Christmas hiatus

Hi all!

The Sparrow's Nest Games blog will be on hiatus over the Christmas season~

I'm hoping to come back from 15 January :D

I hope you have a restful and joyful season.

Freebie Friday 15: Uniforms 2

Some more uniforms - similar to last week's but with shoulder epaulettes.

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Terms of Use:

• (C) Enterbrain
• Free for use in RPG Maker VX Ace, or in other RPG Maker versions provided you own RPG Maker VX Ace as well, for both non-commercial and commercial. 
• Please don't redistribute or claim edits as your own.
• Credit not required when using in a game, but appreciated (Sarah_yt)

Doodads: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ddPFTqNHrz5vZBVVxCBWNMfIWlvM26F1

Check This! Thursday 12: Bokou's resources

If there's one set of resources I'd love to see more of for RPG Maker, it's steampunk! ^_^

Bokou over in the RPG Maker Forums has released some free steampunk items. I also quite like their gothic set - the creepy eyes peering through the cracks in particular.

https://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?threads/bokous-freesources-added-gothic-tileset.48613/

Technical Tuesday 14: Journals

Time for something different - and kind of appropriate as we approach the end of the year.

When playing a game, I like having the ability to refer to a database of lore and other information that gets updated as you progress in the story. So I was super happy to find this 'how to make a journal' tutorial on the RPG Maker forums made by megumi014

https://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?threads/how-to-make-a-journal.76044/

As an aside, do you normally keep a journal in real life? Why don't you go back and read through it over the end-of-year holidays? ^_^

Freebie Friday 14: Uniforms 1

Back to the military theme 😺

Uniforms based on VX Ace items~

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Terms of Use:

• (C) Enterbrain
• Free for use in RPG Maker VX Ace, or in other RPG Maker versions provided you own RPG Maker VX Ace as well, for both non-commercial and commercial. 
• Please don't redistribute or claim edits as your own.
• Credit not required when using in a game, but appreciated (Sarah_yt)

Doodads: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1dhm9qFI9UhBp54dOrQ4EE7nTo2SPeZPV

Check This! Thursday 11: Whtdragon tile edits

A few weeks ago I linked to whtdragon's MV animal characters. But whtdragon has also done some tile edits:

https://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?threads/whtdragons-tilesets-addons-fixes-and-more.60504/

Particularly have a look at the "Spiderwebs on stuff" section. Love it!

Technical Tuesday 13: Lighting effects continued

This week continues on with a similar theme to last week's technical Tuesday - lighting.

This video tutorial is made by Fallen Lorelei and is about how to set up sun beams for the overall map rather than lighting effects for an individual item:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNYQmkXiwVw

Freebie Friday 13: VX Ace dresses 2

I really like how these ones turned out!

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Terms of Use:

• (C) Enterbrain
• Free for use in RPG Maker VX Ace, or in other RPG Maker versions provided you own RPG Maker VX Ace as well, for both non-commercial and commercial. 
• Please don't redistribute or claim edits as your own.
• Credit not required when using in a game, but appreciated (Sarah_yt)

Doodads: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1aqIpBUZnwz83E5Bl6xGS6zgZ_i4i_fI4

Check This! Thursday 10: Celianna's tilesets

It's no secret I love Celianna's tilesets. She is the artist behind Ancient Dungeons: Base, Winter and Jungle packs.

She has made some of her sets available for free for non-commercial projects.

Check them out!
http://pixanna.nl/materials/celiannas-tileset/

Technical Tuesday 12: Lighting effects

It's often the small details that set the atmosphere of a map. For this reason, I love lighting and shadow effects.

This tutorial on making window lighting effects is a handy lesson!

https://rpgmaker.net/tutorials/1328/

Freebie Friday 12: VX Ace dresses

Enough armour - time for some more girly things ^_^

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Terms of Use:

• (C) Enterbrain
• Free for use in RPG Maker VX Ace, or in other RPG Maker versions provided you own RPG Maker VX Ace as well, for both non-commercial and commercial. 
• Please don't redistribute or claim edits as your own.
• Credit not required when using in a game, but appreciated (Sarah_yt)

Doodad link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lDHQG5hgcM4F-LpkIZpzE3Fwg8MXHHl7

Check This! Thursday 9: Sweetness

These were just too cute not to share. I love the doughnut and cookie tables!

https://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?threads/candras-sweet-tiles.44976/ 

Technical Tuesday 11: Effective openings

I love this post from the RPG Maker Blog:

http://blog.rpgmakerweb.com/tutorials/creating-an-effective-opening/

This quote in particular:

YOU WANT THE PLAYER DOING SOMETHING.
Unlike the opening of a book or movie, video games are games. This means interactivity. Get your player into interactivity as SOON as possible.
If I’m sitting down to play a game, I want to play a game. Now, I choose RPGs because I like story, and most RPG fans love story, too, but if that was all they wanted they would probably be reading a book.

RPG Maker games often have a bad rap. I know I've bought several, only to give them up within the first hour mainly because the story was not engaging (either in the form of bad writing or information overload).

What examples can you think of for good and bad game openings?

Special: Sprited VXA dress 1 coloured: Looseleaf style

Recolours of last weeks dress :D

Terms of Use (different to usual):

• (C) Enterbrain
• Free for use in RPG Maker VX Ace, or in other RPG Maker versions provided you own RPG Maker VX Ace as well, for both non-commercial and commercial. 
• If the item is used in a commercial game, you must provide me with a free copy when the game is publicly released. 
• Do not redistribute or claim edits as your own.
• Credit is required when using in a game (Sarah_yt)

Freebie Friday 11: More Armour VX Ace

Continuing on from last week's armour series

If you haven't already, let me know if you are interested in me trying my hand at turning these into Game Character Hub items for use on characters.


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Terms of Use:

• (C) Enterbrain
• Free for use in RPG Maker VX Ace, or in other RPG Maker versions provided you own RPG Maker VX Ace as well, for both non-commercial and commercial. 
• Please don't redistribute or claim edits as your own.
• Credit not required when using in a game, but appreciated (Sarah_yt)

Doodads link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ys2l7gjkp0oDbdq48rB1zoENUD0CUr75

Check This! Thursday 8: MV animals

Ok... time to share my favourite resource pack to date.

MV animals by whtdragon!

https://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?threads/whtdragons-animals-and-running-horses-now-with-more-dragons.53552/

I really love whtdragon's animal sprites. So many, and so good!

What will you do with these animal sprites?

Technical Tuesday 10: puzzles and switches

I love puzzles and mind quizzes, so I was quite happy to stumble across this tutorial on RPGMaker.Net

https://rpgmaker.net/tutorials/1370/

ADVANCED LIGHTS OUT PUZZLE: Make a light-switching puzzle with a single common event and some clever Javascript.

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Do you like puzzles in RPGs? What classics do you remember that made you think?

Special: Sprited VXA dress: Looseleaf style

Here's a first sprited-dress. You may recognise it as one of the dresses in the RTP Inside tiles ^_^

This is made to Looseleaf proportions - see gif - but with VX Ace's three column set-up.

If you want to have four columns rather than the standard three, copy the second column (standing still) to an extra column at the front. So it will be:
Column 1: stand
Column 2: step
Column 3: stand
Column 4: step

Terms of Use (different to usual):

• (C) Enterbrain
• Free for use in RPG Maker VX Ace, or in other RPG Maker versions provided you own RPG Maker VX Ace as well, for both non-commercial and commercial. 
• If the item is used in a commercial game, you must provide me with a free copy when the game is publicly released. 
• Do not redistribute or claim edits as your own.
• Credit is required when using in a game (Sarah_yt)

Screenshot Saturday: NanoWriMo

I know I've been falling behind with the 'must do mondays' and 'screenshot saturdays', but here is why. I've joined NaNoWriMo!

Now, I don't know if the game script will actually be 50,000 words (ouch) but at least this is motivating me to write it out.

Freebie Friday 10: Armour

Finally, something other than pictures!

I had a lot of fun with these ones. Every warrior needs a good selection of armour!

Although... making all of these gave me an idea to try editing character sprite armour. Would people be interested in that?

I have the Game Character Hub, so can edit items from VX Ace, XP, Looseleaf, Second Story etc.  Personally I much prefer the Looseleaf scale so would probably focus on that.

For those those that aren't sure of the difference between the different styles, this post has a good explanation: (Looseleaf style is equivalent to the 'Mack' style)
http://www.rpgmakercentral.com/topic/17481-simple-guide-to-sprite-styles/

Terms of Use:

• (C) Enterbrain
• Free for use in RPG Maker VX Ace, or in other RPG Maker versions provided you own RPG Maker VX Ace as well, for both non-commercial and commercial. 
• Please don't redistribute or claim edits as your own.
• Credit not required when using in a game, but appreciated (Sarah_yt)

EDIT: Doodads link:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1oRkyS-tB1Ksz8gk8lpfhDbMcGRWIPw44

Check This! Thursday 7: bloody tiles

In honour of last week's theme, this 'Check This!' Thursday is featuring some bloody tiles made by Hishimy on Deviant Art.

https://hishimy.deviantart.com/art/Inside-B-bloody-edition-679315549
Warning: blood and such

I do have a particular scene in mind where these could be useful.

How do you feel about blood in pixel games?

World Building Wednesday 10: music

As mentioned previously, there are different cultures in this world, each inspired by an animal group. It makes sense that different cultures have different musical instruments, as we see in real life.

So this got me thinking...

What sort of instrument would a dog-inspired people have? When I think of dogs, I think of whistles, so perhaps the wind instrument variety (flutes / pipes / etc).

What about the bird race? Initially I would have said wind just because birds -> air -> wind, but perhaps stringed would suit them better?

I imagine the race inspired by the Tasmanian devils would be tone-deaf, so definitely percussion for them ^_^

And the cats? Maybe less instrumental and more voice-based?

And then the bigger question - what resources are out there that I could use for these purposes? RPG Maker has quite a few.

What is your favourite source of music for your games?

Technical Tuesday 9: mapping

Two weeks ago I posted an RPG Maker Blog tutorial on using positive/negative space to help the player along.

This is a more simple mapping tutorial (made me laugh actually XD)

https://rpgmaker.net/tutorials/1343/

I particularly like how they did the different shaped buildings in the town. I hadn't seen the RTP used like that before and it actually makes it look passable!

Freebie Friday 9: VX Ace pictures

NO MOAR PICTURE EDITS!

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Terms of Use:

• (C) Enterbrain
• Free for use in RPG Maker VX Ace, or in other RPG Maker versions provided you own RPG Maker VX Ace as well, for both non-commercial and commercial. 
• Please don't redistribute or claim edits as your own.
• Credit not required when using in a game, but appreciated (Sarah_yt)

Doodads:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BwWoE5nOWivzdURkV1pPc19ISzQ

Check This! Thursday 6: Starbird Resources

We don't exactly celebrate Halloween in Australia, but I understand it was a couple of days ago? Anywho, this week's Check This! Thursday is highlighting a haunted graveyard by StarbirdResources over at DeviantArt

https://starbirdresources.deviantart.com/art/Haunted-Graveyard-RMMV-RTP-Edits-More-705276186

I love the marbly effect of the pillars and statues, and general run-down feel of the stone work :)

Do you have a haunted/horror type scene in your game or project?

World Building Wednesday 9: Map making

Time for a confession - I actually don't like world-mapping very much. Geography sometimes just feels like it gets in the way of a good story XD

Now, put down your pitchforks... I realise geography plays a huge role in forming a story (Lord of the Rings is a case in point). I guess my problem is that I think of the story first and, when trying to make a map that is interesting, I realise the story needs to change.

For example, here's a map I made.. uhhh... last year? See those mountains separating the desert and the grassland? How would my protagonists get past those quickly, which they need to do to rescue a character. That funny swamp in the below middle - how did it form as no rivers feed into it?

The map will need to be revised, but as I'm rewriting the script I'm going to try, God willing, to keep geography in mind more ^_^

Technical Tuesday 8: Getting inspiration

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. - Ecclesiastes 1:9

It's common for people to see a mechanic in a game and think that it would make a good addition to their game. For me, I love the original Deus Ex's mechanics of augment slots that you could choose how to fill depending on your playing style.

But we need to be careful not to just steal an idea. RPG Maker blog has a post on this topic:

http://blog.rpgmakerweb.com/tutorials/on-the-shoulders-of-giants/

Don’t rip things off. Examine, adapt, create, and make it your own. Your mechanic should play and feel different. And never, ever forget the giants whose shoulders you are standing on.

It reminds me of the article about Game Choices a couple of weeks ago actually.

Anyway, back to Deus Ex. My game world (simple fantasy RPG) can't exactly use augments, but instead I am hoping to capture the feel by giving each playable character a skill that you can level up with experience points based on how you like to play. Quick, light attacks? Strong, slower attacks? Status effects? Your choice!

What game has a mechanic that you personally love and would use in your own game (if you are making one)? How are you changing it to match your game world?

Freebie Friday 8: VX Ace pictures again... again

One more picture lot...

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Terms of Use:

• (C) Enterbrain
• Free for use in RPG Maker VX Ace, or in other RPG Maker versions provided you own RPG Maker VX Ace as well, for both non-commercial and commercial. 
• Please don't redistribute or claim edits as your own.
• Credit not required when using in a game, but appreciated (Sarah_yt)

Doodads:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BwWoE5nOWivzeUl5cDEwTm5FbEU

Check Out This, Thursday 5: Ayene-chan

FOOD!

Who doesn't like food? And variety in food!

I think the types of food and things that characters have in their house can add that little-something to their depth.

The next artist feature is Ayene-chan from Deviant Art, and her VX Ace edits. I particularly love her food crate and sack edits.
https://ayene-chan.deviantart.com/art/RPG-Maker-VX-Ace-Items-657823736

World Building Wednesday 8: Lori and Keet

Time for my favourite twins <3

This is Lori (female) and Keet (male).

This character concept (below) is a bit old as they were originally going to be playable fighters, but as the story grew they have instead become part of the royal family (hence the crowns in the above sprites) and non-playable. 

These two are based on the rainbow lorikeet, hence their very colourful wings and red eyes. I made these two twins as there is normally little difference between male and female lorikeets, and you often see them in pairs (to be fair, the pairs are mating pairs not siblings, but I took some creative licence).

By Tatiana Gerus - originally posted to Flickr as Lorikeet's wings, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6552046

Technical Tuesday 7: bring your brain to your mapping!

Mapping! Love it or hate it...

Personally, I love it. Putting in little details to make a map feel like a lived-in world.

Although I picked up most of my mapping experience by just playing around, I have found this article on RPG Maker blog to be useful for a theoretical framework:

http://blog.rpgmakerweb.com/tutorials/mapping-engage-your-brain/

If you have a map that’s mostly made from negative space (i.e. low detail), the player’s eye will immediately go to any object. Likewise, if you have a map that’s mostly filled with positive space (i.e. high detail), the player’s eye will go to the empty area.

The most useful practical application of positive and negative space is to guide the player. If there’s something you really want the player to investigate, surround it by negative space. It will stand out much better. On the other hand, surrounding your road with trees or other high details will make it easier to notice and follow. (emphasis added)

That last point in particular is how I approach my wood maps. I think I could improve with city maps though!

Do you have any examples of good or terrible maps? Feel free to share!

Freebie Friday 7: VX Ace pictures again

Another lot! I've got two more in the mix and then I think I'm thoroughly pictured-out. Looking forward to branching out into other types of edits.

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Terms of Use:

• (C) Enterbrain
• Free for use in RPG Maker VX Ace, or in other RPG Maker versions provided you own RPG Maker VX Ace as well, for both non-commercial and commercial. 
• Please don't redistribute or claim edits as your own.
• Credit not required when using in a game, but appreciated (Sarah_yt)

Doodads:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BwWoE5nOWivzbTloMTNUQXNnamc

Check Out This, Thursday 4: PandaMaru again :)

Ok, time for some more PandaMaru art!

I always love collecting more plant/flower/outdoors tilesets. This is one of my favourite of PandaMaru's - his/her(?) autumn set.

https://schwarzenacht.deviantart.com/art/Autum-Set-504152016

Some people have commented on my previous screenshots pointing out they love the sunflowers. Well, here is where they are from!

World Building Wednesday 7: Ren

Time to introduce the main character!

This is Ren. He's a half-blood (hence why his wings are not full sized). Ren will have middle-level  stats and will be the most customisable of the playable characters.

Ren is inspired by... wait for it... the wren. I do love those little birds <3 actually my favourite is the Superb Fairy Wren (pictured below), but I didn't want the main character to have blue hair >3>

By JJ Harrison (jjharrison89@facebook.com) - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12075434

Technical Tuesday 6: Autotiles

It's no secret that I love Celianna's tiles (Ancient Dungeons base / jungle / winter especially).

She has helpfully uploaded some tutorials on how she goes about making tiles, including autotiles! Check it out:

https://pinkfirefly.deviantart.com/art/Easy-Tile-Making-Autotiles-541896461

Screenshot Saturday 6: Royal boudoir

I've been having fun designing rooms for the palace ^_^

The fireplace is actually animated, making it feel nice and cozy.

As for how the script is going...

ah...

keep on keeping on!

Freebie Friday 6: VX Ace pictures

Time for some VXAce picture love!

I love the scenes and battlebacks from VX Ace - and those title shots. My favourites of these pictures are the first ones in the third and fifth row.

What types of pictures do you like to use in your game?

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Terms of Use:

• (C) Enterbrain
• Free for use in RPG Maker VX Ace, or in other RPG Maker versions provided you own RPG Maker VX Ace as well, for both non-commercial and commercial. 
• Please don't redistribute or claim edits as your own.
• Credit not required when using in a game, but appreciated (Sarah_yt)

Doodads:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BwWoE5nOWivzVVZURFNXNG9rUms

Check Out This, Thursday 3: Epic-Soldier

The next artist, Epic-Soldier, isn't what you'd think of as an RPG Maker artist, but her commissions are so beautiful. They would make great character art, methinks.

Anyway, she has a set of free crystal icons ^_^
https://epic-soldier.deviantart.com/art/Free-source-crystal-icons-589175207

Check her out!
https://epic-soldier.deviantart.com/

World Building Wednesday 6: Yesha

This week's world-building spotlight is on an NPC, Yesha.

Yesha is actually based on a cat I used to own - a beautiful ragdoll who unfortunately passed away before he turned two (rare incurable disease called FIP). At the time I took to drawing him as a way of coping with my grief and, given my developing characters based on animals previously, it just seemed to make sense to draw him as a person too.

He somehow managed to worm his way into the story and the rest is history.

He is 9 years old, very friendly and playful. Although he is an NPC, he will be paired with another character that will be playable so expect to see him a fair amount in the story. 

Technical Tuesday 5: KISS

Another article from the RPG Maker Blog!

http://blog.rpgmakerweb.com/tutorials/kiss/

This quote from the very beginning summarises it perfectly.

Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.

– Antoine de Saint-Exupery French writer (1900 – 1944)

;___; alas, so easy to write - much harder to apply. Something I find that helps is to brain dump and then go back and cull. Cutting away parts is painful, but the end result will be worth it!

Just recently I cut out an entire town from my story as it added too much time without contributing the gameplay. The important story element from that town I was able to tie up in a different scene.

Must-Do Monday 5: Keep on writing

This week I really need to focus on writing again. I am very much looking forward to when the script is all done - it's taking much longer than I thought as my writing habits aren't the best.

NaNoWriMo is coming up though, so I'm thinking of joining that for the first time.

Have you ever done NaNoWriMo? Any tips or fun stories to share? ^_^

Screenshot Saturday 5: design documents

Lately I have been focusing on documenting various aspects of the game, inspired by this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Level-Guide-Great-Video-Design/dp/1118877160

God willing, if I ever release this game, this document could easily turn into the official guide with strategies and things :)

Here are some screenshots:

'Beat chart'

Crafting items 

Ingredients

Meals

Freebie Friday 5: MV 'homely inside'

Time for some MV love!

Similar to the VXA Inside edits, this one is tweaked to be more consistent with what you'd find in a normal house (i.e. I replaced the thrones/pillars/etc with more pictures, furniture, etc).

Terms of Use:

• (C) Enterbrain
• Free for use in RPG Maker MV, or in other RPG Maker versions provided you own RPG Maker MV as well, for both non-commercial and commercial. 
• Please don't redistribute or claim edits as your own.
• Credit not required when using in a game, but appreciated (Sarah_yt)

Check Out This, Thursday 2: Spritemight

I first found Spritemight through her free panoramas.

I rediscovered her through her beautiful bottle icons. Those bottom left two are so beautiful <3

Check out her work!
https://spritemight.deviantart.com/

World Building Wednesday 5: Converting character concepts into sprite art

The past three weeks I've shared character concept art for three of the seven playable characters - Bimbi, James and Wedge.

I thought this week it would be fun to have a sneak peek at the sprites that the concept art inspired!

I'm using the 'MACK / Looseleaf' style rather than the standard VX Ace or MV style as I prefer the proportions - more realistic and yet still rather cute and anime-esque.

I use the Game Character Hub (GCH) to make my sprites as it has a large number of clothing items that you can add easily to the character. GCH has a bit of a bad reputation (as per this review) but for my purposes it's ok. The feature I like is a little window in the corner that shows what the sprite looks like walking in all four directions (up/down/left/right).

Anyway, without much further ado, here's Bimbi, James and Wedge.

You may NOT use or share these sprites.

Technical Tuesday 4: event triggers

I wanted to share this tutorial by AvalonMelody (https://avalonmelody.deviantart.com/) on event triggers in RPG Maker.

https://avalonmelody.deviantart.com/art/RPG-Maker-Event-Triggers-543683421

This would have been a handy tutorial when I first started out ;____; hopefully it saves someone else the pain!

(as it's quite a large picture, I haven't directly linked it. You can read it at the above link).

Must-Do Monday 4: Create a list of maps needed

Must Do Monday! Time to once again outline goals for the week.

Since I've gotten a bit more of the way into the script, this week I would like to start a list of maps needed so far.

I'm hoping, God willing, to include things like:
- atmosphere
- types of enemies
- expected events (probably won't share that with you though ;) )

Can you think of anything else that would be good to include in a list like this?

Screenshot Saturday 4: Writing!

Haha it's a bit hard to have a screenshot of the script, since it will give plot points away. So I'll just leave you with this gif: