[MUD-Dev2] [Engines] A suitable 2D engine for a virtual world.

[Sebastian Anthony]

After putting a lot of work into the design of a game, it’s now time to look
at implementing it.

 

Without going into specifics, it’ll be a virtual world, with multiple large
zones (cities). 

 

It’ll be mostly a solo project, with perhaps a few outsiders brought in to
create resources for the game.

 

So, I’m looking for some kind of engine or framework that allows
network-based games to be quickly created.

 

I am open to Flash frameworks, or something in C# or C++.

 

Obviously something free/cheap would be desirable for such a project, but if
there is a stand-out engine/framework that’s costly, I’d like to know about
it.

 

Secondary concerns – an engine that can be scripted with something like
Python would be nice. I don’t really want to program an entire world in
Action Script.

 

The world I have in mind features a lot of politics/business, with not much
actual ‘interaction’ with the world. It could be implemented using some kind
of Web/HTTP interface too, but for the time being I’d like to look at
possible 2D engines. A lot of the player’s input would simply be through
typing in numbers, agreeing to things in dialogue boxes... that kind of
thing.

 

I assume a lot of those free/cheap 2D and 2½D games use something similar to
what I’m asking for.

 

Cheers,

-S