I have been making simple visual novel type games for work (STEM education) for a couple years. I've used Cloudnovel for this and it has been okay if somewhat limited. They have went over well but I am looking to make something more ambitious and would like advice on how to proceed and what tools to use.

I'd like to create a multiplayer version of these experiences for education. This would mean groups of kids working through the same overall 'lesson' with different students assigned jobs and different jobs able to interact. Say one group would be doing experiments to gather information, then send it to another group in the 'lab' for analysis.

Some basic features that may help with any recommendations:

• The game itself would be very simple. Data entry, drag and drop, combining elements to build something new (think a dress up game), interactive videos, and basic animations.
• The interaction between groups would be limited to sending information to each other through 'emails' within the game. I'd also like to have voice chat between groups possible but that could be handled outside the game if needed.
• The art could be entirely 2D, or have some 3D elements but they would be very basic.
• The main issue I am having is that I have no idea what engine to use or how to build a game with multiplayer/online capabilities.
• If the game could run on HTML5 or another online platform that would be ideal, so schools or students at home would not have to install additional software.
• The game would need to have an instructor dashboard so instructors can monitor progress, trigger events, and students can let them know they need help.

• I am more an artist and designer than programmer, so an engine with the most resources or simplest workflow would be best.

  I've used CloudNovel to make a few things and tinkered with Game Maker Studio in the past but never completed anything.