author=dragonheartman
For those of you keeping score at home, this is the fifth time I've had to reboot the game.

You're my hero.

Starless Umbra V: The Phantom Pain

Well... Had to happen eventually. Good luck DHM, it's not gonna be easy that's for sure.

Okay. If you are restarting SU and going on a custom engine I have but ONE suggestion. Since you'll be using custom graphics and audio, as well as your own engine. Sell it. The ideas you had alone were well implemented in 2k3 and if you can implement the whole DKC mine cart ride and still make it fun regardless of engine, if you can implement the cooking mini system or improve on it, and if you can implement a greater crafting system using those funky enemy drops and all that jazz. Sell it. I know that as is I would certainly pay for HOU on steam or elsewhere. I also know that as is I would pay for SU simply to get finished. But if you start talking about completely custom things that are all your own invention I'm suggesting you sell SU when it's finished. Because quite frankly I'd buy it as long as you keep realizing what you need to do to make things fun. And you are the top dog when it comes to implementing an idea in a manner that keeps it quick paced, but fun to use.

Lack of local switches (to copy paste say a chest event)

RPG20XX has the same variable selection dialog, but it lets you set if the variable is local or not right there. For even more "localness", there are also temporal variables that stack; calling a function that is using the same temp variables will work just fine. When the called function ends and returns, the values for those temp variables will be the same as they were before the call.

custom messages

I'm not sure what you mean with these, but there's Show Message, Show Notice (those messages at the top), Draw String, and actual string variables themselves. Every string visible is formatted. Strings visible with Draw String instantly update on the frame if, say, a variable value it displays changes. Nesting these is possible if you really want to.

skill learning systems that don't depend on level

A variety of Game Commands let you script up whatever the hell skill/class system you want. You can have any attributes you want (visible or invisible) and some can be used to save values on the player (job points, aptitudes, etc.). You can have any derived stats you want, and you have total control over the calculations.

Whether a given item is usable/equippable by a player, I decided to let you use a Derived Statistic so you can define this any which way you want. Makes it easier if you add new players that you don't have to constantly update can-use check boxes or anything.

and a few others were all doable at least with DynRPG

There's a lot of commands. You can select any command in RPG20XX's editor and it has built-in synopsis telling you what it can do.

or PicPointerPatch

You can create pictures, texts, GUI elements in the current system graphic, etc. as drawing objects. Each object can be moved, scaled, rotated or faded. You can have unlimited (until your computer runs out of CPU/RAM) of these.

non-keyboard input

It's got input aliasing working, just not exposed to the user yet.

independent projects for minigames

Because RPG20XX has commands already written to make CBS writing simple, it follows that you can easily script up any minigame. It's even easier to integrate the minigame with the CBS so if you have events in the minigame damage/heal/alter player characters.

but I don't know if I'd be able to implement it myself.

Almost everything in RPG20XX is an event script, so in some ways it will feel too easy. Starting from a blank project means you have to fill out lots of the database, so I recommend starting a New Default Project and seeing how some basic things are done.

Although I did just open the editor and I'm damn impressed already

I don't know if I've documented it, but you can have single events made up of multiple tiles. Drag select multiple events and drag move multiple events at once. Holding SPACE and dragging moves the view. The first two layers are fully automatic so you can draw mountains atop anything, etc.

I'll grab a copy of visual studio and peek at the source a bit.

It uses Visual Studio 2010. If you have a school e-mail, you can grab the professional version for free.

I haven't done a lot of C++ programming in some time and I know you're busy so I'd rather not bother you with simple questions.

Actually I prefer if you ask me questions, e-mail would be good. If something in the engine code is unclear, that means I need to document it better. Function documentation is in the .h files.

I haven't thought of how to monetize. I should consider doing something like that.

If you modify the engine, you have to provide the source code under RPG20XX's current license. This might be a problem if you're selling on Steam and integrating SteamWorks since it clashes with the GPL.

I thought about dual licensing last year, but now I think I'll just select a license that would allow Steam integration and the like. If people want to support RPG20XX they can just donate.

In all cases, there's no royalties or anything for using RPG20XX. While the engine and editor are open source, the compiled .2XG file itself would technically entirely be your copyright to license as you wish (you wouldn't have to provide any project files). Don't quote me though, I'm not a lawyer.

A lot of the complex information is flattened when compiled into .2XG, so reverse engineering the file would result in a project that is much harder to edit (all the neat inheritance, symbols and features would be missing).

---

random map generation

This isn't in, but I require it myself for whenever I resume LandTraveller. I use a toolbox of functions to create worlds I learned. I even had random progression generation via PRMs planned. Persistent modification of maps during the game is also a thing I'll require (and therefore will be in at some point too).

Although I strongly suggest you just do good level design for this game since it lends itself well to a more class RPG style. A well designed level is superior to a randomly generated one. Too many new games lack good level design.

pixel-based movement

Coming soon, too. This and "mode 7". A lot of supporting functions are already in RPG20XX. Pixel based movement is required in LandTraveller, and I wouldn't hear the end of it anyways until I implement it.

Then there are things that I want like a cross-platform (desktop and mobile) experience

Not easy, but I chose self-contained libraries that have implementations on various platforms to make porting a lot easier.