QUESTIONS ABOUT RPG MAKER XP AND VX ACE

Neither program inherently has side-view battles, but both programs support importing scripts created by other users to add features to your game, and people have made scripts for both RPG Makers that can give you side-view battle systems that you have a great deal of control over.

For RMXP you can get a set of scripts called Atoa's Chrono Trigger Battle System (which has side-view and a number of other options in addition to the Chrono Trigger battle style), and for RMVXAce you can get a set of scripts called Battle Engine Symphony. There's also a set of scripts called Tankentai that works with both engines for a different, somewhat simpler version of side-view battles. There are also probably like thirty others.

Main difference between RMXP and RMVXAce is that you'll have an easier time making nice looking areas in RMXP, but you'll have a harder time doing almost everything else (gameplay, battles, cut scenes) and will need to use scripts for some things that Ace can do with just a few clicks. So if you're not at all comfortable with figuring out how scripting works, I would say grab Ace. If you have a little bit of programming experience and would like a slightly easier time with graphics, grab XP. If you don't know enough to answer those questions yet, grab Ace, because it's easier to use.

I use RMXP, but the vast majority of people use Ace, so you'll have an easier time getting help from other users if you use Ace. More people to ask!

This forum topic on RPG Maker Web suggests that they do actually sell boxed copies, but apparently only on amazon.com and rpgmakerweb.com, not in local stores. (Still, maybe send a message to the moderator who originally posted that topic, or call their support number, and ask to make sure.)

You won't get far in life without a debit card. Not many places accept cash any more. I can't remember the last time I bought something other than food or gas from a store that even accepted cash. It was surely months ago, if not years ago.

You can just make a Paypal account for free though. They don't charge fees or anything. Can link it straight to your checking account, even if for some reason you are too lazy to go get a free debit card from your bank...

You won't get far without a debit card? Besides ATM machines,
I don't know that many places you can buy stuff with an ATM
card in Taiwan. Most transactions here are in cash. My boss
doesn't even write me a cheque, just hands me a wad of cash.
Though if you want to withdraw money to buy stuff I guess
you need a card, but I think you could probably get through
life pretty easily without one even so.

OK so you are ninety years old and afraid of technology

got it

find a new hobby, software design is probably not a good one for you

Well anyway it occured to me that you can probably buy an Amazon gift card at Walgreens using cash.

Yeah, I don't buy things in physical stores any more. I bought a pair of shoes about a year ago, and that's probably the only thing except for food and gas I've bought at a counter for the last three years. The internet has made walk-in stores obsolete for everything except everyday necessities and things you really need to physically try out first.

Edit: OK wait no I also bought a car. Same deal as shoes: needed to physically try it out first (though I almost bought one on eBay). I suppose the dealer probably would have let me pay him twelve thousand dollars in cash if I'd asked.

What is the difference between the map making systems in each program? I'm also deciding which to buy.