What exactly is "ABS"?

[Tsukihime]

The term "ABS" is used often and also often refers to a specific battle system implemented in RPG Maker.


Is this the name of a specific battle system? Does "ABS" simply refer to something specific rather than a general class of battle systems that include a particular set of mechanics?


Or is this a type of battle system? If so, what are the defining characteristics of an "action" battle system?

 

[R4B]

Isn't action battle systems the same as on-map battle?
I think it means that all the fighting is done in real time on the map itself instead of going in to a battle scene.

 

[Monkeysnow55 The Cookie]

Yep, on map battle, Zelda style. Action for fighting obviously.

 

[Gothic Lolita]

But as far as I know, only for one actor at once in battle. 
Only seen one that have 4 characters in it, but only one is with energy bars and EXP gain.
That's why I didn't used it. :/ (\s/)

 

[EternalShadow]

On-Map, like FF12 and Zelda.

 

[TheoAllen]

Just like its name, "Action"

 

[nio kasgami]

Active Battle System or Action Battle System

who mean you have the possibility to move freely in battle where the part "active" 

who referd a lot to all kind of type aslong you can move "freely" in battle

 

[Tsukihime]

Just like its name, "Action"

"On-Map" doesn't really come to mind when I see the word "Action"


I think any sort of battle system that provides players with a greater degree of control over their characters' movements.


This is in contrast with battle systems where you simply pick a skill to use, and then the character uses it (as in, how the default RM battle system works, not in a general sense because most games provide you with a pre-defined set of actions)

 

[Mihel]

On-Map, like FF12 and Zelda.

I think ABS also implies no menu-based combat, and thus FF12 wouldn't really qualify.

 

[EternalShadow]

I think ABS also implies no menu-based combat, and thus FF12 wouldn't really qualify.

You don't really need to navigate menus much though, unless choosing a specific spell or whatever. What else would you qualify it as?

 

[TengHu]

Action Battle System


Real-time fighting on map. Hotkeys are used to access items rather than having to go into the menu.


Most ABS come with party support, meaning you'll have 3 allies on the map. That's called an SBABS: Squad Based Action Battle System.


Side note, I find them much more fun than turn-based ones.

 

[Gothic Lolita]

I would consider "Kindgdoms Of Amalur" or "Fable" as active battle system.
But if it's not limited to RPG's, it could be also something like "DMC".
I think basically, if you get the full control of the battle, then it's active battle system. (\s/)

 

[TheoAllen]

"On-Map" doesn't really come to mind when I see the word "Action"

Because on-map could be anything...

It could be tactical as well.

I would consider if you make your own scene that you have a full control over the character, then it's action. And action doesn't require menu to command your action. Just press the button and see the character attack.

 

[Gothic Lolita]

Because on-map could be anything...

It could be tactical as well.

What I planned to do, but still not sure, how to do with events. :/

A script wouldn't really help, because I only need it on a few maps I chose... (\s/)

I prefer the regular ATB system, full spoken Active Time Battle, like in Final Fantasy 7.

It's a compromise between action and classic JRPG. /)

 

[Engr. Adiktuzmiko]

@cheeky - unless you consider DMC as RPG too, RPG seems to be a bit blurred too.

It's more of combination of both active and action, which of the times, the battles happen on map. I've only played a few where we can consider the system as still ABS while the battle happens on a separate place than in the map... Especially when it comes to RM games..

Also, I do think it could have menus, as long as you don't need to pause while using the menu... Like KH for example, it has a menu of sorts for battle where you choose items or skills but everything still happens on real time and you can still move around and such while choosing a skill... They also have hotkeys... Most ABS uses hotkeys though, as far as my experience is concerned.

So IMHO, ABS is a general system where you fight "actively" instead of just waiting for your turn then choosing actions then wait again...

On another note, I do think there are only two major types of BS. Turn-based or Action/Active. Everything else is just a sub-set. 

 

[Mihel]

You don't really need to navigate menus much though, unless choosing a specific spell or whatever. What else would you qualify it as?

Well, without Gambits the only option to issue commands in real time is to navigate a couple of menus and submenus, and the battle pauses while you're selecting the next attack.

It's called Active Dimension Battle, I guess because many skills only work if the target is in close proximity to the caster.

 

[TheoAllen]

Well, you guys (especially tsukihime) should get used when people says 'On-Map battle' it usually refers to ABS and 'ABS' refers to 'on map action battle'. Unless there're some explanations (like used custom scene, etc ... ) or you're talking not in RPG Maker forum. 

The terms of Action Battle itself are already defined by a lot of people above.

 

[Nathan Frost]

Anti-Brake Locking System. 'ABS'

When I hear the word ABS regarding RPG Maker, it's usually one of those battle systems somebody is looking for that has a lot of options and nothing to 'hard' to work with, we all know that's not true with any kind of systems like that.
 

Aside from that though, ABS to me is battles on the maps that normally require event collision and projectile collision and are the most pains to work with, ATB is just those extra bars used as turn stamina in FF styled fights that most people are into. I don't really care for either system in my opinion, everyone always want's to go to the next level with them it seems.

I've also just jumped into a thread where I was to lazy to read any other replies and have no idea if my information is relevant to the discussion. It has to be though, given the stance I've said something related to it.

 

[sabao]

Well, you guys (especially tsukihime) should get used when people says 'On-Map battle' it usually refers to ABS and 'ABS' refers to 'on map action battle'. Unless there're some explanations (like used custom scene, etc ... ) or you're talking not in RPG Maker forum. 

The terms of Action Battle itself are already defined by a lot of people above.

'ABS' has been the standard name in the english-speaking RM communities for as long as I remember (RM2k days). By definition, it was a system that resembled that of Zelda or Secret of Mana in that players were able to move their characters around in real time and strike at will with the press of a button, which was definitely more 'action-oriented' than the default battle system. 'On-Map Battle' feels semantically incorrect. Chrono Trigger for example have their battles 'on-map', but it was very much a turn-based affair.

 

[captainproton]

Every time I read ABS, though, in my head, I hear "abs."  Like, "I need to install some abs in my game.  It's swimsuit season."