Why is RPG maker XP maps so big!?

[Shelby]

Ok so I know what you are thinking! OMG she still uses XP!? Yes sadly you would not believe some of the slum I have to work on. But it just seems to me that even when I lower the room size to the lowest it will go the room is still huge! Is this just me? Am I going crazy?

I use Ace to and it seems like the maps can be made nice and small. Any thoughts?

 

[Tai_MT]

Minimum map size in VX Ace is 17x13.  For a single room house (or a tent) it's a bit big.

However, if you're smart about how you use the map, you can make much smaller maps.  I created a tent room that was something like 7x5 (including the walls).  I made the entire map outside the room black.  Then, I put on the "wrap around vertically" and "wrap around horizontally".  Being that it's in the center of the map, I don't have to worry about double images, and it makes the player feel like they are inside a small tent that can't see outside.

 

[Shelby]

Minimum map size in VX Ace is 17x13.  For a single room house (or a tent) it's a bit big.

However, if you're smart about how you use the map, you can make much smaller maps.  I created a tent room that was something like 7x5 (including the walls).  I made the entire map outside the room black.  Then, I put on the "wrap around vertically" and "wrap around horizontally".  Being that it's in the center of the map, I don't have to worry about double images, and it makes the player feel like they are inside a small tent that can't see outside.

I do the extra black outlining for rooms to make them smaller but that is a lot of extra mapping and just seems weird!

 

[Raxus]

In XP, the designated mapper is encouraged to use the "Wall/roof" autotile that is provided via the RTP. It provides the top of the walls as well as adding a shadowy dark space as shown in the image below. Note the black bits around the frame of the interior room. This makes the room smaller as well as making it look more organized.

 

[Shelby]

I love that look! I guess we all just have to remember that it is a older engine and be happy that the new ones have some improvements? Still very different, wish I had more time for XP cause ACE is just kinda weird every time I learn something new about it. 

 

[Tai_MT]

How does that seem weird?  There's a "fill" tool for such things.  I love the Fill Tool for all sorts of things!

 

[Shaz]

Yeah, XP mapping wins, hands down. I always thought XP had too few autotiles, and while Ace (and VX) introduced a whole heap more, the "bad" things it's done outweigh the good of the extra autotiles. Give me XP maps any day.