A question about RPG Maker's EULA

[Brickman]

I'm considering buying a copy of either RPG Maker XP or VX, but am trying to make sure I know what I'm doing before I spend the $50. My gut instinct is to go for VX, since it's the latest version and comparisons I've read of the two tend to describe it as more user-friendly, but there's one thing I'm worried about. I could not bring myself to ever use the RTP for VX (or custom stuff which matches it in style). I just can't picture those cartoony sprites being used for anything dramatic, while I think the XP ones had a very good style. Glancing around sites with sprite downloads I've already filled a folder with things I might want to use with the XP style but almost none in VX's style. So I need to know: if I were to buy RPG Maker VX, would my license allow me to use items from the RPG Maker XP RTP (and things frankensteined off of it)?

I'm suspecting the answer is no, in which case this very well might make the decision of versions for me (assuming that somebody out there is going to care about these legal issues enough to notice, which for all I know is a false assumption). And yes, I'm well aware of the fact that even if I'm allowed to not using the RTP for the version I bought would increase my filesize; I'd still rather have XP style sprites.

 

[coyotecraft]

You can download both RTPs for free from enterbrains website. The license agreements don't specifically say you can use them in other rpg maker programs. I'd like to say that VX is just a newer version of XP and technically it's the same program, but I don't know.
Honestly, if you're not selling your game then don't worry about it.

 

[Glitchfinder]

Actually, VX's EULA makes an allowance for the use of the XP RTP. Problems arise when it comes to mapping, however. Specifically, it will be very difficult to use the XP tilesets in VX, and, if you manage to do so, you can't use even half of them without resorting to scripts.

 

[DeM0nFiRe]

Actually, VX's EULA makes an allowance for the use of the XP RTP. Problems arise when it comes to mapping, however. Specifically, it will be very difficult to use the XP tilesets in VX, and, if you manage to do so, you can't use even half of them without resorting to scripts.

Are you talking about the EULA on This Page? That is not them making an allowance, that is Enterbrain failing and doing a direct copypaste of the RMXP RTP license and forgetting to change it to VX. What it technically means is that the RMVX RTP is unlicensed and you cannot redistribute it ever :p However, it also technically means that you can use the RMXP RTP with RMBX.

In actuality, the RMVX license means nothing, if you want to know if you can use the RMXP RTP, you need to look at the RMXP RTP license. With contracts and licenses, it is the intent that matters more than anything, and so if the intent is clear then a court would use the intent of the license. Obviously, they intended to license the RMVX RTP on the same page as the RMVX RTP. If you look at the RMXP RTP license, it says that it can be distributed by an RPG Maker XP User who has completed the proper license registration. I am obviously not a lawyer, but it seems to me like as long as you buy RMXP you can use the RMXP RTP outside of RMXP. However, if you did not buy RMXP then you can definitely not use it outside RMXP.

 

[Jason]

Well you can use resources from one in the other (XP -> VX, VX -> XP), however, I think, as DeM0nFiRe has said, that you have to OWN RMXP before you use it's resources elsewhere.

Although to be honest, if I were you (This is entirely my opinion), I'd go with RMXP anyways, I mean, you seem like a guy who'll be needing resources, correct ? Then there's a bigger collection of XP sprites/tilesets (In my experience) on the internet that VX, and if you want to use XP's style on VX, you can only use the characters, cause the tilesets are laid out differently, unless, as said before, you can find a script to combat this (Can't say I've seen any though)

But afterall, it's all down to YOUR preference, so do as you wish, heh.

 

[Brickman]

Thanks for the info, everyone. It sounds like XP is the way to go; I'll probably find more useful scripts, guides and resources for it anyways, since it's been out much longer.

I do find it funny that they forgot to change the program name when they copy-pasted their EULA. It might be funny sometime to do a quick search of the VX EULA to see where else they refer to the wrong program.