Phantom Legacy (Part 1)

author=StarSkipping
Why move to Meridian dance? There's not really alot going for it.

I try not to post, in general unless I genuinely feel that it is something that needs to be said. Now, I do not personally know the members of Meridian Dance or shmup. I honestly find the behaviour of some of their individual members to be questionable and well, very inappropriate at times.

But, I think anyone whose genuinely interested in rpgmaking should definitely check out Meridian Dance. Ignore the events that have transpired for a moment. Ignore the fact that it was founded by now, former members of rpgmaker.net and there is a site that is almost identical if not, surpasses the spirit and geniune enthusiasm of what rpgmaking was like for so many, years ago, on gamingw.net.

Some of these members felt that the way rpgmaker.net was currently structured was a problem. So rather than continuing to complain about it, they, themselves provided a solution. They've created a site that's much more suited to their individual needs, a site with a relentless focus and overwhelming passion for rpgmaking. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. And there is absolutely no reason why anyone could not just check out Merridian Dance and still visit rpgmaker.net as well. They are two entirely differently sites with very different goals.

It's very disheartening to see so many former gamingw.net and rmn members divided amongst this issue, when we should be encouraging them. I remember many years ago reading about Macubex's desire for a "personal feedback system" on gamingw.net, something I feel they have very much achieved with Meridian Dance.

I don't think Merdidian Dance is trying to replace rpgmaker.net. I think many of these individuals are just trying to find a proper "home" that will foster their creativity. Something they've pretty much wanted, for years, long before rpgmaker.net, long before the game/demo thread on gamingw.net. Something, they, themselves could only provide. And after having read some of it's content, I honestly feel Meridian Dance accomplishes that; I don't think I would have ever been able to come across this if it wasn't attached to Mellytan's great post regarding the nature of cancelled rpgmaker games and his "unhealthy" attachment to one rm2k3 game in particular that was never released.

There is nothing wrong with visiting two entirely different sites. Fellow rpgmakers should feel inspired whenever they go to Meridian Dance.

bahleted

author=blue
I don't think I would have ever been able to come across this if it wasn't attached to Mellytan's great post regarding the nature of cancelled rpgmaker games and his "unhealthy" attachment to one rm2k3 game in particular that was never released.

ahahaha, yeah good stuff.

"The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissention, which in different ages & (forums) has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism..." —George Washington, September 19, 1796

The Square-Enix selective sales analogy was poorly done. Calling NB a "coward" and a "disappointment" and the like was poorly done, as well. (Not that I think any of this reciprocal character attacking is well done.)

The vast majority of us do not make games for profit, but to fulfill our dreams. We make games for this reason, and build communities to mutually benefit from each others' creativity and support. We want nothing but perhaps some kudos or support in return for making games and building communities--though those of us with any sense know that even this much is not assured.

In a community such as this, developers of games such as NB don't "owe" the community--in this case RMN--anything, for without games and game makers like Phantom Legacy and NB, RMN would not have garnered such popularity, either. It's mutual symbiosis. And when one--namely a game/maker--decides to amicably part with the other for his own reasons, there should be no cause for these petty pot-shot valedictions.

NB is doing what he wants to do with his game, for better or worse. Here, he did his one duty of notifying his RMN fans of his decision, and even thanked (with a tiny jab at RMN, yes) the members of the community.

His development choices, not his choice of where to most prominently showcase his game, should be the main thing being scrutinized here. It is startling how this discussion all too soon became a game of vitriolic "RMN vs MD" dodgeball. It reminds me too much of the problem we have in American politics these days.

author=Fallen-Griever
Leaving because the front-page of a website sucks instead of trying to help and making your voice heard? Sounds pretty cowardly to me; especially when a lot of your game's fans come from that website and people from that website gave you money to help you continue making your game.

- NB and many others (including myself) have already voiced their opinions about the condition of RMN and what changes it should undergo. There is not much more we feel we can do.

- Gifts should be given without any expectation of getting something in return--even if reciprocating is often the right thing to do. Alright, so NB owes something to his fans and the community at large--a feeling of gratitude. That is all.

I've been following MD's development since its inception, so any accusations that I, at least, am prejudiced against it are unfounded (I really liked Melly's vapourware article even if I disagreed with almost all of it).I don't see anything wrong with a community blog at all. I just don't see what anyone gains with this boycott. But...

author=Nightblade
I wonder how long the post RMN4 burst of activity will last before everything dies down and nothing happens again.

I really don't understand this. How is nothing happening here? Not only is there a new front page in the works (It is real, I have seen it) and a whole slew of upgrades for the site on the horizon, but we're currently hosting a contest with a pretty neat theme that is promising to produce at least a few cool games. Nessiah recently made a roughly 600 part tutorial on map design. People continue to write reviews and articles and tutorials regularly. How is this "nothing?"

I'm also pretty sick of seeing the staff get scapegoated for everything. As the people actually doing something, everything inevitably gets lain at their feet, when in reality they were the people actually trying to fix things in the first place. Even if RMN4 fixes literally every problem anyone has ever pointed out, I imagine its only a matter of time before a whole new crop of complaints spring up about why RMN is hopeless and terrible.

author=Darken
rpg maker games

they're serious business, don't you know

Technically Dyhalto donated his $25 back to rpgmaker.net, and then I decided to double the pot and donate the money to you after your blog post (and informed Dyhalto as such). It's okay though man, I didn't donate the money to you because of your opinions on rpgmaker.net, which to be honest were never super positive. Have fun at Meridian Dance.

author=Ghost
Why are there like 5 staff members blogging and knocking games off the front page. I came to check out Jude's game topic. Don't wry Jude is most likely not going anywhere anytime soon.

I am not sure what you are talking about?