You can still find used copies of the collections on places like Amazon Marketplace and eBay. I picked up a 5-game AD&D set a while back for about $25 USD that included Stronghold, Fantasy Empires, UA, Dark Sun Shattered Lands, Dungeon Hack and a sixth disc where the original owner had compiled all of the documentation for the games from the individual CDs. The same collection without the documentation CD was going for $65 unopened. Sure, it was just the CDs and didn't include a box, but given how little storage I have (and how cheap the box looked anyway), I don't mind at all. =)

You can do scripting in LUA for both Legend of Grimrock games.

RPG Maker can create games in the style of console JRPG games. There is a great community surrounding it which includes different combat modules and other mods. The biggest problem I have with it is I have little artistic talent, so I would be reliant on either DLC artwork (which can get expensive), or community art packs. Still, you can make some pretty nice games with it, even with the vanilla set.

If you can find a copy (Ultimate RPG Archives, for example), Bard's Tale Construction Kit is another decent tool. There are some limitations and not as much community around it, but it still works pretty well for making adventures.

Flynn

I've read that you do need to do a lot scripting in RPG Maker though if you want to create anything worthwhile, so that would make it different than Unlimited Adventures. It's also more reliant on graphics. The Bard's Tale Construction Set is probably close to UA, but it never caught on as much.

I'd say BTCS is pretty close to UA in style. There are separate modules for editing items, monsters, spells and maps. Events can be "scripted" in a BASIC-like language. I say "scripted" as you have set statements and conditionals that you can pick from a list and you're limited to 20 lines per "script". Still, I was able to pull off some pretty neat effects like an equipment shop, randomized house encounters with different rates between day and night, and a few other fun things.

RPG Maker does need some scripting. Basic scripting can be done through a click button interface, so you don't have to directly write scripts if you don't want to (though you certainly can at any point). The community also has a number of scripts you can drop in for a variety of effects (including the aforementioned combat engines). Really, it can be as simple or as complex as you wish. But overall it is not as simple as UA or BTCS.

Flynn

Sure it's always possible to find used copies, but you'll have to cough up a lot of dough especially if you want the games in mint condition. You managed to find your copy cheap. Mint condition SSI's AD&D games can be closer to 100€ which is too much for normal people and only serious collectors are willing to pay that much.

This is probably the first time since SSI's license ended when there are new copies of these games are available.

Pretty much. Which is why I decided that if I can't get a new copy for a reasonable price I'd accept used. I'm more in it for playing the games rather than collecting for future value. So I'm willing to accept copies with missing or damaged paperwork as long as the discs are in good shape. =)

Which is why I still haven't bought a used copy of either Buck Rogers game as they are both pretty expensive even for used sets. *sigh*

Flynn