Arter
RPG Maker-in-Training
If I'm just bad news, then you're a lair.
Posts: 29
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Post by Arter on Jun 12, 2005 22:40:48 GMT -5
Hello, I'm new here. I found this site after hours of searching Google and finding no help whatsoever on RPG Maker 2. Luckily for me, I found you guys, because so far this site is a big help to me. I recently bought the game, but Gamestop crapped out on me and didn't ship it with a box or an instruction manual, basically leaving me alone in the dark with this game. As someone who isn't really a big fan of the game's preset data, I went straight for Hard Mode. It seemed like a good idea, as Beginner and Normal modes don't seem to offer much help on what I'm having the most trouble with: Scripts. I think I have a pretty basic idea of how the scripts work, my trouble lies in writing them. My first and main question is: Do I have to write a battle script, or can I just use the one that appears to be built into the game? Another big issue I'm having, how in the world do I make it so that I can leave an area and appear in another? I'm assuming there's some sort of script for it, but I've got no clue on what it is. So far, if I try to test play the game, I get the main map. Everything that I've placed is there, except there is no music, the battles don't work, and I can't get from one place to another. I apologize if these questions have already been asked and/or answered, but I skimmed some of the site and didn't see anything. Help would be much appreciated, as even GameFAQs couldn't help me with this game...
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Post by Rodak on Jun 13, 2005 3:03:15 GMT -5
Firsts things first; Welcome to the site. It's always nice to see the population explode... or something like that.
Right. Questions.
For your first effort I suggest starting a new game in Beginner then changing to Hard Mode. This will give you access to all the preset graphics and data that come with Beginner Mode as well as access to the Advanced Tabs that come with Hard Mode. Starting in anything other than easy mode and then changing modes does not give you the pre-set stuff.
You do not have to write your own battle system. The default one is very basic, but it works. Writing your own is very very involved. Try modifying the existing one first so you can get a handle on how it works. I have barely begun work on this aspect of RPGM2. There are other many people here who can help if you choose to go that route.
After you get the basics down, seek out DungeonWarden's Advanced FAQ for this game. It is far more informative than Prima's Strategy Guide (which I recommend).
The "Move from map to map? command you want is found under Party: Teleport: Warp. Attach that script to an event and place it on a map for your warp point. No model is needed, but you can use stairs or ladders, or dogs, or nothing at all.
Music and Battles are set in "World Organization" (Under "Graphics").
Music is set in the BGM slot and Battles are set in the "Units" slot.
Enemy Units are created in the multi-step process everything else uses. It goes Enemy Actions, Enemies, Units, Unit Placement.
If you need help with any specific aspects of this feel free to ask.
There are many useful scripts in the "Common Script Database" here which may give you a head start and a deeper understanding of the system in general.
Good luck with your game.
Peace.
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Post by BloodKnight on Jun 13, 2005 9:23:08 GMT -5
You mean the scripting FAQ at gameFAQs didn't help you? That's a first. I really have to get off my butt and update some stuff.
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Arter
RPG Maker-in-Training
If I'm just bad news, then you're a lair.
Posts: 29
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Post by Arter on Jun 13, 2005 12:01:28 GMT -5
The script FAQ helped a lot with some stuff, but it was mostly on which variables/flags/inputs do what. The basic scripts thread here helped me out a good bit, though. I've actually been visiting this forum for a few days, but didn't really have the time to join as my older sister has been completely HOGGING the computer for the last month (she's trying to get me off of it right now... I've been logged on for 9 minutes) Anyways... thanks for the help, hopefully I can get back to working on my game, recent thunderstorms have kept me from playing it. The other day I lost a good 2 hours worth of work on it when a transformer exploded about 7 hours after the storm ended... crazy.
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Post by Dungeon Warden on Jun 13, 2005 13:05:10 GMT -5
Welcome to this website. The best place on the web for RPG Maker 2. For all things RPG Maker related, you might want to check out the Pavilion (www.pavilionboards.com) as well.
I'm pretty sure There is a list of the commands on Game FAQs and what they do. I plan to add my own details on the commands to my Advanced FAQ at some point, but for now you might want to print out a list of the commands and keep it handy. That is one of the things I still use the instruction manual for.
Beginner and Normal modes are the only place you will find script help. There are only a few basic scripts in Hard mode. You can find a complete list of the scripts in my FAQ (thanks to RPG Learner) although it is still a good idea to start in Normal so you can see where the scripts go.
Use the battle scripts that come with Beginner and Normal mode. Only start in Hard if you don't plan to use the battle system at all (ex. your making a puzzle game or an action battle system using character models).
Starting in Normal or Beginner while help you here. The presets do all these basic things so you can look over the scripts and see how they are done.
I also suggest you get a Max Drive at some point so you can download some of the games here and at the Pavilion. You can also upload your own game once you have some playable content. It is a good motivator to have a goal to reach, like making a demo people can play. It is also good to see what others have done so you know what is possible on the system and what you could improve on.
I hope you stick around and let us know how you're coming along.
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Arter
RPG Maker-in-Training
If I'm just bad news, then you're a lair.
Posts: 29
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Post by Arter on Jun 13, 2005 13:22:20 GMT -5
I've heard about the Max Drive, where would I find one, and how much do they cost? Also, I tried messing around on both Beginner and Normal modes, but there's no access to the scripts whatsoever, so I wasn't able to see how particular scripts were written. I do plan on staying here, this place seems like a great source of information and fun. I'm hoping I can finish my game before RPGM3 comes out, but I doubt it'll happen.
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Post by The Smurf on Jun 13, 2005 14:34:57 GMT -5
max drives are usually sold at gaming stores and cost about $25 to $30 (at least that's how much mine cost), and what d'you mean there was no access to the scripts? you can look at preset scripts at any time at any difficulty.
edit: can't you?
-the smurf
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Arter
RPG Maker-in-Training
If I'm just bad news, then you're a lair.
Posts: 29
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Post by Arter on Jun 13, 2005 14:51:53 GMT -5
max drives are usually sold at gaming stores and cost about $25 to $30 (at least that's how much mine cost), and what d'you mean there was no access to the scripts? you can look at preset scripts at any time at any difficulty. edit: can't you? -the smurf After a Google search, I realized what a Max Drive is, they carry them at Gamestop for about $30, I almost bought one last time I went there. As for looking at preset scripts, it wouldn't let me. They were all greyed out and unaccessible. It made me rather mad, as that was how I was planning on learning how to do it, similar to how I learned different tricks of HTML by viewing the source codes of different pages. But I couldn't access it, unless there's some way to do it and I just didn't do it right, which is actually pretty likely
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Post by Dungeon Warden on Jun 13, 2005 15:50:24 GMT -5
In Beginner and Normal mode, the Hard scripts are locked so you don't edit them and cause the game to stop working properly. You can unlock them by going to Preferences and selecting Hard Mode from the menu (you can also change the background music here if you get sick of listening to the same tune over and over while you create your game). This will also unlock the hard tab so you can replace battle scripts and access other options that can cause problems if you don't know what you're doing, but are very useful if you do know what they do.
Note that the Custom tab is locked while you are in Beginner mode as well, so that you can only rename the characters, enemys and objects instead of making your own.
Since we're on the subject, I also want to suggest you copy and paste working party members and enemies instead of making your own. You shouldn't mess with the Adv options until you know what you are doing and it is safer to copy and paste then to try to figure out what goes where.
Once you get good at understanding how everything works, you can try changeing a few things and seeing what happens, but until then stick with the defaults.
Also, I should mention, there are two scripts called "Battle Victory" that are used in the Adv options and using the wrong one will prevent party members getting experience from battles.
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Arter
RPG Maker-in-Training
If I'm just bad news, then you're a lair.
Posts: 29
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Post by Arter on Jun 14, 2005 17:41:25 GMT -5
All right, so it looks like I can get into my town from the overworld map. Problem is, I want to make it so that I can get into my house from the town, but without having some sort of object in front of the door. I've tried just about everything... Also, I'm ready to get to work on non-playable moments, how do I make a cutscene?
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Post by The Smurf on Jun 14, 2005 18:52:55 GMT -5
"I want to make it so that I can get into my house from the town, but without having some sort of object in front of the door."
i'm not sure i fully understand your question, but have you tried making a warp script, putting it into an 'equal' event, and making there be no object (so it would appear as an invisible event box)? i think that should solve your problem...if not, let me know in more detail.
-the smurf
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2005 18:59:01 GMT -5
That'll work perfectly. I can't stand the door objects, so I don't use doors either, ever.
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Post by thetruecoolness on Jun 14, 2005 21:13:58 GMT -5
The easiest way to make a cut scene, is either to make an enter map script or make one event in the map and set it to start auto and put the following script in the apply section.
Here is the Script you should use in both cases.
Script: Apply Together Call [Camera Control] Call [Event Control 1] ... Call [Event Control n] Call [Party Move] // not always needed
In camera control you do rotates, and angle changes Event Control you will put in the various event movements and effects (all of which are under event or screen display in the script command menu) And in Party Move you use the party movement commands to move the party or the camera, since there is no other way to change the position of the camera without moving the party. So if you don't want the party to be there, but want to move the camera, do Party: Hide Party, and make sure they can bypass objects. And if you want the party to be stationary but move the camera, make an empty event, then change to that event and make it's model be the leaders model, and make the party invisible. Make sure this event is where you want the party to be stationary at. This is kind of tricky, but just remember the camera moves with the party (though it doesn't change direction, angle or distance, just position).
Thats basically it then you want to put wait commands in some each of the above scripts so they all sync up with each other. And to move events other than the one you put the script on, use the Event Control Change command to change to the event you want to move, at the beginning of each of the Event Control Scripts.
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mrbear
RPG Making Novice
Dont underestimate the bear's fury, just because he's adorable.
Posts: 102
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Post by mrbear on Jun 15, 2005 13:47:46 GMT -5
hey man I dont no if your even visiting this thread any more but i'll post this for any other n00bs who might read it (I recently graduated from "n00b" to "apprentice idiot"* myself!)[glow=red,2,300]If you started the game on "Hard" mode [/glow]And[glow=red,2,300]your not to far In, start another file in "norm" or "beg"[/glow] believe me i didnt think i NEEDED the preset data either but the preset scripts make life a whole lot easier. Take WANDER for example this (action)script changes your NPCs from wobbling Automatons to standard "walkabout" villagers. you can build the scripts yourself,but for your first game there is some very useful stuff in the presets.
P.S. if you did start your game in hard and are to far along to start over, start a 2ND file in BEG/NORM and use it for referance(copy scripts verbatim when you have to)
*hoping to make full "Idiot" by august(fingers crossed)
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mrbear
RPG Making Novice
Dont underestimate the bear's fury, just because he's adorable.
Posts: 102
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Post by mrbear on Jun 15, 2005 14:51:46 GMT -5
you know abut the help(start button) funtion right?
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Arter
RPG Maker-in-Training
If I'm just bad news, then you're a lair.
Posts: 29
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Post by Arter on Jun 15, 2005 23:02:37 GMT -5
you know abut the help(start button) funtion right? Yeah, it comes in handy in some occasions, in others it doesn't. I think I'm doing pretty well now, at least better than I was. Thank you all for helping me. I still have some questions, though. No matter what I do when I enter a new area, my character is facing East. This becomes a problem in areas in which I need him facing other directions (i.e. at the game start, he is eating breakfast, except for the fact that breakfast happens to be South and he is facing East ). Is there any way to make him face a different direction, preferably without having to use a script every time I want him to face a certain point? Now let's talk accessories. I plan to walk to Gamestop tomorrow, despite the heat and the distance. I plan to get a Max Drive. But I was wondering: from what I've heard, the game supports computer accessories such as a keyboard and a mouse. Do I have to get a specific brand? I have a USB mouse but it doesn't seem to be compatible with this game, and neither was my digital camera. If there is a specific type, what brand/model is it? Or can I just get a PS/2 to USB converter and use anything?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2005 23:21:00 GMT -5
Did you test the direction when warping to and from other areas? Did you start your game on Beg or Nrm and switch to Hrd? If so this should already be taken care of, except for the 'Start Point'. To do this add this in the 'To Map/Facing' script after it sets the party's direction:
Game Data: Load Script Branch: Sort: #86 [Map Number] Apply If ('World Organization' number of starting location') Script: Condition: (custom flag): Off Party: Direction Change: South 0F Data: Flag: (custom flag) to On Script: Condition End To End Script Branch End
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Post by Rodak on Jun 16, 2005 3:49:51 GMT -5
Game Data: Load Script Branch: Sort: #86 [Map Number] Apply If ('World Organization' number of starting location') Script: Condition: (custom flag): Off Party: Direction Change: South 0F Data: Flag: (custom flag) to On Script: Condition End To End Script Branch End I found that my obsession with rearranging things (in sort database) caused troubles with such scripts. If the database # changes because I thought moving or deleting something was a good idea, the script becomes useless. I suggest sorting Input 004 (Current Map) and using the text string naming the map for your "Apply If" command. Then you can sort database all you like and not need to edit your scripts. I do this as much as possible when sorting such things.
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Arter
RPG Maker-in-Training
If I'm just bad news, then you're a lair.
Posts: 29
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Post by Arter on Jun 16, 2005 9:51:21 GMT -5
While searching for info on the Max Drive, I came across something called the Action Replay Max Evo. Will this work in the same way that a Max Drive would? It says it has USB Flash support and it appears to have a lot of nifty features that the Max Drive doesn't, and it also says that it allows game save downloads. Should I get this, or just go with the Max Drive?
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Post by Rodak on Jun 16, 2005 11:45:25 GMT -5
As far as I know they are both the same thing (Max Drive and Evo version) the only difference being that Evo comes with nifty, but useless for file transfer, extras (on an extra software disc).
I have one and it is extremely easy to use.
Get the cheaper one if you do not intend on using the extras.
Peace.
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Arter
RPG Maker-in-Training
If I'm just bad news, then you're a lair.
Posts: 29
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Post by Arter on Jun 16, 2005 11:52:27 GMT -5
As far as I know they are both the same thing (Max Drive and Evo version) the only difference being that Evo comes with nifty, but useless for file transfer, extras (on an extra software disc). I have one and it is extremely easy to use. Get the cheaper one if you do not intend on using the extras. Peace. Sweet, thanks.
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mrbear
RPG Making Novice
Dont underestimate the bear's fury, just because he's adorable.
Posts: 102
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Post by mrbear on Jun 16, 2005 14:26:21 GMT -5
[I still have some questions, though. No matter what I do when I enter a new area, my character is facing East. This becomes a problem in areas in which I need him facing other directions (i.e. at the game start, he is eating breakfast, except for the fact that breakfast happens to be South and he is facing East ). Is there any way to make him face a different direction, preferably without having to use a script every time I want him to face a certain point? if U R In hard mode simply add a script to your "enter map" slot in world orginization script:apply together screen effects; color= black,black,black,black 0F party: direction=S screen effects:=default 15F (you dont really need anything more than the " party dir. south " command but the rest will keep it from startingf the party facing E and then immcediatly switching it S,instead it will fade in with the party facing south) i dont even know if you need it at all. i just have 'nt tested it yet
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Post by Dungeon Warden on Jun 16, 2005 17:08:30 GMT -5
You should use the enter map script To Map/Facing (if you insist on staying in Hard mode, you can load a normal game to see the script or check out my FAQ).
What no one has mentioned (because it is kind of sneaky, most people probably don't even realize what is going on), is that there is also an Exit Map script which loads Party data (Data : Load Game Info) whenever the party leaves a map. Why? So that the next map can use the party's direction to figure out what direction the party should be facing on the next map.
You always face East because East is equal to 0 in the database. If you Sort the party direction variable (Var85), you can have the party facing the same direction as the last map they exited. This requires always making your maps face the same direction, but it saves you writing a script for every map. Give it a try.
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Post by Dark Knight Of Lodis on Jun 18, 2005 21:42:22 GMT -5
The biggest help I've gotten in learning RPG Maker 2 (aside from the awesome people who are involved with this board, who seem to know everything amongst them...) was the strategy guide. I would strongly suggest getting it. It has everything you need to make a basic game, using their default systems.
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Arter
RPG Maker-in-Training
If I'm just bad news, then you're a lair.
Posts: 29
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Post by Arter on Jun 19, 2005 17:43:07 GMT -5
Still having some issues. My title screen seems to be working fine, but I'm trying to transition it into the opening cinema. Problem is, it refuses. I thought I would just do a simple Call Script command and it would run the cinema, piece of cake. Instead, it warps to the area where the cinema begins, but immediately gives control to the player, no cinema at all. I think I might fix this if I get rid of the call script command, but wanted to check here first. I think what I need to do is just start a game on easy mode, and write down all of the premade scripts that I might need. I was hoping to avoid this, as many of them are pretty long and copy/paste won't work, but if it helps, it helps
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