Rpg Maker Developers Group

EDIT: As of 21 February 2024, this idea has been deprecated, gonna think about another solution to bring MMO functionalities to Alpha NETZ without the use of (MMO)RPG Maker MV, since the kind of license that's using (MMO)RPG Maker MV can be a trouble, and at the same time, a more easier solution can be done for the end-user without requiring all that extra work with rethinkdb and node.js

Gonna edit this post again to publish the new link once it's done.

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It's been a long time since MV and MZ were released, and there were many awesome plugins to give online functionalities to both engines, even with retrocompatibility without any modification.

(MMO)RPG Maker MV is a project that was released by Samuel Cardillo, and it's been being updated by independent developers. It provides features such as Login System, Account creation, Party System, Chat, and online battles for the default version. Most awesome is the party system, which the players can still have followers when they go party-less, and when another player joins them, the followers are automatically removed, meaning that for videogames with battles which four party members is recommended, players can choose to play with their AI members and go solo, or join with others to fill each role.

Doesn't require building a database thanks to rethinkdb and uses node.js to provide the online functionalities and sync all players.

Currently, for the default battle system is very functional and stable, although it has some unfinished sync functions for event movements (only random movement can be synced), also has some issues with other battle systems that are not the default one, sometimes it can glitch, and pretty much lacks of plugin commands. However, despite that this project is mainly outdated the data storing/syncing itself works very well.

Here is a demo of what happens right now if you try run (MMO)RPG Maker MV with Alpha ABSZ, you may see that monsters position aren't synced correctly, neither the animations, damage, and other stuff aren't being synced (this is called client sync), however, you may see that the data is correctly synced.



(MMO)RPG Maker MV is open-source and free for commercial use (check its topic for license information). However, if I'm right, (MMO)RPG Maker MV is under GPL-2/3, meaning that you must mention in your project where the codes from and that you used it. Doesn't forbid you for commercial use.


On the other hand, Alpha NETZ is a project developed by @Pheonix KageDesu which is still being updated, also gives online functionalities in form of rooms, it has default compatibility with Alpha ABSZ and the online functionalities are perfectly synced, also has compatibility with other PKD plugins like Pocket Events, AnimaX, etc, however, it only works with local savefiles, lacks of online database, meaning that the data synced between players is temporal and all them needs to save the information locally, also each player is limited to pick a certain amount of characters defined by the developer (think it as a "Zelda Four Swords", but with online coop multiplayer instead of local coop).


It also works thanks to node.js, the developer may choose to build easily it's own server just by installing node.js and running a couple of cmd commands. Best of all is that Alpha NETZ and Alpha ABSZ has retrocompatibility with MV by default, meaning that can be easily updated.

You may see a demo of how NETZ and ABSZ works, client sync is completely functional.



...So imagine if it could store all data online.

Alpha NETZ has available for free for non-commercial use an obfuscated version, and has an unobfuscated PRO version with also added functionalities and a dedicated server folder, with commercial use available. The developer may try request the PRO plugin and server folder directly to Kage, alternatively I'm willing to purchase an additional license if the developer doesn't get a positive reply from Kage about sharing his PRO plugin for free.

And here comes the idea which can bring to all RPG Maker Community a perfect MMO online system.
The idea is develop a patch for (MMO)RPG Maker MV/MZ for use it with NETZ, by doing the following:

1. (MMO)RPG Maker MV/MZ plugins (not server) would be modified to be used to sync and store the online data. Also replaces the offline mode completely to have always the information stored on the server (there can still have offline maps). Additionally, its Party System function replaces the NETZ one, so players can choose if play solo with AI party or play with others (perfect for MMORPGs with a story focused in multiple heroes).​
2. Alpha NETZ would be used to sync clients but won't store the players data by itself, the data storage functions are left to MMO plugins and server. Room system would be kept but as an option, think Rooms like being channels, or for use it for certain minigames, etc. Also, each player would be able to use their own character rather than predefined ones, thus keeping their levels and items.​
3. The MMO patch won't require future updates, because it would work mainly as a database handler rather than as a sync system, meaning that any future update made by Pheonix won't require more modifications for MMO, at least in long-term. And, at the same time, NETZ won't require to develop from zero a way to sync and store all the data with all players, since this has been already developed on MMO's plugin.​

1. Run rethinkdb​
2. Then run (MMO)RPG Maker MV server to store and sync online data.​
3. Finally run NETZ server to sync all client stuff among players.
   
   Guide of (MMO)RPG Maker MV here.
   
   Wiki of Alpha NETZ here.​

• Wide sync plugin commands and uAPI's from PKD NETZ.​
• Persistent online data of all players (thanks to MMO-side).​
• Offline and online maps, think about fully MMO experience, instanced dungeons, or just meet with other players on cities.​
• Turn-based Battle system with party functionalities and trade system (thanks to both systems).​
• Trade between players and make a party with them.​
• (Extra) Standalone compatibility with Action Battle System (thanks to NETZ-side).​
• (Extra) Option of character customization thanks to AnimaX.​
• (Extra) Option of creative maps thanks to Pocket Events.​

...and more stuff, limit is your imagination (once this compatibility patch is developed!).

• Client sync work has already been developed on NETZ, don't need to start from scratch.
• Data sync work has also already been developed on MMO, also doesn't need to start from scratch.
• Both were already developed with node.js, and both already has online functionalities developed.
• You, as developer(s), saves a lot of time of development, because most important features were already developed, you need remove the client sync features of MMO and leave only the data sync features, and let to NETZ do the client sync stuff. Also, this comp patch wouldn't require in long-term frequent updates, unless new features are wished to be released like a Guild system or so.
• Additionally you don't need to make a different version for MV and MZ, since BOTH systems has retrocompatibility.

You WILL need PRO for the dedicated NETZ server folder and PRO plugin for access its code, please contact with @Pheonix KageDesu for permission if you're going to make this patch and you need it, alternatively I can purchase an additional license.