Step by step AS3 translation of Flash game creation tutorial – part 1

June 11, 2008 by Emanuele Feronato
Filed Under Actionscript 3, Flash, Game design, Users contributions • 17 Comments 

Today I am glad to publish the work of Tim Edelaar that translated all AS2 files of the most successful post of this blog, Flash game creation tutorial – part 1.

The most interesting thing is he did not use a class, but he wrote the actionscript directly in the timeline in the… let’s call it “AS2 way”.

I said “interesting” because I think this way is easier to understand for all you “afraid to learn AS3″ guys.

Obviously I suggest to read Flash game creation tutorial – part 1 before continuing.

In some cases you may need to reload the page to see examples working, because the ball will fly off stage when you are looking at another example.

Then, let’s start with some well commented code:

Moving the hero

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//import some important flash libraries.
import flash.events.KeyboardEvent;
import flash.events.Event;
import flash.display.MovieClip;
 
//initializes variables.
var key_left:Boolean = false;
var key_right:Boolean = false;
var key_up:Boolean = false;
var key_down:Boolean = false;
 
//Checks if the player presses a key.
stage.addEventListener(KeyboardEvent.KEY_DOWN,KeyDown);
stage.addEventListener(KeyboardEvent.KEY_UP,KeyUp);
 
//Lets the function main play every frame.
addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME,Main);
 
//create the function main.
function Main(event:Event){
	CheckKeys();
}
 
//create the function KeyDown.
function KeyDown(event:KeyboardEvent){
	if(event.keyCode == 37){		//checks if left arrowkey is pressed.
		key_left = true;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 39){		//checks if right arrowkey is pressed.
		key_right = true;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 38){		//checks if up arrowkey is pressed.
		key_up = true;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 40){		//checks if down arrowkey is pressed.
		key_down = true;
	}
}
 
function KeyUp(event:KeyboardEvent){
	if(event.keyCode == 37){		//checks if left arrowkey is released.
		key_left = false;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 39){		//checks if right arrowkey is released.
		key_right = false;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 38){		//checks if up arrowkey is released.
		key_up = false;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 40){		//checks if down arrowkey is released.
		key_down = false;
	}
}
 
function CheckKeys(){
	if(key_left){
		hero.x -= 5;
	}
	if(key_right){
		hero.x += 5;
	}
	if(key_up){
		hero.y -= 5;
	}
	if(key_down){
		hero.y += 5;
	}
}

Moving the hero at a given speed

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//import some important flash libraries.
import flash.events.KeyboardEvent;
import flash.events.Event;
import flash.display.MovieClip;
 
//initializes variables.
var speed:int = 5;
var key_left:Boolean = false;
var key_right:Boolean = false;
var key_up:Boolean = false;
var key_down:Boolean = false;
 
//Checks if the player presses a key.
stage.addEventListener(KeyboardEvent.KEY_DOWN,KeyDown);
stage.addEventListener(KeyboardEvent.KEY_UP,KeyUp);
 
//Lets the function main play every frame.
addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME,Main);
 
//create the function main.
function Main(event:Event){
	CheckKeys();
}
 
//create the function KeyDown.
function KeyDown(event:KeyboardEvent){
	if(event.keyCode == 37){		//checks if left arrowkey is pressed.
		key_left = true;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 39){		//checks if right arrowkey is pressed.
		key_right = true;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 38){		//checks if up arrowkey is pressed.
		key_up = true;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 40){		//checks if down arrowkey is pressed.
		key_down = true;
	}
}
 
function KeyUp(event:KeyboardEvent){
	if(event.keyCode == 37){		//checks if left arrowkey is released.
		key_left = false;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 39){		//checks if right arrowkey is released.
		key_right = false;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 38){		//checks if up arrowkey is released.
		key_up = false;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 40){		//checks if down arrowkey is released.
		key_down = false;
	}
}
 
function CheckKeys(){
	if(key_left){
		hero.x -= speed;
	}
	if(key_right){
		hero.x += speed;
	}
	if(key_up){
		hero.y -= speed;
	}
	if(key_down){
		hero.y += speed;
	}
}

Moving the hero with acceleration

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//import some important flash libraries.
import flash.events.KeyboardEvent;
import flash.events.Event;
import flash.display.MovieClip;
 
//initializes variables.
var speed:Number = 0.08;
var xspeed:Number = 0;
var yspeed:Number = 0;
var key_left:Boolean = false;
var key_right:Boolean = false;
var key_up:Boolean = false;
var key_down:Boolean = false;
 
//Checks if the player presses a key.
stage.addEventListener(KeyboardEvent.KEY_DOWN,KeyDown);
stage.addEventListener(KeyboardEvent.KEY_UP,KeyUp);
 
//Lets the function main play every frame.
addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME,Main);
 
//create the function main.
function Main(event:Event){
	CheckKeys();
	MoveHero();
}
 
//create the function KeyDown.
function KeyDown(event:KeyboardEvent){
	if(event.keyCode == 37){		//checks if left arrowkey is pressed.
		key_left = true;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 39){		//checks if right arrowkey is pressed.
		key_right = true;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 38){		//checks if up arrowkey is pressed.
		key_up = true;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 40){		//checks if down arrowkey is pressed.
		key_down = true;
	}
}
 
function KeyUp(event:KeyboardEvent){
	if(event.keyCode == 37){		//checks if left arrowkey is released.
		key_left = false;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 39){		//checks if right arrowkey is released.
		key_right = false;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 38){		//checks if up arrowkey is released.
		key_up = false;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 40){		//checks if down arrowkey is released.
		key_down = false;
	}
}
 
function CheckKeys(){
	if(key_left){
		xspeed -= speed;
	}
	if(key_right){
		xspeed += speed;
	}
	if(key_up){
		yspeed -= speed;
	}
	if(key_down){
		yspeed += speed;
	}
}
 
function MoveHero(){
	hero.x += xspeed;
	hero.y += yspeed;
}

The friction

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//import some important flash libraries.
import flash.events.KeyboardEvent;
import flash.events.Event;
import flash.display.MovieClip;
 
//initializes variables.
var speed:Number = 0.08;
var xspeed:Number = 0;
var yspeed:Number = 0;
var friction:Number = 0.98;
var key_left:Boolean = false;
var key_right:Boolean = false;
var key_up:Boolean = false;
var key_down:Boolean = false;
 
//Checks if the player presses a key.
stage.addEventListener(KeyboardEvent.KEY_DOWN,KeyDown);
stage.addEventListener(KeyboardEvent.KEY_UP,KeyUp);
 
//Lets the function main play every frame.
addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME,Main);
 
//create the function main.
function Main(event:Event){
	CheckKeys();
	MoveHero();
}
 
//create the function KeyDown.
function KeyDown(event:KeyboardEvent){
	if(event.keyCode == 37){		//checks if left arrowkey is pressed.
		key_left = true;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 39){		//checks if right arrowkey is pressed.
		key_right = true;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 38){		//checks if up arrowkey is pressed.
		key_up = true;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 40){		//checks if down arrowkey is pressed.
		key_down = true;
	}
}
 
function KeyUp(event:KeyboardEvent){
	if(event.keyCode == 37){		//checks if left arrowkey is released.
		key_left = false;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 39){		//checks if right arrowkey is released.
		key_right = false;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 38){		//checks if up arrowkey is released.
		key_up = false;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 40){		//checks if down arrowkey is released.
		key_down = false;
	}
}
 
function CheckKeys(){
	if(key_left){
		xspeed -= speed;
	}
	if(key_right){
		xspeed += speed;
	}
	if(key_up){
		yspeed -= speed;
	}
	if(key_down){
		yspeed += speed;
	}
}
 
function MoveHero(){
	hero.x += xspeed;
	hero.y += yspeed;
	xspeed *= friction;
	yspeed *= friction;
}

The gravity

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//import some important flash libraries.
import flash.events.KeyboardEvent;
import flash.events.Event;
import flash.display.MovieClip;
 
//initializes variables.
var speed:Number = 0.08;
var xspeed:Number = 0;
var yspeed:Number = 0;
var friction:Number = 0.98;
var gravity:Number = 0.04;
var key_left:Boolean = false;
var key_right:Boolean = false;
var key_up:Boolean = false;
var key_down:Boolean = false;
 
//Checks if the player presses a key.
stage.addEventListener(KeyboardEvent.KEY_DOWN,KeyDown);
stage.addEventListener(KeyboardEvent.KEY_UP,KeyUp);
 
//Lets the function main play every frame.
addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME,Main);
 
//create the function main.
function Main(event:Event){
	CheckKeys();
	MoveHero();
}
 
//create the function KeyDown.
function KeyDown(event:KeyboardEvent){
	if(event.keyCode == 37){		//checks if left arrowkey is pressed.
		key_left = true;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 39){		//checks if right arrowkey is pressed.
		key_right = true;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 38){		//checks if up arrowkey is pressed.
		key_up = true;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 40){		//checks if down arrowkey is pressed.
		key_down = true;
	}
}
 
function KeyUp(event:KeyboardEvent){
	if(event.keyCode == 37){		//checks if left arrowkey is released.
		key_left = false;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 39){		//checks if right arrowkey is released.
		key_right = false;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 38){		//checks if up arrowkey is released.
		key_up = false;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 40){		//checks if down arrowkey is released.
		key_down = false;
	}
}
 
function CheckKeys(){
	if(key_left){
		xspeed -= speed;
	}
	if(key_right){
		xspeed += speed;
	}
	if(key_up){
		yspeed -= speed;
	}
	if(key_down){
		yspeed += speed;
	}
}
 
function MoveHero(){
	hero.x += xspeed;
	hero.y += yspeed;
	xspeed *= friction;
	yspeed *= friction;
	yspeed += gravity;
}

The thrust

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//import some important flash libraries.
import flash.events.KeyboardEvent;
import flash.events.Event;
import flash.display.MovieClip;
 
//initializes variables.
var speed:Number = 0.08;
var xspeed:Number = 0;
var yspeed:Number = 0;
var friction:Number = 0.98;
var gravity:Number = 0.04;
var thrust:Number = 0.8;
var key_left:Boolean = false;
var key_right:Boolean = false;
var key_up:Boolean = false;
var key_down:Boolean = false;
 
//Checks if the player presses a key.
stage.addEventListener(KeyboardEvent.KEY_DOWN,KeyDown);
stage.addEventListener(KeyboardEvent.KEY_UP,KeyUp);
 
//Lets the function main play every frame.
addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME,Main);
 
//create the function main.
function Main(event:Event){
	CheckKeys();
	MoveHero();
}
 
//create the function KeyDown.
function KeyDown(event:KeyboardEvent){
	if(event.keyCode == 37){		//checks if left arrowkey is pressed.
		key_left = true;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 39){		//checks if right arrowkey is pressed.
		key_right = true;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 38){		//checks if up arrowkey is pressed.
		key_up = true;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 40){		//checks if down arrowkey is pressed.
		key_down = true;
	}
}
 
function KeyUp(event:KeyboardEvent){
	if(event.keyCode == 37){		//checks if left arrowkey is released.
		key_left = false;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 39){		//checks if right arrowkey is released.
		key_right = false;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 38){		//checks if up arrowkey is released.
		key_up = false;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 40){		//checks if down arrowkey is released.
		key_down = false;
	}
}
 
function CheckKeys(){
	if(key_left){
		xspeed -= speed;
	}
	if(key_right){
		xspeed += speed;
	}
	if(key_up){
		yspeed -= speed*thrust;
	}
	if(key_down){
		yspeed += speed*thrust;
	}
}
 
function MoveHero(){
	hero.x += xspeed;
	hero.y += yspeed;
	xspeed *= friction;
	yspeed *= friction;
	yspeed += gravity;
}

The wind

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//import some important flash libraries.
import flash.events.KeyboardEvent;
import flash.events.Event;
import flash.display.MovieClip;
 
//initializes variables.
var speed:Number = 0.08;
var xspeed:Number = 0;
var yspeed:Number = 0;
var friction:Number = 0.98;
var gravity:Number = 0.04;
var thrust:Number = 0.8;
var wind:Number = 0.02;
var key_left:Boolean = false;
var key_right:Boolean = false;
var key_up:Boolean = false;
var key_down:Boolean = false;
 
//Checks if the player presses a key.
stage.addEventListener(KeyboardEvent.KEY_DOWN,KeyDown);
stage.addEventListener(KeyboardEvent.KEY_UP,KeyUp);
 
//Lets the function main play every frame.
addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME,Main);
 
//create the function main.
function Main(event:Event){
	CheckKeys();
	MoveHero();
}
 
//create the function KeyDown.
function KeyDown(event:KeyboardEvent){
	if(event.keyCode == 37){		//checks if left arrowkey is pressed.
		key_left = true;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 39){		//checks if right arrowkey is pressed.
		key_right = true;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 38){		//checks if up arrowkey is pressed.
		key_up = true;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 40){		//checks if down arrowkey is pressed.
		key_down = true;
	}
}
 
function KeyUp(event:KeyboardEvent){
	if(event.keyCode == 37){		//checks if left arrowkey is released.
		key_left = false;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 39){		//checks if right arrowkey is released.
		key_right = false;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 38){		//checks if up arrowkey is released.
		key_up = false;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 40){		//checks if down arrowkey is released.
		key_down = false;
	}
}
 
function CheckKeys(){
	if(key_left){
		xspeed -= speed;
	}
	if(key_right){
		xspeed += speed;
	}
	if(key_up){
		yspeed -= speed*thrust;
	}
	if(key_down){
		yspeed += speed*thrust;
	}
}
 
function MoveHero(){
	hero.x += xspeed;
	hero.y += yspeed;
	xspeed += wind;
	xspeed *= friction;
	yspeed += gravity;
	yspeed *= friction;
}

The rotation

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//import some important flash libraries.
import flash.events.KeyboardEvent;
import flash.events.Event;
import flash.display.MovieClip;
 
//initializes variables.
var speed:Number = 0.08;
var xspeed:Number = 0;
var yspeed:Number = 0;
var friction:Number = 0.98;
var gravity:Number = 0.04;
var thrust:Number = 0.8;
var wind:Number = 0.02;
var key_left:Boolean = false;
var key_right:Boolean = false;
var key_up:Boolean = false;
var key_down:Boolean = false;
 
//Checks if the player presses a key.
stage.addEventListener(KeyboardEvent.KEY_DOWN,KeyDown);
stage.addEventListener(KeyboardEvent.KEY_UP,KeyUp);
 
//Lets the function main play every frame.
addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME,Main);
 
//create the function main.
function Main(event:Event){
	CheckKeys();
	MoveHero();
}
 
//create the function KeyDown.
function KeyDown(event:KeyboardEvent){
	if(event.keyCode == 37){		//checks if left arrowkey is pressed.
		key_left = true;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 39){		//checks if right arrowkey is pressed.
		key_right = true;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 38){		//checks if up arrowkey is pressed.
		key_up = true;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 40){		//checks if down arrowkey is pressed.
		key_down = true;
	}
}
 
function KeyUp(event:KeyboardEvent){
	if(event.keyCode == 37){		//checks if left arrowkey is released.
		key_left = false;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 39){		//checks if right arrowkey is released.
		key_right = false;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 38){		//checks if up arrowkey is released.
		key_up = false;
	}
	if(event.keyCode == 40){		//checks if down arrowkey is released.
		key_down = false;
	}
}
 
function CheckKeys(){
	if(key_left){
		xspeed -= speed;
	}
	if(key_right){
		xspeed += speed;
	}
	if(key_up){
		yspeed -= speed*thrust;
	}
	if(key_down){
		yspeed += speed*thrust;
	}
}
 
function MoveHero(){
	hero.x += xspeed;
	hero.y += yspeed;
	hero.rotation += xspeed;
	xspeed += wind;
	xspeed *= friction;
	yspeed += gravity;
	yspeed *= friction;
}

Now you have no excuses to refuse making a ball game with AS3

Download the source codes.

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17 Responses to “Step by step AS3 translation of Flash game creation tutorial – part 1”

  1. souled on June 11th, 2008 9:11 pm

    You got the swfs mixed up. :S

    The one with acceleration is the same as the first, the one with friction is jsut acceleration etc.

    Very nice tutorial, may have to start learning some AS3 over the summer.

  2. Evra on June 12th, 2008 12:16 am

    Good, good.

    But you should have added the Reset button like you did on the tutorial with AC2. Because the hero is long gone when you reach that point of the site.

    Souled: No, the swfs are not mixed up. The headlines aren’t under the swf idiot.

  3. Frozenhaddock on June 12th, 2008 3:24 am

    Awesome, so you -can- still do this in AS3?

    I too shall be diving into AS3 over the summer, last exam was today, so I’ve got a loooong lazy holiday to learn :D

    And this seems the best place to start, Thanks!

  4. Junxron on June 12th, 2008 5:35 am

    Cool.. Well Done.. I was sooooo afraid of going into AS3 as i ran into some problems the previous time because i didnt know there are things like events.KeyboardEvent. I had to change my gameplay to use mouse only.

    Thanks heaps. =P

  5. bob on June 12th, 2008 7:55 am

    nice, thanks

  6. RJGames on June 12th, 2008 3:02 pm

    Great! Thanks a lot!

    This makes AS3 look easy and simple

  7. Monkios on June 12th, 2008 3:43 pm

    Nice tutorial as always.

    The only thing I find weird is the fact that when the hero can rotate and he is pushed by the wind, he goes rotating as if the player had pushed the left or right button.

    I don’t know if that’s the way you intended it but I wanted to tell you.

  8. ptz on June 12th, 2008 4:00 pm

    Great job. Now i will love to see same tutorial writed using class-method ;p

  9. brart on June 12th, 2008 5:07 pm

    I was next to Tim…. He did this under one hour :P

  10. souled on June 12th, 2008 6:29 pm

    My bad its because there are two swfs with normal movement. And don’t call me an idiot.

  11. JDog on June 13th, 2008 7:20 pm

    @ Souled, you’re right !

  12. Void on July 23rd, 2008 12:47 am

    Really great. Keep up the good work!!!

  13. idiot on February 21st, 2009 2:39 am

    souled you’re an idiot… :P

    great tut (mhh im a little late, but i guess as3 still existing XD)

  14. martin on March 4th, 2009 1:40 am

    why

    import flash.display.MovieClip;

    and not

    import flash.display.*;

    if you want to make a full game is the second option not better???

  15. Tez Grant on October 10th, 2009 6:45 pm

    brilliant, this should help me unravel how to build a physics engine for a uni project, saved me days of theory, now i can reverse engineer stuff!

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  2. Flash game creation tutorial - part 1 (with AS3 classes) : Emanuele Feronato on October 31st, 2008 1:37 pm

    [...] Tim Edelaar coded it into AS3 in Step by step AS3 translation of Flash game creation tutorial – part 1, but with the whole code in a single class, and now it’s time for me to release the AS3 version of [...]

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