My friend and I want to work on a project together, is that possible?

[Dawn of Dark]

A friend of mine and I want to work on a game together.

So I wants to ask whether is it possible for us to do 2 small seperate projects and then merge them into one large project? Is it possible to just copy-paste the data folder? Or could it be accomplished by copy every map property he make and paste it to mine?

Example would be: I make a map, he make one, then we link our two maps into one large world map or link it together, could it be done?

I don't want to work on it then end up not being able to link them together, so I want to ask.

 

[TheoAllen]

The answer is, yes, you can

You just need to open those two projects and copy paste the maps through editor

 

[Andar]

yes, it can be done - but it would be much easier if you work with a master copy that replaces your individual project files every week or so.


The problem is that some elements (especially in the database) are ID-dependent, and if you copy something from one project to another you often change the ID.


Example:


Let's say that you work on a map where the first actor, a soldier, gets his first sword. You enter that sword in the database and it becomes weapon #1, and add an event that gives the soldier the weapon #1.


your friend works on a map where the second actor, a wizard, gets his first staff. He enters that staff into the database, and because his project also has no weapon before, that staff also becomes weapon #1 and the map event adds weapon #1.


Now you enter the data and the map into your project. the staff gets added and since it's now the second weapon, it will get ID 2 in your project.


Then you add the map with the event that is supposed to add the staff - but the event still tells the game to add weapon #1. So as a result both actors get swords when you play the game...


the only way to prevent this and similiar problems is to have the database in a master project, and copy that master project to both of your harddrives to work on it, synchronising all additions to the database as soon as they're made.


A lot of RM-developers use dropbox or a similiar service to keep the game project synchronised when working with a team. It's possible, but you need to coordinate yourself and all helpers.

 

[MMO]

Even though the people above me already said it, yes, you can. After you two are done with the maps, copy & paste them onto a flashdrive (Maybe? Just get the 2 maps on 1 computer) and then merge them through the editor.

 

[Shaz]

There are a number of threads here already with a great deal of information on how to do this properly and the things you need to look out for. Search for them

 

[Dawn of Dark]

Thanks a lot on the feedback.

One more thing though: Shaz, can I ask you to link the threads for me or just give me some key words for me to do my own search, please? I have been searching up the whole forum for 3 hours now and I still cannot find some threads with a great deal of info yet. So, I know it could be lots of trouble to ask, but you're the one who is more experienced with the forum, while I am relatively new

 

[Dawn of Dark]

Bump for new question.

So I found this thread here that explains a lot of things. I want to confirm my understanding and ask one more question:

Each of us will work on mapping AND eventing. We should start by starting a new project which is the master project. Then, by working out together the storyline, based on that, we create the database. After that, we create some new empty maps in the master project, copy the project to our computer and then allocate which map that each of us should work on. We would work on a different maps at any given time. We should update our maps into the master project on a regular basis. Is that right?

Here's my other concern: if we don't use Dropbox or anything similar, how do we keep the database and map structure synchronized with each other? Do we solve this by sending each other to correspondent file of ANY changes to the database as soon as they are made, even the scripts?

 

[Andar]

Here's my concern: if we don't use Dropbox or anything similar, how do we keep the database and map structure synchronized with each other? Do we solve this by sending each other to correspondent file of ANY changes to the database as soon as they are made, even the scripts?

Basically yes, but there is no need to do this constantly. You can work on different maps for a week or longer before synchronising, as long as you keep the contact points of the game clean and in order.
For example, if one of you needs a switch or variable for a new event, it has to be unique and you have to take care that those aren't used multiple times. This can be done by a direct update, or it can be done by convention if you simply agree that for example, you use variables 21 to 40 in your maps, and your friend uses variables 41 to 60 - then you only need to synchronise if you have used up your allotted variables and need a new block.


Similiar with other things - in playtest, you won't be able to enter the maps made by your friend before synchronisation, but if you work on different parts of the story that usually isn't neccessary.


It's only important that you don't assign part of the database or general engine twice, and that can either be done by constant synhronising or by carefull agreements who works on what.

 

[Dawn of Dark]

I can understand what you are saying basically, but there's one thing:

Let's say he and I have worked out different parts of the database each one will be using. When we save our project, wouldn't it mean the program will replace the whole database with the current one? If that is the case, say I were to copy his Weapons.rvdata2 file into my project because he make a new overpowered sword, wouldn't it replace my current weapon database with his, and thus deleting any changes that I make to my own weapon database?

 

[Andar]

wouldn't it replace my current weapon database with his, and thus deleting any changes that make to my own weapon database?

Yes, that is correct - in those cases, you'll have to update his changes manually into the master database instead of copying the file.
But if you don't do this and insist of copying the file, then you'll be forced to update the master project after each minor change, and download it again and so on...

 

[Dawn of Dark]

So let me confirm it again:

We each can work on different maps for a period of time. Except for the maps, everything works like this:

If there's only one person who has made changes in that particular tab of the database, we only need to copy-paste it into the master project.

If there are changes from both of us in a tab, then we need to copy-paste the correspondent file from one of us, then manually update the changes from the other.

Is this correct?

 

[Raths Rants]

Know it is an older post but here is how we do it.

We have a master file that I send an update out once a week. The other two devs submit their work the day before the update comes out.

Each dev has a separate section where they work on their stuff. I then add their content to the main game once it is ready and post the new update for download.

They download the latest update and the cycle starts again. No one edits the main game except for one person. This is important since RPG Maker does not have an import/export feature for maps, events etc.

Can be a little tedious but it works.

A quick note. If you copy/paste a map from another opened instance of RPG Maker it will change the internal ID and break transitions to the area.