VGMDS FAQ
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1. What is VGMDS?
VGMDS(Virtual Game Maker DS) is a 2D game making homebrew software for the Nintendo DS.
2. What’s the difference between VGMDS and VGXDS?
None. VGXDS is just another name to refer to VGMDS, since it consists of two files, “vgmds.nds” and “vgrds.nds”. It’s used to not confuse the two.
3. Is VGMDS a clone of RPG Maker?
No. Quite a few aspects are similar with VGMDS and RPG Maker, however, VGMDS is not an RPG-Making software. You may create different kinds of games, like racing, RPG, shooters, side-scrollers, puzzle and more.
4. How can I use it?
You need an NDS flash card to run homebrew like VGMDS on your DS. You can look it up online.
5. I’ve downloaded VGMDS, and it has more than one file- What do I do?
VGMDS consists of two main files: “vgmds.nds” and “vgrds.nds”. Put both of these on your flash card. Vgmds.nds is the software to build your game, while vgrds.nds(Virtual Game Reader DS) is used when you want to test or play a game you’ve created or downloaded.
6. When I load VGMDS/VGRDS, it can’t read my card! What do I do?
Patch it with your card’s DLDI. For more info, visit http://chishm.drunkencoders.com/DLDI/.
7. I have speed issues. How do I fix them?
If your card is giving you problems with speed in VGMDS or VGRDS, loading it through DSOrganize has been known to help.
8. Okay, I got it working, now how do I start making a game?
Download the newgame folder, rename it to the title of your game and place it on your card. Then, open vgmds.nds, press B to navigate your card and press A on the folder.
9. How do I change the graphics in my game?
You can download some graphics from VGMC or download graphic templates and make your own graphics. Graphics must be in .gif format. Once you have the graphics you want, place them inside the corresponding folder in your game’s folder. (Chipset graphics go inside the CHIPSET folder, character/enemy graphics go inside the CHARSETS folder, etc).
To change hero graphics, click “Settings”, then click Hero. You can then select hero graphics and stats.
To change chipset graphics, click on the small hammer and screwdriver button.(Found below the Layer 3 button)
Everything else is pretty straight-forward.
10. How do I change the music?
Once again, you can download some music from VGMC or make your own. Music needs to be in .raw format and put in the MUSIC folder of your game. Then, in VGMDS, click the small button next to the map name and you can change the map’s BGM.
11. What are events?
Events are essentially the programming in your game. Without events, all you have is a controllable hero and a map. An event has 4 parts: How it appears, Movement, Condition and Command. You can change how it appears on the map- the graphics, if it’s invisible and it’s speed. Movement is what it always does, regardless of user input. Condition is when and how it appears, what you need to do to active it’s command. Commands are what make events, and with commands you can use events for different things. You can use events for NPCs, doors, scenes, sounds, enemies, attacks, battles, jumping, text, and more. The more you get used to it, the more you can do with it. Commands are pretty simple, too, so it shouldn’t take too long to get used to them. Aside from events, there are also common events and models.
12. What are common events?
Common events are events that have no appearance and can always be activated. For example, if you want the B button to make the hero swing a sword, you can use a common event instead of one event on the map that’s set to auto-start.
13. What are models?
Models are basically saved events that can be manipulated by other events. For example, if you want a fireball to shoot out of a cannon, you can make an event called “fireball” that shoots forward, save it as a model, and have the cannon create a clone of that model to shoot the fireball.
14. How do I make enemies?
You can either download a model for an enemy and import it into your game, or make one yourself. A tutorial for enemies will follow.
15. Okay, so I have what I need. What do I do now?
Tutorials will soon be available.
Feel free to ask any other questions on the forum.