I was working on a project to optimize the file size of a published .SWF file today. I wasn’t able to reduce the size of my file by that much, but at the same time I was removing assets from the Library of the source .FLA file. I noticed that after saving, the file size of the .FLA was not decreasing. I started to doubt my sanity, so I decided to see what Google had to say on the subject.
I found this helpful blog post on the subject.
Basically, when using Ctrl+S to save a file, the Flash IDE does a quick save. This quick save, doesn’t do anything to optimize the size of the .FLA file. However, if you use the File > Save and Compact command, Flash will compact the file for you.
However, be warned that saving in this way will remove the undo history for the file. So any changes you’ve made since you opened the file will not be recoverable.
I ran into a problem today when using ExternalInterface in and ActionScript 3 project. The issue occurred in both Internet Explorer and Firefox. In the project, I was using ExternalInterface.call() to execute a JavaScript function, and passing a long text string as a parameter. The long text string happened to contain a bunch of new lines and slashes. In both browsers a JavaScript error was generated, and the error was not catch-able by a try…catch block in the Flash application. After some searching I found a blog post on Mike Chamber’s site about a known bug in the Flash plugin. The solution is to use String.replace() to sanitize the string before executing ExternalInterface.call().
stringParameter = stringParameter.replace(/n/g, " ");
stringParameter = stringParameter.replace(/r/g, " ");
stringParameter = stringParameter.replace(/\/g, "\\");
I am pleased to announce, that SNAFU Tower Defense was on the front page of Newgrounds November 4, 2008. SNAFU TD received a score of 3.78, and was ranked number 4 for the day of November 3, 2008. Click here to play SNAFU Tower Defense on Newgrounds
An updated version of Hashi ex Machina has been released. This version includes the following changes:
- Added a broken chain message when checking for mistakes when all islands have been closed.
Click here to play Hashi ex Machina.
An updated version of SNAFU Tower Defense has been released. This version includes the following changes:
- Re-designed the game interface for 700×568 pixels. This should work better for people on laptops.
Click here to play SNAFU Tower Defense.
Hashi ex Machina has been released. Hashi is a classic Japaneses puzzle game. Each game of Hashi presents a map of circles containing numbers, called “islands”. The number within each island determines how many lines, called “bridges”, must be connected to the island. To win, all of the islands must be interconnected with the correct number of bridges in one continuous chain.
Other names for Hashi include: hashi, hashiwokakero, bridges, chopsticks, ai-ki-ai
Click here to play Hashi ex Machina.
An updated version of Cubical has been released.
1. Redesigned the entire interface.
Click here to play Cubical.
An updated version of Tetrical has been released.
1. Redesigned the entire interface.
Click here to play Tetrical.
September 13th, 2008
Jeff
An updated version of SNAFU Tower Defense has been released. This version includes the following changes:
- Fixed session restoration for returning users. Game settings will now persist between sessions again.
- Fixed keyboard listener. Hot keys now work again.
Click here to play SNAFU Tower Defense.
SNAFU Tower Defense has been released. SNAFU Tower Defense (TD) is my take on the mazing tower defense genre. Inspired by Desktop TD and Xeno Tactic, I wanted SNAFU TD to provide more variety in the design of each map.
SNAFU TD also introduces the concept of barricades. Barricades are built like towers, but they do not attack the creeps. In previous mazing tower defense games, players are required to build mazes out of the lowest cost towers. As the levels progress, the damage that these towers cause is negligible, but the towers still eat up processing time to calculate targets and projectile movement. Barricades do not eat up any processing time.
SNAFU TD also incorporates a system of creep defense versus a tower armor penetration rating. This system ensures that not all towers perform at the same level against all creeps. As towers are upgraded, the armor penetration rating is boosted. Players will be required to use a combination of towers to balance their defenses.
SNAFU TD allows the player to select the targeting AI for each tower individually. Targeting algorithms include: Closest To The Goal (default), Strongest and Weakest.
For each mission in SNAFU TD, the player can be awarded up to 3 achievements with three levels (gold, silver and bronze). Achievements are awarded for the percentage of creeps eliminated, remaining health, and the speed at which each mission is completed.
Experienced tower defense game players will likely find that some of the missions in SNAFU TD are on the easy side. My hope is that the achievement system, and leaderboards will provide these players with added value to replay each mission many times. Also, newcomers to the genre should be able to successfully complete their first mission in a small number of attempts.
Enjoy!!
Click here to play SNAFU Tower Defense.