This guide is not a complete guide and only covers the most common issues encountered when trying to play RPG Maker games. For simplicity, this guide assumes you are using Windows and the only locales are “English” and “Japanese”.
Versions covered: XP, VX, VX Ace
NB: Check back at the blog page for the most recent update to these troubleshooting steps. I have been frequently revising this and the site won't let me edit after about a day 😛
Diagnosis
1.       Does the game window load?
         a.       If yes, continue
         b.       If no, see “Wrong locale – Game.exe”
2.       Does the error message refer to a Japanese filename (see Figs. 1 & 2)?
         a.       If yes, continue.
         b.       If no, see "RTP not installed"
4.       In the game directory, open the “Graphics” and/or “Audio” folders (and sub-folders)
5.       Are any the filenames in those folders unintelligible or appear corrupted (see Fig. 3)?
         a.       If yes, see “Wrong locale – File extraction”
         b.       If no, see "Wrong locale – Game.exe"

Figure 1 – Dialogue for an English filename. Refers to a file called "001-Blue01"

Figure 2 – Dialogue for a Japanese filename. Refers to a file called "タイトル"

Figure 3 – Corrupt filenames in folder
Issues
Wrong locale – Game.exe
This occurs because older versions of RPG Maker use the region-tied versions of system call functions. Any characters from outside the region will break these functions and cause them not to work. In the case of using the file system, this is fatal.
Solution 1:
Recommended for users who don’t intend to switch locales frequently
1.       See “Change system locale”
2.       Run Game.exe
Solution 2:
Recommended for most users
1.       Install Locale Emulator
2.       Right click on Game.exe
3.       Click “Locale Emulator” > “Run in Japanese”
If neither solution works:
1.       Make sure the full path (from C:\ down) to Game.exe contains strictly ASCII and/or Japanese characters (only if game is Japanese)
Wrong locale – File extraction
This occurs because ZIP files created in Windows frequently use the creator’s locale and Windows forces extraction tools to use your locale. When these locales are different, the list of filenames cannot be read properly.
Solution 1:
Recommended for users who are not tech-savvy or don’t intend to switch locales frequently
1.       See “Change system locale”
2.       Use file extractor to extract ZIP file
Solution 2:
Recommended for advanced users
1.       See this post
RTP not installed
The RTP is a resource pack that contains many common and default assets used by RPG Maker games. This is not included in most game downloads in order to decrease file size.
Solution:
1.       Go to this site
2.       Select the version of RPG Maker used for the game
3.       Download and install
Appendix
Change system locale
1.       Open Control Panel
2.       Navigate to “Clock and Region” > “Region”
3.       Select the “Administrative” tab
4.       Under “Language for non-Unicode programs”, click “🛡Change system locale…” (see Fig. 4)
5.       Say “yes” to the admin pop-up
6.       Select “Japanese (Japan)” from the drop-down menu
7.       Click “OK”
8.       Restart your computer

Figure 4 – Region settings, Administrative tab

This guide is not a complete guide and only covers the most common issues encountered when trying to play RPG Maker games. For simplicity, this guide assumes you are using Windows and the only locales are “English” and “Japanese”.
Versions covered: XP, VX
NB: Check back at the blog page for the most recent update to these troubleshooting steps
Diagnosis
1.       Does the game window load?
         a.       If yes, continue
         b.       If no, see “Wrong locale – Game.exe”
2.       Does the error message refer to a Japanese filename (see Figs. 1 & 2)?
         a.       If yes, see “Wrong locale – File extraction”
         b.       If no or not sure, continue
3.       See “RTP not installed”
         a.       If your issue is not resolved, continue
4.       In the game directory, open the “Graphics” and/or “Audio” folders
5.       Are any the filenames in those folders unintelligible or appear corrupted (see Fig. 3)?
         a.       If yes, see “Wrong locale – File extraction”
         b.       If no, contact someone

Figure 1 – English filename dialogue

Figure 2 – Japanese filename dialogue

Figure 3 – Corrupt filenames in folder
Issues
Wrong locale – Game.exe
This occurs when the locale the game is launched with is not the same as the locale the game was extracted with. E.g. the ZIP file was extracted using the Japanese locale but Game.exe is run using the English locale or vice versa. If these steps do not work, try "Wrong locale - File extraction" then try again.
Solution 1:
Recommended for users who don’t intend to switch locales frequently
1.       See “Change system locale”
2.       Run Game.exe
Solution 2:
Recommended for most users
1.       Install Locale Emulator
2.       Right click on Game.exe
3.       Click “Locale Emulator” > “Run in Japanese”
Wrong locale – File extraction
This occurs because ZIP files created in Windows frequently use the creator’s locale and Windows forces extraction tools to use your locale. When these locales are different, the list of filenames cannot be read properly.
Solution 1:
Recommended for users who are not tech-savvy or don’t intend to switch locales frequently
1.       See “Change system locale”
2.       Use file extractor to extract ZIP file
Solution 2:
Recommended for advanced users
1.       See this post
RTP not installed
The RTP is a resource pack that contains many common and default assets used by RPG Maker games. This is not included in most game downloads in order to decrease file size.
Solution:
1.       Go to this site
2.       Select the version of RPG Maker used for the game
3.       Download and install
Appendix
Change system locale
1.       Open Control Panel
2.       Navigate to “Clock and Region” > “Region”
3.       Select the “Administrative” tab
4.       Under “Language for non-Unicode programs”, click “🛡Change system locale…” (see Fig. 4)
5.       Say “yes” to the admin pop-up
6.       Select “Japanese (Japan)” from the drop-down menu
7.       Click “OK”
8.       Restart your computer

Figure 4 – Region settings, Administrative tab

This guide is not a complete guide and only covers the most common issues encountered when trying to play RPG Maker games. For simplicity, this guide assumes you are using Windows and the only locales are “English” and “Japanese”.
Versions covered: XP, VX, VX Ace
Diagnosis
1.       Does the game window load?
         a.       If yes, see “Wrong locale – Game.exe”
         b.       If no, continue
2.       Does the error message refer to a Japanese filename (see Figs. 1 & 2)?
         a.       If yes, see “Wrong locale – File extraction”
         b.       If no or not sure, continue
3.       See “RTP not installed”
         a.       If your issue is not resolved, continue
4.       In the game directory, open the “Graphics” and/or “Audio” folders
5.       Are any the filenames in those folders unintelligible or appear corrupted (see Fig. 3)?
         a.       If yes, see “Wrong locale – File extraction”
         b.       If no, contact someone

Figure 1 – English filename dialogue

Figure 2 – Japanese filename dialogue

Figure 3 – Corrupt filenames in folder
Issues
Wrong locale – Game.exe
This occurs when the game doesn’t agree with the locale for whatever reason (I’m still working it out)
Solution 1:
Recommended for users who don’t intend to switch locales frequently
1.       See “Change system locale”
2.       Run Game.exe
Solution 2:
Recommended for most users
1.       Install Locale Emulator
2.       Right click on Game.exe
3.       Click “Locale Emulator” > “Run in Japanese”
Wrong locale – File extraction
This occurs because ZIP files created in Windows frequently use the creator’s locale and Windows forces extraction tools to use your locale. When these locales are different, the list of filenames cannot be read properly.
Solution 1:
Recommended for users who are not tech-savvy or don’t intend to switch locales frequently
1.       See “Change system locale”
2.       Use file extractor to extract ZIP file
Solution 2:
Recommended for advanced users
1.       See this post
RTP not installed
The RTP is a resource pack that contains many common and default assets used by RPG Maker games. This is not included in most game downloads in order to decrease file size.
Solution:
1.       Go to this site
2.       Select the version of RPG Maker used for the game
3.       Download and install
Appendix
Change system locale
1.       Open Control Panel
2.       Navigate to “Clock and Region” > “Region”
3.       Select the “Administrative” tab
4.       Under “Language for non-Unicode programs”, click “🛡Change system locale…” (see Fig. 4)
5.       Say “yes” to the admin pop-up
6.       Select “Japanese (Japan)” from the drop-down menu
7.       Click “OK”
8.       Restart your computer

Figure 4 – Region settings, Administrative tab

"Nyehehe, not so smug anymore are you, Kotarou?" I taunt with a playful smirk.
"Grrr.." Kotarou growls lightly in response to yet another defeat as "Player 1 wins!" flashes across the screen.
"You're just getting lucky! I'll beat you next time for sure!" she touts.

"Oh? Want to put a wager on that~? Whoever wins the next round has to do whatever the winner says for the rest of the day!"
Kotarou's doggy ears twitch in response to hearing this, her face visibly contemplating the potential risk-to-reward ratio of such a wager, before answering with an enthusiastic "you're on!"
After 4 wins in a row, I know I can beat her once more. Now I merely have to think of some evil tasks to put Kotarou through today.
The two of us start the next round with great enthusiasm, both of us picking our usual fighters and starting the match without hesitation.
For a while, the match has appeared pretty close, but I soon close the gap and nearly have Kotarou yet again.
"Fufufu~ you better get ready for your punishment, pup!" I taunt."
Without mercy, I continue the attack, giving Kotarou no chance to guard or counter. It seems like my victory is guaranteed at this point, until.. I screw up my last combo.
In that single moment I lose focus, this girl somehow manages to pull off some ridiculous combo move that sends my character flying in the air and off the platform.
I can't believe it. I only slipped up once and she pounced on it without mercy. Has this evil little pup been taking it easy on me this entire time or what?

"Hahahaha!" Kotarou raises the controller in the air triumphantly and shouts out. "You lose Risa!"
"N-No way." I stare back at the screen in disbelief. "There's no way you could get that lucky."
Kotarou leans over to me, a smirk on her face. "It's not luck, Risa, it's skill!"
Groaning, I drop the controller in defeat. "Oh, hush! Every dog has their day."

"S-so, another round?" I ask, pitifully hoping that Kotarou may have forgotten about our previous agreement.
Glomp!
My body flies backwards onto a heap of cushions as Kotarou pins me down to the floor, a mischievous and unforgiving look on her face. "Oh no, Risa. You lost! Now you have to face your punishment!"
Gulp.
Well.. What's the worst she could come up with?
"F-fine, fine! So, what is it you want me to do?"
Kotarou grins down at me as she presses herself up to her feet, her tail wagging in excitement as she speaks. "Wait here, I know just what to do with you!"
With that, Kotarou retreats to my bedroom. I have no idea why. I try and peek in, but it's only a moment before Kotarou returns.
"So.. Risa, what do you have these for~?" Kotarou inquires as she pulls a bushy brown tail plug and a doggy eared headband from behind her back.
My cheeks immediately glow red as I stammer out "H-how did you find those?!"
Kotarou smirks a bit as she inches herself closer. "I found them in a drawer you left open last night. Risa sure has a bunch of perverted stuff in there~!"
"T-that stuff is private!" I had actually completely forgotten I even had these. I purchased them online on a whim one day and have only.. "used" them once or twice.
"Well, if it's private you shouldn't have left it out in the open! Today I want to see what doggy Risa looks like!"
"What! That's super embarrassing." I try to protest as Kotarou moves closer.
"Risaa, we can do this the easy way, or~" Kotarou glances down to my skirt with a smirk.

Flustered, I quickly grab the tail and ears from her. "N-No way. Fine, I can do it by myself though, thank you very much."
Heading in my room for a bit of privacy, I sigh and shimmy out of my clothes and look the tail over. Eyes closed, I sneak the tail behind me, biting my lip a bit as the stainless steel plug pushes its way snuggly into my behind. "A-Ahh.."
With that out of the way, I grab the headband and carefully place it on, working it so that it blends in as naturally as possible with my existing hair.
A deep shade of red blossoms over my cheeks as I admire myself in the mirror. It's been a long time since I've.. "used" these. The headband matches my hair color perfectly, so it looks pretty genuine unless you look really close.
I sneak out a pair of Mikan's panties and manage to slip them on with moderate success. Even with the tail being artificial, it still manages to function.. mostly. No matter how I position it, the tail still ends up riding my skirt up slightly and putting up a teasing view of my panties to anyone behind me.
Well.. It's not like I'm going anywhere public like this.
I sigh, still blushing red from embarrassment as I tread out from the bedroom to see both Kotarou and Mikan eyes the door eagerly.

"Ahhh.. Risa looks so cute!" Mikan chimes in first, followed by Kotarou. "Hahah, it really suits you. You almost look like the real deal! Turn around so we can see the tail!"
A bit hesitantly, I spin around, tugging at my skirt shyly at the same time. "Frankly, I don't know how you can deal with skirts like this.."
"Hmm, well normally it's easy for us to simply keep our tails down. I suppose you can't do that with yours." Kotarou says while giving the tail a curious tug.
"Eep! H-hey, easy there! No pulling!"
Kotarou just grins and steps back, whispering something to Mikan.
"K-kotarou, isn't that a bit much?"
Staring at the two intently, I ask "Isn't what a bit much? What are you plotting over there?"
Kotarou in return just puts on an ingenuous smile, even though I can obviously tell she's up to something. "Nothing, nothing~! Me and Mikan just have a surprise for you Risa! Now.. close your eyes for a moment."
I remain staring, unconvinced as the blue haired doggy girl inches closer. "You're going to do something perverted, aren't you?"
Kotarou closes in the remaining space between us and forces me to turn around. "Not perverted! Now, eyes closed!"
I sigh and shrug. What else could it possibly be? So, I do as she asks and close my eyes.
Moments later, I experience something.. tightening around my neck slightly, followed my a familiar clicking sound that sparks my eyes back open.
"H-huh?" I look down to see Kotarou's own collar wrapped around my neck, with a leash snapped on, and on the other end of that leash is, of course, Kotarou. Grinning happily as ever.
"There! Now Risa is ready to depart on her first walk!"
I stare back in disbelief. "My first.. wait, you aren't seriously thinking of dragging me out in public like this are you?"
Kotarou leans in, wagging her tail happily as a smug look forms on her face. "Oh? You mean the thought of Risa being treated like a doggy and going on walks doesn't appeal to her, even when she had things like this in her naughty little drawer?"
My face flashes red in an blink of an eye. Sure.. I used to enjoy playing the part a bit before.. but.. that was just by myself. Alone. The thought of actually going outside like this..
"You know, I told you before Risa~, I can smell when you are-mmff!" I quickly shove my palm over Kotarou's mouth as my cheeks get redder.

"Yes, I know you can, you damn perverted dog." I growl, unable to deny the thought of being dragged around on a leash by Kotarou is sending shivers of excitement through me. "But.. I can't risk being seen by others like this."
Kotarou pulls my hand away to speak once more. "Risa, you worry too much! With me walking you and Mikan with us, no one will be able to tell. It'll only be like another day at work for me! And I'll stay close to keep you safe!"
I groan a bit, mulling it over.
"If Risa really doesn't want to, I won't make her. But.. if Risa does go, I'll let her do whatever she wants to me after~"
I look over to Kotarou with one eye open. "..promise?"
Kotarou smiles and begins wagging her tail again. "Promise! Knowing Risa, I'm sure it'll be perverted, but I'll still do it-!"
"Coming from the pup making me stick a tail up my hind end and dragging me out on a leash, you're one to talk." I say with a smirk. "But fine. Only a short walk. And.. try and avoid anywhere too public."
Kotarou's ears perk up happily at this, and within a matter of minutes she has Mikan strapped up on a leash as well and is leading the two of us outside.
I feel embarrassment radiating from my cheeks as we take our first few steps outdoors. Even with no one in sight.. the feeling of being out in public like this is both terribly frightening and exciting.
After standing still on the steps for a few moments, Kotarou nudge's me forward and gives me a pat on the head. "You'll be fine Risa! Just keep close to me."
Suppressing my fears, I take a few steps forward, and slowly walk along the path to the park with Kotarou behind me and Mikan a few steps in advance.
For the most part, the walk is uneventful. We pass by a couple on our way to the park entrance and I can immediately feel my cheeks burning, but the two just smile at us and move along without saying anything, prompting me to give a sigh of relief.
"See, Risa? You're doing fine~" Kotarou praises me, ruffling my hair a bit. "Unhh.. still.. so emberassing."
"But you're having fun, aren't you?" Kotarou inquires. I nod, shyly, as despite the constant fear pounding in my chest, I'm enjoying this quite a bit. Maybe if it wasn't broad daylight, I'd be less anxious.
As we enter the park, Kotarou leads the two of us towards a more secluded and less used path, with lots of trees and bushes blocking along the way. I feel some of my tension melt away as we regain a bit of privacy.

I catch Mikan blushily glancing over in my direction every so often. Blushing myself, I lean over and yield her a playful lick on the cheek, which elicits a squeak and a sudden tail stiffening, before she smiles and leans over to return the lick on my own cheek which causes me to giggle.
"Having fun, you two?" Kotarou inquires with a smirk. I look back and playfully stick out my tongue "jealous you're not the one out in front?" Kotarou, leaning in with an evil grin, gives the two of us a quick yank of the tail, eliciting a somewhat loud squeal and moan from both Mikan and I.
"W-wahh! Kotarou! What was that for?" Mikan protests with puffed out cheeks.
"Hahaha! I'm just fine back here, thank you. Besides, with that short skirt of Risa's, I'm enjoying quite the view."
My cheeks suddenly flush red as I instinctively tug the skirt down a bit, all three of us giggling now. "Yeah. yeah, you perverted dog. Savor the view while it lasts!"
My anxiety fading away, I start to finally feel at ease. Until my attention suddenly shifts and I become aware I've been subconsciously squirming my legs together for a while now. I must have been so distracted by everything I didn't realize the need building up, and now suddenly I actually feel the need to pee.
"Nnnh.." I groan, tugging my skirt down as I try and push myself to keep walking, my thighs rubbing together slightly every few steps. Naturally, it doesn't make long before Kotarou takes notice. "Hmm? Risa, do you gotta pee?" Kotarou bluntly asks, as Mikan's ears perk up at this and she also glances over in my direction.
"..m-maybe a bit," I respond, shyly. "Think we could head back now?" I ask, dancing in place a bit. All the anxiety is really not helping my ability to hold.
Kotarou looks around a bit and grins, looking back down at me and pointing off in the distance.
Confused, I turn around to see where she's pointing. "..you can't be serious", I say as I see the doggy girl is just pointing at a nearby tree.
Kotarou with her eyes closed and a finger in the air, as if she is teaching me the basics on puppy care, says "Sometimes it's difficult for pups to hold it, so it's not uncommon to use a tree or something when nature calls! Risa doesn't look like she'll make it back home anyways, she should just be a good doggy and go before she has an accident~!"
Nnh! I start to retort, but a sudden cool breeze flowing up my skirt sends shivers up my spine and causes my legs to instinctively lock together.
Realistically, I should be able to hold it if we headed home right now, but.. the thought of just going.. it's so perverted. The naughty side of me which wants to know what it feels like takes over. I look around quickly, confirming no one is about. It seems safe enough.. and the trees are thick enough to block out the rest of the park.
"Uhm, Kotarou.. make sure no one comes by, okay?" I say as I nervously make my way over to the tree, causing Mikan to grow a slight shade of red as well. "R-Risa, are you really going to..?" Even Kotarou is slightly wide-eyed, as if she didn't think I'd really agree to this.
I give the orange and blue haired doggy girls a sly smirk, lifting my skirt up a bit and wagging my tail-clad butt at them as I start to shimmy my panties down. "Perhaps I am. You're welcome to enjoy the show~" I tease, making the pup's cheeks grow even redder.
With one final sigh, I allow the paw-printed panties fall to my ankles and kneel down beside the tree, arcing one leg and using a free hand to balance myself as I struggle to close the rest of the world out.
After a few moments of relative silence, I feel my body start to relax as a small trickle comes dribbling out, before picking up pace and turning into a light, golden arch that splashes onto the dirt bellow before inevitably gushing out and splashing noisily onto the tree bark.
"Hahhh.." I moan out in relief, finally opening my eyes and looking behind me to see both Mikan and Kotarou gawking at both my naked butt and the stream pouring out from me. "E-Enjoying the show you two..?" I chuckle a bit awkwardly.
"Look, Mikan. Risa even pees like a dog too!" Kotarou grins and laughts. Mikan just covers her mouth with her palm to try and hide a light giggle as my stream finally starts to die down, some of the spray splashing down onto my legs as I finish.
As a sudden recognition of what I just did hits me, a flood of embarrassment washes over. I waste no time quickly pushing myself back up and somewhat awkwardly shimmying my panties back on, tugging my skirt down and quickly walking past the two and heading along the path back home.
"O-Okay, now that that's done, let's head hom-ah!" A sudden tightening around my neck causes me to stumble backwards a bit and fall flat on my bum, causing Kotarou to laugh even louder.
"Ah! Risa, don't run off suddenly! You should know better." she says, before walking up and offering me a hand.
A bit flustered, I hold it and pull myself back up. "Y-Yeah, sorry, I forgot about the.. uh, let's just go home now, okay?"
With that, the three of us begin to make our way out of the park.
"I have to say, Risa, I knew you were into the idea, but I wasn't expecting this walk to end with you marking your territory like a dog too" Kotarou teases as my cheeks flush red again.
"Do you guys even.. do that?" I ask, genuinely curious.
"What, mark our territory?" Kotarou chuckles lightly. "Risa, please. We are more human than anything. We may have strong senses of scent and the likes, but we don't do silly things like that. Well, except maybe that one time Mikan peed on you to 'claim you as h-'"

"K-Kotarou!!" the blue haired doggy girl is suddenly interrupted by a very blushy Mikan. "T-that was your idea anyways!"
"Yeah, but I didn't mean it literally. Even so, you seemed quite eager about the idea! Kehehe" Kotarou retorts with a mischievous snrk.
"Oh, was she now?" I join in, nudging myself closer to Mikan, who is now as red as a tomato and hiding her face in her shirt.
After quite a bit of teasing between the three of us, we finally make our way out of the park and start on our way back home, before..
"Ah, Kotarou! I thought that was you. Did Risa ask you to take Mikan on a walk for her? And who is this other cutie with you?"
My body freezes and my blood runs cold. That voice. No way. It can't be..
"Ah! Mom! Uhm, you see.." Kotarou stammers out awkwardly, scratching the back of her head.

"Hmm..? Wait.. Risa, is that you?"
My heart sinks a bit as I hear who is now definitely Nadeshiko speaking directly to me. I awkwardly turn around. My cheeks tomato red and unable to make eye contact. "Eheheh.. uhm, you see.. ..I can explain this."

A slight awkward pause as Nadeshiko looks me up and down. "..Oh, my." Suddenly, Nadeshiko bursts out into giggles. "Risa, it really suits you." she says, as she steps forward to pat both Mikan and I on the head.
Mikan wags her tail as she happily accepts the attention, but "Wa-wha-waahh?!" is all I can manage to stammer out as I nearly fall over backwards again. She's.. actually petting me and acting like this is completely normal.
"Hmm.. the tail quality is pretty good, too." she says, peering over my shoulders, sending shivers up and down my spine as I'm left completely speechless and in shock.

As Nadeshiko takes a step back and notices my expression, her face melts into a gentle smile. "My goodness, Risa, you look like you're nearly to faint. There's nothing to be so worried about."
With one hand holding my skirt and the other squeezing my arm about as tightly as it can, I finally muster up the courage to speak. "Uhm.. you.. you're not, weirded out by this? It's just.. you don't seem phased at all."
Nadeshiko's giggle catches me slightly off-guard. "Risa. I've worked with all kinds of pets and owners over the years. I can't count the number of times I've had a shy owner come in asking for a collar and a leash made to fit a size other than their pets. It's hardly an uncommon thing."
"..I.. I see." I say, feeling a bit of tension leaving my body.
"That said.. Kotarou's collar must be a bit of an awkward fit for you. Next time you come in, I'm sure I could find you something more to your liking~" she says, leaning in and winking.
"A-ah, thatsreallynotnecess-!" I start to speak, but before I can protest Nadeshiko cuts me off.
"For now, though, I have to hurry up and finish running some errands, so we'll have to part ways here for now. Make sure to take good care of Risa, Kotarou~!"
"Yes, mom!" the blue haired doggy girls' ears perk up, tail wagging as she happily responds.

Before walking off, Nadeshiko leans in and whispers into my ear, "stop by the shop sometime tomorrow, I'm sure I have plenty of things you'll take quite the liking to~", before patting me on the head one last time and heading off.
With her gone, I nearly collapse on the sidewalk in relief. That went far, far better than I ever expected.
Kotarou, looking down at me with concern. "Ah, Risa! Are you okay?"
"I-I'm fine, let's just head home now. I've had enough excitement for one day." I say. "Oh, and don't think I've forgotten about your end of the deal. I'm going to get you back good for this."

Today I was talking to someone on kik, I made him drink more and beg to piss, he held it until he lost control for me and it was so fucking hot i think i'm gonna do the same for him tomorrow 🙂 🙂