RPG Maker 2003 English Release

[Ellie]

Seems we missed this. For the first time ever, RPG Maker 2003 has been given an official English release - it's £14.99 on Steam!

For the first time ever, RPG Maker 2003 is officially available in English! This legendary game development engine is both highly affordable and easy to use, and it remains one of the most popular RPG Maker installments to date. It is the first engine in the series to employ a sideview battle system similar to the classic RPGs of the early-to-mid 90s. If you have always wanted to create a retro RPG with a third-person battle system, or simply are looking for an affordable but reliable game creation engine, then RPG Maker 2003 is for you!

 

[Spoo]

I wonder why EB decided to release it now of all times? At this point, I'd say VXA functionality trumps 2k3. Though I did like using both of them.

 

[Ellie]

They gave VX Ace away on the Humble Bundle, so their business model at the moment is based on getting you to buy other stuff, DLC and such. It seems to be working. But releasing old engines is part of that, and apparently the console makers and such might be coming too.

 

[rey meustrus]

As I recall the music in 2k3 was AMAZING. Way better than any other RPG Maker music. And there was so much of it! For that matter there were a lot of great battler graphics too. I wonder if you can use those in other RPG Maker games or even non-RPG Maker games?

 

[Ellie]

I think so. They let you with xp. I'd buy it just for that (but I'm buying it anyway). Not non rm though. I've asked many times and got an emphatic no.

 

[Jason]

As much as I liked 2003, I've grown too accustomed to VXA to go back... the only thing I wish VXA, or any maker after 2003, would have done, was keep the sideview battle system... but I generally never consider adding battles except for filler anyway, so it's never really bothered me that much if at all (... Enough to make this post though, right?)

I suppose it's nice to see an OFFICIAL English release though, but don't think I'll be buying it... might do if it's on a Steam sale for less than a fiver or something, lol.

 

[Ellie]

Welp, bought 2k3.

 

[Jason]

Have they added anything or made any big changes, or is it quite literally just a straight up translation?

 

[Ellie]

I think it's a straight translation, plus a new splash by the looks of it, but it's been so long since I've used it that I'm not really sure.

 

[rey meustrus]

You need a pirated version to compare? Heh, probably the best reason to not pirate 2k3 is that there were half a dozen different pirated versions that translated file names differently. The first copy I had the RTP didn't even match the program so most of the default monsters, battlers, and animations were pointing at the wrong file names. And God help you if you tried distributing a game to people with other RTPs.

 

[Ellie]

Plus there was the extended RTP that had random characters thrown in, some with penises.

 

[arev]

Following the "why now?" question - has anyone here noticed the timeline in the trailer? There's a mark pointing at somewhere around June/July this year and it's labeled "RPG Maker" something... Conveniently cut off by the screen edge.

Spoiler

Reposting from another forum:

Even though I'm done with RPG Makers personally, I'm still a bit hyped to see what will they come up with.

 

[coyotecraft]

I've heard people joke about current Jrpg trends. With Gust and Compile Heart developing the bulk of it these days. We'll probably end up with something like Rpg Maker MOE. With a harem of pretty girls to choose from. Challenge your friends to waifu wars. Enjoy a resource library full of cute slimes and chibi dinosaurs.

 

[Jason]

It'll be interesting to see if they do in fact release something this year and what it might be and do in terms of improvements and such... might even make me start working on things again... maybe.

 

[Ellie]

2000 has been released too!