Basic questions regarding the game.

[Nova]

I've only recently took it upon myself to order RPG Maker 1 for the PSX. I just have a few simple questions that I really would like to know about the game and it's limits...

1. Anime Maker. How much space does this use on your game, is it the same as using the basic pre-rendered sprites that the game gives you. How difficult is it to use, and is it a decent enough tool to get some good character designs made with?

2. If a game to large to fit into a single file, (I'm using my PS3's HDD if it's relevant at all) can you link together multiple files to create a single game, any way is fine, just wondering if it is possible as I've heard a few things here and there regarding this.

3. How long can a single game save file be anyways, estimate like an average time, or a simple comparison to say an old console RPG, such as Chrono Trigger or Final Fantasy.

4. Scirpting. Is it as hard to do as say, RPGM2, or as easy as RPGM3? I'm experienced with RPGM:XP and 2, just wondering what the learning curve for this one is. My brother likes these games, but isn't skilled enough to tackle 2, he's mastered 3 and I'm wondering if he'll be able to use it.

I know, every single one of these questions has probably been asked and answered, but I'm just too lazy to go searching for them and would apppreciate some quick, brief and concise answers.

Thanks.

[Lausen]

Re: Basic questions regarding the game.

1. Anime Maker. How much space does this use on your game, is it the same as using the basic pre-rendered sprites that the game gives you. How difficult is it to use, and is it a decent enough tool to get some good character designs made with?

A custom sprite takes one block of memory. Remembering this is a psx game and those cards only have 15 total blocks. So, it's a decent chunk. Once it's imported to the card it acts like any other sprite.

2. If a game to large to fit into a single file, (I'm using my PS3's HDD if it's relevant at all) can you link together multiple files to create a single game, any way is fine, just wondering if it is possible as I've heard a few things here and there regarding this.

Yes. There is a built in command that allows you to connect scenarios, allowing you to make a game as long as you want. Since you're using a PS3 you don't really need to worry about chewing through memory cards.

3. How long can a single game save file be anyways, estimate like an average time, or a simple comparison to say an old console RPG, such as Chrono Trigger or Final Fantasy.

Again, you can link cards together so you can make it as long as you want. A single memory card can only get you so far. It really depends on the style of the game and amount of detail. Text will chew through memory like crazy.

4. Scirpting. Is it as hard to do as say, RPGM2, or as easy as RPGM3? I'm experienced with RPGM:XP and 2, just wondering what the learning curve for this one is. My brother likes these games, but isn't skilled enough to tackle 2, he's mastered 3 and I'm wondering if he'll be able to use it.

It's fairly easy to get used to. It's not nearly as complex as RPGM2. If he's mastered 3 including variables he'll be fine. It'll be getting used to all of the commands.

You'll be able to answer these questions yourself once you have it in front of you. It's good to have another RPGM1 user. I hope you enjoy it once you get it.

[Valkysas]

Re: Basic questions regarding the game.

You can use multiple system cards, too. Although the game isn't built with that in mind. You just exploit the way it handles it's saves. More info on this can be given if you need it.

[Nova]

Re: Basic questions regarding the game.

Oh, thanks for answering the questions with excellent detail. They have all seemed to work in my favor, something that does not often happen, haha.

Also, I have but one more question, it is a little odd but, what is the cap for the amount of characters (letters, numbers etc.) you can use in a Characters name and in the Game's name.

Also two misplaced sub notations, you said importing sprites to the memory card, does this mean AM is used on the computer and imported via DexDrive, or is it done on the game itself and importing it is just a term I've no knowledge of due to lack of use of this game.

Secondly, regarding connecting files together, wouldn't you have to use most of the memory again in order to recreate all items, monsters etc. on the next memory card? Or is already there because it's still connected to the first memory card?

[Nova]

Re: Basic questions regarding the game.

I hope you enjoy it once you get it.

I decided to buy it for three main reasons:

I loved RPG2's flexibility, but hated it's difficulty to use at times and the graphics were god awful. I liked RPG3's easy interface and graphics, but it was too limited in every way: events, characters, graphics, object models etc. (Mind you, recreating Bob's Wacky Adventure was the funnest task I ever partook in, minus the nightmare Sanctuary Profile (RPGMXP) is becoming...) And I hate XP for the one reason that's it on the computer, I'm more fond of the Console games to be honest.

And I certainly will enjoy it, and have already begun writing some ideas down on what to create. Thus, the reason for the noobish questions.

[ErikaFuzzbottom]

Re: Basic questions regarding the game.

Also, I have but one more question, it is a little odd but, what is the cap for the amount of characters (letters, numbers etc.) you can use in a Characters name and in the Game's name.

Text caps vary depending on what item you're selecting:
Menu names (you can modify some of them, mostly stat names and money) have a cap of 6 characters.
The game's title has a cap of 18 characters.
Credits (for the automated ending) have a cap of 12 characters for the title and 18 characters for the person's name.
Everything else (including party members) has a cap of 12 characters.

Also two misplaced sub notations, you said importing sprites to the memory card, does this mean AM is used on the computer and imported via DexDrive, or is it done on the game itself and importing it is just a term I've no knowledge of due to lack of use of this game.

Anime Maker is on the disk. Saving a sprite on the memory card doesn't automatically make it useable. You have to tell the game you're making that it should use the sprite, and that's what "importing" is.

There is a program for download here that'll let you take a bitmap created on your PC and import it to a memory card, though. Some people prefer it, since drawing with a mouse tends to be easier than drawing with a D-pad. Granted, Anime Maker does have support for a PS1 mouse, but I don't know of anybody who owns one.

By the way, Anime Maker contains a set of "secret sprites" you can use if you know where to look for them.

Secondly, regarding connecting files together, wouldn't you have to use most of the memory again in order to recreate all items, monsters etc. on the next memory card? Or is already there because it's still connected to the first memory card?

RPGM1 games are stored on two separate files: the System Data and the Scenario Data. The System Data contains all the items, locations, etc. and the Scenario Data contains everything Event-related. When you tell the game to change to a new file, only the Scenario Data changes, with the System Data remaining the same. When you create new Scenario Data, you'll want to keep everything that will remain on the next card, but remove stuff like old cutscenes to make room for new stuff to happen.

One more thing to keep in mind: RPGM1 only allows up to 15 party members. However, there is no restriction on how many townspeople you can have. This is because there's no database for townspeople. Instead, townspeople are treated just like any other event.

[Nova]

Re: Basic questions regarding the game.

Thanks alot Dray! Once again, everything has seemed to worked in my favor!

[ErikaFuzzbottom]

Re: Basic questions regarding the game.

You're welcome. By the way, I did a bit of editing there with some extra info.

[Nova]

Re: Basic questions regarding the game.

One last question, haha, sorry about all the damn questions. Is the game flexible for the types of genres you can make with it? Like is there varying types of objects and tiles, like medieval themed, futuristic (machines etc.), modern, etc. Or is it more leaned to one type like RPGM3 was exclusively medieval?

[ErikaFuzzbottom]

Re: Basic questions regarding the game.





You have to be creative, as the specific modern/futuristic items are limited, but as you can see, it's entirely possible.

[Nova]

Re: Basic questions regarding the game.

Thanks Dray! I love you're LP's by the way, the intro is epic too!

[Dallas Alvis II]

Re: Basic questions regarding the game.

Oh, just a quick bit of advice concerning memory cards. I'd advise not to get those cheaply-made memory cards that have multiple pages (like those 20 or so page ones). I tried using one a while back and it wiped all of my data.

Ah and...

One last question, haha, sorry about all the damn questions.

Hey, don't worry about it, what's one big reason why this board is here.

[Nova]

Re: Basic questions regarding the game.

I have a 320GB HDD for my PS3, so memory cards, or space for that matter, isn't an issue at all haha.

Another question, in regards to the item section of RPGM, is there any item selection choice to permanently increases statistic values. The food section says stats names and values, I'm wondering if these are permanent boosts or just temporary.

[Wavelength]

Re: Basic questions regarding the game.

(Oops, responded about the wrong Maker. Please see my response two posts below, instead.)

[Nova]

Re: Basic questions regarding the game.

Dude, this is the RPG Maker 1 forum...haha. That's what I was talking about sir.