It seems my decision has now been made.
I'm going to reacquaint myself with BlitzMax, and give things another try.

But first I need to build up a nice new Jayenkai Framework.

There's a fair number of things that I want to put into place before we begin, so let's get cracking on the list.

1. Multiplayer : Not online...!
Authentic Kaizen suggested I add multiplayer co-op to NeonPlat, and I kind of agreed, but the way the old framework is set up just didn't support that.
All the controls were available all over, and you couldn't take one to work for another player.
(Cursors + ZXCV, WASD + JKIL, Joypad, all work equally, assuming you turn on Joypad support in Blockman Gets More!!)
It does, however, require the use of redefinable controls.. So that should probably come before this..


2. Redefinable Controls
This is a bit of a biggy, but I have already created a great big list of keynames, so it shouldn't be too bad.
It does, however, require the use of a great big overall menu system.. So that should probably come before this...


3. Big-ass Option Screen!
For the past 20-or-so games, I've been using the same set of values in all the games. Turn Fullscreen on in one game, blammo the others do, too!
Additionally, music on/off works, as does Joystick on/off.
It'd be nice to have an option screen in all the games, though, wouldn't it!!
I'd better do that right at the start, this time.


4. Multi-Game Support : Out
Bit of a dodgy one, here.
It'd be nice if I could do it, but when all the virus checkers start complaining about your games, it's probably a better idea not to.
In 4 weeks time it's 2010, and yet I still can't save something in one game, and have another game access it.
f'ing typical!
Aren't we supposed to have, at least, general game settings by now!?! I mean, seriously, come on!!

I might come up with a nice bonus feature for folk who gather their Jayenkai games together.. We'll have to see about that.


5. Resolutions!
Gotta have a nice big openy option that asks the player how they want to play a game.
*pop* How do you want to play? *save*


6. Mac/Linux
Yikes...!


If you've anything else, nice and general, that you think my games should be doing..
Let me know about it.