopoe's Inferno by Babar and jfrisby

Whether you dislike or love certain aspects of nature it's hard to avoid it in real life or in videogames. It could have a comedic theme like the office worker having to go to work in wet clothes from the pesky rainfall.

Nature can also be menacing. Tornados, earthquakes and more, while terrible in real life, can make for some heart-racing scenarios in games.

For example, the funghi and overgrown green in The Last of Us.



Nature has also been used as a theme of exploration and a sense of adventure and part of some beautiful storytelling. Like the game Firewatch.



What does nature mean for you? Something good or bad? Do you live near nature that gives you good feelings? I hope you feel complete freedom in coming up with ideas and concepts that speak to your mind. Have fun!



What is MAGS?
Started in 2001, MAGS is a competition for amateur adventure game makers. The idea is to create a game in under a month, following the guidelines set by the previous winner. It aims to help you work to a deadline, improve your skills, and provide a kick-start into making adventure games. Regardless of skill, MAGS is for everyone. Voting is based on "favourite" games, and not the most artistic, or the best coded. If you have bad art skills, use it as a chance to do some graphic work. If you're sub-standard at coding, use it as a chance to give scripting a go. Ultimately, people will vote for the most enjoyable entry.

Rules
Entering MAGS is simple. First, conceptualize your game following the month's criteria (see above). Second, create your game fuelled only by coffee. Finally, post your game in this thread, including:

* A working download link
* The title of your game
* A suitable in-game screenshot

At the end of the month, voting will begin, usually lasting for fourteen days, and the winner chooses the next month's theme.

Remember that this is a challenge to see what you can do in a month, so any tinkering you do after that, including fixing minor glitches, is against the spirit of the competition. The exception to this is that you may go in and fix major, game-breaking bugs only during voting. We want you to have a game that voters can actually play and that runs on their machines.

So to reiterate, during the voting period fixing major, game-breaking bugs is okay, fixing minor glitches or making cosmetic changes is cheating.

Tips
Here are some ways to make sure you have a game to submit at the end of the month:
* Make a tiny game. Plan small, then cut it in half. Find shortcuts (e.g. if making walkcycles is time-consuming, make the characters static or have it in the first person).
* Plan to have your game playable and submittable with a week to spare. This way you have a week to fix bugs, add some flourishes and maybe even get someone to test it.
* Plan to submit it a day or so early. This way, if there are any technical issues with uploading, they can be sorted out in time.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Need a little help with graphics? Perhaps The AGS Trove has something you can use.
Don't want to go it alone? Try the Recruitment board.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[OneDollar]

Tourist Attraction
Guidelines set by OneDollar

Please vote using the poll above:

The Zoo by 4KbShort
Carnival of Shadows by GooseKult
The Stew of Las Moras by Babar and jfrisby



There are many ways to bring in the tourists and, more importantly, separate them from their money. Themed restaurants, sketchy fairground rides, strange art installations, museums about bizarre subjects... all trying to tempt you in with promises of unique and unforgettable experiences.

This month your task is to set your game in or around a tourist attraction of some kind. What sort of place is it? Is your player visiting the attraction, do they work there, or do they have some other reason for being there? Is it the hot place to visit, or just barely staying open? Maybe it closed years ago and is sitting abandoned... or at least you think it's empty...



What is MAGS?
Started in 2001, MAGS is a competition for amateur adventure game makers. The idea is to create a game in under a month, following the guidelines set by the previous winner. It aims to help you work to a deadline, improve your skills, and provide a kick-start into making adventure games. Regardless of skill, MAGS is for everyone. Voting is based on "favourite" games, and not the most artistic, or the best coded. If you have bad art skills, use it as a chance to do some graphic work. If you're sub-standard at coding, use it as a chance to give scripting a go. Ultimately, people will vote for the most enjoyable entry.

Rules
Entering MAGS is simple. First, conceptualize your game following the month's criteria (see above). Second, create your game fuelled only by coffee. Finally, post your game in this thread, including:

* A working download link
* The title of your game
* A suitable in-game screenshot

At the end of the month, voting will begin, usually lasting for fourteen days, and the winner chooses the next month's theme.

Remember that this is a challenge to see what you can do in a month, so any tinkering you do after that, including fixing minor glitches, is against the spirit of the competition. The exception to this is that you may go in and fix major, game-breaking bugs only during voting. We want you to have a game that voters can actually play and that runs on their machines.

So to reiterate, during the voting period fixing major, game-breaking bugs is okay, fixing minor glitches or making cosmetic changes is cheating.

Tips
Here are some ways to make sure you have a game to submit at the end of the month:
* Make a tiny game. Plan small, then cut it in half. Find shortcuts (e.g. if making walkcycles is time-consuming, make the characters static or have it in the first person).
* Plan to have your game playable and submittable with a week to spare. This way you have a week to fix bugs, add some flourishes and maybe even get someone to test it.
* Plan to submit it a day or so early. This way, if there are any technical issues with uploading, they can be sorted out in time.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Need a little help with graphics? Perhaps The AGS Trove has something you can use.
Don't want to go it alone? Try the Recruitment board.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Mathilde's Dream]

Theme: Sing a Song of Sixpence
Guidelines: by jfrisby and Babar.

	Mathilde's Dream by Speksteen
	Blackbird Pie by Radiant

Sing a song of sixpence,
A pocket full of rye.
Four and twenty blackbirds
Baked in a pie.

When the pie was opened,
The birds began to sing.
Wasn't that a dainty dish
To set before the king?

The king was in his counting house,
Counting out his money.
The queen was in the parlour,
Eating bread and honey.

The maid was in the garden,
Hanging out the clothes,
When down came a blackbird
And pecked off her nose.


Pick a line, character, setting, inventory item, element, myth about or something related to the nursery rhyme.




Raising a child I've been exposed to a lot of nursery rhymes lately - I thought this one of mysterious origin and meaning had potential as a theme, and was always absent from mixed-up-mother-goose and similar games  

See also:
https://youtu.be/Dksg19eCAv0?si=J4LpMkBhROLQOUF0
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sing_a_Song_of_Sixpence
https://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/families/rhymes-in-time/sing-a-song-of-sixpence

[OneDollar]

Finish Your MAGS Game
Set by: OneDollar

Voting is underway,
Please vote using the poll above.

	Barn Runner: Fashionably Late (MAGS Version) by Ponch
	Steeplejack by GOC Games
	Sherwood by Radiant
	In Our Midst by OneDollar

If you're anything like me your hard drive is full of half-finished, abandoned MAGS entries gathering digital dust. Well time to open up the vault and actually release something!

Find one of your previous MAGS games that you never completed and get it to at least a playable state. Let us know which MAGS it was for (if you can remember) and how far you'd got before you stopped working on it.

If you don't have any suitable games but you want to take part anyway, make a game about finishing something. Or ask if anyone has an old MAGS project they'd like to donate to you.



What is MAGS?
Started in 2001, MAGS is a competition for amateur adventure game makers. The idea is to create a game in under a month, following the guidelines set by the previous winner. It aims to help you work to a deadline, improve your skills, and provide a kick-start into making adventure games. Regardless of skill, MAGS is for everyone. Voting is based on "favourite" games, and not the most artistic, or the best coded. If you have bad art skills, use it as a chance to do some graphic work. If you're sub-standard at coding, use it as a chance to give scripting a go. Ultimately, people will vote for the most enjoyable entry.

Rules
Entering MAGS is simple. First, conceptualize your game following the month's criteria (see above). Second, create your game fuelled only by coffee. Finally, post your game in this thread, including:

* A working download link
* The title of your game
* A suitable in-game screenshot

At the end of the month, voting will begin, usually lasting for fourteen days, and the winner chooses the next month's theme.

Remember that this is a challenge to see what you can do in a month, so any tinkering you do after that, including fixing minor glitches, is against the spirit of the competition. The exception to this is that you may go in and fix major, game-breaking bugs only during voting. We want you to have a game that voters can actually play and that runs on their machines.

So to reiterate, during the voting period fixing major, game-breaking bugs is okay, fixing minor glitches or making cosmetic changes is cheating.

Tips
Here are some ways to make sure you have a game to submit at the end of the month:
* Make a tiny game. Plan small, then cut it in half. Find shortcuts (e.g. if making walkcycles is time-consuming, make the characters static or have it in the first person).
* Plan to have your game playable and submittable with a week to spare. This way you have a week to fix bugs, add some flourishes and maybe even get someone to test it.
* Plan to submit it a day or so early. This way, if there are any technical issues with uploading, they can be sorted out in time.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Need a little help with graphics? Perhaps The AGS Trove has something you can use.
Don't want to go it alone? Try the Recruitment board.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Cut it in Half]

Cut it in Half

Guidelines set by: cat
Deadline: April 3rd (Half-way point March 19th)

VOTING OPEN
Please vote using the poll above.

	MORT: Manageably OK Response Team by RootBound
	Pod Dwellers by Mandle
	Breakfast Requiem by jfrisby and Babar

Share it, divide it, split it up, reduce the budget, size, whatsoever.

A big problem for finishing a MAGS game is starting too big. The smaller the scope, the more likely it is you will finish in time.

For an additional challenge, I suggest that you strive for having a game that can be played from start to finish at half-time (March 19th)! Roger walking around an empty screen with blue cup placeholders? Some puzzles still missing? No music? Dialog that sounds like written by a 4 year old? All fine, as long as it is playable. You still have half a month to finish the rest.
No need to post the half-finished game, but a post about your progress would be nice.



What is MAGS?
Started in 2001, MAGS is a competition for amateur adventure game makers. The idea is to create a game in under a month, following the guidelines set by the previous winner. It aims to help you work to a deadline, improve your skills, and provide a kick-start into making adventure games. Regardless of skill, MAGS is for everyone. Voting is based on "favourite" games, and not the most artistic, or the best coded. If you have bad art skills, use it as a chance to do some graphic work. If you're sub-standard at coding, use it as a chance to give scripting a go. Ultimately, people will vote for the most enjoyable entry.

Rules
Entering MAGS is simple. First, conceptualize your game following the month's criteria (see above). Second, create your game fuelled only by coffee. Finally, post your game in this thread, including:

* A working download link
* The title of your game
* A suitable in-game screenshot

At the end of the month, voting will begin, usually lasting for fourteen days, and the winner chooses the next month's theme.

Remember that this is a challenge to see what you can do in a month, so any tinkering you do after that, including fixing minor glitches, is against the spirit of the competition. The exception to this is that you may go in and fix major, game-breaking bugs only during voting. We want you to have a game that voters can actually play and that runs on their machines.

So to reiterate, during the voting period fixing major, game-breaking bugs is okay, fixing minor glitches or making cosmetic changes is cheating.

Tips
Here are some ways to make sure you have a game to submit at the end of the month:
* Make a tiny game. Plan small, then cut it in half. Find shortcuts (e.g. if making walkcycles is time-consuming, make the characters static or have it in the first person).
* Plan to have your game playable and submittable with a week to spare. This way you have a week to fix bugs, add some flourishes and maybe even get someone to test it.
* Plan to submit it a day or so early. This way, if there are any technical issues with uploading, they can be sorted out in time.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Need a little help with graphics? Perhaps The AGS Trove has something you can use.
Don't want to go it alone? Try the Recruitment board.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[The Distant Door]

The Winner of MAGGIES 2023 is:
The Distant Door by Durinde (with 7 votes)
Well done, indeed.

In 2nd place we have The Devil's Teeth by GOC Games (with 5 votes), and injoint 3rd place with have both Elevation by Rootbound, and Tales from a Forgotten Tavern by Ponch (with 4 votes each).

Thanks to everyone who has taken part in MAGS over the past year. We had a quiet 2023 in terms of entries, but the quality of those entries was really high, and things have already picked up for 2024, so with lots of cool-looking games. Keep up the good work.


Now it's time to decide the best of the best. The cream of the crop. The cherry on top, the icing on the cake, the toad in the hole... Now I'm just hungry.

It's time to cast your mind back to 2023 and vote for your favourite games among the winning MAGS monthly entries. There are 14 entries to choose from (as we had two winners each in June and September).

Voting is simple. Just choose your best three games in no particular order. The game with the most tallied votes will be the winner.

A few requests before we proceed.

1) Please try to have played as many of the games as possible (preferably all of them). If you really don't have time to play every game, some of them have videos you can watch instead (🎬). I will try to add more videos over the next couple of weeks.
2) Only one submission per person.
3) Please vote for games based on their own merits (visual, enjoyment, puzzles etc.). Don't just vote for your friend or fellow countryman's games.
4) You do NOT have to be logged into a Google account but you will be asked for your AGS forum name for verification purposes.


Click here to vote

The winner will be announced as part of the forthcoming AGS Awards ceremony.

Now, here are the games.
As always. Please let me know if I've missed anything.

	January The Sea The Devil's Teeth by GOC Games 🎬		February Make a Demo Splendor Solis (demo) by tbook
	March Uplifting Elevation by Rootbound		April Hiking The Errand by 4KbShort 🎬
	May Air The Passenger by 4KbShort 🎬		June* Stranded The Road Trip by 4KbShort
	June* Stranded Mad Jack: Breakdown Shakedown by Rootbound		July Last One Tales from a Forgotten Tavern by Ponch
	August Distance/Separation The Distant Door by Durinde 🎬		September* No Talking, Please The Delivery by 4KbShort
	September* No Talking, Please Lost & Found by Creamy		October Prolific Super Author Simulator 2023 by Rootbound
	November Worlds Collide Worlds Literally Collide by The Great Underground Empire		December Forbidden Dead Phones by noblonski

(* June and September had two winners each)