Breaking the fourth wall!

[Lionmeow]

Hello, I am a new user of RPG Maker XP. I have an idea for a game to create, however it requires fourth wall breaks, and I have no clue how to do that!

Examples of what I want to do is:

• create/change/delete files on the user's system
• move the window around
• change said window's name
• create a fourth wall breaking save system.

That last one is also for actual save systems (because, you know).

 

[MushroomCake28]

create/change/delete files on the user's system

Why would you do that... that's what virus do lol (unless you are talking only about game files). Anyways, you shouldn't access files that are unrelated to the game. You do that with coding.

move the window around

Again... script.

change said window's name

I actually don't know how to do that or even if you can. One thing is for sure, if it's doable it's with scripting lol.

create a fourth wall breaking save system.

What do you mean by that? Corrupting a save file?

 

[DerVVulfman]

I would TRUST that you're implying that your game is going to make it look like these effects are taking place without it actually happening. Still, that would be an extremely large line-up of effects to pull upon the player.

Fourth wall breaking has occurred in games for decades, even for RPGMaker games. I recall that one where the an NPC told the 'player hero character' that everyone is being overseen by some entity and is guiding his actions... that entity being YOU THE PLAYER. And there was a nice little scene in Batman: Arkham Asylum where the screen went all SCRAMBLY BSOD thanks to the Scarecrow.

It would be possible to make it appear that the game suffered something akin to a game crash, making the whole game screen go black while displaying a fake 'error message' of some sort. Something like that can be done, even with events and the use of the 'Input Processing' map event command to read the keyboard. That would be enough to freak out the normal player ^_^

You may wish to come up with other simulated effects... Scaring up the notion that the game's save files are being erased, I think I saw that being done before too. You could do that with the playing of pics in sequence with appropriate sound effects for cursor beeps Moving the game screen (assuming windowed and that the player didn't choose to play it in fullscreen) would require some entertaining manipulation of the Win32API. That's rather touchy.

 

[Lionmeow]

Why would you do that... that's what virus do lol (unless you are talking only about game files). Anyways, you shouldn't access files that are unrelated to the game. You do that with coding.

I mean, for example, this one RPG Maker game gives you a file in your documents folder that tells you a code to be used ingame.

 

[MushroomCake28]

Honestly playing with system file is a sensible issue, since first of all you need to be able to code to do that and play with the Win32 API. There's also the issue of access permission. So unless you're already informed on this, it's very tricky.

 

[DerVVulfman]

Just as my esteemed ... um... fungus(?) stated. Working with the Win32API to get window pathways is tricky and perhaps problematic depending on versions of Windows. It might be best to deposit this file within the game's root folder?????

Example of what I mean: It's considered more professional for program data to be within the Apps Data folder. However, the Windows architecture changes how this pathway/folder directory is recorded within the registry depending upon which version of Windows... or at least between 32bit and 64 bit versions. So unless you know exactly what you're doing..... *BOOM*

So again, might be best to consider the root folder.

 

[SophieChieko]

• create/change/delete files on the user's system
• move the window around
• change said window's name
• create a fourth wall breaking save system.

.

Do you know "Doki Doki Litterature Club"? Because it does something similar. You will love it.

 

[DerVVulfman]

Checking, it actually is 'rumored' to delete its own character files once the character dies. One example would be Monica. An odd touch, but unnecessary imho.

As to moving the window around, there are means to do so using the Win32API. But most times, the Win32API's option for the window would be fore resizing the window for custom resolutions, or ensuring the window is centered on the screen.

Hrm, as I think about it, "changing said window's name" could mean that the game developer eliminated the default windows border (ie the top with the minimize/resize/etc buttons) and made a 100% fake backdrop for the game with the new name in place. Basically an overlay. Possible to accomplish, but I never heard of anyone doing so in Ruby scripting.

A plethora of fourth-wall breaking can be performed of course.... Deadpool (or Ferris Bueller) does it all the time. And why not bring up a 'pic' of an error message button in the middle of the game like so. ^_^​

Ya can't use this one though.
Got the idea from WarGames (c) 1983​