So, apparently RMMV is coming out October 23, same day as GW2.  I’d like to say that I’m torn, but it’s pretty clear I’ll be spending most of my time on RMMV.  I’m already making preparations to convert VGL from VX Ace to RMMV.

Not just that – I’ve decided I’m going to be using RMMV to continue .hack//Proximity.  Why?  Well, I do know it’s possible to make visual novels using RPG Maker, but ultimately, it’s a lot of things.  I’m just very, VERY familiar with the ins and outs of RPG Maker, and Novelty simply isn’t getting all that much support.  Now, there were quite a few things I could do with Novelty that just aren’t as easy to do with RPG Maker – namely, it was easy to make custom windows.  But Novelty also had a tendency to crash on me, and I find it very hard to get back into it since there are a lot of variables I need to remember and juggle around.  Basically, RPG Maker is just much easier for me to work with overall, even if it’s not as easy to customize.

Regarding VG Lucia, I’ve been steadily working on replacing all materials that I don’t have rights to so, if I ever decide to, I have the option to release it commercially.  Personally, I think I’d be fine with just hosting it for free on this blog… but it would be nice to have the option available.

There are two things I’m looking forward to with MV: #1 is the return of side view battles.  #2 is the awesome character generator, which includes side view battlers.  This means I may have to say goodbye to my old 2k3 battlers, but they were a pain to edit, almost impossible to generate decent new character models of, and are just one more material I don’t have rights to.

With the return of side view battles, I no longer have to rely on scripts just to enable the mode.  Just the fact that I can do so much without having a single script is awesome.  Now, that’s not to say I won’t need scripts: I came up with an awesome battle system and skill development system that will almost assuredly require plugins.  I probably won’t be able to use it as I envisioned it, but if I do manage to pull it off… ha ha, if I can do that, it may just be worth it to release a commercial version.

So yeah, it’ll be hard to contain my hype through the rest of this week, but I’ll try my best.  In the meantime, I’m still working on playing a lot of catchup, plus I do need to pick up Ruin Explorers again.  I’m in the process of trying to get a job with better hours, though.  If I get hired, I’ll have enough money to buy me a second copy of the tankoubon and a copy of the Special Plus.  If I can get a copy of the Special Plus, that means better-quality scans and, potentially, better translations (just because I’m better able to MAKE OUT the original text).  So I may just put that off until next month.