It seems that everyone who hears about it is excited about RPG Maker 2003. Here are some of it's features, along with some screen shots (taken from the page which you can link to from the main page, some of it is nonunderstandable):
Many elements of RPG Maker 2000 can still be recognized in this screen
shot.
Click for a larger version
Just look at the number of tabs at the top!
Click for a larger version
Operating system support: Windows 95/98/98 SE/ME/2000/XP
Release date: End of 2002 in Japan, for about 9800 Yen. http://www.xe.com/ucc/ tells me that at the time of writing this is worth about $83.00. I think it will be worth it, if available. If someone translates it, it won't matter.
Side view battle system: watch your characters hack and slash the enemy, and watch as they cast your favorite spells! Since the battle system is side view, there will be over 100 new monster pictures, and I believe that the ones from RPG Maker 2000 may be converted with the new RTP.
As far as I can make out, you will be able to change the database from inside the game events, and (I think), change other events from events!
There will be over 40 new midis.
Upper limit on levels raised! You're heroes will be able to reach level 99. The max HP for heroes will be 9999, and the max HP for monsters will be 99999.
OK, this next part is a little difficult to make out, so I'll
just copy and paste it, OK? Here goes ('2000' means RPG Maker 2000):
It was possible from only in the field type command
which ' 2000 ' with, while fighting the conduct which can be selected said,
is beforehand decided ' attack ' and ' special technical skill ', ' defense
' and ' the item ' with to choose. But, from this time, the ability to appoint
with the following turn reaches time, ' it accumulates and ' and, it does
not receive the damage altogether, ' guard ' and it can flee from battle '
100% escaping ' and so on with you said, the user you devise various special
commands and, are in to be, be sure to be possible freely to drawing up &
to set!
I believe what this is saying is this: you can change the battle commands
to anything you want. I think you will be able to draw your own commands,
then program them out in specified events without having to make your own
custom battle system, or work out the complex algorithms in your events.
This next part is also a little difficult to understand, but as far as I can tell, the event execution order during battles will be raised a notch. Also, the background music can rise and fall in volume during battle, for example, when the hero executes an attack, or when something happens in the middle of a battle.
You will be able to make weapons and other arms that heal HP when used, etc.
You can also make cursed weapons, which have a negative effect when equipped/removed.
This next part I don't understand at all:
It can set to the weapon the element " of affinity
" ' attribute ' it was added. If this affinity was utilized, when it
attacks with the weapon of attribute of the same fire vis-à-vis the
enemy which for example had the attribute of the fire, it is not to give the
damage, HP of partner is made to recover conversely...... with it can also
say.
I believe what this is saying is this: if you attack a creature with the
same attribute as your weapon/spell, it can heal him instead of hurting him.
Obviously, RPG Maker 2003 is something to look forward to. However, Don Miguel has stated that he will not translate this version of the software. I am currently attempting to get in touch with an English speaking ASCII representative, and I will have more information as it becomes available.
