Q & A 191-200

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( J.T.C. ) (C:) I read your response... Q191: (A) Would it be possible to keep the mask permant on everything except the Boat and Airship? I realize that the Airship is meant to be used on map 0 only but I am using the boat on that map and intend to use the Airship on another. I suppose I'll send you my incomplete world so you can see what I am doing. (It would help me see the question more easily) As far as adding the Sprite mask in combat- I can wait on that as I am not likely to be done by the 15'th or probably even this month. (B) I do have another question... I have set up some interesting shops throughout my world and plan on adding more. If I want to charge incremently more for an Item based on the number of those items they have how would I go about that?

( Topaz ) A191: Greets J.T.C.: First off, congrats on getting to work well ! I would like you (and possibly others) to send me some examples of errors and problems you have found, especially to isolate this error that some Worlbuilders are saying that is running very slow compared to prior versions. Also, until I get Windows 2000 installed, there is very little I can do to get it compatible, especially since I have lost all of the compatibility-building tools I wrote. I can only ensure that it runs by formatting my computer for Windows 2000 myself as an operating system and track what problems there are in the direct debugger. Don't worry, this time I have my work (all of 2 days) backed up on CD. In any case, from the opening intro to Windows 2000, I see that it allows installation without formatting the hard-drive. Mind you, I still cannot install it without the ID #s it is requesting, so if you are the person (from Alaska) who sent it, please let me KNOW so I can assist you and other Window 2000 users. (A) To answer your question, I have it geared so you can use the images of both the Boat and Airship outside of the first map, but they are just images. This is stored separately rather then changing what I now call the Transport Mask. You can only change the Transport Mask by physically entering a Transport and they are only seen on the 1st map. This opens up some nice techniques so you can auto-maneuver a boat from one small island to the next and can create a map where the player is on board an "Airship" (image mask only) and passes over obstructions by couching or inverting the tiles. I am - not comfortable to allow the transports to be used outside of the 1st map as the ability to cross terrains should be a known and limiting one the player gets used to when traveling by foot. (B) To charge a different amount next time, you could use flags to see how far or where from the player is in the journey. With the version you have, you can only Light (geez I can't even use my icon-finder for Q & A cause I lost that too, searching manually for the icons).. You can only use Lit and UnLit for variable checks. I have allowed for multiple variable types A - Z in newest , but I would like to try and find my compiler first as writing my own compiler is going to take several days of hard work on my part to even post v0.094c2 which already has the code written for it.. Right now, I am concentrating on writing the reverse-engineer program to extract out the 200+ data files used in v0.094c I downloaded from Chibi's site, so that is also a priority. Hope This Helps !

(Wolfette ) (C:) A little ... hopefully it's little anyway... suggestion for Scenario. Instead of just one type of 'killing the player' event in a game how about 2! One where the player is plunked down at the feet of the king or whatever, and one where the player goes to the "Game Over" screen! Lol! I could really use the game over part in a couple of places! Poof, gone again guy!!

( Topaz ) (C:) Hi Wolfette: This is actually a good thing to chase down and having been playing both Dragon Warrior 1 and Dragon Warrior 2 on my hand-held gameboy Adv, I see that the "death" of the player varies upon whom the last "King" they spoke with. This + complete removal of "flavors" from windows and introducing Beta Objects usable and viewable directly in combat as well as custom borders. Don't worry.. That default Marine-Blue will be one of the main choices, but also more intelligent borders that have flowery or detailed edging, and this also introduces custom typefaces. Mind you, if I go this route this will remove all fixed items like Weapons & Potions and introduce new user-defined items that can be any class of a number of items; you decide. This is a bold and big step and it may not be done with as there are quite a few loyal and interested people in the current form of it, and the new design will not have room for more then one attacker to the player on the screen at a time so focus can be direct and custom scripts written for their combat behavior. Perhaps this absence of all of my work is a calling to the slate to start to write Venture as I had planned many evenings ago. Perhaps allow placement of a Death Token much like the way you place a player and, if it's curtains for the player they are auto-warped here. Hope This Helps !

( Nils ) Q192: Is there a way to make a warp go to another place when a switch is activated?

( Topaz ) A192: Well done Nils ! By making use of switches inside a Sprite Message, you can change the destination quite easily by branching say LEFT instead of RIGHT into the Warp Catch stored there. An example has been made and you can find it on the ANSWERS World at 01:18/47. This may not be a perfect example (I'm a bit tired having to rewrite most everything of my coding all day) and in the future it will be an elevator with 3 floors to choose from (when multiple selection is finished). Hope This Helps !

( Squonto ) Q193: hey i have one question, how do you make a building were your hero can go in??

( Topaz ) A193: Greets Squonto: This borders on being a Basic Question, which really isn't permitted in here. However, there are multiple examples in Suzi's Quest you can find here: 00:58/03, 01:22/34, 02:41/30, 04:18/01, 04:30/01, and 04:33/01. The first number is the map #, 2nd is horizontal position, and 3rd is the vertical position. The first coordinates listed above would appear in 's info window thus: Hope This Helps !

Apologies, many Q & A were lost in the Hard-Drive Crash .. If your Q & A did not appear here, please re-enter it so I can Help both You and Everyone Else in the answer for it.

( Marcos ) Q194: Halo again , sorry that y disturbs you again , but I don´t know what I must to do. I have dowload the two parts of the rpgmaker 2002 and the merger. (A) But what does I must to do now? I put the three things in the same pleace. No: What now? If I go into the merger it ses that is > going to transform the two parts in one > but it dont do does it. > Hy there. > I Have a question (wen not). (You Betcha!) (B) I have don the world map, the dungeon map, the other maps I am going to make them later. How do I make an adventure because the map is don and the enimis are there to, now how do I make the quest? (C:) I thank you that you answer my mail so quicly. But I realy couldentbelive you that you spended 10 years makeing the rpgmaker. O.K. here I gona give you a tip. Mabe it could be a good idea to make a manual of your rpgmaker. Because it could be that some one like my (that is so stiupid) dont now what to do. Example(this are my problems): (C) I dont now how to put a tile on the map with out to make a wrap or a lock.

( Topaz ) A194: Greets Marcos: First off, I'd like to apologize for taking so long to reply.. I have had some very BAD internet problems like NO connection for several days !! * Thanks for your interest in ! (A) With v0.094c2 you have two files: sc94c2-1.zip sc94c2-2.zip Use WinZip to unzip both of them, then you will have scen94c2.zi1 scen94c2.zi2 Download and make sure MERGER.EXE is in the same directory run it, it will REMOVE these two files and create a new one called: scen94c2.zip Use Winzip one more time to unzip THAT one, you're done ! You should have two (well three, counting scen94c2.zip) files: scen2.exe readme.txt Run SCEN2.EXE from there and get JIGGLY with it ! (B) Here is how to Make the final settings for a quest. Bring up the editor, hit for Player , for Location , and THEN put the cursor where you want the player to start out when a NEW game takes place and press to finish re-positioning where a New Game will start out ! Normally you would put the cursor on top of a nice big Sprite Message that changes music, shows title stuff, all kinds of neat treats for new adventurers to get them into the game. Remember you use "[" to go back a map, "]" to go forwards a map, and the normal arrow keys to navigate. You can also go directly onto the place where the Girl's Face (New Game Position) is, and hit to reposition it, like if you want to edit the Sprite Message beneath it for instance. (C:) More then that actually.. But it wasn't until a few years ago I found the best programming language for it and enough resources of RPGMaker pics for ANY computer (in this case IBM-pc) that I could actually put it all together for the first time. As for my age, I am twice that of you, and half as nosy. * Mmhm.. Making a current manual for , yes, that's a good idea.. But the system keeps changing all the time.. Chibiness went out to make some instructs for it and is still around I think.. I'm - not satisfied with Scenario, however.. It won't run for Window 2000 users so by writing the "Instructions" it would mean that at some stage in my mind I have finished writing it, and, I haven't. You can always finds lots of neat tips & tricks in all of my daily bulletins (including the archived ones) and in the many Q & A with graphic examples which cover far more territory then mere text instructions can. (C) While you are in the editor, hit for window Boundaries. To create a colored key lock, it's for Lock and . Closed door is usually the default but you can choose whatever you want and the lock color. It doesn't get any simpler then that. The player now cannot cross this barrier without the right key, and, if the player does have that key, one of them is removed from the inventory. Venture won't have this. It'll have 8 colored locks but the keys are PERMANENT so they aren't taken from the inventory, nor do you stack them 9 deep. Hope This Helps !

( Sayanoran Avon ) Q195: Downloaded Version C (or whatever was the most current as of July 13th) and it's driving me nuts!!! My sprites either (A) executed as usual, but didn't perform secondary commands like, raising abilities when touching the instant karma statue (B) when a sprite switched on, it was totally invisible until I bumped into it and hit enter, then it showed up and exceuted as usual (C) when one sprite switched off another was supposed to show. It kept coming up as terminated, or came up as a black tile and... (D) I have some monsters that keep respawning after my hero leaves the room. How do I kill them and keep 'em dead? (E) What version of Sceneraio can I use for the game I created with version H? (My sister wants to play the game ever since she tested the first 30 min...hour..?)

( Topaz ) A195: Greets Sayanoran: Please keep in mind that is now up to v0.094d which (hopefully?) will fix some of the errors you had in releases later then v0.093h. (A) I'm not sure I understand this question entirely.. If you want to make an Angel Statue do something else besides max player's hits, put a Sprite directly on top of it and, for instance, to change the player's .. ?? .. Ah ! I see that I don't have the coding to change the player's Strength , Defense , Wizardry , or Luck . I'll add the coding for this to v0.094d2. Coding added ! Sorry about that, It will be available in the next version. (B & C) It is important for Sprites to be invisible or visible based upon their visibility status. This is one of the most difficult and powerful features of . For very advanced examples of this, look to the invisible maze with switch ability to show the hidden maze located in Suzi's Quest (the sample game in ) located HERE: . You are urged and requested to try out the several hundred Sprites located in Suzi's Quest to see some of the more advanced features of combining switches, hidden, inversions, couching tiles, and Sprite images. For a list of the LAWS regarding these, click HERE. (D) This is actually supposed to be a "Feature" and not an undocumented one. Remember what the Little Girl says in Suzi's Quest at ? "While you are here any critters you defeated will have returned if you weren't strong enough to remove them from their lair completely. Sometimes it takes a-while.." What this means is, quite simply, that if you are in Testplay and you warp to a different map, a determination is made to see whom to resurrect or leave defeated regarding critters. Critters don't go away completely until the player is above the level where combat with that particular critter is unnecessary. If a critter re-appears, then it is still a challenge for the player to defeat and/or easy experience points to be gained at the repeat combat. If you want a critter to truly vanish the first time, despite the player's level, you can attach a switch to it. Remember though, that if you do so, and the critter is defeated, and a check is made through all 16 maps to ensure that there are no other alive critters with the same matching switch name, then the switch will be activated and a critter-switch sound will be heard. To ensure this does not happen, create a critter with the same switch name in a completely inaccessible area to the player. Then make all the critters you want with the same named switch without the chance of it being activated. This may sound to be a bit tedious, but I am not expecting nor desiring Worldbuilders to make one-time critters unless they are linked to a switch or they are a mini-boss or custom critter. (E) Please use v0.094d. If your world file is not loading/playing correctly in it, you are welcome to send me a copy of your world file so I can either repair it or update the engine as desired. ... you mentioned earlier something about a locked door not working in . Please either send me a copy of your world file detailing the exact position this is occuring or a clipping saved from the clipboard also from so I can isolate, repair, and or/ explain what is happening here. To everyone: If your Q & A has not shown up then it was either lost in the HD crash or not transfered correctly. Please re-send any Q & A you feel that did not get answered correctly, completely, or entirely. Thanks ! Hope This Helps !

( Cat ) (C:) I realy enyoi your rpgmaker, I dont understand it realy much but I am progrecing

( Topaz ) (C:) Greets Cat: You should be doing fine. Always feel free to ask questions, especially good ones in here, and definitely play and look at the building of Suzi's Quest, provided with the initial RPG engine. You should also download and play/learn from the other World files that have been beamed up to the Download Station. You can get to those by clicking HERE. Hope This Helps !

( Hero ) Persona #45 is already in use on this page, shifting to next higher frame. Q196: how can i atleast begin to make a side battle system? the furthest i've gotten is getting the main character on the screen but i'm lost after that!please help

( Topaz ) A196: Greets Hero: There is no way in current to make a side-view combat. It's my engine, I never did like side-view combat so it's front-on. Also, since there is only one player, it looks better front-on instead of side-view which would look a little blank without NPC assistance. And NPCs scheduled for will be Token Items that operate at random and useful intervals but not appear on the screen except when they are attacking.. Hope This Helps !

( Doom ) (C:) Greetings.... i have just recently got online and into rpg games, and while i waz browsing i found your program, and i decided to look at it, and i think..... ......... IT ROX!!!! () *ahem* yes, well i'm still getting lost in the interface and not verry got at programing but ive come up with a nice little quest...not game, quest, lol, just one.... and, i realy just want to say what a good job you've done with this program. A thousand praises. Doom P.S:prepere to hear from me again..... Q197: how do you change the screan bak to normall when youve tinted it, say...red?

( Topaz ) (C:) Greets Doom: Hey, I'm glad you like , and THANKS for the compliments ! I am very glad that even with a complete HD crash my Dad managed to recover the last source code I was working for in July 4th and, with it, can continue to build in it. Feel free to ask any questions in here, especially GOOD ones and I will do my very best to answer them all. Being new to you should read-up on the old history files you can find by clicking HERE. While I am not adding to history here anymore, there is still some good information for beginning worldbuilders. Combine that with the bulk of Q & A starting with #1 and playing/learning from all of the submitted World Files, especially Suzi's Quest provided internally to the engine which is my testing board for new functions and features of . A197: Once the screen has been tinted you can either use to return back to normal untinted display or to fade the screen to black. Hope This Helps !

( Shadow ) Q198: Just a couple of questions right now, Topaz, but first; Thank you very much for uploading my world file to your website. (You Betcha!) I have tried so long to get my World File to you, and I never could, because my methods always failed, for some reason, the "Binary Attach" option wouldn't work properly. Then I tried it through hotmail and it worked! (A) How do I stop being sea sick? I'm actulley of the boat now and I keep feeling dizzy, and I'M SURE I took those pills! So how do I stop the sea sick command once I have started it in a sprite message? (B) I have a "LOOK WHAT I DID, AND YOU CAN'T DO IT, SO FIND OUT HOW TO DO IT YOURSELF" sittuation going on with my friend, so is there anyway as it has been asked before, to lock up a World File so I can poke my tongue out at my friends. (They won't mind, they do it to me alot). Thanks Topaz.

( Topaz ) A198: Hi Shadow: Regarding your world file, HEY, you did a very nice job on it ! Good RPG, sense of humor, and depth of gameplay. I am still looking it over.. Is it a complete RPG, that is one you can play from complete beginning to absolute ending, and/or a chapter in a series of Dark Rune ? (A) Stop Seasick with (minus) (B) Huum.. More tricky.. I haven't started to write the encryption routines of \REALM\ yet but can do so. A world so encrypted will not have a \REALM\ to read the files from nor will the editor be available. I will need to add and change a bit of coding before I get there though. I was thinking to save this for the .EXE compiler, but since I lost my true compiler, a native .EXE would be even harder for me to build without it. For the moment, realize that .WRX files are encrypted in themselves and aren't only when they are unpacked into \REALM\ directory. If there is a strong interest and call for it, I will allow you to save special .WRP files that are protected world files; which can only be played; cannot access the editor, and leave no evidence of files or operations. Hope This Helps !

( WrenPheonix ) Q199: Do you want me to resend you those alpha objects I sent to you last month? Thanks for the fix on slow running!!! I was still depressed that it was going slow, but now it works fine. Topaz, I have a big favor to ask, but only if you are having a problem with free time (yeah right). If you can help me with some space ship sprites, send me an Email at WrenPheonix@hotmail.com. Thanks.

( Topaz ) A199: Hi Wren: Glad you didn't get lost in the muffling shuffle ! YES, please do RE-SEND those Alpha Objects. Those amongst everything else did get lost in the HD crash. Regarding the slow fix on running. Does it run faster now by itself or do you have to do that DOS SHELL trick (and perhaps more then once) in order to get Scenario to run it's normal speed ? Hope This Helps !

( Sayanoran Avon ) Q200: I'm using version 94c(?) to run a game I made from version h (?) and found that the game is dragging. also, when warping from different areas, (one room is torch-lit, other is not) the non torch-lit room is also torch lit. One more thing, when going to secret rooms, the hero by passes the lock altogether! All versions of B had no prob with this. Is there something I can do to correct these problemns (and the sprites!) before I toss this compaq out the door?

( Topaz ) A200: Hi Sayanoran Avon: First off, I'd like to mention of anyone has sent me Email that has not been replied to yet either in the full of Q & A or privately, you are welcome to re-send it. Mail is getting a bit steep now and I'm trying to keep tabs on all of it so please re-send it before you start getting mad and swinging wild ! I'm hoping at this point v0.094d3 runs quite well.. I've been seeing the slow-down problem on this new computer and now it's gone with this new version. Also hit anywhere to see very rapid water FX. Because this is so speedy, I'm going to waver the screen left and right as well. Regarding the torch-lit map. Huum.. Let me see.. I know that when I tried out the secret passage in the throne to the hidden room it didn't keep the torch-lit status. Let me check .. Also, please note that v0.094d3 does not display the Add-Ons as they are being loaded and inserted. I rewrote the Progress indicator to run faster and it didn't update on odd intervals. It does show the updates now. Huum .. It's definitely not removing the MapLit status.. I had originally set it so if you selected to have MapLit in the Sprite Messenger, it would not remove it as you set it. But I am not resetting for the beginning of a new map. Let me go to fix this - this will be corrected in the next version. Good error catch ! Fixed ! Oh, the Airship no longer enters a Warp like it used to. You must land it to enter a warp. Hope This Helps !

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