FrozenHaddock

Going away once more…

Tazzydevil XIII — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 02:30:01 +0000

I shall be back late Thursday (BST)

I’ll be answering comments until Tuesday (I’ll have net access, but no Flash ’till then) and then no access at all until I return.

This time I’m going away purely to SFZero, so I’ll have some shenanigans to post up when I return.

I -might- write some content whilst I’m away, but it’s doubtful. You know how lazy I am! If anyone has anything they think is interesting and Flash related, email me at alternateaccout[AT]frozenhaddock.co.uk and I’ll glady post it up with credit and links, etc.

See you on Thursday!

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Just a quick post to reccomend…

Tazzydevil XIII — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:00:37 +0000

MrSunStudios

Now, I’m sure you all check back everyday there already, don’t you? If not, you should do!

As an example of the excellent writing, here are the first 5 compiled articles on improving your Flash game development:

If that doesn’t get you reading, and it should, here’s the rest of the list.

Happy reading!

(Apologies, but someone who was going to write content, hasn’t. I figured this was better than nothing)

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Prox: My Avoiding game.

Tazzydevil XIII — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:00:55 +0000

Well, whilst you’ve all been a’following our tutorials on creating an avoiding game, I’ve been hard at work developing my own…. Prox, short for Proximity. An avoiding game which is vastly different to the one created with the tutorial, and is an example of taking a tutorial and running with it, to create your own game.

Anyway, here’s a little preview screenshot:

Prox preview

The game is all done and dusted, but it’s been sponsored, and I’m just finalising all of that. Keep your eyes peeled for it!

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Advancing the avoiding game (Avoiding game Pt.3)

Tazzydevil XIII — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:18:28 +0000

Remember to read parts one and two first!

Welcome to part the third of this series of tutorials on creating an avoiding game, I hope all is well so far with your games (remember, I reply to comments and emails if I can!) and we’re ready to advance the game slightly more. In this segment of the tutorial, I’ll show you how to control the number of enemies dynamically with a variable on the frame. Here’s what you should end up with at the end of this tutorial:

Dynamicisising (totally should be a word)

So, first of all I’ll show you how to make your enemies dynamic. That is, you can control the hordes with a numerical variable, this means you can make your game progressively harder, which in turn makes your game more challenging. And a challenge is more fun, right? It also adds variety, which is good to stop your game becoming boring.

Now, the thing to grasp here is that the enemies will be placed on the stage with Actionscript, and therefore you do not need them onstage to begin. So, the first step is to select your enemies and delete them. Then, hit CTRL+L to open the library (If it isn’t already open). Here you need to hunt down your enemy movie clip, right click it and hit Linkage. Then check ‘Export for Actionscript’ and type ‘enemy’ into your identifier field.

Linkage Identifier

Then, open the actions for your frame and delete them (if you have been following the tutorial to the letter, if you have added extra things in be careful what you delete) and paste these actions in:

stop();
clock = 0;
lives = 3;
score = 0;
enemies = 4;
enemiesonstage=0;
timer = function () {
clock += 1;
};
onEnterFrame=function(){
if (enemiesonstage) {
var enemy:MovieClip = attachMovie("enemy", "enemy"+enemiesonstage, _root.getNextHighestDepth());
enemiesonstage += 1;
enemy._x = random(300);
enemy._y = random(-50);
enemy.speed = random(7)+1;
enemy.onEnterFrame = function() {
this._y += this.speed;
if (this.hit.hitTest(_root.player)) {
if (_root.lives>=1) {
this._x = random(300);
this._y = random(-50);
this.speed = random(7)+1;
_root.lives -= 1;
}
}
if (_root.lives<=0) {
_root.gotoAndStop(3);
this.removeMovieClip();
}
if (this._y>=310) {
this._x = random(300);
this._y = random(-50);
this.speed = random(7)+1;
}
};
}
}

In these actions, we’ve moved from coding on Movieclips to coding on the frame. This is much better practice, easier to see all of your code in one place, and will help you prepare for the frame/external files only strictness of AS3. In a later tutorial I’ll show you how to convert the majority of the actionscript in this tutorial to frame coding (apologies for not doing so in the first place, but it’s much easier to learn the other way). Now to explain it!

The variable we’ve added at the start, ‘enemies’, controls how many enemies are onstage. You can change this ingame (for example, using the timer to add one every 5 seconds) The ‘enemiesonstage’ variable tells the game how many are currently onstage so it can know when to add more.

Then we open the onEnterFrame function, this acts as the equivalent to onClipEvent(enterFrame). The if test inside it then checks if enemiesonstage is less than enemies. If it is, it adds an enemy to the stage.

Now we get to the good part, the attaching of the enemies to the stage. The first part in quotemarks is the linkage name we gave it earlier, and the next part is the new instance name, in this case it’s enemy plus the current value of enemiesonstage. This ensures each enemy has a unique instance name. The last part of this line defines the depth of the movie clip, set to next highest for ease of use.

Now we set the enemy’s actions to be run on it’s load. By setting the attached Movieclip as the variable enemy, we can add these easily.

Now we have to add the enterFrame actions for the enemy, these are the same as the actions that were on it before, except I increased the speed a little (adjust to preference) and all variables that are on the movieclip must have this. before them now, as unprefixed variables reference the root timeline.

Test your movie and see how it works!

Changing the variable ingame

Now I’ll show you how to set it up so every 5 seconds your game adds an extra enemy to the stage. To do this we’re simply going to setup another timing function that runs every 5 seconds.

Now, go to your player’s character and open it’s actions panel. This should be where you added the function to time the game. You merely have to create a second interval that will run a function every 5 seconds.

New interval

onClipEvent (load) {
_root.timeclock = setInterval(_root.timer, 1000);
_root.enemyclock = setInterval(_root.enemytimer, 5000);
}

Now we must go back to the frame actions to add the enemytimer function. This is extremely similar to the timer function.

Enemytimer

enemytimer = function () {
enemies += 1;
};

Finally, we must clear the interval on gameover. So go to your gameover frame and open up it’s actions panel, where you’ll find where we cleared the timer interval last tutorial. We just have to add one in for enemyclock.

clearInterval(enemyclock);

And that should make your enemies increase every 5 seconds, test your movie and check it out!

That concludes this portion of the avoiding game tutorial, click here to grab the source. As always, if you have any problems, requests or suggestions post them in the comments below or email me at alternateaccount[AT]frozenhaddock.co.uk

Thanks for reading!

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Let’s monetise!

Tazzydevil XIII — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 10:25:58 +0000

So, you think you’ve got a pretty decent game on your hands, what next? Release it and smile at rankings and comments? Or make a bit of cash out of it? I thought that might interest you…

Well, let’s have a look at ways of monetising your Flash games, and some useful links.

Sponsorship

This is very much a path to take if you want instant moneys, and be over and done with. Of course, it requires a fairly decent game, and an interested sponsor. In the past to get a sponsorship you had to email portal after portal asking if they were interested, and that can still be done, but now your life is easier! If you haven’t heard of it already (where have you been living, mars?) then go and signup for FlashGameLicense now! A handy site designed to pair sponsor and game, without any hassle. Another handy link is the the big ol’ list of sponsors from FreeLance Flash Games, if you plan on sending individual emails. For more information on Sponsorships, visit FlashGameSponsorship.

Ingame ads

Now, there are a lot of ingame ad services, but the most well known (in my opinion) would be Mochiads and GameJacket. Newgrounds offer ads too, and there are some others which I cannot be bothered to find and link (forgive me!) because I’d recommend Mochiads straight away anyway (not having any experience in anything past the ones mentioned) This is an easy way to monetise your game if you can’t get a sponsor, and may be preferable to a sponsor if your game hits it big.

Own site

You could always put your game up on your own site, with google adsense, Kontera or any other website advertising scheme. You’ll need to be sure you have a lot of traffic for this one, but it may prove the most popular if your game is a hit and it’s ‘full version’ is only available at your site. This is another way to make money from your games, by locking out users from certain features and making them pay for the full version. Currently, the game that springs to mind is FantasticContraption, a game which I’m sorely tempted to purchase.

Selling non-exclusive liscenses

Before you consider this option, which is a quick and easy way to make extra cash from a game, make sure it’s ok with your sponsor (if you have one). Again, FlashGameLiscense is a good place to look for people willing to buy these non-exclusives, and some places like Hallpass are worth approaching individually to try and strike a deal.

So there you have it

A few ways you could monteise your Flash game and start making money for that hobby of yours!

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TriquiTips

Tazzydevil XIII — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 23:34:21 +0000

Just a quick post today, about an excellent little community started by none other than Emanuele Feronato. They’re a while range of people with varying skill levels and it’s a great place to find some help.

Go see.

NB: This post is not just because I’m now a moderator there or anything. Honest.

(really)

(Fine, don’t believe me…)

(Infact, DON’T signup, DON’T get lots of help and advice!)

(Look at me, not caring about you not getting any help!)

(How’d you like THEM apples, eh?!)

(Yeah, I thought as much.)

(Yeah.)

(I showed you.)

(Now go signup.)

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Sound control with Actionscript

Tazzydevil XIII — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 11:00:47 +0000

Have another oldie from Foundation-Flash, this could be useful for all of you building an avoiding game!

Hello and welcome. Today, we will be making (Please open the article to see the flash file or player.) (speakers a necessity)

The first things you are going to need for this tutorial are the sounds, which I have thoughtfully uploaded. One of them is the short explosion sound, and the other is the background music (I have used a different sound in the video tutorial). Thanks go to Lacrioso who has some excellent classical pieces on Newgrounds. Once you have them, we can continue.

Before we can do anything, we need to import the sounds. To do this, select File > Import > Import to Library.Browse to one of the files ad press okay. Repeat for the next sound. You should see them appear on the library. Next you need yo lin them, and remember the names you linked them as (see this for more information)I named mine explosion and background, so they’re the names I will be using in a moment. We start with the bang! sound button (makes sure you create a button):

on(release){
var mySound = new Sound

That means we create a new variable, in this case a sound object type variable. From now on our sound will be known as mySound. The next lines introduce us to some new functions, so underneath each I have explained how they work.

mySound.attachSound("explosion");
//soundVariable.attachSound("name defined in linkage");
mySound.start(0,1);
//soundVariable.start(delay, number of times to loop)
}

The second, start() is, in this case, filled in with the default values. Hence for this one, we could have used mySound.start();. But we didn’t, because later we will want to use a different number of loops. That is for the background sound, which you want to loop 99 times (or more if need be). The background button is basically a copy of the bang button, with a couple of details changed:

on(release){
var mySound = new Sound
mySound.attachSound("background");
mySound.start(0,99);
}

There we go. The last part to this tutorial is, in effect, a temporary mute button, that stops all sounds currently playing. The code is quite simple:

on(release){
stopAllSounds();
}

That is the most simple, effective code for getting some peace, but there are other ways, which we may explore in further tutorials. You can also watch the video version of this tutorial at Foundation-Flash.com

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Flash tweening: Shape and Motion

Tazzydevil XIII — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 05:26:57 +0000

Yep, another oldie for the newer developer. Learn how to use Flash’s shape and motion tweening ability.

FrozenHaddock Tutorials: Tweening

In this tutorial you will learn you to use flash’s tweening techniques to create
smooth animation. There are two types of tweens, shape and motion tweening.

First of all there are a few rules you’ll need to learn before you start tweening.
First of all, you can only shape tween shapes, and motion tween movie clips.
Secondly, everything on a shape tween layer is tweened, so keep things on
several layers. Only one movie clip is allowed in one motion tween, for multiple
motion tweens you need more than one layer.

Shape Tweening

Right, lets start with the simpler of the tweens, the shape tween. This is mostly
considered crude for advanced animation, but can produce a quick and easy
effect when needed.

To start off you’ll need to draw something to shape tween.

For the sake of this tutorial, I have drawn this face. Now, you’ll need to insert
a new keyframe further along the timeline.

Now on this frame, change the posistion and/or colours of your shape.

Now you need to select all the frames involved in the tween, open the properties
bar and change the tween box to shape.

Your frames should now look like this.

And your shape should now be smoothly changing colour, if you changed the
posistion too, then it will move. However for smooth movement, a motion tween
or motion guide are recommended.

There, a nice, quick and easy to make effect for use on basic animation projects.
Now lets move onto Motion tweens.

Motion Tweening

Motion tweening is much more advanced than shape tweening, and has a lot
more rules associated with it. However, these are useful, as there is much
more you can do with one of these tweens.

Firstly, again, you will need to draw the thing to tween. I have used the same
face as in the shape tweening tut.

This time you will need to convert this shape into a movie clip. To do this, select
the shape, and hit F8. Make sure you select Movie Clip under the behaviour.

Now it is converted, It should show a blue square around it when selected.

Now, as in the shape tween, insert a keyframe further along the timeline. Here
I have inserted it on 20.

On this new Keyframe, you need to move your movie clip to another posistion.

Now, select your frames, right click, and select create motion tween.

Your timeline should now look like this.

You should now have a nice clean movement. Note, we did this with movement,
but you can use things like rotation, alpha, size, tint and flash 8+ filters. These
are very useful.

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Adding polish to games pt2

Tazzydevil XIII — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 04:34:34 +0000

So, the last one was good an’ fun, so let’s have another crack at adding some polish to your games. Remember, polish can make a good game, great, and a lame game, not too bad. So it’s worth doing y’know!

Navigation

Fancy pants navigation systems are shiny. You know it’s true. So instead of a bog-standard button menu, go nuts! Hunt out some fancy menus, and get designing! Try experimenting. Menus, are the first impression players will get (minus preloader, if it’s a custom one) so try to make it count.

Here’s a nice page to get you started with animated buttons, and here is a cool swing-in menu, just some examples of what you could be doing with your navigation ingame!

Sounds and Music

Sounds and music add a lot to your games! Be it a simple background loop, or a piece of professionally made music, your game just feels better. Here’s a nice tutorial on attaching sound using AS2, and you can find various sound effects and loops over at FlashKit.

Another useful reference is this tutorial (Requires FGL account with at least one game uploaded) by Porter, on making your loops, loop right.

Add a mute button!!

And other various options for us to set and fiddle about with! We like the options, even if we rarely use them (we use a few a lot, but y’know, options are fun!). This includes things like a quality toggle, Music/SFX toggle and perhaps some specialised graphics options. Being able to set our own controls is handy too, but not particularly nessecary. The way to implement these in your games will vary depending per case, but a general mute button could go something like this:

on(release){
if(soundon==1){
stopAllSounds();
soundon==0;
} else {
//code to attach your music
}
}

With soundon=1; somewhere on your first frame. You don’t have to do it this way, you could use a toggle key, or anything. It’s up to you, just remember, we like choices!

Filter Effects

If you don’t have a natural artistic ability, or the abiliy/desire to hire a professional artist, try adding some filter effects (Flash 8+) for a nice and easy way to add some graphical flair to your game. Just remember, too many filters will slow your game down, and may annoy players. Just, don’t go overboard!

Here’s a nice tutorial on using filters, here’s a downloadable resource of text effects and here’s a handy resource on applying filters using Actionscript.

Remember the list to avoid?

Well here’s a list to print out, pin to the wall and make continued references to!

(I edited into the last post, but it’s important y’see!)

Well, that concludes the second adding polish post, as always if you have any tips or tricks that you’d like to share, comment below and I’ll start compiling a part 3!

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How to create a Simple Maze game (Preview)

Tazzydevil XIII — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:02:51 +0000

So yeah, I’m being lazy. I know, I know. I’m partway through writing Avoiding Game pt3, so there! I am doing something! Just… not much. So here’s a quick engine for you to play around with while I write up a tutorial to go alongside it. If you have anything you’d like to add, comment and I’ll see what I can do.

(Please open the article to see the flash file or player.)

And clicky here to grab the source.

Have a play and see what you can come up with, and keep poking me to write the tutorial. You know I’ll forget!

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