Flash ActionScript Game Design
Learn to write dynamic Flash applications with ActionScript 2.0
Love creating animations and sites in Flash and scripting basic interactive actions? Then you're ready to take Flash to the next level by learning programming with ActionScript.
Unlike basic scripting, programming with ActionScript allows you to create highly interactive and entertaining applications that can be infinitely modified. You can build fully featured interactive games and other dynamic applications that put your users in the driver's seat.
In this advanced course, you'll learn basic principles of computer programming and write high-level ActionScript code that dynamically places, moves, and alters the elements of a design onscreen along with user interaction. You'll learn to write ActionScript 2.0 for game design, which provides a strong foundation for future programming in either ActionScript 2.0 or 3.0.
In six lessons, you will build a classic video game step-by-step, learning key ActionScript programming skills and methods, while building up a code base that you can employ in any other personal and professional Flash applications. You'll learn how to create interfaces, and generate and control the game flow, all with ActionScript!
Tuition: $600 US
Course Instructor(s):
Requirements:
- Computer with Internet connection (56 Kbps modem or faster).
- Adobe Flash CS4 or CS5 and experience using basic Flash ActionScript code.
- Digital imaging program such as Adobe Photoshop or Fireworks.
- Basic experience in the software packages needed for this course.
Prerequisites:
Course Objectives:
- Write accurate, well-structured ActionScript code using dot syntax, event handlers, and other fundamental code elements, and troubleshoot code as needed.
- Plan an interactive, Flash-based video game using flow charts and dynamic states.
- Write code that conforms to object-oriented programming principles, and apply functions to code that accept and respond to user input from the mouse or keyboard.
- Use ActionScript to dynamically place instances of objects at coordinates on the screen.
- Apply variables and properties to modify the appearance and movement of dynamically placed instances.
- Use the hitTest() ActionScript method to detect a collision between two objects, and write code to present appropriate reactions when a collision is detected.
- Properly code a "for loop" to manage a series of objects on the screen one by one.
- Use ActionScript to create a graphical user interface (GUI) and a working set of user controls that start and pause a Flash game or movie.
- Create interface controls that check the status of a Flash game or movie and call additional functions based on the status.
- Create code that continually records a score based on user controls and game functions, and an interface that presents saved scores and other dynamic text information.
- Apply sound effects to events using ActionScript code.
- Creatively use ActionScript to extend and enhance the existing Flash and code features of a game.
Course Outline
LESSON 1 Hello World
The course begins with a look at the fundamentals of computer hardware, software, and programming, going below the surface to see how they interact and how they affect you as a programmer. You'll also learn the principles of object-oriented programming (OOP) and how they are key to flexible, powerful ActionScript programs. In your first exercise, you'll begin work on your Space Invaders game, creating your hero ship and making him move around the screen with user control buttons.
LESSON 2 Classes, Properties, and Dynamic Coding
Lesson Two focuses on the key components of all ActionScript programs. You'll learn class definitions and the Movie Clip symbol properties that you can manipulate with code. You will also learn how to load objects to the stage dynamically. This lesson also covers ActionScript syntax and resources so you can keep your code clean and free of errors. You'll continue working on your game in the exercise, using dynamic programming techniques and encapsulation to load and place your visual objects.
LESSON 3 Program Flow and Dynamic States
The topic of dynamism continues along in Lesson Three with a look at static and dynamic states, and how a program moves from one state to another. You will explore two types of program flow controls ("if" conditional statements and "for" loops), and learn to apply collision tests by creating a mini maze game. In the exercise, you'll use dynamic programming and several variables to create a grid of animated aliens that aim to destroy your hero, and you'll implement a collision test to give your hero some defense with shooting capabilities that your user can control.
LESSON 4 Organization and Game Flow
In this lesson and exercise, you will explore methods of organizing your code and content using depth properties, the Flash Library, and layered code. You will learn essential stages of game development and creation of game rules, then continue your hard work in the exercise by attending to your game's flow and coding game statistics such as score and lives.
LESSON 5 Graphic UI, Game States, and Game Flow Controls
The graphical user interface is the focus on Lesson Five, introducing you to important GUI standards, user expectations, and planning of game states. You'll also get a hands-on look at programming user mouse movements with a simple ActionScript math game. In the exercise, you'll build the GUI and game flow controls for your game, designing visuals and coding changes in game state.
LESSON 6 Putting It Together
The final lesson wraps up your exploration of outside influences on your program, such as environment, delivery, and language. And no advanced look at programming would be complete without a close look at methods of debugging—you'll even learn about the first known computer bug. In the exercise, you'll complete your game by programming a high score screen, sound effects, and other finishing touches.
Contact us | 800-258-4115 