someone needs to...

General
1

program a program that programs

to clarify
something that has a bunch of check boxes you can select, each an option of how you want the engine to be
side scroller, top down, 3/4
movement types
aim types
basically something that hands you a basic engine for you to start with
maybe even an option to choose which language you want it in

2

cool story bro

3

You could download the source code of a basic engine for one of those games and change the values to fit your needs? <_<

4

I do like the idea of a well-rounded 2-D engine with a robust game editor. Here are some internal features I would want in such an engine:

  • Cross-platform compatibility (at least for the popular OSes)
  • Good physics that aren’t too floaty (the main character should stick to the ground while walking down ramps, for example)
  • Some form of scripting (to allow for easy cutscenes, customizable AI, object properties, etc.)
  • Part-based model system (easy to animate, no need for gigantic sprite sheets, can be awesome if used right)
  • Great special effects (beyond particles–more like electricity, reflective surfaces, lighting, screen-warping, etc.)

I’m sure something like this exists and we’re being too lazy to notice. But there shouldn’t be any programming necessary from the user’s point of view. All in an editor.

5

how about we all just use the source engine and be done with it.

6

I like troid’s idea better XD
I’m interested in working on this, but probably can’t until next summer, at least not too heavily.

7

Isn’t that just the basic idea behind the MetEngine?

8

No sir, MetEngine, as far as I know, is primarily for sidescrollers, and doesn’t do pretty much 2/5 of what Troid said for sure, and another 2/5 are iffy. That’s four out of five things that MetEngine might not or does not do.

9

add strategy things too i wanna make a strategy game but my programming skillz suck :frowning:

10

I have doubts such an engine could be made. Gamemaker is essentially just that, if I am not mistaken. An engine can either be very good for what it’s designed for, or very robust, rarely the two.

I don’t really know enough about programming to be saying stuff like this, but I just doubt it can be done.

11

There was already an engine like this created for shmups, available through wiiware.
In reality, it’d be easier to do a couple of different engines for different games, or maybe just a very modular one. A 2D RPG and a 2D platformer usually don’t share much. An RPG doesn’t generally need gravity, and a platformer doesn’t generally need leveling statistics and random encounters.

Game maker… is a bit different. Gravity is dumb and glitchy, sprites aren’t model-based, and it’s not the most efficient thing in the world.