Macromedia Flash 5 ActionScript for Fun and Games [Paperback]

Gary Rosenzweig (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 23, 2001

This book will be the only game-specific book for Macromedia Flash and ActionScript. Each chapter will study and deconstruct a new type of game or gadget, such as hunt and click games, catch and avoid games, or action and adventure games.

The book will waste no time on illustration or animation directions but will focus solely on building games in Flash, including coding, the primary skill that most aspiring Flash game designers lack.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This book will be the only game-specific book for Macromedia Flash and ActionScript. Each chapter will study and deconstruct a new type of game or gadget, such as hunt and click games, catch and avoid games, or action and adventure games.

The book will waste no time on illustration or animation directions but will focus solely on building games in Flash, including coding, the primary skill that most aspiring Flash game designers lack.

About the Author

Gary Rosenzweig is a game designer, programmer, entrepreneur, and the author of six books on Macromedia Director and Flash. He owns and operates CleverMedia, a Shockwave game development company that runs four game sites on the Internet: http://www.clevermedia.com/, http://www.gamescene.com/, http://www.gamespark.com/, and http://www.flasharcade.com/.

Since founding CleverMedia in 1996, the company has produced more than 150 games. The games on the four sites that make up the "CleverMedia Network" are all free for Web surfers to play. Many of the games have also been licensed to other Web sites.

Rosenzweig started in the multimedia business by obtaining a bachelor's degree in computer science from Drexel University in Philadelphia. His interest in newspapers took him to the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill where he earned a master's degree in journalism and mass communication.

Rosenzweig wrote his first book in 1995 on Macromedia Director Lingo and distributed it free on the Internet. In 1996, The Comprehensive Guide to Lingo was published by Ventana, followed the next year by The Director 6 Book. In 1999, Special Edition Using Director 7 was published by Macmillan Computer Publishing and Special Edition Using Director 8 followed in 2000. Gary has also spoken at many Macromedia User Conferences and the Game Developers Conference. Gary reads a lot of classic science fiction books, likes to go to the movies, and enjoys travel. He lives in Denver, Colorado, with his wife, Debby; cat, Lucy; and dog, Natasha.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Que (April 23, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078972524X
• ISBN-13: 978-0789725240
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,926,369 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gary Rosenzweig is a programmer, Web site developer, Internet entrepreneur, podcaster and computer book writer. He is the host and publisher of the MacMost video podcast and Web site. He has also programmed more than 200 Web-based and iPhone games. He has written many books on Flash and Shockwave game development.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well-used Flash 5 ActionScript resource, September 19, 2001

By 

Shere Chamness "REALART" (Littleton, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Macromedia Flash 5 ActionScript for Fun and Games (Paperback)

Of all the Flash 5 ActionScripting books in my collection (and I have them all), this one has the most pages flagged with post-it tags, and the most highlighted paragraphs. It offers clear, easy to understand instructions, with friendly tips and advice. The exercises helped me grasp key concepts of working with ActionScript. Gary shares the full scope of how to create games and activities; he doesn't just flash bits of esoteric code for effects you will never use. Although the book's focus is games, it's an excellent resource for learning basic ActionScript. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn ActionScripting.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grab This Book!, May 28, 2001

By 

"toonmaster" (Decatur, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Macromedia Flash 5 ActionScript for Fun and Games (Paperback)

If you're wanting to create games with Flash then this book is for you. Here's a run-down of the games you'll find in the chapters:

1. Flash Elements Used to Makes Games and Toys

2. An Introduction to ActionScript

3. ActionScript Elements Used to Make Games and Toys

4. The Game-Creation Process

5. ActionScript Design Effects

6. Toys and Gadgets

7. Construction Toys: (Drag and Drop, Click-and-Switch, Sketchbook, Music Mixer.)

8. Hunt and Click Games: (Find-A-Fox, Shoot-A-Fox, Whack-A-Fox.)

9. Catch and Avoid Games: (Apple Catch, Apple Letter Catch, River Rafting Game.)

10. Aim and Shoot Games: (Move and Shoot, Aim and Shoot.)

11. Ball and Paddle Games: (Wall Ball, Paddle Ball, Paddle Bricks.)

12. Quizzes and Word Puzzles: (Flash Quiz, Flash Trivia, Hangman.)

13. Picture Puzzles: (Jigsaw Puzzle, Sliding Puzzle, Matching Game.)

14. Brain Puzzles: (Memory Game, Deduction, Pegs.)

15. Casino and Card Games: (Slot Machine, Video Poker, Simple Blackjack.)

16. Arcade Games: (Space Combat, Space Rocks, Maze Chase, Moon Lander.)

17. Advanced Techniques: (Performance and Optimization, Loader Screens, Copy Protection, High Score Boards.)

This book is full of usefull games and ActionScript techniques. Also, the accompannying website has all the working source code for the examples in the book. I was surprised by how much information is packed into this book and I actually e-mailed the author to tell him how pleased I was with his book. He emailed me the same day and told me to get the word out on Amazon.com, so here I am! I totally recommend this book! Go and Get It!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From actionscript novice to flash games designer in 5 days!, May 29, 2002

By 

[e-mail] (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Macromedia Flash 5 ActionScript for Fun and Games (Paperback)

Having mastered flash basics - this was the first Actionscript book I bought. It's nice to get straight into making cool programmes instead of having to master hundreds of commands first. Gary explains actionscript in a really easy to understand way and you end up with some really good programmes that you will probably use again and again. 5 days later I'm churning out work like I've been using Flash all my life. Thanks Gary!