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[Best Short Game]

Please consider Entrapment for the AGS Awards, maybe for Best Short Game... or Best Freeware? I don't know. The music is pretty good I guess? Best Music & Sound?

Scared Square Games

Presents

"My name is Sam Drake... and for the past few months, someone has been trying to frame me for murder."

Sam Drake keeps waking up in Hotel rooms with the bodies of dead girls in the room and the police never far away. He thinks that someone is secretly drugging him and then trying to get him framed for murder. He has had some lucky escapes, but this time, the killer has made it harder for him to get away.

Play as Sam Drake as he wakes up in the seedy Dent Hotel and help him discover the identity of his stalker/serial killer and escape from certain doom. The clock... is ticking.

Entrapment was originally available for the AGS Bake Sale, which helped to raise over $4000 for charity. Now it is available for you to play for FREE!

Screenshots:

The main character, Sam Drake, checks his mail (Exciting)


Sam Drake contemplating a grubby toilet

WATCH THE TRAILER

Game Features

• Dramatic, Crime/Thriller story written by Stuart Lilford
  
• Humor (including sarcasm)
  
• Multiple Endings
  
• Retro Art Style
  
• Original Music by Brian Carnrike
  
• Around 45 Minutes of gripping adventure gameplay
  

Download for FREE

Entrapment was brought to you by:
Stuart Lilford (Tenacious Stu) - Design, Writing, Artwork, Animation, Direction
Brian Carnrike (Swordofkings128) - Music

"Disturbing modern day thrillers are truly rare and even more so when they are as blood-soaked as Entrapment, the latest short yet well-made release by Scared Square Games"

- Indiegames.com

"Entrapment is a step in an interesting direction [and] should be commended for even attempting a high drama, psychological horror story in a tiny point and click game."

- Manic Pixie Dream Cast

For more information on Entrapment or other Scared Square Games titles, please visit:
www.scaredsquare.com
All Entrapment related blog posts

Scared Square Games

www.scaredsquare.com

@Scared_Square

Facebook

Hey.

Thanks for making this game freeware!
I just downloaded and played it, really nice and cool sound track, very fitting.

Unfortunately I had suspected who the killer was from the moment I read your synopsis above (and somehow hoped I was wrong)...

If you really want some bad criticism, then I have a couple points...

Spoiler

Basically, they aren't really story related or puzzle related, but art related. I find it odd that the Hotel has a strategically placed shaft just to run the cables up to the roof. And was kind of disappointed that the recording was seen from the players  view angle, rather from the camera's angle! Was it to save time into making another room?

[close]

As others say, the intro cut scene was a bit too long, and dialog between far/son felt a bit forced and unnatural. And you could have break it, by letting the player start playing by getting the mail.

But overall, really nice game that kept me playing and immersed in the game. I didn't even got to save, so now I need to play it again from the start, just to see the other ending. LOL

Hi Cassiebsg

I agree with a lot of the stuff you're saying and I learnt a lot from Entrapment. I wrote about it in my Postmortem, which was featured on Game Career Guide.

Thanks for playing.

It's been a while...

After a long period of time since the original AGS Bake Sale, I have finally updated Entrapment and made it available for the world to play for free. I hope I don't get in trouble for digging up this old thread, but I thought it was pointless to start a new one. Entrapment has now been added to the AGS database too.

Entrapment is a short Adventure Game created with Adventure Game Studio which features a gripping story with plot twist and a drama thriller theme.

We need people to test the game and look for bugs and give feedback on just about everything! These are the kind of things I would want you to look out for:

• Spelling/Grammar
• Audio Issues
• Graphical Issues
• UI Issues
• What was your thought process during the game?
• Did you feel immersed? If not, what broke your immersion?
• How long did it take you to complete?
• Did you complete the game?
• Anything you liked/disliked about the games story/gameplay/artwork/etc
• There's also a bug in WHAM's Let's Play which I've had trouble reproducing

I want people to be brutally honest!

The game is due for release soon, so hand in your applications quick!

Anyone interested please contact me via the email address found on our contact page here!

Thanks in advance to anyone who replies!

Just wanted to say a quick thank you to anyone who voted for Time Stone during the nominations, it's an honour. Best Puzzles, Best Short Game and Best NPC for Dragon, although he's got some stiff competition with Rabbit in there. Unfortunately, I didn't get to play as many AGS games as I would have liked to this year, but those that I did got a few nominations. Congratulations to all of the nominees.

For the record, if anyone wanted to Let's Play Time Stone (which some have) or any other of my games for that matter, including released and future games, they absolutely have my permission to do so

So if you feel like playing Time Stone, then feel free! Of the time of my head, other games I would like to see Let's Played - Eternally Us, Educating Adventures of Girl & Rabbit, Sepulchre...

[@Monsieur OUXX]

Wow! I'm really overwhelmed by the responses Time Stone has been receiving. Being featured on websites and even seeing a few Let's Plays was really unexpected. A huge thank you to everyone who has played the game and left comments.

I would love to respond to you all individually, so I'm going to!

@Monsieur OUXX
Thanks for the bug spot! I should probably write a list of these and get them fixed with an update. Also, yes i used a sprite sheet from flashback when creating that particular animation

@Fitz
I'm really glad you liked the characters in-game. It was loads of... You know... Fun! Professor Yuno was based on the stereotypical fantasy wizard, so it's no surprise he reminded you of someone. Feel free to borrow any ideas you got while playing, I like the thought of Time Stone inspiring others.

@Construed
Thanks! It was a challenge creating a game all in one room, but I'm pleased with the way it turned out.

@selmiak
Glad you enjoyed it

@Sunny Penguin
Glad you liked the ending. I think that is my favourite part of the game too. There's currently no plans to return to Time Stone, but who knows, maybe someday

@cat
Thanks for your kind comments on the Graphics. I was a little worried about them as I don't feel as though it is a terribly strong point for me, but creating the art for Time Stone was good practice. I'm happy that you enjoyed the dialog, this was fun to write. I agree that Mark did a great job with the music (even though I pestered him a little with some changes). Thanks for spotting those typos, I'll add them to the list

@Ghost
Which inner circle would that be? Cruelly Short? Time Stone was always meant to be a short game as I wanted to create a small finished game to practice my AGS, design and art skills, I hope that the reason people think it's short is that they were enjoying it and didn't want it to end and that it actually isn't just REALLY SHORT. Sorry no plans for a sequel yet I'm afraid.

@Tamanegi
Lots of love for the Dragon as an NPC. Perhaps even you think he could be one of the best NPCs in a game you played last year? *Shameless Plug. Please share, which puzzle solution did you think was obvious?

@Jaineshon
Thanks for the kind comments

@JuaniT
Thanks

@Grim
It's nice to hear that you and your son enjoyed playing it together. It was meant as a game for people of all ages and I got my nephew and little brother in law to help test. Really glad that you thought the game was funny. If anyone had any actual laugh out loud moments, please let me know.

@ThreeOhFour
Thanks for the nice comments Ben. I did put a lot of effort into it. It took around 3 Months to make using evenings and weekends around work and other stuff. Your games have been a huge inspiration to me when making games, so thank you

@Ilyich
There are quite a few hints to Simon the Sorcerer in Time Stone. STS is one of my favourite adventure games and a definite inspiration for Time Stone. Initially with the puzzles, there was going to be a lot more going on, but I stripped it down a lot to end up with what was released, and I'm really glad I did! Really kind words, thank you.

@Matti
Garglewart's final speech along with Professor Yuno's dialog were probably my favourite to write, but the end speech in particular. I wonder how many people actually stuck around to listen to him? No plans for a direct sequel, but a different story in the same universe? That could be interesting.

@qptain Nemo
Witty! Now my head is really swelling with all of these wonderful complements. Thank you.

@GMD1984
Clever too! Thank you. I really made a point of making the end credits a sudden thing. As if to put a full stop on the story, in a similar way to how they do it with South Park episodes.


And, if you felt like it, maybe consider Time Stone for the upcoming AGS Awards. Maybe for best short game as so many people say that it's short

Thanks again everyone!

[AGS DATABASE PAGE]

A lot of wonderful people have said some really lovely things about Time Stone, so if you haven't played it, for your consideration:

AGS DATABASE PAGE

Direct Download

Time Stone is a short adventure game set in a fantasy world with a Sci Fi twist.

The Story

In a fantasy realm, Elle, a young Wizard's apprentice, arrives at the Professor's house house one day for her potions lesson, only to discover that the Professor is in terrible danger and an evil Warlock is looking for something that holds tremendous power. Will you be able to uncover the Professor's secret and rescue him from the evil clutches of the Warlock? Only time will tell.

Team
Time Stone was designed and created by Stuart Lilford.
Original Soundtrack by Mark Lovegrove

"It's rare for an adventure game to be this logical, concise and amusing at the same time. It's refreshing."

- Indie Statik

"download Time Stone, provided of course you'd enjoy spending one leisurely hour of pointing and clicking at pixelated objects and characters in a smart and humorous adventure."

- Indiegames.com

Scared Square Games

www.scaredsquare.com

@Scared_Square

Facebook

Hello!

Just wanted to say THANKS for choosing Time Stone and thanks for the lovely write up Penguin It's an honor to be chosen.

[@Ghost]

We have received some lovely little write-ups for Time Stone:

IndieGames.com:http://indiegames.com/2013/11/freeware_pick_point-click_the_.html
Indie Statik: http://indiestatik.com/2013/11/14/time-stone/

Plus we were featured as a game on Game Jolt! We've had some really positive feedback on the game, so thanks everyone who has ever said anything nice about it

@Ghost
Did you play and love the hell out of it?

@CaptianD
Thanks! Glad you think so

@MattFrith
Really nice to hear that you enjoyed the dialog. Unfortunately, there are currently no plans for Elle to return for another game. Perhaps one set in the same universe?

@Stupot+
Thanks again for testing. I would wholeheartedly recommend you as a tester to anyone. Very thorough!

@Adeel S. Ahmed
Thanks again also for testing

@Mandle
Yeah, I originally started working on this back for MAGS July! Although I was no where near finished, I'm glad that it turned out the way it did. Nice to hear you enjoyed the ending.

@Gribbler
Simon the Sorcerer was one of the core influences for this game. If you notice, the tapestry has similar symbols to Calypso's house from the first game

@DoorKnobHandle
Oh Noes, I must launch a patch to fix this dire bug. Ha Ha.

@Anian
Thanks! The world wasn't something I concentrated a lot on, but just hinted at, so it's good to see some of that got through

@Miguel
Did you end up finishing? Or are you still stuck?

@Tabata
We've heard from a lot of people that the game is funny and makes them laugh, which is just heartwarming, thank you.

@Mods
Thanks again for the music, man. I was really pleased with how it all came out in the end

[DOWNLOAD ON GAMEJOLT]

DOWNLOAD ON GAMEJOLT

Direct Download

Time Stone is a short adventure game set in a fantasy world with a Sci Fi twist.

The Story

In a fantasy realm, Elle, a young Wizard's apprentice, arrives at the Professor's house house one day for her potions lesson, only to discover that the Professor is in terrible danger and an evil Warlock is looking for something that holds tremendous power. Will you be able to uncover the Professor's secret and rescue him from the evil clutches of the Warlock? Only time will tell.

Team
Time Stone was designed and created by Stuart Lilford.
Original Soundtrack by Mark Lovegrove

"It's rare for an adventure game to be this logical, concise and amusing at the same time. It's refreshing."

- Indie Statik

"download Time Stone, provided of course you'd enjoy spending one leisurely hour of pointing and clicking at pixelated objects and characters in a smart and humorous adventure."

- Indiegames.com

Scared Square Games

www.scaredsquare.com

@Scared_Square

Facebook

WE HAVE A MUSICIAN NOW! Thanks to everyone who applied.

Hey Stu, don't be a troll. Reply to my last PM.

A Troll? Well I never

I have updated the original post with a request for musical help. We need someone to create 3 tracks and possible some sound effects for Time Stone. Get in touch if you think that's you

Thanks for the replies everyone who has messaged me on DM (and Frodo).

I am currently stockpiling email addresses and will most likely send a build out via email this weekend after I make a few tweaks during this week.

It's not too late though, if you want to test Time Stone DM your Email address and I will include you when I send the build out

Thanks again to everyone who has replied.

[Time Stone]

Project: Time Stone



Time Stone is a short adventure game based in a fantasy setting. You play as Elle, who arrives for her potions lesson one day, only to find that her Professor is in some serious trouble!

We are all good for music now, but if you'd still like to test, get in touch!


Original Post for Musician:

Due to our current musician unable to participate, we are on the look out for someone to help out with music. The game currently needs 3 tracks. We are looking for a quick turnaround as we want the game finished and released by October end/November start. We will supply you with an audio reference document as well as a build which contains placeholder music to give a feel of what we are going for. If you think you can help. Please contact me and let me know your interest along with some samples of your work. The game will be free for all to play and so there will be no money involved.

Email me: stuart.lilford@scaredsquare.com


Original Post for testers:

We need people to test the game and look for bugs and give feedback on just about everything! These are the kind of things I would want you to look out for:

• Spelling/Grammar
• Audio Issues
• Graphical Issues
• UI Issues
• What was your thought process during the game?
• Did you feel immersed? If not, what broke your immersion?
• How long did it take you to complete?
• Did you complete the game?
• Anything you liked/disliked about the games story/gameplay/artwork/etc

I want people to be brutally honest!

The game is due for release end of October, so hand in your applications quick!

Anyone interested please contact me via PM or post something in this thread, I'm easy - but I do need your full email address to email you details of where to download a build from.

Thanks in advance to anyone who replies!

Thanks for your comments Ghost!

Many of the goodies you mention make sense and sound good! I'm partial to the soundtrack (because the music was rather good), and I am a fan of DevComments because I love to get a small glance behind the scenes of a game.

Yeah, things like the soundtrack and adding in developer commentary wouldn't take too much effort. If I were to do commentary, would plain text suffice, or would people prefer audio?

It's been a while, but I remember your game as a very classic point-and-click, with good enough puzzles, so extra content, while always nice, wouldn't be my top priority.

There were a few puzzles that I wanted to include in the game, but didn't due to not knowing how/time constraints, so it would be nice to add those in. Kind of like a directors take.

Not a complete overhaul (THAT much time could well be spent on a sequel!)

Ha Ha. I don't think I would make an Entrapment sequel. I had ideas to follow it on, but I'll probably save those for another game.

[Download and play the Original Entrapment Here]

Hello All

You may or may not remember, but a couple of years ago, the AGS comunity got together to create the AGS Bake Sale, which was really successful and included 14 games (I think?) with all of the proceeds going to charity.

AGS Bake Sale Forum Topic
The Bake Sale on Rock Paper Shotgun

I was lucky enough to be one of the bakers who put their game forward for this noteworth cause with Entrapment. Now I've been allowed to re-post Entrapment so that people who didn't buy the bundle can play it, but I haven't until now. After playing the game, it could certainly do with a bit of a spruce up, which is why I am considering a deluxe version (still for free). But what should I do with the game to make it a deluxe version? If you like, have a play of the game:

Download and play the Original Entrapment Here
Original Entrapment WIP Topic

Or if you can't be bothered to play you can watch the trailer
Or you could watch Wham's Let's Play

And maybe suggest what you would like to see in a deluxe version. Here are just some ideas off the top of my head:

• Voice acting
• Much needed spell check
• Additional puzzles
• Improved graphics/animations
• Developer commentary?
• Better writing
• OST included
• Fix the bug Wham found in the Let's Play:tongue:
• Make better in general

Or the alternative is to not bother creating a deluxe version at all. I mean, in my own opinion the game wasn't that great. Is it worth my time to improve it for a deluxe release or should I avoid any polish and just release as is?

Any comments on the game, whether I should create a deluxe version or not and if I should, what you would like to see would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi Guys

Thank you for all of your help. The scene is working great now, thanks. Here is how I have it now:

Code: AGS

// room script file

String Lines[100];
int current_line;
bool interrupted;
Overlay *text1;

function room_AfterFadeIn()
{
//Cut Scene when player enters the room

  Lines[0] = "Sentence One";
  Lines[1] = "Sentence Two";
  Lines[2] = "Sentence Three";
  Lines[3] = "Sentence Four";
  Lines[4] = "Sentence Five";

warlock_event=1;
}

function room_RepExec()
{

if(warlock_event == 1)
{  
  if(text1 != null && text1.Valid && !cWarlock.Animating)
  {
    cWarlock.LockView(19); //Warlock Talking view
    cWarlock.Animate(0, 3, eRepeat, eNoBlock, eForwards);  //if warlock is saying text in bg and is not animating, animate him
  }
 
  if(current_line > 24) { //change to the max number of lines
    current_line=0; // When the warlock finishes his rant, he will begin again from the start
  }
   
  if(!interrupted)
  {
    if(text1 == null || !text1.Valid)
    {
      text1 = cWarlock.SayBackground(Lines[current_line]);
      current_line++;
    }
  }
  else
  {
    text1 = cWarlock.SayBackground("Now where was I? Ah yes...");
    current_line--;
    interrupted = false;
  }
 
}else if(warlock_event == 2)
{
// This will play a cutscene that will start after you return from a dialog which contains warlock_event=2; at the end
// And carry on with the rest of the game...
}
}


function hHotspot1_UseInv()
{
if (player.ActiveInventory==iItem){
  cWarlock.Say ("What do you think you're doing?");
  dialog01.Start(); //This will begin a dialog where you will need to answer correctly to activate warlock_event=2;
  
}
}


function oObject0_Interact()
{
  cWarlock.UnlockView(); //So that the Warlock Stops Animating while the event is triggered
  cGirl.Say ("That stupid Bookcase can't help me now.");
interrupted=true;
}

I'm a little puzzled by your attitude to just give up when you come across some minor problem with a solution: solving problems, figuring out what's causing a bug and then fixing it is what programming is all about.

I see what you're saying, but I don't have a lot of experience with programming, let alone implementing modules. I decided to use Sephiroth's suggestion as it seemed to offer fewer problems to contend with over the original 3 problems I was having with using the module. Plus, Surely if I'm interested in expanding my knowledge of programming, then looking at the basics of how to implement something like this rather than using a module would be better anyway? I know that I was trying to bypass the whole 'learning how to do it' phase by using a module in the first place, but perhaps it worked out better in the end?

The module will almost certainly have credits in the header file, so just look there to see which one it is.

It was monkey_05_06's QUEUEDSPEECH Module.

I'm sure you can tell (from his code) he doesn't know enough to find out a workaround by himself.

Ha Ha, is it that obvious? Unfortunately I haven't spent as much time with programming as I'd of liked to have. If I could go back in time I think I would have studied Programming at University, rather than Game Design, I probably would have come away with a much more useful skill set. But I suppose it's never to late

Thanks again guys

Thank you for the swift reply Sephiroth. Before your latest reply, I was looking at the code myself, trying to figure it out and now I have this, which seems to work exactly how I want it:

Code: AGS

// room script file

String Lines[100];
int current_line;
bool interrupted;
Overlay *text1;

function room_AfterFadeIn()
{
//This contains a cutscene that plays before the Warlock begins ranting. Then:

  Lines[0] = "Sentance One";
  Lines[1] = "Sentance Two";
  Lines[2] = "Sentance Three";
  Lines[3] = "Sentance Four";
  Lines[4] = "Sentance Five";

warlock_event=true; //This is declared in Global Variables as I need to use it within a dialog
}

function room_RepExec()
{
if(warlock_event)
{
 
  if(current_line > 4) { //change to the max number of lines
    current_line=0; // When the warlock finishes his rant, he will begin again from the start
  }
   
  if(!interrupted)
  {
    if(text1 == null || !text1.Valid)
    {
      text1 = cWarlock.SayBackground(Lines[current_line]);
      current_line++;
    }
  }
  else
  {
    text1 = cWarlock.SayBackground("Now where was I? Ah yes...");
    current_line--;
    interrupted = false;
  }
}


else {
// This will play a cutscene that will start after you return from a dialog which contains warlock_event=true; at the end
// And carry on with the rest of the game...
}
}


function hHotspot1_UseInv()
{
if (player.ActiveInventory==iItem){
  cWarlock.Say ("What do you think you're doing?");
  dialog01.Start(); //This will begin a dialog where you will need to answer correctly to activate warlock_event=true;
  
}
}


function oObject0_Interact()
{
  cGirl.Say ("That stupid Object can't help me now."); //when the player clicks on something with an event, then the dialog takes priority over the SayInBackground and interrupts the Warlock
interrupted=true; // The warlock then continues his rant from where he left off.
}

The ONLY issue is that the Warlocks talking animation DOES NOT play when he is saying things in the background. I tried to download Electroshokker's Background Speech Module, but there isn't a working link? Is there another solution around this?

Thanks for the great help!

Thanks for replying

@Snarky
I'm not sure which module I am using, but it sounds like in trying to use it, I'm causing myself more harm than good?

@Sephiroth
I like the look of your alternative, but the different Lines (where you would place the whole speech), you say to place in game start? I'm not sure where you mean to place this code for the game to call upon the speech text? Where in the room text is the best place to put the speech lines?