When RPG Maker 2 first was released, many people experimented with the engine, breaking the limitations. I can remember building my first game with it and it was a good experience. But I'm not here to talk about me, I'm here to talk about Dave Carter, creator of the famous killer app for RPG Maker 2, SD Paradise.

This wonderful game features a jumping system.

We managed to track down Dave Carter and give him the hard hitting questions.

Dave Carter(DC): Hey, it's Dave!

lunacaross(TG): Hey

DC: What's up?

TG: Nothing, just was waiting to interview you.

DC: Heh.

DC: Is this for the next issue of the mag?

TG: Yes.

DC:

TG: So, how did you some up with SD Paradise?

DC: Well, I wanted to attempt to make a 3D platformer with RPG Maker 2, and it's always easy to make a tropical setting as far as beautiful scenery with a 3D engine. So, I just put 2 and 2 together. Plus, I have an obsession with cute Japanese games and animal characters, so the bear seamed to be the perfect fit. I wrote a story and set out to work.

TG: It was a great demo, I enjoyed it.

DC: Thank you very much. I'm actually very sorry that I don't have time to do more with it, but I will someday. I really tried to make a damn good story. People still regard it as the killer app. for RPG Maker 2. So I'm still proud of that. It's unique.

TG: It was a killer app at the time. So what games are you planning on making next?

DC: Right now, I'm focusing on various experiments with RPG Maker XP. Skeeterman is my current project. But everyone knows that I'm very notorious for just spontaneously starting up something new because a great idea popped into my head.

TG: That's good to hear

DC: also, I made "sprite chaser 2" for RPG Maker 2003

DC: it was a project that never really saw the light of day. But the demo does exist.

DC: I plan on releasing it in some form soon. It was made in the spring/summer.

TG: I can't wait so tell me was it hard to come up with a jumping system?

DC: in general? Or in RPG Maker 2?

TG: RPG Maker 2

DC: very very hard!!! LOL. It took many weeks to perfect it. Basically, I take a building block and cover it with the transparent "color" and couple that with the real ground the character has to walk on. it's not perfect, in fact it's downright amateur, lol. But it gets the job done. Every single jumping destination is its own separate program, so it's all premeditated and linear. It's very tough.

TG: Wow that's awesome, I was wondering how you did that. Well I would like to say thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to have an interview.

DC: that's it? lol

TG: Lol. Yeah I would love to talk about your games more

DC: Oh, let me add one for thing about jumping engines:

DC: every RPG Maker engine has a "slip through" type script that allows the character to say "walk through walls" or some thing of that nature. so I use that every time the character jumps, so it gives the illusion of "catching air" when in reality, the character is just changing animations and "ghosting" up 3 spaces up then to the left.

TG: Really? I never knew that.

DC: yup. Nano-bot is a perfect example of that.

DC: that little robot is not really jumping, he's just constantly changing animation as I make him walk through invisible walls that lead him to his destination.

DC: thank you very much for having me. It's always great that people think of me and my work. Even 2 year games like SD Paradise. I love RPG Maker Magazine. IX, is great and has always been a huge supporter of me. Great staff too. If I wasn't an old fart with money to earn then I'd do a lot more for the site.

DC: 2 year "old" games I meant to say

TG: lol Well I'll be playing your games every time they are released It was a pleasure having you

DC: thank you

TG: You're welcome

DC: what's your name on the mag site?

TG: taizongames

TG: ohhh cool. Have you released anything?

TG: a couple of games for rm2

TG: no shiz? I'll play them! What are they

TG: Dragon Knight2: the Macerean War(It's a full game demo so I have to finish it this November), Dragon Knigt3: The Taizonian Revolution(features the limit break script system), and Legend of Zelda: The Demonic Tribe

DC: wow, ok. I'll fire up the ol' max drive this weekend!!!


TG: Great!

DC: thanks for your time! I'll give you some good feedback on your games

TG: Ok thanks

DC: laters

TG: later

Well once I played SD Paradise I was amazed how he came up with the jumping engine and the island looks so good.

Now, its been said that "every rpg maker engine has a "slip through" type script that allows the character to say "walk through walls" or some thing of that nature. So i use that everytime the character jumps, so it gives the illusion of "catching air" when in reality, the charcter is just changing animations and "ghosting" up 3 spaces up then to the left." This is a suprised to me, but I guess every game has its secrets lol.

Overall, I love the jumping engine and scenery I hope Dave Carter has enough time in the future to finish this great game.