RPG MAKER
By Ben H.

One of my objectives when I grow up would be to design video games. This play-station 2 video game software that I own is perfect for future designers. It allows you to design real RPGs. 

WHAT IS AN RPG?

Well, first of all RPG means Role-Playing Game. If you've never played a Role-Playing Game, then you're probably wondering what Role-Playing means. Role-Playing used to the term for rolling dice to see how much damage you did to the enemy. Now, most RPGs are played on video games. In an RPG, when you run into a battle, a few selections appear. They are usually Attack, Magic, Item and Run. Remember that you can have more than one person in battle. When you choose a selection, for each character, each character will display various actions. There are two kinds of RPGs. Wait RPGs, and Active RPGs. Wait RPGs allow you to take your time during strategies. In active RPGs, you have to be quick to think up strategies, because enemies will attack you during, selections.

HOW TO MAKE A GOOD RPG

When you are using RPG Maker 2, you have to play a few RPGs to really know how to make one. First, you need to make a title. A good title will attract the audiences' attention. Next, you need a good storyline. A good storyline makes the game interesting and the players will want to keep playing it. You need a good main character. But don't just focus on him. The other characters you make should be important too. You really need to make creative maps, dungeons, and towns. If you have no creativity in this game the players will get bored. The maps should have towns smaller than your character. Most RPGs do this because it's supposed to look like you're traveling a long way. You can also make maps with trails, mountains, dungeons, objects, etc. Make your dungeons very creative. You can make walls in the dungeons with cobwebs, candles, shields, bricks, and other objects on the floor like swords, shields, helmets, armor etc... You can make towns with about as much stuff as I said before. But, try to make your towns look normal, also creative.

A BRIEF SUMMARY ON HOW TO USE A RPG MAKER2

It's going to be hard to explain, and I'll try to make it as short as possible. If you don't know what to do, try the instruction booklet. If you still have problems, try Prima's Official strategy guide. When you first begin making a game, three selections appear. They are easy, normal, and hard. If you're not quite sure on how to use this game, then try the easy level. If you mink it's lousy because you don't get to add detail to anything, then try the normal level. If you still think it's kind of iffy, then try the hard level. It really isn't all that hard, it's just that mere is no ore-made characters, enemies, events, etc... in the easier levels. When, you create the party members, you have to come up with names for them, what they look like, what stats they have etc... When you make the enemies you have to make them the same way as the characters pretty much. Next, the scripts, I can definitely tell you that this is the hardest part of the game! This whole game is made up of scripts! Without  scripts you couldn't make the characters talk, make movies, weapons, magic, items, etc...  That's the problem, because, like I said before, this is the HARDEST part of the whole GAME! It took me a month to figure it out (and the rest of the game)! I'd tell you how to make scripts, but this speech would be 10 min. instead of 5. I already told you how to make the maps, towns and dungeons so no need to worry about that.

THE PATH OF DARKNESS

This is the title of my video game I am making on RPG Maker EL The story line goes like this....... 1,000's years ago when humans ruled the earth, their only source of power was from the Holy Sapphire. As long as they had the Holy Sapphire within their possession, there was mostly peace upon the earth. An intelligent archeologist discovered this sapphire deep within the ancient ruins of Dragoon's lair. The Dragoons were an ancient people who are half human and half dragon. The Holy Sapphire was designed by this super human race deep within their caverns. When the last of their kind was about to die off, the greatest of them forged a sword to protect the sapphire. When the sword was made and the last of their kind was about to die, they sent the spirit of a dragon into a sword. The name of the sword was called the Dragon Sword.

The Holy Sapphire did not stay safe for long. The humans had the Holy Sapphire stolen from them by the Black Rogues. The Black Rogues were a small band of evil men, banished thieves. They were angered by their banishment and wanted the power of the Holy Sapphire for themselves to use for all sorts of evil. All went well with their plan until they released the power of the Sapphire. After the sapphire had been stolen by the Black Rogues, the power of the sapphire had changed. Once, the sapphire had only been filled with absolute goodness and holiness. But now that the Black Rogues had possession of it, the holy sapphire became filled with their hatred and bitterness. The Holy Sapphire became the Dark Sapphire and from out of it issued all sorts of evil spirits. But the most frightening and terrible of these evil spirits was the Demon King, Dark Lord over all the lesser Demons. His name is Apocalypse. The Demon King and his cohorts took the black rogues and made them their servants. The Demons used them to enslave and terrorize all of man- kind.

But soon after, their savior would come from land of Ethonel, the land of the elvish folk. His name is Drake. He went in search of the great sword. When he discovered it in the ruins of the lost Dragoons, he used it to slay the Demons and cause them to return from where they came and to bring peace to the lands of the people. The power of the sword was great and destroyed all of the Demons but one. Apocalypse was not destroyed but was thrown into another dimension and sealed by the Dark Sapphire. Once the power of evil had been broken, the Dark Sapphire turned back into the Holy Sapphire once again. It was given back to the humans and all was well until..........  

If you want to find out what happens you have to wait until I finish making this game and play it for yourself.

The Circus in America - Under the Big Top

Fighter Pilot - Operation Red Flag started 5/20/05 

Forces of Nature started 3/11/05 

Adrenalin Rush - The Science of Risk - starts7/l/05

History of the Nile - ends 6/30/05

Forces of Nature - ends 10/31/05

Wolves - starts 7/1/05

June 11 through September 4, 2005. The Friendly Technology Exhibit. This traveling exhibit explores man's ongoing passion and sometimes curious relationship with science and technology. It is an unusual mix of technology, art, and the human spirit! It includes 12 interactive states that will amaze and educate everyone.

Safari Sleepovers are scheduled at Niabi Zoo. This overnight program starts on Sat evening and ends the next morning. Campout includes a campfire dinner, guided tour, an education presentation with the animals and more.

Cost is $25 for members, $30 for non-members.

To register, call (309)799-3482.

DATES -
5-27; 6-3; 6-17; 6-24; 7-1; 7-8; 7- 22; 7- 29; 8-5