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RPG Maker XP basics

This section will be archived when Pokémon Studio v3.0 is released

Pokémon Studio v3.0 will move away from RPG Maker. When that release ships, this RPG Maker XP section will be archived: the pages will remain available as reference but will no longer be updated.

PSDK uses RPG Maker XP (RMXP) only for event management. Maps are created with Tiled and the database is managed by Pokémon Studio. However, until Pokémon Studio v3 is released, RMXP remains necessary for events. This guide points to the reference resource and clarifies what needs to be learned.

Why learn RPG Maker XP?​

In a PSDK project, RMXP is where you create and edit events. This is where you:

  • Place NPCs and define their dialogues
  • Create interactions (picking up an item, triggering a battle, opening a door)
  • Manage game logic (switches, variables, conditions)

Without these basics, you cannot build the interactions of a PSDK project.

The reference resource​

The RPG Maker XP tutorial from Le Site du Zéro covers everything you need to know. It is available here (in French):

https://www.yumpu.com/fr/document/read/16933960/rpg-maker-xp-le-site-du-zero

Only chapter 1 needs to be read (up to around page 45). It covers:

  • The RMXP interface: the different windows, the toolbar, navigation
  • Maps: creation, tilesets, layers, connections between maps (in PSDK maps are created with Tiled, but understanding the concepts is still useful)
  • Events: creation, triggers, movement, event pages
  • Switches and variables: RMXP's logic system (enabling/disabling elements, storing values)
  • Conditional branches: executing commands based on conditions
  • Local switches: switches specific to an event (useful for pickable items, one-time NPCs)

What we don't use​

Chapter 2 of the tutorial covers the RMXP database (heroes, monsters, items, skills, etc.). In PSDK, this entire part is replaced by Pokémon Studio — that's where you define Pokémon, moves, trainers, items and everything else. Chapter 2 can be skipped.

Conclusion​

  • Read chapter 1 of the RPG Maker XP tutorial from Le Site du Zéro to master events.
  • Skip chapter 2 (database) — Pokémon Studio replaces this part in PSDK.
  • Once the basics are acquired, guide 002 How to use the Interpreter in an event explains how to go further with PSDK's Script commands.