The Jackyard

[hofmeier]

When presented with the freedom to explore, there is only one choice to make: Stop, or go on?

The Jackyard utilizes AGS' ability to produce unconventional games and uses a platform setting to deliver the message.



NOTES:This is my first swing at AGS. While I did consider using other game engines to produce this project (it's often mentioned in the forums that GameMaker is better suited to developing platform games), I was drawn to the challenge of making it work with AGS - Ben Croshaw's "Art of Theft" brought me here in the first place and convinced me that this engine can produce a platformer. Also, there's been a wealth of precedent evidently cultivating in the forums over time for this type of project - a terrific community.

Thanks, everybody, for your time and I hope you enjoy the game.

[skuttleman]

Is there an objective to this game?

[hofmeier]

Exploration.

[Rui 'Trovatore' Pires]

Heh, lil' bug - because I couldn't really understand the game mechanics in the very beginning, something silly happened, just a graphical glitch.

If you stand in front of the bed and jump, you don't get on top of the bed, and the message "Do you want to sleep?" appears and then disappears. So I kept jumping, never on the bed and always just on the floor, and hit Y when the message appeared. Naturally, when he animated getting in bed, he was not on the bed, so the sheets were off.

Only after the dream did I realize I could jump onto the bed.

EDIT - And, er, your GUI doesn't scroll along with the room? That's odd.

Also, could you please edit the image in the first post, turn it into a vertical-oriented image instead of horizontal? It really screws up the way the thread is displayed.

Can't really get into the game right now, but me likey. Visually very interesting.

[hofmeier]

Thanks for the report - Small oversight. Bug fixed, now uploading corrected version.

BTW: GUI tackyness is deliberate.

[Rui 'Trovatore' Pires]

BTW: GUI tackyness is deliberate.

Way kewl.

[zenassem]

Looks Shnazzy! Reminds me of 'Noir' style comics

Iwill have to try it out.

[TheJBurger]

This game is surreal, and I mean that in the best way possible.

I've tried exploring and ended up dying a few times, and I still can't figure out what to do, but I don't think I am supposed to.

[Marion]

Interesting game ! Very strange but nice.
How did you make the backgrounds scroll at differents speeds ? It's great !

[hofmeier]

How did you make the backgrounds scroll at differents speeds ? It's great !

Ali very generously assembled a parallax module, and this game makes use of it. After several failed attempts at creating this effect on my own, I found his work to be a very effective and generally clean solution.

Edit: Marion, I wanted to include that (after playing through Dread MacFarlane) I'm sure your work would better showcase the capabilities of Ali's parralax module than this game does. I really liked the style of your illustrations and the visual style of MacFarlane in general.

[Marion]

Thank you very much 
I will try this module in a future game !

[miguel]

Hi hofmeier,
just want to say that I've just downloaded and tried it out for some minutes and think the style and graphics are really interesting and well done. It's very artistic and surreal.
I can't wait to have a go at it with more time.
Congratulations.

[zenassem]

I downloaded and played for a few minutes this morning, can't wait to get back to it. Not sure if i scored any real points yet, but i like the game with it's interesting pathways, and secret passages. Don't want to give too much a way. All I can say is very well done and i look foward to putting some real time into exploring this game. 

[Dualnames]

Been playing the game a lot. Two things. The game visually looking is superb. Especially the scrolling thing. However it must be said that total freedom without a purpose actually ruins the game.

[Rui 'Trovatore' Pires]

Ermmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....

...is there no way to save the game?

On a game that encourages freedom?

[zenassem]

is anyone scoring points in this game? I am not going to give up too easily, but I am beginning to believe I am misinterpreting what I am suppose to do. And as of now I can't seem to find any new direction to go. I might have to open a hints post. 

[Lyx]

Exploration isn't about "being told what to do" - without being told what to do, there is no such thing "what you are supposed to do". You're the director.

[zenassem]

Exploration isn't about "being told what to do" - without being told what to do, there is no such thing "what you are supposed to do". You're the director.

I'm not sure if I understand what you are saying, and if this reply was directly related to my post. But if it is...

A game , especially those that have points usually have objectives, and rewards (points) as you are progressing towards those objectives. This gives the player a sense of accomplishment and a sense they are doing something 'right'. Now I haven't even gotten 1 point in this game, so obviously I am feeling like I am not 'doing what I am suppose to' or progressing through any puzzles. I am all for exploration and 'trial by error/discovery' but all I am asking is... Am I suppose to be able to accomplish that in this game? Or, is it simply a demo illustrating platform gameplay and parallax scrolling? I don't want to try interpreting the dreams and looking for clues if there is no actual puzzles to solve.

[hofmeier]

Thanks everybody for playing the game.

I should admit that a small bit of confusion was part of the desired result of this project, but still only a small part.

Rui: No, there's no save feature. Overall, the game map is small, and you're encouraged to start over from the beginning once or twice (or more) to get the whole effect. Without saying too much, you'd miss some of the content within the game if you didn't ever start completely over.

Zenassem: I won't say that you can't score points in this game. Hopefully, though, players can find it rewarding even after they stop searching for them.

Edit: There is a hints thread if you get a little frustrated.

[Vince Twelve]

Ha.  This was a fun diversion from my busy schedule.  I love the production design.  Typography, yay!