Topics

[Highland Spirit]

The winner of MAGGIES 2022 is......

Highland Spirit by GOC Games (aka ddavey1983)

Well done Davey. It is a fantastic game, and everyone should play it.

Runners up were:

2nd: The Potion Master by Kastchey and CaptainD
3rd: Saturday is the Loneliest Night of the Week by newwaveburritos


Thank you to everyone who made a game for MAGS in 2022. And thank you to everyone who played the games and voted, rated, commented, and otherwise got involved. You all rock.


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 2022 and vote for your favourite games among the winning MAGS monthly entries. There are 13 entries to choose from (as we had two winners in December's contest).

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 (🎬)
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 Under the Sea Signal Lost by Brewton 🎬		February About Time Saturday is the Loneliest Night of the Week by newwaveburritos 🎬
	March The Fool Trickers by Elvis Tanner 🎬		April Globetrotting Unlicensed to Kill by GOC Games 🎬
	May Museum Another Museum by glurex 🎬		June Flight Flash McCoy by GOC Games 🎬
	July Masquerade The Will by lapsking 🎬		August Healing The Potion Master by Kastchey and CaptainD 🎬
	September Sometimes Evil Wins Siren by GOC Games 🎬		October Modern-Day Mythology Darkness and Denim by Ponch No video
	November Ghosts Highland Spirit by GOC Games 🎬		December One Big Room Alien Prison Escape by Bulbapuck 🎬
			December One Big Room Santa Quest by GOC Games 🎬

I have noticed that the link to the German forum on the Adventure-Treff site is outdated. Instead of https://www.adventure-treff.de/forum/viewforum.php?f=7 it is now simply https://www.adventure-treff.de/forum/7.

[Highland Spirit]

I was searching for videos of MAGS winners to include with the details of the forthcoming MAGGIES award and I came across this YouTube account which must be one of you guys. Thanks to you, I have a video for Highland Spirit.

And thanks to Future Vintage Gaming I have a few more.

I noticed you have also played my Hen-Man: Origins. I am sorry for your loss of that five minutes 

[The Sea]

Theme: The Sea
Chosen by: ddavey1983
Deadline: January 31st

Calling all salty seadogs. This month your game must feature the briny deep, the great grey widow-maker.

The sea or ocean could be the setting, it could be an integral part of the plot, or it could just be in the background but it must be there somehow.





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.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[One Big Room]

Theme: One Big Room
Set by: Ponch

The result was tied. 4 votes a piece. Well done to both entrants.

	Alien Prison Escape by Bulbapuck
	Santa Quest by GOC Games

The theme is One Big Room. All (or most) of the action takes place in one large, very detailed, and puzzle-packed room. Is it a museum? A roadside attraction? A junkyard? Who knows! But it is one room. It's like OROW, but with four times as much time to work!








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.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Ghosts]

Theme: Ghosts
Set by: ddavey1983

The winner is Highland Spirit by GOC Games.

	Don't Give Up the Cat by Eri0o
	A Very Serious Plumbing Simulator by Falsely
	Highland Spirit by ddavey1983
	Two Ghosts of That House: The Missing Toy by Volcan
	Ghost Hunter: Dracula by newwaveburritos

This month the theme is ghosts - bumps in the night, headless horsemen, spectral monks, haunted houses. Your ghosts could be friendly, malevolent or even metaphorical as in the memory of people and events past. Or...it could be a bloke in a sheet.





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.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Modern-Day Mythology]

Topic: Modern-Day Mythology
Set by: CaptainD and Kastchey

Myths, legends, fairy tales... they have been part of humankind's culture for millennia. But what would they be like if you set them in the modern day?

The epic of Gilgamesh, the legend of Robin Hood, the 12 tasks / labours of Hercules / Herakles, fairy tales like the ugly duckling - anything that falls within the bracket of tall tales is welcome here! But what if Gilgamesh sought immortality in Dorset rather than Mesopotamia? What if Robin Hood stole from the rich and gave to the poor in Warsaw? How about 12 tasks set inside a  virtual reality version of Bosnia? The ugly duckling retold as the story of a child growing up in Nepal, Jason and the Argonauts seeking a fabled Gold lode in the Klondike or Ulysses making an epic journey home from La Paz to Guatemala City?

Let your imagination run wild! Ancient myths, legends and fairy tales, set in the modern day.

[Sometimes Evil Wins]

Theme: Sometimes Evil Wins
Set by: Lapsking

	The Stinker by Slasher
	Siren by GOC Games
	Unfair by ZapZap

Never Tom can eat Jerry. Always cops put bad guys behind the bars at the end. Always good defeats evil. But only in stories. The reality is countless cats have killed countless mouses. The reality is Countless thieves, murderers and rapists could run away from justice. In fact through history most of the time Purple Tentacles rule the world and there isn't much Bernard and his friends can do. Real life is far from Hollywood. Sometimes evil wins.




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.[/size]

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Healing]

Healing

	Cutman by GOC Games
	State of Mind by Slasher
	The Potion Master by CaptainD and Kastchey

Currently I’m recovering with Covid-19, which apparently tore through my son’s nursery last week and left a trail of sick staff, kids, and presumably parents, as my wife and I have both been hit (albeit mildly, thank God).

So the theme of August is Healing. Interpret the theme however you want. You could make a game about a personal experience of recovery, or you could go the green option and heal the world. It is entirely up to you.

I normally discourage extra bonus stipulations, as they can limit the scope and result in crowbarred-in content that is only there to tick a box. However, this month I do have one request:

All games must be positive in tone. Hopefully this is inherent in the theme but lets make some feel-good games with a happy/optimistic message.

Deadline: August 31st






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.[/size]

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Eavesdropping]

Theme: Eavesdropping

Shhh, they’re listening.

A conversation overheard, accidentally, or on purpose. A family secret revealed. A tapped phone line or a muffled conversation heard from inside a linen closet. How you approach the theme is up to you, but it must include some kind of eavesdropping activity as a plot device, or as the central story itself. It could be that the overheard conversation is what kicks of the journey, or it could play an important part in the grand finale.



Deadline is the end of the day on August 2nd

[Masquerade]

Topic: Masquerade
Chosen by: glurex

	The Will by lapsking
	AGS Werwolf by Kastchey
	Masqerade at the Con by heltenjon

A masquerade could be both a behaviour that is intended to prevent the truth about something; or a party/dance where people wear masks or other disguises.

For example, but non-exclusive, your main character could "prevent the truth" about something not wanted from becoming known. Or your game could be settled in a misterious, or even joyful, ball in Venice carnival. Or both: the people at the party could be hiding something or pretending to be something they are not.






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.[/size]

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Flight]

Theme: Flight
Set by: ddavey1983

Here are the entries. Vote using the poll above:

	The Death of Oceanspirit Dennis by Ponch
	Flash McCoy by ddavey1983

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it Superman?

Or indeed a spacecraft, a balloon, a drone, an angel, a bee, a witch, a bat, a kite, a helicopter?

Any link to flight is the theme for this month's MAGS.








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.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Museums]

Topic: Museums
Chosen by: Elvis Tanner

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

	Another Museum by glurex
	The Museum by ddavey1983

There are a lot of different museums and a lot of things can happen in a museum. A schoolboy can try to sneak in without paying, the custodian of the museum can try hard not to fall asleep during his shift at night, Dinosaurs can come to life, a mummy can start killing people, thieves can steal a painting and Professor Langdon can find clues on the Mona Lisa.





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.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Globetrotting]

Theme: Globetrotting
Chosen by: newwaveburritos
Deadline: April 30th

Could it be that we are coming out of the back-end of the pandemic. What better way to celebrate than to set off on a round the world adventure before the next wave of lockdowns. So pack your suitcases, grab your passport and explore the world, MAGS-style.

The beauty of this month's theme is that it's potentially a big and epic concept, but you're going to have to travel light, as you only have 30 days to make the game. The topic can be interpreted in any way, so ‘globetrotting’ could just be set in one location but a globetrotter comes to visit, for example. Also, there’s no rule saying the player character has to even leave their bed, let alone the country. So get creative.




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.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[RESULT]

Voting is over and the results have been announced as follows:

RESULT

This year, there were two joint winners and two joint runners up:

Joint 1st place
Breakfast on Trappist-1 by FormosaFalanster and Lorenzo
Santa Claus in: A Flight to Remember by OneDollar

Joint 2nd place
One More Fathom by WHAM
I Rented a Boat by eri0o


Thank you to everyone who made a game for MAGS in 2021. And thank you to everyone who played the games and voted, rated, commented, and otherwise got involved. You all rock.

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 2021 and vote for your favourite games among the winning MAGS monthly entries. There are 11 entries to choose from (as we had no entries in November).

Voting is simple. Just choose your best three games 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. (Keep an eye on this thread)
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
Voting lasts until midnight (BST) on Wednesday, April 6th The winner will be announced as part of the forthcoming AGS Awards ceremony.

	January Under the Sea In Search of Marina by Slasher and Racoon		February Greed One more Fathom by WHAM
	March Journey I Rented a Boat by eri0o Watch		April The Cure What a Whopper by Slasher
	May Growing Breakfast on Trappist-1 by FormosaFalanster Watch		June Into the Breach Belly of the Beast by Slasher Watch
	July The Bride Castle Escape: Chapter 1 by fernewelten		August By Hook or Crook Guy: By Hook or by Crook by remz
	September Scales Scales Training Game by heltenjon		October Halloween with an Unexpected Guest Halloween with an Unexpected Guest by heltenjon
	November Oops! No Entries this month		December Gift Trouble Santa Clause in A Flight to Remember by OneDollar

[Topic: The FoolGuidelines set by: BrewtonDeadline: March 31]

Topic: The Fool
Guidelines set by: Brewton
Deadline: March 31

The Fool represents new beginnings, having faith in the future, being inexperienced, not knowing what to expect, having beginner's luck, improvisation and believing in the universe.

Shakespearean fools are usually clever peasants or commoners that use their wits to outdo people of higher social standing.

Fools are a pretty common trope in adventure games and there's a lot of room to play with. Roger Wilco and Guybrush Threepwood are two such examples, kind of stumbling their way to success.

This isn't limited to characters who are idiots. Much wisdom can come from those considered fools. Socrates was called a fool because he questioned conventional thought. Diogenes the Cynic was another fool philosopher who was unafraid to challenge authority and societal norms.

You could make a game where your goal is to fool someone, or you could fool the player with an unreliable narrator. Perhaps a counterfeiter minting coins made of fool's gold.







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.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

To get the wrong end of the stick is to completely misunderstand a situation.

It’s not a concept I’m very familiar with, being that I’m always right. So I need some examples. Tell me some stories, anecdotes, poems or scenes which illustrate one or more people totally getting the wrong end of the stick about something, and the ramifications, implications and aftermath thereof.

Deadline is February 17th 20th
(Valentine’s theme optional)

[It’s About Time]

Topic: It’s About Time
Set by: OneDollar

The winner this month was Saturday Night is the Loneliest Night of the Week by newwaveburritos.

	Prep Time by heltonjon
	Saturday Night is the Loneliest Night of the Week by Newwaveburritos
	Castle Escape: Chapter 2 by Fernewelten

This month the goal is to make a game that uses 'time' in some way. How you interpret this is up to you, but 'time' must be an important part of your game.

Some ideas to get you started...[/i]

• You're running late and have to find a way to make up time
• You play a superhero with time bending powers
• You're stuck in a Groundhog Day loop, looking for a way out
• A time machine sends you to the distant past or far-flung future
• There's an in-game timer, and the player's against the clock
• You visit the same location but at different times

Get your entries in quick, because time's running out...




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.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I've recently noticed embedded YouTube videos will play automatically as I'm scrolling down the page. I swear they didn't always to this.

Is there a way to turn this off or make it optional?

[Topic: Get the pictureChosen by Heltonjon and Stupot]

Topic: Get the picture
Chosen by Heltonjon and Stupot

	Little Leonardo by Racoon
	Signal Loss by Brewton
	Get the Picture by Pajama Sam

Interpret the phrase “get the picture”, how ever you like. Taking that perfectly-timed photo, understanding something, stealing a famous painting, getting a photo message on social media, paparazzi…

Best of luck.


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.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++