Okay, I'm back with more mock-up screenshots. Back in my
previous post, I suggested a modding ability that lets you add graphical interface mods instead of just adding text in a text box from scripts
[e.g. <cooldown: 3>].
I then expanded on this idea by creating the next screenshots. Disclaimer: all screenshots below are photoshopped images, with parts taken from Google Images. No buttons are clickable, nor is this work in development by Enterbrain. More info below the images.
The menu has a more modern layout, though controversial: a ribbon. Some may like it, others do not. Just a designer's note you might not know, which is also true in the MS Office packs with ribbons: they resize dynamically like a responsive website, depending on your window width.
New here is the return of different layers, looking back from RPG Maker XP. Standard, layer 1 is behind everything, layer 2 is on top of layer 1 but behind the player, layer 3 is on the same layer as the player, layer 4 and 5 are on top of the player with layer 5 on top of everything.
Now something more interesting:
A Mod menu. Oh, and the blue line at the bottom? Part of the Start menu bar.
I am not good at creating logos, that is not my thing, so sorry for the lack of images at the ribbon buttons.
In this menu, you can access mods giving more features to this RPG Maker. Compare with Scripts, but where scripts are variables executed in a database's Note box — and in the Scripting Editor itself — Mods give you more graphical user interfaces. Think buttons, menus, sliders, checkboxes, etc.
Standard, the database Note box is not there, but it can be put back by a mod. And you see, even Enterbrain delivers some mods. Some delivered from outside the game, some bundled with the game (e.g. the notebox mod).
Auto-arrange lets RPG Maker arrange mods in a way that if you would get an error when executing a playtest because of in what order the mods and scripts are executed, it would be arranged in such a way that you wouldn't get any errors. It might not be the ideal arrangement for you as an advanced user, but new users may get errors in this part of the program while they don't know where the error exactly is or how it could be resolved. Mostly by just random juggling with the Script Editor in Ace. Now RPG Maker juggles for you!
Let's look at some mods here. If you don't like them, just turn them off. This list will be in all your projects, so no need to redownload all mods and scripts for each and every new project you make.
Turn-based Battles
You select your skill, you directly execute without selecting other party members' skills first. If you have downloaded another mod or script like an Active Time Battle mod, chances are that if you toggle on either one of these, the other becomes greyed out to prevent conflicts.
Advanced Music
More music options in your sound menu. E.g. looping a music file without the need to launch an external program; or multiple layered music (aka more music tracks).
High Resolution Patch
Let's say this one is added later by Enterbrain, hence the "patch" part — as a mod to not possibly break your game if enabled. If it breaks, you can always toggle it back off and continue from there without it.
Enterbrain's Android Exporter
Add an export menu in the File ribbon tab to export to Android phones and tablets.
Steampunk Texture Pack
Just to show it's not always adding features. You can edit almost anything in this program towards the user, using APIs and such. This one changes the layout as if it was the CSS of a website: changing the colors and textures of the menus, changing the icons and possibly the position of the menus. It might even arrange the menus in such a way that there is no ribbon anymore and arranges everything on a toolbar, like Ace now does. You see, anything is possible.
Okay, that was my post until here. I hope you can discuss some of the features I brought forward. So standard, you got a bit less than Ace (no note box to add simplicity to the new user), but with mods, you get more, easier and quicker.
Oh, and if the database window becomes too full, it will automatically add a scrollbar so you can add even more content to that window,
With many greetings,
Amy Zee
