Macromedia Flash MX 2004 Game Programming

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 784 pages
• Published by: Muska & Lipman/Premier-Trade
• Edition: 1st Edition November 6, 2003
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1592000363
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1592000364
• Book Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.4 x 1.6 inches
• Weighs: 2.8 pounds

Product Description
If you?ve been searching for a tool that would allow you to create game-like applications with Web programming, you?re not alone. Finally, that tool is available! Flash MX 2004 offers a complete programming solution that can be used to do much more than simply create cool Web sites. "Macromedia Flash MX 2004 Game Programming" will show you how you can take full advantage of this amazing programming tool. It offers an abundance of tips and techniques for programmers of all levels who want to learn how Flash technology can be used to create games. Each chapter discusses a key element of game programming, using Flash to create a variety of games. All the major areas of game development are covered? from physics and artificial intelligence to collision detection and resolution.

About The Author
Craig Murray?s first computer program was in the early 1980?s, using AppleBasic. He has a BS in computer Science from Purdue University, with a minor in Mathematics. Craig is also the founder of Medusa Studios (www.medusastudios.com) and currently teaches Java and C Programming at IUPUI.

Justin Everett-Church is a Flash developer specializing in Web Games. Justin currently works for Yahoo!, where he creates games and IMVironments for Yahoo! Messenger. Outside of work, Justin teaches a course on ActionScript at Ohlone College and plays just about any game he can get his hands on. His Web site is http://www.infinitumdesign.com and he currently lives in Fremont, California.

Reader Reviews
This is a pretty decent book in an easy-to follow format which does a great job of providing information for it's stated purpose (Flash MX game programming). As an experienced programmer who just started toying with Flash, I would say this book certainly opened my eyes to the capabilities of Flash and Actionscript. After reading Chapter 6, it took about an hour to modify the "Space Invaders" type game into a "Math Blaster" game to help my son learn his multiplication tables. It also does an admirable job of being useful for beginners and experienced programmers. For those already familiar with Javascript, there will be a lot of repeated material but the book's format makes this easy to skim through. Now for the problems. First off, the index is one of the worst I've ever seen. I typically scan through an entire book to see what kind of information is available then use the index when I need to look up the specifics. This book might as well not have one. I finally started writing my own additions in the margins of the index pages. The second problem probably isn't fair to mention but, because of the useless index, you will definitely still need a good Actionscript reference (is there one out there?). Again, to be fair, the book never claims to be a reference. If you plan to program Flash games or just want to learn what Flash is capable of doing, read this book. If you're looking for a reference guide, move on (and please let me know when you find one).