Create a Computer Game With RPGMaker

RPGMaker is software from Japan that allows creation of role-playing games. The battle and reward systems are built in, as are many events that can be used in your game such as speaking to NPCs, finding items and treasure, and moving through doors and portals in addition to many other things. You may also add code and custom graphics to your game, so it is quite a robust development tool. I use it to teach my students game design, character design, and game flow.

Above is a video showing elements we will be adding in this Instructable. The possibilities are many, and you will be amazed at what you can create!

Materials for this project are simple:

• A computer.
• RPGMaker - game design software available from The RPGMaker Website. This software has a completely adequate free version.
• Your Imagination!
• It helps to also have a plan - I like to have students storyboard their ideas and plan all of their events before they sit down to work.

• Select 'New Project' from the file menu.
• Choose a name for your game and the name of the folder where it will reside.
• Click 'OK' and your project will be created. Your new project will contain one map that is all blue with your main character standing in the middle. We will look at changing the main character in a future Instructable.

• The map icon (circled in the picture above) allows you to add tiles from the box on the left side to your game screen to create the spaces that your characters will walk around.
• There are many options to customize the look of your map.
• The tabs at the bottom of the tile selection box will bring you to more tiles.
• If for some reason you can not add tiles to your map click the map icon to make sure you are in map editing mode.
• Experiment with all of the map elements to see what you like and what you want to add to your game. Keep in mind that some of the elements will be barriers for your characters. For example, you can not walk in lava or water. These elements can be used to build puzzles and mazes.

The first event we will add today is a transfer to our second map.

• Click the 'Event' icon (circled in red above).
• Right-click the spot you want to be the event. A menu will open.

Choose the 'Transfer to a new location' option.

Click on the triple dot icon and select the second map you made.

When the new map opens select the spot where you would like your character to be when they transfer.

• Right click the top corner of your map and choose 'Quick Event Creation' again.
• Choose 'Treasure Chest' and choose whether you want gold, a weapon, or armour and what type in the dialogue box that opens.
• When adding your events make sure the 'same as character' option is selected for priority.
• Right click the square just below the treasure chest and at a quick event to transfer the character to the centre of the screen.
• Repeat this event creation for the square immediately to the right. Now the player has to figure out how to get to the treasure chest without getting warped to the middle of the screen.

At any time you can press the 'Playtest' button to see how your game is working. I usually test between each step.

• Right-click the square to the left of where you started.
• Select 'New Event' from the menu
• Right click the contents window and then select 'Battle Processing'.
• Choose the enemy you would like.
• .Double click the blank graphic pane at the lower left corner and choose a look for the NPC.

I just do this to move around easily in the game.

In my next RPGMaker Instructable I will show you how to create a boulder sliding puzzle.