Messages

[libagsteam-32.so]

Ok, I got some help from Laura. I'll share the info here, so it could help others in the same situation. So here's some AGSteam Linux installation instructions:

1. Go to linux32 folder in the installation package, and rename libagsteam-32.so to libagsteam.so
2. Place the 32 and 64 bit versions of libagsteam.so and libsteam_api.so in the Linux subfolder of the AGS engine folder (Linux\lib32 & Linux\lib64)

+  Place the files also in compiled/linux/data/lib32 and lib64 folders (not sure if this is necessary, but just in case)

And that's it (as far as I know)!

 

I tried the demo and was impressed by the great animations. However, the gameplay stressed me slightly, as I constantly felt like I was missing something. The atmosphere was very oppressive, you managed that very well!

Thanks for the comment, good to hear you noticed the animations, they take so much time to make!

I think if you got to the ending, you played it well enough! Also, Walter's To-Do List gives a general idea of things that you can do and advance (but not all of them are possible to complete in the demo). I'm now making slight adjustments to the gameplay, to try to make it more approachable to a new player. There is currently one clue in the demo that's too easy to miss, so will fix that as well.

I would actually recommend to update your game at least to the latest 3.5.0 patch. But regardless, something that you might do is to keep your main game in 3.5.0, but build the test version for linux in 3.5.1, or even 3.6.0 that has lots of improvement in contemporary system support. Just make a copy of a project, open it in 3.5.1/3.6.0 and build for Linux there. At least you'll see how it works.

I updated the engine to 3.5.1 and sent the new compiled game to a Linux Proton tester. And it seems to work just fine, no mouse freezing! Now the Linux version doesn't crash either when loading a manual save. So thanks again CW for the very helpful, and simple solution! And as a pleasant surprise, the save games from the previous versions didn't break, and I could load them just fine.

Need to do more testing, but it's looking pretty good. Now I'm wondering if I should update to 3.6.0 or am I pushing my luck...

[Windows]

Hello, and sorry for bumbing this, but just need a bit of clarification on the install instructions to make sure everything is like it should be.

Windows
I copy the "AGSteam.dll" and "steam_api.dll"to the AGS editor's directory. Everything works fine. Achievements work. All is good.

Linux
Now I have folders Linux32 and Linux64 in the install package. Do I copy the contents to AGS editor's root directory, like with the Windows version, or to the "Linux\lib32" and Linux\lib64 folders? Currently I've done the latter option. When I compile the game I get this warning:



So what I did is that I went to the Linux\lib32 folder and rename the libagsteam-32.so file to libagsteam.so. It feels a bit sketchy, but I got rid of the warning and it compiles fine. As I have no way to test the Linux version myself, I'm still wondering if it is like it should be. So any help is appreciated!

Bonus question: I think I read somewhere that I should copy the AGSteam files to the "_debug" folder also. Is this correct or necessary?

Thanks again!

I'm happy to test this one out further with you, if you want.

Thanks Hobbes! Yes, Linux help would be appreciated. I'm horribly busy this weekend, but will get back to this on Monday. I can send you a DM when I have new version to test.

I would actually recommend to update your game at least to the latest 3.5.0 patch. But regardless, something that you might do is to keep your main game in 3.5.0, but build the test version for linux in 3.5.1, or even 3.6.0 that has lots of improvement in contemporary system support. Just make a copy of a project, open it in 3.5.1/3.6.0 and build for Linux there. At least you'll see how it works.

Yes, this sounds like a good plan. I'll compile a new version of the demo with the patches and send it to Linux testers. Thanks!

I am stuck on Windows only and will be for two more weeks until I can be at my new place with all my computers again.

Let's hope the situation is solved by then eri0o! If not, you might be needed! 

Crashes how, is there an error message?
Could you also clarify which version of AGS are you using?

My version: AGS Editor .NET (Build 3.5.0.23)
v3.5.0, December 2019 (it's a bit older, but I'm hesitant to upgrade at this point)

This is what he said about the crash:

There is no actual error message, but running the DreamsintheWitchHouseDemo script in Terminal shows the following line after the crash.
Shutting down Allegro due to signal #11
Segmentation fault (core dumped)
"core dumped" might indicate that it possibly had dumped more information into a text file somewhere, but so far I couldn't make out where that might be.

He needs to edit acsetup.cfg and set the resolution properly. I've had someone report that with Technobabylon, depending on their desktop resolution, the default settings might not be good.

So in Technobabylon, the wrong resolution setting caused mouse to freeze (when using Linux)? In this case, he has a standard 1920 x 1080 resolution, which should work with the default setting. I sent him my setup files for reference, but not sure if they are helpful.

For instance, do you use any script commands that move the mouse cursor?
Do you have any code that tests for a operating system in your script?

I'm fairly certain that the answer is no to both questions.

I also sent him the untested Linux build (which I didn't release yet in Steam), and it runs fine... except that when he loads a manual save, the game crashes. Weirdest thing is that the autosaves that the game makes work fine. My vague guess for the culprit would be the Steam integration files for Linux, maybe I placed them in wrong location or something.

It would be awesome if some technical guru with Linux could check my Linux build and see what's going on. I might post that later on in the recruitment section. Linux version is definetely something that I want later on.

Thanks for the assistance, as always!

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll get back to this issue this evening!

Hi, i've played little with your demo and i've noticed something a bit odd, i'll put it in a spoiler.

Spoiler

If Walter buys a flashlight, he get's a package from his aunt with another flashlight, looking in the inventory, logically now there should be two flashlights, but the one he bought seems to just have been replaced as by magic. Maybe Walter should say a comment so the player knows he drops the old one? "I'd might as well get rid of this flashlight, no idea in using it anymore now". That way the player knows. Just an idea, i'm not sure i would call it a bug, but yeah. Just wanted to let you know! A minor detail

[close]

Good point, thanks for reporting it! The starting item is random, so I forgot that scenario might happen. Need to fix it, easiest solution would be to remove the flashlight from the starting items.

Maybe a too obvious solution: Is the problem solved if you supply a Linux build? (The editor can do that for you, as I'm sure you know.)

Yes, I thought of giving him the Linux build directly. I didn't release the Linux version in the Steam (yet), because nobody has tested it, and I don't know anything about Linux. But that might be a good solution, also that way I would get my first Linux tester

Hello!

A tricky Linux related question: One player reported that his mouse was frozen when playing the demo. The demo release was for Windows, but apparently he was able to run other AGS games through something called Proton. Here's the message:

Tried all three render modes (with OpenGL I can see and move my system cursor while the games one is still stuck in the middle of the screen), windowed mode and the setting that locks the mouse cursor to the window.
To no avail.

I'm running the game through Proton under Linux btw, so as long as no others have this problem…

I could run all my other AGS based games fine though, no such problem.

This is the first time I've heard of this problem. As the demo is made for Windows and I don't have access to Linux, it's difficult for me to offer any assistance. This is a long shot, but does anybody have similar experiences, or could offer any advice? Thanks!

Edit: Marked as solved!

Congrats on the demo release, well done for making it this far. I'm certain everyone who plays it will enjoy it as much as I did.

Thanks, I hope so! Yes, I feel this is an important goal to reach. And great practice for the full release!

Failing your SAN check is the most fun ever in a game of The Call Of Cthulhu if you have the right GM.

Not sure who my GM is in the real life! 

It's so cute that you are terrified. The game is solid and awesome. So get over your fear and embrace the madness that lies beyond it.

Thanks again Mandle for the last minute support. If releasing the full game is 10 x this, I'm not sure if I'm going to make it! 

[DREAMS IN THE WITCH HOUSE DEMO IS OUT NOW]

Dear AGS folks, it's happening: DREAMS IN THE WITCH HOUSE DEMO IS OUT NOW!

Get it in Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1902850/Dreams_in_the_Witch_House/

So happy to finally share (a part of) the game with you! This is my first time releasing a game, so I'm equally excited and terrified right now. But let me know what you think, I'm really curious to hear your comments!

Here's also a new trailer for the demo:

Go and play!

Too bad I haven't noticed it before...
Will you be looking for testers for the whole game too? Somewhere in the autumn, I think, when it's almost ready... I'd be happy to test the game then.

Yes, I probably need more fresh testers for the full game. I try to remember to contact you when the time comes!

PS. Demo coming very soon! 

Just a little heads up, I'm looking for a few testers for the demo. If you are interested, check out the recruitment page: https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=59997.0

That's great to hear! Would love to see how the game plays and feels!

Now's your chance! 

[Project:]

Project:
Dreams in the Witch House DEMO - A cosmic horror adventure game mixed with RPG elements, based on the short story by H.P. Lovecraft.

Details:
I'm looking for around 5 brave testers to do some last-minute testing of Dreams in the Witch House Demo. The demo is almost completed and now I'm hunting for bugs, typos, and other nasty things. General comments are also welcome.
If you are able to do several playthroughs, that would be awesome! Estimated length of the demo is around 2 hours.

Requirements:
PC and Steam app installed (I will send you a Steam Key for the demo)

Deadline:
This is a last-minute testing and it should be done by May 27th at the latest. The sooner, the better!

Contact:
If you are interested, and have time to test and comment, please send me a Private Message.

Thanks! 

EDIT: Help found!

[Breaking news:]

Breaking news:

Dreams in the Witch House will be participating in the Steam Next Fest, starting June 13th. That means there will be a demo out in one month!

Cool. I can't wait to have nightmares in the witch house.

Yes, the dreams are not happy day dreams!

By the way, I wonder about one thing. There's a library in the game. Will we get to actually look inside some of the books? I really enjoy these in-book views in some games, especially because I'm an avid screenshot collector:

Sorry for the wait, somehow I missed your question! Yes, the Miskatonic University library has a big role in the game. But no, there are no close-ups of these books. You can read them, and Walter will gain skill points (exams / math / occult) and sometimes he will give a summary of what he read. But the good news is that, later on, there is a very significant book that has a similar close up, and you can add it to your book close-up gallery!

I've seen that you are posting updates on Twitter as well, but I can't find it. (I often check game Twitter accounts in private mode, because in Firefox the most commonly visited sites are under the URL bar - and I want some more useful sites there, such as news, online dictionary etc.) Could you post a link to your Twitter account here?

Oops! I thought I had added it to my AGS profile, but had not. Fixed now! Here's also an old fashioned link to Atom Brain Games Twitter: https://twitter.com/atombraingames

I'm making updates there more frequently, but I will (of course) keep this forum updated as well on all the important things.