The map data (only the terrain pics) are pulled from the original and the appear is about 4.5k (probably less, I don't remember). And it will be permanently archived. I think the user RAM requirement will be much lower than Reuben due to the simpler nature of Illusiat. For example, the map engine runs 100% from safe RAM. The data it needs is preloaded in the appropriate area.
About progress : I added a very bare title screen (the pic AoC made but with no menu) and the terrain data has been merged into a single appvar. I figured out I didn't need an ultra flexible way to generate appvars from scratch so I make them by hand.

Yeah right but I merged them in one appvar to rule them all. Also it doesn't take up all your pic slots anymore.

By the way this is going to be an app if either of these conditions is met :
a) The engine is small enough that I can squeeze all the data into the app and all that would almost fill the page (unlikely but bleh).
b) The engine almost fills the page by itself and the data will remain external. More likely but still.

If I don't meet any of these requirements then it will be a program with external data. Unless I hit a RAM issue which is unlikely.

LOL.
However I just hit an issue so I'm not so sure to release that something tonight.

No it isn't. I was just teasing for an update and DJ was joking.
To make it clear : it's far from being done. I'm still working on the map engine after all that time.

No battles. That will come next. Also, hooks (almost) work !

It's already been in hiatus for a few months. Anyway, I'm done with the map engine. However I can't post what I wanted tonight because it's too late. I'm making a backup on another calc to be safe and then heading to bed.