RPG Maker VX Ace - Third Gap "Item Selection Processing"
November 24th, 2011
Today's gap is on an event command in "RPG Maker VX Ace".
<Today's Gap> Item Choice Selection
You might not realize much from just a command name, so let's show you a screenshot to help introduce the material.
Did this give you any hints?
When you got to examine suspicious places, the item window can be opened automatically by using an event command called "Item Selection Prcessing".
It's main use will probably be for things like puzzle solving. When using this command, you can set a variable with a chosen item's ID number, but there are many applications for it. There's nobody out there who won't be using this!
*** Usage Example ***
While the command can automatically highlight an appointed item, you may ultimately leave it up to the player to choose the item.
Let's see how this might work for an escape system in an adventure RPG.
Our hero here is confined in a mysterious mansion and must use everyday objects found around the area to escape. An advanced puzzle solving element could be included to limit the player's progress forward until they use the right item.
This is just one example to give you a feeling of how to work with the data, and I'm sure many ideas will come easily. As for that, "RPG Maker VX Ace" will be released on December 15, 2011!
Shigetoshi posted a new article on the Tkool blog.
RPG Maker VX Ace - Second Gap
Today I'll help to fill the gap of information on "RPG Maker VX Ace".
<Today's Gap> Party
Just as we did the last time, let's not go in blind. First, view these pictures from Tkool web.
In RPG terminology, the "party" is shown as the hero and their friends. In "RPG Maker VX Ace", members can line up and walk on after another. Of course, you may set it so that only the front character is displayed like in the right image. You may change this from within the database and by using event commands.
Also, up until now, we've only been able to have a maximum party of 4. Now, that restriction has been lifted, and you have a nearly limitless size. However, only the first 4 members will be displayed for map movement and only those 4 will be able to participate in battle.
In the menu screen, member 5 and those after will be displayed with a translucent image. Ralph is the 5th member, and Indestructible King as the sixth. By the way, the Indestructible King is Ralph's thought to be deceased father.
*** Usage Example ***
It seems interesting that we can now set a large number of people in the party.
Why don't we have 10 people as special forces, each with their unique ability, so that each may be used accordingly in certain situations?
If a rule is set to be unable to revive members who fall in combat, what do you do? Who do you keep alive? Who do you sacrifice? A story with such decision making might be considered. Although it is easy to get carried away and make a party of 50 or even 100 people, 10 is probably more manageable, because things can easily get out of control (personal experience).
This is just one example to give you a feeling of how to work with the data, and I'm sure many ideas will come easily. As for that, "RPG Maker VX Ace" will be released on December 15, 2011!
There's a new post on the Tkool Blog hosted at famitsu.com! This article is from Shigetoshi, and I've translated the article below.
RPG Maker VX Ace!
Yo! My Maker Maniac levels are up 120%. Though, I can probably make it to 180% before I nerdgasm. After four years, a new work for Windows called "RPG Maker VX Ace" is finally here (I can't wait).
The package illustration was drawn by 碧風羽 this time. On the eve of a decisive battle with the demon king! The image we had in mind was drawn in vivid detail.
In this Tkool blog, I would like to introduce some material to help fill the gap on information found on Tkool web.
<Today's Gap> The "Damage Formula Calculation" is cool!
First post! Before we start... let's not go in blind! First, please see this image.
This image, which also appears on Tkool web, is for editing the damage calculation formula for the [Attack] command used in battle. Although I think that anyone with decent intuition can make sense of this, the above is the same formula in VX. 'Attack of A' x 4 - 'Defense of B' x 2. Incidentally, it is shown side by side how A will strike B.
Then, next is this picture. It is the damage calculation formula for a sword based ability called "Radiant Blade" which is found in the sample data.
To translate into the terminology used in game, it means 'Attack of A' x 5 + 'Magic Attack of A' x5 - 'Defense of B' - 'Magic Defense of B'. This is a technique which unites a physical attack with magical damage, and so it factors in both the physical and magic defense of the opponent.
In Ace, you're able to include other parameters such as luck, level, HP, and MP as well as the previously mentioned attack and defense parameters. Of course, you can also refer to a variable.
*** Usage Example ***
After all, there is no use for an ability which doesn't use a variable!
For example, let's use "Karma (Behavior)" with karma for values (variable) which may be increased when doing good things, and decreased when doing bad ones. Then, in the damage calculation formula we could implement the variable to weigh how effective a recovery type skill is. You could increase the power for skills of evil people! This might be how one system could work.
This is just one example to give you a feeling of how to work with the data, and I'm sure many ideas will come easily. As for that, "RPG Maker VX Ace" will be released on December 15, 2011!
Hello everyone! The forums are now open! Feel free to start posting your thoughts on RMVX Ace, or any projects you have planned. Also feel free to upload any resources you're working on. You can get to the forums by going to RPGMakerVXAce.net. You can sign in here or at the forums, and you will be signed in at both places. RPGMakerVXAce.com and .net also share the same member system, so you don't need to sign up twice.
RPGMakerWeb has released a promotional video with an English dub. I can't really say too much. The quality is... well... you'll see. The video can be found here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JtfeC6vj34. Also, the eb! store page has been updated. A translation of the new information follows.
[Special EBTen Bonus]
'Collection of RPG Maker SUPER DANTE and RPG Maker 2 Music (Digitally Remastered Versions)'
A full collection of digitally remastered music from Super Nintendo titles "RPG Maker SUPER DANTE (released in 1995)" and "RPG Maker 2 (released in 1996)"! A compilation CD-ROM containing audio in ogg format can be used with RPG Maker VX Ace. Of course, you are free to distribute this data for any projects made.
*This bonus is not an audio CD and cannot be played using a normal CD player.
*This data collection may be slightly different than that of sound generated on playback from the actual Super Nintendo title, as it has been reproduced in audio software to allow for conversion. Please acknowledge this.
*Works using this data may be distributed freely.
Important notice to all users: The "name" field is used for your display name, not your real name. Please do not enter your real name here unless you want people to know it, because it will be publically visible on the forums. Once the forums are open, you can send me a Personal Message on them requesting a display name change.
Also, your display name and username can be the same.
- Loki
Enterbrain has posted a product page online for RPG Maker VX Ace. It can be found over at Tkool Web. I've also taken the liberty of translating this page. You can find it locally at the Enterbrain Site Translation.
Some key points...
- The ability to use a different tile set for every map.
- "Various improvements to 'Ruby' have now led 'RGSS' (Ruby Game Scripting System) to reach version 3. 'RGSS3' holds new improvments such as quicker processing speed." -> Further hinting at RGSS3 carrying Ruby 1.9.
- Built in "caterpillar" like functionality, and the ability to have a maximum party size of 8 (though it seems 4 are counted as "reserves").
- Battle background are... back! It also appears that you can combine different parts from them to make new ones.
- Character Generator. Think of this like the old Charas.EX project, or the web based one from Enterbrain but better. It will give you options to create original faces / walking graphics for your characters.
- Ogg Theora video is now supported and can be displayed through an event call.
- TP / Finisher System. Similar to a limit break bar from FFVII.
An update! Package illustration, and plans for the future.
K2_WRITTEN_BY EsreverGreetings! It’s been a while since we had much of an update here. I assure you that we’ve been working hard behind the scenes. I’ve personally spent a great deal of time gathering information from around the web and preparing for future translation. Loki has been keeping contact open with Degica, the English publisher of recent Enterbrain products, in order to try and obtain information from them.
First up, we have some new package illustration floating around. Enterbrain has an updated image on their store page, amazon.co.jp, and the Kadokawa Games website. I’ve taken the liberty to do a bit of quick editing with English text. I also did a rough translation of the graphic generator that was announced a while back. Both will be posted at the bottom of this news post. I hope that this means we’re in for a product page opening up shortly. Loki has heard from Degica at RPG Maker Web that we should expect some more news in a week or two. Maybe they are referring to this? Time will tell.
Next in line, I have found some information hinting at RGSS3 carrying Ruby 1.9. I cannot confirm this, and it is mere speculation, so please take this with a grain of salt. I’ve found numerous cases of Yoji Ojima (programmer behind the maker series) working with Ruby 1.9. This of course doesn’t mean too much. They are after all engaged with development and have a past with Ruby, so it only stands to reason that working with later revisions of Ruby isn’t too out of the ordinary. To clarify, I haven’t found anything specifically tying RGSS to any of this. I remain hopeful though!
Finally, some information as to my plans concerning the translation of the actual software. Again, with only speculation at my side, I presume that a trial version of RPG Maker VX Ace will be released one to two weeks prior to the official launch. This would mean a trial version would be released around late November to early December. If Enterbrain follows through with how they’ve handled the maker releases in the past, the trial will be limited. Not with time as in the 30 day trials for the English releases mind you. The Japanese trials have contained limitations such as the lack of an ability to save your project and a maximum of 10 maps, with 10 events per map.
I have plans to translate the trial if one should be released and to translate it only. Please do not ask about anything concerning circumventing these trial limitations. The same goes for the full version once released. I will not respond to anything involving getting past authentication schemes or how to obtain the full version. If you do have interest in buying the Japanese version however, do feel free to contact me. I can try to point you in the right direction and guide you through the process.
Now, once I obtain either the trial or full version (whichever comes first), I will begin translation. I have no real plans on working on the help file right now. I will release a full English localization of the program itself, along with the database and scripts. After completion, I will begin work on the help file and release that separately later on. I’d like to open communication with anyone interested in translating the software in a language other than English. If you happen to be reading this and have an interest in such, feel free to get a hold of me. I’ll be glad to hand over anything within legal limits that you may require in order to aide in the process.
According to RPG Maker Web, we can expect a lot more info to come within the next week or two regarding RPG Maker VX Ace. Stay tuned!
Based on its predecessor "RPG Maker VX", the event command system and various other areas have been strengthened. Create your own character graphics by simply using a combination of the supplied original parts. This is one way that game production functions have been revamped substantially. As the latest installment of the RPG Maker series for Windows, this software becomes the trump card (ace) of RPG production.
Feature 1: New functionality to create your original characters, and migration to RGSS3 for scripting!
Even if you are unable to draw up graphics, an original character can be made from the combination of parts with the built in "Character Maker" and "Face Graphic Maker". One of many new features to assist with RPG production! In addition, for those with knowledge in extensibility (Script Editing) we've made things much easier with the introduction of "RGSS3".
Feature 2: Additional Enhancements to Basic Functions
Event commands have been strengthened and additional optional settings have been given. For example, there is a newly added function for specialties called "Feature" in which things like "Provoke" and "Protect" which have become standards in many famous RPGs can be added with ease.
Feature 3: Making Combat More Interesting with a "Finisher System"
A third gauge called the "TP Gauge" has been implemented following the well-known HP and MP gauges. TP can be accumulated in the course of battle and can be released for use of a finisher! Customizing how TP and the rest of the system works is entirely possible.
*The game screen is under development
and does not depict the final product.
<< "RPG Maker VX Ace" Software Requirements >>
OS: Windows XP / Vista / 7 Japanese Edition
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 2.0 GHz or Equivalent
Memory: 512MB or More
HDD: 400MB Free Space or More
Display: Resolution of 1024x768 or More
Other: Compatible with both 32 and 64 bit OS
© 2011 ENTERBRAIN, INC. / YOJI OJIMA
