RPG Maker is a program that allows users to create their own role-playing video games.

Most versions include a tile set based map editor (tilesets are called chipsets in pre-XP versions), a simple scripting language for scripting events, and a battle editor.

All versions include initial premade tilesets, characters, and events which can be used in creating new games.

[citation needed] While it is possible to do more with RM2k, it uses lower resolution sprites and tiles than RPG Maker 95, but it does not have a noticeable limit of 'sprites'.

Unlike RM95, which can only use one 'set', RM2k can use an unlimited number of sprite sheets with specific sizes for each type.

The main difference is the introduction of a side-view battle system similar to that found in the Final Fantasy games on the Super NES and the Sony PlayStation.

This more open-ended arrangement, coupled with the inclusion of the Ruby Game Scripting System (RGSS [ja]), makes RPG Maker XP more versatile than older versions in the series, at the cost of a steeper learning curve.

The default battle system is comparable to that of the Dragon Quest series or its predecessor RM2k, with a head-on view of the battlefield and detailed text descriptions of each action taken.

However, the lack of support for multiple tilesets when mapping represented a notable downgrade from the engine's predecessor, leaving the player with only a finite number of unique tiles with which to depict all the game's environments.

RPG Maker VX Ace was released in Japan on December 15, 2011,[11] and the West on March 15, 2012.

Spells, skills, and items can all now have their own damage and recovery formulas, although a quick calculation method reminiscent of the older RPG Makers is available.

With VX Ace came a large quantity of DLC Resource Packages offered by Enterbrain, also available through Steam.

Released by Degica on October 23, 2015, RPG Maker MV includes a large number of changes over previous versions, with multiplatform support, side-view battles, and high-resolution features.

[16][17] RPG Maker MZ, a minor upgrade to the engine of MV, was released worldwide on August 20, 2020.

[18] MZ's new features include the Effekseer particle system, an autosave function, and often-requested XP-style autolayer mechanics.

RPG Maker MZ received mostly positive feedback from users, who praised its additional features and the return of the XP layer mechanics, though its similarity to RPG Maker MV drew a mixed response.

[21] Games completed can be uploaded to the RPG Maker Fes Player app for those to download and play on their own systems.

The first official English release of the PC series was of RPG Maker XP on September 16, 2005.

Some RPG Maker video games received critical acclaim, and later adapted into multimedia franchises only produced in Japan including Angels of Death, Ao Oni and Corpse Party.

The RPG Maker engine is sometimes used for machinima as a part of the animation and video game medium.

Prominent works made in RPG Maker engine include the web-series Slimey (2011), and Studio Moonchalk's Distortion (2023) and Love and Friendship (2024), all released exclusively on YouTube.