Here's another one

[Razor 0]

Hey everyone, my name's Razor. I'm pretty new to RPG Maker. I've always been interested in making my own RPGs, though.

 

Right now I'm working together with a friend on a project in RPG Maker XP called "Pokemon Essentials". None of us know how to script at all though, so that's what I want to learn how to do.

 

I'm familiar with html and I learned some of the very basics of C code, so I'm familiar with programming, but I don't know any of the syntax in RGSS.

 

I've tried to read through the tutorials and nothing really clicks. What I could really use is something more interactive.

 

Anyway, hoping to learn some stuff from this forum and get to making some games.

[Bob423 52]

WELCOME! If you need any help, don't be afraid to ask, every one here is nice, and won't bite.

[Polraudio 122]

Welcome to RMXPU. If you need anything feel free to ask :biggrin_002:

[someoneyouknow 0]

Welcome to this forum, Razor. I'm a n00b here, too. It's nice to meet you, and like the 2 guysBob and Polraudio said, don't hesitate to ask anything :lol:

[kellessdee 48]

Welcome! Hope you stay a while. If you need help learning Ruby scripting and RGSS I can probably point you in the right direction...and what do you mean by interactive tutorials?

 

Like this ? http://tryruby.org/ Ruby is the language used by RGSS so if you can learn the syntax to ruby, then it's just a matter of learning the predefined classes used in the RGSS library

[Razor 0]

Welcome! Hope you stay a while. If you need help learning Ruby scripting and RGSS I can probably point you in the right direction...and what do you mean by interactive tutorials?

 

Like this ? http://tryruby.org/ Ruby is the language used by RGSS so if you can learn the syntax to ruby, then it's just a matter of learning the predefined classes used in the RGSS library

 

I'm talking about a tutorial that would lead me through creating a game with RPG Maker. So, really it would be more of an RPG Maker guide than an RGSS guide, except with a heavy emphasis on scripting.

[CrimsonInferno 35]

Welcome to the forums, Razor! I hope you stick around! :biggrin_002:

 

Oh, you mean basic usage of the system itself? Like what each function/button does? Do you know what variables are? There are some tutorials on understanding the basics of RPGXP and VX, if you would like them I can give the links :)

[Runefreak 1]

Little late, but welcome. :)

[Descendant of Orr 1]

Welcome to the forums!

 

I'm glad you are interested in scripting. I learned most of the basics of Ruby by reading through the default scripts in RMXP. This may not be a fun and interactive way to learn, but it's done well for me. If you need any help let me know. I find Ruby to be my favorite language ever since I learned it a few years ago. I now program for school and hate every language I've used thus far, because it isn't ruby. It feels natural and intuitive once you've played with it enough, so don't give up!

 

Again, welcome. I look forward to seeing your project finish!

[kellessdee 48]

sorry to go off topic but ^ i second that about ruby...everything that isn't ruby just isn't fun!

[Razor 0]

Yeah I've read through a few different tutorials but nothing really clicked. I just don't understand it very well because I have a hard time applying what I'm reading in the tutorials.

 

I feel that if I had a tutorial that ran me through how to make a basic game in RPG Maker, but simply focused on the scripting involved, I'd retain it a lot better.

[kellessdee 48]

Well I've been wanting to put together a ruby/rgss tutorial for a while, but I have had difficulty on deciding how I could make it worth making (due to the sheer amount of rgss tutorials) what exactly would you be looking for in the tutorial specifically? Maybe I'll get around to making one after all.

[Razor 0]

Okay, here's my idea:

 

Make a tutorial of how to make a typical turn-based J-RPG. Start off with the basics of RPG Maker, to get them started, then start to introduce RGSS and how they'll use it to create events and battle mechanics. Then delve deep into all of that with the script editor.

 

Things to talk about:

• Party mechanics in and outside of battle
• Experience and character statistics
• Damage and health
• Special attacks and effects

I realize this is a little more specific than most tutorials which are more general and just try to teach basics, but it would be really cool to learn this stuff and since the program is called "RPG Maker" I think this would be an appropriate tutorial.

Edited April 13, 2011 by Razor

[kellessdee 48]

I think you are onto something! I think the major issue with tutorials is that there are a lot of very specific ones, but none really bring everything together. Would it be better as a text tutorial or video tutorial? I think I may start working on something like this.

[Razor 0]

I think you are onto something! I think the major issue with tutorials is that there are a lot of very specific ones, but none really bring everything together. Would it be better as a text tutorial or video tutorial? I think I may start working on something like this.

 

Video would probably be nice for some people but I think text would be plenty.

[kellessdee 48]

I think I might put together a text version (with screenshots of course) then maybe make video version after to help the people that learn visually / auditory better than reading

[Bob423 52]

yes, a video tutorial would be great

[CrimsonInferno 35]

I think you should do a text tutorial. Sometimes videos are hard to see or hear :sweatdrop:

[FranklinX 37]

Welcome to the forums! Good luck with your projects.

[Marked 197]

Yeah I've read through a few different tutorials but nothing really clicked. I just don't understand it very well because I have a hard time applying what I'm reading in the tutorials.

 

I feel that if I had a tutorial that ran me through how to make a basic game in RPG Maker, but simply focused on the scripting involved, I'd retain it a lot better.

I think that would be way too complicated.

 

I have a little experience in coding in php having wrote a few components on this site, but I never really read any tutorials. What I think is far more important than reading how to do things is tweaking, experimenting and taking on small projects than you have on idea how to do, and slowly accumulate your knowledge. I find reading tutorials really pointless and I think they should only demonstrate a small specific method of doing something and you should then carry that knowledge/technique into your much larger current project.

 

But we all have different learning techniques.

 

I kinda think your idea is impossible... sorry :P Basically what you're after is right there is the help file which is very heavily neglected. That will teach you the basics and then run into RGSS rather in-depth. I think all that really is needed is the actual battle system coding tutorial, all the rest is out there. We could actually do your idea by compiling existing tutorials, but I'm not aware of any battle system tutorials. So really its not impossible. But from my own programming experience I think you're going to have to be pretty decent and written your own things before coding a battle system.

 

Coincidentally before writing this post I was working a tutorials system that I think makes writing tutorials a lot more easy... so if anyone writes the tutorial, they should definitely PM me :D

[kellessdee 48]

Although you are very right marked, I think he was more looking for something that shows the concepts of rpg maker then kind puts it together in a way that can be useful in making a game yknow? Not necessarily go really in depth on how to make a game, but just an idea...

 

And as for a battle system tutorial...that would be difficult to create a useful tutorial, unless you are teaching someone how to make a SPECIFIC battle system...otherwise all a battle really is is:

loop
 # if real time you would have to pre program the way enemies work then just update everything every frame
 # if turn-based just do player turn then enemy turn calculate order of acts, act them out
 # break loop if enemies are dead, game over if player's party is dead
 # any other special condition stuff
end

 

well i guess it could be more in-depth than that...but teaching someone how to code ANY battle system they'd like would be difficult unless they have already grasped *almost* everything rgss and ruby has to offer..and usually at that point the person would probably already have an idea of how to make a battlesystem..or maybe that's just the way I see it..

But i think I have a good way to make this kind of tutorial without making it too complicated and a way to make it so it can actually teach people in an easier way than them having to learn it all themselves (through different specific tutorials)

 

Like the first part will be simply using rpg maker xp, all the basics (events, database, editor) and go through the basic, more useful things in making an rpg

then the second part would be all scripting, so for more advanced users, as I wouldn't drag on about syntax, etc; in fact I would probably assume the reader has a basic knowledge of ruby syntax, and just go over the more useful classes and concepts in making an rpg (I personally have pretty much read through the entire help manual...however maybe people don't want to do this or don't know exactly what they are looking for in the help manual? There are a lot of classes I would never have known about if I didn't read the entire manual)

 

Then the third part would be a simple tutorial in how to apply the knowledge in making a game (a simple rpg of course, I wouldn't get into game design or story elements or anything) just basic concepts to get someone started...and maybe a tutorial on how to write your own classes and use them? I wouldn't so much go into detail about writing a specific class, just in general.

 

Does this make sense/sound useful? it's hard for me to say really because i already know this stuff...So i am not sure if this kind of tutorial would be appealing and work for someone aspiring to learn rpg maker. Then those just starting would probably just read the first part, as the scripting part wouldn't do much good until one learns the basic ruby syntax (which there are so many tutorials, for that...well i couldn't think of a witty analogy BUT THERES A LOT)

[rgangsta 43]

Welcome, Razor. We'll answer any questions you have about RMXP.

[Marked 197]

@kellessdee: I don't want to make one of those posts where I dissect everything you said though I could very easily do, but those kind of posts are annoying :P

 

I would probably assume the reader has a basic knowledge of ruby syntax, and just go over the more useful classes and concepts in making an rpg...Then the third part would be a simple tutorial in how to apply the knowledge in making a game

(obviously I cut your quote there). I would be more inclined to join the knowledge part with the application part. So when you say this does x, its followed by a snippet of code that demonstrates x's application. But that's not exactly relevant to this discussion, its just tutorial technique really. In terms of syntax how about we include a reference section in the tutorial and then whenever we access something from the database, we could comment above saying refer to the reference section.

 

This has given me a lot of ideas for my tutorial application. It could start out with a table of contents and include a series of tutorials by different authors, because of course a lot of stuff is already been written up over the years. o each tutorial/section has its own page. So we're sort of looking at a mini cataloge of tutorials and then inserting custom ones to complete the overall scheme of the tutorial.

 

Oh and yes I thought he meant just a battle system when I wrote that post.

[madanchi 18]

Hi Razor, have good stay :)

[kellessdee 48]

@marked if you ever wish to dissect one of my posts, feel free to do so! I actually enjoy stuff like that :P

 

And I really think you are onto something here! Because so many tutorials (specific ones anyways) have been made, maybe it would be easier, and better to do what you are saying, make a database of tutorials, that combines them and applies them to practical use? that way the meat of the learning is already there, it just needs to be combined and connected? If i understand what you are saying. Also, that syntax reference would be ideal, that's an awesome idea...that way the tutorial doesn't bore the reader with syntax, but if they come across something they don't understand, they could be linked to what it means and how it works... If you want to do this and need any help let me know.

 

And sorry razor for kinda hijacking your introduction topic :(

[Razor 0]

I'm offended! (not at all)

 

I think you're starting to get my idea Marked. If I ever get to the point where I know enough to make my own battle system, I'll make my own in-depth tutorial. Game design is a major interest of mine and one that I've put a lot of time into, so I think I could make an interesting tutorial about that.

 

But, first I have to learn how to do it!

 

I'll keep trying to figure this out on my own the best I can but I'm generally the guy that reads the manual and then does stuff. Not the kind of guy who figures it out for himself. But the difference is, I only have to look at the manual once and then I know it.

 

My problem is that I want to get into some of the most advanced areas of scripting in RGSS when I've been having trouble just learning the basics. The problem is all with application. I need some way to apply what I learn in the tutorials or it's just never going to click.

[kellessdee 48]

I don't know why I never thought of this, but have you checked out Leon's scripting classes?

http://www.rmxpunlimited.net/forums/forum/91-leons-scripting-class/

 

It's kinda old, and not many classes, but not only does it go over the basics but he has exercises/assignments to apply the knowledge. I still would like to put together this kind of tutorial but unfortunately it won't be ready any time soon. But in the mean time, if you have any specific questions about anything, don't be afraid to ask (if you feel it isn't big enough of an issue to post in the Game Support forum, you can always PM me, I really don't mind answering any questions you may have)

[Marked 197]

I'm offended! (not at all)

Haha yeah we kinda did hijack it, but these days you just gotta let good discussion flow whenever you get it. But this particular topic has definitely inspired me...

 

You know kellessdee, all this time I had no idea you were a scripter. I haven't been reading topics on the forum as I've been flat out with uni work, I really can't remember the last time we had a member join who was decent enough at it to call themselves a scripter.

 

After I left this topic last night I started to think about how to achieve the multi-tutorial system we were talking about. First of all I think there is a major need for it - the easy content is to access the more people you're going to get reading it. Ok so here's what I came up with: you can create a tutorial or you can create a catalog. So for example you have several tutorials on how to map a forest, or some other common theme. What you can then do is create a catalog and assemble those tutorials into the catalog. So then in the tutorials listing you have access to these catalogs. I havent come up with how they will work yet... but basically its the same tutorials but viewing them together... for example, you could have them in pages. Or that catalog acts as a category and you have them listed like the other tutorials but they are grouped together. I hope this isn't too hard to envision...

 

Now I'm thinking of different types of tutorials to incorporate reference pages... too many ideas! :P

[kellessdee 48]

Ugh, university...With all the horror stories I've heard I am quite glad I decided on college. But thanks, I still have a lot to learn; but since I have been working with rpg maker most of my life, and now that I have properly learned programming, it was simply a matter of learning the ruby syntax and rgss libraries; I already had the rest of rpg maker knowledge so applying it all and working it together was fairly easy. Although Rpg Maker is a fairly simple engine and can easily make rpgs...I can see how it can be very overwhelming to the user who has never used it prior.

 

That sounds great! As for references, perhaps there could be a reference page per aspect of rpg maker? For example, the scripting section could have a syntax reference, the eventing section could have a reference that explains all the different commands and then mapping (which would probably be the most difficult to create references for, since really mapping is the most artistic, and ambiguous aspect of rpg maker) could have like different tips and tricks or techniques or something...just to give people a little extra help when creating maps.

 

Also, though to add in the application of said tutorials, perhaps we could also create an "exercise" section (for each aspect) which gives the reader something to do with the knowledge they've gained, so like a script to create or an event or map or something...and then that would reinforce all the knowledge. There could also be several exercises categorized by how difficult or advanced of a concept. I think this is what made Leon's scripting class so useful and some of the better tutorials on the web, because the reader could then take the tutorial and apply it to something. We would just *hopefully* have a much broader array of tutorials, that covers more ground, and there could also be perhaps solutions to the exercises for anyone who gets stuck. And maybe even (if people are willing to of course) there could also be names of users who could act as a support group for specific categories that readers can contact for extra help or clarification? Or we could just get them to post their woes in the game support forums.

 

Either way, although I don't think it was the cause of rmxp's drop in popularity, but what definitely helped was the lack of support. Because it lost popularity, a lot of the support disappeared and thus it may be harder for new users to get into rmxp unless they are good at self-teaching. I mean I see tons of scripts people wrote and a lot of the original scripters have left the scene and no longer provide support. So you've got a plethora of nifty scripts people can use, but if they end up with any kind of error, unless they can find someone who can or already does understand the script...they cannot use it anymore and may give up. Just some suggestions, but I think you are right, and this scale of tutorial system is definitely much needed.

[Leon 55]

Willkommen