   For crying out loud...
  I'd actually say that I'm getting close to making my first programmed game.  I'm trying to do it for the Technology Student Association (How do you spell that word?), or TSA, at my High School in time for the Video game design competition.  I just need help with finding the right engine for the competition.  Can anyone assist?  I was looking at this engine right here called C4... something that I actually found out about on a different site.  Only problem?  My parents don't have the right money!!  That and we have a cruddy machine with the worst possible graphics card option...  and we somehow lost the system specs.  Can you believe it?!?!So, anyway, what would you recommend?   
  use free middle-ware. You'll probably have to shop around a bit. I think your key words here should be "rapid prototyping".What do you mean by "lost the system specs"? You should be able to view some sort of hardware profile through your operating system.What's your deadline, by-the-way? How much programming do you know? what language?   ;  I'm technically learning programming anyway (taking a class on it during the school day).  I'm also looking for a multi-scripting language kind (engine-wise, anyway, okay?) that also comes with a core-language pack (for the scenario that means the team will need to use C++ or something in the game).  I am trying to learn two languages at once (Python and C++).  The deadline is the end of the school year (as far as I know).Also, what I meant by "lost the system specs", is I have had a timer on my computer for some time (twice total) and it prevents me from seeing the specs from the operating system...  not to mention that my dad can't find the specs sheet anyway.Other than that much, I'll try tomorrow for the right engine for the competition, seeing that my time is about to run out now.   ;  A "timer"? Is that some kind of software that limits your access to the machine?   ;  Kind of.  My parents put something on the back of the hard drive from Woog Labs (the place where this was made) that messes with the screen and the keyboard and makes the screen go fuzzy with blue and red static.  Mainly it puts a time limit for how much I can use the computer in a day (1:30:00 maximum...  meaning one-and-a-half hours max) and it doesn't allow my brother and I on past 8:30 P.M. any day...  with Sunday as the exception (no time on for the kids ever in the first place).So does that answer your questions?   ;  If it is a game design competition then it may be better to use a Game Maker like package to make the game rather then using much of you short time frame learning a language and then implementing the game. Otherwise just learn Python OR C++, not both (recommendation Python) and pick one of the free libraries out there to make your game with.   ;  if  this  is the device your talking about, then all you need is the either 1.) the parent or setup password2.) the key for the padlock (i cant believe it has a padlock)or 3.) a good hack saw with a new blade ;Pbut as for the game engine you need to ask yourself do you really need one, then you ask are you doing 2D or 3D. then what api you want to use, win32, sdl, opengl, directx you get the point.once you have answered these questions then you can look at the wiki(liked in the first reply) to find a engine(if you decide that you need one).   ;  You could have a look at XNA, I've managed to get it to run ok at work on Intel 915G inbuilt chipsets, its ok for sprite work but can't handle masses of 3D, you could do a design concept as a 2D based game (also it is the right price).  I think you need to have a serious chat to your folks and try to explain to them that you are wanting to use the computer for "real" stuff not just "youtube" and pron and perhaps they should give you greater access.  The one thing learning game development takes (no matter what "engine") is lots of time at the keyboard.  Maybe get your programing teacher to write a them note.PS Your parents could have got a basic 3D card for the price of that box.   