Is It Legal To Change The Game.exe Icon?

I came across a question a few weeks ago about the legality of using such software as Resource Hacker to change the Game.exe icon, so I thought I'd answer it.

First of all, according to the EULA:

Licensee shall not reverse engineer, de-compile, or disassemble the Software.

which means, in short, that technically it IS illegal, since you're modifying something that is part of the "Software", i.e. RPG Maker.

With that said, however, you're not actually directly modifying the software itself, only the game's icon for creating shortcuts. And, since there isn't an apparent option for the INI to use an icon, for some developers having a game-exclusive icon is a preference they don't want to be without.

According to Archeia on Steam:

Technically it isn't [legal] and Enterbrain is aware of it. But they're loose about the rule.

In other words, Enterbrain doesn't condone using software to hack Game.exe to change its icon (which is what Resource Hacker does), since that would be a violation of the EULA, but they are tolerant of it provided you're ONLY using it to change the icon - and nothing else - and do NOT directly modify the software itself. This includes anything that comes bundled with the RPG Maker itself, the RTP software, Game.exe, and any accompanying DLLs.

If you're in doubt, don't do it!

Instead, you might be interested in the How to Change the Game.exe Icon Tutorial for alternative methods that don't directly modify or hack Game.exe.

Scripts/Scriptlets Updates

I have two days off (from tomorrow) so will spend the time tweaking and updating all Scripts/Scriptlets. They'll also be uploaded to Pastebin, providing the option to copy and paste them directly or download a text version from the site.

Saturday is my last work-night before I have a week's holiday, which will give me the chance to finally make some proper progress on my project, Otherworld.

I'm hoping to finally publish Version 4.0 of the Q-Engine, along with its add-ons, following some additional testing and tweaks.

We'll see how things go. My priority IS Otherworld, however, and creating something of more substance.

The Paranormality Trilogy

The Paranormality trilogy is a series of games for RPG Maker, loosely based on a set of unpublished short stories and novellas I wrote, actually inspired by some of my own experiences.

The entire trilogy focuses around paranormal investigator Jack Urban. Alyssa, his sister, disappeared under mysterious circumstances, so his mission has become to find out exactly what happened to her. His quest for the truth will take him to the Other Side and back, pitting him against some of the most nefarious daemons in the Seven Realms.

Portals revolves around the events leading up to her disappearance and is the prequel to Darkling for RMVX and Nexus for RMVXA (planned as future projects).

Scripts Updates and News

New Site Formula

RPG Maker Times Companion has been going through a metamorphosis. This is the front page for the entire blog, highlighting some of the major sections. It also acts as an index for some pages, leading directing to the blog.

Scripts Updates

I've developed a "Universal Configurations Module", which consolidates all of the settings for my scripts (past and present) and makes it easier to set them all up, rather than going into each one individually.

Other features include a "Required Modules Checker", where you can set modules to become required. If any are missing, the Required Modules Checker will throw a corresponding error message.

Also, the "Extra Stats VX" script has undergone a slight makeover, with a few additional stats added as well (including the shop count). The VXA version will be brought up-to-date as well.

These will all be updated next week (particularly after my interview).

VX Ace Generator Parts

Visit the site
here

Here's something for RMVXA users. It's additional resources for the built-in generator to create your own charsets. The site can be found here. It's been Google-translated from its original Japanese. I've not been able to test this out, but by all accounts it looks awesome!

You can download individual parts or all of them at once. Caveat: You might have to rename the resources, otherwise there's a chance that the defaults will be overwritten.

CW's Scripts Compendium - Forthcoming

I decided to compile some of the scripts I've written into a single compendium. Many of them were scattered throughout various projects I'd done, hence the decision to place them all in one place, making it much easier to access and reference.

I've shared some of these scripts on RPG Maker Times, but they've since been updated. None of them have links yet, as I'm still compiling the scripts. They're here more for reference, but when the compilations are complete I'll upload the demos for downloading.

RMVX Scripts Compendium

• Battle Announcement Image v1.0 - Display an image announcing the commencement of a battle.
• Critical Hit Flash Screen v1.0 - Flash the screen (red) when a critical hit is inflicted on monsters.
• Extra Stats Window v1.2 - Display additional stats, such as number of steps, number of battles/escapes, etc.
• Game Progress Window v1.6 - Display the game progress as a percentage in the Status Menu.
• Location Window v1.6 - Display the current location in the Status Menu.
• MMO Styled Body Status v1.5 - Display a 3D model on the Status Screen in a similar vein to many MMOs, updated according to what's equipped/unequipped on the Equipment Screen.
• Parameter Equip +/- Icons v1.0 - Display an increase/decrease icon on the Equipment screen according to how equipping/unequipping weapons and armour affects stats.
• Victory Announcement Image v0.1 - Display an image announcing victory after a successful battle.

RMVXA Scripts Compendium

• Extra Stats Window v1.0 - As with the RMVX version.
• MMO Styled Body Status v0.5 - As with the RMVX version.

I don't know what happened to my RMXP scripts yet. Most likely they're on one of the backup CDs, except I've not found them yet.

Charsets, Sprites and Facesets (RMVX)

If you're looking for some quality sprites, then look no further than Magnus Noctem. Unless otherwise specified, these are RMVX sprites. Note: Unfortunately, this site is no longer being updated, but it still has several resources and resource links on it.

EDIT:You can find some Mack RTP Sprites here.

Or these Sprites With Portraits (includes some for RMVXA).

Alternatively, the Mystical RTP Sprites, which is one of my favourites.

Gender Functions Script (RMVXA)

As the countdown begins for the English version of RMVXA, there are several scripts becoming readily available. I'm not able to thoroughly investigate yet (notwithstanding my scripting abilities, such as they are) so I thought I'd list a few scripts from other people.

I happened across this script, written by Mr. Bubble, completely by accident. As the title suggests, it implements a gender system for Actors and Enemies, using RMVXA's personalised notetags function.

Here's the link to the page. It includes examples and instructions.

Ars Mechanicum & Gladiator Project Update Announcement

I made the decision to abandon Ars Mechanicum Genesis at the start of the New Year in favour of its novels. At the present time I have no interest in returning to the project, but will continue with the novels instead and place the events in the game intended as an interactive continuation of the novel into a trilogy. It's been a tough decision but given that I've had little or no time to actually develop the game, there's no point in continuing its development.

I will, however, be continuing work on The Gladiator Project. This will be redeveloped for RMVX, with many of the features in its original RMXP format ported over. I may also eventually develop an RMVXA version too, depending on how much it is when the English version is released and when I actually purchase it.

On a side note, it looks like most likely the English version will be released in the first quarter of this year. My prediction is February/March. Let's see how close I am. Haha!

RPG Maker VX Ace Features Breakdown

It looks like the scheduled Japanese release date for RMVX Ace is December 15, 2011, with no announced date for an English version yet, although it might be a few months after the Japanese release or it might be longer. According to their official website, the operating specifications are:

• OS: Japanese version of Windows XP/Vista/7 (both 32- and 64-bit)
• CPU: Pentium 4 2.0 GHz processor
• RAM: At least 512Mb
• Display: 1024x768 or greater
• HDD Space: Minimum 400Mb
• DirectX: Yes, DirectX compatibility is a prerequisite
• Internet: Internet connection for authentication

These are the minimum, anticipated stablest specs required, though the website doesn't guarantee RMVX Ace will work efficiently, depending on how the Maker is used.

RPG Maker VX Ace adds following features:

• Updated RGSS (Ruby Game Scripting System) to version 3;
• Return of multiple tile sets support (omitted in RMVX), which includes "passability" and "bush";
• Modifiable skill and item attack damage formulae, set in the Database;
• A character generator (based on the Chibi characters, which I personally do not like one bit!), as well as a corresponding character portrait editor;
• Additional effects, such as "provocation" and "cover";
• Characters will follow you around "caterpillar" style, i.e. walking in formation on the map;
• The addition of a fifth party member;
• Increased eventing functionality;
• Adjustable damage formulae;
• Customizable combat scene background, comprising 2 mergable background images;
• Introduction of a new regular battle parameter, "TP", which accumulates during combat and when it reaches its maximum allows a new, devastating attack, usually known as "Overdrives", "Limit Breaks" or "Finishers";
• The return of movies in the event scripting, this time in OGG Theora format (I don't know anything about that).

Read more »

RPG Maker VX Ace Announced

A new RPG Maker is scheduled for release, entitled VX Ace, boasting new features and customizability. I'm in favour of a new one, especially after RMVX's "failure", but in truth I'm a little more sceptical about it. The major problem I have with RMVX is the tileset limitation, although by the sounds of it that won't be a problem any more.

Here's the English promo video, uploaded on the 10th of this month. (Since I've been offline, therefore out of touch, I've only just played catchup!)



From what I can gather it's basically RMVX with a lot more features (including some of the omitted ones), including character customization and "finishing" moves for battles, as well as an upgraded RGSS (RGSS3).

I'll be posting more about RMVXA a bit later. But, trust me, I'll be watching this one very closely!