Flash MX provides the perfect platform to create fun games for Internet distribution. This book takes the reader through the entire process from creating the art and animation for these games, through to programming them ready for users across the world to enjoy the results. The book is split into four sections. The first section introduces the new user to the drawing tools in Flash and explains how to create the animation frames that you will need for your games while keeping the files bandwidth friendly. Section 2 takes the reader on a guided tour of using ActionScript. The emphasis is on explaining computer programming to readers from a design background; no previous computer programming is assumed. In Section 3 lots of practical examples are offered of specific games; all the source code is provided in Flash MX format on the included CD. Finally, in Section 4 and the Appendices advanced topics are included about using sockets, databases and integrating with C++ and Director; there is even a section on using Flash to create a screensaver.

Learn the professional skills you need to make the best use of Flash for creating interactive animation and producing exciting, dynamic Internet content. Nik Lever, writing as an artist for artists, takes you through the entire process from creating the art and animation for games in Flash, to adding the interactivity using Flash's ActionScripting language. He also provides valuable extra coverage of how Flash integrates with Director 8.5 Shockwave studio and C++. As a designer using Flash you will see how you can apply your creative skills to the many stages of game production and produce your own interactive games with this versatile package. As an animator you will be able to add interactive functionality to your own animation and produce a game. As a web developer you will see how to make the best use of the sophisticated development environment Flash offers for the production of both artwork and code to create low bandwidth, animated web content that sells! The free CD-Rom includes all the code and files you need to try out each tutorial from the book so you can see exactly how each game was created. Learn from the many different types of games provided as examples, from simple quizzes to platform-based games. High score tables and multi-player games using sockets, vital to higher level online games, are also covered in detail to ensure you have the complete skill set needed to succeed in this competitive arena. * Benefit from the experience of a successful games designer whose Flash sites regularly get 10,000+ hits per day * Explained by an artist for artists so you can easily see how Flash ActionScript can work for your own games development * Includes lots of sample games you can adapt for your own use with the files on the free CD-Rom