RPG Maker (series)
From Charas Project
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RPG Maker (also known as RPG Tsukuru) is a computer program that allows users to create their very own RPG, in the style of the 16-bit RPGs commonly seen on the Super NES or Sega Genesis. It uses a point-and-click based engine, which is easy to learn but is versatile enough to create truly complex systems. The most well-known RPG Makers are RPG Maker 2000, RPG Maker 2003 and RPG Maker XP, all for use on the PC; however, there are RPG Maker programs available on other platforms as well.
(OOC: This article needs a proper format. If you want to see the previous version, check the history page at the top, but I think it's better off just to start from scratch. The headings below should give an idea as to how the article should look.)
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Platforms
Over the years, RPG Maker has been released on several different platforms. Console versions have not been as popular as the PC versions, however, mainly due to the difficulty/impossibility of importing custom resources or sharing games with others.
PC
There are four different editions of RPG Maker released for the PC.
RPG Maker 95
RPG Maker 95, abbreviated RM95, was the first PC edition of RPG Maker. It used 24-bit BMP graphics, and did not double the resolution of graphics, which allowed for higher-resolution games at the cost of large graphics file sizes. RM95 did not enjoy the sweeping popularity of the other RPG Makers, and because it does not run on NT-based versions of Windows (IE Windows XP), it is rarely used today.
RPG Maker 2000
- For more information on this topic, see the main article: RPG Maker 2000.
RPG Maker 2000, abbreviated RM2k, was the next installment in the PC line of RPG Maker games, and one of the most popular ones. It was a vast improvement over it's predecessor, and added several changes. The amount of allowed pictures, heroes, variables, and other features were all upgraded. Resources were changed from BMPs to 8-bit PNGs in order to cut down on space used by graphics. The amount of resources allowed was uncapped, allowing a virtually infinite amount of charsets, chipsets, and other resources. Other noticeable changes included a decrease in the allowed resolution, most likely to make games appear similar to other sprite-based games that were prevalent during this time, and the removal of other visible part members on the main map.
RPG Maker 2003
- For more information on this topic, see the main article: RPG Maker 2003.
RPG Maker 2003, abbreviated RM2k3, was the follow-up to RM2k, and was mainly focused on a few key changes - several resources that were usable in RM2k were reusable in RM2k3. The biggest change was the battle system - previously a front-view type that resembled Dragon Quest and Earthbound, RM2k3 introduced a side-based battle system similar to the Final Fantasy series. Accordingly, party members gained a new type of resource - battlecharas, which were much more difficult to make than the portraits that were previously used. The new battle system also used another new type of resource, the System2 resource. RM2k3 also added the ability to use MP3 files alongside MIDI and WAV files for background music.
RPG Maker XP
- For more information on this topic, see the main article: RPG Maker XP.
