Finally got saving to work. You still can't load files in the level editor, but now you can load the levels in game. Once I implement loading files, I need to work on being able to change properties of game objects and the ability to change the tileset, BGM, and level boss.

Got file loading (partially) implemented (only loads a few objects). I also need to implement custom filenames (it currently only saves/loads as "level.xml").

Now you can change the tileset in the editor just by pressing X. It switches from space to ground. This also means I can edit space levels now.

I've included more object loading. I just need to implement one more in-game object.

Didn't make any progress on the game or level editor today outside of a few trivial bug fixes (was busy with other stuff), but I would like to thank everyone for the complements. I haven't received that much positive feedback before (mostly because I never showcase anything). It really feels much better than obsessing over politics and culture war shit.

Oh yeah. I'm also thankful that nobody has shat on me for using C#.

So, I've added a moon/barren planet tileset to the editor (which I'm not going to show because it's not finished) and I'm currently working on a text input box to enter the filenames when saving/loading levels. But I've been really busy with work/school for the past couple of days. I don't know when I will have more free-time.

This is exactly why I wish I did more programming back in high school but running cross-country and track while also playing in orchestra drained me and it was even worse in college because I'm a full-time student with a part-time job.

@xianc78 nice work man! What are you using to make all this?

@Binkle C# and MonoGame.

https://monogame.net

@xianc78 very nice

@Binkle Thank you.

@xianc78 Wouldn't the first thing you want to do is figure out your data structures so you can serialise and save them easy? It's kinda harder to go in the other direction

@applejack I already have an XML file format for my levels. I've been handwriting levels from scratch for the longest time. Only recently have I decided to create an actual level editor.

@xianc78 Okay, cool, except XML

@applejack XML seems to be the standard for storing data among C#/.NET/Mono programmers. I would use JSON if it didn't require me to use a third-party library.

@xianc78
Once I've moved the fuck out of this house in about a week if it goes to plan I'll be doing pc98 programming, that and I have a second one and some unscanned programming docs coming.

@mergan I've heard of it and I know that MonoGame has an extension for it, but I prefer something that it optimized for my game and not something generic. Plus, I already have been working on this game for over a year and I already had a level format for it already (I've been painfully hand-writing XML files for the longest time).

And I just find writing games including the level formats, physics, AI, etc "from scratch" much more rewarding. Otherwise, I would be using a full engine like Godot or Unity.

@xianc78 I do agree it feels more rewarding to do everything from scratch-- but it does take longer.