Messages

[game-breaking bugs]

@Olleh, your game is now included in the voting. Sorry for the delay.

It's okay to go in and fix game-breaking bugs during voting. We want voters to actually have a game that runs on their machine and is somewhat playable. But remember that this is a challenge to see what you can do in a given month, so any tinkering you do after that, including fixing minor glitches, is against the spirit of the competition.

Ideally, come the 1st of the month you will be thinking about your next entry

I’ll definitely have a go at this.

Thanks for the entries, guys. voting time is upon us.
Please vote using the poll above.

	The Spider's Web by Slasher
	DAGGERHELL by Mandle
	My Father's Secret by JackPutter
	Max Fury by Olleh19

[tiny]

@Olleh. The game doesn't necessarily have to be uploaded to AGS database. If you have a Mediafire or Dropbox link, for example, that is okay too.

I'm setting up the table and stuff soon because this is the only window of opportunity I've got, but I will add yours to the list if you can submit it to this thread in the next day or so.



@Everyone. It would be great to see more entries. It's all I want, really. One of the best ways to make sure you have a game to submit at the end of it is if you make a tiny game. Plan small, then cut it in half. Find shortcuts (e.g. walkcycles are time-consuming so I just make my 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.

[Lord of Light]

The winner of MAGS October was Lord of Light by PlayPretend.

	Taste the Blood of Darkness by Slasher
	The Last Light Post by JackPutter
	Lygophilous by VampireWombat
	Lord of Light by PlayPretend

Please remember to rate and comment on the games' page if possible.


The fall is here and the long dark nights are slowly starting to creep in (well, at least in my geographical location). For some, it means a time of depression and sadness, for others it can be a cozy and comforting blanket.

For this months MAGS, I'd like you to make a game that is inspired by darkness. For example, it can take place during the night or in locations where the sun don't shine or maybe dark times have fallen upon the world or perhaps you want to peer into the darkness of the human soul, explore the vastness of outer space, confront demons or embrace the evil. Although this theme is probably more suitable for halloweenish horror projects, it doesn't really have to be all spooky and grim and I'd be very happy to see some positive or funny depictions of darkness.

And for inspiration, here's some images from past MAGS games that in my opinion would fit the theme:



Good luck with your games and don't be shy to share and discuss your ideas and progress.

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 came here to make the same suggestion. And I'm not even in it.

Oh damn. That is shitty news.

His game Mind’s Eye was one of the first AGS games I ever played, possibly before I even joined the forum.

Rest In Peace, Progz.

This looks great. Best of luck.

Has there ever been a competition involving all MAGS winners?

Are you talking about bringing past winners back for a new contest or voting on past winning entries. The former would be impossible (it’s hard enough getting the numbers when it’s open to everybody, let alone only past winners.) The latter could be fun. We already have MAGGIES which is a vote for the best winning game of the year. We could have a mega-vote of all the annual MAGGIES winners. Or a mega-mega bracketed tournament of all the past monthly winners. (People would be expected to play (Or have played) the games in order to vote on them though. It wouldn’t be worth it for the 12 people who might turn out vote.)

The second coming.

I don’t know what what’s so strange about the ^formatting.
It’s easier on the eye
Almost like poetic verse,
And my

Personal choice.
I like
To be

Different

So there! 

[A Prelude to an Adventure]

The votes are in and we have a winner.

A Prelude to an Adventure by Hobo.

Well done, sir. You’ll be contacted soon about coming up with a topic for Ictiber

Well, I guess you guys aren’t my target audience either. 

Hopefully, I’ll get a better response over on Mumsnet.

This one was wasted on Twitter. I have almost zero reach.

Yeah this was a good riddle. I was starting to wonder if it was worth trying to guess the contents of the book when the case itself was basically resolved. But I’m glad you persisted because the book actually does directly lead to Gwen making the decision to keep reading and to stay longer. (Describes one prank, then uncle tells Gwen to keep reading to find out how he got his revenge).

That is correct!

(Watch it in German with subtitles, the English dub leaves something to be desired.)

I wouldn’t have dared watching it any other way.

[Dark]

My favourite show of the last few years: Dark

If anyone has yet to see it, please do so now.

Would they often play pranks on each other?
Would they often set each other little puzzles and challenges?
Was there a puzzle in the journal and Gwen called her uncle to help solve it?

Did she read that her dad and uncle used to do a live double-act together and contacted the uncle to ask if he had any old tapes of their performances?

Was it a picture the father had drawn?
Was it a photograph?