Main characters and Test Play (Question)

[Guarionex]

During test play, I noticed that when a specific character joins the party, the character is list as No Chara, with default stats. It's as if I never made the character in the first place. The thing is, that I did create it.
But I made the character AFTER I made a test play save file. I just want to make sure if, under these circumstances, this is normal and won't happen in the actual game. (Or will it?)
And also, I'm guessing that if I were to start from the beginning a Play Test, this won't happen again as long as I make all the main characters in advance. Am I right?

Thanks in advance.

[orius]

Re: Main characters and Test Play (Question)

Uh, yeah I think you got it right. When you do a test play, it test everything you've got coded until that point. If you start a new test play after you code new stuff, the test play will have whatever you added to the game.

[Karr Lord of Chaos]

Re: Main characters and Test Play (Question)

thats exactly it. i like to write down what the average levels, monetary amount and switches ive activated rather then save when im test playing. do not forget that when your testing and saving, your gaining additional items, levels, and money that a normal player may not get. by not saving and just editing the stats as you go along you get a feel of what the general player will experience. everything else they explore or acquire will make the journey that much more faster and easier. if your player has to get every time thing and level up constantly just to survive then they are not going to enjoy the game as much.

[Guarionex]

Re: Main characters and Test Play (Question)

I see, thanks.
So far, I haven't even touched battles. I'm just making sure that all the other events activated by switches are working as they should. Specially since my game has only one really big town with characters moving from place to place as the story progress (I have a tendency to forget to put conditions in events)

As main characters are concerned, I try to just distribute points among each stat (35 point rule thingy) but none of them has actually leveled up in my Test Play.

I'm still thinking what exactly to do about battles, and how to deal with level up. I was thinking maybe some items that allows you trade it for experience and magic/special attacks at the town. They could be dropped by certain monsters or completing side quests. But I haven't really put much thought on it.
I think I've been putting too much emphasis on the story and dungeons layout so far.

[Perversion]

Re: Main characters and Test Play (Question)

Nothing wrong with an emphasis on story and dungeons. Everyone has their own little niche as to what aspects of making a game they consider themselves good at making, and which ones they do first. With RPGM3, I focus on the "coding" first and foremost for most of my games, and anything to do with graphics or story usually comes later.

[Guarionex]

Re: Main characters and Test Play (Question)

I have YET another question
Actually, I think I know the answer, I just want confirmation.


If I make an event to move over, or pass through another event, then I can't seem to activate the other one (the one I overlapped) by checking it.

Example: I tried to make a scene where the character throws a cat to hit a switch from afar. When the switch is hit, a portion of the lower bridge raises to fill a gap on the bridge the character is currently stand on. After that the character is supposed to cross the bridge, and look for a way to recover his cat. But I can't even walk across the bridge or pick up the cat unless I leave that dungeon and go back.
(I hope I'm making sense)
Is that like, the only way to go around this?

[Karr Lord of Chaos]

Re: Main characters and Test Play (Question)

any event that lands and stops on another event will kill all events on that square. two events cannot occupy the same space at one time without conflict. you can have it temporarily stop on another event or pass through it, but you must have some other event happen after to move one of the two events out of the way. try having the cat bounce off the switch to avoid event overlapping.

[Guarionex]

Re: Main characters and Test Play (Question)

I did manage to look for a different way, at least for the bridge, instead of moving, the player will see the visible one flash and disappear and then see it "appear" in the upper bridge.
I'll try to make the bouncing cat thing. I actually thought about it, but then quickly thought it wouldn't work.


...
Darn it! I think I gave too much information when I mentioned I'd be throwing cats to hit switches!

[orius]

Re: Main characters and Test Play (Question)

I see, thanks.
So far, I haven't even touched battles. I'm just making sure that all the other events activated by switches are working as they should. Specially since my game has only one really big town with characters moving from place to place as the story progress (I have a tendency to forget to put conditions in events)

Yeah, that's what I'm sort of doing in my game right now. I've got the characters created (and a throwaway character for testing in slot 15 with 5 points in each stat called "Average Joe"), the items mostly set up, and the skills mostly done. Most of the Field map is finished. Right now, I'm writing the main story and making sure the story events go off the way they're supposed to, it's easier to debug the story and events without random encounters going off. Monsters and encounters aren't too hard to set up, so I can save them until after I've finished programming in the scenario.

As main characters are concerned, I try to just distribute points among each stat (35 point rule thingy) but none of them has actually leveled up in my Test Play.

They'll level normally in a Test Play file once they earn experience.

I'm still thinking what exactly to do about battles, and how to deal with level up. I was thinking maybe some items that allows you trade it for experience and magic/special attacks at the town. They could be dropped by certain monsters or completing side quests. But I haven't really put much thought on it.

Similar to an approach I'm taking. You can make food items that awards experience. You can also set an event that gives everyone in the current party the same amount of experience. If the characters get enough experience to level in a method that doesn't invovle battle, however, they won't level until after the next battle.

You can directly teach spells from items, but you can require items for events that teach spells.

I think I've been putting too much emphasis on the story and dungeons layout so far.

Doesn't really matter. Like I said, it can be easier to get the scenario plotted out without having to worry about battles.

[Karr Lord of Chaos]

Re: Main characters and Test Play (Question)

i advise to be very cautious when it comes to giving items that enhance stats or experience outside of the normal ways. you can quickly upset the delicate balance of your game by giving too many. most players tend to dump everything on their favorite char which often leaves their weakest extremely venerable, while it makes one too powerful. i save food items for a very rare reward or a well hidden chest and only give a few out during the entire game.

the average joe is a good idea, however that will not be able to replace acually going through the game with a set party. there will be cases where your party will be a little bit weaker in some areas so you have to balance for those too, and take note of how long it takes to run out of magic.

[Guarionex]

Re: Main characters and Test Play (Question)

If the characters get enough experience to level in a method that doesn't invovle battle, however, they won't level until after the next battle.

Hmm. that'll be a problem, but I think I have already have an idea of how to go around that.

So far, I'm satisfied with what I have. I'm just hoping I don't have to hit a second scenario too early. (I wanted to reach at least certain point, before that.)

[orius]

Re: Main characters and Test Play (Question)

the average joe is a good idea, however that will not be able to replace acually going through the game with a set party. there will be cases where your party will be a little bit weaker in some areas so you have to balance for those too, and take note of how long it takes to run out of magic.

Average Joe's main purpose is test areas and make sure they look ok and link up together right. Also some simple battle testing against monsters. I'm going to give the game a full test run once I get it finished anyway.

[Lord Cohliani]

Re: Main characters and Test Play (Question)

You know, I may sound really stupid by asking this question, but how do you EXIT Test-Play? I cant seem to find a button that will exit Test-Play...

[Guarionex]

Re: Main characters and Test Play (Question)

I think it's the classic soft reset combination (Start + Select + L1 + R1)
At least those are all the button I press. Not sure if Start + Select would be enough.

[Lord Cohliani]

Re: Main characters and Test Play (Question)

Oh yea that makes since lolz....

Thanks! Sorry I'm an idiot!