Update: 12/26/2019
I have decided to switch over to Java instead of using GameMaker. Long story short, it's taken me much more time to learn the engine than I expected, then Windows did a thing Windows likes to do, and borked, requiring a reinstall.

When I reinstalled, I found that when I tried to enter the licence for GMS 1.4 refused to activate. Likely because they dropped support over a year and a half ago. I'm not spending $100 on GMS 2 and re-learning it. I also do know the basics and some advanced components of Java, so I decided on it as opposed to something else. This will also allow me to work on it easily on different computers, should the need arise.

The reasons for doing so:
- Java is universal, so I only need to develop for one platform.
- Any library I would need to use is free, with lots of documentation, allowing quicker development.
- Due to the universal aspect, Everyone can test it. Not just Windows users.
- And finally, building it from the ground up allows me more finite control of what I can do.

Why Java instead of a C based language? As previously stated, it's platform agnostic. I already know it, and quite a few games have been made in it, Minecraft being the most notable.

As for what has taken so long...
Quite simply, I realized I was in over my head, and instead of giving up entirely then and there, I took a step back and decided on what I needed to learn to do first, so I could make sure I understood that part. I have also been tinkering with other engines instead of Gamemaker. Java and Unity, mostly.

I decided Unity wasn't for me, and went to Java, as I already understand how it works.

This project is far from being dead. I won't let it truly die anyways.

With switching over, Development should actually go quicker, once I get the basic engine done.

Anyway, that's the update for now. I forgot to post little updates along the way...But here's where the game stands right now.