EVERYTHING
According to Gamesradar, the official RPG Maker forum is preparing for a permanent closure that could significantly impact the indie game development scene. For over a decade, this online hub has served as a primary repository for creators using one of the most accessible game engines available today. While the software has powered notable titles like Omori and Ib, its community forum has functioned as a vital educational resource for hobbyists with little to no coding experience.
Transition to new management structure
The decision to retire the current site is linked to an upcoming overhaul of how the community is managed. The developers stated that the move is intended to support future growth under a new platform operated by Gotcha Gotcha Games Inc. Despite the goal of expansion, the transition poses a significant hurdle for long-time users who rely on the deep archives of information accumulated since 2012.
Key details regarding the shutdown include:
- The official forum will be retired on December 11 this year.
- There are currently no plans to provide a public archive or backup of the data.
- Certain forum features will be disabled early as part of the wind-down process.
- Users are being urged to manually save any specific guides or resources they wish to keep.
Community backlash over lost resources
The announcement has sparked significant frustration among the user base, with many highlighting the difficulty of migrating 15 years of collective knowledge. Critics argue that it is impossible for individual users to download and back up every tutorial and discussion thread hosted on the site. The loss of these resources could force new developers to "restart from scratch" regarding common troubleshooting steps and creative tips.
While the company maintains that the move is necessary for long-term growth, the lack of a permanent archive remains a point of contention. Developers who rely on the engine's specific nuances may find themselves without a primary reference point once the site goes dark this December. The community now faces a period of uncertainty as they attempt to preserve essential content before the final deadline.