Hm, looked at The Wastes and it mostly resembles BBS's and contemporary Rogue Likes, with a more linear slant. I don't know what he used to code it, but you could put something similar together with any number of languages. As mentioned in other threads, Python is the most recommended for beginners, though there are other languages or tools you could use such as BGT, a MUD engine, etc. If you choose to go the Python route there are others here who can help you, and you can find a tutorial to help you along here.

If you are a beginner, Pure Basic is your best bet IMHO

Why?

Yeah, that is right. The reason I recommended it is that:
1. The demo has a limitation of 800 code lines. It will be enough for the engine like it, and if he likes the syntax he might get PB.
2. Doing crossplatform is easy
3. Python has one problem, that is a big one for blind beginners IMO, this problem's name is of course indentation.

I don't know why you would use a functional programming language over an object oriented one nowadays. Also, yes, it is not free, I haven't checked on it in a while, but the last time I did it was like $90USD.

As for indentation, it's really a non-issue. Just be consistent about it and you'll be fine. NVDA now actually ships with indent reporting that plays tones when you navigate indent blocks. The tones only change when the level of indentation changes. SO, if you are arrowing down, and you hear nothing, it means you're in the same block, or same level of indentation. I could have a loop that starts on line 15 and goes to line 90, and in that loop, I'd have three sets of if statements at level 2, since the loop itself would be level 1, inside one of those ifs, i'd nest another one at level 3, etc. I would then hear tones to indicate when the indent changes. I'd know I was still inside that same block of code if I heard nothing. Also, this feature works equally well with tabs or spaces.