I'm having such a hard time with RPG Maker 3, I'm almost burnt out on it.


I want to make something really good for my friend Shawn, but I'm just SO lost at what I'm doing. I wanted to make this really long story where he's a Ninja with a female side kick and I'm a Giant Frog Spirit that helps him and he has to rescue a Princess from the Dark God Sugi.


It's just really complicated for me, so I was thinking maybe I should start smaller with something that isn't quite as long.


I thought about making a story about a Human Girl who enters a world called Rainbow Skys where Animals talk and people have weird colored skin except the Dwarves and Elves.

She ends up befriending a talking dog and an Elf Prince and Amazon. She has to save Rainbow Skies from the 3 Dragon Kings that threaten to Dictate the land.



So anyways should I start over with the shorter and more simple idea?

I don't know. Most people don't finish their first game, but most people don't finish anything if they don't finish their first game either. I'd say keep working on the long game. Perhaps you could track your progress to give yourself a sense of accomplishment. There's nothing like marking a line through an item on a list to keep you motivated.

What are you having trouble with: fields, towns, events, stroytellers, battles, etc.?

There is a lot of precreated items like fields, monsters, etc.

I would say that if your story is important use sample classes, monsters, etc. but if you battles are important use sample fields, but if your fields are important try use a simple story, etc.

Obviously if they are all important then do them all from scratch and give it time.

Having said all that, I think the best thing to do honestly is have a big game and a small game. That way you can complete small games and learn the software while simultaneously modifying and completing your big game.

Don't give up hope on your big game.

So your saying I should do both a small game and big game? I should use the small game for practise?

Thank you.

I should try using some samples, especially for the items, but the rest I like to make on my own.

Yeah, that is what I'm doing. I started my big game first, just finished a small game, and have a lot of ideas how to modify my big game. I don't regret starting the big game as I am still keeping much of it, but also because when making my small game, I would often think, "oooh, I can do this instead" and it is a great way to make the big game in my mind. If I never started the big game, I'd never have these exciting moments.

I also prefer to make things from scratch, but I totally respect using sample data for anyone who chooses to.

My first game was the upcoming Usuru. Basically, I toughened up and decided to go all or nothing: I was going to learn how it worked with a good amount of motivation behind me. It worked out in the end, because I am nearly finished with the title.

So, go out with a killer project and force yourself to learn it.

The sample classes and monsters are a bit tricky to use, since the classes seem to be pretty badly off balance, and the monsters are built to be encountered in a particular order without leveling them up.

If you want to start small I'd say start REALLY small. One town, one field, and only 2 or 3 short dungeons. Don't make leveling a big priority (I'd almost say don't even bother with XP).

Don't be afraid to play around with the system while you're doing your big game, and if you're hopelessly lost even after putting quite a few hours into your game you can always ask for help here or at the Pavilion, or even download some games, play them, and take a look at how other people made their games.

Is there something specific you're struggling with, like modes and variables?

I agree with tjoris9. If the game is frustrating you, just do a tiny story with a few storytellers, some NPCs, some battles and a couple of different areas. Don't erase your big game though. After you get your feet wet a bit, you can continue with a better grasp on things.

If it helps, here's a link to a variable sample event:
http://www.rpgmmag.com/rpgm3/faqs/varia ... sample.zip

Also, here's a link to a sample event using modes:
http://www.rpgmmag.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1868

what kind of genre is this game of yours?

Yep, that's a good way of learning RPGM3. You can also mess around with the sample game that's already there. Since it's already finished you can browse around how to make an event by reading the event that's already done.

Just mess around with it first and you should get the hang of it ^^