Parallax Panda

@SimProse I feel you. There has been a lot of bugs in the engine for sure. While I can't say for sure, I think they've taken care of most of them by now? But maybe it was a little to late?
In any case, looked up your game, nice. It reminds me of those old fighting fantasy game books with the life system. How long did it take you to learn the engine and make the game?

@Milennin Yeah well the launch didn't go super smooth so they probably lost a lot of hype there. But I believe they could/can make up for that by showing effort. Although I admit it's not easy without a strong core community backing them up.

MV has a handfull of YouTuber's doing tutorials and first impression videos, acting like a glue for the community. And then there's skilled and nice plugin creators like Yanfly, MogHunter, Galv etc that helped fix most of the flaws of the engine once it launched and enhanced it further. VN Maker doesn't have neither of those... unfortunally.

@OmnislashXX knowing her (and some of her work) she probably won't have a problem with it, I think

@OmnislashXX Not true, You have a lot of backgrounds that come with the engine, and you can use assets from RM engines (you own) as well. And if that’s not enough then there’s asset packs with enviromemts out there for just a few dollars.

Biggest problem might be finding good character art but if you’re creative there is easy to use 3D generators for that as well...

@OmnislashXX ...or you just commission someone

Send me the money, I'll buy it for you.
*prepares his luggage for a quick escape*

@FrozenNorseman Just the 1$ one for the character HUB stuff. Actually managed to get a friend to gift it to me so I’m much happier today. But still not sure why I couldn’t buy it myself.

@cabfe Not sure 1$ would be worth a grand escape

@Matseb2611 An idea past on from your mom? Wow, that's cool. Did you maybe have an inspirational drought at the time as well?

I came up with something this morning that could fit into a cyber punk game and I've been writing all day. I just hope I can finish an outline before my inspiration runs out.

No, gladly there were no droughts. I kind of always have ideas (if anything I don't have the time to bring them all to life), but one day when I was telling my mum about my games, she mentioned that idea, and I decided to go on with it.

Good idea. Hold on to that muse before she runs off.

I'll try my best to do so. Although it's past midnight now so I probably should go to bed. I can always continue tomorrow.

@Benny Jackdaw Many authors choose to write an outline of their story before they start writing they actual novel/story. It's basically a road map that you can follow so you don't have to make everything up as you go. Planning ahead to put it simple.

just think about the story as a whole. when I come up with a story, I generally think up how the story will go in a nutshell and use that as my map.

@Benny Jackdaw That's not how my creative mind works though. I come up with a single character, scene or maybe even just a line of dialogue that I like and then I try to make a story out of it.

@cabfe if you did a VN in Rpg Maker I’m sure you had to jump through a lot of hoops to make that happen. RM is not really ideal for handling large conversation trees after all.
Unless you desperately wanted RM’s built in battle system a VN adapted engine probably would’ve made more sense (and saved you time?).

There's no combat. I just use the engine for displaying stuff. Sure, I had to reprogram basic VN controls to emulate the functionalities, but in the end it works. It would have been faster with VN Maker for example, but you can't show your characters' sprites and make them move in VNM like in RM.

That might be. I'd probably use VN maker or velociraptor (<--Haha, RMW changed the name of their rival VN engine into that, funny. ) though... even though that would mean I'd not be able to easily add any game elements (not easily being able to do it means I'll not do it). In return, VN functionality would probably be better though.

Best of luck to you then, @OmnislashXX . I'll be back, just need a break where I'm not thinking about making RM games all the time. Maybe even spend some time on my other hobbies too.

But, when your full of ideas, that's the best time to do it. Of course, than you can be overwhelmed.

@OmnislashXX True. I think sometimes when you've just been grinding away at it, at some point you have to stop banging your head against that same wall. Maybe just "quit", and do something else for a while. Then you can come back with a fresh mindset and start over again. At least I that's how I felt this time around.

Also granted, idk how are PGM rivals like construct, GM, and 2D kits in Unity (that also claimed no need scripting to make 2D platformer) works. But still, in the end which one that able to make the tool quite convenient, it's the one that will win.

True. I’d say that Game Maker has the upper hand for now when it comes to 2D engines where there is ”no programming needed”. Hard to say if Pixel Game Maker can trumf the GM brand which have been in the market for years. We’ll have to wait and see, but I’m doubtful.

I guess they will pass alpha first before getting messages. Hopefully :3

Good to know. Sounds like a good fix that would make it much more troublesome and time consuming to troll game devs you don't like... as it should be

Indeed. It's a smart move, because some people clearly like to abuse the system. Another thing I like is that the reviews shown first are proportional to the score (e.g. 8 out of 10 reviews shown being positive for a game that has 80% ratio of + to -)
This is the blog post where they explained it: https://steamcommunity.com/games/593110/announcements/detail/2666556941788470579?snr=1_5_9_

@Matseb2611 You have a wealth of information on RM, STEAM and game dev'ing

I'll have to read that blog!

@Parallax Panda While I search for that game here's a One-Map Challenge game that used POP!
It's by @Dreadshadow

https://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?threads/one-map-game-challenge-2018-entry-my-friends.95191/

@starlight dream Nice! Too bad the map is so small, but the tileset really is a good one (but pretty difficult to use unfortunately). I can't decide if ti would be best to make parallax maps with it in TileD or use it as is in the editor? Hm...

I would think that some really sharp parallax scrolling "layers" would make a regular map using POP would end up with a very "Minecraft" looking game-zone. It could end up being very interesting to look at!

Maybe you could use Yanfly's Gab Window to display the date. You're right, though, it will be a bit of a hassle. It's really strange that no one has created a super basic time plug-in, they all have months, years and seasons. xD

@The Stranger I guess they all assume that the only reason one would want a day/night cycle is because you're building a harvest moon clone! ...aw.. Well, the whole time/day problem got be bugged out so I'm going to step away from it for a while and think about it later. I have to do it eventually but right now it seems like a hassle. Gab window might be worth a try though.

I didn't notice your post before this one Panda. I use a system for time of day (light dark) in a project I have on hold at the moment. It's an adaptation from SRD and Driftood Gaming's set up. I'll PM you my code. Just make a common event, and then it's just a matter of putting the variables in whatever menu/gui you use.

Yeah, we paid him well.

Luckily for me, I caught up with my internet life yesterday so I can relax and take it easy today. Thinking about what I should do with my "free" day today...

Wiggle your toes ^^

@Vincent Chu This is helpful for all of us to think about our habits. As we get older, we shouldn't shrug over things like sleep deprivation, headaches and pains. A bit of self nurturing can go a long way.^^
@Sauteed_Onion Sorry you've been through such a hard experience but I'm happy if you're feeling mewfully better now.

Thanks everyone. I’ll try not to worry too much and stay positive. I’ll also be looking after my diet and sleep habits in the future.

I actually hate (fear) hospitals and medicine so all the support is really appreciated!

Hi! How are you feeling today?

Most of us dislike hospitals but you'll be back home soon, when you're not at risk anymore^^ A couple of days of monitoring to make sure you're stable and then you're ready to return to your cozy place.

It's tough to rest in a hospital, becuz of the noise and staff is often walking in. But glad that our support is helpful a bit!.. ❤ xoxo

You could have 4 characters, and the player chooses 3 to be in the party at a time. Or you force which 3 are in the party at a time, to control their interactions?

@Milennin That's true I guess. What the forth member can be used for is to have some different class that makes the traditional trinity more complex. Usual roles would be some kind of thief or mage/wizard I guess.

@starlight dream Oh, but I don't like to have people sitting on the bench! It feels like they're not being used. I'm OK with people temporary leaving and being replaced because of scripted events though.

Maybe you can get more advice or suggestions in the forums. Although if you keep scratching your head an idea is bound to appear!

@starlight dream You're right. I'll probably end up asking in the forums eventually if I don't find a solution on my own. But opening a new thread and surveilling it takes time that is probably better spent finishing my first demo (even without lightning if necessary) right now. I want feedback from all the onions as soon as possible after all

That is true, it's something you can implement later. There's no point on getting stuck over 1 technicality at this point. The onions are stirring with impatience!

Hahaha And the seriousness of that review is even funnier. Now how do I protect my eyes from the tears of laughter?

"Now how do I protect my eyes from the tears of laughter?" - Onion Googles!

Tasty.

@starlight dream True. That's what we call "Panda Power"! And since sequels are almost always worse than the originals let's hope not!

@Poryg You'll be surprised what bamboo can do for you. It improves your life I tell ya!

@OmnislashXX Crap... it seems like not everyone was cured! Run! Protect your braaa-iiiin-sss!

Lets hope @OmnislashXX will get enough sleep tonight. Back in the armor I go.

Managed to download and install VN maker but I didn't get further in today. Realized I should probably find a beginner tutorial before I dive in, and I'll do that tomorrow. Pretty sleepy now and I have rings around my eyes... Oh, right. The rings might be because I'm a Panda

https://pics.me.me/pandas-who-get-enough-sleep-do-not-have-dark-circles-6307269.png

@Parallax Panda I like your last comment here about the vacant job positions. Something to chew on.
It's always eye-opening to learn how things work in other countries. I wouldn't want one of my relatives to take on my debts. It's risky business, and it'd be stressful having that possibility looming over one's head. Good luck! I hope you'll find something you're much more comfortable doing!

@starlight dream Thank you. Well regarding inheriting family debt, I think you can disown your family legally and thus not inherit any debt, but I'm not 100% sure. I'll not put myself in that position and would flat out refuse to pay and flee the country if necessary.

Hmmm disowning family fixes so many problems in life
If you need to be smuggled out of the country, let us know Hehe

@starlight dream True. I just got my new work schedule e-mailed to me and it looks like I'll barely have ~2 hours free time each day at most (Mon-Fri). Some things such as my daily scribbles I can probably squeeze into my lunch break or get cracking at during my commute. RPG maker on the other hand, not really possible. But then there is the weekend of course.

@starlight dream Sorry to hear about your dad! Dealing with life's hardships isn't easy and I hope everything is better on that end. And regarding NaNoWriMo, there is always a next time! Speaking of, maybe you'll participate this year, hm? If so, and writing is still something I've kept in my life, we ought to have a new thread in the forums were we can fight it out together this November!

@starlight dream It might not sound like it but I'm pretty optimistic about the future. So far this year have gone pretty well! And while all of those past shortcomings make me feel bad, I think most of the associated negativity would wash away if I would manage to get myself a "victory" or two. But it's kinda hard to not feel the weight of all my past projects when I don't have anything to balance it against.