RPG Maker XP

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Introduction to RPG MAKER XP

RPG MAKER XP allows you to make your own RPG (role-playing game), like World of Warcraft or Dungeons and Dragons. However, the 2D games you will be creating with RPG MAKER XP are much linear and less graphically demanding then most role-playing video games.

Downloading

You can obtain RPG MAKER XP for a free trial and the programs download page: RPG MAKER XP DOWNLOAD They have the program hosted on three different mirrors but I would recommend the first one (download.com).

Installation

After you download the .zip extract it and run SetupMenu.exe. You should install both RGSS-RTP Standard and RPG Maker XP.

Your first map

After you have everything installed, run RPG MAKER XP and make a new project ( File > New Project > Ok). You should see some objects and tiles to the left (the tileset) and a field of grass to the right. Each object is made up of tiles and can be placed on the grass. The grass is actually a grid and displays which ever tile is in each specific coordinate.

Select one of the tiles and click on the grass to the right. It will appear in that square. For now, we will stick with these set of squares.

Testing your map

After you have your map designed and you want to see how it plays, you can test it. Goto Game > Playtest and your map will run. You can also hit F12 or click the green arrow on the toolbar.

Layers

Depending on which tile you chose, white might have appeared around the square. This is because that tile is meant to be on a different layer. A layer will help separate the tiles that you lay down. But it will also differentiate between where your player is walking.

To change which layer you are placing tiles you can go to Mode > Layer and select a layer. The first layer is where your grass and ground tiles will go. The second layer is for minor detailing, for example trunks or trees. The third layer has the same purpose as layer two but can be used to detail buildings and other things you made on layer two.

Map properties

You can change the map size, name, and tileset. The tileset has all of the tiles you can place onto the map. The size will change the shape of the map. Then the name will help you to organize which maps your working on.

To edit the properties, right click on 'MAP001' below your tileset and select map properties or hit the space bar.