RTP-Only Challenge!

[exhydra]

Two questions, Is it apparently obvious which boxes can be pushed? Second, do the lights seem too bright?

Hmm, no and yes, a bit too bright. 


EDIT: Oop, nevermind.

[IAMFORTE]

Two questions, Is it apparently obvious which boxes can be pushed? Second, do the lights seem too bright?

Hmm, no and yes, a bit too bright. 

Okay! I'll fiddle around and see what I can do
Thanks!

[Gaming Princess Luna]

The houses could use some more variance. Check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkdlC_PhU7Q

For such a big map, it really empty and lacks of detail. Go for smaller maps with more detail rather then big, empty maps. And it's also to much straight lines :-)

1. I thought this by myself, but there is not much variance possibility in XP and the mapping is hardest of all the Makers, because you need to switch a lot between layers. I guess with only RTP it's really hard to make a good game in XP, maybe I switch the editor.

2. I see, I should allways start with the smallest possible map size and make it bigger if needed, that is a really usefull tip, thanks. (\s/)

[Acolyte]

The XP RTP is perfectly sufficient to make great maps. You shouldn't just give up because your first attempt wasn't great.

[&&&&&&&&&&&&&]

Rpg maker's map creation is far better than VX or VXA's.
I still don't understand why they removed layers.

[exhydra]

For anyone using a battle system for their project, I just stumbled across this link today.

http://cobbtocs.co.uk/wp/?p=271

Behold, the power of a single formula line. Without any external scripts, you can increase the damage of one particular actor versus another actor who uses the same skill in battle. Or, increase healing done to certain actors versus other actors.

You can also check to see if a state is applied on an ally or foe, and deal more or heal more when that state is on.

[yuyu!]

Awesome find, Exhydra! You've been a big help to us all! \o/

[&&&&&&&&&&&&&]

Wow, amazing.

[spoiler]I have no clue what any of this means. [/spoiler]

[Gaming Princess Luna]

The XP RTP is perfectly sufficient to make great maps. You shouldn't just give up because your first attempt wasn't great.

Yeah, I know. But it's not only that. It takes me a bout 4 hours to build it, because of the switching layers all the time. The next problem is with the passsable abilities of events. For an example, the fountain is only one block big even it's a cross. So you can walk through all the fountain without any problem. But I'm sure, that this shouldn't be possible. I put this example in the picture below and I tried all the other options, but it's still the same.

Rpg maker's map creation is far better than VX or VXA's.
I still don't understand why they removed layers.

That is what makes the editor so hard to use, you have to switch a lot between layers and that will take forever. I also <3 the battler pictures in this maker. But I don't know how to manage many problems that exist in this maker. The next point is, if the player is on the top of the screen, the player has no head and is cutted off. Well after all, it takes to long in my oppinion to work with it, but I'm really sure, if you take this time, it is the best quality you can reach. (\s/)

[Acolyte]

Well it's your choice. Though I think that if you practiced and looked at a few tutorials, you'd start to get the hang of it. Nobody's perfect at something the first try.

[Gaming Princess Luna]

Well it's your choice. Though I think that if you practiced and looked at a few tutorials, you'd start to get the hang of it. Nobody's perfect at something the first try.

I know that, but I'm really down in the moment and I doesn't spend much time on anything, so the Maker XP costs me to much time in the moment.
I really need to get my problems fixed or else, who would know. (\s/)
Maybe I stay with the VX ACE and try to improve my skills with that one and maybe someday I will use XP.

[&&&&&&&&&&&&&]

It is far easier to map with XP. I simply do not understand what you're have trouble with.

[yuyu!]

I have been making slight progress on mine this week, I promise. ;_; I shall not give up (yet, lol). Work *should* slow down after next week. ;_;

So far, mine is kinda teh clichez, but I don't really care. There's only so much emotion that can be put into a bunch of forever happy-go-lucky RTP faces (especially our young heroine, Deeva, and her chipper mug). So, I found it best to stick with something light-hearted. :p I'm more concerned about fun details (sort of) and dialogue that works well (hopefully I don't type too much, like usual). ;_;

[Gaming Princess Luna]

It is far easier to map with XP. I simply do not understand what you're have trouble with.

Well, as I said a hundred times before, it only take me to long.
And for the walls and roofs there are not much variances implemented. So you can't bring much variance into the map.
Maybe I'm kinda dump, I don't know, but I really don't get what I can do with the given parts for more variance. (\s/)

[Geekman]

Is it too late to join?

[Rekios]

*There's no set dates or anything like that yet. You can start whenever!

Is it too late to join?

Go for it, dude!

[yuyu!]

You been added to the list, Geekman. :p


How are the games coming along, guys? B)

[Countdown]

I'm just curious. This is just for fun, or is there like a winner, and a prize or whatnot?

I'm considering joining, but I have absolutely no time to work on it.

I've been very intently following this thread and it does sound kind of fun.

[yuyu!]

Just for fun: no contest or anything.

[&&&&&&&&&&&&&]

Made battle system. It works okay. I'm happy with it.

Hey Exhydra. If you could help me out with any of these, I'll give you imaginary invisible pretend cookies.

1. Showing two dialogue windows at once. (Guess isn't even close to possible.)
2. Change dialogue text based on variable.
3. Putting a string into a variable then printing the string.

[Acolyte]

2. Change dialogue text based on variable.

Couldn't you use a conditional branch for that?

[&&&&&&&&&&&&&]

Yes, but it seems to not want to show the choose window and that window at the same time when I use conditional branches... :\

Which I need.


[spoiler=Battle System]

[/spoiler]

[exhydra]

Made battle system. It works okay. I'm happy with it.

Hey Exhydra. If you could help me out with any of these, I'll give you imaginary invisible pretend cookies.

1. Showing two dialogue windows at once. (Guess isn't even close to possible.)
2. Change dialogue text based on variable.
3. Putting a string into a variable then printing the string.

[1] Nope, I am pretty certain that you would have to do a significant re-write to get that to work. If you wanted to be cheeky, you could use the script call : msgbox "This is my second message."


EDIT IV : Actually, you could borrow Window_Help or Window_BattleLog. Window_Help would probably look best :

[spoiler]

Code Select Expand


# Generate new Help Window and Set Global Variable
# Once the global variable is set, you can call the window from anywhere.
$gWinH = Window_Help.new
$gWinH.open
$gWinH.add_text("Test Text")

# Clear Text
$gWinH.clear

# Close or Hide Window
$gWinH.hide
$gWinH.close

# When you no longer need the window, remember to dispose ...
# Once disposed, you will need to do 'Window_Help.new' again
$gWinH.dispose

# A bunch of other methods that you might find useful ...
$gWinH.open?                       # Checks if window is open
$gWinH.close?                      # Checks if window is closed
$gWinH.move(x, y, width, height)   # Sets the x-coordinate, y-coordinate, width, and height all at once.
$gWinH.opacity(255)                # Sets window opacity

[/spoiler]



[2] Mm, well, you could use the following ...

[spoiler]

Code Select Expand


# Add Text and Call Message Window
$game_message.add(%q(sText))

# Example :
$game_message.add(%q("Hi, this is my message." said Dude.))

# Variable Message Example A :
sTextA = %q("Hi, this is my message." said Dude.) + "\f"
sTextB = %q("This is like, my message, man" said Dude.) + "\f"
sMessage = sTextA if $game_variables[5] == 1
sMessage = sTextB if $game_variables[5] == 2
$game_message.add(sMessage)

# Variable Message Example B :
$game_variables[5] = 15

$game_message.add(%q("Hi, this is my message." said Dude. "You're) + "\n" + %q(one of ) + $game_variables[5].to_s + %q( who have read it.") + "\f")


The '%q()' automatically escapes any characters that might otherwise blow up the script (ie - slashes, apostrophes, pound symbol, etc). So, you don't have to worry about manually escaping any dangerous characters (trust me, huge headache).

To fit large messages, insert a 'Set Move Route' event, then create a 'Script' command. The script command within a 'Set Move Route' event may only be one line, but you can fit well over two-thousand characters into the text field. Seriously, you could write a novel in there.

Unfortunately, since you only have one line, you will need to squish all of the commands together with a semi-colon, like so :

Code Select Expand


# Squished Variable Message Example :
sTextA = %q("Hi, this is my message." said Dude.); sTextB = %q("This is like, my message, man" said Dude.); sMessage = sTextA if $game_variables[5] == 1; sMessage = sTextB if $game_variables[5] == 2; $game_message.add(sMessage)


Also, you may want to measure out how long your lines of text are, where text gets cut off and so on. Whenever you need to drop to a new line, use '\n'. Always place an '\f' at the end of your message, or other messages further along the might interrupt your current message.

Code Select Expand


sTextA = %q("Hi, this is my message." said Dude. "But, my) + "\n" + %q(message is going to be really, really big. Like,) + "\n" + %q(huge. So huge I'll have to, like, cut it off or) + "\n" + %q(something.") + "\f"


Need to add a face, and such? No problem, there are script calls for that, too.

Code Select Expand


$game_message.face_name  = 'fName'
$game_message.face_index = fIndex
$game_message.background = fBG
$game_message.position   = fPos
$game_message.add("Text")

# fName      - Name of file containing desired face. Also automatically searches
#              files included in RGSS-RTP. File extensions may be omitted.
# fIndex     - Numerical identifier of face (0 is the first face).
# fBG        - [0] Normal, [1] Faded, [2] Transparent
# fPos       - [0] Top, [1] Middle, [2] Bottom


One final word of warning. Unlike using the normal method for displaying a message window, '$game_message.add' does not pause the script until the viewer closes the window. So, remember to place the following code in a 'Script' command underneath of a script-called message.

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Fiber.yield while $game_message.busy?
[/spoiler]






EDIT : Did you know you can hijack the map name window without physically altering any base code? I did not, until today! Technically does not count as RTP only, but ... still interesting!

[spoiler]

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# Captures the Current Window_MapName Object
wmn = Window_MapName
wmo = String.new
ObjectSpace.each_object(wmn) {|x|wmo=x}

# Opens the Current Window_MapName Object
# (Assumes the map has a display name, otherwise window will not open)
wmo.open


Code Select Expand


# Captures the Current Window_MapName Object
wmn = Window_MapName
wmo = String.new
ObjectSpace.each_object(wmn) {|x|wmo=x}

# Captures the Current Game_Map Object
gmn = Game_Map
gmo = String.new
ObjectSpace.each_object(gmn) {|x|gmo=x}

# Insert Code into Current Game_Map Object
metaclass = class << gmo; self; end
metaclass.send :attr_accessor, :map

# Alter 'display_name' Variable
# (Normally, this is not possible)
gmo.map.display_name = "Different"

# Opens the Current Window_MapName Object
wmo.open
[/spoiler]




EDIT II : Actually, hijacking of the map name window can be done without the need for dynamically inserting code. Behold, an RTP-only friendly version for changing the displayed map name (also fits into a script command) :

Code Select Expand


gmo = $game_map
map = gmo.instance_variable_get(:@map)
map.display_name = "Change Me"
gmo.instance_variable_set(:@map, map)
wmn = Window_MapName
wmo = String.new
ObjectSpace.each_object(wmn) {|x|wmo=x}
wmo.open




EDIT III : More RTP-only friendly script calls that may or may not be of use to someone. Maybe.

[spoiler]

Code Select Expand


# Set Priority Type
# => 'priority_type' is how far above or how far below an event or character is on the screen.
# The formula is 'priority_type' x 100 for events and players. Normally, you cannot modify this
# variable. Want a bird that flies underneath star tiles, but above the player? Set 'iPriority' to 1.5 (150).
#
#  -50         Below tilemap but above parallax
# -150         Below parallax
#   50         Above tilemap but below normal characters
#  150         Above normal characters but below Above Character

$game_map.events[eventNum].instance_variable_set(:@priority_type, iPriority)
$game_player.instance_variable_set(:@priority_type, iPriority)


# Set Picture Angle
$game_map.screen.pictures[pictureNum].instance_variable_set(:@angle, iAngle)

# Set Picture Rotation Speed
# Continues to rotate without end until set to '0'.
$game_map.screen.pictures[pictureNum].instance_variable_set(:@rotate_speed, iSpeed)
[/spoiler]

[Gaming Princess Luna]

Yes, but it seems to not want to show the choose window and that window at the same time when I use conditional branches... :\
[spoiler=Battle System]

[/spoiler]

That is really cool, how did you figured that out? O.o
I never thought that this is possible with variables and conditional branches. (\s/)

[exhydra]

More RTP-Only friendly script information for those who want to further add to mapping detail! After stumbling across the 'instance_variable' method last night, I wondered if there was a relatively easy way to hijack Character_Spriteset so one could tinker with how the player and events appeared on the screen. Turns out the process is fairly straightforward.

( Design Mode versus Live Mode with Sprite Additions )

[spoiler]

Code Select Expand


# Player Method
# NOTE => Will have to be run when a new map is loaded. Once run, you can use
# '$gco' to apply any of the sprite properties at any time.
ssm = Spriteset_Map
ssmo = String.new
ObjectSpace.each_object(ssm){|x|ssmo=x}
iv = :@character_sprites
csa = ssmo.instance_variable_get(iv)
plr = $game_player
csa.each do |cso|
  $gco = cso if cso.character == plr
end

# Event Method
# NOTE => Will have to be run when a new map is loaded. Since we do not really
# want to create a public variable for each event, you will have to squeeze the
# desired sprite properties into the remaining lines of the 'Script' command call.
ssm = Spriteset_Map
ssmo = String.new; gco = nil
ObjectSpace.each_object(ssm){|x|ssmo=x}
iv = :@character_sprites
csa = ssmo.instance_variable_get(iv)
plr = $game_map.events[evNum]  # Change evNum to the ID of the event.
csa.each do |cso|
  gco = cso if cso.character == plr
end

# Sprite Properties
.zoom_x
# The sprite's x-axis zoom level. 1.0 denotes actual pixel size.

.zoom_y
# The sprite's y-axis zoom level. 1.0 denotes actual pixel size.
# Player Example (50% Larger) : $gco.zoom_x = 1.5, $gco.zoom_y = 1.5
# Event Example (50% Larger) : gco.zoom_x = 1.5, gco.zoom_y = 1.5

.angle
# The sprite's angle of rotation. Specifies up to 360 degrees of counterclockwise rotation.
# However, drawing a rotated sprite is time-consuming, so avoid overuse.
# Player Example (45 Degree) : $gco.angle = 45
# Event Example (45 Degree) : gco.angle = 45

.wave_amp
.wave_length
.wave_speed
.wave_phase
# Defines the amplitude, frequency, speed, and phase of the wave effect. A raster scroll
# effect is achieved by using a sinusoidal function to draw the sprite with each line's
# horizontal position slightly different from the last.

# wave_amp is the wave amplitude and wave_length is the wave frequency, and each is
# specified by a number of pixels.

# wave_speed specifies the speed of the wave animation. The default is 360, and the
# larger the value, the faster the effect.

# wave_phase specifies the phase of the top line of the sprite using an angle of up to
# 360 degrees. This is updated each time the update method is called. It is not necessary
# to use this property unless it is required for two sprites to have their wave effects synchronized.

# Player Example : $gco.wave_amp = 1
                   $gco.wave_length = 45
                   $gco.wave_speed = 350
# Event Example  : gco.wave_amp = 1
                   gco.wave_length = 45
                   gco.wave_speed = 350


.mirror
# A flag denoting the sprite has been flipped horizontally. If TRUE, the sprite will be drawn
# flipped. The default is false.
# Player Example (Mirrored) : $gco.mirror = true
# Event Example (Mirrored) : gco.mirror = true

.color
# The color (Color) to be blended with the sprite. Alpha values are used in the blending ratio.
# Color.new(red, green, blue[, alpha])
# Player Example (Vibrant Red) : $gco.color = Color.new(255, 0, 0, 195)
# Event Example (Vibrant Red) : gco.color = Color.new(255, 0, 0, 195)

.tone
# The sprite's color tone (Tone).
# Tone.new(red, green, blue[, gray])
# Player Example (Red) : $gco.tone = Tone.new(255, 0, 0, 0)
# Event Example (Red) : gco.tone = Tone.new(255, 0, 0, 0)

[/spoiler]