RPG Maker XP
Encyclopedia
RPG Maker XP is the PC
version in the RPG Maker series of programs developed and published by Enterbrain
. It is the first PC version to be officially translated into English
and released outside of Japan
.
programming language, allowing for greater flexibility of development compared to the purely command based system of its predecessors. As Ruby does not directly support graphics or audio, the Ruby Game Scripting System is included to provide an interface for these as well as basic data structures used by the editor. The program's EULA allows games to be sold.
This version is the first RPG Maker since RPG Maker 95
to feature a resolution of 640×480, compared to the 320×240 resolution of RPG Maker 2000
and RPG Maker 2003
. The program's resolution can be raised through the program's scripting system, though this requires modifying the RGSS.
RPG Maker XP uses graphic resources for title screens, game over screens, character sets, tile sets, transition effects, battle animations, battle icons, item icons, backgrounds, and window skins. New graphics can be created by users through image editing software. The program can accept virtually any graphics extension such as PNG, BMP, and JPEG
. However, when using GIF
animation images, a script must be input into the database for the animation to display, otherwise the image is inanimate.
The battle system for RPG Maker XP is by default first-person perspective and turn-based. Users may create new attack animations and import images to use for battle backgrounds. The battle system can be edited by the user, within the limits of the program, because it is scripted in the database using both RGSS and Ruby.
Characters are displayed in sets (named "Character Sets", or "Charsets"). Each animation is displayed in a square 1/4 the height and size of the file, which makes 4×4 = 16 animations for each charset. The way their animation is designed gives them the illusion that they are actually walking.
RPG Maker XP comes with predefined classes and modules which are included in the Script Editor, but some of these are hidden: RPG, Audio, Graphics, Input, Tilemap, Table, Window, Sprite, Bitmap, Viewport, and Plane. Some of these hidden classes are available in the help file, found inside the program itself, but others cannot be accessed unless the program is altered.
In addition to the game related classes and modules, Ruby's own Win32API class is included allowing dramatic extensions by way of directly accessing the Windows API. An example of this is network support through the Winsock API.
These tiles can be placed in any order to pattern terrain such as a field of grass or a desert depending on the tileset. The resulting graphics are displayed on the game screen.
RPG Maker XP has a way of identifying certain tiles and how flat or tall a specific tile is going to be. For example a tileset that contains trees and grass both have different heights. A tree is typically tall and must stand above the player, and grass is usually below the player's feet. Two important features RMXP uses to identify these are passability and priority. Passability tells the system where the character can pass (walk). For example a large rock would normally set as impassible; on the other hand, if the rock has a passability set, the character can seemingly step through the rock.
Priority is what tells the system how tall something is and how much higher it is than the character. A priority of 1 tells the system that the specified tile is just above the player. A good example would be a table. A table is usually not taller than a person, therefore it would have a low priority. The higher the priority the taller the tile would be drawn. A tree which tends to be taller than a character would have a priority of 2 or more (5 being the highest). With this system, players might look as if they were walking below taller objects.
Mapping also uses four layers: the three tileset layers, and an event layer. There is also a fog layer, which adds an alpha compositing
effect to the game. This can be used to create fog, or the shadows of trees or clouds, for example.
Most games have a graphic file that holds text. Text can be displayed on this graphic file called a windowskin. This graphic file typically measures 192 by 128 pixels. Windowskins carry the basic window which will house the text written by the user for the character. A second part is the windowframe which notifies the player of the game that there is more text to be displayed through 16 by 16 arrow icons. A command cursor which notifies the player of what has been selected, a pause graphic is also present, to notify the player that they have stopped cycling through the text of the character. It contains a four frame animation which makes it seem like its moving. Finally there are arrow cursors, very much like the ones used in computer
s. These are used to make to point decisions when a player is faced with multiple options.
Images can be displayed in-game. Images are kept in an image folder and must be directed in x and y coordinates to tell the system where to display the image. Images can be any size and can be any format—including JPEG
, PNG and GIF
-- allowed by the program. A 'image' is displayed about the 5th layer—it has higher priority than any other game effect, including text windows.
, MP3
and WAV
sound formats. This is an improvement over the RMXP predecessors such as RPG Maker 2003
(which could only accept MP3, MIDI or WAV sound formats, or RPG Maker 2000
which could only accept MIDI or WAV sound formats).
Also, if one has a codec pack such as the K-Lite Codec Pack installed, then the user can play a wider variety of formats like FLAC
and M4A, though not much, converting audio to M4A not only has the added benefit of better quality, it also takes up less space and thus, loads faster.
RMXP features 4 different types of music, BGM, BGS, ME, SE. BGM stands for background music, which is the music that plays over the course of the game. BGS stands for background sounds like the sounds of a cricket at night. ME which stands for musical effects, like a short effect, such as horror, SE stands for sound effects, a quick sound such as a dog barking.
English version KNight-Blade -Howling of Kerberos- was offered as separate download in Enterbrain's site.
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
version in the RPG Maker series of programs developed and published by Enterbrain
Enterbrain
is a Japanese magazine publisher established on April 1, 2000. Enterbrain magazines are generally focused on video games and computer entertainment as well as video game and strategy guides. In addition, the company publishes a small selection of anime artbooks. Enterbrain is based in Tokyo, Japan...
. It is the first PC version to be officially translated into English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and released outside of Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
Features
RPG Maker XP integrates the RubyRuby (programming language)
Ruby is a dynamic, reflective, general-purpose object-oriented programming language that combines syntax inspired by Perl with Smalltalk-like features. Ruby originated in Japan during the mid-1990s and was first developed and designed by Yukihiro "Matz" Matsumoto...
programming language, allowing for greater flexibility of development compared to the purely command based system of its predecessors. As Ruby does not directly support graphics or audio, the Ruby Game Scripting System is included to provide an interface for these as well as basic data structures used by the editor. The program's EULA allows games to be sold.
This version is the first RPG Maker since RPG Maker 95
RPG Maker 95
RPG Maker 95, or RM95 for an abbreviation, is the first Windows version of the RPG Maker series developed and published by ASCII, released in Japan March 28th, 1997 as . The game is ASCII's third RPG making application for the PC...
to feature a resolution of 640×480, compared to the 320×240 resolution of RPG Maker 2000
RPG Maker 2000
RPG Maker 2000 is the second Microsoft Windows version of the RPG Maker series of programs developed by Enterbrain and published by ASCII.-History:...
and RPG Maker 2003
RPG Maker 2003
RPG Maker 2003 is the third in the series of programs for the development of Role-Playing Games, developed by the Japanese group ASCII...
. The program's resolution can be raised through the program's scripting system, though this requires modifying the RGSS.
RPG Maker XP uses graphic resources for title screens, game over screens, character sets, tile sets, transition effects, battle animations, battle icons, item icons, backgrounds, and window skins. New graphics can be created by users through image editing software. The program can accept virtually any graphics extension such as PNG, BMP, and JPEG
JPEG
In computing, JPEG . The degree of compression can be adjusted, allowing a selectable tradeoff between storage size and image quality. JPEG typically achieves 10:1 compression with little perceptible loss in image quality....
. However, when using GIF
GIF
The Graphics Interchange Format is a bitmap image format that was introduced by CompuServe in 1987 and has since come into widespread usage on the World Wide Web due to its wide support and portability....
animation images, a script must be input into the database for the animation to display, otherwise the image is inanimate.
The battle system for RPG Maker XP is by default first-person perspective and turn-based. Users may create new attack animations and import images to use for battle backgrounds. The battle system can be edited by the user, within the limits of the program, because it is scripted in the database using both RGSS and Ruby.
Characters are displayed in sets (named "Character Sets", or "Charsets"). Each animation is displayed in a square 1/4 the height and size of the file, which makes 4×4 = 16 animations for each charset. The way their animation is designed gives them the illusion that they are actually walking.
RPG Maker XP comes with predefined classes and modules which are included in the Script Editor, but some of these are hidden: RPG, Audio, Graphics, Input, Tilemap, Table, Window, Sprite, Bitmap, Viewport, and Plane. Some of these hidden classes are available in the help file, found inside the program itself, but others cannot be accessed unless the program is altered.
In addition to the game related classes and modules, Ruby's own Win32API class is included allowing dramatic extensions by way of directly accessing the Windows API. An example of this is network support through the Winsock API.
Mapping
Mapping is the term given to the creation of the characters' environment and surroundings by using 32x32 pixel "tiles". RPGXP uses a tileset consisting of 8 autotile files and 1 main file image. According to Enterbrain:
These files contain tiles for map making. Each tile contains at least one block of eight 32×32 pixel frames lined up horizontally, but can go on to contain as many blocks as necessary. There's no limit on the file's vertical size.
- NOTE: The RPGXP editor itself is unable to scroll vertically properly past 1032 tiles (corresponding to an image size of 256x33024 pixels).
These tiles can be placed in any order to pattern terrain such as a field of grass or a desert depending on the tileset. The resulting graphics are displayed on the game screen.
RPG Maker XP has a way of identifying certain tiles and how flat or tall a specific tile is going to be. For example a tileset that contains trees and grass both have different heights. A tree is typically tall and must stand above the player, and grass is usually below the player's feet. Two important features RMXP uses to identify these are passability and priority. Passability tells the system where the character can pass (walk). For example a large rock would normally set as impassible; on the other hand, if the rock has a passability set, the character can seemingly step through the rock.
Priority is what tells the system how tall something is and how much higher it is than the character. A priority of 1 tells the system that the specified tile is just above the player. A good example would be a table. A table is usually not taller than a person, therefore it would have a low priority. The higher the priority the taller the tile would be drawn. A tree which tends to be taller than a character would have a priority of 2 or more (5 being the highest). With this system, players might look as if they were walking below taller objects.
Mapping also uses four layers: the three tileset layers, and an event layer. There is also a fog layer, which adds an alpha compositing
Alpha compositing
In computer graphics, alpha compositing is the process of combining an image with a background to create the appearance of partial or full transparency. It is often useful to render image elements in separate passes, and then combine the resulting multiple 2D images into a single, final image in a...
effect to the game. This can be used to create fog, or the shadows of trees or clouds, for example.
Most games have a graphic file that holds text. Text can be displayed on this graphic file called a windowskin. This graphic file typically measures 192 by 128 pixels. Windowskins carry the basic window which will house the text written by the user for the character. A second part is the windowframe which notifies the player of the game that there is more text to be displayed through 16 by 16 arrow icons. A command cursor which notifies the player of what has been selected, a pause graphic is also present, to notify the player that they have stopped cycling through the text of the character. It contains a four frame animation which makes it seem like its moving. Finally there are arrow cursors, very much like the ones used in computer
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
s. These are used to make to point decisions when a player is faced with multiple options.
Images can be displayed in-game. Images are kept in an image folder and must be directed in x and y coordinates to tell the system where to display the image. Images can be any size and can be any format—including JPEG
JPEG
In computing, JPEG . The degree of compression can be adjusted, allowing a selectable tradeoff between storage size and image quality. JPEG typically achieves 10:1 compression with little perceptible loss in image quality....
, PNG and GIF
GIF
The Graphics Interchange Format is a bitmap image format that was introduced by CompuServe in 1987 and has since come into widespread usage on the World Wide Web due to its wide support and portability....
-- allowed by the program. A 'image' is displayed about the 5th layer—it has higher priority than any other game effect, including text windows.
Audio
RMXP accepts MIDI, OGGOgg
Ogg is a free, open container format maintained by the Xiph.Org Foundation. The creators of the Ogg format state that it is unrestricted by software patents and is designed to provide for efficient streaming and manipulation of high quality digital multimedia.The Ogg container format can multiplex...
, MP3
MP3
MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, more commonly referred to as MP3, is a patented digital audio encoding format using a form of lossy data compression...
and WAV
WAV
Waveform Audio File Format , is a Microsoft and IBM audio file format standard for storing an audio bitstream on PCs...
sound formats. This is an improvement over the RMXP predecessors such as RPG Maker 2003
RPG Maker 2003
RPG Maker 2003 is the third in the series of programs for the development of Role-Playing Games, developed by the Japanese group ASCII...
(which could only accept MP3, MIDI or WAV sound formats, or RPG Maker 2000
RPG Maker 2000
RPG Maker 2000 is the second Microsoft Windows version of the RPG Maker series of programs developed by Enterbrain and published by ASCII.-History:...
which could only accept MIDI or WAV sound formats).
Also, if one has a codec pack such as the K-Lite Codec Pack installed, then the user can play a wider variety of formats like FLAC
FLAC
FLAC is a codec which allows digital audio to be losslessly compressed such that file size is reduced without any information being lost...
and M4A, though not much, converting audio to M4A not only has the added benefit of better quality, it also takes up less space and thus, loads faster.
RMXP features 4 different types of music, BGM, BGS, ME, SE. BGM stands for background music, which is the music that plays over the course of the game. BGS stands for background sounds like the sounds of a cricket at night. ME which stands for musical effects, like a short effect, such as horror, SE stands for sound effects, a quick sound such as a dog barking.
Events
Events are a method of causing a wide variety of automatic or interactive elements within the game. The vast majority of things which occur outside of battles are controlled by events designed by the game's creator. There are 90 event commands, allowing the creator to perform actions such as movement of characters, special effects such as music or color tones, and complex mathematical calculations. Such events can be intricate or simple. Variables can store information such as numbers or text to be used by events. Up to a total of 5000 variables can be created. Events are executed as Ruby and RGSS code which can be read through an interpreter in the program's database which then executes the code.Bonus contents
Japanese retail version includes following demos:- Shirai Kizuna (白い絆)
- Alestian Story (by Shine Garden)
- Shishimura (ししむら)
- KNight-Blade -Howling of Kerberos-
- To near
English version KNight-Blade -Howling of Kerberos- was offered as separate download in Enterbrain's site.
RPG Maker XP VALUE!
This version includes an editor supporting Windows Vista (included in 1.03 patch), 11 new game demos, different version of DirectX runtime. Support of Windows 98 and ME were dropped. Activation system only requires one-time authentication instead of periodic authentication.Bonus contents
The following game demos are added to Japanese retail version:- Inochiuta (命唄～イノチウタ～) Ver.1.20 (by SHIN)
- Urayamatanken (うらやまたんけん) (by Toriaka)
- Sacred Cat (セイクリッドキャット) (by star)
- Sekai ni todokanu negai koto (世界に届かぬ願い事)
- Densetsu no tsuugakuro (伝説の通学路)
- Birdcage girl (鳥籠の少女) (by MENCHAN)
- Trish no jikenbo (トリッシュの事件簿) (by HDΣ)
- Maou monogatari monogatari (魔王物語物語) (by Tetsu)
- Magic☆Treasure (by ASUKA)
- Make Make Icecream (by sleepinglion)
- Yukiiroehon ~An Evil Deity~ (雪色絵本 ～An Evil Deity～)
External links
- Enterbrain RPG Maker XP page: Japan, English
- Interwise Multimedia Corp. page
- Enterbrain support pages: English, Japanese
- Enterbrain RPG Maker XP VALUE! page: Japan, English
- RPG Maker ~ Comunidad en español, recursos y ayuda.