Messages

In case you missed it

http://www.thedreammachine.se/

For those of you that missed it first time around, the first chapter is free!

If you don't have your own webspace, i've seen quite a few people using Mediafire or somesuch to host their files. Personally I find it a bit unprofessional for hosting final games but for quick Q&A things like this it's probably a good idea.

Instead you could try Dropbox. There's a vid on the website that explains how it works but basically it gives you a folder on your computer that you can chuck stuff into and it will be available on all your other computers, and on the Dropbox website.

Once Dropbox is installed, zip up your game and chuck it in the Public folder, then just right click on it and 'copy public link' which you can paste in this thread or a PM to abstauber.

Hope that helps

So I finally got around to checking this out (sorry!) after you mentioned it on the AGSCraft server a few weeks ago.

I've just watched all your videos and i'm blown away by how far you've progressed and how quickly! I've never really played dungeon crawlers tbh but this is very impressive. You've implemented tons of neat features already and the new artwork is lovely. I especially like the logo in the main menu

I know you're working on your Bake Sale project - which also looks very promising - so i'll be patient and look forward to more updates on this one. Can't wait to start crafting my own levels with your editor

Congrats to everyone, what a highly polished final result!! The backgrounds and animation were lovely - loved that poodle one - and the voice acting was very good. The solutions to the puzzles were wacky and fun. Really, really good first swarm game - again everyone involved deserves a big round of applause - looking forward to part 3

I still fully support the Bake Sale despite a new server no longer being the aim. To be honest, a server itself doesn't really do it for me but the idea of this whole coming together of developers for a mutual cause to benefit the AGS community really moved me. There have been wonderful things happening in the forums - the Swarm, AdventureX, AGSArchives, Nimbus (not really sure where that one's at now but it was beautiful) - and this just epitomises the fantastic community spirit around here. It brought a tear to my eye, it really did :'(

It might no longer be for a new server but I don't think this thing has gotten out of hand yet. People are just rallying round with ideas and that's really pleasing to see. Not all the ideas have to be taken on board - and I think the real discussion is happening in this cold and damp cave I keep hearing about - but it's good to see so many people involved. Yay for you!

Personally i'm happy with the charity idea. It sends out a really good message about our community and does have wide market appeal. I do think this bake sale should be aimed at the community and beyond so it can only help if the cause reflects that.

That's not to say I wouldn't support a 'for the community' cause. I really would and AGSArchives would be my first choice. It's a very visible, not to mention lovely, side to the AGS community that benefits us and people who just want to play our games. That and Peder is an all-round wonderful guy who has put a lot of effort into it, not to mention giving out those personal website thingys and letting me get blown up by creepers on a regular basis :o

I do fully support the monies to the developers idea too but as the Bakers have already said that isn't the focus of this particular Bake Sale - but remember that this is hopefully going to be a regular thing so lets not rule it out for the future!!

Also, although the iDevice lover in me squeals excitedly at the thought of supporting a cross-platform initiative in some form, I don't think this needs money, it just needs passionate people. We have all the time in the world to do this. I can wait

Finally, i'm not too worried about the quality of the games: I wouldn't submit anything less than polished for something like this and I hope others would do the same. I do agree there should be a cap on the number of games though as the value in the eyes of the consumers will go down with too many games in there. That doesn't mean people shouldn't make their games. It has inspired me to finish a game too but I don't intend to submit it to the Bake Sale. I don't think people should be offended if their game doesn't make the cut. I hate to say it because I never want to 'sell' anything, but I do think there does have to be someone with some marketing know-how like Dave to streamline the package to maximise profits. After all, it's for a good cause

Bottom line, I'm not worried. I think the Bake Sale is in very safe um..hooves? with Ponch. Go you, little cow man thing.

Ooh purdy!

Geez I miss a lot. How you managed to sneak this little update under the radar I don't know.

I'm liking the redesign a lot, there's really not much I would ask you to change. It's a nice clean, fresh look and I like all the little touches: the spiky footer, the game developer bar at the top, meta information on the games, 6-12-24 games shown choice (less scrolling!), and that gorgeous AGS Archives icon. I'd maybe like to see more rounded corners, such as on the search box, but actually it's probably a good thing that you've used them sparingly. It all fits together really well as it is

Only UI element that seems a little strange is the plus sign when you hover over a game's picture. I like the rollover effect, but the plus sign means 'add' to me, like 'add to my shopping cart' or similar. Not sure what other icon to suggest though and I do see there's a plus sign in the top bar so I guess it means 'more information..'

I'll happily help out with screenshots - assuming I can take decent ones for you - and proof reading if you'll have me

EDIT: That's what you're missing - maybe it's not that important tho - the resolution blurb like we have in the games database

If you recently got an email from me about AdventureX, please don't buy a ticket just yet, for reasons explained in the next email coming your way at the end of October!

No email for me :'( so I can go ahead and buy a ticket?? The switch to a two-day thing is a awesome :o

I've had a look at the trains and the times/fares seem good enough for me to make a whole weekend of it and stay over in Oxford if I can find somewhere. I'm not that bothered about how late I get back on the sunday, so long as I can make it into work in the morning!

Just flew back into the country last night so a bit skint after my holiday, but pay day hits this friday so I will likely settle things then. If anyone else is thinking of staying over/has any recommendations give us a holler

[fantastic]

Wow, this is quite amazing, it really is! :o

I've been completely blindsided by this as I missed the original thread and only today, after getting back from my little holiday, did I see all the Bake Sale GiPs and think what the hell is this all about?? This is a fantastic idea and i'm proud to see so many of you answering the call to action. You're all wonderful people-shaped things

I find that it reflects very badly on a game when one says something like: "It's not very enjoyable, but... if you take in consideration it was made in a limited time, it's not terribly awful, it's the authors first game etc. then it's actually an impressive effort. So don't worry, *game author's name here*, just make at least 10 times as big and complex and interesting game the next time."

I didn't say that, or at least that's not what I intended to say. I apologise to Darius if that's how it came across. I think my post was a little on the defensive side!

I do agree that rein is a polished product - and i'm sure that came across in my original feedback - but I don't feel *some* of Abisso's criticisms are unjustified. There's always room for improvement

Anyway, still waiting patiently for the prequel/sequel 

No worries

Considering this was Darius' first AGS game (as far as i'm aware) and it was made in just two weeks, I think it's a lot better than you give him credit for. As a learning process, as the telling of a story (however brief), as the attempt to just get an idea out of his head and onto the screen, I definitely think it was worthwhile creating.

I do agree with some of your points, and I think I picked up on these myself previously: I would've liked to see a longer game and more involved puzzles, and I too found the characters lacking a bit of substance, but this made the game no less enjoyable. I think the art style really works for the game and the animations are one of the high-points for me personally. Short but sweet was never more relevant. Your feedback is constructive though.

Nice to see this come up again, thanks, i'll have to give it another playthrough=)

It's the name of the second episode of my favourite anime series, Cowboy Bebop

It's also a reference to the song "stray cat strut" apparently but that's wasted on me..

It's quite a new nickname for me: Previously I went under the handles rockyrobin1983, garfield and the only real life nickname i've been gifted: rambo.

My blog used to be called Sympathy for the Devil (another CB reference and the Guns N' Roses song) but it also become Stray Dog Strut and I decided to stick with it when I joined the AGS forums.

Oh and the cheeky little chappie in my profile pic is my (sadly now passed away) dog Rocky

Really, really? It's not April already surely?!

This one seemed to die a pitiful death quietly in the corner. I was sad to see it go :'( I've been looking for some AGS MC action again lately but thought this was the elephant in the room..

I fly off to Barcelona on sunday but will definitely try to fit in some MC before I go

Ah more updates, think I missed them because you used the edit thingy you little sneak;-)

@LimpingFish: Yeah, looks like it is to me. It looks pretty good actually. I know Mods is keen on that pub - and i'm all for helping out a struggling business - but the arts centre is one to consider if the event is big enough. Dunno what you think of the price? I don't know what's the average but it seems okay to me if we get anywhere near the 40-50 capacity of the other place, or someone feels especially generous=D Of course it becomes less reasonable if it becomes a two-day event. My holiday in two weeks cost less=D

So long as I can reach it via public transport or hitch-hiking in some weirdos car i'd come (I don't drive). If it's on a mainline out of London that's ideal for me, but I would say if it's any more than a 2/3 hours away for most people then it would need to be at least a two-day thing to make it worth the travelling time (assuming the event itself lasts a few hours)

I'm more than happy to travel anywhere accessible in the UK as I regularly go home to Scotland anyway but would likely stay overnight somewhere (which I would expect to pay for) if was going to take a long time to get there. Some local information about places to stay/transport would be useful for most folks if that was the case.

It's such a shame that this didn't work out before, but perhaps it was too ambitious originally. There's no point booking a large space if the public don't get interested and you need to factor in the cost of marketing. For something like this i'd gladly donate to a fund just to make it happen, whether I could attend or not, but again you'd need confirmed attendees/games in place to make the general public part with their cash. A small meet n' greet where you play plenty of demos and talk to other adventure game enthusiasts would be good. I can't see myself getting to (or qualifying for) any of the Mittens events in the forseeable future so it would be good to have something in the UK to look forward to. The guest talks are an added extra for me - i'd gladly welcome them if you can make it happen.

Hope I don't come across too negative. I am super-excited about seeing AdventureX in some form at some point so will gladly help make it happen however I can - donating, marketing materials like flyers etc.

Oh, and make it a weekend if possible as I have to work and i've booked in all my holidays for this year!

Classic, nice to see this again=D

[definitely]

I'm not going to say i'll enter because I know I promise so often to enter all these compos and never seem to manage it=(

That and I haven't a hope in hell of creating anything near as gorgeous as "Blackwell Nighthawks" (an homage to my favourite painting in the guise of a videogame? Yes please. I can die a happy man)

..but I will definitely be snapping up the DVD when payday hits on friday. It's such a sweet deal=D

Oh that looks wonderful!!

I suck at using my little Wacom Bamboo for anything other than slapping paint around. I just can't hold it steady enough to do anything detailed or crisp=D

I'd imagine if this thing converts straight to vector that your line art would have to be quite clean, but then I could see myself sketching roughly first with a pencil, refining the lines as I usually do, then turning on the Inkling and inking it properly. Either that or use the bitmap mode instead.

I'm liking the look of this A LOT!

I don't play many mainstream games nowadays but I have nothing against them. They serve a purpose.

There does seem to be a prevalence of 3rd person shooters that I personally find a complete turn off these days. I have enjoyed shooters in the past - the early Medal of Honors, Call of Duty 4 to name a couple - but these days I find the marketing impressively dull.

I mostly play old games - those retro classics that I missed out on, especially adventure games - and indie games. I sometimes play casual games on my iDevice too. It's a real pleasure of mine to support independent developers and this, for me, is where the real action is. There's some incredibly talented people out there (and here too, you know who you are! ) doing some really cool things. It's a very exciting time for games I feel.

I think cost does come into it. Console games in particular are prohibitively expensive. I'm more than happy to spend £50 on a game if I think it will be worth it, but growing up my pocket money certainly wouldn't have stretched to that! I only just got a PS3 last year so all those games I thought were so important when it first launched are in the bargain bin now. They don't seem so 'must have' any more though.

Of the mainstream PS3 games I have played, the original Assassin's Creed was a disappointment. Yeah, it's cool initially with all that leaping around, but it's incredibly repetitive. It's the same mission over and over again with little room for creativity. I haven't finished it and I don't intend to try the other games in the series any time soon.

Then again, Little Big Planet is a super bundle of loveliness - Stephen Fry doing the voiceover with full subtitles is pure awesome - and it's a great example of a genre i'd like to see more of: co-operative multiplayer games. Not everyone wants to frag* people online you know.

Mainstream games do have to have mass appeal, which might explain why so many of them lead us by the hand, but I don't think they're all carbon copy clones. I'm especially liking the trend towards episodic games like the recent Back to the Future games - and this coming from a big company. There's so many delivery platforms these days, I think there's opportunities for even established franchises to experiment a little.

I agree with the point about Kinnect: It's a great innovation and a really fun way to play games (Especially after the bells on hogmanay when i've had more than a wee dram ) I do find new approaches to games like this really refreshing so long as it's not too gimmicky.

*is that the right term, kids?

Since falling short on my OROW/MAGS/Debut AGS game attempt i've been sulking and pining for another compo to come along that I can actually make a realistic stab of entering.

Knowing next to nothing about limited palettes - well, other than they're limited - I usually stay away from these things, but i'm going to take the plunge on this one.

Now, I haven't owned many retro consoles i'm ashamed to say, but I have fond memories of the Amstrad CPC 6128 I had as a wee lad. So until I track down a retro bundle on ebay to satisfy my nostalgia, i'll settle for some CPC-inspired art for the time being, wikipedia to the rescue and all that.

It won't be pretty though!