I haven't seen this topic anywhere so I thought I would add it.
There is a trial version of RPG Maker VX Ace at the site http://www.rpgmakervxace.com/
It was very interesting to me. The program has some improvements over RPG Maker VX. You can change tilesets from map to map. When you create the new map you can put the "display name" for the map in the properties. There is a character face maker and sprite maker included in the program. It is a bit generic in the trial version. I don't know if this will change in the selling version.
You can "caterpillar" the characters. I don't know if this is the right term, but the characters trail each other on the map.
There are several more changes but you should go look to see them all.

Whoop

It looks nice. I'm waiting on the English version to come out, but this is certainly more interesting to me than VX was.

Of course, now I regret not tinkering with VX more, as my learning curve will be higher.

You can change maps? YES!!! That's my main beef about VX, the limited tilesets... If I can change tilesets as I go like XP, I'm gonna be super happy!!! Imma go see trial now.

The tilesets you had in VX, you now have in VXAce, per map. So you can choose A1-A5 then B-E for each map. Regions/Areas are more flexible than in VX and you can do a lot more with them, from what I've heard. Looking forward to playing with them.

YAAAAYY~ I look forward to see it too.

I have the trial version with the English translation download. This is very very interesting!

Me too. I'm waiting for the English version - I really want to get into those help files and understand all the new stuff

Anyone know when it is going to be released in English? and is anyone wanting to try it out? I wanna try out the character thing I saw in the video. I know this is random.
Thank you!



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~Argoyle

There is a fanmade English trial available here. You have to register as member though.

If you mean the character builder, it's a bit of a combination of something like looseleaf's character generator and facemaker. You choose all the parts, and the game creates your sprite and matching faceset. Unfortunately, the faceset looks different to the ones that ship with the game - they are at an angle, but the ones you create are front on.

Japanese release should be TODAY Not sure of English release, but suggestions so far are that it'll be around mid-February/March (based on the period between the Japanese and English releases of VX).

Great! I wasn't sure when the Japanese release was. The english translation of the trial version is pretty good...but i am waiting for the actual program to come out before going further into it

Want to get your hands on an early copy of the English release for free?

RPGMakerWeb are holding a contest, where the best entry (as judged by the community) will get a free copy before it is available for general sale - they will be included in the English beta.

Details can be found on RPG Maker Blog.

In summary, you must make a 3-5 minute cutscene that requires no player interaction other than pressing space to advance text boxes. It must be an original cutscene from an original story.

Submissions are due by January 3, 2012 and judging will be done by the community. If you're interested, make sure you check the link for all the rules

Mmm, I think I'll try and enter

I made a mistake up there. The 8 best entries won't get a free copy. Judges will choose the 8 best entries, and they will go to a community vote to chose the best ONE. That ONE will earn a free copy of VX Ace in English.

Aww, then it'll be very hard to win T.T Oh well, trying is more important than winning right?

@all: Here are the sample games of VXAce.
They are in Japanese though ^^

Oh and I just took a look at the RTP. It looks great, they toned down the colours a bit of the tilesets and they have included title screens (which look awesome) and the battle backs are divied in two parts: a bottom part (=the ground you're standing on) and an upper part (=the scenery). Same with the title screens, where you can choose between the background and a border.

I hope I do get my hands on that so I can continue Kiki's Dreams 2! (Ya this will improve qualities of my game tremendously).