8BITBEARD'S PROFILE

I was still using Photoshop 7. Time for an upgrade.

author=KingArthur
And while we're busy regulating what software can run on what OS, let's also regulate what OS can run on what hardware with UEFI Secure Boot, which results in most modern computers equipped with UEFI refusing to boot anything besides Windows 8 as mandated by Microsoft, because Windows 8 is the only choice consumers will ever need! Nobody cares about Windows 7, Windows Vista, Window XP, and all the 2127642786 Linux distros after all!

Eew, really? I didn't know this was a thing. This is pure evil.

I've been playing around with RPG Maker for a long time, first with RM2K, then 2K3, and XP. I skipped VX, but was pleased to see VX Ace fixed all the things I didn't like about VX. Every one of these was pirated, even after they were officially available in the US and I no longer had a proper excuse.

I never completed anything.

I've pirated a number of games too, on most platforms, and recently I realized that I have never played a game to completion that I pirated, with the exception of some SNES titles that were a bit short anyway. The only games I've completed were ones that I purchased.

My theory is that when I pay actual money for the game, I subconsciously assign more value to it. The game becomes an investment to me, and my brain wants to get my moneys worth.

When I pirate a game, I got it for free. It's valueless. I'm less inclined to focus on something I think has no value.

So with the release of RPG Maker VX Ace on Steam, and the holiday sale pushing the game to $55, (I missed the %50 off flash sale.) I finally put down the scratch to become a legitimate owner of RPG maker VX Ace. For the first time in over a decade I actually own the thing.

The first thing I noticed what an immediate increase in my focus to actually use the thing. I've had VX Ace installed on my computer since it was released, but I haven't really used it. Now I've bought it and it's been nothing but daily and focused development. I might actually finish something this time!

Who else has noticed this about themselves? Are others more likely to use software they actually paid for, or do you use it regardless just fine?

author=kentona
Is the goal of the boy to get rid of the evil beard, or save it?

He's torn. At first, he hates it and wants nothing to do with it, but can't get rid of it. He feels a bit violated by it. As he learns what awesome things the beard allows him to do, he warms up to it, even befriends it.

But the beard is snarky, and it has dragged the boy into this gigantic situation he wants nothing to do with.

I haven't quite developed it much further than that. I've build VX Ace sprites of a nerdy teenage boy both with and without a gigantic Viking beard, and I've though it might be cool to have beard only stealth sequences, where the beard detaches itself and crawls into the duct work, while it's teenage partner stands watch.

I think eventually the goal will be to help the soul of the Viking warrior make it's way to Valhalla.

1. How important is the background story of a game?
Less important than the immediate story of a game. Backstory can enrich an already rich game, but it can't make up for the failings of the actual story of your game.

2. What do you think of a system where you can hatch a creature that can act as a summon character?
Neat. Lot's of fun possibilities there, especially if there are many different creatures to collect. The success of Pokemon proves that people like collecting creatures.

3. Do you feel the above idea is possible in RPG Maker 2k?
Anything is possible in RPG Maker 2k. You're only really limited to your own imagination. The little maker is capable of amazing things if you're willing to twist it into shapes it wasn't really designed to fit into.

4. Modern or Classic RPG?
Both have their merits. Whatever suits what you're going for.