RPGM 1 or 2?

[Jaerys]

This is my first post on this forum although I've actually followed the games for some time and was an *occasional* poster on gamefaq's RPG Maker 1 message board when it was more popular. Nothing major, the largest undertaking I took was helping Czech Mex playtest a game called Beer Quest. I had an idea for a game back then, but I shelfed it because I wasn't confident that the game's premise was imaginative enough for the RPG Maker crowd.

The story's been nagging at me ever since and I feel that I probably need to finish it before I start with a new premise. But I haven't decided whether of not to make the game on RPG Maker 1 or 2. I've done some programming with other tools but never anything as complicated as an RPG. I've played several of the more popular (And a few unpopular) RPGM 1 games but only played Fu-Ma on RPG Maker 2 so I don't know how much that toolset is capable of doing. I feel confident that I can use either toolset adequately enough to make a game, but since this is my first attempt I won't be able to do a lot of fancy tricks. Basically, I'm looking for advice which RPGM to use (preferably with a solid reason why).

... somehow I managed to go through this whole post without using one questionmark...

[Draygone]

RPGM2 can do a whole lot more than RPGM1, and yet at the same time RPGM1 is a lot less tedious. It all depends on whether you want your creation to be good or easy to create.

[Czechs Mex]

Why it's my old pal Jaerys! Good to see you again. I would personally suggest making a game with RPGM 1 over 2. A lot of people are playing RPGM1 again, so your game would reach a good audience. Also, creating a game with 1 is MUCH simpler and faster than with the sequel. You also have the option of custom art in RPGM1, making your game more unique.

In my opinion, RPGM1's only real negatives are that it has more programming limitations than RPGM2, and that it doesn't have keyboard support.

But still, RPGM2 is just too time consuming considering the hideous looking final product.

[Draygone]

Hideous only if you don't get used to the motion blur and absolutely hate the LEGO look.

[WilliamKirk]

When you alter the character model size it looks a lot better. I'm pretty amazed everyone loved Mario 64's (for example) graphics when it came out but thinks RPGM2's graphics are down the crapper. The blur's only really noticable on videos, or if you compare its graphics to FFX and Soul Caliber 2. Here's two videos of mine with the proportion altered character models (thanks to Doan for hosting this at his site!, http://www.doanthenado.com/ ): http://www.doanthenado.com/files/WilliamKirk/

[Valkysas]

I'll have to check that out when I get home. all the altered character models I've made look like crap.

[WilliamKirk]

I can share my proportion numbers too if anyone would like.

[Jaerys]

Thanks everyone. Your proportion specs actually would be helpful, William. Guess I'll have to think about it a bit. I don't plan to get to deep into the project until after finals anyway.

[WilliamKirk]

Okay, these are my proportions I use:

100% = 79, 71, 100
95% = 75, 67, 95
90% = 71, 64, 90
85% = 67, 60, 85
80% = 63, 57, 80
75% = 59, 53, 75
70% = 55, 50, 70
65% = 51, 46, 65

If you look at the longer video roughly 13 minutes into it when Doan walks out of the building you can see one character model lined up with each of these proportions. I use all these proportions for different characters and be real picky on the exact sizes of the important characters so they look good.

For on the world map I use:

100% = 40, 36, 50
95% = 38, 34, 47
90% = 36, 33, 45
85% = 34, 31, 42
80% = 32, 29, 40
75% = 30, 27, 37
70% = 28, 25, 35
65% = 26, 23, 32

I already had them written down so it took barely any time to post them. :)

[WarDragon]

i like both.

[Jaerys]

Thanks for the dimensions, William. I'm going to try for a RPG Maker 2 title because there are a couple of features I want that I can't do very well in RPGM 1. It's more complicated, but I do have some experience with scripting and variables, so I think I'll be able to handle it. Who knows, maybe I'll learn something.
I'll probably need lots of advice once I get the project in full swing, but for now I'm having fun tinkering.

[Split Infinity]

RPGM 2 is really hard to handle. I've tried multiple times to create games with it, but I always get aggrivated at the complexity. I would only reccomend RPGM 2 if you've had a lot of programming experience, otherwise I'd stick with RPGM 1.

[Tsunami]

I've never used the first one so I guess I'd have to go with 2.

[Hitou]

RPG Maker 1 had some great games, but I think I'm more compatible with RPG Maker 2, due to more freedom in making events.

[Valkysas]

I'm an RPGM2 idiot. I cant do anything with it.

[Split Infinity]

I'm an RPGM2 idiot. I cant do anything with it.


Every time I finally, after months of study, master an aspect of it, I get screwed up in another :( .

After I had finally learned all about VFX and a little about how to actually make spells and attacks work, The map editors confused the ef***e out of me. Having to register things is so inconvinient