MAGS March “Uplifting” (RESULT)

Stupot · Sat 04/03/2023 21:50:56

This month's theme is:Uplifting
Theme set by: Stupot

The winner is Elevation by Rootbound. Well done.

	The Gift by 4KbShort
	Elevation by RootBound

Ladies and gentlemen, get ready to lift off! We're here to announce the most uplifting MAGS contest of the year, so pack your bags, grab your metaphors and similes, and get ready to take flight on the wings of creativity. This time, we're not just aiming high, we're reaching for the stars, and we won't stop until we've crafted the most uplifting games the universe has ever seen. So whether you're as light as a feather, as strong as an ox, or just love puns about helium, this is the contest for you. We're looking for games that will lift our spirits, tickle our funny bones, and leave us feeling like we're floating on cloud nine. So what are you waiting for? Let's soar together and create some truly uplifting games!

^{(Description powered by ChatGPT - I asked it to include metaphors and similes. I think it's actually taking the piss 🤦)}

tbook · Sun 05/03/2023 06:59:00

Count me in

Although my idea for a game is about lifting movement, I'm not so sure about the tone, haha
We will see I guess

pajb93 · Sun 05/03/2023 23:51:07

I'm working on something.

Intense Degree · Tue 07/03/2023 07:51:53

OK, it's been too long since I've managed one of these. I've started a few over the last couple of years but then life kept happening. Well this time i'm going to say up front that I am going to release something this month even if it's only a title screen!

I haven't even got an idea yet, but i'm hoping that making this pledge will motivate me to get something done and released for the first time in ages.

Will anyone else join me in the March MAGS At Least A Title Screen Pledge?!

tbook · Tue 07/03/2023 12:06:07

@Intense Degree That seems like a good place to start

I promise to have at least the title screen aaand menu music (I like to start with the music

)

Intense Degree · Wed 15/03/2023 09:22:12

Quote from: tbook on Tue 07/03/2023 12:06:07@Intense Degree That seems like a good place to start
I promise to have at least the title screen aaand menu music (I like to start with the music )

I like your thinking. If I get time I'm going to try and knock up some music too.

So far life has got in the way a fair bit, but I have 2 character sprites and the beginnings of a background on the way so I am feeling good about getting something done, even if I haven't managed a title screen yet!

cat · Wed 15/03/2023 11:31:08

@Intense Degree No worries, we will accept games without title screen, if the rest is fully playable

RootBound · Fri 31/03/2023 16:00:29

So I'm working on something, but odds that I'll finish it today are slim, and it definitely won't have been play-tested beyond my own playthroughs. Is anyone else planning to post an entry? If not, there's no need to extend the deadline just for me--it would be bittersweet being the only entrant. I'm planning to release the game eventually either way.

Stupot · Fri 31/03/2023 17:54:43

@RootBound
I hope someone else is planning to enter, but if not, one entry is still better than no entries, so I'm happy to leave the door open a little while. Is three extra days enough?

RootBound · Fri 31/03/2023 19:25:38

@Stupot Yes, I think I can manage to finish in three extra days. Here's hoping we get a few other last-minute contenders as well.

4KbShort · Fri 31/03/2023 19:26:27

Hey everyone! I did the best research I could and I *think* this is where I post my entry?

The game is "The Gift" and it's my first AGS game and I did it in about a week (I only heard about AGS on the 22nd or so...) so it's a very rough and short game. I may fix it up later, but I'm out of time due to work so here's the best I can do in a week of work!

Edit: It's downloadable now! I forgot to actually publish the page. XD

The Gift:
https://4kbshort.itch.io/thegift

Stupot · Fri 31/03/2023 23:22:26

Hi @4KbShort, welcome to MAGS. This is indeed where to post your entry. Well done on making a game in just one week.

~~It seems the link you have provided is broken though. Could you check the link and edit the post if necessary? Cheers.~~

4KbShort · Sat 01/04/2023 04:07:56

Quote from: Stupot on Fri 31/03/2023 23:22:26Hi @4KbShort, welcome to MAGS. This is indeed where to post your entry. Well done on making a game in just one week.

It seems the link you have provided is broken though. Could you check the link and edit the post if necessary? Cheers.

Fixed! Thank you!

Intense Degree · Sat 01/04/2023 07:59:44

OK, I totally failed this month. Not even a title screen!

The best I can do is one screenshot with 1 background and 2 characters on their way to being finished.

I'm going to try again in April though. Well done to those who got something out.

Stupot · Sat 01/04/2023 10:14:35

Unlucky Intense Degree. Real life has a habit of getting in the way.

April's topic is up if you want a look: https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/competitions-activities/mags-april-hiking-open/

tbook · Mon 03/04/2023 05:43:05

Same stuff for me, ashaimed to admit, I havent even made the title screen

See you in the future!

RootBound · Mon 03/04/2023 22:18:01

I'm closing in -- ran into a game-breaking bug yesterday and had to read through 1700 lines of code today to figure what was causing the game to freeze. I fixed it though! I'll do my darndest to finish this thing by the end of today (at least, by midnight Eastern USA time). Not bowing out just yet!

RootBound · Tue 04/04/2023 05:20:23

EDIT 4/5/23: changed the downloadable files to reflect a very quick bug fix (cursor not showing up on save/load dialogs, restartgame not working, one crash, one unintentional dead-end) - the gameplay itself remains unchanged.
------------

BY THE SKIN OF MY TEETH.

Holy cow. I managed to finish a draft of the project. Definitely beta, no testers but me, so I apologize for the very high likelihood of bugs and at times unpolished puzzles & gameplay. It is definitely playable, though, and should have no dead ends.

After this MAGS round is over, I'll be continuing to update and refine it and fix issues for a while before I post it in the Completed Games thread.

First time I've actually completed a game! Feels amazing.

ELEVATION is a short mini-adventure where you help a robot climb up an elevator shaft. Art, music, story, everything by me. I hope you enjoy it and find it uplifiting!!

Builds for Windows and Linux available here:

https://rootbound.itch.io/elevation-beta-version

Stupot · Tue 04/04/2023 08:43:43

Well done to 4KbShort and RootBound for making these two brilliant-looking games.

Now it's time for everyone to play the games and vote for the best one.

(Please vote using the poll above)

	The Gift by 4KbShort
	Elevation by RootBound

RootBound · Wed 05/04/2023 15:23:39

Hey @4KbShort, it looks like your downloadable archive doesn't actually contain a game executable file. Am I overlooking something? Thanks.

MAGS March “Uplifting” (RESULT)

What is your favourite game of MAGS March?