Python can easily manage large arrays and lists. If needed, packages like numpy/scipy can offer extremely fast matrix manipulation. If it could be done on a single floppy, it can certainly be done in python .

You can integrate C code in python seamlessly (you replace one module and the rest of the code doesn't notice the difference).

I meant developer-time efficient as pointed out by XAPBob.

can we somehow convince more of the community to come back if we have a more modern client? Developing a game for the <50 active users of this forum doesn't sound like a very efficient use of time (even if it can be good fun).