#mothermaker

[va1ennyx]

MOTHERMAKER Progress Report

(WEEK 1)

INTRO:

Ever since 2020, I've been toying with the idea of making an authentic 'MOTHER' engine within the limitations of RPG Maker.

I bounced from engine-to-engine, trying to find the right Maker to start work in, and eventually settled on RPG Maker MV.

You can even see some of my early progress here!

The hyperfixation eventually subsided after some small adventures in the MOTHER fangame scene, and I took a fairly long hiatus.

Fastforward to 2023 and you'll find me. In my room. Really Fucking Bored.

It started off with me brushing up on my event code, making some practice menus and playing with switches and variables. Eventually I ended up with this.

NOW. For the fun stuff...

TECH! TECH! TEEEECHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Going into this project, I had like. Three Fundamental Rules.

Those being;

All CORE systems must be retroactively achievable in previous versions of RM.

Everything must be achievable through RM's default features (i.e. I must utilize the default map editor, database, etc.)

Plugin/Script usage MUST be kept to an absolute minimum.

This will definitely make things difficult moving forward, but if I wish to create some sorta out-of-the-box MOTHER framework (especially one with THIS scale), I think it's important to adhere to SOME kind of design philosophy.

With these principles in mind, allow me to show you some of the duct tape and bubblegum holding the code together!

Starting with;

Menu Stuff!

In RM, developers are very limited when it comes to customizability, at least out of the box. That changed around the time we first received those iconic Don Miguel fan translations. Many developers were dissatisfied with the default systems given to them, and instead opted to use in-game eventing to manipulate pictures to do whatever they wanted. Very interesting stuff!

However, despite me being able to Talk For Fucking Centuries about RM history, I don't wanna lose too much focus on the subject at hand. You can check out my favorite website ever over here to learn more about the early lil seedlings of our community!

Anyways, almost every graphic-based aspect of this project is done through vanilla eventing. Now, as any Well Seasoned RM Developer can attest, THIS IS NOT A FUN PROCESS!! This is done by modifying variables based on inputs, and referencing those variables to determine where your image should be drawn.

This process can range from easy:

to HARD:

(just reference the scrollbar size for an idea of the process, this kinda shit is NOT something you want to see)

Now, for the save system, it was relatively straightforward. I just changed some switches to record which save the player selected, and a few variables to record which 'flavor' the player chose. These are referenced at various points, such as the battle system, the in-game menus, and even small stuff like dialogue boxes.

For the naming system, well, I haven't actually finished that yet. But you'll undersTAND WHY I PROMISE..

Basically, if I wanted to do this in a way I could "easily" downport to other versions, I had to avoid writing a plugin for it. As you can imagine, eventing an entire custom naming system is Not Fucking Fun. It's fairly easy to do however, just mighty tedious. I did some digging in threads for old RPG Maker MOTHER fangames, and I saw a few examples of people explaining how they made their systems.

Let's call my Chosen Approach 'The Roach Method'. This is named after the creator of a long-since-cancelled fangame called EAGLELAND. Essentially, he made different 'Actor' slots in the database for each letter of a characters name, and referenced them in dialogue through text codes. Once set up, it should look a little something like this;

So on and so forth.

The frontend of my keyboard (and a tiny bit of the backend), is functional. Obviously I can make it prettier and more responsive, but I want to make the naming process smooth first.

I'm thinking of making it so that when you press okay, it triggers a switch to move onto the next letter, and then when you press the cancel key it goes back by one? Idk yet this Keyboard Is The Worst Fucking Thing Ever.

Movement:

Most RM devs know this, but 'pixel' movement doesn't really play nice with the way the engine handles collisions. In my (few) years of Mother Fangame Experience, I've come to learn that the weird pseudo-collision detection utilized by RM (iirc its just a coord check to see if you can move or not) doesn't really Provide the Movement Experience we've come to expect from the MOTHER series.

This is one of the many contentious aspects of making MOTHER fangames in RM. A lot of devs treat (newer) makers like this "out of the box" solution to everything, this framework that you can just absolutely stuff to the brim with plugins to achieve whatever functionality you want. However, in practice, this proves to (almost) never be the case.

It's an especially nasty mindset because it contradicts the reality of gamedev (at least within RM) being a constant uphill battle full of compromise. Unfortunately this stuff takes effort, more effort than just dragging and dropping a JS file into the plugins folder.

tl;dr: plugins and scripts should only ever be complimentary to your event code, don't expect them to do everything for you!

RANT ASIDE!! For the most part, unless you want to make a whole new movement and collision system from scratch, you're gonna wanna stick with the grid. Most grid-based diagonal movement plugins allow you to turn on a setting that lets you clip through the corner of tiles (PLUS, the default follower system is 'MOTHER' enough). This is good because it allows you to make pseudo-slope collisions, which is really useful for stuff like fences and buildings!

You can even see an example of this here!

So yeah, when it comes to movement, the main compromise is choosing between functionality and fluidity.

Mapping:

I'll keep this one brief. The default RM mapping system is less than stellar. However, parallax mapping is NOT a good solution. It leads to massive bloated images inflating file sizes like no tomorrow, long loading screens, and occasionally lag. That's why its better to design your games around the limitations of RM, and maintain your project's scope.

That leads us to our....

CONCLUSION

Unfortunately when it comes to fangaming (specifically within RM), you need to be willing to compromise. You (most likely) will not be able to perfectly replicate your favorite game, and that's okay.

This is where The Big Question really rears it's head;

Are you making a good MOTHER game, or a good RPG Maker MOTHER game?

This is the main conflict when it comes to developing one of these weird lil things, and it's been the death of many a project. After all, you'd have to be Fucking Insane to put yourself through all the eventing bullshit that comes with the territory of anything custom being done in Rm. I mean, sometimes even *I* wonder if i even like doing this, or if I just REALLY wanna flex. Usually it's a lil bit of both. ;)

HOWEVER, it's important to manage your expectations and work ALONGSIDE the limitations of the engine, rather than forcing it to do something it can't and ending up dissatisfied with the final product.

Good read? Good read. See You next week (maybe) mwuaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

[drenosa]

A changing of the season later...

Doctor: So... back again.

Jaune: *Looking drained, again, also in a wheelchair* Uh-huh...

Doctor: *Looking to the side where Blake and Yang are holding eachother's hand and with bellies that have only recently started to swell* With different... companions this time?

Jaune: On their, and my wives' collective insistence.

Doctor: I see...

Blake: Honestly speaking, I couldn't tell who of the three was the greatest influence here.

Yang: Yeah, but seeing Ruby shake Loverboy to "get babymaking already" was a bit weird to say the least.

Blake: As was Weiss having a whole instruction manual ready.

Yang: And Pyrrha actually being the one to tell them to tone it all done a few notches.

Jaune: I get it! I get it. Just get it over with already, Doc.

Doctor: Very well. *Pulls out a pair of binders for Jaune to peruse* Although I must say, it's for the better you are already seated.

Jaune: Oh joy. *Opens the two binders at the same time* ... *Starts laughing maniacally before passing out*

Outside a familiar office...

Raven: So why the fu- *Feels the glare of way too many mothers holding their children* -uuuunction? Why am I here for this... function?

Kali: Because your daughter will soon exit that door, bearing news about your grandchildren. *Smiling sweetly* Ones you will help take care of. *Grinning maliciously* Otherwise I might clip some wings.

Raven: *Blinking at the sudden tonal shift* Maybe, I guess. Maybe if they're str- *Gets grabbed by the shoulder* Aghk?!

Kali: *Holding Raven's shoulder in a crushing grip* No maybe's. You. Will help. Take care of them.

Raven: *Feeling the fear of Gods being put into her* I'm a fucking Maiden?! Whatthefuck?!Whatthefuck?! Okay! OKAY!

Off to the side with Pyrrha, Ruby, Weiss and their 9 daughters, and Pyrrha, Weiss and Jaune's mothers...

Pyrrha: *Heavily pregnant, surrounded by her children* So... Miss Belladonna's kinda scary.

Weiss: *Very pregnant, surrounded by her children* I should invite her to a board meeting at the SDC. The executives would actually take decisions with her around.

Ruby: *Very pregnant, surrounded by her children* I think Salem would get second thoughts when dealing with her.

Mama Nikos: A fierce and proud woman. Such a rare occurance.

Mama Arc: Perfect grandmother material. *Gushing dreamily* Oh, those babies are going to be spoiled to bits!

Willow: Jaune will need a vacation after today, though.

The office door opens...

Yang: *Grinning from ear-to-ear as she pushes a catatonic Jaune out in his wheelchair* Hello mothers and children! Guess what?!

Blake: *Following close behind* More triplets.

Yang: Aw... Blakey. They had to guess!

Blake: He's already *Looking at the heavily pregnant mothers* six out of six on the triplets making. The guessing would've been superfluous.

Jaune: *Giggling like a "mildly" broken man* Eight triplets... eight triplets... eight times three... eight times three... twenty four... twenty four daughters... *Giggles some more before passing out again*

Yang: *Looks from Jaune to Weiss* So... could you spot us some cash, oh Weiss woman of motherhood. We might need to renovate a little bit.

Weiss: *Rolls her eyes at the pun and sighs as she pulls out her Scroll* I will make some arrangements for you to move in with us. The manor is undergoing expansion anyways.

Yang: Baller.

Among all the grandmothers, with some coercion on Raven's part, much rejoicing occurred. All the expecting mothers came together in sisterhood. A sisterhood of the Arc's Arc.

Meanwhile though, slightly away from this wholesome tapestry of Arc familial expansionism...

Nora: *Holding ReNora kid #1 under her arm like a sack of grain* Can't believe I'm saying this, but I think Mothermaker Jaune could use one of those "healthy" smoothies of yours.

Ren: *With ReNora kid #2 in a chest sling, standing taller like a dad* My time has come. *Opens one of the many pockets on his cargo shorts to pull out a 1L canister filled with his smoothie*

Pyrrha: Shout out to the man that made me realize I was bi....

Ruby and Weiss each being held under the crook of her arms...

Pyrrha: AND into polyamory! 💕💕

Ruby: Eh?

Weiss: Huh?

Vanishes into JNPR's dorm room with them...

Pyrrha: 💕💕 Jaune honey! I found our WAIFUs!!! 💕💕

[yourbiggestfangirl]

We’re absolutely floored by the love @seystudios showed ya this morning! In honor of #internationalwomensday, #captainmarvel, and #followfriday check this talented lady out! ————————————— Day 8: Range. #marchmeetthemaker I chose to become an illustrator because I can’t just work in one medium. I love mixing and matching. I love different projects. Apparently I love being busy. I paint name art with themes unique to the individual. I paint and illustrate for shows, patrons, and books. And I draw characters and paint mini art. I make postcards, prints, and sometimes necklaces. It depends on the idea. If it all relates to illustration. In honor of today, I drew this mini art of Captain Marvel in ink and watercolor to celebrate #womensday2019 everyone! Today is a huge day. A day to celebrate women. A month celebrating our history in the world. And to launch this amazing celebration @captainmarvelofficial comes out in theaters. Now this may not seem like a big deal to some, but it is. Captain Marvel is the first female marvel character to have her own movie, to use a mostly female driven crew. It’s just so cool to see so many people working together. Work together despite our differences. Be kind, even though we don’t agree with everything. We all have a choice in life. Choose love and ditch fear because we are all amazing! Listen to @ybfgpodcast for more about Captain Marvel and the history of her story in comics. And because this is such a great podcast for comic fans! #seystudios #womeninart #womeninillustration #femaleartist #artistsoninstagram #womenincomics #illustrator #bubblepopgallery #artgallery #bakersfieldartist #avengers #meetthemaker #marchmeetthemaker2019 #art #mothermaker #madeformore #yourbiggestfangirl #yourbiggestfangirlpodcast #ybfgpodcast #ybfg #fandom #fangirl #podcast (at Bakersfield, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuwR27dBoRD/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=5d8u97wpk6m3

[momlists]

Someone on FB asked me to write about how I feel about my postpartum body. And I have to say it was really challenging. My body is a vulnerable place for me. I wrote enough content to shape into 3 lists. I've edited it down to 2 and I'm still unsure if I can share the 2nd one. But here's the first. More about what having a postpartum body is like as opposed to how I feel. Here's #MomLists San Francisco 38 -- "My Postpartum Body." Happy holiday to everyone. Hope you get a little warm and cozy family/friends time. And also some pie. And also a break. Grateful for this forum and all of you who respond and share and connect.

[mundanesatssheadcanons]

SAME SHIRT!! SAME SHIRT!!

(Outfit by Instagram user @mothermake -link-) 

[routineforkids-blog]

Coming to get ya #mothermaker #spitalfieldsmarket #spitalfields #london #marketstall #action https://www.instagram.com/p/BnvMylQBiNl/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=114uv9eas3omz

[littleimpjewellery]

Here At @popbrixton with the wonderful @themothermaker. There are so many lovely things on offer come and see us! #littleimpjewellery #everdaybeautiful #brixton #london #ecosilver #ecofashion #ecojewellery #fingerprintjewellery #giftforher #themothermaker #mothermaker #markets #thingstodoinlondon #jewellery #instajewellery #instagood #christmas #christmasmarket

[kildameadows]

Busy finishing off these new earrings ready for @thefromeindependent this Sunday 10-3. Feeling very lucky Sitting with my boy in the evening sun making earrings while he sculpts himself a motorbike to ride on in the sandpit, happy days 🌞 #creativelifehappylife #makersgonnamake #mothermaker #mumswhomake #kildameadows #ceramicjewellery #ceramicjewelry

[trial-husband]

I want me a girl that will roll my dick out like a fucking gogurt bro. I want her to get every last drop of a mothermaker

[irish-artist-ie]

#Repost @antoinetteomahonyart

• • • • • •

Galway, Ireland

#smallartworks #textiles #irishart #galwayartist #dailyart #mothermaker #womenartists #galwayart

#originalart #antoinetteomahonyart

#abstract #contemporaryart #textilecollage

[theycallmedada]

🦄 Someone always go to school very happily, but even happier this morning because her favourite print (she selected it herself and pleaded with me to get it) has finally been made into face masks, with one for her 😆 Lots of new stuff will be up in the website this last week of our August Birthday Special! (code : SWEET16 for 16% Off, ends 1 Sept). 🌈 www.littleoddforest.com . . . . . . #littleoddforest #unicorns #purple #sparkle #rainbows #cutefacemask #kidsfacemask #sgkids #sgmummy #handmadegoods #sghandmade #handmademask #handmade #shopsmall #shopsale #shophandmade #sgmaker #sgmom #sgmummies #etsy #mothermaker (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEQI5ZxHiU7/?igshid=1wf1d1qdzvv3e

[emma-d-klutz]

I have calmed down from the abject terror your struck into my heart to ask this: are you saying our mothermaker himself will send down some sort of heavenly calamity on exactly January 1, 2019? Are you saying we are on the precipice of furry Armageddon?

PSA: if you dont have a fursona by January 1, 2019 you WILL be assigned one

[mosseisley]

Instagram / sdupreebemis

Check out my interview on @mothermaker blog about juggling being a creative type and a momma! Happy Friday! (Photo: @blisskatherine)

[littleimpjewellery]

I have had the very great pleasure of working with a Super Mama over the last few months. This lady has put together an amazing community of creative women who make beautiful things and just so happen to be Mothers. And now she has launched an online markplace at www.mothermaker.com which is filled with lovely things from mothers who make and/or design their own products. Go and check it out now- you just might find something perfect for Christmas. And if you are a maker mama yourself I would urge you to get in touch with the mother maker to get involved in the markets or the online shop. It's such a pleasure to work with someone who understands that there is still all of the housewife drudgery to attend to- cooking and cleaning et al whilst trying to run a business and simultaneously doing the most important job of all- raising children. She makes us all feel supported and understood. Yay for the mamas who make. #littleimpjewellery #makermum #makers #marketplace #shopping #crafts #busymama #smallbusiness #love #kids #mums #mother #mothermaker #creativewomen #christmas #market #gifts #Repost @themothermaker ・・・ That’s It folks! We are live. Take a look at our website. I should really be in front of my laptop but we are in fact in the cinema with the kids and celebrating with a viewing of one of my favourite children’s movies - Paddington Bear! Have a lovely weekend. I am celebrating with a trip to the cinema and lots of bubbles tonight in front of the fire. I think I have come to the réalisation that websites will never be ‘complete’. We will be adding lots of products over the next few weeks so make sure you check back to see what we have in stock. Thank you to everyone who has given me support through this and to all my wonderful makers. Couldn’t have done it without you! #themothermakerlaunch