Thank you so much for all these valuable informations! I will definitely look in to the Enigma Virtual Box if I can't get the encryption to work. Why didn't I think about using show pictures for the HUD? It seems like the way to go for me as I want it to be quite simple.
I was debating on giving extra lives but I kind of wanted it to be sort of a platformer style of gameplay but the one hit shield sounds like a good idea. Again thank you for all the kind words and I hope to stay in touch if I ever get another version out. Good luck to you as well!