@P.Lucario: If you want an advice, if you want to do the "travel to the past" thing, try to use other tiles different from the Gold ones, that idea is getting a bit overused.
Tile creators? Hmmm... I personally dont know that many, because if I add something, I just rip it from somewhere else :P
The only one I have talked to a few times is Don Patch (wonder how he's being called now?), pretty colorful tiles. Other than him the rest I havent talked to and know only from name: Kyledove, $_$ (I think he was a spriter, if I remember correctly), and there was someone else but I dont remember the name... Meh, not like I can help you much...
@Darkshade: OK, I dont have planned items' sprites changes for this Beta so you can take your time.
@fallenleader: The newest Beta is always at the bottom of the SG thread. Look there.
Email tutorials? Why would I? If the tutorials are placed in the Documents/Tutorials section. Look there.
Advance Map, in the "Header" tab (while being in the map you want to change), if you look carefully, there's a "Weather" box, just click there and you'll find the many weathers the game has (FR and RSE may differ)
@amtrax: You can use the different Sevii island maps to make different maps (regions), yes, but, the problem is that you'll be limited with the amount of locations the game can handle ie. Viridian Forest, Saffron City, Digglet's Cave, I dont think it is possible to use that amount to make the four regions balanced.
...And add to it that it requires a massive amount of time, patience and effort to make multiple regions. I wouldnt recommend it.
@opeious: No. That is not allowed till the final version is released. Until then you can only use some stuff inside, but definitely not the whole rom as a base.