I have a very ambitious plan, probably a bad idea for a newbie lol

[Russ1981]

I want to make a Symphony of the Night style game, but with a few twists. I want to allow multiple playable characters on screen (possibly no more than 4), allow the player to switch between characters on the fly, and while the other characters aren't selected, I want to try to give them their own AI. If I decide to add a few more characters, I might also want a way to create a squad of selected characters based on the player's needs. Is all of this possible with RPG Maker VX Ace? I'm sure the scripting would be a nightmare though. Also, does specific placement of each script matter? I would also need to know where to place them in the editor, and with the little knowledge I have of Ruby, that could be the difficult part.

Edit: Oops, I just realized I wasn't supposed to place this topic here since it's project-specific. I figured this section was best but I should have read the rules first.

 

[Cadh20000]

You can always message an online mod and ask them to move it. Right now I know of two: Shaz and Mithran,

Sorry, can't help with the scripting problem. I'm using Lite and that doesn't even allow them at all.

 

[Cozzer]

With scripting, basically anything is possible, but I don't think RMVXA is the best engine for such a project...

 

[Russ1981]

What do you think would have been a better program? IG Maker? I know that one is better suited for platforming style games, but it doesn't have the RPG elements for it built in as far as I know.

 

[estriole]

it will be possible with extensive scripting. so if you don't know scripting / didn't have scripter in your project then it might be too difficult. of course you can still commission the script to experienced scripter if you have some capital to spare.

 

[sabao]

I recall there being a side scroller control script available on VX, not too sure about Ace. You'll want to be sure you can find one if not make one yourself as this would be important to creating a Metroidvania type game. Once you have that locked down, you will need the battle system. I'm assuming any existing Ace ABS scripts will work just fine.

Personally I feel there are other engines better suited for making side scrollers. It may be easier doing it there. If you have your heart set on RM though it's not outright impossible.

 

[Engr. Adiktuzmiko]

AFAIK, Falcao's Pearl ABS supports more than 1 character and allows AI for the uncontrollable ones...

Scripts might need to be placed in specific order, mostly if they affect the same classes

You place them all below the Materials section of the script editor

 

[Shaz]

I've moved this thread to RGSS3 Script Requests. Please be sure to post your threads in the correct forum next time. Thank you.


I'm not really sure if Script Requests is the correct place for this. I've no idea what a "Symphony of the Night" style game is, so I don't know if these things can be accomplished via eventing or scripting or if there is already something out there (or a combination) that would do the job. However, responses so far seem to be from people who understand what you're asking for (next time it might be good to actually explain it in detail rather than assume people know what you mean, as members who aren't familiar with your reference might be able to help you if you actually described it).

 

[Cadh20000]

Symphony of the Night is a Castlevania game. Unfortunately I haven't played it in so long I don't really recall the details either.

 

[Shaz]

That doesn't mean anything to me either - you're making the same assumption that the OP did, that people have played the same games that you've played.


If you are asking for something "like" something else, the safest thing to do is assume NOBODY else has played it, and that you HAVE to explain what you mean. Otherwise you're immediately cutting off people who COULD help you.

 

[Russ1981]

To add to that, Symphony of the Night is more a cross between Castlevania and Metroid, with the Metroid elements being a huge open world to explore. I don't necessarily need the Metroidvania style element, so maybe just calling it a side scrolling action RPG would have been a better idea.

 

[Cadh20000]

Alright, as to what Castlevania is, it is a game series made by Konami where you explore a good-sized, or sometimes down-right huge, maze that is generally composed of a single castle. You hunt Dracula, the lord of the Vampires, or in the case of some of the games, you ARE Dracula's reincarnation and are trying to stop the reincarnation process before he takes control of your body.

 

[Shaz]

To add to that, Symphony of the Night is more a cross between Castlevania and Metroid ...

And you're assuming I know what Castlevania and Metroid are. I don't.


From this thread (Convince Strangers to Write Scripts for You):

Don't give your scripter homework. Scripters have not played every game in existence, and you do your request an immense disservice whenever you write the words "like Random Game X." For every scripter who has not played Random Game X, that language is the equivalent of: "I am way too busy to tell you what I want. Go search Youtube aimlessly for videos of Random Game X until you stumble across what I'm talking about." You should only ever compare your request to a game to supplement a full description of the system you are requesting, or if you link to a short video that adequately demonstrates what you mean.

And a comment I wrote in response to that topic:

Yep, if I see "I want a system like abc in the game xyz" and no description of what that system actually encompasses, I will stop reading immediately and move on to the next topic. Whatever system and game that is, I can almost guarantee that I have not seen or played it, and I'm not going to do so JUST to write a script for someone. I figure maybe someone else will come along who knows what it is.

I still have the same view. So as long as you say "like game X" or "a cross between game X and game Y", I stop reading and move on to the next thread.


I'm not saying you HAVE to explain it all in detail just for my benefit. I'm just saying MY assistance won't go very far because you haven't. Another scripter may know exactly what you want. But if you don't get something useful within a few days, you might consider being more descriptive with your request, as this is one reason why they don't get filled.

 

[Russ1981]

To make this a bit easier in case not everyone has played the games I'm comparing my ideas to, I came across this one that I thought looked impressive, and it was made with RPG Maker, I believe VX Ace actually. So I don't necessarily need a huge open world like Metroid, but something along the lines of any other hack and slash RPG, of course with my twists added. Apologies in advance if I'm not allowed to include youtube links in forums, I'll delete them if needed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvJMlDIvf_o

Also, if it's possible, I might even go the route of Golden Axe or the Dungeons and Dragons games, Tower of Doom and Shadow over Mystara, I probably won't include the multiplayer for simplicity's sake though. Examples are here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQQ3zq4x4Kw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gOKT5KHsuI

 

[djDarkX]

Let's make this easy, shall we?  Castlevania and Metroid are side-scrolling platformers where the object is to beat enemies on the screen.  Castlevania was well know for it's gothic settings and innovative weapon systems (being able to use your primary weapon being a whip in the earlier games plus a sub-weapon you picked up along the way).  In Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, the lead is the son of Dracula who uses a sword, shield and various armor and it's more of an action RPG than a pure platformer.  It had a leveling system, various equipment and spells you could learn and so on.

Metroid was a purely side-scrolling platformer where you directed the protagonist of Samus Aran to gain weapons, upgrades to her Power Suit and learn how to traverse a very large environment (usually a section of a planet).  She could turn into a ball to go into small spaces and use bombs while in this form to be able to get through certain areas and she could upgrade her primary weapon and gain an arsenal of missiles and various other things.

Symphony of the Night brought over the map system that Metroid used to make it easier to traverse Dracula's Castle, where the game takes place.  They basically revised the Castlevania series of games, which before where simple platformers (except one Action RPG in the form of Castlevania 2: Simon's Quest for the NES) with possible forks in the road to get to the castle into a more explorable area, mostly just the rather large castle.

Now, to the OP, RPG Maker is NOT the type of engine you'd want to make a clone of/game inspired from SotN.  You're better off using IG Maker, a different engine (I will not give details as we're not allowed to talk about other engines here) or you'd have to code your own, which realistically, is the best option for ALL the things you've mentioned.  Sorry if that's not the answer you're seeking, but it's really what it comes down to.

 

[Russ1981]

So I couldn't use RPG Maker to make a side scrolling RPG? Well that's kind of a bummer, but I'm not totally at a loss, I was planning to make a more classic style RPG as well. I figured that because of the examples I had found that maybe I could just copy and paste a script I found into the editor (with the creator's permission or a commission of course). I guess I'll have to try it with IG Maker instead once I get it and work on my other project in the meantime. I'm a total noob when it comes to this stuff so I feel like I'm coming off as stupid when I talk about big ideas and have no idea what I'm getting myself into. But, I suppose that's what this place is for, you can't learn unless you try.

 

[djDarkX]

You technically CAN use RM to make a side-scroller, however the type of systems you're looking to implement would take a TON of time and work to get working properly and you'd have to be extremely familiar with RM in the first place and the way animations are handled, etc.  Basically, what it boils down to is that while RM could work for it, the hassle to get it do do what you are looking for would not even be remotely worth it.

Also, this forum was made to answer questions, especially from those that don't know RM very well and are starting out.  Yeah, it's a shame that this type of project wouldn't be viable in RM, but there is still IG which you can get help with here.  Also, if you're looking to go through with this, I recommend you find a team to work on it with since it'll be far easier to get it done.  Hope it all works out for you, though!

 

[Andar]

Now, to the OP, RPG Maker is NOT the type of engine you'd want to make a clone of/game inspired from SotN.  You're better off using IG Maker, a different engine (I will not give details as we're not allowed to talk about other engines here)

That rule "don't talk about other engines" doesn't refer to IG-Maker, because IGM is also sold by Degica, and this forum does have parts of it dedicated as the official IGM forums.

The rule is here to prevent discussion of engines made by other companies, but everything made by Degica can be discussed here.

So I couldn't use RPG Maker to make a side scrolling RPG?

Not exactly - there are already scripts available that turn RM into a sidescroller RPG or even into a platformer game.

However, that requires a complete rewrite of the engine by scripts, and that is not an easy task.

You can check the master script list - there are two or three platformer/sidescroller scripts available (out of almost a thousand different scripts).

But if those scripts aren't what you're looking for, then writing something similiar is a lot of work for an experienced programmer - if you don't have one of those in your team, then you're out of luck.

 

[Russ1981]

So is it theoretically possible and easier to make a side scrolling RPG with IG Maker instead? Or would I have the same difficulty in implementing a leveling or equipment system? Either way, I have a few ideas for different games, so I'm not totally boned.

 

[Andar]

So is it theoretically possible and easier to make a side scrolling RPG with IG Maker instead? Or would I have the same difficulty in implementing a leveling or equipment system? Either way, I have a few ideas for different games, so I'm not totally boned.

I don't know - but you can download a 30-day-trial opf IGM to test yourself.

IGM allows for action games and action-RPGs as main variants, but from what I hear it's a powerfull editor with a lot of options - which means it's not entirely beginner-friendly. I haven't worked with it myself - several posts in this forum indicate that it has a high learning barrier, but can do a lot after you put in that time to learn it (it usually gets a bad reviews from those people who don't want to put in several weeks of learning before starting their main game, but the first games with it have been finished and appearantly got good reviews, you can find those links here in the forum as well.

RPGM on the other hand has a lot higher fanbase and a better resourcebase already, so if the existing scripts are almost what you want, then this might be the better solution - if the existing scripts for sidescroller-Games doesn't fit what you want, then IGM is probably the better choice.