December couldn't have started on a better note than this....the Flash Lite 3 Developer Edition is now available for download via the Adobe Labs! This news comes via Bill Perry and is seen as a starting point for some great content being developed with this new version of Flash Lite.
I installed it on a Nokia N95 and N73 as soon as the news got out because the installer did not require me to submit an IMEI number and could be directly downloaded in sis format for the supported handsets. If you refer to website you will see that the player is supported on almost all the latest models of the Nokia S60, although Adobe mentions they have certified it only on the Nokia N95 (non-US 3G version).
There is also a dedicated Developer Forum for Flash Lite 3 which should gain momentum in some time.
Happy Development to All :)
Nov 28, 2007
Mobile Facts - A New Segment
Sometimes I read or come across interesting market facts or news which I would like to share with the rest of the mobile community. For this, I have created a small space on the right hand panel of my blog for a segment called Mobile Facts.
I will try updating this as often as possible but to start with today - It is great to know that the big mobile game bubble is still floating well, with research done by Disney shows that the average time spent by an individual on a mobile game has increased from 11 minutes to 18 minutes...
Very encouraging for mobile game developers.
I will try updating this as often as possible but to start with today - It is great to know that the big mobile game bubble is still floating well, with research done by Disney shows that the average time spent by an individual on a mobile game has increased from 11 minutes to 18 minutes...
Very encouraging for mobile game developers.
Help the Environment by playing a game
Clickgamer has started a campaign this holiday season to give back the best it can to the planet. Starting today through mid January, Clickgamer is giving away free downloads of its game - Snowed in 6, Deep Freeze.
If the number of free downloads reaches 1 million, Chillingo, the company behind Clickgamer, will donate $ 10,000 to a non-profit climate change organization. The game runs on all popular smartphone platforms.
This is what Chris Byatte, Managing Director of Chillingo has to say -
"Every Christmas, we have given away a new version of Snowed In to all our customers and site visitors as a thank you and goodwill gesture for their support. This year, in keeping with tradition, we are releasing Snowed In 6 - Deep Freeze but with a difference - we will donate $10,000 to a non-profit climate change organization when the download counter hits 1 million. The mobile content market has seen dramatic change over the last 6 years that we have been operating. As an independent mobile commerce business, we provide the mobile market with an alternative source for high quality content irrespective of mobile operators. Last but not least, I hope everyone enjoys this year's rendition of Snowed In - and 'play' a small part in stopping climate change!"
If the number of free downloads reaches 1 million, Chillingo, the company behind Clickgamer, will donate $ 10,000 to a non-profit climate change organization. The game runs on all popular smartphone platforms.
This is what Chris Byatte, Managing Director of Chillingo has to say -
"Every Christmas, we have given away a new version of Snowed In to all our customers and site visitors as a thank you and goodwill gesture for their support. This year, in keeping with tradition, we are releasing Snowed In 6 - Deep Freeze but with a difference - we will donate $10,000 to a non-profit climate change organization when the download counter hits 1 million. The mobile content market has seen dramatic change over the last 6 years that we have been operating. As an independent mobile commerce business, we provide the mobile market with an alternative source for high quality content irrespective of mobile operators. Last but not least, I hope everyone enjoys this year's rendition of Snowed In - and 'play' a small part in stopping climate change!"
Nov 12, 2007
CSV in Flash Lite
Recently I'd been working on an application that required Flash Lite to import data from a CSV file format.
CSV stands for "Comma Separated Value". It is a standard means of exchanging data, and virtually all spreadsheets and databases can import data presented in this fashion. This is what a CSV spreadsheet will look like when opened in Excel.
For Flash Lite to import data from a CSV file format, you can make use of a middle language - PHP. Written below is a basic code showing interaction between Flash Lite and PHP for reading CSV files.
PHP File
The code above is accepting the CSV file URL from the 'link' variable sent from Flash, and tossing it into the 'fopen' command. It is then parsing the result using 'fgetcsv', and echoing the returned data value back into Flash.
Flash File
The Flash file is sending the 'link' variable to the PHP file and receiving the 'echoed' values from PHP in the 'varReceiver' Object. The received values can then be used within the application.
Flash Lite interaction with CSV can be very useful in reading data for several games and applications. You can use this code and explore the possibilities of adding much more interaction to your content.
CSV stands for "Comma Separated Value". It is a standard means of exchanging data, and virtually all spreadsheets and databases can import data presented in this fashion. This is what a CSV spreadsheet will look like when opened in Excel.
For Flash Lite to import data from a CSV file format, you can make use of a middle language - PHP. Written below is a basic code showing interaction between Flash Lite and PHP for reading CSV files.
PHP File
$file = $_POST['link'];
$row = 1;
$handle = fopen($file, "r");
while (($data = fgetcsv($handle, 1000, ",")) !== FALSE) {
$num = count($data);
$row++;
for ($c=0; $c < $num; $c++) {
echo "&data$row$c".$data[$c];
}
}
fclose($handle); The code above is accepting the CSV file URL from the 'link' variable sent from Flash, and tossing it into the 'fopen' command. It is then parsing the result using 'fgetcsv', and echoing the returned data value back into Flash.
Flash File
varSender = new LoadVars();
varReceiver = new LoadVars();
varSender.link = "http://myurl.com/test.csv";
varSender.sendAndLoad(url, varReceiver, "POST");
varReceiver.onLoad = function(){
trace(varReceiver.data10);
};
stop();The Flash file is sending the 'link' variable to the PHP file and receiving the 'echoed' values from PHP in the 'varReceiver' Object. The received values can then be used within the application.
Flash Lite interaction with CSV can be very useful in reading data for several games and applications. You can use this code and explore the possibilities of adding much more interaction to your content.
Spotlight - Flash Lite Game Development
Last week I had the opportunity to talk to Marco Lapi, admin of GotoAndPlay.it, about Flash Lite and mobile gaming. For those who may not know, GoToAndPlay.it has a huge resource of tutorials, sample files, and game files for web and mobile game developers.
Our conversation of last week has been compiled into an article and published on their website. To read it you can follow the link - http://www.gotoandplay.it/spotLight/mobileDevelopment/
Our conversation of last week has been compiled into an article and published on their website. To read it you can follow the link - http://www.gotoandplay.it/spotLight/mobileDevelopment/
Nov 8, 2007
Oct 29, 2007
Game For More
An article on gaming careers was released in today’s edition of Education Times in the Times of India newspaper in India
It was good to know that I was considered a crucial part of this industry inIndia
You can read the online version on this link for Game For More
It was good to know that I was considered a crucial part of this industry in
You can read the online version on this link for Game For More
Oct 3, 2007
Flash Lite 3 Development Session at MAX
With Flash Lite 3 being announced at MAX, it was great to see the features this new version was offering to the Flash Developer Community! I was present at Bill Perry's session on Flash Lite 3 Development and got an insight on the great content development a developer can challenge himself with.
Amongst all the noise made about Flash Lite 3 supporting video (FLV), it was great to see a live video demonstration captured through a motion camera which was then encoded using the Flash Media Encoder and then streamed live using Flash Lite 3 on the device.
Whats even better was the performance of the player. We saw an improvement in content rendering by almost 25-30%.
The presentation also showed a growth chart for Flash Lite right from version 1.0 to 3.0 with Flash Lite 3.0 being based on the Flash 8 engine, and still utilizing AS 2.0, although not supporting many Flash 8 features like bitmap caching.
Amongst all the demos displayed, it was great to see quasi 3D games developed by a company called Design Break, play so smoothly on the handset with Flash Lite 3.0 installed. It was very impressive and inspiring for a mobile game developer like me.
Finally, there was a representative from Chumby who announced their handheld device to be the first to launch with Flash Lite 3.0
So getting all excited, I finally downloaded the latest update for CS3 and also the update for Device Central to start my serious Flash Lite 3.0 development process.
Amongst all the noise made about Flash Lite 3 supporting video (FLV), it was great to see a live video demonstration captured through a motion camera which was then encoded using the Flash Media Encoder and then streamed live using Flash Lite 3 on the device.
Whats even better was the performance of the player. We saw an improvement in content rendering by almost 25-30%.
The presentation also showed a growth chart for Flash Lite right from version 1.0 to 3.0 with Flash Lite 3.0 being based on the Flash 8 engine, and still utilizing AS 2.0, although not supporting many Flash 8 features like bitmap caching.
Amongst all the demos displayed, it was great to see quasi 3D games developed by a company called Design Break, play so smoothly on the handset with Flash Lite 3.0 installed. It was very impressive and inspiring for a mobile game developer like me.
Finally, there was a representative from Chumby who announced their handheld device to be the first to launch with Flash Lite 3.0
So getting all excited, I finally downloaded the latest update for CS3 and also the update for Device Central to start my serious Flash Lite 3.0 development process.
Missing MAX already!
We're into Day 2 of MAX with almost half the day over...and I already seem to be missing it! The conference is going to be over tomorrow and then the wait begins for next year to attend the MAX NA 2008 Conference in San Francisco (the location of the next MAX has been announced...Yay!)
I just finished speaking at my final session for this year on Multiplayer Gaming with Flash Lite and I really enjoyed talking about it. It was great having a very interactive audience on both the days, because it helped me think a little more than what I had planned for. Infact I wished to have spoken more but unfortunately was not alloted more than 2 sessions. Hmmm..well the bright side is, with the Mobiles and Devices Boot Camp tomorrow, I will be introducing my User Group in India...so looking forward to doing that!
Talking about multiplayer games, I used the Exitgames Solution to support my game. The team at Exitgames have been extremely kind and supportive in guiding me to using their solution, and I want to thank them for that. Thanks Claas & Tobias!
To explore multiplayer gaming, please visit the Exitgames site and learn more about their solution which works not only for Flash Lite but also on J2ME, BREW, Java, Windows Mobile, Flash on Desktop and Flash on any handheld! Will keep posting...
I just finished speaking at my final session for this year on Multiplayer Gaming with Flash Lite and I really enjoyed talking about it. It was great having a very interactive audience on both the days, because it helped me think a little more than what I had planned for. Infact I wished to have spoken more but unfortunately was not alloted more than 2 sessions. Hmmm..well the bright side is, with the Mobiles and Devices Boot Camp tomorrow, I will be introducing my User Group in India...so looking forward to doing that!
Talking about multiplayer games, I used the Exitgames Solution to support my game. The team at Exitgames have been extremely kind and supportive in guiding me to using their solution, and I want to thank them for that. Thanks Claas & Tobias!
To explore multiplayer gaming, please visit the Exitgames site and learn more about their solution which works not only for Flash Lite but also on J2ME, BREW, Java, Windows Mobile, Flash on Desktop and Flash on any handheld! Will keep posting...
Oct 2, 2007
Playyoo launched at MAX
Playyoo is a Flash Lite mobile games portal aiming at developers to join them and help them populate their portal with good quality Flash games for handhelds. Their idea is to get game developers to freely upload, exchange, rank and comment on the games created by other developers. They announced their portal during MAX yesterday and already have developers buzzing around the content they can submit and share.
Currently Playyoo is free! It is supported by light advertising included in the games downloads and on the web site. It costs nothing to register,play, create or download games.
Moreover they also have a contest running where developers can win prizes upto $10,000. You can learn more about their contest by following the link here
Currently Playyoo is free! It is supported by light advertising included in the games downloads and on the web site. It costs nothing to register,play, create or download games.
Moreover they also have a contest running where developers can win prizes upto $10,000. You can learn more about their contest by following the link here
MAX 2007 - DAY 1
MAX in Chicago is probably one of the biggest Adobe shows that we might have seen in the past years. With more than 4000+ attendees, you can hardly feel the expanse of the McCormick Conference area. Space is utilized for developers to move around, network and connect and not just learn technology in their session rooms.
This year Adobe have also placed an AIR Park, which not only allows developers to brainstorm and share their AIR Applications, but can also view missed recorded sessions and hang around the Adobe Store. The Community Pavilion is also huge with sponsors, community experts, technology booths, comfortable lounges...all available to the developers attending MAX.
My experience so far has been great. I had my first session on multiplayer gaming this morning which i think went well. I then attended a couple of Flash Lite and Media Server related sessions besides hanging around the community lounge connecting with people who I knew and many who I do not know.
The session on Creating Flash Cast channels for Verizon was nice, with a panel consisting of a team from Verizon, Smashing Ideas, MTV and Adobe. They spoke about the technology and the ways a developer can launch his channel with Verizon. The good part is, Flash Cast is now being open to developers...so this served as a good news for those wanting to work with Flash Cast.
The day ended with a nice reception from the MAX sponsors. So this is all from my first day at MAX. Now moving on to Day 2.....
This year Adobe have also placed an AIR Park, which not only allows developers to brainstorm and share their AIR Applications, but can also view missed recorded sessions and hang around the Adobe Store. The Community Pavilion is also huge with sponsors, community experts, technology booths, comfortable lounges...all available to the developers attending MAX.
My experience so far has been great. I had my first session on multiplayer gaming this morning which i think went well. I then attended a couple of Flash Lite and Media Server related sessions besides hanging around the community lounge connecting with people who I knew and many who I do not know.
The session on Creating Flash Cast channels for Verizon was nice, with a panel consisting of a team from Verizon, Smashing Ideas, MTV and Adobe. They spoke about the technology and the ways a developer can launch his channel with Verizon. The good part is, Flash Cast is now being open to developers...so this served as a good news for those wanting to work with Flash Cast.
The day ended with a nice reception from the MAX sponsors. So this is all from my first day at MAX. Now moving on to Day 2.....
Developer Connection launched
Adobe has launched a newly renovated developer resource center called the Adobe Developer Connection. This developer center not only looks fresh with its new interface but also provides better and easier navigation. You can browse by technologies (alphabetically), resources, features, SDKs and more.
Make sure you check it out here.
Make sure you check it out here.
Sep 21, 2007
Mobile and Devices Boot Camp at MAX Chicago
Adobe MAX 2007 is about a week away. This year in addition to the Flash Lite and Mobile sessions, there will be a special session : The Mobile and Devices Boot Camp, on Wednesday 9AM-12:30PM.
The managers of the seven Adobe Mobile and Devices User Groups have put together the event with some great content and presenters. The idea behind the "MaD Boot Camp" is to allow anyone interested in Mobile and Flash Lite to ask questions and share their ideas. The format of this session will be pretty informal with presentations, discussions and Q/A. We think that its going to be great and we invite anyone to join us and bring your Flash Lite content to show others.
Here is the tentative agenda -
The managers of the seven Adobe Mobile and Devices User Groups have put together the event with some great content and presenters. The idea behind the "MaD Boot Camp" is to allow anyone interested in Mobile and Flash Lite to ask questions and share their ideas. The format of this session will be pretty informal with presentations, discussions and Q/A. We think that its going to be great and we invite anyone to join us and bring your Flash Lite content to show others.
Here is the tentative agenda -
- Mobile and Devices Boot Camp Introduction
- Adobe Mobile and Devices User Group Introductions
- Content Showcases
- Tools and Integration
- Adobe MAX Awards Mobiles and Devices finalists
- Flash Lite content aggregators
- OEM: Nokia and Chumby
- Adobe Mobile and Devices Team
- Open Discussion Forum
- Q/A
Sep 13, 2007
Mobile Sessions at MAX 2007 NA
With only 16 days left for the Adobe MAX conference, its necessary that our session planning leaves us with space to attend as many good presentations as we can. There are 9 great mobile sessions happening at MAX along with a 3 hour Boot Camp for all the Flash and mobile developers/designers out there. Make sure you attend them because they are planned across the 3 days in a manner that one can attend all.
Session Name - XD: Designing Engaging Mobile Experiences
Level - Beginner
Description - This session will cover the guiding principles for designing engaging mobile experiences, an entirely new class of mobile services. Engaging mobile experiences put the user experience first. As a result, these experiences prioritize usability, offer new services, and deliver content instantaneously. More importantly, they build a powerful affinity with the user. They provide experiences that are expressive, memorable, and more desirable. Come learn the fundamental aspects of such experiences.
Session Name - Flash Lite 3 Development
Level - Beginner
Description - The newest version of Flash Lite introduces support for FLV and many other exciting new features. Learn how to create compelling content for multiple devices, from smart phones to consumer electronics devices. Be the first to see Flash Lite 3 demos on the latest and greatest handsets.
Session Name - Flash Lite Success Story
Level - Beginner
Description - Design Assembly, one of the top Flash Lite studios in Europe, has published several high-quality Flash Lite games enjoyed by consumers worldwide. Find out how this small company with a passion for Flash created a growing business on Flash Lite, and discover the many go-to-market opportunities available to Flash Lite developers.
Session Name - From Desktop to Mobile: New Revenue Opportunities
Level - Beginner
Description - Learn how you can make money by selling your Flash Lite content through various mobile content aggregators worldwide. If you already know Flash, then you have the potential to create Flash Lite content and generate recurring revenue for your creativity and ideas. In this session, we'll explore the entire workflow for mobile content creation, from concept development and design to determining addressable devices, selling your content, and getting paid on a recurring basis.
Session Name - Mobile Workflows with Creative Suite 3 Web Premium
Level - Beginner
Description - Discover how to create and reuse web content such as video and images for mobile devices using Adobe Device Central CS3, the all-new mobile authoring and device intelligence tool that’s integrated across Creative Suite 3. We'll touch on Flash CS3 Professional, Photoshop CS3, Dreamweaver CS3, and more. Learn tips and tricks to design, preview, and test engaging mobile content across various handsets.
Session Name - 20 Tricks to Improve Flash Lite Development
Level - Intermediate
Description - Boost your efficiency and speed time to market with these 20 tips and tricks for improving Flash Lite development. Flash Lite experts will teach you how to optimize content, streamline workflows, and take full advantage of Adobe Device Central CS3, the new mobile authoring and device intelligence tool integrated across Adobe Creative Suite 3.
Session Name - Introduction to Flash Lite 2
Level - Intermediate
Description - This session is a deep-diving workshop on developing Flash Lite content and applications. We'll begin with a general Flash Lite tutorial and then move on to more detailed information on how to develop content for mobile operators, including Verizon Wireless.
Session Name - Creating Flash Lite Multiplayer Games
Level - Intermediate
Description - The market for multiplayer games is growing. Learn how you can take your existing desktop Flash skills and leverage them to create multiplayer Flash Lite games using Flash Lite 2.1. You’ll learn the process involved in developing, testing, and deploying your multiplayer games to consumers worldwide.
Session Name - Creating Flash Cast Channels for Verizon Wireless
Level - Intermediate
Description - Be among the first to build and monetize Flash Cast channels for Verizon Wireless. Use Flash CS3 Professional to deliver compelling content to North America’s second largest mobile operator. Learn the process for creating and testing Flash Cast channels and how Verizon Wireless plans to enable a Flash Cast ecosystem in North America.
Session Name - Boot Camp for Mobile and Devices
Level - All
Description - Boot Camp provides a mixture of short presentations, workshops, and free-form coding. The Mobile and Devices User Group managers are planning an exciting and interesting three-hour collaborative session. Make sure to bring your laptop, your best questions, your most desired features, your coolest projects to share, and be ready to learn something new.
Session Name - XD: Designing Engaging Mobile Experiences
Level - Beginner
Description - This session will cover the guiding principles for designing engaging mobile experiences, an entirely new class of mobile services. Engaging mobile experiences put the user experience first. As a result, these experiences prioritize usability, offer new services, and deliver content instantaneously. More importantly, they build a powerful affinity with the user. They provide experiences that are expressive, memorable, and more desirable. Come learn the fundamental aspects of such experiences.
Session Name - Flash Lite 3 Development
Level - Beginner
Description - The newest version of Flash Lite introduces support for FLV and many other exciting new features. Learn how to create compelling content for multiple devices, from smart phones to consumer electronics devices. Be the first to see Flash Lite 3 demos on the latest and greatest handsets.
Session Name - Flash Lite Success Story
Level - Beginner
Description - Design Assembly, one of the top Flash Lite studios in Europe, has published several high-quality Flash Lite games enjoyed by consumers worldwide. Find out how this small company with a passion for Flash created a growing business on Flash Lite, and discover the many go-to-market opportunities available to Flash Lite developers.
Session Name - From Desktop to Mobile: New Revenue Opportunities
Level - Beginner
Description - Learn how you can make money by selling your Flash Lite content through various mobile content aggregators worldwide. If you already know Flash, then you have the potential to create Flash Lite content and generate recurring revenue for your creativity and ideas. In this session, we'll explore the entire workflow for mobile content creation, from concept development and design to determining addressable devices, selling your content, and getting paid on a recurring basis.
Session Name - Mobile Workflows with Creative Suite 3 Web Premium
Level - Beginner
Description - Discover how to create and reuse web content such as video and images for mobile devices using Adobe Device Central CS3, the all-new mobile authoring and device intelligence tool that’s integrated across Creative Suite 3. We'll touch on Flash CS3 Professional, Photoshop CS3, Dreamweaver CS3, and more. Learn tips and tricks to design, preview, and test engaging mobile content across various handsets.
Session Name - 20 Tricks to Improve Flash Lite Development
Level - Intermediate
Description - Boost your efficiency and speed time to market with these 20 tips and tricks for improving Flash Lite development. Flash Lite experts will teach you how to optimize content, streamline workflows, and take full advantage of Adobe Device Central CS3, the new mobile authoring and device intelligence tool integrated across Adobe Creative Suite 3.
Session Name - Introduction to Flash Lite 2
Level - Intermediate
Description - This session is a deep-diving workshop on developing Flash Lite content and applications. We'll begin with a general Flash Lite tutorial and then move on to more detailed information on how to develop content for mobile operators, including Verizon Wireless.
Session Name - Creating Flash Lite Multiplayer Games
Level - Intermediate
Description - The market for multiplayer games is growing. Learn how you can take your existing desktop Flash skills and leverage them to create multiplayer Flash Lite games using Flash Lite 2.1. You’ll learn the process involved in developing, testing, and deploying your multiplayer games to consumers worldwide.
Session Name - Creating Flash Cast Channels for Verizon Wireless
Level - Intermediate
Description - Be among the first to build and monetize Flash Cast channels for Verizon Wireless. Use Flash CS3 Professional to deliver compelling content to North America’s second largest mobile operator. Learn the process for creating and testing Flash Cast channels and how Verizon Wireless plans to enable a Flash Cast ecosystem in North America.
Session Name - Boot Camp for Mobile and Devices
Level - All
Description - Boot Camp provides a mixture of short presentations, workshops, and free-form coding. The Mobile and Devices User Group managers are planning an exciting and interesting three-hour collaborative session. Make sure to bring your laptop, your best questions, your most desired features, your coolest projects to share, and be ready to learn something new.
Old Misleading Google Alerts
What is it with Google Alerts and and really old news being sent out even today?
This afternoon I received a Google Alert talking about a tie up between Macromedia and Calsoft Labs. Reading the news got me smiling because it spoke about embedding Flash Lite on handsets in India and the other countries. And then it got me thinking...why Macromedia and not Adobe doing the Flash Lite deals.... Reality struck when I read the date of the news, which was sometime in October-November 2005.
This is not the first time that Google Alerts has sent an old news, its happened in the past as well. I really wish they could give the latest blog entries as it appears in their results.
This afternoon I received a Google Alert talking about a tie up between Macromedia and Calsoft Labs. Reading the news got me smiling because it spoke about embedding Flash Lite on handsets in India and the other countries. And then it got me thinking...why Macromedia and not Adobe doing the Flash Lite deals.... Reality struck when I read the date of the news, which was sometime in October-November 2005.
This is not the first time that Google Alerts has sent an old news, its happened in the past as well. I really wish they could give the latest blog entries as it appears in their results.
Aug 30, 2007
Miniclip CEO talks to Gamasutra on their Social and Advergaming approach...Flash Lite and Wii
As a regular player of Flash games on the Miniclip Gaming Site, I was always facinated by the creativity with which they developed and managed a mammoth database of games (260 games so far). At the same time was curious to know how they managed to sustain in times of hardcore downloadable PC games in the likes of those available on MSN, Shockwave, or Yahoo.
So when the Gamasutra News Portal interviewed Robert Small, Ceo of Miniclip Games, I read through the complete page in utmost reverence.
The interview begins with a history of Miniclip followed by their strategies to stand out amongst the rest and their future plans....all related to Flash gaming. For those who have played their games, will know that a majority of their games stand unique in concept and game-play thus leading to millions of game-clicks. It is also important to observe their evolution of developing games with Flash 4 through Flash 9 and AS 3.0
A note to be made during the interview is their expansion plan, i.e. taking their online games beyond the web to the Nintendo Wii and mobiles with Flash Lite.
This story is a great read for anybody interested in Flash gaming...because it only reads success for those who don't treat it as a profession but a passion they want to realize.
You can catch the complete interview here
So when the Gamasutra News Portal interviewed Robert Small, Ceo of Miniclip Games, I read through the complete page in utmost reverence.
The interview begins with a history of Miniclip followed by their strategies to stand out amongst the rest and their future plans....all related to Flash gaming. For those who have played their games, will know that a majority of their games stand unique in concept and game-play thus leading to millions of game-clicks. It is also important to observe their evolution of developing games with Flash 4 through Flash 9 and AS 3.0
A note to be made during the interview is their expansion plan, i.e. taking their online games beyond the web to the Nintendo Wii and mobiles with Flash Lite.
This story is a great read for anybody interested in Flash gaming...because it only reads success for those who don't treat it as a profession but a passion they want to realize.
You can catch the complete interview here
Aug 28, 2007
Flash Lite article - Packing Lite: A mobile media interface design primer
Launched recently on the Adobe Developer Center is a new article called Packing Lite: A mobile media interface design primer, written by David Carroll, professor of media design at Parsons The New School for Design in New York City.
The article has an indepth explaination of testing and tranferring Flash Lite content on Nokia S60 handsets. It is extensively written to cover content testing in Flash 8 and Flash CS3 for management on both the Mac and the Windows platform.
The article also explains best methods for adapting your content to the 4 way directional pad on mobiles with a quick 4-way menu example.
You can read the article here.
The article has an indepth explaination of testing and tranferring Flash Lite content on Nokia S60 handsets. It is extensively written to cover content testing in Flash 8 and Flash CS3 for management on both the Mac and the Windows platform.
The article also explains best methods for adapting your content to the 4 way directional pad on mobiles with a quick 4-way menu example.
You can read the article here.
Aug 16, 2007
Creating a Flash Lite Game : A detailed tutorial for game developers
Giving new Flash Lite developers a headstart in creating games, Riyadh Al Balushi has written an indepth tutorial on creating a simple game using Flash Lite 1.1.
The tutorial is very informative and talks of various steps involved in Flash Lite gaming.
The tutorial is very informative and talks of various steps involved in Flash Lite gaming.
Aug 6, 2007
Flash Lite Gaming Tutorial : Continuous KeyPress for Moving Characters in Side-Scrollers
Action or adventure based games may require characters to move around the screen. We use the Key Object for interacting with the game characters. While keypresses and keyreleases respond quickly when the swf file runs on the desktop, these events work differently for swfs running on a mobile. A valid reason is that mobiles have lesser processing speeds thus making it slower for them to recognize keypresses or keyreleases before implementing them.
We begin by declaring 3 variables –
keyList of Object type to receive the KeyDown and KeyUp notifications,
dir of type Number to store the direction of the character based on the keys pressed
keyDownState of type Boolean to check whether the key is pressed down or up.
The code above declares 2 events – The KeyDown event and the KeyUp event.
The getCode() method return the key code value of the last key pressed. Based on the value returned, the direction of the character is set. This code checks for only 2 keys – the Left key and the Right key. Any other key pressed is ignored.
If you look at the script above, in the first line keyMover refers to a loaded MovieClip on the stage that contains the script to move the character.
The first frame sets the necessary variables and also sets a reference to the character MovieClip on stage.
The third frame loops the Movieclip between frame 2 and 3.
Thus, when you try to move a character with a keypress, you will observe a slight pause before the character starts moving. A solution that I mostly use is, making the keypress event interact with a loaded Movieclip.
The Key Events
var keyList:Object = new Object();
var dir:Number = 0;
var keyDownState:Boolean = false;
We begin by declaring 3 variables –
keyList of Object type to receive the KeyDown and KeyUp notifications,
dir of type Number to store the direction of the character based on the keys pressed
keyDownState of type Boolean to check whether the key is pressed down or up.
keyList.onKeyDown = function(){
if(not keyDownState){
var keyCode = Key.getCode();
if(keyCode == 37){
dir = -1;
}else if(keyCode == 39){
dir = 1;
}
keyMover.gotoAndPlay(2);
char.gotoAndPlay(2);
char._xscale = 100*dir;
keyDownState = true;
}
}
keyList.onKeyUp = function(){
dir = 0;
keyDownState = false;
char.gotoAndStop(1);
keyMover.gotoAndPlay(1);
}
The code above declares 2 events – The KeyDown event and the KeyUp event.
var keyCode = Key.getCode(); The getCode() method return the key code value of the last key pressed. Based on the value returned, the direction of the character is set. This code checks for only 2 keys – the Left key and the Right key. Any other key pressed is ignored.
keyMover.gotoAndPlay(2);
char.gotoAndPlay(2);
char._xscale = 100*dir;
If you look at the script above, in the first line keyMover refers to a loaded MovieClip on the stage that contains the script to move the character.
The second line refers to the character MovieClip. This MC initially has the character in a standing posture on frame 1. When a key is pressed the character moves to the next frame which has it animating.
Lastly, we need to flip the character based on the key pressed. So we use the _xscale property to flip the character based on the key pressed.
KeyMover Movie Clip
The KeyMover MovieClip consists of 3 frames
Frame 1
var mc:MovieClip = _root.char;
var dir:Number = 0;
var speed:Number = 3;
stop();The first frame sets the necessary variables and also sets a reference to the character MovieClip on stage.
Frame 2
dir = _root.dir;
if(mc._x < mc._width/2 and dir < 0){
dir = 0;
}else if(mc._x > (Stage.width – mc._width/2) and dir > 0){
dir = 0;
}
mc._x += speed*dir;
The second frame sets a condition to check to see if the character is moving outside the screen area. If the condition is met to true then the direction is set to 0
Finally the character moves at a value which is direction X velocity
Frame 3
gotoAndPlay(2);
The third frame loops the Movieclip between frame 2 and 3.
Now when you play this in the emulator or the device the character will respond immediately to the keypressed without any pause.
Jun 30, 2007
Time to MAX in Chicago with Adobe
That time of the year has come when I will be spending more time creating presentation files than game files. Yes, the Adobe MAX Conference is another 3 months away and I’m really excited to be going there this year too. Preparations are already underway and I want to make sure that I am able to do a great if not a good presentation :D
This is my third stint at a MAX conference as a speaker and it always keeps getting better. My topic for this year is “Creating Flash Lite Multiplayer Games” with Flash Lite 2.1. Although this area is not well explored in Flash Lite for various hiccups that a developer and user may face during execution and playing, it is relatively better researched and implemented with other technologies. Through this presentation I hope to discuss various points relating to the development of multiplayer games along with a live game demo and maybe even a demo which is cross-platform-cross-technology ….interesting….just writing this got me a little more pepped up!
This is my third stint at a MAX conference as a speaker and it always keeps getting better. My topic for this year is “Creating Flash Lite Multiplayer Games” with Flash Lite 2.1. Although this area is not well explored in Flash Lite for various hiccups that a developer and user may face during execution and playing, it is relatively better researched and implemented with other technologies. Through this presentation I hope to discuss various points relating to the development of multiplayer games along with a live game demo and maybe even a demo which is cross-platform-cross-technology ….interesting….just writing this got me a little more pepped up!
I would also be a part of the MaD Boot Camp which will be lead by all our
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