Thanks for all the input! :)

If you're good with Javascript, you can do any kind of javascript coding within C2 using the Javascript SDK.

Looks like everything has to be done with "plug-ins". I don't know, I am used to less restrictive Javascript game engines.

Example: http://www.scirra.com/forum/plugin-chat-using-socketio_topic46929.html

The chat plug-in looks complicated. On the other hand, if you have a node.js server up, chat is just a few lines:

1. HTML text input form. Sends text to server-side function.

2. Server-side function calls client-side function.

3. Append HTML with the text.

I hate to get bogged down with trying to get basic functionality working with Construct 2.

If I am not mistaken, you could use AJAX to query the NodeJS server.

I am using HTML5 web-sockets (via NodeJS and Socket.io/NowJS) instead of AJAX. (to achieve "server push", one typically use either AJAX or websockets but not both)

Does Construct 2 work easily with HTML5 web-sockets, and various other HTML5 technologies like NodeJS and Socket.io/NowJS?

Right now I have a project that is using NodeJS, NowJS and MongoDB/MongooseJS server-side. Client-side, I am using a javascript game engine call MelonJS.

MelonJS is "non-intrusive" in the sense that it is just a set of javascript that I can use to manipulate the canvas. I can easily alter them or use them to call javascript outside of the engine. E.g. I can ask MelonJS to listen to arrow keys and call server-side functions via NowJS when they are pressed.

I am thinking of switching to Construct 2 because it looks like it can shorten development time. But is it easy to call outside javascript from within Construct 2 to hook it up to Node.JS?

E.g.

1) Construct 2 listens to arrow key.

2) Arrow key pressed --> Construct 2 calls server-side function via NowJS.

3) Server processes action and calls client-side Construct 2 function via NowJS.

4) Construct 2 processes the function and carry out the action.

Or do I have to use clunky workarounds?