Ponchos Question thread

[Poncho]

K, so I'm making a game on RPGM2k.

1) There is a magic system, but the main char isn't gonna discover it until later in the game.

Is there some way to make it so you name the magic tab on the menu like "???" from start, and then changes it later by an event? I can't seem to find anything like it...

Also for the characters ability name in battle, the only way I see changing this is to change the character entirely, to a new identical one with the same level/eq with the help of variables.

But I still have a problem with the magic from the menu : (

UPDATED

K, I probably am going to have ALOT of questions for the rpg I'm doing, so to save us all from a thousand threads made by me, I update this one with all my questions Plz answer if you can help me I'm planning to stick around, so if you contribute to the game, I give creds for you in it (!!!). How can you miss out on that??

2) I have a skills menu in game, which when you get to, I want you to be able to go back to the game when you press esc/cancel-key (namely, "Really go back?" or "Finished?" YES/NO, when you press esc). How do you do this? I know you should use enter password somehow, but I can't figure it out! Says I need to bind it with a variable... is there a Common event script needed?

3) I want to have background sounds in parts of the game, but to not make it extremely static (a parallel process with a sound every 10secs for example) I want to make it alil more random, with variables.

For example, every 10secs on a parallell process event there is a 25% chance for a sound to be heard (I do this with a variable, that randoms 1-100, and on 25 or below it makes a sound!). Only problem is, when/if the variable gets below 25 it seems to stick there! How can I make a repetive parallel process that keeps rerolling the variable? Is cycle somehow involved?

I know pretty much how I should do these things, but they ain't working out. I just need some short hinting towards the correct way to do this.

4) I need music for my game, that's mysterious and eerie (think Resident evil, Silent hill, Twin peaks etc) and not the custom blip blop pop that's in the rtp. Suggestions about from what game/show to get tunes like this would be great.

[Poncho]

*UPDATED* ^^

[Raen Ryong]

1) There is a magic system, but the main char isn't gonna discover it until later in the game.

Is there some way to make it so you name the magic tab on the menu like "???" from start, and then changes it later by an event? I can't seem to find anything like it...

You said you were using Rm2k... not Rm2k3? Rpg Maker 2000 over 2003? In that case, you're absolutely right -- you'll need to make an identical character with a different skillset.

A problem with magic from the menu? Could you be more specific?

2) I have a skills menu in game, which when you get to, I want you to be able to go back to the game when you press esc/cancel-key (namely, "Really go back?" or "Finished?" YES/NO, when you press esc). How do you do this? I know you should use enter password somehow, but I can't figure it out! Says I need to bind it with a variable... is there a Common event script needed?

Ooh, a CMS eh? Yes, again you're right -- you need Enter Password but you do not need a common event.

Set an event on the map(s) you can quite from:

Parallel Process

Enter Password [Var:0001] (Only enable "Cancel Key" (number 6) in the actual event itself)
Fork Optn: [Var:0001] = 6
<> Finished?
     Show Choice: Yes/No
       <> Yes case
        ----
       <> No case
        ----
<> : END Case
Set Var [0001], 0

Since it's a parallel process, it'll loop automatically.

For example, every 10secs on a parallell process event there is a 25% chance for a sound to be heard (I do this with a variable, that randoms 1-100, and on 25 or below it makes a sound!). Only problem is, when/if the variable gets below 25 it seems to stick there! How can I make a repetive parallel process that keeps rerolling the variable? Is cycle somehow involved?

Hmm... that's odd. A cycle is not necessary... one thing you must ensure: is the Change Variable function right at the beginning of the coding? This'll avoid unnecessary problems as the thing will loop anyway;

Change Var [0002] Rnd, 0-99
Wait 1.0s
Fork Optn [Var:0002] <= 24 (25%)
   <> Play SE: Bird
<> : END Case
Change Var [0002] Rnd, 0-99
Wait 1.0s
Fork Optn [Var:0002] <= 80 (81%)
   <> Play SE: Rabid Hedgehog
<> : END Case
Etc... that should work...

4) I need music for my game, that's mysterious and eerie (think Resident evil, Silent hill, Twin peaks etc) and not the custom blip blop pop that's in the rtp. Suggestions about from what game/show to get tunes like this would be great.

www.vgmusic.com <--- This is the site you want to get your game midis from. Extremely useful site.

If you're looking for something that sounds fairly eerie, have this for instance... taken directly from vgmusic.com.

As for which games to get those kind of tracks from, you're on the right track, for sure. Some RPGs have a horror theme, like Ps1's Vagrant Story (which is where the midi's from), so try that. I'll be happy to help you with any problems

[Poncho]

Originally posted by Raen Ryong
You said you were using Rm2k... not Rm2k3? Rpg Maker 2000 over 2003?

Ya, the 1st person battles in rpgm2k suits my rpg (shadowgate style) better than 2k3

Originally posted by Raen Ryong
A problem with magic from the menu? Could you be more specific?

http://www.picfury.com/a/Menu-2.html  

The pointed out name on the menu, I would like to be called "???" from start, and change it to "Soul Power" later on, when the main char discovers it, but It doesn't seem doable..


Also, thx a million for your explanations and suggestions
After testing it, it works out exactly as I wanted. These kinda things shows the difference between a pro and a newb I guess, heh.

Knowing more about the random variable, also helps me out with more things I want in the game, crafting, secrets etc.

Also, loved the mid

[shadus]

Originally posted by Poncho
Ya, the 1st person battles in rpgm2k suits my rpg (shadowgate style) better than 2k3

You know you could just not use battle chars and have the mosters face you...

[Poncho]

Originally posted by shadus
You know you could just not use battle chars and have the mosters face you...

Ah.


Silly me.


So do you suggest using rpgm2k3 instead? Is it that much better then ol 2k?

edit: Also, if I use it, is there some kind of must patch I need, since last I tried it, it didn't feel as "stable" as 2k.

[Raen Ryong]

So do you suggest using rpgm2k3 instead? Is it that much better then ol 2k?

Well, it is more powerful. However, if you don't like the default battle system for rm2k3, the differences in power aren't that great... although they do make a difference.

Personally, I would go for rm2k3. I like the DBS and the extra power is very useful: I couldn't do quite a lot of what I do with rm2k's power.

Yuppers, you're correct, once again: you do need patches. Most people use RpgAdvocate's translation although for some reason I don't. I just find it more buggy than my one made by Thaiware... obviously, I can't give you a download link... sorry

If it helps, the translation team itself is called "Somprasongk"... maybe you can find it? You'll need patch 1.09 as well...

Oh, and about your menu problem... sorry, there is no way short of a custom menu system of fixing that. Instead, I recommend calling the general menu name "Skills" and then give your main char the "Soul Power" magic set. That way, you see character's skills in the menu, but your main char still uses "Soul Power"... that's the only way I can think of getting around it, sorry.

Glad you liked the midi... one of my faves actually. Very very unnerving...

So, yeah -- let me know if you need any more help.

[Poncho]

Don't worry, it was a piece a cake finding it

Again. Thx a bunch.

Originally posted by Raen Ryong
So, yeah -- let me know if you need any more help.

You'll regret saying that lol  

[Raen Ryong]

We will see... :p

Seriously though, I don't mind helping at all. I know about four other people who use rm2k3 and I have to help them too lol... so I'm happy to help as long as it isn't "I don't know how to do this system. Can you write out all 116 pages of the coding for me?" (actual words may differ)

That said, you seem to only ask for help when you've tried stuff yourself, so that's a good thing

[Poncho]

Got another question...

As I said, I'm making a CMS, and would like to know how you come back to the spot where you first entered the CMS. Memory place/return to memorized place : (

I can't figure it out at all..

Thx in advance!

[Poncho]

No one can help me with this? : (

[WarxePB]

Before teleporting to the CMS, use the "Memorize Hero Position" command. I don't remember exactly what it's called, but it's on the second page of commands. Then, when you're ready to return, use the Recall Memorized Position command, with the variables you used before, and that should fix it.

[Poncho]

TY phoenix:)