IT'S OKAY TO USE RTP OR OTHER PREMADE RESOURCES

Recently I saw this anon sent into rpgmakergameconfessions and its a sentiment I’ve seen over and over so I just wanted to address it to help out all those who want to make an rpgmaker game but aren’t artistically inclined! I originally posted this over on tumblr where this seems to be a bigger concern for devs so I feel I'm more preaching to the choir here but I figured this might be useful for some.



YES YOU CAN MAKE GOOD GAMES USING RTP!

The key to this is mapping- with RTP you’re just going to have to work a little harder to make maps look nice. If you want examples of what to do, what not to do and to hone your mapping skills check out the Maps Weekly thread, this post with more links or Liberty's tutorial videos.

The really important parts of a rpgmaker game (imo) are the story and the gameplay- supplemental art just serves to enhance it.* While I love the art in Ib what really stuck with me after playing it was the story and the characters! Plus some games, like Mad Father, (which doesn’t use Wolf Rpg’s default tileset) still look similar to the default tileset of Rpgmaker Ace!

Don’t forget- you can always use the RTP as a placeholder to add custom graphics in if you decide you want to later on.

* (Unless it’s an art based game like Yume Nikki and its derivatives or Pen Palz.)



Okay I’ll use the RTP! But I want my game to stand out!

You can always use simple edits to add your own spin to the RTP and combine the RTP with custom graphics!

A particularity clever example of this is The God of Crawling Eyes which uses a black and white color palette to create a unique look and atmosphere.



“Character portraits were done through facemaker, sprites edited from the online sprite editor, and backgrounds and some other graphics were edited from the RTP. Other graphics were drawn by “ So by simply editing default sprites and such to black and whit,e a unique look was created.


Remnants of Isolation, (which won IGMC 2014), also uses a combination of default and custom assets.



If you can’t find custom assets you like (and I’ll talk about where to find them in a minute) you can always commission artists to make face-sets and sprites for you!

Other good games that are completely or near completely RTP that I can think of off the top of my head include Heros Realm, Okiku, Star Apprentice and Soul Sunder -BUT there’s lots more out there! If anyone else has anymore recommendations please leave them in the comments!



I really don’t want to use the RTP/ I want to use some other graphics with it! Where do I find this sort of stuff?

Well you can always commission artists to make this stuff for you! But if you aren’t that specific about what you want besides “not rtp” there’s lots of palaces to look. Google is also your friend, but to get you started:

RMN has lots of free resources!

You can also check out the MOG event page for some free stuff as well!

I made a graphics pack one time!

Free resources- lots of tilesets at VXresource!

(look at this cool steampunk set from vxresource)





You can also buy awesome graphics from rpgmakeweb too!

All of those are on Steam so if you’re strapped for cash you can wait for a Steam or Humble Bundle sale! Here are just a few examples of those:

Pixel Myth: Germania



And my personal favorite:

Old School Modern



So get out there and make some games! No excuses!