RPG Maker Times

RPG Maker Comic Book

noreply@blogger.com (Companion Wulf) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:06:15 PST

RPG Maker Rage Comics is a series of comic strips with N00bs in mind. After all, "Nothing brings more rage than noobs". Because my scripting and resource creating skills are shamefully lacking, I could be considered as one, but I'm not a noob to the entire RPG Maker scene, and some of the things outlined in the comic assuredly typifies the kinds of things that RPG Maker newbies would say or do, taking the best (and worst) parts of "newbity" and regarding them almost with contemptuous cynicism. And it is quite funny!

And, while we're on the topic, AlphaWhelp's Comic Book Scenes allows the use of comic strip cutscenes in RMVX. While the post (and probably the script) is old and out-of-date, it will certainly add an extra dimension to the game, plot development and an element of humour to a game. It even has a "page flip" sound effect for when you turn the page.

Tutorials Series - Coming Soon

noreply@blogger.com (Companion Wulf) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:44:02 PST

In March, I'll be starting on a series of tutorials for RPG Maker (and other engines). This will be primarily how-to's, using events and maps, including some already submitted by guestbloggers. This is part of my going through the expanding "To Do" list. So how should they appear?

Would it be better - i.e. preferable - to provide step-by-step guides as a post with pictures or videos? Or perhaps a combinaton of both? Should the tutorials be exclusively RMXP, RMVX or RMVXA, or all three, as well as some of the other makers?

What are your thoughts? Leave feedback in the comments and we'll go from there.

Some More Updates

noreply@blogger.com (Companion Wulf) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:00:52 PST

In between work and play, and catching up on Season 2 of Haven, which has become one of my favorite shows, there have been fewer updates to the blog. That said, however, I've still been busy with RPG Maker.

Support for RMXP

With the imminent release of RMVXA, support for RMXP may dwindle as I'll be focusing more on RMVX and RMVXA. That's not to say that I'll completely abandon RMXP, just that there will be fewer updates for it. Whenever inspiration takes me, I'll probably still post resources and links, etc.

The Gladiator Project Progress

Yesterday, the power went out for 24 hours and subsequently the computer shut down without warning. The Scripts became corrupted, meaning that all prior progress cannot be loaded. Even the backup was corrupted. But I still have the tertiary backup to fall back on, although it's an out-dated version. I don't view this as a negative because, in my experience, any subsequent versions tend to be better. It's comparable to writing: the first is the rough draft, the second is the edited draft, and the third and subsequent versions are the final drafts. And usually the best versions.

RMVXA Scripts

I've been extensively experimenting with RGSS3 (edited in RMVX and ported over). While I'm not a scripter, I have produced a few scriptlets, so maybe in a future post I'll place them here - after a few additional tweaks.

TGP Animated Title Screen Video

noreply@blogger.com (Companion Wulf) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:42:27 PST

A video showcasing the animated title screen for TGP is now available.

This is Version 1.0, where the title is static. In Version 2.0, as development continues, the title and main menu will also be animated.

You can subscribe to my YouTube Channel or keep up to date with the official Gladiator Project Website.

The script can be made available if there's enough demand.

The Gladiator Project Is Back On Track

noreply@blogger.com (Companion Wulf) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:52:01 PST

New day, new hard drive, new installation, so that means that TGP is once again back on track. Thankfully, there wasn't as great a hiatus between redevelopment as the last time. Thanks to my friends for helping me out.

I've learned a lot during the process, and learned a lot more by studying the RGSS3 in RMVXA. So, since TGP is being rewritten virtually from scratch, the system is a lot cleaner and the scripts are less bulky. That means that it's easier to integrate some of the other scripts into the system. I'll be focusing exclusively on TGP over the next few weeks so that finally there will be something substantial to the project, perhaps also including an attempt at my own graphics for it.

I'm looking far into the future here, but I will eventually be buying RMVXA after all. It's just too cool not to. That means that I might port TGP to the new RPG Maker (not really as simple as that, but doable nevertheless), but not until after the RMVX version of TGP is complete.

I'll be updating this blog as soon as there's something of substance and uploading a video shortly thereafter.

Charsets, Sprites and Facesets (RMVX)

noreply@blogger.com (Companion Wulf) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:43:28 PST

If you're looking for some quality sprites, then look no further than Magnus Noctem. Unless otherwise specified, these are RMVX sprites.

You can find some Mack RTP Sprites here.

Or these Sprites With Portraits (includes some for RMVXA).

Alternatively, the Mystical RTP Sprites, which is one of my favourites.

Fewer Updates For A While

noreply@blogger.com (Companion Wulf) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 21:37:25 PST

Tragedy struck again! I managed to briefly flirt with RPG Maker VX to recommence work on TGP before it struck without warning.

The hard drive containing my Windows died, so I'm forced to exclusively using Xubuntu, thereby disallowing me to use RPG Maker. My computer's old and cranky, and very decrepit. Unfortunately, 2011 was not a good year for me and 2012 is heading the same.

I'll be updating RPG Maker Times only briefly with scripts and resources from other people and related sites of interest until things can seriously get back on track again.

Gender Functions Script (RMVXA)

noreply@blogger.com (Companion Wulf) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:07 PST

As the countdown begins for the English version of RMVXA, there are several scripts becoming readily available. I'm not able to thoroughly investigate yet (notwithstanding my scripting abilities, such as they are) so I thought I'd list a few scripts from other people.

I happened across this script, written by Mr. Bubble, completely by accident. As the title suggests, it implements a gender system for Actors and Enemies, using RMVXA's personalised notetags function.

Here's the link to the page. It includes examples and instructions.

Ars Mechanicum & Gladiator Project Update Announcement

noreply@blogger.com (Companion Wulf) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 08:21:36 PST

I made the decision to abandon Ars Mechanicum Genesis at the start of the New Year in favour of its novels. At the present time I have no interest in returning to the project, but will continue with the novels instead and place the events in the game intended as an interactive continuation of the novel into a trilogy. It's been a tough decision but given that I've had little or no time to actually develop the game, there's no point in continuing its development.

I will, however, be continuing work on The Gladiator Project. This will be redeveloped for RMVX, with many of the features in its original RMXP format ported over. I may also eventually develop an RMVXA version too, depending on how much it is when the English version is released and when I actually purchase it.

On a side note, it looks like most likely the English version will be released in the first quarter of this year. My prediction is February. Let's see how close I am. Haha!

Back Online Finally

noreply@blogger.com (Companion Wulf) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 02:26:21 PST

Well, what can I say? I've been offline since shortly before Christmas, though not necessarily through any fault of my own. Actually, that's not strictly speaking true, since I was able to connect through Xubuntu, but not through Windows.

To cut a long and agonising story short, my computer died the day before Christmas Eve. If it wasn't the (lack of) memory, it was the DVD-ROM and the IDE cable...Let's face it, this beast is old and cranky - just like its owner! - because it was patched together intentionally as a temporary measure to get me online.

Before Christmas, I had it set up to dual-boot Ubuntu and Windows XP. And, after an initial battle of wills, we had reached a mutual agreement. Both OSes worked in tandem for awhile before the Beast decided to rebel again. This time I couldn't log into Windows, although Ubuntu worked fabulously. I was able to do all of the things I regularly do online and offline, except for one thing: RPG Maker. Withdrawals started setting in and I decided to do a fresh install of Windows. Ubuntu was having none of that, however, even after extensive GRUB tweaking and installing a secondary hard drive. It reached a certain point and decided to nosedive.

So, I decided to reinstall Windows, but it would reach a certain point and refuse to acknowledge the partition - even though it was there. I scratched my head baffling over this issue 'til I became practically bald. Various checks revealed that the hard drive was intact, both partitions were valid, GRUB was not corrupted and neither was the MBR. Yet installation ground to an abrupt halt.

After Christmas, and a nice, quiet family get-together, things would be much clearer. Or so I thought. Eventually even Ubuntu wouldn't load the way it should. The MBR had become corrupted and no amount of band-aids could fix it, then the secondary hard drive (where the second attempt of Windows was installed) had a boot sector headache. Not as much of a headache as mine though.

One new hard drive and a repartitioned old drive later, the whole caboodle was reinstalled, after backing everything up, of course (lessons have been learned), my computer is now successfully dual-booting Windows and Xubuntu this time. But, just like rival siblings, they've been separated and, as long as they don't conflict with one another, they won't fight.

I reinstalled RMVXA and have been going through the scripts. RGSS3 is way more complex-seeming than its predecessors, but given the limitations of script editing in the Trial version, the only thing I can do really is study it and continue with the Ruby classes I started beginning of last year.

I've warmed to RMVXA (from what I've seen so far) and will definitely be buying it, although if it's any anything above $75-$80, I will NOT be buying it at all. If it's around $60 for the English version I won't be able to afford it on or around release day, but will get around to saving up for it eventually.

Happy Christmas 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Companion Wulf) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 05:00:06 PST

However you celebrate Christmas, or even if you don't celebrate it at all, may the coming year bring health, wealth and prosperity.

Click on the image to go to the artist's page.

RPG Maker VX Ace Master Script List

noreply@blogger.com (Companion Wulf) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 05:00:12 PST

Now that RMVXA has been out for a while (in Japan), with an English version tentatively hinted at for Spring 2012, there are inevitably scripts available.

I've already mentioned the Yanfly Engine Ace, but there is another one, where all of the scripts (current and future) will probably be placed.

There is a Wiki set up - RPG Maker VX Ace Master Script List.

Advanced Time Scripts/Day and Night Systems

noreply@blogger.com (Companion Wulf) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 10:25:58 PST

A common question I'm asked is about Time/Date System Scripts. Here's a list of some of better ones:

Blizzard's Advanced Time and Environment System (ATES) (RMXP)
Day/Night Evented System (RMVX)
Kylock's Time System (RMVX)
Rafidelis Advanced Time System (RMVX)
Real Time KTS Mod
Trickster's Time System (RMXP)

These include the ability to store time as variables and time-based events triggers.

Guestblogging For 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Companion Wulf) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:00:15 PST

Some time in the New Year, 2012, I'm looking into the possibility of "guestblogging" as part of an expansion program into other RPG Makers and/or game creators. If you are interested, I'm looking for particular areas:

Graphics: Resources, especially sprites, tilesets, facesets and windowskins.
Other Engines: Including RPG Maker VX Ace, Engine 001 (especially) and Dungeon Craft (FRUA), with the possibility also of OHRRPGCE, RPG Toolkit, Verge, and others.
Tutorials: Long or short tutorials and other how-to's (including scripting and eventing) on these makers, including any of the RPG Makers.

The major reasons I'm interested in guestblogging is to:

Include other RPG Makers on the site as part of the expansion process because I simply don't have the time to exclusively experiment with them all. Not even with proper time management!
Provide a small slice of the web for tutorials and how-to's on RPG Makers and/or areas I'm not familiar with so that others can benefit too.
Expose other game makers' sites, including those starting out.

To apply, submit applications to the RPG Maker Times Facebook page. Please include the following details:

ID Name - The ID/User Name you'd like to use.
Website/Blog Address - This is the name of your website or blog, if you have one, which will appear linked to your chosen name.
Maker/Engine - The names of the makers or engines you'd like to guestblog on.
Specialties - This could be eventing, scripting or graphics.
Regularity - How often you're able and willing to post.

Do NOT post personal details, such as email or contact addresses, as those should remain private to prevent unsolicited spam (something I'm strongly against). Instead, I'll send an IM through Facebook if/when the applicants have been accepted. Note that only then will I ask for an email address, since it's a prerequisite of being able to guestblog, and I will NOT use it for any purpose other than adding you as a guestblogger.

If, for whatever reason, you don't feel comfortable with IMs, you can use the email address on the RPG Maker Times Facebook Information page. You can submit unsolicited materials there and I will implement them upon approval. Do NOT send any spam to that email address. I will check the veracity of each link and if they don't apply to the RPG Maker Times Terms & Conditions they'll be blocked.

Entries submitted through guestblogging will be implemented proper some time in the first quarter of 2012, so if you're interested why not apply now!

CW's Scriptlets Compendium v1.2 (RMVX)

noreply@blogger.com (Companion Wulf) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 08:48:25 PST

Download Script

Here's a scriptlet for anyone who can benefit from it. It's a compilation of some of my scriptlets, this time replete with editable options and optional icons. The Compendium comprises:

Attribute Icons/Extra Parameters
Basic Map Location
Game Progress Script
Parameter Increase/Decrease Icons
Playtime Window - Imported from RMXP
Steps Window - Imported from RMXP

I'll be updating this scriptlet when I have time with the following changes:

Add Extra Stats Window - With optional access either through a keypress or the main Status menu.
Replace Play Time Window with System Time/Date Window
Transfer Steps Window exclusively to the Extra Stats Window

RPG Maker Times Anniversary

noreply@blogger.com (Companion Wulf) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:03 PST

I just realised today that last month was RPG Maker Times's third anniversary. The very first entry I posted was What Is RPG Maker? on 20 November, 2008. And not a single anniversary celebration. Time certainly flies! Originally, the post was placed on the now closed RPG Maker 2K3 Master blogsite.

Although I'd been using RM2K for awhile before that, I only "upgraded" to RM2K3 a long time after its "release". The original RPG Maker 2K3 Master blog was hosted somewhere else (I can't remember where) as a comprehensive guide for RM2K3. It included a complete breakdown on the Database and Events Commands, including examples. Sadly, though, the blog host went belly-up and all of the content was lost, barely up long enough to become something. I had the backup for a long time, with plans to re-release it somewhere else, but several hard drives and computers later it never saw the light again. And I no longer have the original files.

In the middle of 2008 (I think, or at least around that time), I discovered Blogger and started producing something for RM2K/3 a few months later. The rest, as they say, is history!

RPG Maker Times is still going strong and probably will continue into the future, especially since it's gradually expanding into other areas as well.

RMVXA Scripts - Yanfly Engine Ace

noreply@blogger.com (Companion Wulf) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:30:01 PST

The legendary Yanfly (responsible for the equally legendary Yanfly Engine scripts) has released several scripts for RMVXA. As far as I know these are the first complete scripts for the new RPG Maker. The complete collection of Yanfly Engine Ace (YEA) is quite comprehensive. Below is the list of scripts available (no direct links) at the time of writing this entry.

Enemy HP Bars - Add-On to Ace Battle Engine
Ace Battle Engine - Basic battle engine core for VX Ace
Force Move Tiles - Tiles that force you to move in a designated direction
TP Manager - Manage your TP system with FFX style overdrive modes
Ace Menu Engine - Add, remove, and reorganize commands to your main menu in Ace
Call Random Battle - Call random battles rather than set battles for events
Base Troop Events - Every battle now draws event data from one troop group
Party System - Enables for larger than 4 party sizes (or less than!) and a menu to go with it
Common Event Tiles - Bind common events to trigger upon stepping on certain tiles
Flip Pictures - VXAce still lacks the ability to flip pictures. Not anymore!
Slippery Tiles - Step on ice. You slip.
Adjust Limits - No longer be confined by 9999 MaxHP, 9999 MaxMP, etc.
Ace Core Engine - Bugfixes and small mods

Sound Effects For RPG Maker

noreply@blogger.com (Companion Wulf) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 05:00:03 PST

Sound effects are an integral part of a game, but finding the right one for a particular event can be tricky. Here are two of the best ones I know of and which I use frequently (not just for RPG Maker, but other projects as well). Best of all they're free! (Click on the title to open the corresponding website. They open in new tabs/windows.)

Find Sounds - This is the definitive site for sounds in my opinion. As its name suggests you can find all kinds of sounds there. If there's a particular sound you're looking for, you can almost certainly find it here. Formats are mostly in MP3 and WAV.
Free Sound - This is another definitive site, with a plethora of user-uploaded sounds. You need to create an account to download anything, and specific sounds are rather more difficult to find, but it's a worthwhile site nevertheless. Formats vary, including FLAC and AIF, but most are WAV.

Zelda Forest Maze Demo RMXP

noreply@blogger.com (Companion Wulf) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 08:37:50 PST

Zelda Maze Demo RMXPA day earlier than "scheduled", this is the downloadable demo for the Zelda Forest Maze Tutorial. Incidentally, the demo itself was uploaded to File Factory on Thursday. It's been checked for viruses using Comodo Antivirus and is clean.

Once the file has downloaded, double-click on it to open it and choose the folder name to extract to. The reason it's a self-extract file is because the file size is greatly reduced (for archiving I use 7-Zip as the compression rate is much greater, thereby reducing file size).

Thanks to Decanos for kicking me in the butt with this.

Profile/Character Makers (Online)

noreply@blogger.com (Companion Wulf) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 06:00:03 PST

Profile characters for the Status screen gives it a more aesthetic feeling, rather than sticking with the defaults, which tend to be too commonplace. Below are a few websites that will help create alternative for the Status screen. (Click on the titles to go to the corresponding websites.)

Anime Character Maker 2.2
This is a reincarnation (more like a reinvention almost) of one of the most well-known character makers online. This is one that I'm sure most RPG Maker fans will recognise. The original version had fewer options to choose from, but it looks like much more have been added already. One of the things that annoys me most is the garish colours, but it still works out. Unfortunately, as of yet, there's still no option to save, but that can be overcome by doing a Print Screen shot, although version 3 may well have the option to save. Look forward to that.

Hero Machine - Super Hero Generator

This generator is designed (as the title says) to make super-hero type characters, although it has enough options to make appropriate characters in RPG Maker and it's certainly NOT lacking in options. You can choose two colours for your output, the first is the primary colour and the second is the highlighter. You can also add a companion, from a frog to a griffin and a background (you can't recolour the black-and-white backgrounds). There are also various themes to choose from. I absolutely love this and I'd recommend it to everyone, if not for RPG Maker then the sheer enjoyment. The one above was randomly generated and recoloured.

Portrait Illustration Maker
While this is specifically "a service which provides character icons completely free of charge...available for your blog site or SNS.", the graphics are cartoonish, but its online editor has a wealth of features. Output is 96x96 in PNG or JPG formats, so it might be a fun replacement for the facesets. (Caveat: I thought I saw somewhere on the website that images are not redistributable, although I'm not sure if it would be viable for RPG Maker. They require a "copyright link", which shouldn't be a problem for anyone. Just make sure you read through their terms before implementing them in RPG Maker.)

There are inevitably some I've overlooked. If you know of any decent ones, let me know in the comments and I'll check it out and update accordingly.

Updates For The Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Companion Wulf) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 08:36:00 PST

RPG Maker Times Companion - Saturday

Sadly, the RPG Maker Times Companion has been neglected lately, but I'm aiming for some more content on Saturday. There are a plethora of utilities still out there for RPG Maker, so it's time to dig some of them out.

Zelda Maze Tutorial Demo - Sunday

There will be a downloadable demo for the Zelda Maze Tutorial, as requested by Decanos78 for both RMXP ~~and RMVX~~. I'll have this uploaded by Sunday.

RPG Maker 2K3 Resurface

I've had a number of requests for RM2K3 tutorials, even though it's unarguably the best RPG Maker of them all and even though I've retired it in favour of the next-gen RPG Makers. I'm not sure I'll be doing anything with it, except for the Complete Chest Tutorial. Talking of which also for the weekend (and well into next week) I'm aiming to have a demo for the RMXP version.

Map Location/Game Progress Script (RMXP)

noreply@blogger.com (Companion Wulf) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 08:13:21 PST

Download Script

This is a combination update of my Basic Map Location (this doesn't actually work properly in RMXP) and Game Progress scriptlets.

It's nothing fancy, just a simple, basic script because I'm not a scripter. I like to dabble and experiment, and often improve upon existing knowledge to slowly learn. If someone can find a use for it then they can use it or share it as they deem fit (observing copyrights) and feel free to drop a comment as to where and how it's used/shared.

Experimenting With RPG Maker VX Ace Trial

noreply@blogger.com (Companion Wulf) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 07:45:39 PST

My confession for the day is that I've been playing around with RPG Maker VX Ace (RMVXA from now on) ever since its official Japanese release. Curiosity just about killed me, so I couldn't resist downloading the demo. Of course, it was all in Japanese and I was totally lost for a while, but I had some fun guessing and experimenting.

However...the wonderful folks at RMVX Ace Games Net have provided an English translation patch for the trial version specifically for the short RMVXA game provided there too (the first one for RMVXA!). That means that I'm able to delve into it a bit more. Just for the experience.

Now the ONLY reason I did it this way, rather than wait (aside from "grasshopper syndrome"), is for review purposes and to deliver what we can expect from RMVXA IF Enterbrain deigns to bring out an English version. And they would be idiotic not to (but of course they are! *Wink*).

So what's it like? (By the way, no screenies here at the moment; they're on the RMVX Ace Games Net website.)

Demo Version Limitations

Virtually everything is fully functional, but it does have some serious limitations, which are listed below. Some of the items are a result of my own delving and some are based on the Googleated Enterbrain/Famitsu website.

"Open Projects" is not available, although when you open a New Project, it'll preload the sample map already provided, which you can play and from within the editor.
You can edit the map, including events, which are essentially the same as with RMVX, although only 10 maps and 10 events per map are allowed in the demo version.
There is a limited number of materials and graphics in the demo version. You cannot export materials, although you can import them.
Compress Data (for making a standalone, executable game) is disabled in the trial version, which means that while the games can be saved and played from within RMVXA, saved data is erased after RMVXA is closed.
In the Database, Actors, Classes, Items, etc. have a predetermined Max. Amount. You can edit them, but you can't add any more if they go above the predetermined upper limit.
You can view (and edit) the scripts, but saved script edits are automatically purged and returned to default once RMVXA is closed, essentially disabling the Save function.
Tne built-in Character Generator is limited to a minimum amount of options to choose from, allowing you to create basic characters, which have the element of sameness to them after a while.
All of the events commands work in the demo version (as far as I can determine), except for the "Play Video" event command according to Enterbrain's website. I've not had a chance to actually try this because I'm not sure how to convert movies to the OGV format yet.
The updater feature is not functional or compatible with the demo version.
The RTP (Runtime Package) in the demo version is limited to a pre-bundled package is only for "data collection relevant to the current session". In other words, as I've mentioned before, saved data is not actually saved but is reset each time RMVXA closes. The actual [official] RTP is provided separately, available after purchasing.

Yet, despite such limitations, you can still see its complete range of capabilities and you can definitely have a "feel" what the full version will be like. (For the impatient ones, I wonder how viable - and legal - it would be to purchase the Japanese version and use an English translation patch. Enterbrain would certainly want to avoid the "Don Miguel-RM2K/3 love affair" again. This is especially in light of the fact that Enterbrain has not officially announced an English version yet.)

So here are my first impressions of RMVXA, focusing specifically on its features and functionality. It's rather long, but gives a rough, certainly not comprehensive, idea of what RMVXA is all about. The following part is a bit long, though I hope not long-winded.

New Functions & Functionality

Icons have an index, displaying the icon numbers, which was lacking in RMVX. Very useful. I use Zanfly's Icon Viewer script to determine RMVX icon indices since I tend to use huge iconsets.

Database » Actors

In addition to a character's Name, they can now have a Nickname.
A Description is also available (used as bio information on the Status screen).
The addition of Traits, where you can define various strengths, weaknesses and other characteristics, is definitely a welcome addition.

Database » Classes

There are 8 parameters now instead of RMVX's 6 - Max. HP, Max. MP, Attack, Defense, Magic, Magic Def., Agility and Luck.
The Classes section is essentially the same as RMVX, but with the additional option of class-specific traits, for example, the Soldier class has an Additional Ability of Critical Rate + 4% or is able to equip Heavy Armor.
The Experience and Parameter Growth Curves have been relocated here rather than having them under the Actors tab as they were in RMVX.
Class Skills have their own mini Notes box, in addition to the existing Notes.

Database » Skills

The addition of TP Cost for skills (since TP is now an integral part of RMVXA) has been added and is used in the same way that skills/spells are.
You can define the Skill Type, based on particular traits.
You can define the Hit Type, determining if it's a physical or magical type, as well as the number of hits the skill allows, and a finisher animation for TP-based attacks.
It has a Weapon Requirements section, where particular skills are attached to one or two types of weapons. For example, the skill Radiant Blade requires a Sword to be able to use it. In RMVX, there were a plethora of scripts to emulate this feature.
You can assign attributes to skills, create your own damage formulae, and add buffs/debuffs (On Use Effects).

Database » Items

As with the Skills, you can define your own damage formula and On Use Effects for each item.
Also as with the skills, you can adjust the number of hits and weapon requirements as necessary.

Database » Weapons/Armor

Weapons and Armor are pretty much the same as in RMVX, except with the addition of the new Traits feature, accommodating the additional parameters too.

Database » Enemies

As with the Weapons/Armor, it's remained the same but for accommodation of the Traits and additional parameters.

Database » Troops

This is the same as with RMVX, but with one distinct feature: the ability to change the battle background (floor AND ceiling). You can create some interesting combinations too.

Database » Steps

Aside from the Traits, there are some additional Recovery Conditions, namely Automatic Timed Release and Released by Steps Taken.

Database » Animations

There are no changes here that I can determine.

Database » Tilesets

This contains the welcome return of multiple tilesets, including autotiles, plus additional passability fuctions: Stairs and Floor Damage.
An additional Mode lets you set the map types, whether they are Field or Area specific, or VX Compatible.

Database » Common Events

The same as before, but with additional commands: Display Scrolling Text and Item Selection Processing (for Messages), Change Nickname (Actor), Play Video and further Map settings including changing the Tileset and acquiring information about a characters' position on the map.

Database » System

You can change the default Window Color from within System rather than relying exclusively on manually changing windowskin colours and having one per colour. Windowskins are still available in RMVX format.
You can toggle whether or not the Game Title is drawn.
You can change the Title Graphic, using two - yes TWO - graphics files. One is the regular background and the other is an optional frame border.
There are 7 more options here, such as Initialize MIDI on Startup in case you wanted to include MIDI files (otherwise there's a slight pause as it loads MIDIs on the fly), or the option to toggle the party caterpillar style.
There is one added option that, to me, is essential - Start with Transparency - which makes the character "invisible" on startup. (In RMVX you had to resort to changing the lead actor's graphic in the Database to None to prevent him from appearing during initial cutscenes and then adding the graphic through an auto-event.)
The Game Title can be changed here too (lacking in RMVX without modifying its INI file, but present via the menu in RMXP).

Database » Terms

Everything's here from RMVX and, of course, there are additional terms. You're able to define the Attributes and Weapon, Skill and Armor Types here too. (Incidentally, you can change the Max. Amount here, up to its maximum of 99.)
As with RMXP/VX all terms used in the game can be redifined here.

Mapping

There have been some welcome additions to the mapping capabilities. This was an area I was most sceptical about given that RMVX was limited to one tileset and I spent a while going through the Tileset portion of the Database.

There is another feature (from the right-clickable maps area on the right) in the form of sample maps. These are conveniently pre-generated maps, from regular field maps to Zelda-esque world trees to pyramids. There are 120 of them!

The Generate Dungeon feature from RMVX remains in place too.

Tilesets

The return of multiple tilesets is certainly embraced. RMVX's tileset limitations, bluntly, just pissed me off. That said, I still used it so go figure! Anyway, in the Tileset editor, there are 9 changeable settings, again using tilesets A through E, but with 5 additions to A. Layers ultimately depend on how many of the tilesets have been predefined in the Database, essentially up to 5.

Regions

Regions define the terrain settings for certain areas on the map. I remember in RM2K3 and RMXP this was done via the Tilesets tab in the Database. This is now apparently definable from the map co-dependent on how they're set up in the Database. Regions affect movement speed on the map, for instance, marching through foothills is slower going than normal ground.

Character Generator

You can create your own characters, replete with matching faces. You can either randomly generate them or create your own by tweaking a plethora of different options.

First impressions of this creator is that it's an excellent feature that potentially saves a lot of time, but sadly because it's the demo version, I'm assuming there are limitations here too. In the options, while plentiful (from changing skin tone to additional accessories), the dropdown options really only have one or two options to choose from. You can export both face and character sets, although there's no facility to import resources actually into the generator. Any characters you generate will automatically be added to the Actor's sets so you can choose and use them right away.

Map Caterpillar

The party will roam the map caterpillar-form, but only 4 characters will appear on the map at one time, despite having scope for additional party members.

Status Menu Enhancements

Items, Skills and Equipment are all categorisable.
Status has additional bio information for each character (as defined in the Actors tab in the Database).
The number of actors in the party has increased to 10 (not sure if this amount can be increased since that's the maximum allowable in the Database demo version), but only 4 can be active at once. (Others can be switched with the new Formation feature.)
Formation can be used to change the positions of party members, including any additional actors in the party, but (as mentioned above) only 4 will be active at any given time.

Battles

Battles include the TP, where each time an actor is hit by an enemy it increases by a certain amount. TP can then be "exchanged" for Special Skills usage. I haven't really delved too much in this, as I wanted specifically to test the TP. From what I can tell there's no real difference between RMVX's battle system, more aesthetics, but it runs the same.

Scripts

I scrutinised the Scripts (RGSS3) section long and hard, going through each one to see how things have changed. There are a LOT of changes and enhancements, including DataManager, SceneManager and BattleManager. And in addition to Scene_Base and Scene_Item are Scene_MenuBase and Scene_ItemBase respectively (quite self-explanatory). There are plenty new methods to play around with, that's for sure. The RGSS system seems to have been completely overhauled, meaning that the major drawback of RGSS3 is potentially that many RMVX scripts will not function in RMVXA without compatibility tweaking.

Conclusion

Since this is the limited Trial version, I don't think it'd be fair to judge RMVXA as a whole, so I'm only basing it on my experiences with it so far as I'm able.

The additions and enhancements actually do improve development. It's not as limited as RMVX was, especially with the limitations on the tilesets. Most of the functions previously omitted in RMVX have been reimplemented and, on the surface, it almost has a feeling of familiarity to it. Delve deeper and you can see more differences than parallels.

Although I suspect the resources for the Character Generator has been limited for the purposes of the demo version, the possible combinations for creating characters are still pretty high given that there are a lot of options to choose from. Even if the Character Generator is the same in the retail version, with the use of Chibi styled characters there's an online Chibi Character Maker already in place (an updated version is on Enterbrain's website; I'll see if I can find the links later). Nevertheless, regardless of my personal sentiments regarding squat Chibi characters, I'd have to say that the addition of a Character Generator is a marked and welcome addition. Anything you create is automatically added and can be exported for use in other games.

I like the idea of defining character and class traits. It personalises them more and allows a lot more flexibility and indepth-ness, creating a much more dynamic feel overall.

Combat hasn't changed that much from RMVX. It has the feeling of a combination of RMXP and RMVX, with the addition of the TP to add a little more dynamism to it without the need for external scripts.

One of the things I did notice almost immediately were two additional scripts for horizontal commands. I don't see why they needed to do that particularly, since RMVX has the useful shortcut of adding an extra parameter to the Window_Command to accommodate multiple columns). There's obviously some logic behind Enterbrain's decision to do this.

Another thing I noticed was the addition of a few "managers", in particular the Data Manager, which contains the routines for preloading the .rvdata (reformatted to .rvdata2). That means the load_database and load_bt_database methods are superfluous in Scene_Title. They're preloaded when the game starts. There's also SceneManager, which compliments Scene_Base and adds more functionality to it.

In conclusion then, preliminarily it seems that RMVXA is a decent improvement on its predecessor(s). I would have to say that my initial scepticism started melting away the more I experimented with it and delved into its inner workings.

Now the big question is: Would I buy it?

Well, it's hard saying. Features and functionality wise, I'd have to answer "Yes". Just when I thought I was getting somewhere with mastering RGSS/RGSS2, along comes a totally overhauled version, RGSS3, so on that basis, I'd say "No", but it probably won't be that hard to learn or re-learn any of it anyway.

The major clincher will be price. IF - big if - Enterbrain releases an English version (they have yet to announce an officially translated version as of now), as much as it shows potential, ultimately the price will be the deciding factor for me. If they charge around $60, as they did with RMXP and RMVX. I'm not as affluent as some, so money's somewhat of a problem. $60 is a bit of a stretch but I can manage that, but anything above that, I will NOT be willing to buy it regardless. So, we'll just have to wait and see what unfolds.

Random Name Generators

noreply@blogger.com (Companion Wulf) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 09:24:53 PST

If you're sometimes plagued by "developer's block", running out of ideas or trying to think of an appropriate character name or game title, then I have the site for you. I've used it primarily for my writings, but lately more specifically for character names.

The site is called Seventh Sanctum and trust me when I say it's loaded with generators, from names (including weird names, pirate ship names, and elven names) to character classes to plot ideas. It's all there!

While browsing around, below are a few of the gems that were generated:

RPG Name Generator

Fantasy: Hell of the Ghostly World
World of Grandia
Zeus' Gear: Armored War

Pirate Ship Name Generator

Dragon's Dream
Hades' Black Jewel
The Horrible Plague of the Seven Seas

Story Generator

The story is about a poet who hates a manipulative archer. It starts in a keep in a sophisticated country. The story begins with a shopping trip and ends with a religious ceremony. An important bloodline plays a prime part.

(And already with that the ideas and possibilities for a game are starting to trickle in, not that I will but the inspiration is certainly there!)

Even if you don't need to be inspired by randomness, the site is still worth a visit for its entertainment value, as some of the randomized output is quite humorous. And there are a LOT of generators to go through to idle away a harmless half-hour, but the chances are you'll still revisit whether for entertainment or when you need inspiration.

Getting Ready For What's Coming

noreply@blogger.com (Companion Wulf) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 12:27:20 PST

Getting Ready

While I've been spending more time using Ubuntu than Windows, and only a little time with the RPG Makers, I've not been idle. I'm counting down the days now for when the parts I need for my laptop arrive, which will mean proper experimentation with other RPG Makers. The major problem with this computer is its lack of memory. It's one of those medium-range computers that's "getting on a bit"; it only has two SDRAM slots, so upgrading to at least 1Gb (its maximum) is comparatively costly. Rather than investing in more RAM, I acquired a laptop instead, which needs some attention but it's getting there.

Dungeon Craft

I've been playing around with Dungeon Craft, experimenting with it, and I think I'm getting the hang of it so I'm hoping to have some material and/or tutorials soon.

Engine 001

Another RPG Maker I've been drawn to for a while is Engine 001, but haven't been able to run it. Probably a graphics card incompatibility. I'm hoping that it should work on the laptop, so we'll have to wait and see.

The Gladiator Project/Ars Mechanicum Genesis

My main projects, The Gladiator Project and Ars Mechanicum Genesis, are being worked on intermittently and the scripts are being reconstructed.

CW's Script Compendium

I've been updating many of the scriptlets on this blog, in addition to others I've written which haven't yet seen the light of day. These are being compiled for both RMXP and RMVX, so I'm hoping to have something tangible soon.