What would you like to see in a NEW console RPG Maker?

[Thutmose]

So I made this post. I have no idea how serious I am about this possibility yet. It seems like a long-shot, so certainly don't count on it. But I do plan on researching this in my spare time (where I can find it), so that I can get a better idea of what would be required to make a new console RPG Maker a reality within the next few years. But there is no way I can even begin to get started working on it or seriously researching it until I finish my work on Kupid & DDR.

So, treat this thread as a thought-exercise, or just as fun - with a little note that there is a very slim chance that this might happen. Call it speculation, dreaming, or an exercise in futility. I know that the likelihood of this happening is minute, and I'm saying it here, so no one needs to point that out.

That said - If a new RPG Maker were to be developed for the Xbox 360 (in high definition 2D graphics NOT 3D), by a member or members of this community or others (i.e. NOT enterbrain/agetec), what features, functionality, design elements, graphics, and other resources, etc. would you like to see made available out of the box? Any other ideas or suggestions?

You can answer in any format you choose - a long, meandering, wall of text, a simple bulleted list, a couple paragraphs, a comprehensive illustrated explanation, however you want to do it.

[Big Rick Cook]

Re: What would you like to see in a NEW console RPG Maker?

- All of the functionality of RPGM2

- The pretty shininess of the RPGM on PS1 we didn't get

- The ease of use of RPGM3

- Perhaps a limited music maker

- Decent sprite/graphic creation tool without the huge limitations on how many we can make

- Ability to upload at least a limited number of graphics and sound bytes for use in any situation we deem fit, be it combat, image portraits, title screens, large immobile creatures, backgrounds, music or whatever else catches our fancy

- Keyboard functionality is of course a must, and limited left/right clicking mouse functionality

- Slaves to make the game for me =V

[1ce]

Re: What would you like to see in a NEW console RPG Maker?

Has been asked in a bajillion RPG Maker 4 topics. Type in "RPG Maker 4" and look at all the results and topics. There's no lack of suggestions.

After reflecting on it, I think there needs to be a balance of freedom and limits. RPGM1 got this just right, in that you can do a lot with it and have some limits, but can work around them. Give the player too many limits like RPGMaker 3, and you have a lot of frustrated gamers. Give too much freedom like RPGM2, and the player is so overwhelmed they never get anything done and quit.

[Valkysas]

Re: What would you like to see in a NEW console RPG Maker?

I don't know. While the idea of a community-made program is very cool, I worry about if agetec brings RPG Maker DS to the US, how we'd handle the fact that we would be competing with them. and what about enterbrain? would a cheap title that was built to the community's desires make them shy even further away from a current-gen console RPG Maker?

that aside, how would games be traded? this is the most important part. Sure, the 360 supports USB storage now, but I'm pretty sure they're bound to whatever console created them.

if this hurdle can't be cleared, there's no reason to entertain the idea.

[Leish]

Re: What would you like to see in a NEW console RPG Maker?

I don't know. While the idea of a community-made program is very cool, I worry about if agetec brings RPG Maker DS to the US, how we'd handle the fact that we would be competing with them. and what about enterbrain? would a cheap title that was built to the community's desires make them shy even further away from a current-gen console RPG Maker?

I think a better question is would a digital community-made RPG Maker for the 360 even be on the radar? It doesn't matter how good of a game you make, if you don't advertise it, it won't sell. We wouldn't really have the funds for that, and I doubt bloggers would want to pick up a story on novices tackling a beast of a programming task. So in terms of competition, this community wouldn't stand a chance, really, especially since RPG Maker DS and perhaps future console RPG Makers would also be on store shelves. It wouldn't be a threat at all, or at least I don't think they'd view us as a threat (though chances are they could probably pop one out faster than this community could).

Also, isn't there a limit on how big an Xbox Live game can be?

Concerning a potential game, I think the ability to create your own battle system is key. No other flexibility seems as important.

[Thutmose]

Re: What would you like to see in a NEW console RPG Maker?

I don't know. While the idea of a community-made program is very cool, I worry about if agetec brings RPG Maker DS to the US, how we'd handle the fact that we would be competing with them. and what about enterbrain? would a cheap title that was built to the community's desires make them shy even further away from a current-gen console RPG Maker?

Last time I checked, competition was good for business and consumers. At least that's what they taught me in college (business major). :P Further, if Agetec/enterbrain is incapable of satisfying the desires of its customers (potential or former) then what are they in business for?

If we show interest enough in a console title, why wouldn't they want to compete? Capture the market and make money? Frankly, I don't see any reason that a professionally developed title wouldn't outclass a community developed one - in features, quality, and production time. If Agetec/enterbrain wants to compete, with all their experience and resources, then they could easily overtake a community project. Whether they choose to produce a next-gen maker or not, either way, the community benefits.

Also, if there were any indication that enterbrain, or anyone else for that matter, were the least bit interested in developing a next-gen RPG maker then this community wouldn't be so desperate for a new title that I'd even consider making one myself. If there is any news about a new title being developed by some company, then I'd be very happy. But how long should we wait for news, while the community stagnates as it tries to live off a ten year old title?

I think a better question is would a digital community-made RPG Maker for the 360 even be on the radar? It doesn't matter how good of a game you make, if you don't advertise it, it won't sell. We wouldn't really have the funds for that, and I doubt bloggers would want to pick up a story on novices tackling a beast of a programming task. So in terms of competition, this community wouldn't stand a chance, really, especially since RPG Maker DS and perhaps future console RPG Makers would also be on store shelves. It wouldn't be a threat at all, or at least I don't think they'd view us as a threat (though chances are they could probably pop one out faster than this community could).

The projects that I undertake here (Kupid, DDR) and elsewhere in life are not oriented toward profit or material gain. I am principally concerned with learning, acquiring new skills, expanding my horizons, and helping others. Whether or not this project would be commercially viable isn't my primary concern.

And I agree with your point/line of thinking - a community project couldn't compete with a professional title. So I don't think we even need to consider scaring off Agetec/enterbrain or worry that we'd be negatively impacting the market.

Also, isn't there a limit on how big an Xbox Live game can be?

that aside, how would games be traded? this is the most important part. Sure, the 360 supports USB storage now, but I'm pretty sure they're bound to whatever console created them.

if this hurdle can't be cleared, there's no reason to entertain the idea.

Technical details can be ignored for the time being. Like I said, I need to do a lot of research, look for alternatives, and develop contingencies.

Regardless, I believe that anything is possible. If it's impossible, then change the rules.

[Valkysas]

Re: What would you like to see in a NEW console RPG Maker?

Last time I checked, competition was good for business and consumers. At least that's what they taught me in college (business major). :P Further, if Agetec/enterbrain is incapable of satisfying the desires of its customers (potential or former) then what are they in business for?

If we show interest enough in a console title, why wouldn't they want to compete? Capture the market and make money? Frankly, I don't see any reason that a professionally developed title wouldn't outclass a community developed one - in features, quality, and production time. If Agetec/enterbrain wants to compete, with all their experience and resources, then they could easily overtake a community project. Whether they choose to produce a next-gen maker or not, either way, the community benefits.

Also, if there were any indication that enterbrain, or anyone else for that matter, were the least bit interested in developing a next-gen RPG maker then this community wouldn't be so desperate for a new title that I'd even consider making one myself. If there is any news about a new title being developed by some company, then I'd be very happy. But how long should we wait for news, while the community stagnates as it tries to live off a ten year old title?

Enterbrain is an odd creature. They don't like competition. They largely take a "if someone else is going to do it, why bother" approach. at least, that's what I've observed with the current gen systems. as soon as you saw stuff like littlebigplanet hitting, enterbrain dropped almost every mention of the console RPG Maker series from their tkool.jp website. Some people said they were just keeping it modern, I don't buy that. they have RPG Maker 2000 on the website still, for crying out loud.

Enterbrain is very cautious with what they do these days. if they don't think it'll succeed, they just don't do it. the last thing I'd want is to give them another tiny reason to keep away from the consoles.

but, that being said, I'm also very angry at enterbrain for neglecting the one market that kept their RPG Tsukuru division afloat when they were bleeding money from the worldwide PC RPGM piracy that Don Miguel started. So these days I am very much "f*** enterbrain". but cautiously so.

I'd be up for this, though. if we can figure out a game trading system. maybe it could connect to a server that would host games?

have you considered the hilarious option of trying to make this with enterbrain's own indie game maker software?

[Thutmose]

Re: What would you like to see in a NEW console RPG Maker?

They don't like competition. They largely take a "if someone else is going to do it, why bother" approach.

Gee, there are nearly 7 billion people on the planet. Why bother competing with them? *kills self*

That's a real productive attitude. >_>

Enterbrain is very cautious with what they do these days. if they don't think it'll succeed, they just don't do it. the last thing I'd want is to give them another tiny reason to keep away from the consoles.

That's certainly understandable, but they're not children. They can make their own choices. If they're so risk averse that they'll ignore a market which they could make a fair profit in, or let a small community scare them away from a market that they developed, then it's their choice. If they don't like competition, then they shouldn't be in business.

BUS101 - Business is risk. Deal with it or get out. Of course, my business professor was an old Navy man, and he used coarser language.

I don't mean to sound curt. It's just that you don't get anywhere by playing it safe all the time.

but, that being said, I'm also very angry at enterbrain for neglecting the one market that kept their RPG Tsukuru division afloat when they were bleeding money from the worldwide PC RPGM piracy that Don Miguel started. So these days I am very much "f*** enterbrain". but cautiously so.

I can't help but wonder what might have been if Don Miguel never got involved in the early PC RPGM titles. But you can't change the past, only the future. (obviously I'm overly fond of trite sayings and axioms :P)

I'd be up for this, though. if we can figure out a game trading system. maybe it could connect to a server that would host games?

That's what I was thinking of. I have experience with online programming & database, so that was my first thought. But I have a lot of research to do before I can determine if it is feasible.

have you considered the hilarious option of trying to make this with enterbrain's own indie game maker software?

I never considered that, no. :P

[ErikaFuzzbottom]

Re: What would you like to see in a NEW console RPG Maker?

Just localize RPG Tsukuru 4 and call it a day.

[Valkysas]

Re: What would you like to see in a NEW console RPG Maker?

*Teases Draygone*

[Thutmose]

Re: What would you like to see in a NEW console RPG Maker?

Just localize RPG Tsukuru 4 and call it a day.

I don't plan on becoming the next Don Miguel. :P

[ErikaFuzzbottom]

Re: What would you like to see in a NEW console RPG Maker?

I never said it had to be done illegally.

[Thutmose]

Re: What would you like to see in a NEW console RPG Maker?

I never said it had to be done illegally.

It'd be great if they localized it. Made it available on the PSN, compatible with the PSP, and a keyboard (without me having to bother creating one specially for it).

Seems like a no-brainer to me. Does it really cost that much to localize a game that's already been made? (really, I have no idea)

[ErikaFuzzbottom]

Re: What would you like to see in a NEW console RPG Maker?

I assume there's royalties. Plus some of the profit would have to go to them.

[Valkysas]

Re: What would you like to see in a NEW console RPG Maker?

cost isnt the only factor. it being a japanese PS1 game that never saw US release before could be an issue. sony may not be willing to approve "new" PS1 games.

there's also the fact that RPG Tsukuru 4 was developed by Argent, which means another company is in the mix for licensing.

enterbrain may not be interested in licensing it.

agetec may not be interested in doing it.

unfortunately, all we know from agetec on the matter is that they are aware of the fan demand for it. I havent heard anything from them on it.

lately all my pestering energy has been going into asking them over and over if we're gonna get RPG Tsukuru DS.

I have yet to recieve a response on that.