RPG Maker VX News

Promotional Video, The Secret "Making-Of" Story (Part 1)

Posted November 20th, 2007 at 4:18am CST by Jaceryl

Enterbrain has announced the newest piece of information about RPG Maker VX. As spoken by Arts Kawashima:

Today the RPG Maker VX Promotional Video was released on Tsukuuru Web. You'll all take a look, won't you? We've really worked hard on making it, so I hope you all give it a watch!

I'll add a link on this page as well, so by all means, please feel free to give it a look. I also recommend that you right click the link and select "save file as" in order to store and view the file on your hard drive, since it's possible the video won't be able to be properly viewed online due to connection speed and time of day.

High-Res (720x480) Version (44.1MB)
Low-Res (416x240) Version (23.7MB)
*Both videos are the same. The run-time is 3 minutes.
* There is also a 30 second video available on Amazon. (The link is underneath the "more images" buttons)



Working on the Video

We made a promotional video for our previous work, XP. However, I was mainly focused on explaining the highlights of the software, so the creation of the movie was largely out of my hands.

This time, as I wanted the thoughts conveyed by the Maker staff to reach the audience, I've been completely involved in the project from beginning to end. The entire process took two months-- it was a long one. However, I believe we have made a video that will be well received.

Image Quality vs File Size

After deciding to make the amount of text in the video minimal, we began photographing raw material to accompany the text we would have.

However, when it came time to take shots of the the Maker operating on the PC, we found that running a recording and taking pictures simultaneously with our normal work computer was... well, we noticed that we didn't have the proper specs. It's not that the specs were that small or anything... I guess video recordings do take a good amount of power.

So, we prepared a PC with specs just high enough. Despite this, it came to light that the normal equipment we used for photographing bunched up the text on the screen. We began to discuss the fact that there was no point if we didn't take pictures in high resolution, so we expanded our monitor, saying that a bigger one should fix the issue.
And so, we once prepared an higher spec PC. It cost us quite the penny, but we took the plunge hoping to display the video on a very nice screen.

Because of this, we were able to take shots that were smooth and pretty. Greatly delighted with the state of affairs, we shot 20 seconds of test footage. When the size of said file reached over 1 GB, we couldn't say that all the staff present were exactly resolute.
One problem after another. With a brand new hard drive and the memory of a dizzyingly enormous file size, the operation began.

Thanks to the Video Staff

Of course, you can't make a promotional video just with the raw images as an animation. It's necessary to order the shots well and add proper effects to make a nice, clean product.

As you'd expect, we had to leave this part up to the professionals. We asked the video staff working on "Famicon Wave" to help us with this. They really put their all into it. I'm sorry to add such private matters into this blog, but I'm going to borrow this area and extend our thanks to the video staff.
After giving out a shriek because of our inability to make any progress with such a huge file size, we wondered if we would be successful or not. However, the video staff took on the task of creating a satisfactory video for us from there on. And without altering from a single one of our detailed instructions, they slowly brought the movie to completion.

Having come to this point, the last issue was the music and sound. The biggest worry was the voice of the promotional video. We began to hold discussions about who we would have play this critical role...
We'll continue this story next time.

Comments...

ENGLISH RELEASE DATE ANNOUNCED!

Posted November 19th, 2007 at 6:00pm CST by Durandal

Well not really. It says "February 2008".

In any case, LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!

As you also might notice, the official english site has been updated to include the Features and Downloads sections from the japanese site.

Comments...

News System Retouched

Posted November 19th, 2007 at 1:30pm CST by Durandal

I've written and switched the mainsite news to a custom news display which pulls directly from the news database. (as opposed to what we used before which pulled from the RSS feed) It now uses relative dates for posts among other less noticible features.

Monster Discussion

Posted November 16th, 2007 at 4:18am CST by Jaceryl

Enterbrain has announced the newest piece of information about RPG Maker VX. As spoken by Toshie:

For me, who aims to create a really cool game, there are a few things which are important points.
One of those things is monsters.



Though I'm in charge of monsters this time, the illustrator is Miho Midorigawa.
She's the kind of artist that'd make you say "this is who you'd get to draw a dragon!", a really big hit with me.


His presence in the reptile group is out of this world.

The thing I'd specifically like you to focus on is that image plastered up right there. Even now, it's like I can hear the monster's breath.



I want everybody to use the cool names I gave these guys when you introduce them to the stage. By the way, I call the "Water Queen" in that first picture the "Valhalla Queen".

Well then, catch you later!

Framing the 'Dungeon Created' Map

Posted November 15th, 2007 at 3:33am CST by Jaceryl

Enterbrain has announced the newest piece of information about RPG Maker VX. As spoken by Arts Kawashima:

Since last week, VX advertisements have been trickling into the Weekly Famitsu. Last week's was in color, and this week will be monochrome. If you happen to catch sight of it, please take 5 seconds and be mesmerized by it.

Yesterday I introduced the Dungeon Creator, and today I'd like you to take a look at how to make use of it.

Making Use of the Dungeon Creator

The dungeon made by the creator is as brilliant as it looks, and brings back memories of the olden days of RPGs. There's nothing wrong with using it as it is, but I thought I'd tell you what it'd look like if you did a bit more touching up.

When I frame up a map I create in VX, I use the "Dungeon Creator" at the start.
Not because it's troublesome, but rather because it's easier to create when you have some kind of form presented to you at the start. It doesn't matter if the final, finished product has changed drastically from its original form. That's because I thoroughly use the "Dungeon Creator" as a stepping stone.

Perhaps even beginners will think of revising while they are creating the map. If that's the case, I thought you should take a look at what kind of map you can change the "dungeon created" map into and how to do it.

1) For this example, I prepared a map with the Dungeon Creator. It looks like a "grassy field surrounded by rock walls" kind of map.



2) Next, I made it flow more gently here and there. I burried the unnecessary paths and then changed the shape into a U-shaped path from the upper right all the way to the lower-right.



3) I grew some grass patches on that tasteless green ground. Having a water-side area also accents it nicely.



4) On top of that, I added in some trees. Is is starting to feel authentic?



5) I planted some flowers, prepared some locations where you can see some texture, and adjusted the balance of the entire map. Also, I included some small items.



6) I then expand the water-side in a rather daring way and did a bit of fine-tuning to finish up. How is it? I think it's turned out to be rather realistic.



If there are people who think they can make a map like this without the Dungeon Creator, I think that there are also people who would use it to gain some inspiration. In this manner, I believe the fun of the Maker lies also in making your own arrangement with the functions prepared for you.
Everybody, please feel free to try your hand at bringing forth your own maps with the Dungeon Creator.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 ... 11