resonate-flixel-workshop

During the workshop each participant will design and program a unique character for a simple 2D-action game using the Flash-based game framework Flixel. In the game two players compete against each other in a virtual arena. At the beginning of a match, each player is randomly assigned one of the characters with a unique set of features and properties, allowing for asymmetric game play.

Participants will learn how to create interesting game interactions within an existing structure, and how to collaborate on a project in a parallel fashion. Each contributed game character will directly affect the game play, evoking discussion about what makes a game balanced, coherent, diverse and enjoyable. The finished game including all contributed characters will be released as open source on GitHub.

Setup

1. Download the Flex SDK 4.6 http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flex/flex-sdk-download.html.
2. Download the Flash Player 11.6 Projector content debugger http://www.adobe.com/support/flashplayer/downloads.html#fp11.
3. Download the workshop project https://github.com/pixelate/resonate-flixel-workshop/archive/master.zip.
4. Create a new folder for this workshop (e.g. asymetric-gamedesign).
5. Unzip all downloaded files.
6. Move the unzipped folders and the Flash Player Debugger into your new folder.

Compile the project

Open a command line Terminal.

Type cd asymetric-gamedesign to change the current directory to your new folder.

Compile the workshop project using mxmlc:

./flex_sdk_4.6/bin/mxmlc ./resonate-flixel-workshop-master/src/Main.as -static-link-runtime-shared-libraries=true -output ./Main.swf

Open the Main.swf file using the Flash Player Debugger.

Debugging

You can display the development console at any time while playing by pressing the '~' or tilde key on your keyboard. (The key is next to the left Shift key, it might have a different symbol on international keyboards.)

FlxG.log("This is a test.");

// Use inside a character class
FlxG.watch(this, "x", "Character X");

Finding your way around in Flixel

Flixel has a recommended way of doing things for many common design problems. Make sure to familiarize yourself with its features (http://flixel.org/features.html) and documentation (http://flixel.org/docs/). The source code for Flixel is contained in the workshop project under src/org/flixel. Have a look into the Flixel classes (especially FlxSprite) if you want to better understand how things work.

Game controls

Player One

W – Move Up
A – Move Left
S – Move Down
D – Move Right
SHIFT – Attack

Player Two

ARROW UP – Move Up
ARROW LEFT – Move Left
ARROW DOWN – Move Down
ARROW LEFT – Move Right
SPACE – Attack

Workshop schedule

10:00 Workshop goals

10:15 Round of introductions

10:30 Walkthrough AS3 project + game logic

11:00 Setup development environment

11:30 Make a quick concept for your game character

11:45 Start coding!

14:00 Lunch

17:00 All character classes must be in Dropbox

17:30 Play session with all game characters

18:30 Wrap-up

Rules

• Build exactly one character class
• Build one or more projectile classes that your character can use a weapon
• You must not modify any other classes (except for testing your classes)
• Your character must have strenghs and weaknesses
• Playtest your character constantly with other participants

How to design your character

• Iterative design process – Design, Build, Test
• Flow theory – Not too easy, not too hard
• What makes your character interesting to play?
• What are your character's strenghs?
• What are your character's weaknesses?
• How does it feel to control your character?
• Does your character favor a specific play style?
• What's the best strategy to play this character?