RPG Maker 2003 Update v1.12a

[Archeia]

Hi everyone! Just a quick update for RPG Maker 2003!

Fixed

Engine
- Regression from v1.12: Any “Show Picture” command created by an editor version of 1.11 or lower would be handled by the engine as if “Erase on Map Change”, “Affected by Tint” and “Affected by Shake” were disabled, even though they were shown as enabled in the editor.
- Regression from v1.12: The game would appear to lose focus (freeze) after the Video Options dialog was closed.
- Regression from v1.10: It was not possible to enter a space in the actor name input screen.

There's also a small sample project added to showcase the new RPG Maker 2003 features!

Spoiler

 

[Benny Jackdaw]

I cannot find the sample game.

 

[Cherry]

I think the sample game is only bundled in Steam... @Archeia maybe you should upload it separately and link it here!

 

[Benny Jackdaw]

I'm using the Steam version. I still can't find it.

 

[bhindi1224]

I found an ArcheiaPictureTutorial folder here: ..\steam\steamapps\common\RPG Maker 2003\Sample\ArcheiaPictureTutorial

Spoiler: Screenshot of game in that folder

 

[Benny Jackdaw]

I can't find my Steam folder anywhere, and I checked everywhere on my computer.

 

[bhindi1224]

Go to Library. Under Software look for Rpg Maker 2003. Right click the name and select Properties. Click Browse Local Files. That is where your installation is.

Spoiler: Example

 

[Archeia]

I think the sample game is only bundled in Steam... @Archeia maybe you should upload it separately and link it here!

Oh no it's bundled in standalone!

 

[Shin Kitsune]

I'm just happy to see the old school RPG Makers getting the love they didn't get in so many years!
I'll make sure to check the sample games once I get into my computer. I don't know if the game runtime still won't play nice with Remote Desktop.

 

[callmedan]

I'd like to ask if it's possible to add few more hotkeys in the next update? Pressing Spacebar to open map properties like the newer makers for example.

 

[kaine]

I'd like to ask if it's possible to add few more hotkeys in the next update? Pressing Spacebar to open map properties like the newer makers for example.

the space bar is used to open and modify a single event instruction.(when you open a event)
Anyway i agree with the idea of having other hotkeys.

 

[Jalax]

This simply amazes me. RPG Maker 2003 always was my favorite engine since I was 8, and I got a lot of experience with it.

Event Move and Picture changes will make my life ININETLY easier on this engine. Therefore, there are more stuff I would expect.

I'm happy to admit that these updates makes fan-made add-ons more and more dispensable. However, there are still some missing features that would be awesome to be native on RPG Maker 2003 and leave Destiny Script/Power Mode 2k3/DisHarmony and many others

There are some "must have" features on future, in my opinion:

Spoiler: 'Must have' future updates

• For pictures, separate X and Y coordinates variable reference. It's really bad when I want to show some picture always on Y-18, but X is customizable, so a variable will be killed in order to simply play that. Why aren't X and Y coordinates separated for variable reference?
• Events being able to redirect "this event id" on variables instead of getting their ID by position - when multiple events are on same spot, this becomes a nightmare...
• Auto load/Auto save on specific slot. Would be also nice to get an option to just extract some variables from them as well, instead of teleporting the player to the current map. This would make CMS much more customizable - or even an "Achievements" systems through save files.
• Detect loaded games. Currently, there is a trick we can do, checking the timing of the music and, if it just started to play, so the game may have been recently loaded, so CMS can shutdown their pictures or map exchanges just like the whole native menu does. However, this is not 100% trustable and sometimes fails.
• Full keyboard and mouse support. Allow me to say that would be nice to, as Destiny Patch does, change the default buttons for actions on RPG Maker. Would be nice to be able to change them in-game (and not like the video menu, but with event commands, so stuff like config menu for complexes ABS would be possible).

Welp, this are "the basics" that would make the engine much more self sustainable without external help.

Also, there is also a "wet dreams" session of stuff I always wanted to make simpler when I wanted to for my projects:

Spoiler: Time to dream

• New command: check if spot on coordinates X and Y on map is passable or not.
• Change specific Y coordinate for messages, instead of just "top, middle and bottom".
• Being able to draw automatic windows with custom sizes as pictures by using default system graphic (or even other systems files on folder).
• More String operations for heroes's names.
• BEING ABLE TO CANCEL EVENT MOVES. This command is so bugged that sometimes is hard to work with it, even knowing exacly how it works.
• Local variables and switches (lot of wet dream on this one).
• Bigger charset sprites.

 

[Peck]

I just wanted to say how much I appreciate the work Cherry and the rest have put into updating 2003, especially the recent Picture additions. It's allowed me to dust off a game I'd previously had to abandon, so thank you so much!

 

[tushime1976]

Amazing update.