RPG Maker XP 1.02a

Publisher's description of RPG Maker XP

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RPG Maker XP is the latest Windows entry in the RPG Maker series that gives you the power to create your own original role-playing games. Its popular and highly user-friendly editor interface has been carried over from RPG Maker 2000, and its graphic capabilities, battle screen layout, and data packaging features are better than ever.

Version 1.02a boasts a brand-new Scripting function.

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User reviews of RPG Maker XP

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  RPG Maker XP

  Incredible For Creative, Casual Users And Old-School RPG Fans

  by: MultimediaJay on 09-Oct-2005 12:11:50 AM

  Pros: This program really hits home with casual home users with programming interests and game interests who've always wanted to make their own game. If you like programming, you get a programming language, but most of the time you can save yourself a lot of coding by setting things up in the GUI. Although there aren't much for asset sites yet where you can get new resources, you could easily make your first game off of just the built-in stuff, and there's a decent amount of it. This program could and probably will save you a lot of time in putting your ideas to paper. With this, though, you get more than a program, you get a new hobby, as bringing your ideas to life often becomes a very time-consuming (and often fun) endeavor. Try it at least, if you like it, you'll probably love it when you see how much work this program can save you when compared to starting from scratch.

  Cons: No Soundfont support! =-O They really did a great job dressing up the Microsoft Synthesizer for this program (I've never heard that Roland Sound Set sound this good), but they should at least have left the option open for Audigy users like myself to at least allow soundfont usage during development.

  Another gaping oversight is there's no world map tileset. Come on now, what SNES-era RPG didn't have some kind of World Map, unless it was like Secret of Mana or something? That's easily fixed via a quick Google search. There's a comprehensive original world map tileset on a fan site that's not too hard to find.

  Some of the general programmer's problems show up while using this program as well, like the classic thing where your workload increases exponentially as you desire to add in new features because with computers you have to cover ALL the bases since they can't assume anything. One of the drawbacks of a program giving you this much choice is that "this much choice" (as opposed to the more hindered game level creators and game level editors that ship with most PC games) often translates into "this much work" because of how making programs and stuff usually goes, and there's no doubt in my mind that casual users will probably have their enjoyment of this program hindered a bit by those issues as they use it, especially when they start getting an idea of the work it'll take to make something good without putting together a team. These are but minor cons though compared to this program's MANY pros.

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  RPG Maker XP

  Excellent Game Development Tool!

  by: Lorddonk on 19-Dec-2007 04:42:21 PM

  Pros: I've been using this for a few years now and it is an excellent tool! You can do almost anything with this program because it lets you code your own stuff in the integrated Ruby scripting environment. As long as you have the ideas, RPG Maker XP (or RMXP) is an excellent tool that allows you implement your story without worrying about the technical details.

  This is an excellent tool to create an RPG, or anything else.

  +Simple and easy to use

  +Totally customizable down to the smallest graphics

  +LOTS of dedicated communities (rmxp.org, creationasylum.net, etc)

  Cons: -Does not handle online very well, better off using a different software if you want online features

  -No world map (overworld) Tileset

  -Framerate slowdowns on large maps

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  RPG Maker XP

  Well worth it, and the bugs are-Almost-gone

  by: Durastik on 06-Nov-2005 11:49:01 PM

  Pros: The first thing about this program (although engine is a better word) is it's versitility. It is much, much more than a simple RPG maker. It is capable of shooters, puzzlers, and alot more.

  The scripting system is it's most powerful function, although very good games have been made with events. (See Durastik's Mini-systems on RMXP.net for good examples)

  It takes a little to learn the system, but once you know it, there is no limit to what you can create.

  In short, download it, and buy it dagvammit! If you want to complain about it's problems, the best way is to buy the program, therefore increasing the chances of it being better.

  The RTP (the reasources that come with the game) are of very good quality, a game made entirely with the RTP is possible, and easy. All you have to add is the story and gameplay. There is a downside though, as there is only one RTP, which is clasic RPG era style, and is very childish. But that really isn't too much of a biggie, there are some very good alternative sprites to kill the childish look, and there is even a more 'realistic' looking version of the RTP. If you want sci-fi, knightblade resources is the best chance of getting the look you want.

  Cons: There are a few downsides, there are:

  -The Initial learning curve is very steep. Don't expect to have an amazing game straight from the start.

  -The RTP is very childish looking, and as they put so much into the single RTP, there isn't anything alternative to calssic RPG era.

  -Lack of resources, although this is becomming less of a problem with all the great communities producing great resources.

  -The odd bug or 5. There are a few bugs, but they all have fixes.

  That's about all the cons there are.

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  RPG Maker XP

  The perfect tool to make an RPG

  by: Ultimadude on 17-Sep-2006 09:19:16 AM

  Pros: There's no end of possability's for this program.

  Trust me this is even worth the 60$.

  With its stylish graphics it makes RPG look more "Updated" which some people dont like but if it makes more people play your game?

  Why not?

  Cons: it misses an couple of features out of RPG Maker 2000/2003 but still is really good!

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  RPG Maker XP

  Wonderful, only if it came with a better help file.

  by: thegammingperson1994 on 01-Jul-2007 08:55:05 AM

  Pros: - Great graphics

  -Nice Customizability

  Cons: -The help file could have been more descriptive, especially in making events. It would even be nice if their website had an faq.

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