This week, there weren't many fully registered members who had birthdays. Of this week, the only birthday that passed with a fully registered member was that of mattertatter's, accompanied by both mesiahinfused and ayumu2918.

MetalRenard had to share a moment about the Anime he had just watched after seeing Major Kusanagi go berserk in an episode of Ghost in the Shell. He was surprised at how emotional she was in the scene as she's usually more level headed. DerVVulfman gave a chuckle at the remark giving an indication that she was anything but level headed in the manga, but MetalRenard replied back that a wikipedia article stated that the Manga, Movie and Series are all in their own separate continuities.

Catching up with what your fellow members is easy to do when all you need to do is ask them What's Up, though that may be hard to do if you're trying to catch up to KasperKalamity. He's ecstatic that he just found a chibi characterset generator and quickly cobbled up a dwarf wearing a full suit of greenish tinted armor.

If you want to know how Zackwell is doing on his game, then you may wish to venture into the Maps and screenshots thread where he posed a series of cutscenes. The series of cutscenes features Kris who looks over the inscriptions of an ancient round artifact before he calls out a Dark Knight thief coming for him.

Another update within the ReGaL (RPG Game Lab) topic as DerVVulfman related how he was nearly complete working on the system's message window feature, while dealing with a few unexpected bugs. At the same time, he also discussed that while he was working on that, how Kain Nobel was working on other base scripts that would be a part of the system and how the two were collaborating and keeping tabs together. Speaking of keeping tabs, Kain Nobel called out to DerVVulfman that he may have caused a bug with the message system that DerVVulfman was working on, but DerVVulfman replied he had been reworking the system so Kain Nobel's changes could be moot. Along with that, Kain Nobel also issued an update related to an expanded Vocab system, an editable Statistics cap system where the game creator can set his own player stats limits, revising and cleaning the system that updates the map screen and the beginnings of an item and skill categorization system. This was followed by DerVVulfman's reply where he stated he was reworking his message system, describing the opacities and audio effects system and how he had only four features left to insert. RosyPosy, curious as she was of the recent activity, enjoyed how the system was renamed and envisioned the thread a kin to Dexter's Laboratory. Kain Nobel returned to deliver a temporary mockup of what he invisions the editor's Item Database to resemble, including a custom set of Effect boxes compared to those from Enterbrain's RPGMaker line and hopes to have other mockup screens in a few more days. MechanicalPen felt a preference to the phrase 'power' or 'amount instead of Kain Nobel's use of the word 'Rate' for the effect parameter boxes, and wondered about location and necessity of the 'Call Escape?' button. On another level, he was also curious if the database would include popup hints like other systems so end-users wouldn't be dependent on the help file. DerVVulfman remarked that he was able to make such popups back when he made programs years earlier and felt it wouldn't be hard, though he's not actually designing the editor. He thoroughly enjoyed the layout and joked how Kain Nobel added a feature which immediately eliminated the need of one of his own scripts. He commented on a couple other features as well, then replied to MechanicalPen that the Call Escape feature was simply a returned feature which is easy to have in both skill and item systems.

It isn't often that a non RPG game ventures into the forum, however this week we're graced with Jean Monos's latest title, Wood Crash. A small game, Wood Crush was a pet project that he wanted to make for a while, and the music score was composed by MetalRenard who made the post.

The music in the current demo for ELAN: Reign of Catastrophe wasn't written by penguwin, but were from unfinished demos from 2005, but says they will be remastered by the time he releases the game. He also has plans for ELAN to eventually become a commercial game and the demo is just a taste for others interested in seeing it grow to something bigger.

And Swickster hopes to welcome one and all to The Grimswood Mansion for a Halloween treat. Like his expected release date, the game takes place on Hallows Eve where you must rescue your girlfriend in his horror/comedy action/survival game. Screenshots and a youtube video showing his ATB in action while footsteps echo in the background.

Penguwin found and posted a Stand Walk and Run script by Synthesize from 2008 and wondered if anyone could tell him how to use a script call to disable the idle animation from map events. Daylights offered a suggestion, but penguwin already tried it and replied that it didn't work. DerVVulfman said he gave the script a glance and suggested something that penguwin could try, though DerVVulfman admitted he didn't test it himself. But as penguwin said, "Close but no dice".

Meanwhile, penguwin found out that SephirothSpawn's FFVII Materia Script is incompatible with the SDK 2.3 as the Materia script was made years prior for RPGMaker XP'S SDK version 1.3. As he needs version 2.3 of the SDK, he would appreciate it if anyone could assist him in updating SephirothSpawn's script for the newer system.

After reading Raphael RPG Games's request for a merger between Animated Battlers, ParaDog's ATB and a Tactical system, MechanicalPen wondered what type of benefit could be had in his requested system over one that could be in a Tactical system. At the same time, DerVVulfman examined the screenshots that Raphael RPG Games posted and thought the system came across more as a Tactical system with some better battler graphics and a timer system than a traditional sideview CTB with a tactical map addition. Hearing the back and forth banter made Raphael RPG Games wonder if his request would be taken while explaining he looks forward to having a system that people would find entertaining. Given what DerVVulfman read, he surmised it would be easier to turn a tactical system into the CTB that was described, using the animation system similar to that within MrMo's ABS and suggested a method to make certain actions take up turns so the player couldn't perform some actions as repetitively. Raphael RPG Games didn't have any issues with using the character set animation system from MrMo's ABS. However, he would prefer a CT system from contemporary sideview systems instead, though DerVVulfman's idea was acceptible. With that, DerVVulfman asked if he was still using a Tactical system that he apparently knew Raphael RPG Games was using and suggested he post a link to the tactical system for other interested scripters.

After seeing a similar system in a Game Spotlight Youtube video, KasperKalamity wondered if anyone could craft an Item Script for RPGMaker XP that matches in function. The design has only one column of items rather than the traditional two column layout, with the second half of the screen devoted to showing a pictures of the items, particularly the item being highlighted. He would also like to have an archive system to log key items. To separate these key items from regular items, DerVVulfman suggested the use of an item grouping script. And along with that, he posted a text-drawn mockup of the Item window while stating how the Item Window and picture feature may not be so hard to accomplish.

The week before last, Akoo posted a Request for a Menu Script, having posted a screenshot of what he would like. MechanicalPen was curious if he wanted the menu's Scene mechanics, or just the window menu code. After Akoo's response asking for leader, profiles, help and option systems, MechanicalPen supplied a link to an options system.

And while he normally answers requests, MechanicalPen had an RPGMaker XP script request of his own when he wondered about creating Tiles or Events that are only Player Passable and not passable by other events.

DuongCool discovered that RPGMaker VXAce used a different method for animations than it's predecessors and wondered if anyone could Convert RPGMaker VXAce Animations for RPGMaker XP.

Wanting everyone to know that he wasn't dead, Daylights posted a blue-eyed Cutie (spelled cuty in the filename) within his Artwork and Pixelart topic, though he kept it within a spoiler as he felt it was for 18+ audiences.

Myownfriend christened our new Filmography section with a Fallout Fan film that he and his frends had made. The Wasteland State is a live action drama that had received nearly 1,400 views prior to its arrival here. Due to some subject material, Myownfriend had given it a rating for users 18 years or older.

It didn't take long for another thread to make its way through, let alone another based on Fallout. But this time, Fallout: Raven Company turns out to be an animated series, each episode around 5 minutes in length and done with a minecraft-like system that was animated by swickster himself. Comedy, explicit language, violence and gunplay arise with his two episodes, The Contract and Rise of Ghost, so it too was rated for users 17 years or older.

Narzew wondered if the Shoutbox could Auto-Refresh after 20 seconds so new content would show while asking if a refresh button could be added. DerVVulfman replied back that the shoutbox was pre-made and a refresh button isn't available. However, he made mention that the system was already set for a 30 second refresh. Posting simultaneously, MetalRenard concurred with DerVVulfman about the shoutbox's refresh setting. Satisfied as he was, Narzew said it was fine to close the topic. Sure enough, the topic was closed. But that didn't stop the three administrators to show off that they can post in already-closed threads.

There weren't that many birthdays this week. However, that meant that renekokkie had all the birthday cake to himself. In the meantime, both Lupinos and curiositycoreshared the same birthday and shared their own icing covered slabs.

Ever wonder What's on the mind of your fellow members? Well, MetalRenard saw that some guys began a Kickstart program and offered their $200 Graphics Pack for free to anyone making a pledge of $75, and felt it was news worthy to share. Kasperkalamity is feeling the ill effects of having done some strenuous activities in his youth, now encountering some hip problems he hadn't expected to show for at least a decade more. DerVVulfman made mention he had some back problems which he attributed to having a poor chair and equally poor sitting posture. And a few years ago, MetalRenard discovered that he knocked his kneecap out of position after suffering a bicycle accident with a tree. Meanwhile, Zackwell recounted how a family member of his broke her wrist when she was nine over 30 years ago. Changing the train of thought, we find yamina-chan having technical problems once again as she's discovered her firefox browser has decided to close by itself at 4:55pm without fail. And Charlie Fleed had finished playing a Squaresoft classic, Final Fantasy, though it was for the PSX and was thankful that there was a turbo button on his emulator. Next on his journey through classic RPG games has been set for ChronoTrigger.

Are you trying to catch up with your fellow game makers? Do you want to know What's up with your RPG Game Making Members in the community? If you're skilled in pixelwork, maybe you would want to contact KasperKalamity who admits to having problems drawing one of his charactersets, and may need a tiny bit of assistance as he hadn't had much luck when he revisits or redraws the same character. MechanicalPen was curious why he would need to do that, and suggested drawing just the pieces that changed. But KasperKalamity related it involved the characterset animation of a monster while having only a rudimentary understanding of animations. Though he displayed his enemy's current characterset, he pointed out that he never even planned for the enemy to have anything other than a battler graphic. Meanwhile, MechanicalPen has been contemplating how to make the Defend action actually useful, reworking the game system's battle formula while tweaking both the Dexterity and Agility statistics.

A new youtube video had entered our Maps and Screenshots thread as Charlie Fleed has a new breakthrough with his Hartacon system. Within the video, you can see his first original animated character in action, and it includes attacks both melee and magic as he casts a fire-based spell.

And speaking of our Maps and Screenshots thread, MechanicalPen saw a number of pretty maps within as he scanned through, but was concerned that a number of them contained too much clutter which he felt was something prone to RPGMaker XP. With that, he created the thread to rant about Pretty Maps with Bad Design. He brought up points about the need of minimap and player locator scripts which were made to aid the player when a map had too much visual clutter, and how the features such as Fog may further obscure the player's vision. There is that, and the number of obstacles that map designers may use that the player may come across that couldn't be discerned as impassible

Entertaining the idea of making a platform engine, MechanicalPen was curious if there were any bugs left to be dealt with in the ReGaL ( RPG Game Lab) engine, though he has thoughts about speed issues with something based on RPGMaker XP. ntzrmtthihu777 gave reply that the only bug that remains is one involving a set_alpha command that can crash the game when highlighting empty data. That, and he states it isn't in a beta stage as yet. He does state that it is currently not fast when handling graphics, but replied that it would be far faster when the graphic classes are compiled.

It has been nearly a year since anyone discussed the differences between Big Maps vs. Small Maps, but MechanicalPen felt he had to mention how the starting area in Banjo Tooie was virtually empty. However, he wanted to point out that maps can be designed wonderfully regardless of size if they have enough content to support it. He does warn, however, that the RPGMaker engine tends to encounter slow down if too many events are on any single map. But he wanted to also add that traveling distances in maps should be kept reasonably small or include plenty of landmarks to aid the player.

While simultaneously on the look for a programmer and some artists, penguwin revealed to us ELAN: Reign of Catastrophe, his endeavor that follows the story of Anare, a young boy who is warned by four elemental dieties that a doom is forthcoming. Encouraged to take the quest and with the promise that his mother may be brought back to life, Anare leaves his home in the Mountains of Tufan to protect the world's harmony while meeting friends along the way. Only recently posted, Penguwin's game had already received praise from a number of members for his art style and had later added a soundcloud link to some of his game's music score.

At the same time, GLaDOS added a credits section to The MedBay and bumped her topic.

This week, GLaDOS discovered a HUD Designer by Cidiomar R. Dias Jr, and thought it was a cool tool to share with everyone. A web-based system that generated script code for use with RPGMaker VXAce systems, MechanicalPen would love it if a similar system was made for RPGMaker XP.

Some time ago Narzew, penned an RPGMaker XP script which allowed you to Map Tileset Changer during the game. He has since updated his script, letting the game designer change the tileset with one command.

Rather than delivering an introductory thread, newcomer urbios felt like posting something he worked hard upon, the XAS Hero VS engine, a system that takes the XAS systems, combines it with Mode7, adds a dash of Moghunter's hero Select, and creates a Tekken-Style Fighting system for RPGMaker XP.

And Orochii Zouveleki made his second post since he entered the forum, it being the presentation of the Romancing SaGa Battle System, a visual combat system that utilizes Minkoff's Animated Battlers and includes screenshots of how the system will appear in-game.

Posting a game screen from Aveyond within his topic for inspiration, akoo put in a Request for a menu script for RPGMaker XP which would include options such as a configuration page, quest and party system, a re-designed list of options, and so on.

Having read DerVVulfman's reply last week on how difficult it is to make such an RPGMaker XP system, Pia Carrot was a little disappointed that Brainstorm's posted RTAB Add-On for the Fantasy Sango CBS isn't usable. But there's hope that someone may have the script somewhere and post it one day.

Meanwhile, Pia Carrot noticed that the source code for the required .exe file used by Neo-Bahamut's Always-On-Top system for RPGMaker XP was also in his post at HBGames, and now posted in the request thread.. Unfortunately, Pia Carrot is unable to compile it for it to work.

And Raphael RPG Games was looking to see if anyone could help him with a merger between Minkoff's Animated Battlers, Paradog's ATB and a TBS system, offering an explanation and a screenshot of what he had in mind. Utilizing the AT (attack timer) system, he would like it so battlers would empty their bars down 50% if they can move or use an item, or the bars are fully emptied if it performs an attack or skill. DerVVulfman appeared unsure about the request and wanted to make sure it was a merge between a Tactical system with the use of a system's AT bars. However, he did mention that he had a system similar to ParaDog's ATB that offered the bar-emptying feature that Raphael RPG Games suggested. However, Raphael RPG Games rendered some mockups of how he would like the battlesystem to be played on a map grid system where the actors move about in a tactical environment, and then use an apparent animation attack system. MechanicalPen felt he had a grasp of what Raphael RPG Games wanted as a tactical system. And DerVVulfman too replied that it appeared more as a tactical system that was desired, though one with an AT bar system and with animated attack graphics.

We didn't have that many birthdays to report this week, but there were plenty that had them. Enjoying a bit of cake near the middle of the week were lamachen, NediraGames, laroku, Cidiomar and FallenSolder. And just in time for the gazette, Areth, cleodalton, LDC Studios, Bon Ink Creations, WoohaDude and pandabear all had slices of birthday cake together.

And we are always curious about our members and want to know What's on your Mind. Hey, we're damn nosey that way. MetalRenard, for example, had been feeling a bit disheartened about the future, but found and posted a youtube link to Michio Kaku's talk on possible our future as a people. But buprettyinpink has to remember not to kill her hubby so he has a future of his own. Taylor is looking at the Ouya gaming console and hoping for compatability with RPGMaker VXAce, though MetalRenard hoped to nudge the guys making their replacement Ruby system in the forum to make thier system compatible with Ouya. DerVVulfman made a little joke but mentioned that crossplatforming was one of the plans. But DerVVulfman didn't look to have planned the responce as he felt that his business and co-workers felt a sense of relief once someone quit, someone that had a troll-like attitude. After a bout of RSI (Repetitive strain injuries), not only had MetalRenard begun a road to recovery, but had another reason to celebrate as he achieved a high score when he received his Bachelor's Degree in Arts. Schoowise, yamina-chan cheered MetalRenard on, but she only just realized that her own schooling had two months left and hopes her English skills will counterbalance her skills in mathematics.

buprettyinpink only just noticed that there was a Save-Point.org Skype Room, and posted what she thought was her Skype nick as her Skype was always open.

Have you ever joined a forum and wondered What's on the mind of your fellow members? While bored at work, he spent some time surfing and found a wikipedia page about RPGMaker and the mention of the the Russian translator of RPGMaker 2000 which got him thinking about how the translator said he had permission. He found a quote from Don Miguel, who said he never pirated it and talked a little more about how he thought that there wouldn't be a community if it wasn't for his efforts. But DerVVulfman wasn't the only one to remember Don Miguel, but so too did yamina-chan who had his original demo. Meanwhile, she's on the search for a solution to of a strange bug in her demo, with no ideas on how to fix it.

After ntzrmtthihu777 had spent so much time onto the new RPG Making system, it has begun to look quite ReGal as he made headway after he deciphered the map system itself and posted the RGSS code. However, there is still a bug with the Items screen to contend with though some more headway had been made. Meanwhile, DerVVulfman came in and praised ntzrmtthihu777 for the hard work for creating a system that is currently using the default RMXP scripts. He also made mention that Kain Nobel supplied a basis for edits to the scripts system and that the end project may have a manual for those who may wish to tinker with the scripts. In the meantime, DerVVulfman also stated he was working on a revision to the message window, returning face sets, adding a name window option, and more. Seeing that changes were being made, MechanicalPen was wondering why the default scripts had to be altered or a more expanded message system was desired. He believed that only those dissatisfied with the default scripts would be interested in the changes. And while ntzrmtthihu777 replied that sites such as ours wouldn't be around if people were satisfied with the code, MechanicalPen retorted that the default code was one of the draws. But he was also curious who the target audience was, to which DerVVulfman replied with a wide range of examples. At the same time, he suggested that he wanted to return features that were available in previous RPGMaker engines, and that the system being designed had to come with its own set of resources and default scripts as it couldn't use Enterbrain's property. The reply appeared to ease MechanicalPen's reply as he sees that DerVVulfman had a hand with the RGSS code. However, DerVVulfman noted that it would be more correct to assume it was using pure Ruby code. And while saying that, he also expressed that ntzrmtthihu777 had a successful trial run making a Windows program with his Linux system. It was followed up later by Kore who revealed that there are plans so the new system would be able to expand, something of a core system with expanding modules to suit the user's needs. He later returned to announce the official release name of the syste, RGL (pronounced Regal) which is short for RPG Game Lab. It will use the RegalScripting system, a Ruby scripting system in the same way that the current RPGMaker series uses RGSS.

While BlackCatSG got some support last week while wanting to center the character frames in his characterset, buprettyinpink explained a technique she uses for charactersets of various frames and frame width & heights.

New member lilcooldude69 came in this week and needed some help with an RPGMaker VXAce Transformation Script written by Fomar0153. The system was initially designed to change the actor's class based on a status effect/state they've been inflicted, but inquired as he had attempted to make the characters also change in appearance. lilcooldude69 posted his code as well as Fomar0153's original script, but is unsure because he is also using Yanfly's Battlesystem as well.

To assist MechanicalPen in tracking down the problem in the Combo Attacks Script that JackMonty is using, he uploaded a demo for examination. MechanicalPen was elated that he found the problem and gave JackMonty a brief walkthrough in how he determined what was causing the bug as well as mentioning how they both were thinking the same thing in relation to the problem. But MechanicalPen also noted that a similar bug appeared when the player selected a target. JackMonty was curious about it and wanted to make sure he understood clearly. But MechanicalPen told him to give targetting an enemy a try, and sure enough the values changed. After such work and explanations, JackMonty thanked him and said he'd try to see if he could make it deselect the EP values there.

Pia Carrot is on the lookout for an RTAB add-on for the Fantasy Sango CBS, a highly visual battlesystem written by a vietnamese user of RPGMaker XP. The problem is that the only site she knew that had the add-on was at HBGames.Org, but it has been some time and the demo is gone and a conversion from one forum software to another damaged what ws posted of the script itself. She posted a link to RPGRevolution where she found the Fantasy Sango battlesystem and was curious if anyone knew enough to code a compatible RTAB system if it came down to it. She was also curious if Charlie Fleed's Individual Commands script would be compatible. After the request was bumped, DerVVulfman

Meanwhile, Pia Carrot was also curious if Anyone had a copy of Neo-Bahamut's AOT, a script that forces the game window to remain on top of others and remain active. This had the benefit that the game wouldn't pause and all music and effects played through properly. It has been some time since the thread at HBGames was posted and the demo had vanished as it was formerly available at the now-defunct MegaUpload filesharing site.

Meanwhile, swickster encountered problems with Visual Equipment scripts while trying to find one that worked with the Lycan ABS by DerVVulfman as he hadn't found any that worked. He even attempted to event a suitable system. DerVVulfman gave a brief history on why the Visual Equipment scripts were known by that name and used a wiki link to reveal that it is also known as a Paperdoll system. And with that, he suggested that swickster should try his Paperdoll demo. Swickster tried to use the Paperdoll system for MrMo's ABS, but DerVVulfman told him to use the paperdoll demo specific for the Lycan ABS as the Paperdoll script for MrMo's ABS wouldn't work.

The discussion on the use of copyrighted material went on in DuongCool's Snow Forests topic as Taylor recognizes that many fangames use ripped resources but notes that only a fool would try to make a commercial product with resources that haven't been paid for or permission granted. And agreeing with him on that matter was yamina-chan who replied that some companies don't worry so much about free games, but others do. She has a fangame of her own that no one has seen, but would like to ask permission for the use of resources when she's ready. But she's ready to accept the decision of the company who owns the rights if they deny her, and will only share it with her two best friends if it comes down to it.