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RPG Maker #1
Mia Chamberlain
RPG Maker is the name given to an expansive series of programs used for the
development of role-playing games (RPGs). This program was first created by a
Japanese group, ASCII. Later the program was succeeded by Enterbrain. RPG Maker
is a program used by individuals to create their own role-playing video games, and
has been in-use since December 17, 1992 when it was released. Aside from creating
role-playing games, the engine also has the capability to create other games such as
adventure or graphic novels. These games give users the opportunity to escape
from reality into the world of gaming through creating the game they envision and
putting it into play.
TO get started making and RPG game visit:
http://www.rpgmakerweb.com/support/products/tutorials
New users want to make their own RPG Game? Follow these steps:
MAKE YOUR OWN GAME - TUTORIAL SERIES
The purpose of this series of tutorials is to give the people who read them a
head start in making their own game with RPG Maker. While you can learn on your
own, and many people have, there are plenty of pitfalls that can be easily avoided
with a bit of information.
 Part 1- We take a look at Ace and the various tools at your disposal.
 Part 2- We get started with RPG Maker VX Ace and work on our first map!
 Part 3- We work on creating our first characters and giving them stats and
classes.
 Part 3.5- In this bonus tutorial we learn how to use the script editor to add
extra functionality to our game.
 Part 4- We learn about equipment and then create some and put it in
treasure chests and shops!
 Part 5- In this tutorial we look at some different map types we can create and
learn how to create these maps for our game.
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Part 6- In this tutorial we learn what encounters are and start creating and
testing our own.
Part 7- In this tutorial we build on what we learnt last time and start working
on balancing encounters.
In this tutorial, we will learn about the flow and logic of events, which control
the flow of the game. Click here to download the demo project for this
tutorial.
Forums on this site are also very helpful. They have specific ones depending
on your interest or needs. The topics are easily located and divided into
groups. Many users look to forums for regarding software and how to operate RPG.
Popular forums are monitored daily. RPGnet forums are specifically overseen by a
group of volunteer moderators who are recognized with the title “Moderator” or
“Administrator”. RPGnet runs at about $29.95 per year or a lifetime membership of
$149.95. The site currently costs $2500 to run each month, with costs going toward
network bandwidth, system administration, and programming. Forums can be
found at many sites including the following:
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http://rpglounge.forumotion.com/
http://www.therpgsite.com/forumdisplay.php?f=2
http://www.rpgcodex.net/forums/index.php
http://rpgmakertimes.blogspot.com
The RPG Maker community is large, and users are able to communicate
through their website.
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/
The joining fee for the site is $59.99. Members of the community can post questions
regarding RPG Maker, and have access to numerous tutorials on the site for free. In
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order to start a topic the member has to log-in. The website also has a blog that
members of the community have access to and can comment on. The support staff is
very helpful and makes navigating the site easy.
In RPG Maker, you control everything from creating maps/levels, character,
abilities, spells, plot, events, monsters, etc. After creating a game, you save it to a
memory card(s). and anyone who has RPG Maker can have access and play your
game. The top 5 RPG Maker games can be found on this website:
http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/02/26/the-top-five-rpg-maker-games/
The website gives descriptions of the games and what the creators used to make
their games stand out from others. The free adventure aspect of the games attracts
gamers. Some of the best adventure games can be found at this website:
http://www.bestonlinerpggames.com/category/15/Adventure-RPG/1.html
This website even offers free demos to tryout the games before you purchase the
membership. Dozens of games are available, including multi-player games.
RPG Maker VX is known for its enhanced autotile capabilities, quick event
creation, and dungeon generator. This website helps users create a game quicker
than ever before. The features of RPG Maker VX include:

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A GUI driven database, where you can create your heroes, villains, items, magic,
and more.
A powerful eventing system, allowing you to dictate the flow of your game using
a simple point and click interface.
A great default collection of graphics, sounds, and music, giving you all the
materials you need to make your game.
An easy to use mapping system, giving you the tools to build the look of your
world.
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The best way to learn about how to use RPG Maker is through videos that can
be found online. Many videos can be found on YouTube and these videos can
provide users with visual aid to learning information about the program. These
videos give step-by-step directions with visuals to match. The videos explain the
basics of the game and some may focus on one certain aspect such as how the main
interface works. Users comment on the videos and the host answers them
accordingly. First-time users find these videos helpful when getting started in the
RPG Maker program.
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http://www.youtube.com/show/rpgmakervxacetutorials
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_OAP0vKyWo&list=TLEmgwJKxlyOYW
7Tnmr0Q635BmgEFy98TQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmNH4ASQMA0
In conclusion, RPG Maker VX is easy to use and the ability to create maps faster
than ever due to the simple layer system and the revamped autotile tool. One of the
coolest advancements in RPG Maker VX is its user friendly to gamers who do not
know how to create graphics or can’t compose music. Users don’t have to be
educated in the field or have experience in order to create a working RPG game. The
supportive community helps ensure that the creation of the games is an enjoyable
experience. Once the games are completed, they may be eligible for online sharing
between the RPG communities to be shared among thousands of gamers.
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RPG Maker #2
Dan Martin
Intro
RPG Maker is a user-friendly platform that is appropriate for both the
beginning and experienced game designer. As its name denotes, RPG Maker is
primarily used for the creation of RPG, or role playing games. Role playing games
are storyline based games that usually rely heavily on dialogue to advance the plot.
Some successful RPG games include Pokémon, Final Fantasy, Skyrim and Zelda.
Although this software is ideal for a game designer looking for a program to crank
out an RPG, it isn’t cheap. The most recent version of the program, RPG Maker VX
Ace, is available for $69.99. This software is very user friendly and has an extensive
support network that can help anyone from beginning designers to professionals.
History
The original version of RPG Maker was released in 1995 and was the first
Microsoft-Windows based RPG maker software1. The program was an immediate
hit due to its high screen and tile resolution. RPG Maker 20001 is currently the most
popular version of the software even though this version has a lower resolution
than the original. The 2000 version does not limit the number of sprites that can be
rendered. The current version, RPG Maker VX Ace, was released in 2011 and is
available through the Steam platform as well as CD ROM. This version is essentially
a debugged and enhanced version of the previous releases. The platform designers
added new sound tracks, effects, tiles and re-introduced battle backgrounds in order
to keep up competition with other companies. Since 1995, RPG Maker has sold
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millions of copies1 and is currently one of the top programs on the market for
creating role playing games.
Support and Customer Service
This program has a vast support network with extensive help available. Both
program users and customer service have created various outlets to discuss
problems with the program and design strategies. There is a nine-part tutorial
series made available on the RPG Maker website as well as multiple customer
service extensions for questions2. The website also hosts forums and discussions
where designers and moderators both answer specific questions regarding the
program. In addition to all of the resources made available through the website,
there are also countless YouTube videos detailing the program’s uses. These videos
tackle designing tactics from beginner to expert. Designers should have no problem
finding an answer to any problem they encounter.
RPG Maker Games
RPG Maker is responsible for the creation of hundreds of games, some of
them are commercially available and some of them can be played for free. Big game
companies such as Degica, Big Fish Games, IGN Entertainment and GamersGate have
all sold games that were created using RPG Maker.
According to www.PcGamer.com the top five RPG Maker games are as follows3.
1. Alter A.I.L.A Genesis – This game defies the traditional route for RPG Maker
created games by incorporating combat scenarios. This side-scroll game includes
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both damage resistance and hit-point features that creates a gameplay unlike
anything else made by RPG Maker.
2. Professor McLogic Saves the Day - Although it falls into the category of an RPG,
this game is heavily puzzle based. Players must use logic and deduction to solve a
series of puzzles in the least amount of time possible. The difficulty of this game
derives from its intellectual stimulation.
3. Clock of Atonement – In this game you are a stalker who has killed the woman you
have been obsessed with. You then inherit the power of time travel to go back and
prevent yourself from committing the crime. Although it has a unique plotline the
game is only 20 minutes long.
4. One Night 3 - Creating a survivor/horror game on an RPG platform is unusual due
to how difficult it is to instill fear in the player in an RPG scenario. In this game
players can choose to either avoid or fight monsters; meanwhile, they are
unknowingly being rated for their ethical decisions, these come in to play at the end
of the game.
5. Starless Umbrella – Although still incomplete, this extensive series is a tribute to
other RPG designers. Similar to Genesis, it is a combat RPG with upgradable
features and multiple mini-games to keep players on their toes.
In essence, most of the games created using this platform are RPGs, but the
ones that stand out are more than that. Each of the top 5 games has a component
that makes it stand out from the rest. Genesis and Starless Umbrella both are JRPGs,
meaning that they incorporate combat into the game. Professor McLogic Saves the
day is unique because of it requires the player to use logic in order to solve a series
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of puzzles. The rest of the games have a distinctive premise that separates them
from the average role playing game. The diversity of games created by this platform
highlights the versatility of the software.
RPG Maker Pros
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No previous coding or programming experience needed
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An easy to use interface that doesn’t sacrifice the final product

Designers can sell their games when they are completed
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Music, tiles, graphics and characters are all included
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An extensive support network and experienced designers to offer advice
RPG Maker Cons
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Limited to two-dimensional game play
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Not available for free
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Limited user customizability
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Not Mac accessible
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Cost
How to Use RPG Maker
RPG Maker can be broken down into three simple components: A tile set
based map editor, a simple coding language for events, and a battle editor1. A tile
set based map consists of a grid that includes a certain number of squares arranged
in a rectangular pattern. These squares can be filled in with certain kinds of terrain
or structures to form a map. The player’s avatar can interact with the terrain by
moving around and colliding with certain objects. For instance when a player’s
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avatar makes contact with a door it sends a signal to the game and changes the map
to the inside of the building, this would be considered an event.
When the player’s avatar makes contact with an opponent he may have the
option to do battle. The program allows the designer to choose whether or not the
battle is voluntary or can be escaped from, as well as what text appears and what
the avatar is portrayed as. Once the battle begins, the editor also allows the
programmer to determine how monsters are portrayed, how many life points they
have, the setting in which the battle will take place and the interaction between
characters during the battle. These three individual editors work together allowing
the designer to maintain complete control over the gameplay and create a fully
functional game with little or no prior scripting knowledge necessary.
Conclusion
Although it is at the top of its class, this platform may not be for someone
who is not sure about their commitment to game design. The $70 price tag may be a
little steep for a potential designer who may use the program for just a day and then
decide that it isn’t for them. Another downfall is that people using anything other
than a Windows operating system will not be able to use the program without
downloading the Windows software onto their computer. Additionally, anyone
looking to design a three dimensional game will have to find a different program to
use.
When it comes to creating role playing games RPG Maker fits perfectly into
its niche. This program is simple enough for a beginning designer to use, but by no
means is it a tutorial that an advanced designer would need to replace. Even if a
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designer were to find themselves at an impasse they would only need to search the
web to find a plethora of assistance is available. Forums, instructional videos and
customer service are all there to support game creators throughout the process.
Unlike other platforms the quality games that this program produces can be
marketed and sold for profit. I would recommend RPG Maker for anyone who is
interested in creating role playing games and is also sure of their commitment.
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RPG Maker Report #3
Kirk Lanier
RPG Maker is a game-development software tool developed and distributed by
Enterbrain. The program was initially released in 1992 for pc, and has successive
releases developed for use on Microsoft Windows, as well as on consoles (Sega
Saturn and Sony Playstation) and Nintendo handhelds. RPG maker allows the user
to build role-playing games (RPGs) using a variety of templates for characters and
maps. The most recent RPG maker releases allow the user to build their own
templates for characters, maps, and items from scratch, using tools provided in the
program.
RPG Maker includes some features that might make it appealing to new game
designers:
PROS
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According to the official RPG Maker website
(http://www.rpgmakerweb.com), the tool is “simple enough for a child and
powerful enough for a developer”. It is entirely possible to build a full RPG
game with a nonexistent (or at least extremely basic) understanding of
computer languages or complex design concepts. For example, this link
(http://imgur.com/CVuweYC) is the location of an image of a map designed
and built solely in RPG Maker by Reddit user Demonfire94.

There are in excess of 10 RPG Maker official release titles for Windows alone,
not including console versions, (and according to forums dedicated to the
tool, numerous mods to these releases). The first RPG Maker title was
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released in 1997 (Enterbrain). This means that there is a version of RPG
Maker designed for and usable on any windows-based operating system
dating back to Windows 95. Provided the user owns a Windows-based
computer, it is highly likely that there is a version of the tool that can be run
smoothly.

Games built in RPG Maker are very visually appealing given the apparent
effort needed to utilize the tool. For example, this entire sequence of a game
was made using JUST THE SCRIPTING ENGINE
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxsXO7eI34w ).

There is a relatively small but fairly active community dedicated to helping
each other use the tool to its full potential.

The latest 3 versions of RPG Maker feature first-party in-depth tutorials to
help with the use of the tool, and numerous other guides for use are available
online.
In contrast to the above points, there are a few traits of RPG Maker that make
me wary of its use as a first-time game design tool.
Cons

The program appears to only be particularly useful when used on a
Windows-based computer. I was unable to find anything resembling a
support community for any of the console-based versions of this game,
leading me to believe that the console versions of the game aren’t
particularly good. Also, anyone using Mac OSX or a Linux-based system for
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their operating system will be unable to utilize the tool without the use of a
virtual operating system.

RPG Maker is unavailable through its developer for free, and a full version of
the product must be paid for. Enterbrain offers a fairly impressive list of free
trials and ‘lite’ versions of their software, but these programs do not allow for
the toolset to be used to its full potential.

There appears to be very little room for use of the toolset outside of its
primary designation. The vast majority of games developed on the toolset are
2-dimensional story-based RPGs that use an overhead camera to view the
created characters.
User Support
As stated above, the latest 3 versions of RPG Maker have hundreds of pages
of in-depth guides detailing the use of the product. The guides are written by
Enterbrain and feature pretty much anything a newbie developer could possibly
want. The guides are available for IG Maker, RPG Maker VX, and RPG Maker VX Ace
at http://www.rpgmakerweb.com/support/products/tutorials.
The official first-party website also features various updates and patches to the
software, as well as a quiet but maintained FAQ and Q&A page at
http://www.rpgmakerweb.com/support.
In addition to the first-party support, some guy named William TheUnproPro
has made a series of youtube videos
(http://www.youtube.com/channel/SWGHgmKM5NuWQ) detailing a ridiculous
amount of different things one can accomplish on RPG Maker. Apparently all this
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guy did from February 2013 to August 2013 is use RPG maker, because he has
uploaded over 50 videos ranging in length from 2 minutes to 17 minutes, showing
how to make everything from overhead menus to basic horror genre game building.
As one might expect, there are many more tutorials for the newest versions of the
toolset (VX Ace in particular) than there are for older versions of the toolset. In
addition to William TheUnproPro’s videos, a quick search of youtube with “RPG
Maker tutorial” in the search bar will yield well over 1,000 videos with the top
results featuring over 10,000 views and numerous ‘likes’.
RPG Maker has an active support and development forum located on the RPG
Maker official website (http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com) . The forum is fairly new
(established in 2012), and most of the discussion topics on the forum are about the
VX Ace version of RPG Maker. The forum is frequented by users and Enterbrain
employees alike and has forum sections dedicated to 4 specific versions of RPG
Maker (VX Ace, VX, XP, and IG Maker), as well as a portion of the site dedicated to ‘all
versions’ encompassing the older versions of RPG Maker.
There is also a sporadically active Reddit community dedicated to RPG
Maker, with over 700 subscribers and new content posted roughly every 5-6 hours.
The community was founded over 2 years ago according to the official Reddit page
(http://www.reddit.com/r/rpgmaker).
A community focused solely on the discussion of RPG Maker VX can be found
at http://www.rpgmakervx.net/index.php?showforum=30. The community has
been around for longer than the official RPG Maker website (founded in 2008), and
features over 600 original topic threads with millions of replies. Some of the
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discussion threads have in excess of 1000 posts. The website is very difficult to
navigate and there appear to be numerous trolls on the forums, but there is also
what appears to be a ridiculous amount of information regarding the use of RPG
Maker VX.
The main activities occurring in the RPG Maker communities are Q&A as well
as the showing off of completed works. Every Reddit post I saw on the RPG Maker
page included either a description/link to a project a user had completed, or a
question on how to use the program. Overall, it appears that the community is fairly
accepting of newcomers and community members are eager to help others build
games. It is expected, however, that before asking questions, the user has done a
little bit of independent research into the toolset (watched youtube videos, read a
bit of the tutorials, etc). Apparently in these communities there is such a thing as a
[really] stupid question.
Games Made With RPG Maker
Thousands of games have been made utilizing RPG Maker. I will focus on games
made by the most popular version of the program, RPG Maker VX Ace. Each link
leads to a Youtube video showing the basics of the featured game.
To The Moon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEtFtwXd_4U

Language Warning on this one ^. A guy plays through the game and reads the
script for the game as he plays. Playthrough takes 20 minutes, game looks
visually amazing. The plot involves an old man dying of cancer whose last
wish is to visit the moon. You play the role of a pair of scientists hoping to
grant this man his wish.
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Leo and Leah https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVk4ScITs44

Some guy with a really annoying voice plays through the first 20ish minutes
of Leo and Leah, a game based around the story of two lion/puma/lynx cubs
who have been best friends/lovers/whatever since birth, when one of them
is kidnapped a 7-hour long adventure game begins.
Touhou Project: Wandering Souls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFohaBQUs8M

This video spotlights the only game I could find (and coolest looking game I
could find), that doesn’t use an overhead camera to view the playable
characters. This is a side-scrolling fighting action game. It looks awesome. I
somewhat doubt that this can be replicated in this class, but it’s an absolutely
amazing-looking game.
Last Thoughts
In essence, RPG Maker looks like a very powerful pay-to-use RPG Game engine. The
engine has turned out some really awesome looking games, but is limited due to its
lack of Mac/Linux support. The toolset has a fairly large, friendly community to
support newbies attempting to use the software, including both comprehensive
first-party developer support as well as third-party user support. In addition to
fairly active forums, Youtube provides a large number of exceedingly useful tutorials
for people just starting to use the toolset. The game development tool looks like
there is a lot that can be done with it, but it appears that the toolset is designed with
a particular type of gameplay in mind. Game development appears to be fairly easy
if one plans on using the templates and premade map items as the backbone of the
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game. Straying away from the intended gameplay model will likely be difficult, but
not impossible, as demonstrated by Touhou Project: Wandering Souls. This toolset
puts out games that look great (see: To The Moon), with decent story-based
gameplay. If you’re a fan of games like Pokemon for handhelds, or early Legend of
Zelda games, this toolset is for you. If an individual is willing to pay the money for
the application, RPG Maker is a powerful yet simple toolset that is sure to output
top-notch projects.
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RPG Maker Report #4
Lindsey Nolen
As time continues to test the limits of the gaming industry, operating systems continue to
advance in both their design and their limits of play. Of these toolsets, the Role Playing
Game Maker (RPG Maker) has continued to implement advancements as well. It has
been able to take game ideas and transform them into into multi-million dollar making
sources of entertainment.
For over two decades, RGP Maker, created by the software developer, Enterbrain, inc.,
has used its software to initially expose young individuals to software programming. The
game-making software targets gaming amateurs and enthusiasts because it’s gamemaking instructions are relatively simple. With its inexpensive cost, at roughly $60, the
system appeals to individuals who are just starting to create their own games. These roleplaying games tend to focus around navigating a character through a series of quests
using the top-down “perspective”. On the past to completion, gamers may solve puzzles,
explore environments, and defend themselves/fight against foes. The narration of roleplaying games typically has a linear starting and completion point.
RPG maker is a relatively simple software to build a game though. It provides
graphical interface for creating game components. When RPG games are created, they
are able to then be executable files which can be installed and played on any Windows
computer. To be played on other operating systems would require games to be converted
depending on the intended system.
Interface is the main component allowing RPG Maker to allow its users to customize
their games. With interface, users can create maps, add in enemies, design objectives, and
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control player interaction. Custom images and audio tracks and segments can also be
incorporated into games through RPG Maker’s interface.
Over the years, the RPG Making software, like many other types of software, has
expanded itself. The first software to be released was RPG Tsukūru Dante which was
pretty simplistic and basic. However, the most popular type of RPG Making software
today is RPG Maker VX Ace. This is because this software improves every aspect of
RPG creation, making it the “latest and greatest” in the software series. Also still
extremely popular is RPG Maker VX. This software is often considered the easiest to use
and most versatile game engine ever created. Perfect for both beginners and experts, RPG
Maker XP uses simple designing techniques, but allows for the intricate designing of a
game. IG Maker also allows for creativity by incorporating ways to create platforms,
action RPGs, 2D Shooters, or any combination of the three. Lastly, RPG Maker VX Ace
Lite uses basically all of the same elements, allowing designers to be as creative and free
in the designing process as they would like.
In general, the ultimate goal when establishing an RPG Maker game is to be able to
play a role in a fantasy universe which is bound by a different set of rules and interaction
methods than in the “real” world. Interactions with characters within games allow
imagination to flourish and creative freedom to prevail.
When physically purchasing the RPG Maker software, instructions on its use are
included. However, for the gamers who are not satisfied with that limited amount of
information, further instruction is available. The most diverse place of information
regarding RPG Maker is undoubtedly the internet, but more specifically forums where
communication between users of RPG-Maker . Here, tutorials and instructions exist for
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individuals of all levels of experience. One of the best websites for RPG Maker tutorials
is rpgmakerweb.com. Here, on http://www.rpgmakerweb.com/support/products/tutorials,
a nine-part tutorial lesson exists starting from the very basics to the advanced flow of
events. There are also extras, teaching gamers how to create intricate details like the
creation of tiles.
Forums are another great source of information regarding how to operate the RPG
Maker software. One forum, on rpgmakerweb.com, is posted on weekly by RPG Makerusing gamers, and has been since March 23, 2012. Having a forum on the software’s
website, makes it easier for gamers to locate the forum pertaining to their needs.
Another forum, http://www.rpgmakervx.net, is so frequently used by gamers that the
web site holds contests each quarter of the year. The creators of the forum also review all
comments before they are published to ensure reader accuracy. Forums like these are
great for allowing interaction among various members of the RPG Maker community.
This forum, and others, prove that the worldwide forum community exists within the
millions. Individual forums are opening and closing each day across the world.
An example of the vast usage of forums can be derived from looking into the statistics
of a popular forum post in one given day. On Monday, January 27, 2014 administrators
of the forum site http://www.rpgmakervx.net created a post entitled, “Community
Announcements”. Within 20 hours 234 subtopics were created, and a total of 6,211
replies were written. Roughly 311 replies per hours demonstrates this particular forums
apparent popularity. Also on this website, the majority of RPG Maker posts revolve
around either Support (with scripts or through tutorials) or Project Development. Within
these subcategories gamers create posts with the name of a specific game as their title,
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then writing their post on either the support or project development of that game.
Here is a list of other tutorial/forum sites:
http://finalbossblues.com/rpg-maker-tutorials/
This tutorial site mainly focuses on learning switches and variable, how to use map
coordinates, and on falling pit with region IDs.
http://teacherreid.wordpress.com/pupil-made-tutorials/rpg-maker-vx-tutorials/
This is a wordpress.com site which helps individuals make a realistic landmass,
design a house, create basic quests, engineer events, and control databases.
http://rpgmakertimes.blogspot.com
This site, designed to resemble an “RPG Maker Newspaper” instructs individuals on
how to use Q-Engine and Q-Engine Add-Ons.
http://www.rmxp.tigerseye.uk.com
This site enables one to navigate around a variety of tutorials such as how to use
maps, the database, events, and graphic resources.
Consisting of 1,540 members, the RPG Maker VX Ace Community is a public
community which focuses around the RPG software. The website has a set of rules,
announcements, and offers feedback and support options. They also offer different
subcategories such as “The Developer’s Corner” and “Resource Headquarters”. This
provides the RPG Maker community numerous different topics to explore. The forum has
received so much attention that it was able to establish a “Premium” alternative. This
alternative is for those who seek a more private, information seeking forum for
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experienced game designers. This particular premium member forum has 147,232 total
posts from 27,742 members.
Yet another effective way to learn more about the RPG Maker is the use of videos.
YouTube videos can be extremely informative and also provide a visual aid to those
interested. The RPG Maker community which exists on YouTube is not as great as the
forum community, but they definitely do exist in large numbers.
Here is a list of informative YouTube RPG Maker videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw_34U6Myos
This video explains and promotes RPG Maker VX, and discusses why gamers should
purchase the software.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmNH4ASQMA0
This video goes over the basics of RPG Maker including how to create an encrypic
archive, how to draw on the map, and make events.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmiGo7w7cKM
This is another video explaining how to use RPG Maker. It demonstrates a number of
components, including how to design a character and how work with a map.
While many users of forums and other forms of the RPG Maker community are
extremely familiar with the software and its’ tactics, the community itself is open to those
who have recently decided to experiment with the software. Forums like “Beginner’s
Guide to RPG Maker VX Ace” provide a separate forum where individuals can go to
learn basics, rather than in-depth concepts or limits. Overall, when unexperienced users
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of the RPG maker are in need of assistance they can generally Google “Beginner RPG
Maker Forums” and end up with a plethora of helpful results. The community which uses
the beginner forums is much smaller than the community for familiar game-makers.
The second-most successful video game based franchise, Pokémon, was
originally created in 1996 as a pair of interlinking Game Boy role-playing video games
developed by Game Freak. Satoshi Tajiri, Pokémon’s creator and the founder of Game
Freak, originally designed the early Pokémon games in a way which resembles a type of
game RPG-Maker could potentially make. These “retro” games include Pokémon Red
and Blue. RPG Maker was designed so that fans of games, like Pokémon, can design
their own games similar to that which they play. Thus, users of RPG Maker discuss on
forums how best to go about designing their own “imitation games”.
Here are a list of links to access online Pokémon gaming:
http://www.delugerpg.com
http://pokemonplasma.com
http://pkmnhelios.net
An example of a forum post on an RPG Maker community site on how to build your own
“Pokebeach”:
http://www.pokebeach.com/forums/thread-make-your-own-pokemon-game-usingrpg-maker-just-for-fun
An example of an original RPG Maker game is Yume Nikki, produced in 2004. This is
a free exploration game about adventure and dreams. Although it is still technically
unfinished because developer, Kikiyama, has said it plans to add more to the game, it
currently has multiple versions produced (up to version .10). In 2008, this game gained
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popularity when it was picked up by a Japanese gaming board.
Within the game’s plot, one plays an avatar named Madotsuki. The point of the game is
to make one’s avatar travel deeper and deeper inside of her dream while collecting 24
“effects” while transform the character along the way.
The community around this game exists largely on the wiki page,
http://yumenikki.wikia.com/wiki/Yume_Nikki_Wiki. The community has a forum which
has the sole goal of helping individuals learn more about how to use the game and the
software. This forum is called “Help desk”. Also on the website exists the subcategories
“Yume Nikki”, “Effects”, “Events”, “Characters, “Locations”, “Soundtrack”, “Theories”,
and “Fan Art”. Gamers navigate to the page of the subcategory of interest them and
explore. For example, when interested in the list of characters, one can click the “List of
Characters” subcategory and find descriptions and visual representations of the characters
(http://yumenikki.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_Characters).
Limitations exist in this game because of its dynamic differences from reality. Players are
unable to recognize objects both inside and outdoors, leading them to question where
they are. Gamers also question what to do within the confinements of the screen. One
must fiddle with the objects in order to discover each “dreams” objective. One can also
alter how the avatar appears. By adding certain cheats gamers can overcome limitations
and implement additives such as a mustache.
Here is a wesbite on how to play Yume Nikki and also showing example videos of the
game being played:
http://lparchive.org/Yume-Nikki/
Here is the link to play Yume Nikki online for free:
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http://gamejolt.com/games/adventure/yume-nikki-3d/18055/
Another RPG Maker game named “Forget me not” was initially released in the mid90’s, and was rereleased in 2001 for the PlayStation 1. This game is extremely text
excessive. It’s avatar is named “B.D.” and gamers navigate her through her memory in
attempt to reverse her amnesiac state. One limit that exists within the game is color.
Players must view this game in black and white, seeing red minimally when blood is
depicted. Another limit occurs when the avatar is injured when transferring maps. If done
incorrectly, the game will send the avatar back to the original map of her psychiatrist’s
office. The play must then start over.
The original game can be downloaded and played at:
http://www.enterbrain.co.jp/gamecon/no4/01.html
Here is the English translation of the game:
http://www.vgperson.com/games/palette.htm
Because this game was not produced in English translation until recently, there is not
much else known about the game. Little information exists online about the game in
retrospect to some of the more popular RPG Maker games.
Although not very popular, here is one example of a “Forget me not” forum:
http://uboachan.net/og/res/1079.html
In conclusion, RPG Maker is has been widely used within the gaming community for a
number of reasons. It is inexpensive and adequately suits the needs of amateurs and
designers looking for a simplistic software. With the software’s assistance individuals do
not need to be a programmer, artist, or musician to design a fully functioning game.
Although simplistic, RPG Maker still allows for the implementation of graphics, sounds,
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music, and other materials to be added to an individuals personalized game. Maps can
also be created, and at relatively quickly, due to a simple layer system and revamped auto
tool in the RPG Maker VX. Once a game’s creation has been completed, the game may
then be eligible for sharing via online sources.
Through this game-making system, a
narrative story line is normally developed placing the gamer in the first-person point-ofview of an avatar. Every day, thousands of members of the RPG Maker Community write
and edit posts on forums of the community. These posts assist in project development and
overall game play by allowing gamers to learn cheats and improve their strategies. Also,
the game is restricted to a particular platform. RGP Maker was/is able to be used on PC8801, MSX2, Super Famicom, Microsoft Windows, Sega Saturn, PlayStation, Game Boy
Color, Play Station 2, Game Boy Advance, and Nintendo DS. It is also available in
Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and English. Due to its versatility and continuos
advancement, RPG Maker has the ability to remain a great contender in the gaming
software field.
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Citations
"[-Beginner/General-] Beginner's Guide to RPG Maker VX Ace." Last 10 Submissions
RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2014.
"History of Pokémon." - Bulbapedia, the Community-driven Pokémon Encyclopedia.
N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2014.
"Kingdom Hearts." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Jan. 2014. Web. 27 Jan. 2014.
“NeoGAF." NeoGAF. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2014.
"Pokémon." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 17 Jan. 2014. Web. 23 Jan. 2014.
"Rise of role-playing games." Computimes (Malaysia). (January 28, 2002 , Monday ):
848 words. LexisNexis Academic. Web. Date Accessed: 2014/01/26.
"RMVX Ace Tutorials." Last 10 Submissions RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2014.
"RPG Maker VX Community - RPG Maker VX Tutorials." RPG Maker VX Community RPG Maker VX Tutorials. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2014.
"RPG Maker VX." RPG Maker Web. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2014.
"Top 100 RPGs of All Time - IGN." IGN. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2014.
Trevor Owens, (2011) "Social videogame creation: lessons from RPG Maker", On the
Horizon,
Vol. 19 Iss: 1, pp.52 - 61 - See more at:
"http://www.emeraldinsight.com.prox.lib.ncsu.edu"
http://www.emeraldinsight.com.prox.lib.ncsu.edu
journals.htm?articleid=1906440&show=abstract#sthash.UGsjISMC.dpuf
"Tutorials." Make Your Own Game with RPG Maker. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2014.
"Yume Nikki." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Jan. 2014. Web. 29 Jan. 2014.
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