Few more questions...

[Dark Knight Of Lodis]

Now that I got RPGM2 up and running again, here come some more questions. ;D

My first one is, is it possible to set the level system so that you can "buy" abilities with experience? For example, it takes 20 exp to level up, and ability 1 costs 5 experience, and ability 2 cost 13, for a total of 18. The remaining 2 exp are saved for the next level up where abilities can be bought. The next level takes 30 more experience, and because of the surplus points there are 32 points to spend on abilities at this level.

My second question is, how could you make it possible to use abilities outside of battle that are unique to characters? For example, a thief and his skill with unlocking doors, or a fortune teller and her ability to read minds? I heard something of a second menu, but wasn't sure how to use it, maybe I could use it so that the skills of the leader of the party are shown on that menu, and the others do not show?

[The Final Rune]

I don't think you can use the actual player experience in this way, but I could be wrong.

I wonder if by subrtacting EXP a player could lose a level?

I know you can do it by creating a variable that monitors the player's EXP and keeps a record of it. This variable could esily be used to do something like what you're looking for.

[Dark Knight Of Lodis]

Thanks, TFR, I was thinking along the lines of using a variable, just haven't quite mastered using them yet. I'll have to play around with it for a bit to see.

As another question, I think the game is restricted in this part, but is there any way to make it that a character might need a certain ability before they can equip, say, Platemail? Or is what people can equip permanently restricted on the checkmarks in the boxes on the game settings (I think) menu?

[Dungeon Warden]

1. There is an experience variable (actually, there are several - check my FAQ for more details) so you don't need to make one. Change the level up script so that you buy abilities instead of leveling up.

2. User Menus (up to 10) can be set up like the [] button to use system events and content scripts to do whatever you want. The User Menu slots are in Game Settings and the player can access them from the set-up menu (they appear along with the reorder and equip commands)

3. There is an equip slot under the Adv tab of the item database. Have the script check if the player is allowed to equip the item and then remove the equipment if they can't.

[Dark Knight Of Lodis]

Thanks, DW. The first two were very helpful, I forgot about that FAQ, I'll check it out again, this time with my PS2 working. ;D

As for the third one, I'm not sure if you understood what I meant, or maybe I misunderstood what you meant. What I was asking is that if you could make the character need to, in my case, "buy" the "equip heavy armor" skill before being able to wear it, or if all characters were permanently restricted from wearing anything that wasn't on the checkmarked list for who can equip it.

[Dungeon Warden]

There is no way a character can use something they don't have checked (either for class or character). What I was suggesting is allowing the character to equip the item and then checking if they have the Heavy Equip ability (or whatever) and removing the item if they don't.

One problem with this idea is that I don't think the Adv scripts run in the Equip menu command, but only if the character selects the item in the item menu or you equip it with the Member : Possessions : equip command, which you can use to equip items the play can't normally use. If you want to make your own equip menu you could use this command. Just make all equipment unequipable and the player wouldn't be able to equip anything unless they used your special equiping script.

I hope that gives you an idea of what you're up against.

[Dark Knight Of Lodis]

Thanks, DW. I was right when I said that I was the one mistaking your words. I figured as much. Sounds complicated, but I'll look into it.

I have another problem now, too, with scripting. I am trying to make a battlefield with quite a few warriors acting at once, (cutscene, not party) but even with Apply Together them apply in order. Any idea why? Or can someone give me an example of how I should be doing this? MY script is 78 lines long, and I'd rather not copy it if someone can solve it without me using twenty minutes on it. Thanks.

[Rodak]

Finally!

A question I can answer for somebody!!

Even if it is not on the board I have been using!!! Now the conquerer of the Nastrix Galaxy has invaded this board as well!

I spent a lot of time on cut scenes and can probably help with other questions too, but for this one I think the problem is that the system seems to apply event movement in order regardless of the "Apply together" command. This is probably to prevent something like "2 steps East" then "2 steps North" from being executed as "4 steps North-East."

The way around this is to write individual scripts for each soldier (or whatever event model). Once each individual path is defined in it's own script go back to the "master script" and, using "apply together," call all the scripts you want to activate.

Everybody acts at once!

[Dark Knight Of Lodis]

Thanks a lot, Rodak. I'll try that right away, and welcome to the board!

I'm not a moderator, or even an old member but I'll give you my opinion of this board. It's probably the best RPGM2 board out there, by far the best I've found. People answer your questions (I 99% guarantee) within 24 hours, usually less than 6. Plus, everyone on here is pretty cool, no spammers, except for in the 'Spam Away' topic, good senses of humor, and just interesting people to talk to in general.

P.S. If you play any good strategy games, or hear of any coming out (especially Medieval ones) let me know! Thanks. ;D

[Rodak]

I usually post things while at work and thus I often forget key details ('cuz I'm doing two things at once). Oops

In each of your called scripts you NEED to use the "Event:Control:Change" command (preferably as the first line of code) because the script is being executed from a different event! Just be sure to identify the correct event in each script. These scripts do not need to be attatched to any event.

After you call all of them, you may need to return event control to the current event, although the command is not needed at the end of each called script because the change at the top of the next script will change control either way.

Good luck with it, I gotta get back to woik!

As far as good strategy games go, I really don't play that many games but I think Chess is still the best!

Peace.

[Dark Knight Of Lodis]

Hmm...seem to be having a tough time, not only making my game, but figuring some of the things out.

I'm still having trouble with my intro, can someone post an example of how to make all the scripts work at the same time? My four soldiers still move at different times...

Also, the visual effects editor is being a bitch. lol. I have the battle effects down, but it's almost impossible to make the out of battle effects and make them work...I tried to make a sword that swings for when one soldier swings it and kills another, but it's a pain. Any suggestions would be helpful, thanks.

[Rodak]

Well, since this was my first post on this board, I'll try to finish what I started.

Posting something worthy of the topic is big, so print it or take notes:

OK, here is an example of how to have 4 events move together on a map, each following it's own trajectory:

I'm going to try to write this like a tutorial, but we'll see what I end up with. I'm having a sleepless night and take no responsibility for any bad jokes I may make.

First make a setting. A simple one is a flat map with a single object in the center (127,127 for you sticklers). Any object you like. If you don't like it, why bother?

Set your game to start at these coordinates and, just for this test, adjust your party to one member with no model (100% Transparent or just very small). This will center the camera on the object and the party leader will be hidden inside it.

Pick four events and place them at 5 paces North, South, East, and West of the center (various combinations of 123 and 127 for coordinates). Go to their event scripts and set their directions such that all they face the center (The one north of center faces south, etc).

I'll wait here while you do that.

Next make the individual scripts describing the four routes. In this example the three events (use any models you like) (I will call them Cows for reference, but Ducks or Wabbits or Godzillas would do just fine) will dance around a center. I'm just copying from a scene in my game so I know it works and the effort is not so great on this end (thanks to the magic of copy and paste) (use it in scripting!). This will be a little bit involved though, because you are juggling scripts and events and I tend to ramble.

In the examples [Cow N] is the name of the cow north of center. The one facing south. The rest should be obvious.


Here is the first script. It is for the cow east of center:

===========
Event Control:Change Target To [Cow E]

Event:Move SE 5 Steps Facing Movement: 7 Frames
Event Move:Change Direction N 5 Frames
Efent Effects:Single Action=Happy
Other Wait 10 Frames

Event:Move NE 5 Steps Facing Movement: 7 Frames
Event Move:Change Direction W 5 Frames
Efent Effects:Single Action=Happy
Other Wait 10 Frames
Event:Move NW 5 Steps Facing Movement: 7 Frames
Event Move:Change Direction S 5 Frames
Efent Effects:Single Action=Happy
Other Wait 10 Frames
Event:Move SW 5 Steps Facing Movement: 7 Frames
Event Move:Change Direction E 5 Frames
Efent Effects:Single Action=Happy
Other Wait 10 Frames
===========

I left that space up there to show the structure. Just copy and paste that block three times and then go in and change the directions.

Then copy and paste the whole script. Change the first line to [Cow S] and adjust the directions accordingly. To do that just examine the above script and find the section where the event turns to face south. The next line of movements is the steps SW. Start there and put the rest of the script together like a puzzle, paying attention to the directions. Don't worry, test play will reveal any mistakes. Repeat for each cow. You should have four scripts now with four events placed on a map (looking at an object you like). You do not need to attatch these scripts to the events.

Now make your "master script" which will be an "enter map" script (which must go in a "system event" as opposed to a normal event) but it could be anything from a welcome home to an interruption of people who would rather not be seen doing this kind of thing.

The Script should read like this (with your own words if you want to be taken seriously):

===========
Script Control:Apply Together
Script:Call [Cow N]
Script:Call [Cow E]
Script:Call [Cow S]
Script:Call [Cow W]
Text Message:"Trollop Trollop Splashing Bright" {uncheck the close window box}
Other:Wait 70 Frames
Text:Close Message Window
Text Message:"In The Puddles Of The Night" {uncheck the close window box}
Other:Wait 70 Frames
Text:Close Message Window
Text Message:"What Immoral Gland Or Thigh" {uncheck the close window box}
Other:Wait 70 Frames
Text:Close Message Window
Text Message:"Will Stay Thy Next Hysteria" {uncheck the close window box}
Other:Wait 70 Frames
Text:Close Message Window
==========

And may William Blake (and all poets everywhere) Forgive Me when you enter test play! But I can't help it!! I'm a Sarcaleptic. I suffer from uncontrollable bouts of sarcasm.

I warned you.

Anyway... I timed the frames so that after each time the characters all turn to face the center together the so called poem (which is the product of a deranged mind) advances. This may need adjusting, but that was close enough for government work.

Good Lord, see what happens when I have a sleepless night... It's way past my bed time. Don't ever get old.

I hope that helps.

Oh yeah, I posted a bit on making your own VFX Editor Coordinate System a while ago. It is here:

doansdomain.proboards27.com/index.cgi?board=Help&action=display&thread=1114090181

A simple idea for your sword problem may be to just settle for a stab instead of a swing. Bigger margin of error. It's a wimpy way out, but it works.

And I agree that the system is complicated. If you want to make a game that meets your own standards it can take a very long time. Patience does pay off though. Good luck with it.

Peace.