Messages

Looking great, @4KbShort

How's everyone else looking?

No, it isn't complicated. I just thought the unique situation gave me a chance to put forward an opinion I've had for a little while now that the topic setter should be able to join in the writing.

The way I see it, the idea that winning a round means you're not allowed to join in the next round feels more like a penalty than a prize. It's nice to win occasionally and it's a lovely treat to be able to choose the topic and make the thread and grant the obligatory extension request, but wouldn't you like to have the option to join in the writing too?

I see your point about not wanting one person to dominate by keep winning repeatedly but I don't think it's likely to happen very often, and even if somebody were lucky enough to have a good run of wins, should that not be celebrated?

To be honest, with so few regulars, I think it's kind of silly not letting the topic setter join in the writing. I suppose there is the potential for some kind of unfair advantage, but I don't think that's really a problem here. In fact with MAGS, we don't bar the theme-setter from making a game, even though they might have had two weeks head start to think about it. I propose we get rid of that rule, if only to increase the number of stories by one. What does everyone think?

I see your point, but a head-start or unfair advantage was never the problem with the theme-setter joining the competition.
The problem lies with the need of a neutral arbitrator. For example in case of a tie. MAGS never needs to ask this question, becasue MAGGS always has a neutral person - you - as the administrator. For MAGS, the role of theme-setter and competition administrator are seperate, so that it doesn't matter if the theme-setter enters.
Therefore, personally, I wouldn't mind if you two chose the theme together, but one of you takes over hosting duties, and only the one hosting doesn't enter.

Anyway, congratulations to Mandle and Stupot. Nice little cooperation.

Yeah, you make a valid point about the difference between FWC and MAGS. There wouldn't be much need for a neutral arbitrator if we were able to settle on a voting system but with so few people there isn't a good solution for that.

We'll sort something out. Keep an eye out for the next theme, coming soon.

Thanks for your feedback Baron, and thanks for your vote.

Under normal rules, the author of the story with most votes would set the next theme. But an unintended consequence of our project is that both Mandle and I would be ineligible to participate in the next contest, which would be a shame considering there are only a handful of regulars.

One option is for Mandle and myself to flip a coin to decide who gets to pick the theme and who gets to participate.

Another option is to just get ChatGPT or some random word generator to give us a theme so that we can all take part.

To be honest, with so few regulars, I think it's kind of silly not letting the topic setter join in the writing. I suppose there is the potential for some kind of unfair advantage, but I don't think that's really a problem here. In fact with MAGS, we don't bar the theme-setter from making a game, even though they might have had two weeks head start to think about it. I propose we get rid of that rule, if only to increase the number of stories by one. What does everyone think?

I saw something about this on Twitter. I echo eriOo's question about whether or not there will be any recordings to watch.

Thanks for your feedback Sini. We were aware of a lot of issues, especially the lack of any kind of second act, and we had a lot of ideas for improvements, but ultimately were unable to implement most of that stuff, due to time. As Mandle said, we would love to expand it and address some of the issues. So watch this space.

Here's a little bit of feedback for The Nameless Kingdom:

Overall, lovely stuff. I enjoyed reading it on my new Kindle. You painted some beautiful imagery in my mind of the forests and the cliff and the fields of crops in the golden sunset and the unique palace. I've been playing Tears of the Kingdom and your descriptions are worthy of that pastelly Hyrule goodness.

You introduced some great characters with interesting dynamics but I had a bit of trouble keeping up with the background exposition as to who was fighting whom, where and why? I would need to reread the story to fully grasp all that. Though I n fairness that just says more about my attention-span than your writing.

If I have any criticism, it does feel slightly too epic to be a short story. You've got a young woman going on a journey to the seat of power to claim her birthright as queen of the kingdom. I know a certain TV show (and book) character that had a similar journey and it took her 8 seasons.

It is a cracking theme indeed. Anybody in?

Nice one @4KbShort. Thanks for your entry.

It means we don't have a hole in the calendar for May.

Also, you'll get to choose July's theme. I'll PM you about that soon.

Everyone else, go and play The Passenger.

What happened to you avatar, Baron?

Awesome! Something in the works!

Me too

[Stranded]

The theme for MAGS June is Stranded.
Set by: 4KbShort.

It's time to vote for your favourite game of MAGS June.
Please vote using the poll above:

	The RoadTrip by 4KbShort
	Mad Jack: Breakdown Shakedown by RootBound

"You're walking through the woods, there's no one around and your phone is dead..."

Get stranded and use your adventure game logic to escape or make a new life or die trying? The possibilities are endless! Or at least only limited by your imagination and coding skills.

When: 2967 or 1853?
Where: Desert Island, Moons of Mars, The midwest, Another Dimension?
Why: Crashed vehicle, experiment gone wrong, someone betrayed you!?
How: Build an escape craft, sacrifice a loved one, trick a demon into granting your wish?






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

@4KbShort I've just seen your last post. How is that last-ditch entry looking?

If you need a couple of days extension, that can be arranged.

Not as good as it was a week ago. Although the idea was as simple as I could make it and it follows some of the same design choices I made in "The Errand" there's more parts to it so it's taking a little longer than expected with my other projects and work getting in the way.

It could probably be finished in a day or less if I sit and just work on it and nothing else. Only downside is I start work again on the 1st and am out of the loop for 5 days save for a few hours here and there and that would put the deadline out to the 6th or 7th (my next weekend).

Who knows, I may catch a *cough cough* little bug tomorrow. It'd still be a late entry, regardless.

Hehe, well, it's looking like you'll be the only entry if you do finish it. And one entry is infinitely better than no entry, so if you need until the 6th/7th, then that shouldn't be a problem.

This is sad news. My condolences to those who knew him well.

@4KbShort I've just seen your last post. How is that last-ditch entry looking?

If you need a couple of days extension, that can be arranged.

Congratulations to all the winners!

It sounds like a fun time was had by all. I look forward to watching the video playback.

[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.

I'm afraid I don't think I'm likely to make it tonight. I'm really behind on sleep as it is and have an early start tomorrow.

Best wishes to all the nominees.

[beginners]

Similar to what cat suggested above, why not have it as a regular demo, but every time you perform an action, a dialog appears asking "Would you like to learn more about [implementing doors]?" The player can click 'yes' if they want to see some tutorial tips (that maybe pops up in a large GUI). Otherwise, they can click 'no' if they think they can already handle it.

As the game goes on, these tutorial screens would all be added to a list in a separate menu (or just all visible from the start anyway) for users to click on if they decide later that they want to learn more.

These screens would include some simply-worded explanations, some cute animations, and guidance for where to find more detailed instructions, as cat mentioned.

——-

One thing that must be kept in mind is this: This is a project for beginners. It should be a fun and interesting game, as all games should be, but the tutorial aspects must be clear and welcoming. Something that absolute newcomers to the very concept of game design will actually use and learn from.

Well done Baron. You got the most votes and are the winner.

I look forward to your next theme

Voting is over and the winner is The Errand by @4KbShort.

Well done. You have been contacted about choosing a theme for June.

Thanks to everyone who participated and voted.