RPG Maker MZ, Preview #2: Graphics, Mapping, Eventing!

[Sal-O-Mac]

You can use any tile in any layer. So if you want to not use autotiles at all, you have a lot more room in B-E to make base tiles than you did in RMMV (since you could only use A tiles as base tiles before)

(Still Touchfuzzy, just have switched accounts cause I was working on the new resource pack release post...)

That's amazing! Being able to mix and match tile types with more freedom is a definite plus! I was really hoping for this so I could use those slots taken up by auto-tiles that I don't use! This is exactly how I would improve the mapping while realistically staying in the RPG maker framework! It's like getting an extra page of tiles! VERY nice update!

 

[dyoghenes]

So if you want to not use autotiles at all, you have a lot more room in B-E to make base tiles than you did in RMMV (since you could only use A tiles as base tiles before)

But autotiles in A will work the same way? So for example I can't put a barrell in A1 because it still functions as an autotile, right?

 

[RPGMakerWeb]

But autotiles in A will work the same way? So for example I can't put a barrell in A1 because it still functions as an autotile, right?

Yeah, the autotiles sections still function the same way they did before.

 

[Niten Ichi Ryu]

I just keep throwing money at my screen, but no MZ... why u take long software?

 

[JosephSeraph]

laziness where they're designed to face a certain way to be usable for both Front View & Side View

That's not "laziness", that's intelligent use of resources. Would you rather have 100 monsters optimized for both sideview and front view, or 100 monsters divided in 50 for sideview and 50 for front view each?

 

[Kauzz]

This new update was awesome for me. I loved the move routes system (this was a thing i always wanted in RPG Maker), and the new RTP looks soo good. I loved how they gave more attention modern enviroments. I was really tired of that medieval stuffs from old makers (VX/ACE/XP and etc...)

 

[AfroditeOhki]

I'll just be here rolling my eyes at the idea that "laziness" means "someone else who didn't make the thing in the specific way that I personally prefer it".

 

[XPKobold]

Finally layer mapping is back from the XP days. That was a much needed feature that i missed so much. Really like how there even a preview move route.

 

[MadRamDesigns]

Ooo, yes to map layers and movement route previews!

Question about the first character in the preview "img_01_05"...is that 4 animation frames or just an oddly cropped SV_actor sheet?

As others, I'm curious what other tilesets come in the RTP come with default MZ.
I've spent the last few months working on some alternative (not-medieval-European) locales/themes but am now hesitant to do more until I see what's included.

Still looking forward to future announcements.

 

[Touchfuzzy]

Question about the first character in the preview "img_01_05"...is that 4 animation frames or just an oddly cropped SV_actor sheet?

Oddly cropped. It is the same format as MV sideview battlers.

 

[Bex]

Thank you for advancing the Event commands and all the other Features, it looks awesome.
One Question, do we also get 3x3 Autotiles back?

 

[masterlobo]

Are there higher res shots of what was announced today? Would love to look at them in more detail

 

[CubeThePixel]

It would be so cool if the character generator would also create an bust version of the character.

 

[WesdrasLink]

That's awesome, the layers is one of the best things.
This feature to preview the event movement route is super helpfull.
I gettin' hyped

 

[DJK1NG_Gaming]

Man it just keep getting better. Loving the Move Route improvement. Hated having to count grid in my head to get the accurate movement I want.
And layers are back and Text Box improved with more default assets to work with.
Greatness. I am desperate for that release date.

Though I do wonder how much default asset there are for the Generator.

 

[masterlobo]

Btw, pardon my ignorance about the layering system, but does it impact how passability works?

For example, in this promo shot:

If you are on the first floor can you go through the circled area? And if you are in the second floor you would walk above it?

 

[Viscount]

Finally.... You've scratched an itch I've had for so long. This is the best news about the engine thus far.

@Touchfuzzy Is the engine now in it's final stages regarding placement of UI elements? I only ask cause in XP the layers were part of the icons across the main bar instead of a drop down menu. It's nothing major but it would eliminate a lot of extra clicking if you want to use manual control for the layers.

 

[Bribolox]

Last week, we took a look at the music, animations, and time progress battle system… so what is on the table for this week: Graphics, Mapping changes and Eventing!

Enhanced Map Editor!
Map Layers Have Returned!

One of the most requested RPG Maker features makes its return in RPG Maker MZ! The layer system is no longer only automatic! You can switch between manual and automatic layer control through the menu or through a quick keyboard shortcut!

The return of layers means you can now draw underneath existing parts of the tile! Put A tiles on the upper layer, use D tiles as a base. Stack 4 A tiles, or 4 B-E tiles, or any mix in any order!

The control of layers is now in your hands!

In addition, there are a number of minor enhancements to the mapping editor, such as:

• ★ passability tiles now always appear in the editor as they would appear in game.
• The map tree drag and drop behavior has been enhanced to make it easier to rearrange your maps.

More Powerful Events!
In addition to the map editor enhancements, many, many event commands have gotten tweaks to make them more powerful and easier to use. Let’s dive right in on a few example changes!

• The Show Text command has added a name box field! No longer will a plugin be needed just to ID the character speaking!

• Events and the player are now selectable locations for the Get Location Info command! Easily determine the Terrain Tag or Region ID of the tile the character or an event is standing on.
• Wait for Completion checkbox added to the Scroll Map command
• Basic Tweening/Easing Options are now added to Move Picture Command. Available settings include Constant Speed, Slow Start, Slow End and Slow Start and End settings
• The Button selection for the Conditional Branch command has now added Pressed (activates and continues as long as held), Triggered (activates and does not repeat when held down), and Repeated (activates and continues as long as held, longer delay between repeat) options.
• And many more!

Preview Move Route!
A more substantial change to the Event Editor is the Preview Move Route option! More easily see how your event will move with a press of a button!

You can easily click on another spot on the preview to set the start point of the move route, for use with moving targets other than the event originating the command. This move route preview is available in both the Set Movement Route command and the Autonomous Movement custom route!

Default Materials
RPG Maker MZ features the largest collection of default materials in series history! With a massive collection of graphics and music to work with, you can jump right into making your game.

On top of all the types of materials you are familiar with, RPG Maker MZ also adds Busts and Full Character Arts for all 120 characters that have face graphics!

And now that MZ supports .ogg files no matter how the project is deployed, you will no longer have to bloat your project folder with both .ogg and .m4a files!

Graphics

• Animations: 120
• Battle Background 1: 51
• Battle Background 2: 50
• Character Sprites Sheets: 44
• Character SV Battlers: 40

• Face Graphic Sheets: 15
• Character Busts: 120
• Character Full Art: 120

• Enemy Battlers: 105
• Enemy SV Battlers: 105

• Tileset Sheets: 31
• Parallaxes: 21

• Title Screens: 20
• Weapons: 25
• States: 10
• Icon: 273
• Button Set: 2
• Balloon: 10

Sound

• 48 BGM
• 29 BGS
• 27 ME
• 345 SE

Meh. 40 SV battlers out of how many available characters?

 

[Juanita Star]

Well, the whole preview move route thing is a real quality of life upgrade. I can't remember how often I had replayed the same sequence over and over again just to check the move routes on things.

Can you talk about the tile size?

As someone who likes making complicated cut-scenes, this is my life. So, the preview move route is going to be a update on life.

 

[Ryisunique]

I'm sold on a few of the tilesets and the gorgeous buildings already made. The Move Preview will also be divinely helpful.