Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Last day of the year

I'm going to refrain from new years resolutions and all that boring stuff. And happy new year and bla bla.
However, I'm going to post a boring podcast by some Australian and a New Yorker. You may want to listen to it.



Sunday, December 29, 2013

Food for Plot: The IceyGames Memorandum

Iceygames has been getting some attention, from Gamnesia, after his interview here. From which I'd like to quote this part. [ Pub Master Quest will be running an Indie gogo campaign in the coming months to accrue the funds necessary for its creation and potentially gain support from publisher Square Enix. Icey stresses the 
importance of this campaign, saying that "getting help from [Square Enix] would guarantee complete success 
with the title." ]


Icey is going with this somewhere, but I strongly feel the best section he should be focusing is his art, which is really turning out to be fantastic, honestly. Anyhow, here follows the trailer, but i can't say i expect anything game-wise.



Thursday, December 26, 2013

Is it possible to write an RPG with AGS?

I've pondered over this for a long time. Today, Radiant gave a wonderful answer that I shall just copy paste.

Radiant

  • AGS Baker
  • Mittens Knight
  • Happy would I be to trade more treasures with you.
  • Radiant worked on a game that was nominated for an AGS Award!Radiant worked on a game that won an AGS Award!
Well, fellow adventure gamers, let me tell you a little story. Years ago, when I was new to AGS and all I had written so far were some action/puzzle games, I first came across this site and thought it was awesome (and by the way, I still think it is awesome, and more so every year). That's basically because I grew up with adventure games, and I learned English by playing King's Quest and Space Quest and figuring out what commands to type. So obviously I made plans to write a game in AGS, but since I was doing puzzle games I was also looking into other genres than just adventures. And then I noticed this thread or its predecessor: is it possible to design an RPG in AGS? I thought about it for a while and concluded yeah, sure. As far as I know, back then nobody had actually done any RPGs yet, so I decided I would go and write an RPG, and then make a post in this thread here containing just the word "yes" and a link to my game. Well, it took awhile; game design takes up quite a bit of time and real life has a tendency to interject itself every now and then, so it's now almost ten years after I first registered for bigbluecup. That means that there have been several RPGs made before, and nobody has to prove any more that something is possible in AGS because we've all seen how versatile the engine actually is. That said, RPGs are still great and so are AGS games, so there's always room for another AGSRPG; it was fun to write one and I hope other people remain inspired to write more. So without further ado,


The yes, happens to link to the game's download page. So go ahead play it.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Interview Part 20: Miguel Quixote

Like a blast from the past, I bring in the portoguese god (and that's a pun) from the Golden Era. Miguel always stroke me (that sounded weird) as a nice person that would make you feel good about yourself. And that along with his recent improvement in activity both game-wise and forum-wise, leaves me intrigued as to what will fellow.


1) This is a typical question asked to all interviewed people. So, how did you find AGS?

I've found AGS while searching for the Scumm engine and how they did those great games. After some clicks AGS popped out and I thought that I was in heaven! I remember that I had some time for myself as well and so I dived deeply into it. On my first game I was using fake inventory items as boolean variables! It was a great time for me, being able to create a game and being so easy was really fantastic. Of course it wasn't really a half-decent game, but the rush I felt when I uploaded it was something else! 

2) Do you have a favorite AGS and/or non-AGS game?

That's not very easy. The AGS game I loved more for years and years was Pleughburg. It was the proof to me that AGS was able to make games that I would like to play. Most of the stuff that was going out when I started were private jokes from some cool dudes to another and that was okay but not many guys were doing games that could be played by people outside of the AGS community. More recently I loved the Visitor games by Nicky Nice, the man can tell a good story.

As for non-Ags games I'd say the Gabriel Knight series are on my top list but all the classic RPG's as well. Dragon Age and Skyrim too.

3) How many games have you worked on so far? And which one would you consider your magnus opus and why.


Well, I've only completed 3 games, really.

There's the Dwarven Dagger series and Ancient Aliens. They're all part of my learning process. Their quality are totally related to the amount of time I spend making them. I still want to make a good chapter for the Dagger games, they deserve my full attention and I've been a creep to them.

Ancient Aliens is a different story, I had a team working with me. Very talented people with a great love for adventure games. I know that the game is short and has flaws but I was really proud of doing it. The reason it's short is due to the huge amount of work that it takes to make just a 10 room decent game. I've proven myself that I can turn my ideas into a game but still I lack the endurance to take it all the way to the end. So, I make chapters.
But, to answer your question Ancient Aliens is my best game so far.

4) Is there anything you're working on right now or planning on working on?

Yes I keep myself busy. I did the intro for Ancient Aliens 2, did background art and story for Carmel Games (they should be releasing a new game soon), am doing a original game in flash and html5 (adventure game,1st person) - 3 rooms so far while learning Stencyl and Tululoo!

But the project that is taking me more time right now is a OSD game that I'm working on. I bought a new drawing tablet and backgrounds and characters are going to be detailed and big!
No way I can release all of this during 2014 but if I put 2 out I'd be an happy man!

5) What was the reason behind the creation of that RELIGION topic? And how do you feel about it?

What religion topic?
Ahhh...that religion topic!

Jim, I really don't know why I started it or if it was a response to something I'd read before!
It turns out that every time I debate religion I end up making some "enemies" and that's really not my way man.
Thinking about it, what could I really get from talking religion on a video game forum? Even a dev forum? Well, we all know that people are much more than game makers or shoe makers or whatever. And the AGS community is really something unique, so I kind of amuse myself (sinful I know) to bring this topics in a land full of atheists and science lovers!

A recent debate made me realize that I should never jump in or start topics of that nature, that I could say things I regret and that trying to prove anything so peculiar isn't really my job.
Anyway, I see brighter lights on the horizon with the new Pope (Francisco is his name and so is the name of my younger son) who is trying to bring the church closer to younger generations and their ultra-fast pace of life.
But enough of that, here I go again!

6) Ancient Aliens was a huge improvement over your older games, especially the art. What led to that general improvement, and how did you learn to draw better (any tips to aspiring kids that want to reach to an AGS legend)?

Thanks Dual, it really goes down to a single point: work. I've worked more in Ancient Aliens than in other games I've done, released or not. Drawing has always been a passion for me and I am a decent pen and paper artist. Bringing it to the digital world of video games is completely different. There's composition, angles, walking areas, colour contrast, definition of your main lines, there's really a big difference between a background and a free drawing you may do in a afternoon.

So, I didn't learn to draw better, instead I studied how people were doing backgrounds for adventure games, AGS or not. My favourite style is the one used on Monkey Island 3 and while it doesn't show on Ancient Aliens, my newest art is reflecting that style.

My advice to  kids wanting to be me is to brush their teeth every morning and before bed time!
Kids wanting to do their own graphics should focus on a style and work on it. We all imitate somebody's art when drawing and backgrounds and characters for video games aren't different. While we draw more and more we are developing muscular memory and so lines will become more clear in just a few strokes. Quick sketches of the same object allow us to choose the best composition for a background for instance.

Also, drawing tablets make it much quicker to work. Skipping the scan, retouch, resize phase is a bless!
Also, don't be afraid to post your art on the forums. You'll find fantastic artists there that will give you free lessons and turn your drawings into art!

7)  Since you're an old member of the AGS, did the Gold AGS Era ever exist? Or is it rumours?

Hahaha! Well, what can I say?

Back when I started there were some really charismatic Agsers on the forums, Chris Jones was always around, and I remember admiring all those cool dudes doing cool stuff with adventure games. Games made were funny, although some were private-funny if you know what I mean. Jokes could go on and on for months and I had to be really aware of what's going on or I wouldn't understand it.

I guess that's what gave the impression of the community being elitist and somehow unfriendly to newcomers. It wasn't easy to fit in because the most influential guys were really that cool.

Can we call it the golden years? Sure, why not? If we want to "feel" the vibe that was going on we only need to grab some games made back then. Mackgyver and Norris jokes were always present as well. Conan was doing it as well, so there was some smart humour going on.

To me it was special, for sure. It was addicting to log in to the forums.

Anyway, this said, AGS made it very well into the new decade and the successful commercial games around prove it. And I still can't find intelligent, smart and funny people anywhere in the internet like the ones at our forums. It's still a fantastic community and I'm proud and glad to be in it.
\

Monday, December 23, 2013

Better late than ..

So there I was, at the wonderful irc channel of the AGS Archives, chit-chatting. Then, qptain Nemo, a wonderful russian bimbo, suggested I play his recent games. Twas only a glimpse that I decided to do as he pleased. And I came across one of the funniest and most bizarrely wonderful creations attributed to the AGS community.

It won the OROW8, it won my heart, it's amazing. A game created by qptain Nemo and Pablo, I have to say this is a wonderful collaboration, reminding me of Calin and Ben304, only with a twisted sense of humour.


Educating Adventures of Girl and Rabbit
DOWNLOAD HERE!
by qptain Nemo and Pablo 

It contains bitchslap. What more do you want from a game?

Monday, September 30, 2013

Something's brewing!

It's been a long time in the making: The first AGS release that'll include a great amount of community-made changes and improvements.
Much has been done, so check out what's going to hit you soon right in this here thread!

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Splash! (Not the one with Daryl Hannah)

The first community-made version of AGS is still in the makings, but progress seems steady and what we've seen so far is more than promising! So a couple of forum members gave their all to create a new splash screen for our favourite toolkit- and since we see this screen quite often, why not vote for the one that's going to be used right here?

Sunday, June 30, 2013

AGS Recognition of the Month for June 2013: Ivan Mogilko

Its not everyday that someone is acknowledged for their hard work. We certainly appreciate what people do for us. However human nature sometimes allows us to forget to honor/commend or even acknowledge those that do work hard for us, especially those that do it for free so that others may enjoy the fruitage of their works. While Chris Jones should have the lifetime recognition award, I thought that as something new, I would present a little column showcasing who of the AGS Community stood out to me personally during the month of June. This entry would be the first of an on-going acknowledgement series.

It truly was not difficult for me to pick the first to be acknowledged in this regard. It gives me great pleasure to say that this months recognition goes to Ivan Mogilko, also known as Crimson Wizard on the AGS Forums. He has taken tremendous time from his life and generously donated it to improving Adventure Game Studio going as far as refactoring the code, fixing bugs, implementing features and in general just spearheading the development as a whole. Not an easy task as taking on such a project also creates a rather large demand and puts pressure on said individual. This month alone he has put in 23 commits to the AGS repository, not to mention the innumerable hours that went into making sure his commits worked behind the scenes before applying them. Furthermore, Ivan is actively discussing the future of AGS with the community, humbly listening and applying suggestions, complaints and bugs while spending countless hours thinking of the best approach so that everyone can remain pleased with the results of his work. A lot to take on, no doubt!

Ivan has shown us that he truly does care about the AGS Community and AGS in general. We owe him our gratitude. So Ivan Mogilko, to you, we say Thank you! You truly deserve the June 2013 Recognition of the month. Now get some rest and go on Holiday!

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Science MAGGIES Double Feature

Last year we had a lot of MAGS, but no MAGGIES. So this year our very own Atelier runs them as a double feature, and everyone's invited to play two years worth of MAGS winners, vote their favourites and... well I am pretty sure something awesome will happen at the end of all this.

Check out the thread with a neat list of entries right here!

Saturday, June 22, 2013

AGS Beta 4 for testing

AGS Beta 4 has been released and is ready for testing over here. Some bugfixes have been applied as well as a custom offset for speech portrait has been added. Enjoy it! Thanks to the AGS Dev team!

Monday, June 10, 2013

OROWOW!

Today an upcoming OROW (One Room, One Week) has been announced by our lovely cat. The event will take place from July 1st to July 7th, and the thread is right here.
It's been a while since we had one, so if you're into cruel deadlines and that frantic feeling of making a game in one week, check it out!

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Max Fax Tax Sax Hax Wax...

MaxFaxGames has released a brand new commercial adventure game called "The Adventures of Max Fax 1". For just under $4.00 you can own it too. We always like to highlight the success of one of our own community members when they can produce a commercial game. Check it out! Discussion of the game can be found here.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Monsters In A Blue Cup

A couple of weeks ago Andail started a "graphics workshop", where users were encouraged to create some artwork of a monster- showing their progress in public and passing feedback as they went along. The results are now up for voting in this thread.
It's nice to see so many talented artists taking the theme for a unique spin!

Monday, May 27, 2013

Nelly Kicks It Up

To make a game you need creativity, AGS and a magnificient beard. Our very own Ali has all these things. But apparently you also need money, and so Nelly Cootalot II: The Fowl Fleet  is getting a Kickstarter.
Check out the hilarious funding video here and, while you are at it, back it up!

Friday, April 5, 2013

Grouse beta

For the first time in one BILLION years, there's a new AGS Beta. This is the first official non-CJ version. Go over and check it out in the thread here.

Monday, March 25, 2013

Vince sweeps the floor

No, he hasn't given up game making to become the AGS janitor, but instead he has won everything at the AGS Awards, including host bicilotti's hand in marriage (this may be made up)! Resonance swept pretty much every category it was in for, except best player character. You can see the full IRC Award log here. A few people got dressed up for the Awards too with special forum avatars.

Grundislav managed to grab both player and NPC awards, Ben304 got the short game gong and Lifetime Achievement, CaptainD won best demo (and thinks it means doom for his game), Ghost got best non-adventure, and JJS won the Innovation award for his awesome platform porting abilities. And of course, Resonance was helped by its awesome team including Nikolas Sideris, Shane Stevens, Dave and Janet and many others.

NB Winning 12 awards in one ceremony is a new record: well done Mr W!

Friday, March 22, 2013

Kickstart the Himalayas

Himalaya are just short of their Kickstarter stretch goal with under 12 hours to go. If you want to support the Initiation of  a Mage, go and help them out!

Thursday, March 21, 2013

AGS Awards Ceremony date set

What are you doing Saturday night? Not any more... now you are attending the AGS Awards:

Sat 23 March 2013, 08:00 PM UK Time

 join the AGSA chat ( #AGS on irc.agsarchives.com with any client you like, like XChat ).
    - Check here for a browser based experience.

See the forum thread for more info

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Whoa, Nelly

Ali announced Nelly 2. Will she sweep the 2013 AGS Awards next year like the first game did? Well, depends on the fundraising, as this is a commercial venture this time.

Monday, February 25, 2013

What do you do after BJ?

Grundislav has announced his first commercial game On Golden Pond A Golden Wake.

Meanwhile in AdventureGamers land, Steve Brown presents the usual roundup of January 's freeware adventures. As is frequently the case, a bunch of AGS games are included.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Final voting open

You've probably already seen it, but the AGS Awards final voting is now open here.

Meanwhile, AdventureGamers have started handing out their "Aggies" and there's quite a few AGS games getting mentions.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Award nominees

Well, the AGS Awards nominations are out:


  • 13 noms each for Resonance and Space Quest Incinerations
  • 11 noms for Benjamin Jordan numero ocho
  • Cat Lady and Space Quest II VGA also had lots of noms
  • Also multiple noms for Barely Floating, Gray, Pledge Quest II, Indiana Rodent, RAM Ghost and Anna Quest 1

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Om nom nominate!

The AGS Awards have begun the nomination process (for those who were added to the games DB in 2012). Play the games and then go and nominate all your favourites, before Valentines day when the noms close!

Sunday, January 20, 2013

A small farewell (more like see you soon/later)

This is not goodbye, I'm not leaving, this is merely explaining. I am known to be a drama queen, so i won't go there this time. I'm leaving for the army shortly, but my absence from this blog has been noted sooner than that.

As time progressed and Primordia was going to be released I didn't want to use the blog for personal promotion, as it was something we agreed on with SSH. Adding to that is my slow abandonment of game design in general has left me absolutely uninterested to videogames as a whole.

The rumor that before you have to write a song, you must first listen to lots of music, possibly applies to making your very own videogame. While I strongly believe my individual skills have increased with the making of each game, I still don't "get" it.

Each of my games is an overambitious attempt at something, only which I perceive and a small percentage of the players that bother playing/trying out. As myself in several occasions, my games make little sense. I have created an image for them, that I will never be able to match, or even know how to approach.

Anyhow, I'm still around and I'll be around in two weeks or so for a brief period of time. I love you all, have a wonderful day.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Happy New Year gifts

Yes, the New Year fairy is bringing you prezzies: in this case, a semi-podcast from Grundislav and an AGS Awards for-your-consideration thread from bicilotti. Enjoy!