HEDGE1'S PROFILE

author=Cap_H
What I wanted to say is that adding more functions is not the only good solution. Bitsy is doing what rm did in the past on a very basic level. It builds a community around all games being similar. Limitations can be a good thing too. They become something to overcome.
(I don't really know what I wanted to point out myself)

Btw I think that it would be great if you managed to make your text window creator a part of the engine.

That makes sense.

As for the text window creator, I hope to make it part of the first release, but at the very least I know it won't be any worse than the current situation (that is, you use text window creator to make pictures and use those instead).

Also, to the survey taker to gave me a list of RPG Maker features they would like to keep: thank you! It will be helpful in my feature prioritization efforts.

Thanks again to everyone for taking the survey and providing feedback. I finished my submission to the next round. I will know sometime in March if I made semi-finals.

As a reminder, even though the current submission is done, a larger survey response will still benefit me in the semis, so I still appreciate everyone taking the time to answer.

Also, don't feel bad if I don't respond directly to your comments in this thread. Most of the time I'm just nodding my head agreeing with you all. I also realized that agreement on my side may indicate planned inclusion of the feature, which isn't certain at this point. I'm trying my best not to give too much false hope here. I'm still a long way from making this thing a reality.

author=Cap_H
You might find this article interesting: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/02/23/how-small-game-makers-found-their-community-with-bitsy/

I looked at this, and it looks cool, but I'm not quite sure where you're going with this. Are you offering user interface suggestions? I just want to make sure I understand what you like about bitsy and how you think it relates.

author=Red_Nova
What I'm calling into question is the chances this new engine will be a success.

Part of the competition is getting a chance to talk to coaches, and they say the same thing you're saying. They don't see high risk adjusted returns coming out of this, so they're not very interested. Such is the way of the world for those with money. But I didn't start this project for high returns. I did it because it is frankly something we need. And by "we" I don't just mean this community. There are half a million owners of VX Ace. That means there are half a million people whose lives could be better if they had a better option. That's a powerful message to me.

If you have ideas as to how to overcome the challenges you've outlined, I'm listening. My basic argument would come down to the last thing you said, which is if a new system truly outshined RPG Maker, there would be adoption.

author=Red_Nova
While I don't have the numbers in front of me, I think there's a strong case to be made here by looking at the people still using RM 2k3 so long after all these new engines have come out.

The English version of 2003 averages about 50 concurrent users, while MV averages about 1000. My guess is a lot of 2003 holdouts are continuing with the illegal version because it's free, and it's what they have to use. That said, I own 2003, XP, and VX Ace, yet still use 2003 the most. I'm terrible.

author=kentona
What I want is an RTS Maker, that's as simple to use as an RPG Maker. Something that can make both traditional RTSs, and also MOBAs or Time/Resource Management sims.

So every time the conversation of new makers come up, I usually read through the thread. I don't think I've ever seen that request before. It would certainly be an under-served market.

author=LordBlueRouge
I donated and used RM20XX in the past. But part of the reason why I could never use it any further than that, is because it looks too different from rpgmaker2003 - I really just want what Sonic Mania did for Sonic games - an editor that looks identical to rpgmaker2003, but you can easily make final fantasy 6, dragon quest, earthbound or zelda game in, and then easily port it to Mac, Linux and modern consoles.

RM20XX always crashes on me. Otherwise I may have tried using it more. As for FF6, it's my favorite RPG and literally the test case for "is what I'm planning flexible enough"?

author=zDS
LAGI love RPG Maker VX Ace, I really do. The biggest issue I have with it, is the lag.

If I get far enough along on this to have a beta test (and no promises that I will!), send me a PM or something and I'll toss something your way to lag test. I'm serious.

author=zDS
Console FlexibilityI would love to make a game and release it on consoles and whatnot, not just steam. I'm not sure how easy that would be to pull off, but I think RPG Maker should really focus on that next and anyone else who wants to do this.

This has come up a few times now (and more in the survey responses) so it's about time I address it: there are no plans to add the ability to release games on consoles. Cross-platform capability is either hugely expensive or significantly impacts game performance (guess which route MV took). To give you an idea of how big of an issue trying to release to consoles is, for a one-time charge of $100 GameMaker will give you a lifetime of PC releases. Yet it's $800 annually for the option to release on either XBox or PS4 (it's $1500 if you want both).

author=From a Comment in a Survey
http://finalbossblues.com/des/rpgmacker/rmui.html

That looks really sweet.

Thanks again for the responses from everyone. I could still use some more, for those who haven't yet taken the survey. Larger sample sizes carry greater weight with judges.

author=SgtMettool
One of the big things that I can think of: A more customizable editor.

author=psy_wombats
The only "killer feature" I could ask for in an RM-like system is an actual visual UI editor.

This is useful feedback. I wasn't totally sure how a customizable database compared with full editor customization (well, fuller anyway). I'll keep this in mind as I plan out the scope for the first release.

Edit: Thanks to everyone who responded to the survey (and if you haven't taken it yet, your response is still helpful). Unfortunately, I was not successful in winning money in the competition. However, I am pursuing other avenues for potential funding. I am also looking for ideas for a better name for the product/company.

Original Post:

I've been floating around the RPG Maker community since 2003, way back with the original Gaming World forums. I've loved what gets created here, but have continually been disappointed with the capabilities of RPG Maker.

For the last couple of years I have thought about what a better development platform would look like, and what capabilities it would have. This year, I had the opportunity to join a business plan competition with a top prize of $25,000 (and $100,000 of prizes overall). I am one round away from talking with actual investors, and two rounds away from the finals. Winning could also get me a chance at an additional $25,000 in state funding. I don't think I need to explain further why this is a big deal. But I need your help.

I spoke with a competition coach yesterday and they need more evidence my potential customers want what I plan to deliver. That's where you all come in. You're my potential customers.

I have created a short survey with eight questions and some space where you can write anything you want to me. I promise I will read it, and what you write could influence the final product.

The deadline for this round is tomorrow at midnight. So the sooner you can answer the survey, the better. Even after the deadline, keep answering the survey, since I'll need even more data points if I wish to make finals.

Take the Survey Here

Also, please don't get your hopes up. I have avoided posting about this previously because I have seen so many failed projects over the years that it breaks my heart. But this really is an opportunity of a lifetime, and I can't do it without you.

And if anyone can give me links to older threads about others who have tried this, that would be awesome. I'm aware of RPG20xx and the 3D RPG designer from a while back, but can't find other instances. Being able to cite forum threads where users post concerns could also support my cause.

Thank you!

AnimGet is indeed the program I was talking about. Thanks Darken!

And a quick Google search found a download on the Sprite Database:
http://spritedatabase.net/download