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[Roc CURIOUSBEAST_EATER]

I going to make an roguelike but I do not know what game engine to use.
The roguelike needs to be easy to use and learn, free and works with windows.

[HFS]

I'd imagine the best engine you could use is one you make yourself.

[Roc CURIOUSBEAST_EATER]

But I do not know how to make one game engine.

[Skyrunner]

If you use C++ and libtcod I'd recommend the Gatleos TCODEngine. It's kinda clunky and has 0 support for things like UI, but it's a decent place to start from.

[itisnotlogical]

Learn Python, then learn ncurses. Python might not be as practical in the long-run as a C-based language, but it's a lot easier on beginners because there's no linking or compiling. Not very many people will be willing to install something extra to try your game, but it will help get your feet wet.

[Orange Wizard]

Learn Python

+1000000

Also libtcod. It's better than ncurses, because it's designed specifically for roguelikes.
Obligatory Helpful Link: Python+libtcod Tutorial

Note that although that tutorial specifies Python 2.7, you can use a 3.x version instead. You just need to pass strings as byte arrays, like so:

Code: (String Object) [Select]

newString = bytes (string)


Code: (New-fangled "quote marks" string) [Select]

b"string"

I would recommend using Python 3.2 if you haven't used the language before. Python 2 is deprecated and (most) new tools are made for Python 3. That said, there's still a lot of third-party modules and the like for version 2, so you could go with that if you wish.

[Roc CURIOUSBEAST_EATER]

Back on topic.
I asking for an PREMADE roguelike game engine, not making the game engine.
(sorry, but there are too many red herrings)

[Gatleos]

If you use C++ and libtcod I'd recommend the Skyrunner TCODEngine. It's kinda clunky and has 0 support for things like UI, but it's a decent place to start from.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

But seriously the only premade engine I can think of is the Tales of Maj'Eyal engine. I don't know how flexible it is though.

[alexandertnt]

How much experience do you have with programming?

I don't think there is any drag-and-drop roguelike creation program out there, you will almost certainly have to get your hands dirty with code.

[Orange Wizard]

My apologies, I wasn't clear enough before. Also libtcod, seeing as I forgot to give a link to the actual thing. libtcod (AKA TCOD) handles the display end of roguelikes, along with a few other (awesome) tools.
If you want an API with things like pre-defined creature or item classes, then I don't think you'll find a (good) one.
The majority of roguelike "engines", to use the vernacular, as far as I have seen, are for putting the @s and Es on the screen and moving them around. It's up to you to figure out when they're talking or fighting or trading or whatever - that's what game development is about. Doing stuff.

If you want to "piggyback" off someone else's code (which is not a bad thing unless it breaks copyright law or something), try looking for an existing open-source roguelike and using what they've written to make your own game, or mod. The same goes for existing engines.
I wouldn't recommend this approach, honestly, because you'll have to learn how the other devs do things which is sometimes harder than doing it yourself.

Really, how you choose to go about this depends on what you want to get out of it. Do you want to learn programming? Try making the game engine. The nitty-gritty code. It might not work the first few times, but you'll be a better programmer by the end of it.
Do you like game design? Planning mechanics and creatures, thinking of cool spells? Try modifying an existing game, or finding someone who is willing to do the coding for you. Working with another person is often a good idea, especially in game development.

If you want to "make a roguelike"... you're going to have to do the hard yards first. There's no "easy way" to make a good anything, other than hard work, which isn't easy at all.

you will have to get your hands dirty

[miauw62]

I can recall at least two other threads with the same topic. (and the same response)
If you're looking for a simple roguelike engine with no programming skill required you should stop looking, it simply doesn't exist. Learn to program or give up.

Once you can program, there are several options and things available to make it easier, more efficient and to make your code less ugly (because if this is your first coding venture your code will likely be rather terrible but that's ok)

(hint learning to program is most certainly worth it hint)

Also if all you have to contribute is ideas it's rather unlikely that you'll find someone willing to work with you.

[RedKing]

Learn to program or give up.

Pretty much this. And I say that as a non-programmer.

Even if you take a base engine like Angband, you're going to need to know how to write some code to put your customizations on it.

[Frumple]

Yeah... T-Engine (Gatleos links to it, more or less) might be your best bet for something pre-made, but you're still going to have to pick up a lot of Lua to get anywhere with it, at the absolute least. From what I've seen watching the devs converse and folks coming in for advice, back when I idled around the IRC fairly often, it's comparatively easy to learn and use, and quite flexible, but "comparatively easy" doesn't actually mean "easy". As others have said, you're going to be picking up some degree of coding pretty much regardless.*

*This is actually true with game making period, from everything I've seen. There's incredibly few options available, regardless of genre, that don't involving coding or scripting to some extent, and every single one of those are terribly limited in what they can do.

[RedKing]

I think the fact that DF is so easy to mod (hell, *I* can do it) creates unrealistic expectations for some people that other games will be similarly easy.

[blazing glory]

I think the fact that DF is so easy to mod (hell, *I* can do it) creates unrealistic expectations for some people that other games will be similarly easy.

That's what happened with me at least.