Hello this has come along way since the last time I was here over 2 years ago.
What my project is, is to create a social world, so you would have scenes, chat, avatar selection, inventory for items.

I am an artist more then a programmer, I can generally read and understand scripts but raw-coding is beyond me.

Now it appears that most of what I require is already in the engine. Without digging into the code too heavily (other then some tweeks) would I be able to bring my project to light using the base edition?

Thank you!

Hi, if I were you I'd aim at getting a programmer on board. It's a feature rich engine but it still needs a programmer to tie it all together, like virtually every engine out there! The only way you'd be able to tweek existing code was if you were able to use one of the existing game examples but then you'd be limited by whatever design constraints it exhibited.

Artists need to team up with programmers, or learn to code themselves (but that's a long road in itself).

You'll definitely need a programmer.

Thank you folks I appreciate that, programmers are a rare bird hard to find for hire as they are generally so busy.

Yes Pixel I agree I have taken some classes mostly in C# and though I understand all the functions, methods etc. I for some reason am unable to turn something like.."I want this ball to shoot in the X direction." into code.

I do quite a bit of hunting, clipping and pasting from other code sources but that can only go so far as you tend to need custom bits for your exact game idea.

You're welcome Merries59.

Programming, like modelling, is a specialised skill in itself. Understanding API functions is one thing but being able to program well in an object oriented way and turn requirements readily into working code requires experience and plenty of it. Besides, not everyone is cut out to be a programmer in the same way that not everyone is cut out to be a 3D modeller, musician and so on.

Giving your game identity and appeal requires customisation as you suggest which is why any attempts at providing pre-built game engines which require little to no programming usually fail as you just end up with variants on the same theme.

Get yourself a good programmer and with your combined skills anything is possible. I appreciate finding one is not so easy. Putting together a good game design presentation along with examples of your skill sets will help attract coders.

Although most coders have a slight advantage, in as much as it's easier to produce a good working game with minimal artwork than it is to produce a good working game with minimal code, sooner or later most coders will be looking to team up with an artist too ... as most programmer art looks like crap lol

kreathyon has just announced he's abandoning his project due to being unable to find a programmer. As he's clearly a talented artist I hope that's enough to encourage some coder/coders to contact him and offer help.

You clearly have some experience of coding which will help a lot when working with a programmer. The converse is true also.

Esenthel is a great engine to work with. The most stable engine I have ever used, functionally rich, well implemented and supported.

Game design and development is hard at the best of times and you'll face many hurdles so you need to believe in yourself and your ideas. However, be prepared to compromise a bit to get other people on board.

I wish you luck

Most of what you require is in either of the two MMO example games you can purchase in the Esenthel store. You could make a working prototype with just tweaking and some code pasting and a bit of help from the forums.

But if you are serious about the project, I highly suggest you to take the advice given by Pixel Perfect and team up with a programmer. If you do decide to go this route just be aware It might be difficult finding one here, so try looking also in other places like gamedev.net etc., it might take some time, but that's ok, as you have plenty of stuff you can do in the meantime to push the project further.