September Goals & Progress Thread

[Rukiri]

@ksjp17 Yes I do but it's mainly intended for a specific type of battle system, not the overly generic releases you generally see... 


I don't like creating large plugins if I don't have to,  I can code entire battle systems with just event scripting (javascript), I wouldn't do this to traditional menu based systems since I find them to be more work than an ABS! 


I've programmed Seiken Densetsu 3 in various languages and engines, don't think that style of battle would be difficult at all with MV, I tried in Ace but Ace or XP were not fast enough for my standards.. very very slow!  But, ruby is a horrible language for game development... I love it for web development though!    


Now, while I can write the code there are certain things you would not event script.


- Any visual effects unless they're simple. 


- Mode 7....


Why would I event script with javascript vs just using standard RM Event Code or using Plugins?


- I just find it faster, might create AI plugins though so I can just map monsters to my ai events.

 

[Punamaagi]

Greetings, friends! I have returned from an epic adventure, so please pay no heed to the legendary artifacts I carry, maps stashed on my belt and the demon blood splattered on my clothes... In other words, er, hi - I'm finally back from a small break caused by the newest World of Warcraft expansion. >.>' Took me long enough.


Thankfully I've managed to make some notes and draw sketches even during these weeks, and tonight I decided to get back to actual game making as well and finally finished the dialogue for bridge scene version A (on all four main characters). I also downloaded and tried Yanfly's Visual State Effects plugin and marvelled how it feels like it was made for my game, heh.


I might as well try to write down my goals for this week so that I can try to finish the first demo finally this month.

• Do the aftermath scene for the bridge scene. It shouldn't be too difficult since I can copy at least parts of the dialogue from another scene which is mutually exclusive to this one, meaning that the player won't see both in the same playthrough.
  
• Revise the tutorial battle and decide whether other tutorials are needed. Some of my initial testers haven't ever played RPG Maker games, so I'm wondering whether I should mention the default keys for dashing etc. or trust that go and check the keyboard config by themselves. I'm not sure if it's possible to access the key assigned for a specific command or not, though (in case I wanted to e.g. write 'press {Dash} to dash on maps'). I will have to heavily edit the battle tutorial, in any case: it focuses too much on things players probably know by default and not enough on each characters' skill set.
  

 

[Marquise*]

YAY... I am allowed to show you this...Third one the tail positions matches but I need to change the proximity of the volume and turn the tail teeth the other way but I think doing that in color so you won't see it if you don't play Dymdez game... if you notice it at all in-game too occupied to flee a pangofly dragon!


(ADDENDUM; Ack I transfered dust!!! Again!)

 

[Kes]

@Arcmagik No shame involved - it can be difficult finding the time to keep everything updated.  That is one reason why I have never started a 'Game in Development' thread for any of my games.  My fear would be that it would become out of date, or that updating/answering there would take away from the time I have for development.  Glad, though, that you're 60% through your Intro.  That is such an important moment that it's worth taking your time over it.


@Marquise* I love that animated dragon. Dymdez made a good choice getting you to do it.


@Punamaagi Expansions - great for 'research', but such a time-guzzler.  Nice to see you back, and apparently unscathed from your epic deeds.


My update


Done the next map which, though small, took ages because it meant creating a few wrecked items, as this place is abandoned.  I'm still having some trouble with the Spend Points script not allocating the correct number when a player joins at a higher level, so I've had to take the brute force way i.e. initializing the character when it joins the party, and building up levels etc. with event commands and script calls, all before the text X joins the party appears.  Seems to do the trick.

 

[bgillisp]

@ksjp17: I've wondered where everyone is for a while. Maybe RL got in the way for all of us? Maybe September is do something besides RM month and I didn't get the update?


@Punamaagi: You missed a villain in your adventure. I heard the Dark Lord escaped and is out for revenge.


9.20 Update: Still nothing. RL got in the way as I got all the feedback for a math book I'm working on and the updates need to be done yesterday. Looks like September is shot for me as I'll be on that until probably end of month. Maybe October will be better?

 

[Marquise*]

@Marquise* I love that animated dragon. Dymdez made a good choice getting you to do it.

I wouldn't had taken the commission to do it if Daughter Cat wasn't sick; the donation got straight to the charity which took care of DC's vet fees and got her fix and later on also got her antibiotic and MEGA antibiotics and prebiotics and what was missing for her home as I am still paying her old vet who didn't took care of her problem seriously when it was the time. :X


And progress wise... I might scan the dragon attack sequence line test later on today.  My internet, telephone and computer turned a wee bit unreliable yesterday.  (It kinda is an euphemism; I panicked and two net services were also -one is still- making me troubles!)  I hope this is not my last message for a long while. 

 

[Arcmagik]

Yeah... I've been working but felt like I was posting a bunch of needless updates so I dialed it back to only updating like once a week since in some cases I was just a post or two shy of a double post.


I have been doing continuous work on the game even when I thought I was going to slow down I got things accomplished.

 

[EliteZeon]

Augh.... so busy... no time to make game... T_T (several months since my last status update)


At least I managed to find some time to redo the title screen for my project today:

Original version can be seen below:

Spoiler

I'll be back whenever I am able to actually present something more... (dies a little inside)

 

[Marquise*]

@EliteZeonNice!  there are elements I do like in both of them that I would mix/fusion together!

 

[Punamaagi]

@ksjp17 Funnily enough, playing did give me some inspiration or at least helped me to decide on something. I had previously been thinking that I could try to give the first maps a more "northern" feel, and then I found out that my favourite zone in the new expansion was the one with strong Nordic vibes. I didn't intend to keep such a long break from RPG making, though; it feels nice to be back.


@bgillisp Damn, there's always that one boss who escapes. As for the quietness of the thread, I think that it's a combination of schools starting and some new games etc. being released.


@Marquise* Lovely work with the dragon! I know too well how annoying it is to have unreliable Internet connection, so I hope things get sorted for you as soon as possible.


@Arcmagik Good to hear that at least someone has been diligent, heh. Not only is it nice to read of people's progress in this thread, but it also motivates me to work on my game.


@EliteZeon Small steps are still steps and (hopefully) help you keep your inspiration alive. I really like rune behind the title of your game: I wonder if it'd look good if it wasn't as faded out in the new title screen?


I ended up deviating from my plan although I made progress. Instead of working on the aftermath scene, I finished (and honed) the dialogue for one of the four main characters so that his route(s) are now complete in the alpha/demo version. I've also been talking quite a bit with my brother, who is also making a RPG Maker game, and getting ideas from our discussions. Knowing someone else who is doing the same thing is also a great motivator.

 

[EliteZeon]

Alrighty here is try numbah two! The feedback is really appreciated, thanks!

Spoiler

And here is a battler I managed to make in about an hour or so... next comes the horrible process of animating him.

The character plays a major part in my storyline, he is a Justiciar from the church, which worships 3 major deities referred to as The Great Ones, the leader of the gods is a representation of the sun. You know, standard stuff.

 

[Kes]

@EliteZeon Good to see you back.  I was rather sad to think that maybe 4 Runes had gone into permanent hiatus.  I think title screen version 2 is definitely better.


@bgillisp Funnily enough, I was wondering to myself a few days ago what had happened to the book and whether that would slow game making down.  Good luck with it.


@Marquise* From a fellow internet sufferer, my default reaction now is - deep breaths, cup of tea and only panic after that, if needed.


@Punamaagi You're lucky to have someone to discuss game making with face to face with; it is really helpful and, as you say, encouraging.


My update


More mapping and moving into a mega tile/tile set creation phase.  I have 3 similar locations in this part of the game and think it's vital that they have very different visuals.  I don't want the player bored with the graphics.  


I now have my custom sprite for character #1 from @hiddenone as it was more complex than my limited skills could do.  She is so good and, just like her tutorials says, sprites like a ninja.  Helps my motivation a lot to get things like this done and I can see the result immediately.

 

[VideoWizard]

Back into fall mode I go. It's scary how much time has passed (and how scary it is that it's close to Halloween).


Outside of a competing rpg creation product that I spent a weekend recreating a map from VXAce in, I haven't made that much progress. It happens, I guess. I'm sure I'll come up with something eventually.


At least there's plenty of other progress to read about here right now

 

[Marquise*]

Some news of my progress with the dragon


View attachment 48181


I think, I got to tame it a bit...  He kinda bites!  (He might bite well soon as a sprite.)

 

[Another Ned]

September's almost over and that might make me a little late, but I... Let's just say that keeping to a deadline interferes with me having a social life, even if that social life is restricted to the internet/posting in a progress thread due to circumstances. x"D


Things done this month so far: Three environment sketches to help me with the design process, the linework for all B and C tiles I need, figured out a way to create the colour versions without the need of half a quadrillion layers in one file (the solution was Photoshop's smart objects btw), after which I've finished all of the B and 36/53 of the C tiles. And now that it's evident I'll be able to make my deadline/goal (finish all C tiles by September 30th) it seems I'm relaxed enough to want to post again. Yay?


A few short replies/feedbacks:


@EliteZeon: I like the colour choices for this title screen, but one thing I find odd is that the title is so blurry when everything else, even the island in the water, is a crisp silhouette. Speaking of water, are you planning on adding the reflection of the island to the water as well? With water that calm and the placement of the horizon, I'd expect to see a clear reflection, nothing blurry (again, blurriness clashes with the crispness of everything else if it's like this). In case anything of this has sounded grumpy, it'd be because I've just eaten breakfast and won't have my tone in check for another few hours. And have I said I like those colours? Cyan/magenta is on my list of favourite colour combinations (close behind orange/violet). Oh, I just remembered, there's this Tutorial video on how to make water reflections by Scott Robertson. It's almost half an hour, but might help. 


@Marquise*: I think I'll skip out on petting this dragon. I like my hand and want to keep it. Great to see how it comes along, I hope you (and the cats) are well.


Oh, and if anyone remembers the WIP screenshot I posted in last month's thread, this is what it looks like now:

Spoiler

Everything without polish so far, and there's still some colour tweaking to be done. If anything jumps out at you, please tell me, no matter how minor you think it might be. Once I'm done I'm planning on visiting the WIP thread with those things. Hopefully I'll remember this. D:

 

[Arithmetician]

Yeah, I've been busy with working and homework for grad school.


Still, my class system is almost completely planned out now.  I figured I should move some skills out of each class's core command so there would be more variety in skill equip options.  Most classes have one Command (though this may contain multiple related skills) and five Equipped Skills that can be learned and transferred to other classes.  Classes that have two Commands have four Equipped Skills that they can learn.  The Mimic is an exception, with just one learned Equipped Skill, since its Command Skill is more versatile than the others.   

Spoiler

Freelancer - Command: None, Equipped Skills Learned:  First Aid, Equip Spears, MP Up, JP Boost, Determination, Limit Break


Knight - Command: Fortify, Equipped Skills Learned:  Challenge, DEF Up, Equip Heavy Armor, Equip Greatswords, Giant Slayer


Warrior - Command: Bloodlust, Equipped Skills Learned: Double Attack, Desperation, Equip Axes, ATK Up, Blitz


Cleric - Command:  Holy Magic, Equipped Skills Learned: Equip Staves, Charity, MDEF UP, Healing Lore, Grace


Magus - Command: Elemental Magic, Equipped Skills Learned: Equip Tomes, Equip Mystic Armor, MAG Up,  Nonverbal, Overcharge


Ranger - Command: Aim, Equipped Skills Learned: Hunter's Eye, Ambush, Equip Bows, HIT Up, Rapid Volley


Rogue - Command: Steal, Equipped Skills Learned: Quick Escape, Light Steps, Evade Up, Throw Money, Dual-Wield


Bard - Command: Sing, Equipped Skills Learned: Hide, Equip Harps, Resist Charm, Agility Up, Equip Light Armor


Hex - Command: Curse Magic, Equipped Skills Learned: Luck Up, Insomniac, Equip Scythes, Drain Mind, Resist Curse


Monk - Command: Martial Arts, Equipped Skills Learned: Equip Fists, HP Up, Meditation, Natural Healing, Serenity


Astrologer - Commands: Astral Magic, Predict, Equipped Skills Learned: Physical Barrier, Mirror Barrier, EXP Boost, Half MP Cost


Fencer - Commands: Swordplay, Sword Magic, Equipped Skills Learned: Reflexes, Riposte, Critical Up, Equip Swords


Chemist - Commands:  Mix, Treatment, Equipped Skills Learned: Eye Protection, Antivenin, Pharmacology, Auto-Potion


Mimic - Command:  Mimicry, Equipped Skill Learned: Double Cast

All the system really needs now is a number of skill slots per character and some adjustments of job levels.


That leaves me with working out the cast, and how I'll divvy these jobs up between them.  And of course, one of my goals for the month was to make sprites for each character in each job, but that can be done quickly enough with the character generator.  

 

[Arcmagik]

After a very frustrated morning with the Row Formation system in my game... I had to walk for awhile so I didn't get as much progress done today as I wanted too. However that being said... the Battle of Seimu is just about done. Now it is just a matter of cleaning up a few things here and there (the battles and such). For some reason (despite the fact that I am literally copying things back and forth from Yanfly's Sample project to mine own... it works in the Sample Project, but not in my own!) my back row Battlers will not attack so until I can figure that out I can't clean up the battles in Seimu so I am moving on to the village after the battle now and will poke at the Battle System as I go!


Yay Progress!

 

[Arithmetician]

@Arcmagik  Rows have confused me before too, specifically in how to set up ranged weapons.  


But as you said, yay, progress!

 

[Marquise*]

@ChiaraI kinda took the link you send to Elite Zion as I was intrigued by your nice color choices.  Also, grarrrrgh... if Mister Cat learns to be social (Very social; he don't look the same as from May), Daughter cat kinda like to steal a bit some of his food now.  I guess she have to get back at him for 5 months and she found back the ability to pounce on the wet food as I prepare it.  And it is first what got her that accident that makes her hard breathing sine twelve years...  And right now with temperatures cooling down, she wheeze a bit.  Also, we have to do something before her rotten teeth eat her all up!  I really love how the environment looks like in your game.  Not too much texture but something really clean and sharp and crisp about it!  If someone complains about it being RPGMaker from assets here... well that person is just plain dumb and even unworthy to be slapped in the face!  I was kinda missing you BTW I hoped your domestic problem had solved.  Still praying for you.


And now...  coloring walking bits of that pangofly dragon.  And yeah, like hippopotamus, don't let the cuddly look fool you; hippopotamus seems the less aggressive of all Africa. Still, apparently if I read and listened well documentaries, they are the most reported to kill peoples who comes close.  (We are really far away from hunters coming close to lions to steal their food huh?)

 

[Another Ned]

@Arithmetician: The "equip fists" part had me chuckle. Is the Monk a robot/cyborg, or is it just to keep the wording consistent?


@Arcmagik: Hope the row formations will behave when you get back to them. D:


@Marquise*: Thanks, that you like the colours means a lot to me. Aww, would you notice if Daughter Cat stopped stealing food once they're exactly even? That'd be a little funny. Hope her teeth issues get resolved. D: And no, my situation's still the same. And yay for the progress!


Progress, 24th:

• finished 14 more tiles (mostly small potted plants and flowers) and almost finished the 15th one as well