Getting Started with VX Ace

[BeyondAnyTherapy]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Hello,[/SIZE]

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[SIZE=10.5pt]I am new to the community here however this is not the first time I have been part of a forum community. Back in high school I developed, for my chemistry class, a chemistry based RPG for a project. The project was a resounding success with the help of RPG maker (heck back then I think I was using 2000).[/SIZE]

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[SIZE=10.5pt]Fast forward and now, I’m in graduate school for computer science. I strayed from my hobby of programming for quite some time working for the police but after making a huge life discussion I decided to move on from police. That’s when I reentered back into school for my computer science degree and I started programming more on my free time. I have made a lot of connections and friends however I don’t have a team by any means, I will still mostly be working on a project on my own. Also before I get started I also want to make a few apologies ahead of time. First I apologies if a thread like this has been started and secondly I am sorry if this is not posted in the correct forum. To any mods if this does not meet the requirements please don’t hesitate to move this thread.[/SIZE]

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[SIZE=10.5pt]Now after my initial introduction I would like to ask of the community here a few questions.[/SIZE]

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[SIZE=10.5pt]1. I am not looking for a comprehensive list (unless you have one) of the big changes to RPG maker that have taken place over to VX Ace. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]2. What is a good game development schedule or flow, what do you work on first to last?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]3. I am not making a game with the intension to sell it or market it, however is that possible?[/SIZE]

 

[Engr. Adiktuzmiko]

1) Changes to VX Ace from which Maker?

2) IDK

3) Totally possible, it's up to you if you will market your game or not...

 

[GrandmaDeb]

Hey Beyond - welcome.


If you remember enough about using 2000 to look at a list of FAQs or hints for Ace, that might be a quick help.


Look at Andar's Guide for new users. I have a link to it in my sig. Some of it will be advise/reminders but some will give you a brief heads-up on new features.


I also wrote a beginners tut list and stuff, also in my sig. The blog entries on this site are linked at the end, and they answer two questions at once. The blog entries are written with game writing and organization in mind. So if you have a definite plan to make a game and a bit of experience, follow along with them.


And yes, commercial games can definitely be made. The biggest issue is whether you end up wanting to add your own graphics in addition to the RTP; if you do you have to be careful to only use materials that are available commercially and use them according to the creators' terms and conditions.


Good Luck!

 

[Andar]

1) There have been a lot of changes in the later version, especially if you're talking about changes since RM2000 (which isn't even part of the current company's products.

Most improvements in Ace compared to the last few versions (XP and VX) have been processing speed and the database (which now allows for a lot more customisation than previously possible).

2) Mostly depends on what kind of game you're trying to do. There are several topics on that in the forum, and there is no one true way to make the game.

For example I start working with the engine and scripts without having more than one sentence of the story idea - but that is because I plan to make a sandbox-type game where the player has a lot of freedom to explore. If you make a story-focused or railroaded game, you might start with details of the entire story first to learn what you need for the game, and there are half a dozen other approaches depending on your game's focus.

3) Commercial is possible, but if you consider this you need to check the terms-of-service for all additional resources from the internet and record their source for the credits.

One additional tip:

I wrote a starting point topic for new users to help them get started, it's linked in my signature. Even if you made games with RM2K before, that might be a good place to learn how to refresh your knowledge since a lot has changed in the last versions...

 

[BeyondAnyTherapy]

[SIZE=10.5pt]I want to thank you all for the links and tips/suggestions. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]I plan on making a very in-depth story with strong character development. My sister writes children’s stories but also has a lot of experience in creative writing and she is helping me write the story and characters. I want the gameplay to be strong and fun obviously, however I really want to make a gripping, compelling and hard to put down story. How I envisioned my project has been based off of the multitude of games I have played. I have seen so many games with great story and character progression potential but seem to then get rushed at some point and thrown to the market half assed. I want my story and character progression to come first and fore most and let the development follow that (I have a lot of work done on the story all ready).[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]As far improvements to the RPG Maker engine go, as I said in the OP I used RPG Maker 2000 a long time ago so I was looking for differences since then, which I know is kind of a daunting request. I am doing my own research obviously I was just looking for highlights so to speak. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]For organization I am a very schedule dependent and organized person. In the first game I made, as I said back in high school, I jumped around a lot and that caused some confusion and problems. I will definitely read all the suggested references and I thank you all![/SIZE]

 

[GrandmaDeb]

I see a vast, untapped potential market for children's stories in RPG Maker.


My students at school about ate me alive when I wouldn't let them play "Flash" anymore.


And RPGs have the ability to switch between the reading time parents love to see their children invest, and the activity children crave.


In addition, the format of RPG Maker puts the children in much more control, so it is self paced - as opposed to many games which currently dominate the childhood-educational/beneficial-games market - especially FLASH games - which are usually timed and do not promote the same control many children need in their (usually) unbalanced set of developing skills - i.e. reading, small motor coordination, critical thinking skills...


I think many more RPGs should be written for 5-8 year olds, and for 8-11 year olds, and for educational purposes as well. The market for this is H U G E. If I can get a reluctant reader to play a game that helps them understand a classic story, then as a teacher I am happy. If a struggling reader plays a game in which he picks up a side quest or two while reading the directions to do so, I am happy. The kid who cannot sit still, sits. The kid who cannot concentrate is engaged.


As computer lab instructor, I can tell you, the wave of the future for kids in education is freaking everything computer!


And although we will see a one-to-one computing/instructional environment one day (i.e. every child will have their own device) and RPG Maker won't be on every phone....


People will still have PCs for a long time and kids will still be benefiting from good stories and creative thinking and good old fashioned fun.


More power to you sir!

 

[BeyondAnyTherapy]

[SIZE=10.5pt]I want to thank you all for the links and tips/suggestions. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]I plan on making a very in-depth story with strong character development. My sister writes children’s stories but also has a lot of experience in creative writing and she is helping me write the story and characters. I want the gameplay to be strong and fun obviously, however I really want to make a gripping, compelling and hard to put down story. How I envisioned my project has been based off of the multitude of games I have played. I have seen so many games with great story and character progression potential but seem to then get rushed at some point and thrown to the market half assed. I want my story and character progression to come first and fore most and let the development follow that (I have a lot of work done on the story all ready).[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]As far improvements to the RPG Maker engine go, as I said in the OP I used RPG Maker 2000 a long time ago so I was looking for differences since then, which I know is kind of a daunting request. I am doing my own research obviously I was just looking for highlights so to speak. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]For organization I am a very schedule dependent and organized person. In the first game I made, as I said back in high school, I jumped around a lot and that caused some confusion and problems. I will definitely read all the suggested references and I thank you all![/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]You may be interested in my chemistry based game then. After I turned the game in it was sent to the University of Michigan and used by a professor, in a presentation showing the rising use of technology in the school room by students.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]As a small preface I only had pry 3 months to make this game and it was certainly rough around the edges. However it was based on a villain who was stealing elements from the world periodic table, which resulted in science itself falling apart. I was to incorporated certain knowledge as criteria for the project so a lot of puzzles were put into the story that where chemistry based[/SIZE]

 

[GrandmaDeb]

I love the villian already!