The RPG Maker Squad

[Misery]

Mainly going to comment on some graphics stuff here.

For tilesets, I suggest we rip them directly from the game using VBA, that way we can have custom palettes using the palette editor in the debug menu. I'm willing to put together tilesets this way and have the knowledge required to do so. I'm also up for making custom graphics if we should need them, but I believe the current tilesets with just recolors can get us very, very far.

This repositoty of non-tileset graphics from GS1/GS2 exists, we should make use of it.

Regarding the video, I think it proves that this RPG maker is capable of doing everything we need to recreate a GS-style game. My main concern was battles, but it seems the program will give us enough freedom to move around sprites that we can recreate the battle effects as well. I have absolutely no experience with RPG maker programs myself.

I've got some issues with him not paying attention to scale though, the maps are clearly not meant to be viewed from that distance, and the characters look tiny on the screen. Also, huge dialogue boxes with tiny text and the RPG maker's default font. But all of that can be fixed later, I guess.

It's great that Kyle speaks his native language, in any case. I'd like to know what the goal with his project is.

[Teawater]

-I agree with Recolors, sounds interesting.
-I believe I already linked to that earlier, but thanks for adding support to it!
-I only have a little bit experience with RPG Makers so far... but not much, yet? It's possible that I could jump in and feel right at home rather quickly, but I don't know, yet.
-Should we use 240x160 screen dimensions (Like the GBA), and auto-scale to the window's size? Should we use a different size than 240x160? (As if mimicing the SNES or some other console.) Or something else?

Also, the character screen might would have looked better with the character portraits. (Edit: Ignore what I just said, I was thinking about a completely different video... !! But still, that character screen does look weird.)

As for the story.... Maybe a little random, but...  I wonder what sort of co-dependencies will be in our game. (I mean things like depending on someone else to make you happy, etc... Another example is like when someone is watching you, that could make you nervous.)

[Luna_blade]

-I agree with Recolors, sounds interesting.
-I believe I already linked to that earlier, but thanks for adding support to it!
-I only have a little bit experience with RPG Makers so far... but not much, yet? It's possible that I could jump in and feel right at home rather quickly, but I don't know, yet.

Can't the overworld map be made outside of RPGmaker? Or do you have to add borders and stuff, if you don't?

-Should we use 240x160 screen dimensions (Like the GBA), and auto-scale to the window's size? Should we use a different size than 240x160? (As if mimicing the SNES or some other console.) Or something else?

I think that won't do at all. We should either make code that fixes the screensize acording to your screen or a fixed size that is bigger then this one. The first option could deliver us problems concerning the battle system. As for the second option, I was planning to just double the resolution of the sprites with a window that has a ratio of 4:3. But since there is Joao with his project, I'm not sure to even do that.

Also, the character screen might would have looked better with the character portraits.

Agreed.

As for the story.... Maybe a little random, but...  I wonder what sort of co-dependencies will be in our game. (I mean things like depending on someone else to make you happy, etc... Another example is like when someone is watching you, that could make you nervous.)

You mean like a sort of interaction system? Something that depends on choices?
Well that would be cool, but do we want it?
I say yes, but don't let it rule the game.

[Thunder-squall]

I'm kind of concerned how focused you guys are on the pictures.  Shouldn't the priority be game-play?  Who cares if it uses the same tile sets of the GBA games or not?

The psiEnergy and djinn system are what makes Golden Sun unique, and what represent our biggest hurdles.  Aren't they?

[Teawater]

You mean like a sort of interaction system? Something that depends on choices?
Well that would be cool, but do we want it?
I say yes, but don't let it rule the game.

I wasn't thinking about having it as a mechanic... I was talking about character developement, but I suppose whatever floats the boat...

I think that won't do at all. We should either make code that fixes the screensize acording to your screen or a fixed size that is bigger then this one. The first option could deliver us problems concerning the battle system. As for the second option, I was planning to just double the resolution of the sprites with a window that has a ratio of 4:3. But since there is Joao with his project, I'm not sure to even do that.

At all? I guess you don't think VisualBoyAdvance looks good when maximized? Since that was the effect I was going for. (But it could be a higher resolution.)
If we went and made all images twice the size in a paint document, well... It would take up even more (unnecessary?) space if we weren't editing the actual graphics to make them look less pixelated. - I'm guessing increasing the quality at that point is unnecessary as long as there are higher priorities.

I'm kind of concerned how focused you guys are on the pictures.  Shouldn't the priority be game-play?  Who cares if it uses the same tile sets of the GBA games or not?

It probably should be, but I guess whatever people are interested in working on is fine...

[Thunder-squall]

I tend to play VBA @ x2 size.  Sometimes larger, but mostly just x2, even if I have a larger screen.

But I really think you should create another topic on screen sizes, and discuss if you prefer the NES style RPGs which had smaller on screen sprites, or GBA style RPGS, which I think had a "cozier" feel to them.

Alternately, you could do something new:  Use the GBA style look, but keep the dialogue box always open, and off of the main game screen.  And when the players near a book case, automatically have the dialogue box comment on what's there, without the player having to press buttons, and without basically stopping the game.

[Teawater]

Turns out, I use x2 size as well.
Going any larger wouldn't help when using the built-in Memory viewers/Disassemblers. (So I guess I've gotten use to it as a preference.)
Also I didn't know what everyone else's preference was, so I could just start making random assumptions. (Especially since some users are calling the maps "small." I think they are the same size, but they just appear smaller due to high resolution/more pixels seen. The same amount of food on a small plate will look like more than on a big plate.

Alternately, you could do something new:  Use the GBA style look, but keep the dialogue box always open, and off of the main game screen.  And when the players near a book case, automatically have the dialogue box comment on what's there, without the player having to press buttons, and without basically stopping the game.

I think we should have this!

[Misery]

Yeah, I guess I'll create a new thread for graphics discussion. I was considering doing that at first, but I just wanted to comment on some stuff and wasn't sure how much discussion it would result in.

The psiEnergy and djinn system are what makes Golden Sun unique, and what represent our biggest hurdles.  Aren't they?

Going to assume you mean psynergy interaction with overworld objects. I don't think the djinn system will be difficult to implement at all, and still see the battle system as what I expect to require the most work. I could be wrong of course.

Alternately, you could do something new:  Use the GBA style look, but keep the dialogue box always open, and off of the main game screen.  And when the players near a book case, automatically have the dialogue box comment on what's there, without the player having to press buttons, and without basically stopping the game.

I think we should have this!

Agreed, great design idea that helps make the game feel more... fluent? Sounds good anyway.

[Luna_blade]

I wasn't thinking about having it as a mechanic... I was talking about character developement, but I suppose whatever floats the boat...

Character development is very important I think.

At all? I guess you don't think VisualBoyAdvance looks good when maximized? Since that was the effect I was going for. (But it could be a higher resolution.)
If we went and made all images twice the size in a paint document, well... It would take up even more (unnecessary?) space if we weren't editing the actual graphics to make them look less pixelated. - I'm guessing increasing the quality at that point is unnecessary as long as there are higher priorities.

I like the quality of the graphics in GS. But I personally would add somewhat higher resolution sprites for my fangame.
It's not like we need super slick 64x64 sprites but.. uhh yeah.
I really can't defend this stuff.
Well if y'all rather have the old graphics, then it's okay. But I don't know how hard it would be if you decide something like that in a later stage of development. What I do know, is deciding something like that in Gamemaker should be done early.
So I suggested it more like a precaution I guess.

[KyleRunner]

I'm kind of concerned how focused you guys are on the pictures.  Shouldn't the priority be game-play?  Who cares if it uses the same tile sets of the GBA games or not?

The psiEnergy and djinn system are what makes Golden Sun unique, and what represent our biggest hurdles.  Aren't they?

Well... We don't need to create a game that looks the same as the original... but the graphic style should be, at least, alike, IMHO, under pain of it turning into a "dragon quest with psynergy" game.
I think that if our game is visually alike the GBA one, it will give us more pleasure to work on it. After all, if we are in this community for so long it means that everyone here is a big fan of the original games.
Wasn't everyone's desire, once, that Atrius' editor allowed us to create a GOLDEN SUN fan game?

[Thunder-squall]

Vx shows error mesage like some stuff aren't installed or something.
On xp I right now am looking for map importing.It can be done with the help of tileset
I will look for it right now.

Here it was easy to install. You just have to be careful to the folder installation (c:progr...x86/common files/...)

I know this has already been resolved, but for future reference, here's the page that popped up when I first downloaded VX.  It contains installation advice (although I still haven't installed my version)

http://www.rpgmakerweb.com/download/free-trials/trial-rpg-maker-vx-ace/thankyou-vx-ace

... I think recreating the GS engine in love2d would be both easier and give a better result [than using RPG Maker VX]. So I'm going to put in an honest effort in trying to do exactly that.

This is my concern too, so

@ RPG Maker squad, if you guys could identify the *biggest* issues with implementing GS in VX, then when I (and maybe others) eventually pop in for a month or so to help out, we can help with resolving that specific issue.

There's no rush, but I think that's the biggest and most important question with regards to RPG Maker.

I think that if our game is visually alike the GBA one, it will give us more pleasure to work on it. After all, if we are in this community for so long it means that everyone here is a big fan of the original games.
Wasn't everyone's desire, once, that Atrius' editor allowed us to create a GOLDEN SUN fan game?

Hi, actually, I'm new here.  I've only completed Golden Sun, Dark Dawn.

That said, I do understand that using images you're familiar with can make the creation process more fun.  So I'm not making a rebuttal, or anything.

But when I was a kid (maybe 6-7), a friend advised me that when eating a meal, eat the stuff you don't like first, and save the best for last.  That way it'll be easier and more fun overall to finish everything on your plate.  With regards to the project, I think working on sprites should be thing you guys do to relax and recharge.  But if that's all you focus on, they you just won't *want* to work on the hard stuff, because images and story is just so much fun in comparison.  And that'll tank the project.

[Saturos]

is it possible to transfer data from rpg xp to rpg vx?

[KyleRunner]

Can someone explain me what have I done wrong?

Why there is no transparency? I edited it wiht photoshop online, it is transparent, it is recognized as transparente, but still does not works....

[Luna_blade]

Can someone explain me what have I done wrong?

Why there is no transparency? I edited it wiht photoshop online, it is transparent, it is recognized as transparente, but still does not works....

I think I know what happened. Did you open it with Paint? That causes transparency to dissapear on my computer.
Tool that can come in handy: Paint.NET Free, very good and lot's of plugins available.

[KyleRunner]

Can someone explain me what have I done wrong?

Why there is no transparency? I edited it wiht photoshop online, it is transparent, it is recognized as transparente, but still does not works....

I think I know what happened. Did you open it with Paint? That causes transparency to dissapear on my computer.
Tool that can come in handy: Paint.NET Free, very good and lot's of plugins available.

Nope, just downloaded it, edited with photoshop online, saved, loaded... Maybe the kind of thing I'm trying to do is impossible... (to Load a picture of an entire buliding.)

[Today]

Today at 16:40:10

Luna_blade: @Saturos: Your english exams?

[Today]

Today at 16:33:40

Teawater: Can't remember exactly what shae of yellow it was, so not sure it would be too close or not.

[Today]

Today at 16:30:58

Teawater: @KoP: Wouldn't Shiny Gold be for the Sol Clan?

[Today]

Today at 15:37:37

Salanewt: Oh wait, tag doesn't work down here. But yeah, how is your hack going Jamie?

[Today]

Today at 15:37:00

Salanewt: [me] considers giving him the Sol Blade...

[Today]

Today at 15:36:00

Salanewt: Oh my. To be honest though, I'd be more likely to give Briggs stuff from later regions; him being a pirate from another continent and all.

[Today]

Today at 09:36:58

JamietheFlameUser: How not to design boss fights: give human-type bosses stats and equipment on par for what the Editor says their level is and what equipment is available where they're from. You get stuff like an actually scaled to level 21 Briggs with a Great Sword, Silver Plate, Silver Helm, Vambrace, and Leather Boots. God, that was BS.

[Today]

Today at 09:09:49

Saturos: Wow first part of exam is ower (in english) tomorow speaking part.

[Today]

Today at 07:11:35

JamietheFlameUser: Eh, I didn't know the exact chance of Curse screwing you over. Still, that 6% chance to fail to act at all could screw you over when it matters most. The obvious solution, of course, is to stick that armour on a character who doesn't do anything but spam attack moves anyway.

[Today]

Today at 07:10:52

leaf: ...assuming I'm remembering the chance of curse taking effect correctly as 25%

[Today]

Today at 07:09:50

leaf: in fact, you get two turns the majority of the time (~56%), and only completely fail to act ~6%, the remainder of the time getting one action

[Today]

Today at 07:07:49

leaf: I like that stealth armor buff. it wouldn't make sense to do that with the clerics ring available, but if you remove that, it's actually an interesting item. On average, you get ~1.5 turns per round. it's potentially very strong, but carries risks

[Today]

Today at 07:04:59

leaf: lol

[Today]

Today at 06:39:21

JamietheFlameUser: Reading the Venus Psynergy topic and 'lol'ing at Role's reaction to a very simple spell idea I'd had (and still think is awesome), where rock explodes out of the ground from a single point in a focused, cone-shaped burst. Role read me the riot act about not combining elements again. lol.

[Today]

Today at 06:17:58

JamietheFlameUser: Well, one thing I came up with that was actually potentially cool is a modification to the Stealth Armour. I gave it +1 turns, under the assumption that the Cleric's Ring would be removed. You might get 2 actions that round, or 1 action, or maybe no actions at all! RNG at its finest.

[Today]

Today at 06:15:32

Knight of Purgatory: Nice orange text kain. Maybe it should be a shiny gold

[Today]

Today at 06:03:40

leaf: I concur. There isn't much I'd consider worth salvaging from dc in terms of work done, but reading the old threads can be quite amusing

[Today]

Today at 06:01:48

JamietheFlameUser: LOL I'm looking at the DCrisis Items/Equipment section. Role and I were both so immature about it (me especially) that it's hilarious in hindsight.

[Today]

Today at 01:49:48

Knight of Purgatory: Then i think i'll take the entire shop, item and equipment section

[Yesterday]

Yesterday at 23:25:55

Teawater: @Kain: That's certainly nice to know. :)  Poetry time, I go.  Eventually, things will be in automation. As long as there's no procrastination. In the future, say hello to Mr. Name Charger. Don't worry, it's not a Danger. There'll also be Mr. Clan Swapper.  It might make people hyper..... (Or does the best refer to something else? Like the badge shop?)

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