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Flash Opens New Windows and Opportunities for Game Designers
Flash is an interactive platform that offers powerful design and animation tools along with a dynamic scripting engine, bitmap rendering, and advanced video and audio playback capabilities. It provides a streamlined approach to game development through its three main components: the player, the file format, and the authoring tool/IDE. Flash games can be created for websites, interactive TV, and handheld devices, eliminating the need to adopt multiple programming languages.
The Universal Tool for Multimedia Games
As a universal tool, Flash permits the development of multimedia-driven complex games that are fast, furious, and efficient with rich graphics. It enables developers to create some of the most popular games enjoyed by online gamers today. To succeed, Flash must support:
- Rich engaging graphics.
- Smooth downloading of files from the internet.
- A playback device that can interpret these downloads.
The Development Process
The game development process in Flash can be broken down into three main areas: design, development, and hosting.
1. Design
The first step involves creating graphics. Tools like Fireworks and Freehand are commonly used for this purpose, as they are compatible and allow the addition of JavaScript to images.
2. Development
Once graphics are created, they are imported into Flash for game development. The graphics are placed in Director, the parent tool of Flash, which allows for an integrated workflow.
3. Hosting
Hosting the game requires a web server, and tools like Dreamweaver MX are used to create web pages that host the game content. Finally, ActionScript is employed to provide enhanced functionality within the game.
Advantages of Using Flash
Flash offers several advantages for game designers:
- Integrates almost all features needed for game development, making it a great interactive tool.
- Can be used anywhere without the need for additional software or plugins.
- Mac-friendly, ensuring compatibility across platforms.
- Allows for conversion between full games and web versions easily.
- Cost-effective and free to distribute; licenses for decoders like MP3 and Sorensen Spark are included.
- A plethora of artists familiar with Flash ensures a large talent pool.
- Delivers broadcast-quality images over the internet.
- Permits embedding of games in PowerPoint presentations for use in various settings.
- Offers a wealth of information and guidelines through tutorials, articles, and blogs.
- Keeps game file sizes small through compression of vector graphics and sound files.
- Easy to learn the Flash language, making it accessible for newcomers.
- Allows for quick testing of components through copy-paste functionality.
Challenges and Considerations
While Flash offers numerous benefits, there are also challenges to be aware of. It’s important to know the system well to maximize its potential. Many tutorials are available online to guide developers. The Flash interface is ideally suited for both designers and developers, allowing for a fun and engaging game creation experience.
Flash is simple to use, and a game can be developed in just a few hours, resulting in a packaged format that can run on PC, Mac, or Linux. You can utilize a browser for play or run the game as a standalone application.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Flash has opened new windows and opportunities for game designers, providing them with the tools they need to create engaging and interactive gaming experiences. With its user-friendly interface and robust features, Flash continues to be a valuable asset in the gaming industry.