RPG Makers Update

I will no longer be supporting RM2K3 as actively as before, as the main focus will now be for RMXP and RMVX. Although I may still produce tutorial demos and mini-games for RM2K3, there won't be as many RM2K3-based tutorials; these will be primarily for the other RPG Makers.

I'm in the process of compiling the windowskins on RPG Maker Times and placing them on a separate blog. This will allow for easier access, including specific search keywords. Then, in the future, most of the windowskins will most likely be developed for both RMXP and RMVX. To view the windowskins at a glance, you can visit the RPG Maker Windowskins blog.

Since both of my projects are being developed simultaneously, updates are available on their separate sites and they will be revamped over the next few weeks. To keep up-to-date with the projects, click on the links below (and update any bookmarks accordingly):

• The Gladiator Project (Arena Gladiatorium - Projecta Gladiatore).
• Ars Mechanicum 1: Genesis (formerly Ars Magia)

Yes, Ars Magia has been officially renamed. This is to better reflect the nature of the game. It's actually gone back to its "grass roots", based on the previously named series of short-short stories I wrote, but integrated into the novella and game.

As always, to keep abreast of developments with the projects and blog updates, don't forget to subscribe to the newsfeeds or newsletter.

Is That The Time Already?

I just realised it's February already - almost Valentine's Day! I hadn't even thought about it until today, which means I only have four days left to do something romantic for my "significant other"!

That doesn't mean I've abandoned this blog either, although I must admit to my newest addiction: Resort World on Facebook! It's become the bane of my life, building and trying to keep up! Their Valentine's Day "promo buildings" reminded me actually. EDIT: Inactive.

Aside from spending a little too much time playing the game, I've been spending more time writing, this time trying my hand at sci-fi, although it's not the hardcore type. Just a short story set in the not-so-far-away future.

Work has also continued on Ars Magia: Genesis, but I'm at a standstill with that. Trying to get the maps just right is proving problematic, especially the overland map. I'll figure it out one way or another because I'd like to get a playable demo out soon! EDIT: The project is defunct.

In between, I've also been experimenting with a workable formula for rebuilding The Gladiator Project in RMXP RMVX. And I've realised that some features that were available in the RMVX version may need to be sacrificed in favour of other features. But I'm still playing around with it.

Finally, based on the poll results so far (in the right-hand sidebar), it seems that changing the layout of RPG Maker Times is inevitable, provided prototypes can be viewed - and voted on - first. So, I've been experimenting with different styles, colour schemes and layouts. Certainly, for the newest incarnation - you could say "version 3" - I'd like to add additional features, such as a better navigation menu, a table of contents, maybe some games showcases, and maybe even a forum and live chat! Who knows where it'll lead. That might be an idea for another poll.

I'll try to get a list of *good* resource sites for the next few entries.

Ars Magia Novella (Draft)

The first draft of the Ars Magia novella is complete. I'll be working on proofreading and editing it in preparation for the final draft. Publication (through self-publication) is on schedule - I was aiming for March 2011 initially - although I'm still hoping for mainstream publication.

If I do opt for self-publication, most likely the novella will be in a downloadable PDF format. The original price I quoted was $9.99, but this will be reduced to either $3.99 or $5.99, depending on the completed novella's length. This will be available for purchase directly from the RPG Maker Times blog or from the Ars Magia blog (most likely both of them).

There will eventually be four novellas in total, which will tie all of the RMVX games together. The first, Genesis, is the prequel to the eponymous RMVX game, detailing events immediately before where the game starts. The second novella will be the interim between the first and second games, with another novella set between the second and third games. And the epilogic novella will be set immediately after the third game in the series, tying up any loose ends and concluding the Ars Magia story.

Although the series title is still exploratory, even at this stage, it may end up being that the individual novellas are self-published and the mainstream publication is a consolidation of all four novellas (including the games stories, which will be elaborated upon). This would ultimately depend on a number of factors, especially time constraints, as I'm not entirely sure how long this rather ambitious, multi-faceted project will take.

Another consideration is a name change, most likely reverting to Ars Mechanica, which was the original name of the series upon which the first short-short stories were based and around which the games have been loosely based. This applies to both games and novellas.

AMG Video In-Game Features Demo

This is a video demo of some of the in-game features, including the intro through to the Status Menu. The intro will be changed later, however. Don't forget to read the footnotes below too.

Revision Edit:
5 December, 2010

The video has been truncated from its original. I also added some annotations to better explain the features.

Most of the scripts have been tweaked to integrate properly into the AMG system. The characters' profile information is incomplete yet, as is the "Extra Stats" page. A complete list of scripts is available here, updated as other in-game scripts are updated.

A playable demo will be released soon - though no sooner than next year - and I'll upload it then. Watch this space, I guess!

AMG Demo Release Date

I was asked recently on the Ars Magia: Genesis blog when a demo will be available.

The answer is: Soon! Edit: 1^st December, 2010 - Video Demo.

With Version 0.9 Private Release, the current version, I'm putting the finishing touches to the menu system, working industriously on script integration and overall aesthetics. Once that's done - and I'm satisfied with it - I'll upload a movie clip demonstrating this part of it, along with some additional screenshots. Version 0.9 also does not have any content yet because I've been working on that as another, separate project prior to putting the whole thing together in Version 1.0 Public Release.

Version 1.0 is nearing completion, with some of the maps already in place. I'm in the process of customising some of the graphics and fine-tuning the map scripts, as well as two minigames. Events take place immediately after the eponymous novella (almost finished) ends. When this version is released, which I'm estimating will be around Christmas or New Year (time permitting), it will be a playable demo.

Ars Magia 1: Genesis - Character Classes

The Ars Magia Character Classes are now 80% complete.

There are five main playable character classes and two non-playable ones. They are:

• Alchemist (Non-Playable) - Adept at potion making, including explosives and incendiaries.
• Archaeomage (Non-Playable) - Expert in ancient technologies and automatons.
• Cleric (Playable) - Expert in healing and blessing spells.
• Druid (Playable) - Caster of elemental spells and can also summon animals.
• Hunter (Playable) - Expert archer, keen-sighted and fleet-footed. Note: Content is pending.
• Warrior (Playable) - Combat veteran, capable of delivering powerful blows.

The fifth playable character is pending, as I'm not sure what it should be. I had considered Blue Mage or Black Mage. Suggestions are welcome, use the comments box for any suggestions or recommendations on what this fifth character should be.

Ars Magia -- Upcoming Novella Tie-In

I’m in the process of writing a novella, also entitled Ars Magia: Genesis. It is a tie-in with the RPG Maker VX game, also currently under development.

Below is an interactive live demo, where you can read the complete Prologue. The full screen (and easier to read) version is viewable here.


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I’m not sure which came first, novella or game. Perhaps they developed together, as they do go hand in hand. The novella sets the scene for the game and the game continues where the novella ends. That said, I wrote the plot and basic outline for the novella a while ago, then translated it into game format and, as development began, the story – more a preface to the game – evolved.

The novella is far from complete yet, but scheduled release date is March 2011 – if everything goes according to plan. Major updates to the novella will appear here in addition to the game progress.

Ars Magia 1: Genesis - New Project

It's funny - not funny as in haha!, but funny as in strangely sinister - how sometimes the things you plan meticulously for months in advance just simply fail! And you're back at the bottom of the ladder, having to crawl your way back up to where you were! Fate can be a cruel mistress!

Click on the image for the "official" update site.

Anyway, my new project! It's not really new, since I started it way before The Gladiator Project and lost interest in it, and thought I'd lost the project itself. I found it on a DVD gathering dust, so decided to rekindle its flame, placing TGP on the backburner (for multiple reasons).

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