Extra actor scenes (for non-standard characters)

[Probotector 200X]

Hi, I'm looking for a script that allows you to have extra actor scenes. That is, for separate actors that don't join your normal party, but actors that can be summoned during battle (think Final Fantasy X), or a sub-party you can only use in certain situations (think Mega Man Battle Network) or even for vehicles (think Skies of Arcadia or Xenogears).

I also want it to have multiple separate sections. Like a section of scenes for Summons, one for Vehicles, etc. I picture it like this.

-Select Summon from the Menu.

-Brings up a new scene that looks like the main menu, but with fewer options (set up which scene options to bring up from script) and a Return option (returns to main menu scene). Let's say it has Items, Skills, Equipment, Status (and Return).

-Each Summon you have is displayed where your normal actors would be, and you can scroll through them as you would your party. You can use items on them, look at and use their skills, change their equipment, and view their status.

-Summons are added via script calls (or possibly some set to be there by default, for convenience in testing)

-Now, there's another menu option below Summons, Vehicles. This is similar, but displays your vehicle actors.

-Perhaps you can't use items on your vehicles, so there's no Item command in the Vehicle menu scene.

-Otherwise, it's exactly the same as the Summons menu scene, but with fewer options.

This script is just for additional scenes, and adding actors to those scenes. These alternative characters will use other scripts (or events...) to jump into battle.

Thanks in advance for any help. If you want anything clarified, let me know!

 

[Probotector 200X]

Sort of a bump, but also another feature I thought of (yeah, that's the way to go, ask for MORE stuff...)

The option to change the windowskin, probably just the color, for the extra actor scenes.

Example:

The bluish default color is the normal window color.

When you go to the Vehicles characters scenes, the window color becomes gray, on all connected scenes (status scene for vehicles, equip scene for vehicles, etc.)

While the Summon characters scenes use a green window color...

And so forth.

 

[senpoRiot]

Here are some summoning scripts:

Aeon Party by Fomar0153

http://cobbtocs.co.uk/wp/?p=161

This script will replace your party with a summoned creature when you summon it.

Guardian Summon by Yami

http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/1119-yse-guardian-summon/

Pretty much like Aeon Party. There's also a menu for your summons.

About the windowskin, i'm not that sure but maybe you can try this:

Change Windowskin by PK8

http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/1795-change-windowskin/

hope this helps!  

 

[Probotector 200X]

Thanks!

The window color changing isn't necessary for me with that script, as...my idea used the same type of menu as the default one, the color coding would be an obvious visual cue that "this is a different group of actors, not your main party!" But, the Guardian Series scripts would actually be perfect for...Mecha! I'm going to look into that.

As for what I'm looking for in particular, that...is pretty close actually, but a few key things are not what I'm looking for. With that script, I don't know if you can "Guardian-ify" or "Un-Guardian-ify" an actor. That is, to be able to "switch parties"...besides summoning.

I didn't mention that though, now that I think about it.

That's another thing. Some way to switch between these different "parties" via a script call. Think something like Mega Man Battle Network, but with groups instead of just one character. So, that would mean, one of the extra Actor scenes is "Cyber Team", and when you go into the Cyberworld, you switch your main team with the cyber team. AND THEN, your normal team is viewable as an extra actor scene!!

You know, now that I think about it...Some kind of modified extra party script could be just what I'm looking for!

Each set of actor types, say Main, Vehicle, Summon, Cyberworld, etc. are set as different parties. An option on the main menu switches the current party you are LOOKING at, through status, equipment, etc. But doesn't switch to that party. But script calls can.

 

[senpoRiot]

You know, now that I think about it...Some kind of modified extra party script could be just what I'm looking for!

Each set of actor types, say Main, Vehicle, Summon, Cyberworld, etc. are set as different parties. An option on the main menu switches the current party you are LOOKING at, through status, equipment, etc. But doesn't switch to that party. But script calls can.

Try this Party Manager by Tsukihime: http://himeworks.wordpress.com/2013/08/19/party-manager/

It will let you handle different parties with different inventories. Also, they can be also at different locations.

If you want to change Parties in the menu like what you said; Main, Vehicle, Summon, Cyberworld, I think you need make a common event for that. Then make new menus at Scene_Menu. Each menu will call the common event that has the script call for each of your party.

Or just use a Menu Script system like Ace Menu System and add the menu that will call your common event with the script call for each of your party.

Sorry if i'm lame at explaining. 

 

[Probotector 200X]

Thanks for your assistance again.

Well, the problem with the multiple parties like that is this:

-I just mainly want a way to have other actors, in separate categories, be viewable from the main menu, and able to change their equipment, and whatnot. BUT, also a way to be able to switch between them at certain times. Such as the real world to cyberworld (and vice versa) switch a la Mega Man Battle Network. Or like changing to your vehicle squad on the world map. Not just anywhere the player wants. Using that with extra menu scene commands would be tricky, because it would have to revert to your "default" or current party when you leave the menu!

-This doesn't work with the Guardians script because actors set as Guardians can only be "Guardians". They join just like normal actors, but since they are notetagged with the Guardian tag, they join your Guardians instead of your party. BUT, as far as I know, there's no way to switch normal actors to guardians, and vice versa.

I think, if there's a way to change actors from Guardians, and possibly the ability to make multiple Guardian types (for organization and really, immersion's sake) would work for what I'm looking for.

This...is more complicated than I want it to be, ha ha ha...

 

[Tsukihime]

-I just mainly want a way to have other actors, in separate categories, be viewable from the main menu, and able to change their equipment, and whatnot

Yes, party manager is not developed enough to support that feature.

Not just anywhere the player wants

Then use events to make script calls instead of a menu option.

 

[Probotector 200X]

Yes, party manager is not developed enough to support that feature.

Then use events to make script calls instead of a menu option.

Well, the idea is that the player can look at all "parties" of characters. The main party, the mecha, the summons, the vehicles, the cyber party, etc. From the menu, whenever they want. I want that convenience of the main status menu having all that available.

But...well, I've been thinking about this idea. Refining it, thinking about ways to make this work. I think, I should specifically request a custom menu? It might be different enough to warrant a different thread? But that's...funky. I'll think about it. My point is, my original proposition seems a little cluttered, odd. But, I thought of something that might be simpler, more intuitive, and just work better overall.

Basically, having the multiple parties viewable from the main menu at all times.

I made a semi-quick mock-up in Paint.



It might end up a little cramped...

The blue boxes represent your Main party. This is the party you walk around as. The party that fights battles normally, etc. The stats (name, level, class, hp, mp) are all crammed on the side. Much less room than default menu. Would work well with an increased resolution size script. Also, maybe some menu option to toggle some stats on, that go in front of the characters portrait a little?

The red boxes represent your summons. (or whatever you want). They are called into battle using other scripts. The gray boxes represent mecha (or whatever) also probably via using other scripts. I used different colors because I love the idea of having different windowskin colors behind other actor type columns.

Now all those menu commands work for these parties too! You click skills, and you can scroll not just up and down, but left and right! Once selected, you cannot scroll between main party or summons or whatever via page down/up. Formation works similarly, once you select a main party member, they can only be switched with main party members, not summons or mecha or whatever.

Items might be tricky, they work a little differently, and I want items to be usable on these other actors.

Furthermore, I want actors to be able to switch categories via script calls. Maybe a character can transform into a giant robot. Maybe someone dies and gets transmigrates into a summon? I like simple things, like the notetags of <guardian> for the guardian series scripts. Maybe make something like that, but put it on Classes instead of Actors, so if they switch to that Class, they switch party types. Also, for stuff like switching main parties...Like, your Cyber world party switches places with your main party, so they become first, and the main party switches to the side.

Phew, what have I done? I...think I should organize this and make a new thread? Thanks for bothering to read all that if you did.

 

[Shaz]

No, please do not make a new thread. One thread per request.

 

[Probotector 200X]

Alright, thanks for letting me know. I just felt that since my original idea changed a bit, it became something else. But...you are right. It's....still the same idea (but it's not so much about a special menu scene within a scene anymore)

I think I should still clean it up and organize my actual request better though.