[Scummvm-tracker] [ScummVM :: Bugs] #16612: AGS: Whispers of a Machine - Invisible character not rendering correctly

[ScummVM :: Bugs]

#16612: AGS: Whispers of a Machine - Invisible character not rendering correctly
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Reporter:  Thunderforge        |       Owner:  (none)
    Type:  defect              |      Status:  new
Priority:  normal              |   Component:  Engine: AGS
 Version:                      |  Resolution:
Keywords:  whispersofamachine  |        Game:
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Description changed by Thunderforge:

Old description:

> In ''Whispers of a Machine'' (`ags:whispersofamachine`), while listening
> to Tape #6 in Stina's apartment, Stina walks in while invisible. In the
> original interpreter, there is a slight distortion showing where she is,
> but otherwise she matches the background. In ScummVM, she retains the
> appearance of the hallway where she spawns.
>
> == Reproduction Steps
>
> 1. Load the appropriate save game from the attached zip file (Whispers of
> a Machine has "ironman" autosaves, and they are updated at the same time,
> so I'm not sure which files are actually needed)
> 2. Click on "Cassette Tapes" (numbers 5 and 6) on the center table to
> pick them up
> 3. Place "Tape 6 (Stina's Apartment)" in the tape player located below
> the portrait
>
> After the first and second lines, the door will open slightly and creak
> and Stina (who is invisible) walks in, stopping near the window. After
> the tape is completed, Vera comments on it, then Stina drops her
> invisibility and tries shooting Vera.
>
> == Original behavior
>
> Stina matches the background of where she is standing and is only visible
> through a slight distortion on the edges of her silhouette. Thus the
> player can only see her by looking closely, and it may be subtle enough
> that the player misses her entirely. This can be seen in
> [https://youtu.be/bWLwg-3QVCc?si=nQ5lhvhACcNoETLg&t=11332 this Let's
> Play].
>
> == ScummVM behavior
>
> Stina always looks like the hallway, which contrasts with the rest of the
> background when she walks into the room. This makes it blatantly obvious
> that she is standing there. See attached animated GIF.
>
> == Possible other issue
>
> I think I recall this happening also in [https://youtu.be/bWLwg-
> 3QVCc?si=pklqjvLAL_uj93IJ&t=9737 this scene] near the end of Day 3 where
> Stina is invisible near the bushes and remains looking like leaves until
> she reveals herself. Unfortunately because of the ironman saves, I don't
> have a save game to double-check.
>
> == Tested on
>
> * [https://store.steampowered.com/app/631570 Steam version of the game],
> macOS
> * ScummVM 2026.1.0, macOS

New description:

 In ''Whispers of a Machine'' (`ags:whispersofamachine`), while listening
 to Tape #6 in Stina's apartment, Stina walks in while invisible. In the
 original interpreter, there is a slight distortion showing where she is,
 but otherwise she matches the background. In ScummVM, she retains the
 appearance of the hallway where she spawns.

 == Reproduction Steps

 1. Load the appropriate save game from the attached zip file (Whispers of
 a Machine has "ironman" autosaves, and they are updated at the same time,
 so I'm not sure which files are actually needed)
 2. Click on "Cassette Tapes" (numbers 5 and 6) on the center table to pick
 them up
 3. Place "Tape 6 (Stina's Apartment)" in the tape player located below the
 portrait

 After the first and second lines, the door will open slightly and creak
 and Stina (who is invisible) walks in, stopping near the window. After the
 tape is completed, Vera comments on it, then Stina drops her invisibility
 and tries shooting Vera.

 == Original behavior

 Stina matches the background of where she is standing and is only visible
 through a slight distortion on the edges of her silhouette. Thus the
 player can only see her by looking closely, and it may be subtle enough
 that the player misses her entirely. This can be seen in [https://youtu.be
 /bWLwg-3QVCc?si=nQ5lhvhACcNoETLg&t=11332 this Let's Play].

 == ScummVM behavior

 Stina always looks like the hallway, which contrasts with the rest of the
 background when she walks into the room. This makes it blatantly obvious
 that she is standing there. See attached animated GIF.

 == Possible other issue

 I think I recall this happening also in [https://youtu.be/bWLwg-
 3QVCc?si=pklqjvLAL_uj93IJ&t=9737 this scene] near the end of Day 3 where
 Stina is invisible near the bushes. My recollection is that Stina remained
 looking like leaves until she reveals herself, rather than matching the
 background as in the original interpreter. Unfortunately because of the
 ironman saves, I don't have a save game to double-check.

 == Tested on

 * [https://store.steampowered.com/app/631570 Steam version of the game],
 macOS
 * ScummVM 2026.1.0, macOS

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Ticket URL: <https://bugs.scummvm.org/ticket/16612#comment:1>
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