- https://github.com/kitao/pyxel (Python)
- https://github.com/minigdx/tiny (Lua)
You could look at TIC-80 and WASM with micropython compiling to WASM (or even full python).
Or... just use a python tool inspired by PICO-8: https://github.com/kitao/pyxel
Similar, but no paid version at all, and you can write as much Python as you want.
I initially was following along with Handmade Hero a series that I have been going back to frequently over the past few years.
The series is great but I wanted something more guided so I am eyeing purchasing Game Coding Complete. It teaches the internals of a game engine and uses DirectX for rendering.
https://www.amazon.com/Game-Coding-Complete-Fourth-McShaffry...
Because deliveries are on lock down in my country the book will have to wait.
So right now I have gone through SDL tutorials (there was a recent update to the LazyFoo SDL tutorial) and am currently finishing OpenGL.
http://lazyfoo.net/tutorials/SDL/index.php https://learnopengl.com/
Finally, I've been checking out repositories of open source game engines and poking around their codes. interesting ones are below:
Godot - Probably a lot of people already know about this one
https://github.com/godotengine/godot
Pyxel - A fantasy game engine similar to Pico8 written in Python, uses SDL
https://github.com/kitao/pyxel
Wicked Engine - Haven't poked around much with this yet but the screenshots looks gorgeous
https://github.com/turanszkij/WickedEngine/blob/master/READM...
Finally here's the video that got me interested in game engines. I saw this years ago but saw it again recently while researching. It's a 2.5d game engine that makes great use of lighting while combining 2d sprites and 3d models.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-Q6ISVaM5Ww
Here's a second video that shows off a winter weather which boggled my mind when I first saw it.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vtYvNEmmHXE#
Sorry for the dump, was excited to share these.