05 September 2011

Ars Mechanicum Novel Update

Progress on the novel is going at full steam, but progress on the game is virtually at a stop. I'd like to get at least the first novel written before developing the game further, since the two will be a natural progression of one another and will tie up some loose ends.

In the beginning, when I first started writing the novella, it was meant to be a tie-in with the game anyway, with the game literally starting right where the story left off, but as the plot developed it became increasingly more complex. It was apparent that some additional background into the storyline was needed because without it, there were more questions than answers, even with the information being released in the game. So the starting point for the novella was a brief introduction to the characters and how they came to be at the tavern at the very beginning of the game.

As the novella developed, however, it started expanding rapidly. Further plot and story ideas gushed out, new characters and their histories entered into the picture, and the mythos behind the novella was further elaborated upon.

Thus, the novella has developed into a full novel. Depending on how the story evolves, it may become a trilogy. The working titles for the Ars Mechanicum trilogy would be:

Edit: 3 Sep, 2011
  • Genesis Legacy - Where it all begins. The prequel to the game.
  • Legacy Genesis - The after-shocks of Genesis. The game is loosely based on this one.
  • Endgame - The culmination of events and loose ends tie-up.

There is no fixed release date on Genesis, as I'm still writing it. It's about a quarter of the way completed, so we'll probably be looking at sometime next year before anything concrete happens.

That said, I may be releasing a sample chapter earlier than that, depending on the results from RPG Maker Times. If interested in viewing the sample chapter, make your vote count (no closing date yet).
04 September 2011

RPG Maker Web RMVX Tutorials

In case you're not aware already - and you should be - the "official" RPG Maker makers are on Facebook or Twitter. I would highly recommend following them there if you have accounts at one or both of these places, as you'll get first dibs on their newest products and add-ons, such as the "critically acclaimed" Samurai add-on pack.

Anyway, I digress. They've been creating a comprehensive list of very useful tutorials for RMVX on their official site, RPG Maker Web (link leads directly to the tutorials page).

So far they have 18 tutorials. I probably won't update this as they'll be "be continuing this series with a new tutorial every Friday". Note: None in the list are linked; this'll just give you a better idea on what tutorials they have (on the website itself all tutorials are in PDF format, including pictures with a step-by-step guide for each).
  • Level 1 - Creating a Story Line
    • Step 1: Creating a Story Line.
  • Level 2 - Drawing Maps
    • Step 2: Setting Up a New Project.
    • Step 3: Preparing to Draw Maps.
    • Step 4: Drawing Maps.
    • Step 5: Testing Maps.
  • Level 3 - Creating a Castle
    • Step 6: Creating the Good King's Castle.
    • Step 7: Using Quick Event Creation (Transfer).
  • Level 4 - Talking with the King
    • Step 8: Talking with the King.
    • Step 9: Organize Events with Switches.
    • Step 10: Enhancing Events with Event Page.
  • Level 5 - Creating a Main Character
    • Step 11: Creating an Original Main Character.
    • Step 12: Bringing your Initial Party Together.
  • Level 6 - Creating a Village
    • Step 13: Creating Minato Port.
    • Step 14: Using the Map Tree.
    • Step 15: Creating Doors with Quick Events.
  • Level 7 - Creating Shops
    • Step 16: Creating Villagers.
    • Step 17: Creating the Inn.
    • Step 18: Creating the Weapon Shop.
    • Step 19: Creating the Item Shop.
  • Level 8 - Recruiting a Team
    • Step 20: Creating Villagers.
    • Step 21: Recruiting Teammates.
  • Level 9 - Getting a Boat
    • Step 22: Considering the Flow of Events.
    • Step 23: Linking the Boat Event.
  • Level 10 - Creating a Dungeon
    • Step 24: Using the Terrain to Guide Player Movement
    • Step 25: Using the Generate Dungeon Function.
  • Level 11 - Placing Treasure Chests
    • Step 26: Quick Event Creation - Treasure Chest
    • Step 27: Understanding Self Switches
  • Level 12 - Creating a Locked Door
    • Step 28: Preparing the Locked Door
    • Step 29: Creating the Locked Door Event
    • Step 30: Placing a Key in a Treasure Chest
  • Level 13 - Creating Yes/No Player Options
    • Step 31: Constructing the Airship Event
    • Step 32: Creating a Yes/No Player Option
  • Level 14 - Creating a Dungeon 2
    • Step 33: Planning the Lair
    • Step 34: Drawing the Dungeon Map
    • Step 35: Setting Traps
  • Level 15 - Creating a Puzzle
    • Step 36: Outlining the Puzzle
    • Step 37: Using Variables
  • Level 16 - Useful Functions to Remember
    • Step 38: Playtest Functions
    • Step 39: Using Control Characters
  • Level 17 - Creating a Puzzle Part 2
    • Step 40: Outlining the Puzzle Part 2
    • Step 41: Variables in Use
  • Level 18 - Creating Monsters
    • Step 42: Monster Settings (Parameter Curve)
    • Step 43: Monster Settings (Actions Patterns)
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