Can you download "systems" at will? Aka, if someone out there designed a secret of mana/Link to the past style gameplay system for the program, could one download it and use it easily?
I have an idea for an RPG but I'd like it to be real time like LTTP or SOM/Sieken Densetsu 3.
Not really. Some are more "user friendly" like Yanfly but even with Yanfly you have to play with the code. Like in it, there is a thing where Characters can say something random at the end of battles. These sayings are events. Copying the script straight over will cause the game to crash at the end of battles since the events for random saying isn't in your game until you create them or turn that feature off.
Just look around online and see if you can find what you are looking for and see if you can work with it. However, for your first game, I'd say do a small game (2 or 3 quests) and get a feel for the system barebacked and then once you add script, get used to work with it, then create your dream game. And use the sample game you made to test new things out before added them to your real game.
I've always found the hardest part is fiddling with monsters and character stats. It gets to the point where I'd rather leave them out, because balancing the fights is so much work, and so much more boring than everything else.
I've always found the hardest part is fiddling with monsters and character stats. It gets to the point where I'd rather leave them out, because balancing the fights is so much work, and so much more boring than everything else.
Yep!
Everyone's got a story to tell, the game's secondary. It's a lot of work to make an RPG well-balanced all the way through.
Plus you don't want to use the lame included slimes, but you also don't want to rip them from another source, and you're not that good of an artist anyway...
You could always create a game in which your character of party don't level up and the fights are few. That way as soon as you get the challenge for the first fight right (downtuned), you've pretty much got the rest as well (building from that fight and creating abilities that would make subsequent fights harder without relying on "give it more HP"). Its hard to properly describe what I'm thinking without as example, but hopefully you get the idea.
It's just that all the extra work that goes into making interesting battles is stupid for one person to do alone. Anyone can string together a bunch of dungeons.
There's no mystery behind the fact that 99% of all the projects started never finish, and the ones that have the most complex combat end up even shorter than the rest.
Thats kind of why I want to make a real time game.
I figure game balance would be much easier with "hearts" than "HP"
The trick would be in designing the enemy AI, though, I suppose to get a good balance between challenging and "not annoying".
Cool thing with RPGVX (which is now what I'm going to call it because typing RPG Maker VX is getting old with my googling of it) you can easily get the balance right. I worked on my testing game for a day and a half and got the monster to where they where hard but not "OMG, is this an random encounter? I THOUGHT THIS WAS A BOSS BATTLE".
Well, to a normal player. My friend Peejay was spreading his attacks on three enemies while he was one dude and got killed. I when back and played the same enemies again and creamed them. He won't talk to me now.
There's that, and I would never want to make a game with the stock battle systems and I've been far too lazy to learn a new one. But maybe with the new scripts it'd be easier.
It's just that all the extra work that goes into making interesting battles is stupid for one person to do alone. Anyone can string together a bunch of dungeons.
There's no mystery behind the fact that 99% of all the projects started never finish, and the ones that have the most complex combat end up even shorter than the rest.
Work with a friend. I'm planning on getting a friend from work and this guy he knows who is a great digital artist (he does some cool animations) and create a game. Might not work or I might just do my own project as he's wanting to dive into the deep end without knowing how to swim. He's already wanted to do something that's a mix between Chrono Trigger and FFT. I keep telling him it's called a RTS and not something we can really do.
There's that, and I would never want to make a game with the stock battle systems and I've been far too lazy to learn a new one. But maybe with the new scripts it'd be easier.
Yanfly. This script is amazing. With just a little programming (and he tells you want to do), you can have randomly generated random encounters, and have it where enemies level up with you so once you have the lower levels done, it will raise them stat wise and BAM! No "create a thousand stock battles!" Now special moves (skills, magic attacks, ect.) you will have to add but that's easy to balance out.
Is this just for fans of Dragon Quest and other super basic RPGs?
Nope. This is for anyone who has a story to tell. And loves RPG games.
ALTERNATE ANSWER: Yes, unless you're willing to put the work in to play with the game's code and make it not super basic. Fortunately, a lot of people have done much of the work already and are willing to share.
Is this just for fans of Dragon Quest and other super basic RPGs?
No, you can actually basically create anything with it. It just needs a LOT more work. For example there is even a megaman clone done for a previous version. How complex you make it is up to you.
Has anyone actually tried this on Vista/Win 7 64-bit yet? I'd love to get this, but I don't use a 32-bit OS anymore.
I'm using VX on Windows 7 and I'm having no problems. RPG Maker name their system based on which OS it will work the most for. The VX stands for Vista/XP (since this came out before Windows 7).
samurai6966 on
0
The AnonymousUh, uh, uhhhhhh...Uh, uh.Registered Userregular
edited August 2010
So what would the next version's title look like? RPG Maker V7? RPG Maker OL7? RPG Maker P7OL?
Ok, I'll tell y'all the truth. You aren't going to make your dream game in 2 weeks. Not even in 2 months. This system is very user friendly and does most of what you want but it is limited by what it can do. Scripts helps to give RPGVX flexibility but they require (to the most part) some work to get running at their full potential.
TIPS:
1) Learn to crawl before you run. The system itself has enough bells and whistles to create a easy, simple Dragon Quest style RPG. And of course the story line is up to you. Learn the basics of the system without all the crazy scripts. The Beginners Guide in the OP and merte123's videos that I linked at the top of page 2 show you how to use the system without fancy scripts and still create an awesome game.
2) Don't get overwhelmed. If you believe you will create FFVII in 2 weeks, you are looking at a 2 year project. Just start learning the basics and then once you start your dream game, set "checkpoint" goals. "Complete Over World Map in 2 weeks", "Create Maxi's death scene", ect. Just don't worry if you go over your goals. This is for hobby games. You don't have a deadline.
3) Get to know your scripts better outside your game. No, I don't mean take it out for coffee and then hit the club, get it drunk and make your moves on it. Create a "TEST" game and try out the script there and see if you like or dislike them there. Also you can check if they will work together from here. (Not all scripts are compatible.)
4) Have fun with it. This isn't your job. This is for having fun. Always keep that in mind.
samurai6966 on
0
IceBurnerIt's cold and there are penguins.Registered Userregular
Is this just for fans of Dragon Quest and other super basic RPGs?
No, you can actually basically create anything with it. It just needs a LOT more work. For example there is even a megaman clone done for a previous version. How complex you make it is up to you.
There are certain limitations. You could theoretically write a fully-functioning port of the Quake engine into your game, but what good would it be with the editing tools you have to work with?
That's pretty much the crux of RPG Maker's current limitations. You can re-code the game engine, but you can't really change the tools you have for editing the game data.
To really evolve and shed its limits, some new version will need an "advanced mode" plugin/module where you can design your own pieces of the game DB, and possibly assign generic editing interfaces to them.
Heh. I once tooled around with a version of RPG Maker ages ago. Didn't get much further than throwing together a prologue and the first dungeon, though.
I also remember being impressed by an unfinished sci-fi game someone else made. 'The Thin Line', I think it was called. Something like that anyway.
It opens up with a number of agents trying and failing to stop some dude from cutting loose a space colony and killing everyone on it. Then the actual game turns out to be you playing as that dude in an extended flashback, showing just why he decided to cut loose that space colony and kill everyone. Unfortunately, the game never got that far what with it being unfinished and all.
The game is called "A Blurred Line" and is fucking awesome. If you guys are interested I can dig up a bunch of other awesome RPG Maker games from back in the day. I was once really, really into the community and know all about the RPG Makers and the best games made with them.
Is this just for fans of Dragon Quest and other super basic RPGs?
No, you can actually basically create anything with it. It just needs a LOT more work. For example there is even a megaman clone done for a previous version. How complex you make it is up to you.
There are certain limitations. You could theoretically write a fully-functioning port of the Quake engine into your game, but what good would it be with the editing tools you have to work with?
That's pretty much the crux of RPG Maker's current limitations. You can re-code the game engine, but you can't really change the tools you have for editing the game data.
To really evolve and shed its limits, some new version will need an "advanced mode" plugin/module where you can design your own pieces of the game DB, and possibly assign generic editing interfaces to them.
Well, most of the impressive things were written by just using the tools the rpg maker gives you. Except maybe from some little tweaks to it like for example to use a mouse or limits on scripts and so on. But many of the limits seem to be removed in VX anyway.
Which, given my day job, is both a conflict of interest and kind of goofy.
EDIT: Bah, no Fire-Emblem-style grid-based tactical combat. And still I search...
Battle Moon Wars has an all-but open source engine for an SRW system. Not quite the same as FE, but you could probably jury rig something with a little effort. It's an actual tactical SRPG engine at any rate.
Aroduc on
0
SirUltimosDon't talk, Rusty. Just paint.Registered Userregular
edited August 2010
Last I heard Lysander86 (the man behind A Blurred Line) was working on porting the game to RMXP/VX. That was quite a while ago though, so I'm not sure what the progress is though. Don't expect it to ever get finished though. I still have some contacts in the RM community, so maybe I'll see if I can track him down and ask what's going on with it.
Did anyone else play the Lun Calsari games? His RPG 95 stuff was amazing. I loved Crestfallen: Act II, the whole game takes place in a castle. You mostly go around talking to people and solving puzzles and piecing together the mystery of Southwall. It's very open ended and has multiple endings. It's full of brilliant puzzles and amazingly clever uses of the RPG95 mechanics. I don't know how well it will run on modern computers, but it runs fine in fullscreen on Windows XP.
He made some RPG2K stuff, but I didn't like that as much, probably because he used the basic combat system.
Crap, now I'm going to have to play through act 2 again.
agoaj on
0
SirUltimosDon't talk, Rusty. Just paint.Registered Userregular
edited August 2010
I've heard great things about The Way, but have never played it myself.
They're worth playing, but as with every game that's developed a cult following, the actual game is less perfect than many people report.
The first episode is terrible, there are bits in the middle that are much more melodramatic than they needed to be, and as with all media based a core of mysteries, the ending is a bit of a shaggy dog story. The battle system is a modified version of the default, but it's got some interesting changes and in the later episodes it's even pretty fun.
It's also one of the most linear RPGs you're likely to play, at least until the last episode. But it's hard to fault it for that, given that it's episodic and all.
It is an RPG Maker game. We can't make FF13 with it.
One game I do like even though I'm not sure if it's an RPG Maker game is Ahriman's Prophecy. It's about a girl who has to stop a evil lord from becoming a demon and what not. It was cool as it had this weird RT battle system to it where you walk up to enemies and each time you attacked enemies on the board, your character would switch with other characters in your party. One guy was a frog that could shapeshift into a wolf, bird, and dragon. The game was ugly but really fun.
It is an RPG Maker game. We can't make FF13 with it.
You could make FF6, CT or Wild ARMs with it. Note that this does not mean using graphics ripped from them.
The worst thing is inconsistency. I'll play a game with weird graphics as long as they're all weird. Don't use a few RPG Maker defaults, a few ripped from other games you like, and a few drawn by an amateur. That's basically what tears it for me.
It is an RPG Maker game. We can't make FF13 with it.
You could make FF6, CT or Wild ARMs with it. Note that this does not mean using graphics ripped from them.
The worst thing is inconsistency. I'll play a game with weird graphics as long as they're all weird. Don't use a few RPG Maker defaults, a few ripped from other games you like, and a few drawn by an amateur. That's basically what tears it for me.
A really good example of a beautiful rpg-maker game is sunset over imdahl. From a graphical standpoint custom graphics are mostly better than the defaults. Of course you have to do it right.
EDIT: Bah, no Fire-Emblem-style grid-based tactical combat. And still I search...
The dudes at Tactics Heroes are working on a make-your-own-Fire-Emblem program.
However, it's going very, very slowly and while the project still seems to be active, I doubt you'll see a functioning release any time soon.
That's what I opened this thread to look for. Shame it doesn't seem to be built for it.
I started trying to make a Fire Emblem clone with GameMaker, and it seemed to be working pretty well, but a lack of programming knowledge made me give up. I'll get back to it when I've got some more programming experience.
I was looking around and I found a script for Final Fantasy Tactics style battle system called Gubid Tactical Battle System (You may need to log into their forums to see link). The disables the default battle system and lets you use maps to battle on. Requiem ABS 9 Script lets you do Legend of Zelda/Secret of Mana fights. Both require you to follow directions closely and are timely to set up but once you have figured everything out and you are up and running, they become easier to use. I'll add these links to the OP.
Posts
Not really. Some are more "user friendly" like Yanfly but even with Yanfly you have to play with the code. Like in it, there is a thing where Characters can say something random at the end of battles. These sayings are events. Copying the script straight over will cause the game to crash at the end of battles since the events for random saying isn't in your game until you create them or turn that feature off.
Just look around online and see if you can find what you are looking for and see if you can work with it. However, for your first game, I'd say do a small game (2 or 3 quests) and get a feel for the system barebacked and then once you add script, get used to work with it, then create your dream game. And use the sample game you made to test new things out before added them to your real game.
Anyone want to beta read a paranormal mystery novella? Here's your chance.
stream
Yep!
Everyone's got a story to tell, the game's secondary. It's a lot of work to make an RPG well-balanced all the way through.
Plus you don't want to use the lame included slimes, but you also don't want to rip them from another source, and you're not that good of an artist anyway...
I figure game balance would be much easier with "hearts" than "HP"
The trick would be in designing the enemy AI, though, I suppose to get a good balance between challenging and "not annoying".
There's no mystery behind the fact that 99% of all the projects started never finish, and the ones that have the most complex combat end up even shorter than the rest.
Anyone want to beta read a paranormal mystery novella? Here's your chance.
stream
Cool thing with RPGVX (which is now what I'm going to call it because typing RPG Maker VX is getting old with my googling of it) you can easily get the balance right. I worked on my testing game for a day and a half and got the monster to where they where hard but not "OMG, is this an random encounter? I THOUGHT THIS WAS A BOSS BATTLE".
Well, to a normal player. My friend Peejay was spreading his attacks on three enemies while he was one dude and got killed. I when back and played the same enemies again and creamed them. He won't talk to me now.
Anyone want to beta read a paranormal mystery novella? Here's your chance.
stream
Work with a friend. I'm planning on getting a friend from work and this guy he knows who is a great digital artist (he does some cool animations) and create a game. Might not work or I might just do my own project as he's wanting to dive into the deep end without knowing how to swim. He's already wanted to do something that's a mix between Chrono Trigger and FFT. I keep telling him it's called a RTS and not something we can really do.
Anyone want to beta read a paranormal mystery novella? Here's your chance.
stream
Yanfly. This script is amazing. With just a little programming (and he tells you want to do), you can have randomly generated random encounters, and have it where enemies level up with you so once you have the lower levels done, it will raise them stat wise and BAM! No "create a thousand stock battles!" Now special moves (skills, magic attacks, ect.) you will have to add but that's easy to balance out.
I'm kinda sorry to hear that. Working with others might "encourage" you to finish your game.
But I will check out the new scripts.
Anyone want to beta read a paranormal mystery novella? Here's your chance.
stream
Is this just for fans of Dragon Quest and other super basic RPGs?
Nope. This is for anyone who has a story to tell. And loves RPG games.
ALTERNATE ANSWER: Yes, unless you're willing to put the work in to play with the game's code and make it not super basic. Fortunately, a lot of people have done much of the work already and are willing to share.
No, you can actually basically create anything with it. It just needs a LOT more work. For example there is even a megaman clone done for a previous version. How complex you make it is up to you.
I'm using VX on Windows 7 and I'm having no problems. RPG Maker name their system based on which OS it will work the most for. The VX stands for Vista/XP (since this came out before Windows 7).
TIPS:
1) Learn to crawl before you run. The system itself has enough bells and whistles to create a easy, simple Dragon Quest style RPG. And of course the story line is up to you. Learn the basics of the system without all the crazy scripts. The Beginners Guide in the OP and merte123's videos that I linked at the top of page 2 show you how to use the system without fancy scripts and still create an awesome game.
2) Don't get overwhelmed. If you believe you will create FFVII in 2 weeks, you are looking at a 2 year project. Just start learning the basics and then once you start your dream game, set "checkpoint" goals. "Complete Over World Map in 2 weeks", "Create Maxi's death scene", ect. Just don't worry if you go over your goals. This is for hobby games. You don't have a deadline.
3) Get to know your scripts better outside your game. No, I don't mean take it out for coffee and then hit the club, get it drunk and make your moves on it. Create a "TEST" game and try out the script there and see if you like or dislike them there. Also you can check if they will work together from here. (Not all scripts are compatible.)
4) Have fun with it. This isn't your job. This is for having fun. Always keep that in mind.
That's pretty much the crux of RPG Maker's current limitations. You can re-code the game engine, but you can't really change the tools you have for editing the game data.
To really evolve and shed its limits, some new version will need an "advanced mode" plugin/module where you can design your own pieces of the game DB, and possibly assign generic editing interfaces to them.
PSN: theIceBurner, IceBurnerEU, IceBurner-JP | X-Link Kai: TheIceBurner
Dragon's Dogma: 192 Warrior Linty | 80 Strider Alicia | 32 Mage Terra
The game is called "A Blurred Line" and is fucking awesome. If you guys are interested I can dig up a bunch of other awesome RPG Maker games from back in the day. I was once really, really into the community and know all about the RPG Makers and the best games made with them.
Which, given my day job, is both a conflict of interest and kind of goofy.
EDIT: Bah, no Fire-Emblem-style grid-based tactical combat. And still I search...
PSN: theIceBurner, IceBurnerEU, IceBurner-JP | X-Link Kai: TheIceBurner
Dragon's Dogma: 192 Warrior Linty | 80 Strider Alicia | 32 Mage Terra
The dudes at Tactics Heroes are working on a make-your-own-Fire-Emblem program.
However, it's going very, very slowly and while the project still seems to be active, I doubt you'll see a functioning release any time soon.
In fact, the list of finished games that are actually worth playing is extremely short. Probably less than half a dozen if you want to be charitable.
Anyone want to beta read a paranormal mystery novella? Here's your chance.
stream
Well, most of the impressive things were written by just using the tools the rpg maker gives you. Except maybe from some little tweaks to it like for example to use a mouse or limits on scripts and so on. But many of the limits seem to be removed in VX anyway.
I was talking about this game by the way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIbTVJQv1DQ
Battle Moon Wars has an all-but open source engine for an SRW system. Not quite the same as FE, but you could probably jury rig something with a little effort. It's an actual tactical SRPG engine at any rate.
He made some RPG2K stuff, but I didn't like that as much, probably because he used the basic combat system.
Crap, now I'm going to have to play through act 2 again.
The first episode is terrible, there are bits in the middle that are much more melodramatic than they needed to be, and as with all media based a core of mysteries, the ending is a bit of a shaggy dog story. The battle system is a modified version of the default, but it's got some interesting changes and in the later episodes it's even pretty fun.
It's also one of the most linear RPGs you're likely to play, at least until the last episode. But it's hard to fault it for that, given that it's episodic and all.
Anyone want to beta read a paranormal mystery novella? Here's your chance.
stream
One game I do like even though I'm not sure if it's an RPG Maker game is Ahriman's Prophecy. It's about a girl who has to stop a evil lord from becoming a demon and what not. It was cool as it had this weird RT battle system to it where you walk up to enemies and each time you attacked enemies on the board, your character would switch with other characters in your party. One guy was a frog that could shapeshift into a wolf, bird, and dragon. The game was ugly but really fun.
You could make FF6, CT or Wild ARMs with it. Note that this does not mean using graphics ripped from them.
The worst thing is inconsistency. I'll play a game with weird graphics as long as they're all weird. Don't use a few RPG Maker defaults, a few ripped from other games you like, and a few drawn by an amateur. That's basically what tears it for me.
A really good example of a beautiful rpg-maker game is sunset over imdahl. From a graphical standpoint custom graphics are mostly better than the defaults. Of course you have to do it right.
That's what I opened this thread to look for. Shame it doesn't seem to be built for it.
I started trying to make a Fire Emblem clone with GameMaker, and it seemed to be working pretty well, but a lack of programming knowledge made me give up. I'll get back to it when I've got some more programming experience.