The Essential Guide to Flash Games is a unique tool for Flash game developers. Rather than focusing on a bunch of low-level how-to material, this book dives straight into building games. The book is divided into specific game genre projects, covering everything from old classics such as a Missile Command-style game, to hot new genres such as retro evolved. The chapters build in complexity through the book, and new tools are introduced along the way that can be reused for other games.The game projects covered start simple and increase in complexity as more and more tools are added to your tool chest. Ten full game projects are discussed in detail. Each solves a very different game development problem and builds on the knowledge gained from the previous project. Many advanced game development techniques are covered, including particle systems, advanced controls, artificial intelligence, blitting, scrolling, and more. What you'll learn Flash/Flex ActionScript 3 game development How to apply object-oriented game development techniques How to solve a wide variety specific Flash game programming problems How to develop a game engine and set of tools that can be reused How to implement ten different games (in styles ranging from retro to modern Flash games) How to optimize various games Who this book is for

This book is for intermediate Flash developers, Flash game developers, game developers looking to move to the Flash platform, and experienced web developers who want to learn how to make games. Table of Contents The Second Game Theory Creating an AS3 Game Framework Creating Super Click Laying the Groundwork for Flak Cannon Building the Flak Cannon Game Loop Laying the Groundwork for No Tanks Creating the Full No Tanks Game Creating the Color Drop Casual Puzzle Game Creating the Dice Battle Puzzle Game Blit Scrolling in a Tile-Based World Creating an Optimized Post-Retro Game Creating a Viral Game: Tunnel Panic

Flash is fading fast, and Canvas continues to rise. The second edition of this popular book shows you how to get started with the HTML5 Canvas element, and provides in-depth coverage of ways to build interactive multimedia applications. You'll learn how to use Canvas to draw, render text, manipulate images, and create animation - all in the course of building an interactive web game throughout the book. Updated for the latest implementations of Canvas and related HTML5 technologies, this edition helps you quickly pick up the basics - whether you currently use Flash, Silverlight, or just HTML and JavaScript. You'll learn how to create various entertainment applications with Canvas, using clear and reusable code examples. Discover why leading application developers rave about HTML5 as the future of truly innovative web development.Create and modify 2D drawings, text, and bitmap images Incorporate and manipulate video, and add audio Build a basic framework for creating a variety of games on Canvas Use bitmaps and tile sheets to develop animated game graphics Go mobile: port Canvas applications to iPhone with PhoneGap Explore ways to use Canvas for 3D and multiplayer game applications