Let's Make a Game: Part 1

Creating the World.

Let's Make a Game using RPG Maker MV

Last week, our first post featured some aspiring words to encourage ourselves to complete our projects. This week we are going to dive into our first indie project using RPG Maker.

If you are completely new to the engine, I am using the most recent version, MV 1.6.2. Check out Xyphien Forums if you are looking for a good forum to join on the subject. Don't forget to create an account to leave a comment about this post or if you have suggestions for future content.

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Welcome to RPG Maker MV!

You've started a brand new project and are welcomed by your first character on a plain grassy field. However, role playing isn't much fun without some adventure. So let add some to the scene!

We will begin by creating a basic world map. Start by editing the Map Properties.

Pressing the Space Bar opens the Map Properties. I created a map with a width and height of 22 tiles. Do the math, each tile is a square 48 pixels, that means the map size if 1,056x1056 pixels!

No need to worry about the additional settings for now, we will cover more advanced features in the next part of the series.

The first map should automatically default to the "Overworld" tileset and that is perfect for creating our first world map. If you can recall classic JRPG's, many of them featured some sort of world map for characters to explore. This engine is built with that same design in mind, and makes it perfect for simple story telling with action elements.

For the purpose of getting started, I utilized the "Load" option to use pre-built maps from the editor itself. After some consideration, I decided on creating a small desert land with a mining city and entrance to a lava cave.

A world map simply needs to set the stage.

Creating the perfect map doesn't need to be priority. We are simply setting the scene for our players. Many of the finer details can be worked out in the polishing stages of the project.

My method for RPG Maker is always to create the maps you need first. That way all we do is link them together when needed in the story.

Now that we have our setting for our adventure and our maps connected, our next post we will create and add our characters!

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