Game Character Hub - Reviews?

[Valkyriet]

Hi all!

So the title is pretty much self-explanatory. The game character hub looks like an interesting piece of software, as far as I can gather from the introductory video. It's also on sale on steam at the moment, so I was wondering if it's worth the investment at all. This is mainly because there were a number of mixed reviews on steam - 96 positive and 26 negative apparently. Most of the reviewers who left a thumbs down feel that it restricts creativity or something along those lines. Which is why I wanted to ask if anyone has previously bought this and found it at least 80% useful. If it's more of a beginner's tool, however, I'd rather not buy it. The only reason I'm interested in it is because apparently it allows sprite conversion between different engines.

So, thoughts please? x3

For those who want to know, here's the software on steam : http://store.steampowered.com/app/292230/

 

[Sharm]

I would say that it is a very good beginners tool but that it is a beginners tool.  If you're competent at GIMP or Photoshop or some other program with layers then it isn't the program for you.  But if you find those programs a little intimidating or want to have a more straightforward way to put together sprites and save it into RM formats then it's a really great program for you.  The main advantages are a nice little preview animation to see how it all looks when it's running and a saving option that lets you output the same sprite with color variations.

Edit: You need a maybe or depends option for your poll.  I'd recommend it to some people but not to others.

Edit 2:  I must be tired, didn't even notice this was in the wrong place. I'll move it to Product Discussion and Support for you.

 

[Wavelength]

I found it to be a very quick way to put together largely-customized characters that aren't subject to weird limitations.  You're not going to make the character of your dreams in a few minutes, but you'll get way closer than you would with RPG Maker's built-in character generator.

With that being said, for the last few months, after an update, GCH no longer works for me.  Many others have had this problem, and some have been able to fix it by following steps like clearing their registries, but nothing I have tried has worked.  So you're taking a gamble by buying this.

 

[Valkyriet]

@Sharm - I'm sorry I end up posting in the wrong forums sometimes xD I haven't really taken time out to explore all the sub-forums >.< That being said, thanks for your input! That's the general idea I got from reading most of the reviews on Steam.

@Wavelength - Dang! xD Well if there are functionality issues now, then I probably won't buy it. Hopefully, an updated version will get released someday (?) :/

I've been interested in other softwares like Spriter Pro and Black Ink - the latter is pretty epic imo. But I don't think spriter pro allows sprite manipulation compatible with RPG Maker XP or VX, or sprite conversion. Other than that, they're pretty amazing. And I'm not experienced enough yet to tinker with sprites on photoshop, so me kinda sad *~*

 

[Bastrophian]

What Wavelength said. See my Profile pic, i made it in GCH! (minus the darkness and glowing eyes, that was Gimp shopped....nice touch though, wouldn't you say .)

 

[Athryl]

I like it although yes everything it does can be done in Photoshop/Gimp and a variety of other programs that support layers. I like the quick and easy conversion even though I could do it in another program...I suspect you could even make an automated process in photoshop? I have never tried to automate it but it seems like it would be possible.

I mostly use it for quick color changing and frankenspriting.

 

[felsenstern]

I think GCH is a nice but very basic tool. I am using it primary as asset database. If a new character arrives, I usually dissect it, see if the equipment and properties fit to a base body I already have, if not I create a new base body. Than I sort equipment and properties like hair, eyes, clothes, items to be able to click together any variation of the character. Afterwards I check if they stuff can be fit to other body types as well.

The problem here is that it is always so much work to do that and I am sure this could be done more easier with some simple routines GCH is lacking. In every other aspect like pixel drawing, animating and so on, I am using other programs.

Lately I stopped to dissect characters and just store them as they are, because it is simply too much work.

 

[Agoraphobic]

This is one of the best tools I have came across. I use it for all my graphic editing and the price is fair as well. My only complaint is I struggle to find graphics to add for the character generator.

 

[Engr. Adiktuzmiko]

I've tried it an stopped using it after a short while, mainly because I could already do the things that it does on other image editing softwares. I mostly use Paint.net and it gets the job done so..


If you're not versed in image editing softwares, then getting GCH would be good. Otherwise, you'll most probably be better off just continuing on what you're already using

 

[West_Winds]

Here's why I voted no. I own GCH and I got it quite a while ago and while I think on the surface it's a great tool, it has many problems. The main one being lack of support. If you look at the discussion forums on steam you will see tons of unanswered threads about problems in the software. And it seems as though every update brings a new problem. While I am a patient man, I feel like I may have wasted my money on this software because the things I want to use it for I often have to wait to do till a problem is fixed.

 

[felsenstern]

This is one of the best tools I have came across. I use it for all my graphic editing and the price is fair as well. My only complaint is I struggle to find graphics to add for the character generator.

Have you checked ReStaff (http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/4683-restaff-release-index/) yet?