How to make your own games.
We started making Shockwave games way back in 1996, with Jamie doing the animation and sounds and Simon doing the programming. Since then we have created more than one hundred on-line games, including 20+ Lenny Loosejocks adventures.
So, if we can do it, then you probably can too. All you need is some great software tools and a couple of books to explain how it is all done.
Just follow the links below to download the 30 day trial versions:
- Adobe/Macromedia Director
We use Director to create all our Shockwave games. Director's intuitive visual development metaphor makes it easy to create, import, animate, and control media. When you need complex interactivity (like games) Director's drag-and-drop behaviors or powerful object-oriented scripting language, Lingo, can get the job done.
Approx: $999
Download the Trial Version
- Adobe/Macromedia Flash
We use Flash for small streaming animations. You can use it to create everything from full-screen animations to navigation bars, animated buttons, illustrations, maps, ad banners, and more.
Approx: US$299
Download the Trial Version
We also use the following tools to create the HTML and images for the website:
- Adobe/Macromedia Studio
This includes Dreamweaver (for making your pages), Flash (for animation/games), and Fireworks (for webpage graphics and layouts). Basically, if you have Studio, you have all the tools you need to create the Ezone.com Website. I really like Dreamweaver because it is a visual design tool - if you can use Microsoft Word, then you can use Dreamweaver. It also doesn't add in a bunch of unnecessary HTML tags, and produces very clean pages. It also has built in behaviors for creating HTML effects like rollovers and animations.
From: US$999
Download the Trial VersionAdobe/Macromedia also offers substantial discounts for education versions - so talk to your teacher or school to see if you can qualify for a discount.
Books from Amazon.com
If you already have the software tools, and need some books to get going with game design, this is a list of what is on our bookshelves. Follow the links to purchase them on-line from Amazon.com.
Beginners:
- Director 6 Authorized (Macromedia Press Series)
Frank Elley, Karen Tucker / Paperback / Published 1997
This book is a great way to get started with Director. It comes with a CD-ROM with tons of examples and also a demo version of Director so you can play around with it before you decide to fork over the big bucks.
Approx: $40
- Learning Lingo : The Art and Science of Programming With Macromedia Director
Michael Callery / Paperback / Published 1996
This is a great book for anyone wanting to get started in shockwave game design. This is the first Director book I bought, and I loved it! Thanks Mike.
Approx: $30Intermediate:
- The Lingo Programmer's Reference
Darrel Plant, et al / Paperback / Published 1997
A must have reference guide for anyone programming Director. I use it pretty much everyday.
- Lingo in a Nutshell
Bruce A. Epstein / Paperback / Published 1998
This is another great reference for Lingo programming.
Approx: $20Advanced:
- Lingo Sorcery : The Magic of Lists, Objects and Intelligent Agents
Peter Small / Paperback / Published 1996
Peter Small is da man. These books will change your whole approach to Director and help you unleash it's full potential. If you haven't yet got into objects, then you need to get this book! Lenny in Space would not have been possible without it. Thanks Pete.
Approx: $25- Magical A-Life Avatars : A New Paradigm for the Internet
Peter Small / Paperback / Published 1998
Peter's latest book. Once again, some great concepts and ideas, but if you are only going to get one of his books, I would go with Lingo Sorcery.
Approx: $35- Learning Perl (2nd Edition)
Randal L. Schwartz, et al / Paperback / Published 1997
Not a Director book, but if you want to add cool stuff to your games like high scores, chat, e-mail, etc., then you are going to have to learn some Perl. Perl is the language used to write CGI server programs, and this book is a great place to start.
Approx: $25- Programming Perl (2nd Edition)
Larry Wall, et al / Paperback / Published 1996
A good Perl reference guide, but if you only want one book - get Learning Perl.
Approx: $35Click Here to go back to the Main Help Page.