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And then what do you use to convert your file to .OGV? And are there also settings you change?

Nothing actually, just converting the source *.mov/*.mp4 file to *.ogv via ffmpeg2theora. We only specify the highest quality and target FPS:

Code: ags

ffmpeg2theora -v 10 -F 24 /path/to/source/file.mov

[ffmpeg2theora]

Sorry to necrobump the topic, but we've just hit this particular "bug" while doing final versions of ZJ cutscenes... and also found a workaround that works.

It was especially baffling, as I clearly remember encoding OGV videos for Zniw Adventure, with everything working fine, yet today neither mine, nor my video editor's files seemed to play properly. Both were skipping all duplicate frames. Nothing worked - VLC export (with various settings), Shortcut on Mac, even using ffmpeg via cmd.

The solution? Use ffmpeg2theora instead.

The very same files that caused issues with plain ffmpeg worked absolutely fine on ffmpeg2theora, without any changes to videos themselves.

It's always gut-wrenching to see this kind of outcome when folks try to contact someone who suddenly went quiet...

I can't say I really knew Les, as we never talked, but man -- I always admired his energy and motivation to work on so many games despite his age or health problems. As somebody already mentioned - MAGS will definitely feel different without his quirky little games.

Another great loss to the AGS community. Rest in peace, Les.

Somebody should remind my forgetful ass to update this thread every now and then. As alaways I hope you're ready for an update with a lot of colourful dinosaurs, because we sure have lots of'em!



dinosaurs were truly nimble creatures


the child will sometimes get angry...


...and frightened even. And it's your job to keep it in good moods!


it will definitely let you know something's off though!


aquatic pals and zoom-outs


and here are some more WIP frames for your viewing pleasure


By the way, did you know we teamed up with LittleSofts, and you can now preorder your very own cuddly Zid and Zniw? An essential item for any adventurer out there, these dinosaur plushies are guaranteed to melt your heart!

A Snow Problem sequel? Oh hell yes - really enjoyed the former, so I'll be definitely giving this one a go!

Oh wow, what an unexpected but very lovely surprise! These look so cute -- I especially love how you handled the back of ZA's box, very clever!  Excellent (and nostalgic) content indeed, I love when our fans do stuff like that - thanks so much!!

Oh wow, I had no idea demos could also become nominees in categories other than 'best demo', what a pleasant surprise!

Very solid lineup this year, congratulations to all the nominees!

[Zid Journey demo is a part of Steam Next Fest too!]

Excellent, thanks much for everyone who tried the demo out, as well as all the lovely comments!

What's more - Zid Journey demo is a part of Steam Next Fest too! If you still haven't joined Zid in his grand Daspletosaurus journey, now's the absolute perfect opportunity to do so!

[For your consideration...]

For your consideration...

AGS database | IndieDB demo | Steam | GOG

In 2020 you went on an Adventure. Now prepare for a Journey... A Zid Journey!

The cartoon dinosaurs are back in the second chapter of the Zid and Zniw Chronicles series!
Inspired by classic adventure games, Zid Journey features point 'n click gameplay combined with charming
hand-made visuals, comicbook-esque vibe and frame-by-frame animations. Venture into a lore-rich prehistoric world and get ready
to explore even more places and meet many prehistoric characters!

Join Zid, a young dinosaur from Magmosia, in his journey of reuniting a Daspletosaurus hatchling
with its lost parents, while also trying to uncover his own mysterious origins...

Please consider for:

• Best Demo
• Best Dinosaur game

Thanks so much! Hope you have fun pointing and clicking your way through the familiar prehistoric world of Polisemia!

Yeah, GOG always wraps everything in their own offline installer, even demo versions!

If you'd like an archive instead, you can grab it on our IndieDB profile!!

Yep! The demo is available on GOG as well!

Thanks so much everyone! It was a huge surprise for us too, but a very pleasant one - most of the early traffic came from our delightful dinosaur community!

And best of all, the good news doesn't end there, as in the meantime we managed to hit the translation stretch goal, meaning Zid Journey will be available in German and French at launch as well!



Ah, and as promised, I've added the demo to the AGS database too!

[Kickstarter]

Oh wow, really loving that new forums look! Man, I definitely should log in more often.


Anyway! Some exciting news today, as Zid Journey is now live on Kickstarter, along with a demo version on Steam for all platforms (Windows, Linux/Steam Deck/MacOS). In other words you can begin your next dinosaur Journey today!

Kickstarter
Steam demo



And yes, I promise I'll add it to the AGS Game Database once I'm done with all the mails and messages we've received!

I've binge-played all demo levels at once after the Steam demo went live and man, that was great! It truly reminds me of shareware puzzle games I loved as a kid - figuring out the most optimal route for drawing shapes using as little power as possible is so much fun (you should definitely think about an additional Challenge mode in the full version! )

Oh wow, has it really been that long? I'm much more active on AGS' Discord, but I think I should be logging here more often. Guess it's time for an update, as our dinosaurs are still going super strong!







Due to a new widescreen resolution, all familiar menus and GUIs will get an overhaul as well:

Excellent stuff, that was such a lovely event as usual. Huge congratulations to all the winners, nominees, as well as everyone involved! Outstanding job!

["ags.icns"]

I have videos and text instructions on my website https://anthonyirwin.com/adventure-game-studio-ags-macos-build/

The information and instructions above are absolutely fine, but here's also some of my own things I've noticed while working on the Steam/GOG Mac version of Zniw Adventure:


* if you wish to quickly (re)build your game *.app bundle, you can use the following script in the build directory with the CMakeList.txt file:

Code: ags

export BUILD=release

mkdir build_$BUILD
cd build_$BUILD

cmake -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=$BUILD ..
make

* to have a unique icon of your app bundle, drop an "ags.icns" Mac icon file into the "Resources" folder of your bundle. You can set both the version, name, main executable, and the icon of your bundle by editing the keys of the Info.plist file inside your *.app:



* if you actually wish to sign, notarize and staple your game (in case Apple Thanos-snaps all unsigned apps from existence one day, just like they completely dropped 32-bit apps support), you will need a valid Apple dev ID:

Code: ags

codesign --force -v --sign "Your developer ID (your provider ID)" --options runtime --entitlements Entitlements.plist GameName.app

ditto -c -k --sequesterRsrc --keepParent *app yourGame.zip

xcrun altool --notarize-app --primary-bundle-id "your.bundle.id" --username your@email.com --password AppleOneTimePasswordHere --asc-provider YourProviderID --file yourGame.zip

After the notarization's done, you can verify your game, and staple it for offline use:

Code: ags

codesign --verify --verbose=4 YourGame.app
spctl --verbose=4 --assess --type execute YourGame.app
spctl -a -v YourGame.app

xcrun stapler staple -v YourGame.app
stapler validate YourGame.app

Additionally, if you do any changes to your game bundle (like a little patch, update, even a small change in the Resources directory), you need to re-sign and re-notarize it again.

* if you wish to locally test your debug build with Steam/GOG dylibs, you need proper entitlements in your Entitlements.plist file (the one you use to sign the app), otherwise your game will crash and burn while trying to access Galaxy/Steam shared libs:

[Zniw Adventure is now available at GOG as well!]

There's nothing stopping these dinosaurs! ...Well, maybe an asteroid or two, but that's beyond the point.

Anyway, I'm super excited to announce Zniw Adventure is now available at GOG as well! And a complete package too - including optional Galaxy achievements, soundtrack (both FLAC and MP3), all manuals and some hi-res official artworks!

I'm amazed you're still hot for another dinosaur game, CrashPL! 
_

Yep, we still have some stories to tell in the prehistoric land of Polisemia!

And thanks everyone, we're really glad you like our stuff so far! Now then, it wouldn't be a proper Zid & Zniw thread without an adequate amount of animated GIFs, right?

I like the idea with the baby Daspletosaurus in the backpack 

Thank you! Yeah, the little bebby became an instant hit among our fans haha. Your backpack buddy will also help you outside of the inventory during certain sections too!