AMERK'S PROFILE

I have the demo dl in yahoo, but not available yet. I'll keep an eye out so I can tackle it as soon as it is.

I'd love to see an updated Bloodsphere, one that felt a little less like a grind fest. I'd also encourage you to flesh out the end a little. While I really enjoyed the game and story, the ending somehow felt a little rushed. It felt too depressing with very little resolution. Our hero seemed only to sacrifice himself because he was pissed off, and it left me to wonder if he'll ever find peace, even in death. One option might be for a final scene (after the credits roll through) showing the hero and his girl together in a spiritual manifestation, since that was a big theme throughout the game.

I think it will be more like when RM2K was upgraded to 2K3. Some notable changes, but still using the VX format. From what I gathered on the RRR site, it's going to cost a lot more than what the VX now costs (and possibly more), at about $175 USD. Whether they actually lower that cost or not once it gets released in English is beyond me, but I have a feeling it's going to be high.

I agree with an above poster. While some of the features seem nice, to warrant such a high cost, they had better address the tileset limitation. Even if they were to add an additional 5 sheets (for a total of 10, with 2 of them auto tiles) that'd be a heck of a lot better than what we have. Sure we have SwapXT, but that tends to get a bit exhausting at times.

Some of the features that were mentioned were the inclusion of a sort of facemaker and sprite editor of sorts to change and alter sprites and faces, and a few adjustments to the database. Also there's mention that it will be using RGSS3, another reason they had better address the tile limitation because if they stay with the same 5 tileset sheets, and implement new scripting options, chances are SwapXT would become void until it's been fixed.

Basically what it comes down to is if the cost is worth the upgrade, and so far there has been very limited information in regards to what changes (if any) have been made to the map editor.

Edit:

So while RPG Maker VX Ace is coming out, so apparently is RPG Maker Plus:

http://gonintendo.com/?mode=viewstory&id=162453

It's a tiny blurb, but this is what it states:

- coming from Enterbrain
- create stories set in modern times
- includes locations like schools
- includes timelines during the Warring States or Sengoku era
- also includes sci-fi universe, complete with probing table
- combine all these elements together, if you like
- due out Dec. 15th in Japan

Hopefully they'll give ACE a modern/sci fi setting as well.

author=Erilex

author=kentona

author=tpasmall
Will this be an add-on to VX or a whole new editor?

From what I've read it will be an add-on.

Enterbrain doesn't strike me as the sort to make add-ons. Releasing a full-priced, near identical version of an older program with a few extra features tacked on is more in line with what I'd expect from them.

/cynicism

Still, I can't help being excited about this! New PC RPG Maker! Wheeeee!

Yeah, I held off releasing them until they were all done, since they all seem to flow into one another. These should be ready Monday or Tuesday. Just letting you know I haven't been completely slacking, since you haven't heard from me in a while.

This might be a better compromise. Set the EXP higher than in version 3 so that people who don't wish to grind, as long as they aren't running from battles, can run through the dungeon, fight whatever they meet along the way, and average around rank 4+ when they get to the rat. I'm guessing with searching for loot, knowing where to go, running through the dungeon, that should be about 45 minutes to an hour tops.

Those who wish to hang out in a given area for awhile and fight and grind will probably get to level 5 or 6 within about 1.5 hours (much better than 2.5 hours), or more if they choose to fight more.

Rather than make the rat super easy, maybe it more balanced. I initially mentioned his high HP, but when I thought about it that might not have been as bad a problem if he didn't call the second round of rats.

Maybe keep his initial HP, have him call out only the initial round of rats, but make these minion rats just slightly tougher, maybe a slightly higher attack and HP. The boss rat could have a "body slam" skill that hits all and has a 25% chance to stun a person, which would last for 2 or 3 rounds. This attack may make up for the fact that a second round of minion rats are no longer called.

Anyways, that's just an idea. Those who don't grind would have their difficulty, and those that do and get to rank 6 might still find it challenging but not quite as difficult as long as they employ the correct strategy, and those above rank 6 may find it easy, but if they are that high in rank it probably meant they wanted easy to begin with.

Edit: I agree with Sailerius. As long as you have one water bottle, it will essentially do the same as healing you and then filling the bottle. I like the water bottle ideas to replenish magic when not near a stream, but maybe set it so that it heals you and your bottles at once, or at the very least, heals you and fills your bottles one at a time.