RPG Maker (series)
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RPG Maker (Also known as RPGツクール or RPG Tsukūru) 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 five 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.
Simulation RPG Tsukūru
Simulation RPG Tsukūru, more commonly known as Sim RPG Maker, is a version of RPG Maker that focuses on tactical-style battles.
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.
RPG Maker XP, abbreviated RMXP, is the latest installment in the RPG Maker series, and the first to be officially translated into English and made available outside of Japan. RMXP contains a few older features of the franchise, such as a return to a resolution of 640x480, as well as returning to a front-style battle system similar to that used in RM2k and RM95. The biggest change in RMXP is the introduction of the Ruby scripting system, which opens up the game system to a level of customization previously unavailable in the RPG Maker series. Resources for RMXP are much more flexible in size requirements; charasets, for example, only contain a single set of poses for a single entity, but can be as big or as small as the creator wants as long as its dimensions are multiples of 4. In addition, resources are now 24-bits in color depth, allowing for millions of colors available in any graphic.
Super NES
Two versions of RPG Maker were made for the Super Famicon - they were released only in Japan and never enjoyed a US release on the Super Nintendo.
RPG Tsukūru Super Dante
RPG Maker Super Dante was the first RPG Maker ever released on a videogame console (previously it was only on home computer systems). It was very primitive in comparison to the more well know RPG Makers. Games made in RPG Tsukūru Super Dante are similar to those of the Dragon Warrior series - the player interacts with the world by opening up a menu that has Talk, Search, Stat, and other similar options. Graphics are 16x16 tiles, and looked mediocre compared to other RPGs of the era.
Battles are fought in a front-facing view, much like the style used in RM95. All party members choose their action before the turn commences. The system is very limited in terms of customization: There are only 43 images for monsters, and only 53 pictures for entities. Spells were pre-set, and only the amount of damage/healing, cost to cast, and level that a spell is learned is able to be changed. The game allows for an estimated 17748 events.
Only a single game can be made on a single cart, which is stored along with a sample game that comes pre-made to show off the system. Games cannot be transferred due to the lack of a memory card system to transfer settings.
RPG Tsukūru 2
RPG Tsukūru 2 was the second and last RPG Maker to be released on the Super Famicom. It is a marked improvement over its predecessor in nearly every field. It followed the same basic formula, however; battles were still front facing and in the same format as Super Dante, and the player still uses a popup menu to interact with the world. All of the graphics have been remade, however, and look much more detailed and vivid. People are taller, similar to the height of characters in Chrono Trigger. There are 30 brand new music tracks to use in game, which are set to different areas that are later applied to maps.
Maker-wise, RPG Tsukūru 2 is also greatly improved. There are 72 different entity sprites for use, and a new vehicle system utilizes Mode7 surface rotation to imitate the airship effect from games like Final Fantasy 4(FF2 in the US), as well as allowing for a land and a sea vehicle with 8 different sprites to choose from. The new map editor allows for larger maps and easier tile laying, and offers 5 different chipsets for maps. About 300 maps can be made total. RPG Tsukūru 2 also allows for a larger variety of items than the earlier game, ranging from healing potions to keys for doors to items that call vehicles.
Magic is much more customizable, with each spell having a spell type that dictates the effects of the spell, with the name, cost, magnitude, spell animation, and level learned (character specific) able to be changed. Events are also more unique, with the ability to create an array of different effects, such as dungeon traps. There are 74 enemy sprites available for use, all improved over the previous version, including massive boss sprites. Lastly, there is an option for loading data from some sort of memory pack in order to either replace or expand the amount of graphics and music available, but the actual usage of these options is unknown.
Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Color
There are 3 portable RPG Makers:
RPG Tsukūru GB
RPG Tsukūru GB was the first portable version of RPG Maker, and was only released in Japan. Due to the limited graphics capabilities of the Gameboy Color, RMGB lacks the detail of it's SNES-based predecessors. RMGB uses the same front-facing battle system that most other RPG Makers use, as well as the same 16x16 sprite style as RPG Maker Super Dante. Unlike Super Dante, however, RMGB does not use a popup menu to interact with the environment - one button activates everything in the overworld.
The amount of sprites and monsters available is comparable to RPG Tsukūru 2 on the SNES, although they were hardly as detailed. The simplistic style was only improved by the addition of color thanks to the expanded palette of the GBC. The game also has an airship and boat feature built in.
Uchujin Tanaka Tarou De RPG Tsukūru GB 2
Uchujin Tanaka Tarou De RPG Tsukūru GB 2, easier said as RMGB2, was the second RPG Maker to be made for a portable system, and is very similar to RMGB - it uses what appears to be the same overworld and battle system. It's graphics are much more detailed and vivid, however, as well as containing nearly double the amount of entity sprites and triple the amount of monster graphics. It also comes with two different demo games instead of one, and a guided tutorial for editing your game. It also can make use of the GBC's infrared port (assumed - it could possibly require a Gameboy transfer cable) in order to send and receive games. In addition, there is an option to connect with a "TurboFile", although what this is and what it is used for is unknown.
RPG Tsukūru Advance
Playstation and Playstation 2
Simulation RPG Tsukūru
RPG Maker
RPG Tsukūru 4
RPG Maker 2
RPG Maker 3
Other platforms
Several versions of RPG Maker were released on the PC-8801, MSX, and PC-9801 home computer systems.
Legality
Regarding the PC RPG Makers, none of them have been legally translated and sold outside of Japan until RMXP. Several people have, however, gone ahead and translated them in order to let people who do not understand Japanese to use the program. Although this in itself is illegal, several translations come along with a crack that unlocks the limits on the demo version of RPG Maker that are publicly available for download. Thus, if you are using a version of RPG Maker that is not RMXP and is not in Japanese, it is illegal.
RPG Maker sites make it a point to let people know that they do not support this in any way, and assume that all their users are using legal versions of RPG Maker. It is the user's responsibility to ensure that they are using a legal version of RPG Maker.
