AGD Zine: Issue 4 - April 2001

And here is the promised 3rd issue of this web-like magazine, by Mark m0ds Lovegrove, Ben Yahtzee Crowshaw and whoever Todd Johhson is. And Eric Mr Colossal Feurstein, as a time traveler.

This happens to be the last AGD Zine with Yahtzee, and one of his last efforts with this community, except his games.

READ THE WEB MAGAZINE
that we gracefully uploaded, thanks to Peder Johnsen.

AGD Zine: Issue 3 - January 2001

And here is the promised 3rd issue of this web-like magazine, by Mark m0ds Lovegrove, Ben Yahtzee Crowshaw and whoever Todd Johhson is.

Anyhow, it's an interesting view to the past. Larry Vales II: Dead Girls Are Easy was just out in this issue, and there's also a review on Gabriel Knight III.

READ THE WEB MAGAZINE
that we gracefully uploaded, thanks to Peder Johnsen.

AGD Zine: Issue 2 - December 2000

And here is the promised 2nd issue of this web-like magazine, by Mark m0ds Lovegrove, Ben Yahtzee Crowshaw and whoever Todd Johhson is.

Anyhow, it's an interesting view to the past. This one shows some engines that were at the time better than AGS or up to par, or who knows, but most importantly, it features an INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS JONES ( CJ ).

There's also an article from mr. Lovegrove, on how to make text adventure games. And a walkthrough to Larry Vales.

READ THE WEB MAGAZINE
that we gracefully uploaded, thanks to Peder Johnsen.

AdventureX 2011: Armageddon It?

I am directly quoting m0ds/Mark Lovegrove, so here is what he said.

AdventureX is a humble gathering for fans, players and designers of adventure games - with previews and games to play, special guests with interesting talks and general tomfoolery as we open the world of point & clicks up to the public.

This year is the birth of the event, so it's a little smaller than originally planned.

So, if you are interested, please visit http://adventurex.eventbrite.com to get a ticket!

So what's happening at this years AdventureX?
» Chris Bateman, designer of Discworld Noir is coming to give a talk on Saturday
» Alasdair Beckett, designer of Nelly Cootalot: Spoonbeaks Ahoy speaking on Sunday
» Yahtzee - delivering a special adventure game audio message on both days
» Over 25 new adventure games, free & commercial - for you to preview, play & take home
» Various daily debates about 2d & 3D art, selling games, audience psychology & more
» Plenty of space to work on your own games, meet other developers etc
» Licensed bar with beer, wine, tea & coffee
» Mince pies and an afternoon buffet for free

If you're not ready to get a ticket yet and just want to know more, you can find plenty of info on the AdventureX website:

screen7.co.uk/adventurex/

If YOU have your own game, or if you feel you have an interesting talk to give - get in touch! I'm happy to showcase any adventure game and would welcome anyone who feels they can deliver an interesting speech.

That's about it. Thank you for reading, and hopefully see you at AdventureX 2011!

AGD Zine: Issue 1 - November 2000

Well, frankly I should say nothing. This is the pilot issue of a web-like magazine, by Mark m0ds Lovegrove, Ben Yahtzee Crowshaw and whoever Todd Johhson is.

Anyhow, it's an interesting view to the past. It features articles about How to make a Good Adventure Game, two previews of games I haven't even heard of, and an article about whether Point & Click adventure games are dead. Oh, and Yahtzee has an article.

READ THE WEB MAGAZINE
that we gracefully uploaded, thanks to Peder Johnsen.

Nostalgia, here we go!

We're gonna take you back to the past, for a journey unlike any other. The mysteries of love shall be revealed, your life will gain meaning. Every Friday, we will give out a link to a rar or/and zip, that will contain an issue of AGD Zine from 2000-2001. An online magazine by m0ds, with certain contributions from Helm, Mr Colossal, Dave Gilbert, Cornjob and well, YAHTZEE.

Reviews, Previews, Interviews, News.

A very fantastic peak to the old days that shaped the AGS community to the sh%^hole it is today, stay tuned.

TOP TEN: BEST AGS GAMES

For more top 10s, see Celebrity AGSers Top Games and Top 10 game series

Overview:

This is a personal opinion list, if you don't like the games in the list, or feel a game is missing, don't judge us. I'd very much like to include them all, but that's not doable. Also there's only one game per franchise. Anyway, enjoy!!

10. Permanent Daylight

Not sure if it's remembered by many AGS members, but this got me into playing AGS games. A very short game, but without lacking anything in fun and humor. And totally one of the most memorable introductions. 2ma2, I wholeheartedly thank you!

Imagine a plot that's been used so much it always is considered a parody nowadays.. It's a mad scientist who's detroying the world! It feautures Dieter Kartoffelbrei as the hero, Dr. Really Really Evil Ed as the mad scientist and an amount of other characters which will mock you on your quest.

9. Ben Jordan PI: Case 3 - The Sorceress of Smailholm

When Grundislav made Ben Jordan 1 and 2, nobody cared. Then came Case 3, what fans of the series confirm to be the best game of an amazing series.

The tiny Scottish village of Smailholm has seen better days. Two local children have been murdered, and the villagers suspect it's the work of witches. Ben Jordan is called upon to get to the bottom of this mystery, but he may soon find himself in over his head..."

Winner of 3 AGS Awards.

8. Infinity String

The sheer beauty of the graphics, makes this an amazing accomplishment. And a very sci-fi like scenario, enhanged with horror and mystery sections, really make this game by Sector 13 a must. Just wait till the main menu comes. You'll be crying from beauty.

Your name is Yerik Elnar. You are scientist working for United States. In late 2009 a ruins were found in Antartica by Russian explorers. A year later a complete research base was built to study the findings. Team consisted of 7 russians, 5 americans and 2 germans. 1 year later USA send you as an additional help. You arrive with the helicopter. But strange things begin to happen...

Winner of 1 AGS Award.

7. Apprentice Case 1: Deluxe

And here comes Apprentice Case 1: Deluxe. Widely considered as the most professional game in the AGS database, is indeed a Herculean effort to create a masterpiece and then outdo yourself twice. One by improving and adding more content, and secondly by making a better and/or equal sequel.
Finally, you can experience the Willowbean world with full voice. And in French or German. The deluxe version also features improved graphics, a totally redone soundtrack, and several bug fixes.

Winner of 1 AGS Award.

6. Nelly Cootalot: Spoonbeaks Ahoy

And here comes Nelly. No introduction is required.

Nelly Cootalot, fearsome pirate and lover of tiny and adorable creatures, is charged by the spirit of a dead buccaneer to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a fleet of birds known as spoonbeaks. Her adventure will bring her face to face with the nefarious Baron Widebeard as she uncovers corruption and wanton punning in the Barony of Meeth. This is my first complete AGS game. It is around medium length, and should take a few hours to play. I made it for, and about, my girlfriend. She enjoyed it and I hope you will too!

Winner of 5 AGS Awards.

5. Barn Runner: Forever Friday Part 2

And on place number 5, comes a personal favorite. I will pity you and not repeat myself. This is totally the best of the series and the most enjoyable. Ponch, PART 3 PLX.

The madness of the "Big Crazy" is tearing through Arc 19 and everyone is giving cannibalism a try! Detective Prick Peckard and Inspector Harry Sach must team up to save the city from itself. Track down multiple suspects and question each of them to learn if they played a part in bringing chaos to the streets of Arc 19: Evansville. Along the way, they'll contend with bargain hunting looters, blood thirsty robots, and the dim witted minions of an evil cult bent on destruction. But they'll have to move quickly. Time is unexpectedly running out in a city where the clocks stood still for twelve years. Can you get to the bottom of this mystery before all hope is lost? Question suspects! Shoot bad guys! Ignore traffic laws! Annoy the elderly! Use pop music in brutal ways!

Winner of my heart ^__^.

4. Cedric and Revolution

ELVES + REVOLUTION + CUTENESS. EPIC WIN.

Follow the adventure of Cedric and Victor as they try to get a demonstration up and running. It's not as easy as it sounds and they end up doing something completely different, but hey, at least they tried, eh? CatR is a fairly short and easygoing adventure.


Winner of 2 AGS Awards.

3. Shifter's Box - Outside In

When Ben started his releasing spree, with each and every game, everyone in the forums thought that the room for improvement was matched. Then Shifter's Box, came, and personally blew my mind. Still a favorite and sorry I keep saying that. But point stays :D
Sally is taking a walk outside one fine day when she comes across a strange box. Curious as to who would leave such a strange box lying around, she opens it - only to find herself in a very strange place indeed. Help Sally uncover the true nature of the box and find her way home!

Winner of 2 AGS Awards.

2. Trilby's Notes

Well, from all the games that Yahtzee himself, this is hands-down the best. Chzo is totally the most badass villain in the whole AGS database, and not restricted there. The game has an amazing interface, nice graphics, amazing plot, amazing music, what more can a man ask for?!!

Four years ago I was involved in the DeFoe Manor Incident. I and four other individuals were trapped inside a manor house by some kind of supernatural intelligence; a dark wraith with murder on its mind, the ghost of the original owner's youngest son. I was trapped inside DeFoe Manor for five days. I was forced to do something I can never forgive myself for. Possessed I may have been, but I was still watching through my eyes a man dying at my hands...

Winner of 4 AGS Awards.

1. Technobabylon: Part 2

Yeah, yeah, whine as much as you want. This is the best AGS game of all time. I don't believe any game has marked me and left me so envious of its plot like part 2 has. The way it unfolds is amazing and everything just pales in comparison.

"What is this, national suicide week?"

A young woman contemplates her end. A terror from the past comes to take its revenge. A police scientist finds himself blackmailed with the lives of the unborn children of his dead wife.

Forced to carry out the will of an anonymous voice on the interlinks, Dr Charlie Regis must try to perform both his official role as public servant, and the role that his antagonist has set for him. How long can he keep this conflict hidden from his friend and partner, Dr Lao? And more importantly, can he save the most important remaining part of his lost love?

Welcome to the future...
Welcome to Technobabylon

He sent me an email once!

The Simon Cowell of AGS (used to be good, but went off to form his own show and now has been surpassed), Yahtzee has reached the accolade of being cosplayhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifed:



Thanks to Boing Boing for the heads-up.

At last, Fully RSS-omatic

Well, it shows how often I was checking, but Yahtzee moved his website updates over to bloger/blogspot so you can now use RSS or Google Blog Follow to keep up to date with his ramblings. Yay!

One of those things mentioned on this is a Yahtzee interview by PC Gamer.

AGS History X: Lesson 1 - You thought I'd never find out

Well, it's bad news people. I have found the link to the old AGS forums. I'm going to track what I always craved, but in the meanwhile, your darker secrets are no good.

To help those following the blog remember:

Topic: "My music making days are over!!" by Mods
or well, let's go for a really cheesy one

Page: The best fact page. Sorry the really cool links don't work, but you will see the following:
-Announcement of the first RON game.
-Mods first attempt to Mittens
-Yahtzee posting in the AGS forums


Topic: "Where to go with these forums" by Chris Jones (Pumaman's secret identity.
See how Chris Jones moved the forums from Eg-zboards to UK.

Topic:"Evil Night" by Snake.
See what was Snake working on before Leitor's edge..

Also self-note: RickJ used to be rickj42? You sneaky!!

Roundup roundup

Deirdra Kiai (of various indie adevntures and Hothead Games) summarized the decade in 10 games, including RLBAT, WLBSWHEAC and The Shivah!

7 Days a Skeptic gets a mention in diygamer's top 10 indies of the decade.

And the top 10 of 2009 from diygamer includes Time Gentlemen Please

The annual forums-used-to-pawn topic!

This year's forum topic titled something similar to "Forums aren't what they used to be", is the one by Erenoth. Old forumites that stil lurk from the golden era of 2003-4, have posted their thoughts on the matter. They are relative to the list below:

A. Ah, when Yahtzee was here things were better!! (then he went arrogant and left.)

B. I remember Adventure Game Creator..(it was on DOS)

C. I remember Helm, he never let anyone insult him (he did it once and left the forums)

D. Self-referential jokes about "how nostalgia threads on the forums aren't as good as they used to be" aren't as good as they used to be.

Some people said that the forums are better now and that people should move on with their lives. Those that said it were stoned.

Another relative topic can be found here

Free days a handout

Famous grumpy person yahtzee has released all the special editions of his old AGS games for freeeeee. Yippeee. Thanks to the JBurger for pointing this out.

5 days an android

Two blog-type reviews are up today: firstly, Uhfgood reviews Ben's Annie Android, and rbaleksandar reviews classic game 5 Days a Stranger.

More to come..

So what did you miss in 12 hours?

-Empty Mind is not Dead Empty Anymore

Well, Nergal, fell insulted by an email, sent by someone that didn't like the game. Well, we probably all get those. At least I am. Anyway, but as fans always prevail, he put the game back. Downloading and checking it out, I have some things to say about it.

Empty Mind-Blank Fate:

First of all, the intro is very short, but not necessarily bad. The words are chosen carefully, thus making the game very interesting from the first minutes. You find yourself in a warehouse, reason unknown to you.
The music is quite good. The background art also seems to be given a lot of effort into. Though I must say, that I definetely think the ones in Quiero Morir were of a better quality(at least I like them more). Comparing it with the first game of Nergal, the character walks a bit weird on this one. As for the puzzles, they seem to be mostly based on logic, except for a few occasions, but well there's always a walkthrough. Since Nergal is having a way of telling a stories, so unique that you can't stop playing, I suggest you give this a try.


-Recent Newbie Activity(I'm not calling anyone a noob):

This is usuallly done by SSH, but I'm posting some info on the guys I've picked up.And a similar article was last time down in June...

Clarvalon:
Well, he's actually trying to give a different approach to game development(XNA). Remarkably, even for a newbie, he took some time to read the rules.

Pilferinloot:
Well, she's been there for a while. But we've known her for a much longer time. She's Sylvr's sister and if you want to meet her, you should check the competitions or just enter the AGS Stickam Room because those are the places where she lurks most of her time. She's also hosting the current sprite jam Seasons.

Cheerios:
He came,he made a game,he posted it. Talked about it on my previous article, see the MAGS site, or the MAGS topic, he double-posted on his second post, but he seems to respect the rules.
Some of which fail to.

-Things to Check Out

Certainly, I'm not a fan of Yahtzee in general, but well, we should admit, that he can really make some excellent games. So cruising the internet, I found two cool videos. One is called ask a demon about himself and features 3d models of Trilby,Chzo, ecc.. and the other is called 5days contains a couple of fan art.

Yahtzee's lost game

Many many moons ago when Yahtzee was a happy, jolly person and didn't spend all his time attacking games he worked on a team project with m0ds, Captain Mostly and abstauber. abstauber has returned to the forums after a long time away and given us this blast from the past: the unfinished Vestibule. You'll probably need DosBox to run it as it was made with AGS 2.15 SR2.

Zero Punctuation Hero

Well, Yahtzee won the "who should get the next lifetime achievement AGS Award" poll. We'll have to wait half a year to see if the committee agrees. In second place was a handsome and clever chap and those of you who voted for me are obviously fawning fanbois (look, I'm trying to sound like Yahtzee to get more votes next time, OK!)

Now, can I think of an exciting new poll? Doubt it.