AdventureX 2014: Still going strong!

You know, I'll save the formalities, this an expo of sorts full of nice people from the AG crowd, conducted by Mark Lovegrove. It's amazing really, and it has begun to grow to a much bigger thing. Today's schedule includes Dave Gilbert, Theodor Waern and others. Sunday also looks out to be great  (I've sent something bound to change history) There's also high chance there will be streaming of the event, so it will be nice to watch.

And there's that. Not sure if it was also seen on AdventureX, but here's a fantastic trailer of Nelly Cootalot.

You AdventureXy Thang

AdventureX has become fully funded, so m0ds can now run off with the money and live in Barbados, although his invitation to Boris Johnston to join him was denied.

Give money!

Welcome to the latest way to enjoy adventures: AdventureX 2012. This adventurous meet-up will be in London in December if they can raise the spondulicks. Ali, m0ds, AGA, Azure and Spence are working to pull it together and there is a crowdfunding going on at indiegogo. Also, page on the facialbook. So, if you'll be in the UK in December, rush over now and sign away your hard-earned pennies!

Benedict Summerbatch

What do you get if you cross Mark Lovegrove with Sherlock Holmes, apart from some hot steamy videotape? Summerbatch! 5 new games on a pay-what-you-want basis and  hours of good, meaty AGS fun.

Boobs Need Your Help.

This a post from the forums, from a very dear friend of mine, named m0ds (lol). He's working on promoting his own game, and needs 2000$, the pledge so far has been around 1800, so he's missing very little and there are less than 20 hours left. If anyone would bother to read and spare a few dollars it would be lovely.


You can contribute to help us have it ready by early 2013 (if the target is met), and this also acts as a method to pre-order as the game is commercial... be a sexy hero of some kind, help us out!

DONATE AT INDIEGOGO

It started as a joke idea from an early AGS discussion about adult games being made in AGS. It's been on a long journey but finally the production is moving along steadily now, enough to finally warrant a games in production thread, after a good ten years without one.

Kinky Island is an adult adventure in which you control Joey, a naive and sexually frustrated young dude - transported to a glorious tropical paradise where all his frustrations can be answered, providing he's not being distracted by it's uncanny similarities to a point and click adventure, like Flight of the Amazon Queen or something.

You may have played the demo in which case you'll remember it once looked like this:

Well now, thanks to the guys who saw an adventure game demo plea and 'Saved Kinky Island' have upgraded it in all respects to make it look more like this:

There are various thrilling places to explore on the island, including a path, a forest and a tree stump. We have however had to use some pretty mundane places like a pleasure beach, fairground and palace. See for yourself how old locations have been brought to life, and realize just how 2D the ones you've not seen yet will be when it's done:

Old gift shop


New gift shop (WIP)

We are aiming to have it ready by roughly this time next year, that gives us about a year to get it finished. Yes, there is nudity, yes, there is bad langauge - but it's not all gratuitous sex. The game is a parody on point & click adventures and is heavily inspired by games like Amazon Queen and Teen Agent. The humor is silly and quite frankly the plot is ludicrous, but it's a comedy romp that I hope will appeal to both sexes albeit MADE BY A BUNCH OF BLOKES.

Get some awesome stuff in the game

All that's left to say that as progress is made the thread will be updated, and thanks for reading and showing an interest. Much appreciate everyone who played the demo and have kept up the hype for the game. I know it has inspired me and I hope this thread will help motivate the other team members, I'm sure you'll agree they're really making something epic out of a game that could go either way... because it's bi. Bi Screen7, I'll have you know.

Lotte, who is like Trinity from the Matrix, only called Lotte, and not Trinity, cos that would be copyright infringement

LeChuck, who is like LeChuck from Monkey Island, but is actually LeChuck from Kinky Island. Please don't sue

And that about sums it up. An important answer to an important question is, yes this will cost a little bit to buy. I assure you the game will have plenty of treats for point & click fans, providing you can get over the fact there are some pixelated boobs in the game. Thank you for reading, and see you on Kinky Island! No matter how stupid and impossible that phrase may be.

The Wretcher gets a website

If you have no idea what I'm talking about then I pity thee. It's a breath-taking looking game, with a chilly and unsettling atmosphere, that made it's debut at AdventureX 2010 and it's designed and drawn by Alan V. Drake.

I can't press how amazing this game is turning out to be and how good looking the website is, so feel free to judge on your own.

PLAY THE DEMO
WEBSITE HERE

Kinky Island: Kickstart my heart

Kinky Island is a project that has been worked on for the past 12 centuries by Screen 7 or Mark Lovegrove and a bunch of talented people, if you will. Anyhow, I'll make this short.

The game has boobies, they demand ransom at IndieGoGo. Plus I'm in it. I can double-check with you, that the games offers pixel boobies.

OH YEAH OMG BOOBIES I MUST FUND

Nelly Cootalot 2 - Le Baron's Revenge

The game may not be out, but a video with gameplay is about. All thanks to m0ds and hex, brought to you by AdventureX. Also we see Nelly Cootalot in person.

Kudos to the amazing effort, I really did find the presentation very funny, so congratulations on preparing that as well. Hats off to you, Sir.

AdventureX: Chris Jones Speech

It may not be Rocky, but it's quite close. Chris Jones, the creator of AGS, is talking about the past, the present and the future.

While m0ds keep asking him questions.

DAMN YOU MODS!

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.

Bad Graphics? Adventure? Say It Ain't So!!!

On the AGS forum a really insightful thread was started by Iliya about the term "Adventure Game", and whether in the current culture of big budget games with HD graphics and years of development, our AGS made games should even be called "game".

Iliya argued that instead we should call our creations "Adventure Stories", and Mark (m0ds) Lovegrove pointed out that he'd ask for "point and click adventures" at a store while omitting "games" since the employees would likely laugh at him.

Iliya then went on to post some comments that were made on Dave Gilbert's blog post on nygamedev:

• "Wow - are the graphics really as bad as those screenshots depict?"
• "I couldn't stand playing this for even 10 minutes ... the graphics are terrible! Looks like it was written over 20 years ago."
• "It is like giving yourself crossed eyes for the fun of it. HORRID. My eye sight is still blurry."
• "I can't see a game developer releasing a game that looks this bad and is so hard on the eyes"
• "HORRIBLE!!!! I wouldn't take this game if it were FREE."

Iliya then went on to post two lines that really struck a chord with me, and I felt compelled to bring attention to this post/thread.

Iliya said, "Why is this happening? Are these comments comming from classic adventure games fans? I don't think so. And of course we don't care if they don't like classic adventure games. But these comments are ugly thing.

I don't want the games that we are making to be judged by wrong people. They are giving their comments, because we say that we create "games". No! We create stories!"

I would argue that while we do create stories, they are indeed games. The modern point-and-click genre is essentially a thing of the past with the evolution of the FPS with wonderfully rendered 3D graphics, but there is something beautifully simple and elegant about low-res or (GASP!) hi-res 640x480 resolution games.

I for one, think that Dave's creations are gorgeous and speak for the time and effort that we put into our hobbies. Yes, hobbies. We surely don't do this to get rich...

See the thread: http://www.bigbluecup.com/yabb/index.php?topic=44796

Dave's blog thread about budgets and games: http://nygamedev.blogspot.com/2011/11/graphics-and-budget.html

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!

THE LEGEND OF LEKSUTIN'S EDGE

From the AGS Dictionary:
LEKSUTIN, COURTLAND
(Leksutin, C-Lex, C) AGS-veteran and strong profile despite the lack of produced games. Often referred to as "the hitman", or other terms related to violence and bad-ass attitude, but still known as a considerate and sensible character.

A man, a myth, who knows. All that matters is that his name is the 13th reason, why this blog gets traffic. Is it an elaborate plan to justice? Let's see some specific posts about c.leksutin, before we explain a finding, that might as well, be the best thing ever, since sliced bread.

-GilbetV7000a:
"Or, to make it simple for people (that the target of this post is obviously one of them):
Don't double or triple post. Edit your posts, or else c.leksutin is after you (this is called auto-banning from life)."

-Babar:
"People better not mess with c.leksutin.

Otherwise HE MIGHT COME BACK! "

-A certain topic about his whereabouts

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is obvious that the man has disappeared. CJ rumors the fact that CJ is just waiting in the shadows, lurking, and waiting for the perfect moment in which he will strike. We can all wonder.


D.

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.

Are you kinky enough?

Well, a great blast from the past, Kinky Island, a game about sex and boobs (you're probably already hooked), in the works for the last 12 centuries, finally gets a WIP topic. It almost feels like April's Fools. This may seem like a shameless plug, cause well, yours truly is coding this, but well it's not; take my word for it.

Read the hilarious topic by m0ds.

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.

The Release Something POST-MORTEM

Important Notice: YOU ARE LATE FOR THE PARTY.

Now, that's out of the way, let's talk about what this is all about. Icey games/Studio3 had the idea of an AGS Show equivalent to E3. While that may sound a bit silly, and perhaps you're right, it actually is kind of silly, Ben304, in all his enlightening insanity, actually made it happen.

So, let me use the amazing powers of copy-paste to show you what Ben304 actually did.

We used to have these under the guise of a "Release Something", and while I never participated, they were great fun, it's amazing to see all the different members of the community showcase little parts of their projects. I think having a date, an event in which you know people will be interested in this sort of thing and all your buddies will be doing it, really motivates one to tidy something up for people to look at it. And, if nothing else, it gives you somewhere to finally show off those couple of screenshots that you know aren't going to be in a game anymore, but you spent hours working on and might as well do *something* with, even if it does just mean posting them for people to go "oooh, I wish that was a game!" over.

As far as I can tell, the last Release Something was February 2009. We had something a little in the vein of this last year in May when ProgZmax set the mags topic to "Release Your Game" and the comp was clearly a great success - 6 entries in a MAGS comp is a great showing by anybody's standard, so the interest is clearly there.

That was over a year ago - perhaps it's time for another release something?

With no objections having arisen, I'm going to go and set the deadline for this activity as the 10th of July. You have one month to polish up your games/tech demos/demos/prototypes/vertical slices for release! Keep the sweet stuff rolling in guys, it's awesome to see!

So there. And I will also as a kind sir that I am, give you 2 things.
-Firstly, the link to the topic.
-Secondly an amazing GIF with (Almost) everything released. There are some games and demos in the topic, so check em out.

1000 Postiversary special: Celebrity Top 10!

Well, The AGS blog has hit post #1000 and thank you everyone who has been reading all this time and despite the recent decline in the size of my posts to just linking to other people's articles. At least Dual still actually writes stuff!

Anyway, I went to a number of AGS Celebrities and asked them for their top 3s. Actually, I asked for game series but only Ben304 actually read my message properly. And also some celebrities said they'd give me a list but then didn't.... you know who you are!

Without further ado, here's the list. We'll start with Ben "304" Chandler's list of his favourite series:

• Barn Runner

The series with the weirdest numbering ever, going 1, 2, 3, 0, 4, X1, H1, X2, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3! This series features lots of pneumatic girls and a unique and colourful art style. Initially a spoof of Blade Runner of sorts, I think its evolved into entirely its own wonderful world.

• Apprentice

Created by the Herculean efforts of two brothers, the great art, music and fun of these two games (one of which was deluxified) won them a huge swathe of AGS Awards that you can't argue with.

• Technobabylon

In the last year these 3 cracking games have come out and each one improves its gameplay from the previous. If only all AGS authors could generate such quality AND quantity. Maybe that's why Ben likes them...


Next is Mr Mark Lovegrove, also known as m0ds.

• Operation Forklift

m0ds says "Not a point & click adventure, but a wonderful turn based game." The only person in the list to get two mentions, Technocrat gives us (in the same few months as he made Technobabylon, etc) a strategy game with multiplayer and single player options. Wow. It won 2 AGS awards: programming and best non-adventure.

• Red Flagg remake

m0ds says "I like remakes and I like sequels, and I like it when people take old AGS games and make new ones. Red Flagg remake doesn't take much time to play, and it's just loverly!"

• Ben Jordan Case 6 - scourge of the sea something or other

m0ds says "Such a mellow, rewarding but easy to play game in the series. One of few AGS games I've sat and played with other people, and one of the few games I'm happy just to sit and watch other people play."

Mr Khris has also given his favourites:

• 6 Days A Sacrifice

Yahtzee's last "proper" adventure game, as it turns out. Opinions are divided, but Khris likes it. So did enough people to give it best story and best Non-Player Character AGS Awards. Good old Trilby was a very popular character in all his many games!

• Cedric and the Revolution

Bernie's mini MAGS masterpiece pleases on many many levels. Winner of best puzzles and best short game in the AGS Awards that year, unfortunately AGS database wrongly shows he didn't make other games, but he is also responsible for the fabulous Reactor 09.

• The Journey Down: Over The Edge

Theodor Waern's game won a record number of AGS awards and is undergoing a remake in higher resolution ready for going commercial. Another example of some of the excellence that AGS can generate.

And everybody's favourite Monkey_05_06:

• Heed

Nominating fellow-nominator Ben304, this is perhaps a lesser known one from the prolific Mr Chandler. Maybe its because its more of a story than a game, but a great little story at that. Ben's usually awesome and atmospheric graphics are there throughout.

• Warthogs

Radiant's Crystal Shard studio produced this Harry Potter parody and voices were provided by the Mittens attendees one year. Quite tricky for some people, but has a place in the hearts of many.

• Two of a Kind

Well, you can hardly have a top AGS game list without something from Yahtzee, Grundislav and... Dave Gilbert. Perhaps not the one you'd expect, but this AGS Team competition winner is an interesting precursor to some game mechanics from Dave's other games.


Some of you may have noticed that this is actually 12 games, not 10, but who's counting!

JJS + AGS + Indy = Fountain of Youth on the PSP

This isn't the prank with the iPod, this is actually real. Thanks to CJ releasing the source code, and JJS making the port to PSP, and subspark porting Fountain of Youth, we have the single most amazing thing till now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7pFq4O3l_s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7pFq4O3l_s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7pFq4O3l_s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7pFq4O3l_s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7pFq4O3l_s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7pFq4O3l_s

In case you miss it :P