Most User Friendly Version

[clubber32]

Hello,

I am new to the RPG Maker tools and am planning to buy either RPG Maker 1 or RPG Maker 3 as I understand these are the easiest to use. I wanted to come here to where the real RPG Maker vets are and ask your opinions. Which of these two tools is the most user friendly, and the easiest to get the hang of?

Also as a side question, through research I believe that you can use a keyboard on a PS2 to type text in RPG Maker 1 is that correct? Also, you can also save much larger games on the PS2 memory cards, but for best performance they need to be "official" SONY cards, is this also accurate?

Thanks in advance, I appreciate your time and any feedback!

[Karr Lord of Chaos]

Re: Most User Friendly Version

though ive not used rpg maker 3, i believe that rpg maker 1 is the most user friendly since it requires no coding knowledge and is just cut and paste style development. ill let those who support 3 argue against this point since ive heard a few good arguments for both sides over the years.

i am not positive on the keyboard but if i remember right, some people where able to use one though im not sure if it was maker 1 or 2.

i would never ever use any card other then an official sony one. they are amazingly cheap these days and they are reliable. you do not want to put 300 hours into a game only to have it go "fail" upon trying to load up. other 3rd party cards do not hold up over time like the sony ones, so always use official cards.

[Perversion]

Re: Most User Friendly Version

Only RPGM2 and 3 support USB keyboard input, so if you are looking to purchase the most user-friendly of the three that also supports keyboard input, go with 3. Also, don't listen to Karr. 3 is BY FAR the most user friendly (Karr only mentioned 1 because that's the one he's familiar with), but does have more limitations than 1 or 2. 2 is the most flexible (someone made an almost perfect recreation of Tetris on it, music and all), followed by 1. 3 is the most limiting, without question. However, people like myself and Obright and a few others have found ways to "think outside of the box" and created things that the programmers probably never envisioned.

Also, 3 is the most "modern," in terms of graphics, not setting. RPGM3 is restricted to a medieval-style setting, but ALMOST looks like it was part of the gen it came from. RPGM1 looks like it's from the SNES days, and RPGM2 looks like N64. The user interface is MUCH simpler than 1, as is the actual "coding."

Bottom line...if you want simplicity and a bit of flexibility, but do not mind using the controller to type ALL the dialogue in (if your game is going to be story-intensive, I would not recommend it), and do not mind looking at SNES-era graphics, get 1.

If you want even MORE simplicity, first or second wave PS2-era graphics, ability to use a USB keyboard, and do not mind working within a LOT of restrictions, get 3.

As for memory, I agree with Karr. ALWAYS use a Sony branded card. Memory restrictions for RPGM1 are almost non-existent...someone is currently making a 17 card game, and I think Karr's own project is in that ballpark as well.

With RPGM3, you are restricted to using 1/3 of a PS2 memory card (each PS2 memory card can hold three different files), or just over 2 MB. It IS possible, however, to "link" game files together using the "multiple file trick," described in a few places on this board. Look for it in search if you want more information. RPGM3 game files usually tend to be small-ish, meaning, you SHOULD get your entire game into one file. All the graphics are loaded off the disk. The only exceptions are if you plan on making multiple detailed maps (making a really good map could take you upwards of 2-3 hours) or if you plan on doing a LOT of intricate coding. Both of these chew through memory fairly quickly.

I'm partial to RPGM3, and have learned to laugh in the face of its supposed limitations. Because the limitations are there, I enjoy RPGM3 that much more, because it forces me to "think outside the box" in order to bypass those selfsame limitations.

Hope that helped, and welcome!