Choosing an RPG Maker - from 2003 to MV

If you're new to RPG Maker and aren't sure which version to get, this video might be able to help you out a bit. In this video, I point out a few differences that may impact your decision on purchasing a version of RPG Maker. Best of luck!

Thumbnail by Lisa Ann

[TeamUnpro]

I also forgot to mention RPG Maker XP's tileset system can have images as tall as you want so you can have an insane amount of tiles in 1 tileset.

[evilkingstanley]

I see a number of people saying they don't like MV because of the art style of the default graphics. That's like saying you don't like a car because of the air freshener in it. Just replace it and move on. There is a huge community providing all kinds and styles of graphics and sprites to suit any need you have, and you can always just make your own. The company that makes the program even has a $10 package sold for it that gives you HD versions of the graphics from RPG Maker 2000.

[seacliff]

2k/3 - Old but gold.
XP - Black sheep, but impressive for its time.
VX - BWA HA HA HA HA!... no.
VX Ace - Talk about taking nothing and making it something. Best one, IMO. It can't do everything MV can, but is a lot more snappier with inputs.
MV - Still great, but the move to Javascript was two steps forward and one step back. The engine is literally a web browser, which can cause a lot of delays when displaying resources and lags on weaker hardware.

[TheSavageBountyHunter]

RPG maker XP was the engine used for my favorite indie game of all time.
"Finding Paradise"
Good game
Great story line
Unique game play
Beautiful music

[bruhvenant]

2K3 - beautiful and nostalgic graphical style, powerful eventing system. A lot of the classic RPG Maker games were made with as well and many still swear by it, I’ve never used it extensively myself but I feel like it must’ve done something really right to garner such dedication. It’s kinda like the Smash Bros Melee of the RM community lol.

XP - was great to use as a kid, the simplicity of it made it very useful for learning. Mapping system was great, and the tall sprites are easily the best looking of the series. Also has my favorite RPGM game (Master of the Wind)

VX Ace - my favorite and the one I still use. It combines great visuals with technical power to give the full package. Massive amount of resources and scripts available to suit your every need.

MV - in many ways feels like a modernized Ace, but I think it looks ugly and it runs a lot worse than the others (I have a gaming PC so I don’t really feel it, but I definitely noticed when I tested it on my laptop, and I figure a lot of people playing RPGM games don’t have great systems, so it’s a concern). Despite that I’d say it’s by far the most beginner friendly, especially with the added ease of plugins over scripts, so I’d recommend it to newbies.

MZ - basically MV 1.5 HD Remix. Better (and far more complex) animations, integrated ATB system, and map layers brought back. That’s pretty much it. Not worth the price tag in my opinion, but at least most of your MV assets will carry forward.

[PercyPanleo]

Fun fact: I own all of these! How I got them (In the order I got them): Rpg Maker XP: Gift, Rpg Maker VX Ace: Gift from a few months later, Rpg Maker 2k3: I bought myself, Rpg Maker MV: I also bought myself (Almost a year later!).

[Weather-more]

How is everyone complaining about MV being hard? I never had any other rpg maker and I figured it out in no time. If there were only more selfswitches I could use. A-D isn't enough.

[hatsymeek]

oh mY GOD YOU MENTIONED ARA FELL. THAT'S SUCH A COOL GAME!! I try to make games here and there using MV and Ara Fell is such an inspiration, mainly because it was made in RPG Maker 2003 (which is undoubtedly harder to work with because it doesn't have the "crutches" that MV does, to my knowledge.) So not only is it good in general, but it's really good for a game made in RPG Maker 2003.

[melodicnostalgic]

Story of my Life :


With XP : Hmm.. This is Simple, Just need to figure out "How to do Maps"
Never made a Game.


With VX Ace : Hmm.. This is Easy, Just need to figure out "How to add a Good Battle System"
Made some 2 Games but weren't so impressive.


With MV : Hmm.. This is Complex, If only I could finish my Game with all these Extra Options.
Still Making a Game since 2 Years..

[companyoflosers]

they need to make an rpg maker than allows somewhat 3d environments like in pokemon for 3ds. i know its not all REALLY 3d, but if it allowed for 3d-ish assets, that'd be great! oh and 8 directional movement as an option without a script and options for other rpg types. action rpg mode needs to be available as an option by default for example, but in reality you have to implement a load of scripts and changes to the fundamentals of the engine before you can get it working like that. would save a TON of time if they just did that for us. id even pay extra for them.

[MechanizedAngelz]

"Abomination" and, "wtf is this" made me chuckle.

[orangepeel]

Another good thing you should mention- they get a lot more expensive as it goes on

[toadsonytwo]

I just bought 2003 a week ago for 3.99 on steam. I like it alot. Then I bought mv for 19.99 on steam. I haven't used it much. Still haven't figured out how to upload new tile sets and sprites.

[causeRukKus]

As someone who mucked about with the first RPG maker in High School (a time ago) I decided out of nostalgia sake to research if RPG Mucker is still around. I was extremely excited to see the MV version. Especially since I've become a Javascript developer since then. (The Ruby coding had scared me as a kid.) I want to thank you so much for this video which is helping me decide which one to get. Now, I'm NOT a designer and it always sucked using RTP graphics - I felt like I was just copying everything else that existed out there, and I think that's what prevented me from finishing my games (the largest I had put over two hundred hours into). But MV seems so customizable that I could achieve a unique-feel using their RTP set. I just might have to pick this up and finally create the game of my dreams :-) Thanks for the video, it was awesome.

[estahbear]

RPG Maker 2003 and MV have always been my favorites. So easy and flexible!

[aguywithrandomconvictions]

Anything with the word "Java" in it is powerful. Nah, I'm just traumatized.

[KururuJi]

MV is my favorite, as somebody who began with 2k. Mostly for the deployment options.

[kanatahiba]

At first I used (pirated) XP for around 3 months, then I bought VX Ace. Kinda need some adjusting because of the layer system, but after some time I managed to get the hang of it. After making lotsa games in VX Ace for years, I tried MV and I think it's too much for me ._.
When I was using vx ace, I usually use customized, 2x2 px graphics. Now I'm overwhelmed by the large res and the big files from RmMv. I hope I can get the hang of it! Maybe because I'm too accustomed to VXAce, I still think VXAce is better MV.

[MarcinKralka]

Just bought RPG Maker 2003 because I've spent a bit of my childhood on this program :D

[SquareoftheLightOnes]

I REALLY wish they didn't keep increasing the tile size though. When I use VX Ace, I can't just plop down a 16x16 tile wholecloth. I have to bring it's three sibling tiles along with it, or in the case of MV, it's three siblings, mom and dad, grandma and grandpa, and the creepy uncle. The average person wouldn't think twice about this, but whenever I see a tile in my tilesheet being used two or more times I can't help but think "I sure wish I could just use the first tile and have the empty space be used for something else instead."