What woul make you play an RPG maker game?

[Ceadmondo]

After a lot of research on an engine that needs no programming I found RPG maker VM and I learned of it power but then I learned of the complaints people leave in the comments of every RPG maker game, people don't seem to go into detail about it other than saying "brooring not RGPM man" so my question is this; what would make you play an RPGM game? And what to avoid in RGPM?

Thank you for reading.

 

[Wolf Larsen]

Mindless grinding is my main issue with RPGM.

Wasting time guessing what I should do because the game likes to see me running around in circles is also annoying.

Fuck bugs.

When a game is a proper RPG and/or adventure with none of those issues (or if they are keeping down to a minimum), then I'm fine with it. Might even become a fan of the game.

 

[Douve]

Avoid the walking simulator thing it's really boring to pass half time just walking from a place to another so find a way either to hahve small maps or to permit the player to jump or w/e.
Also I think it's a good thing to exploit the engine since it's not renpy you have the liberty to explore, talk to npc ect so add some reward events/quest to stimulate the player and break the monotony.
Try playing some RPGM games that have intersting ideas or wich are popular and think what you like in them and what you don't. (For exemple : EraHunter (devs are milking patreon but game is popular), Dilmur, Tales of Divinity (I like the free roam in this one ! But the game is dead since long), Karryn's prison, etc...
Some people also like the stat screen (you know where you have a descrption of how many time the girl was used and all, if it's a Female MC ofc).

And what he said above me.

 

[Meaning Less]

Every engine has haters but there are also many lovers on the other end. If anything NLT media already proven that RPGM games can be mainstream even in the western market.

For every person complaining about grind there is someone on the other end complaining about the game having no gameplay.

You should focus on what engine works best for your game instead of caring about a few loud haters, you will never make everyone happy.

 

[Ceadmondo]

Mindless grinding is my main issue with RPGM.

Wasting time guessing what I should do because the game likes to see me running around in circles is also annoying.

Fuck bugs.

When a game is a proper RPG and/or adventure with none of those issues (or if they are keeping down to a minimum), then I'm fine with it. Might even become a fan of the game.

I was planning on keeping it minimum with some different outcomes and Easter eggs, one of the characters goes on adventures and take MC with her, I also figured a way to layer my 3d scenes over the map file like a parallax effect so I don't have to make 2d stuff which I lack any experience in (aside from memes).

Thank you will take everything you said as a tip and try to implement it.

 

[Ceadmondo]

Avoid the walking simulator thing it's really boring to pass half time just walking from a place to another so find a way either to hahve small maps or to permit the player to jump or w/e.
Also I think it's a good thing to exploit the engine since it's not renpy you have the liberty to explore, talk to npc ect so add some reward events/quest to stimulate the player and break the monotony.
Try playing some RPGM games that have intersting ideas or wich are popular and think what you like in them and what you don't. (For exemple : EraHunter (devs are milking patreon but game is popular), Dilmur, Tales of Divinity (I like the free roam in this one ! But the game is dead since long), Karryn's prison, etc...
Some people also like the stat screen (you know where you have a descrption of how many time the girl was used and all, if it's a Female MC ofc).

And what he said above me.

Yes, the exploring aspect is what intrest me a lot since one of the girls go on adventures and take the MC with her, I infact drew a little map with a helipad, a train system, roads and I'm trying to figure out the car system, I think I'll do what most JRPGs do and pack things in tightly and do more with it, for instance I plan on having Easter eggs with like helping female NPC does something like get revenge on BF or get somewhere I hope it works.

I'll try to watch gameplays of those games to get the picture from a players prospective, thank you for your input!

 

[Ceadmondo]

Every engine has haters but there are also many lovers on the other end. If anything NLT media already proven that RPGM games can be mainstream even in the western market.

For every person complaining about grind there is someone on the other end complaining about the game having no gameplay.

You should focus on what engine works best for your game instead of caring about a few loud haters, you will never make everyone happy.

Oh yeah. NLT is a genius but I don't have the experience nor the money or the team so I'll end up with a smaller map with things tightly packed togther like a JRPG, I hope that someday I can be like him and not abandon my work like Icstor.

Yes indeed your right, this engine is heaven for someone like me who only understands art and had no experience with programming, I'm currently studying the tutorials and hoping to create a game that satisfy people even if the gameplay per update is going to be 20 minutes but I assume it's better than grinds as told by people above!

Thank you for your comment and input means a lot.

 

[Doom_]

On piracy sites especially RPGM games are going to get bashed there are a great number of reasons too.

1. RPGM games often get MTL translations some of these "translators" have absolutely no idea what they're doing outside of YouTube videos for T++ or a similar tool. As a consequence they often break the game and the translation is garbage. If they used batch google translate its even worse. Don't get me wrong there are some experienced MTLers that do edit, use deepl, google hybrid and don't break the game but they are far and in-between.

2. Walking simulators many RPGM games end up being 50% walking back and forth a developer should focus on tighter map designs with many points of interest like npcs, hidden item boxes/ collectable currency for trading. Big maps should only be used when they're really needed.

3. No customization plain RPGM gameplay sucks tbh. You have to add a system whether that be battle rape, a complex element system, or even change it entirely and use streetfighter like combat all of these will make an rpgm game much more interesting. Custom menus and some kind of H log are also nice.

4. Graphics RPGM's aspect ratio is shit no way around it you can't get quality CG's like you do on renpy, unity etc. on RPGM especially in the older engines. Plain tilesets many RPGM games use the basic tilesets with noting custom this makes many RPGM games nearly identical in feel it doesn't help when devs use premade maps that are included with the engine or its dlcs.

There are many other points that could be made but I think this covers it for the most part main point is actually do customization don't just use the same regurgitated crap 100 other devs have already used.

Games in RPGM that are actually good
Karryns Prison
Star Knightess Aura
Pretty much anything from Shimobashira Workshop
Crimson Colosseum
Magical Valkyrie Lyristia

 

[Ceadmondo]

On piracy sites especially RPGM games are going to get bashed there are a great number of reasons too.

1. RPGM games often get MTL translations some of these "translators" have absolutely no idea what they're doing outside of YouTube videos for T++ or a similar tool. As a consequence they often break the game and the translation is garbage. If they used batch google translate its even worse. Don't get me wrong there are some experienced MTLers that do edit, use deepl, google hybrid and don't break the game but they are far and in-between.

2. Walking simulators many RPGM games end up being 50% walking back and forth a developer should focus on tighter map designs with many points of interest like npcs, hidden item boxes/ collectable currency for trading. Big maps should only be used when they're really needed.

3. No customization plain RPGM gameplay sucks tbh. You have to add a system whether that be battle rape, a complex element system, or even change it entirely and use streetfighter like combat all of these will make an rpgm game much more interesting. Custom menus and some kind of H log are also nice.

2. Graphics RPGM's aspect ratio is shit no way around it you can't get quality CG's like you do on renpy, unity etc. on RPGM at especially in the older engines. Plain tilesets many RPGM games use the basic tilesets with noting custom this makes many RPGM games nearly identical in feel it doesn't help when devs use premade maps that are included with the engine or its dlcs.

There are many other points that could be made but I think this covers it for the most part main point is actually do customization don't just use the same regurgitated crap 100 other devs have already used.

Games in RPGM that are actually good
Karryns Prison
Star Knightess Aura
Pretty much anything from Shimobashira Workshop
Crimson Colosseum
Magical Valkyrie Lyristia

Couldn't agree more with the 3rd paragraph, I intend on using 3D renders layered over an actual renpy map to make it more interesting, I also as u said and I said before I will make the map quite small and pack it with points of intrest I hope I can deliver something that doesn't bore people.

On translation, I was thinking I would find someone who understands both English and the other language and intice them with there name in the credit or some money, I already know one guy who speak Italian and he goes around translating games for free! So I just need to find a German and a Turk and I'll be covered for most porn game players according to Google sense.

Thank you for your comment I hope I can please with my future title.

 

[Doom_]

Couldn't agree more with the 3rd paragraph, I intend on using 3D renders layered over an actual renpy map to make it more interesting, I also as u said and I said before I will make the map quite small and pack it with points of intrest I hope I can deliver something that doesn't bore people.

On translation, I was thinking I would find someone who understands both English and the other language and intice them with there name in the credit or some money, I already know one guy who speak Italian and he goes around translating games for free! So I just need to find a German and a Turk and I'll be covered for most porn game players according to Google sense.

Thank you for your comment I hope I can please with my future title.

Yeah customization is the main issue with simple engines like RPGM. The main reason I brought up translations is because RPGM is heavily used by Japanese developers and mtl from Japanese to English can be really bad. I look forward to seeing your work, any estimate on an initial release?

 

[Ceadmondo]

Yeah customization is the main issue with simple engines like RPGM. The main reason I brought up translations is because RPGM is heavily used by Japanese developers and mtl from Japanese to English can be really bad. I look forward to seeing your work, any estimate on an initial release?

True, Japanese translation is horrendous and is something i don't get. Like the amount of forginers who have proficiency in Japanese and would die to help there favourite studio are in the dozens.

I think two months from now, I'm still trying to finish the whole story before beginning to model my characters and sets though I already have sketches and floorplans for those, I just need to bring my self to write a full story I'm currently managing 619 to 1200 words a day I just don't want to burn myself, writing the story now and having the outline would make it easy for me in my artist mindset as I can just look at the screenplay and pose my characters accordingly then render and give it a paragraph number. It would make it harder to procrastinate or change project or abandon it if the story is fully written and this is something I realized most people don't do and end up abandoning ship when they hit a creative wall.

I will send you a message from a new account when the game is released I kinda made enemies by arguing with a guy over game starting, I'll be happy to have you as a game tester if you want.

Thanks for your comment.

 

[Doom_]

True, Japanese translation is horrendous and is something i don't get. Like the amount of forginers who have proficiency in Japanese and would die to help there favourite studio are in the dozens.

I think two months from now, I'm still trying to finish the whole story before beginning to model my characters and sets though I already have sketches and floorplans for those, I just need to bring my self to write a full story I'm currently managing 619 to 1200 words a day I just don't want to burn myself, writing the story now and having the outline would make it easy for me in my artist mindset as I can just look at the screenplay and pose my characters accordingly then render and give it a paragraph number. It would make it harder to procrastinate or change project or abandon it if the story is fully written and this is something I realized most people don't do and end up abandoning ship when they hit a creative wall.

I will send you a message from a new account when the game is released I kinda made enemies by arguing with a guy over game starting, I'll be happy to have you as a game tester if you want.

Thanks for your comment.

Sounds good, I'd be happy to test if you need it and you can contact me on discord if you want doom#6177

 

[Ceadmondo]

Sounds good, I'd be happy to test if you need it and you can contact me on discord if you want doom#6177

Alright sounds good, I'll message you as soon as I get my first test file ready, thanks for agreeing.
My discord is Sextus.

 

[Sheik100]

The absolute avoids are time wasters. Animations taking forever like waiting 15 sec for characters to walk in a cutscene, battles that have no speed up key, etc. Play some low effort RPGM games and youll see this stuff everywhere.

Also pace the story. Im the type of player to talk to every single character, examine every object, etc. But the moment I get boring story events back to back going on forever I lose interest very fast. If the player wants to know more they can seek it out. For example give the option to talk to characters when camping. Or have side characters give exposition if you talk to them.

Its nice for combat to have a gimmick but at the least just try to make some of the bosses memorable. Also if combat isnt going to be nuanced there probably shouldnt be very much of it.

For what to look for in a good RPGM, if a lewd jRPG lets me unequip the heroines and they get embarrassed so they reclothe I can tell right away that alot of care was put into the game.

Overall just aim to have some kind of "identity" for your game and youll already be ahead of the curve.

 

[Apollo I'm Sorry]

Just no random encounters please. I want to explore in peace without having to take the shortest possible path in order to avoid triggering a battle.

 

[lemonfreak]

A reason to explore. 2D RPG's (and indeed any type of sandbox game which includes 2D RPGs) work best when there are things to discover outside of the core quest. Give me pots to break (Zelda), trashcans to search (Earthbound), give me an entirely skippable questline with big rewards like Chocobo racing in FF7(which yes, was a 3D game on PS1 but could've easily been an SNES game but for the massive storage required by the FMV)

 

[Ceadmondo]

Just no random encounters please. I want to explore in peace without having to take the shortest possible path in order to avoid triggering a battle.

Well I don't intend on having any battles outside of the needed ones, it was annoying in Pokemon I can't imagine the frustration it would add in a porn game.

Thank you for your input.

 

[Ceadmondo]

A reason to explore. 2D RPG's (and indeed any type of sandbox game which includes 2D RPGs) work best when there are things to discover outside of the core quest. Give me pots to break (Zelda), trashcans to search (Earthbound), give me an entirely skippable questline with big rewards like Chocobo racing in FF7(which yes, was a 3D game on PS1 but could've easily been an SNES game but for the massive storage required by the FMV)

Well I would definitely love to add stuff like that but I don't think this engine is capable of such things, the best anyone can hope here is a NLT media game. But I see what you mean the map has to be explorable for a reason, I guess it could be nudist girls in the forest or topless girls on the beach or a pony girl!

Thanks for your input.

 

[Ceadmondo]

The absolute avoids are time wasters. Animations taking forever like waiting 15 sec for characters to walk in a cutscene, battles that have no speed up key, etc. Play some low effort RPGM games and youll see this stuff everywhere.

Also pace the story. Im the type of player to talk to every single character, examine every object, etc. But the moment I get boring story events back to back going on forever I lose interest very fast. If the player wants to know more they can seek it out. For example give the option to talk to characters when camping. Or have side characters give exposition if you talk to them.

Its nice for combat to have a gimmick but at the least just try to make some of the bosses memorable. Also if combat isnt going to be nuanced there probably shouldnt be very much of it.

For what to look for in a good RPGM, if a lewd jRPG lets me unequip the heroines and they get embarrassed so they reclothe I can tell right away that alot of care was put into the game.

Overall just aim to have some kind of "identity" for your game and youll already be ahead of the curve.

Thank you for taking the time to make this comment.

I do infact intend on having no mini map or quest marker and everything has to be found out by the player for example on the first scene the woman of the "Reds tity bar" send you to get a job from a woman and instead of saying her location she gives you a paper with map coordinates and to move forward you have to find someone with the capability of reading the map and so on.

When it comes to bosses I don't intend on having any of them, there is no bad guy just infighting between female characters which you benefit from.

Thank you for your input.

 

[Joshua Tree]

I played quite a few RPGM games over the years. Some I enjoyed, some I didn't. Worst thing you can do is have huge time sinks where you end up walk aimless around without anything happen in between. Like random encounter/event (whatever).
A game engine doesn't make a game good or bad, the creator does.

Tbh, it doesn't matter what game engine it is. It can be a nice 3d rendered world where you walk around, but if its just walking around and nothing to do, it's still all the same.

There been games on this site made in RPGM that didn't inolve any "traditional" things we usually find in such games at all. Such as maps (whatever). Let's face it, majority of the people cry about ANYTHING not made in renpy... even quite a few games made in renpy is awful...