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v3 Arcade - Game Modification Guide & Releases
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John
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John John is offline 01-23-2004, 10:00 PM

How v3 Games Work

v3 Arcade games are a little different to those in the original Arcade and futureal's proArcade.

Instead of a simple getURL which sends all of the variables to the next page, the v3 Arcade uses a completely different system - a series of sendAndLoad events where data is sent and received between the Flash file and vBulletin. As a result, converting games for the v3 Arcade is a little more complicated.

To get games working with the v3 Arcade, a piece of code needs to be inserted which will run on every frame of the Flash movie. (I.e. one looped movieclip which is active across all frames.) A variable also needs to be set to tell the v3 Arcade code when to end the game.

EDIT: INSTRUCTIONS UPDATED TO MAKE THE PROCESS A LOT EASIER!

Converting Games

Converting a game is quite simple, providing you have some basic knowledge of Flash.

Step 1.
Create a blank movie clip, containing two keyframes.

Step 2.
On frame 1 of this blank movieclip, insert this code (not forgetting to change the gamename value to something unique - THIS PRESUMES THAT _root.score CONTAINS THE SCORE VALUE!):
Code:
// HERE THE ARCADE SESSION IS INITIATED
// DON'T FORGET TO CHANGE THE GAMENAME VALUE!
if (this.sessionstarted != 1) {
    this.arcade = new LoadVars();
    this.sessionvars = new LoadVars();
    this.arcade.gamename = "towerball";
    this.arcade.sessdo = "sessionstart";
    this.arcade.sendAndLoad("arcade.php", sessionvars, "POST");
    this.sessionstarted = 1;
}

// IF GAMEOVER=1, SUBMIT THE SCORE AND REDIRECT THE PAGE
if (_root.gameover == 1) {
    if ((this.askpermission != 1) && (this.sessionvars.connStatus == 1)) {
        this.prequestvars = new LoadVars();
        this.pranswer = new LoadVars();
        this.prequestvars.gametime = this.sessionvars.gametime;
        this.prequestvars.fakekey = this.sessionvars.initbar;
        if (_root.score == 0) {
            this.prequestvars.score = -1;
        } else {
            this.prequestvars.score = _root.score;
        }
        this.prequestvars.id = this.sessionvars.lastid;
        this.prequestvars.sessdo = "permrequest";
        this.prequestvars.note = (this.prequestvars.id*this.prequestvars.score*this.prequestvars.fakekey);
        this.prequestvars.sendAndLoad("./arcade.php", this.pranswer, "POST");
        this.askpermission = 1;
    }
    if ((this.pranswer.validate == 1) && (this.finalsent != 1)) {
        this.burnscore = new LoadVars();
        this.burnscore.microone = this.pranswer.microone;
        this.burnscore.gametime = this.prequestvars.gametime;
        this.burnscore.id = this.prequestvars.id;
        if (_root.score == 0) {
            this.burnscore.noscore = 1;
        }
        this.burnscore.sessdo = "burn";
        this.burnscore.send("./arcade.php", "_self", "POST");
        this.finalsent = 1;
    }
}
Step 3.
Now, you need to let the game know when to finish the game and redirect the page. This is done by the setting of a new variable, "gameover". When _root.gameover==1, the game will end.

Find the frame of the "Game Over" page, and add this actionscript to the frame:
Code:
_root.gameover=1;
Save, and export the SWF movie to the appropriate place.

Releasing Games

When releasing a game, please try to stick to the same format as the other games provided below. (I.e. with the installation script.) It should be fairly easy to figure out what goes where. Try to release all games in this thread!


Additional Games So Far

? Pacman (by Paul Neave) - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=102
? Simon (by Paul Neave) - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=130
? Breakout - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=350
? Target - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=359
? Maeda Path - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=469
? Helicopter - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=504
? Curveball - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=506
? Miniclip Snake - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=537
? Towerball - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....39&postcount=7
? Alien Clones - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....3&postcount=12
? Penguin Bashing - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....9&postcount=72
? Mars Rover - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=109
? Disco Racer - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=138
? Joust - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=144
? Hexxagon - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=938
? Monkey Lander - http://www.v3arcade.com/play/showthread.php?t=55
? Pingu Slap - http://www.v3arcade.com/play/showthread.php?t=53
? Bloody Pingu - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=295
? Radial Snake - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=300
? Kill Kenny - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=304
? Alien Attack - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=314
? Ron North's Jewels - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=329
? KickUps - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=363
? Altex - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=403
? Enemy Shooting - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=403
? Jail Break - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=403
? Snow Paul - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=403
? Space Hunter - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=403
? Plasmanaut on Fire - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=443
? Simpsons Shooter - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=447
? Plasmanout V2 - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=464
? Pinball - http://www.v3arcade.com/play/showthread.php?t=182
? Juggler - http://www.v3arcade.com/play/showthread.php?t=207
? Starship Legend - http://www.v3arcade.com/play/showthread.php?t=208
? Aim & Fire - http://www.v3arcade.com/play/showthread.php?t=206
? Plops - http://www.v3arcade.com/play/showthread.php?t=184
? Tie Fighter Shooter - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/attachmen...chmentid=17650
? Witch Hunt - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/attachmen...chmentid=17651
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  #102  
Old 01-27-2004, 10:31 AM
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Oblivion Knight Oblivion Knight is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mellow
What do I need to modify the .swf files and add some games here and how much is the software? Is there a freebie editor? Thanks for the help from a newbie-soon-to-be-flasher.

Joe
It's not as easy as editing the .swf file, you need the source code - .fla file - to modify it for use with the Arcade. Macromedia Flash MX is generally the software you would use to do this, but I can't think of the license fee off the top of my head.
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  #103  
Old 01-27-2004, 10:35 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oblivion Knight
It's not as easy as editing the .swf file, you need the source code - .fla file - to modify it for use with the Arcade. Macromedia Flash MX is generally the software you would use to do this, but I can't think of the license fee off the top of my head.
I just checked, looks like $500 US.

Thanks for the info.
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  #104  
Old 01-27-2004, 11:33 AM
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John i think the tutorial on page 1 needs to be updated since there are more things to look for in various games if you want to 'catch' the score. Is it possible to give a general guideline where to look for and how to write these first commands for the score?
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  #105  
Old 01-27-2004, 12:27 PM
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Sorry, I'm not feeling too well at the moment - taking a day or two off.

Will get back to work on this when I'm feeling a bit better.
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  #106  
Old 01-27-2004, 06:49 PM
zeeg99 zeeg99 is offline
 
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Guys, I really suck at this, im trying hard to get a Game off flashkit going, I think it'll be good too

If someone can help, irc.gamesnet.net #sieged please =)
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  #107  
Old 01-27-2004, 08:47 PM
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Yeah that's the only thing missing since the other arcade for vb2. Just need more games. So far all the games have been great.
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  #108  
Old 01-27-2004, 11:13 PM
zeeg99 zeeg99 is offline
 
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W00t, i got one, gonna post in a second!
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  #109  
Old 01-27-2004, 11:17 PM
zeeg99 zeeg99 is offline
 
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This was taken from flashkit.com =)

This is my first one, and I did a Submit button since I was unable to get it to work right otherwise =)

P.S.

Someone teach me how to do it without a Submit button =)

You can try out the game here: http://forums.sieged.net/arcade.php?do=play&gameid=21 (demo/demo)

Updated 1-28 4:18am (CST)

It now has a few fixes, when you gain levels, your score increases faster and the next level takes %50 more to reach, the game shouldn't end now (unless you die), and the space ships now show correctly.

I'll try to get it so each level speeds up the amount of space ships/how fast they go, I'm new to flash so gimme time =)

I also want to add different weapons for it.
Attached Files
File Type: zip v3 Arcade - Mars Rover.zip (803.3 KB, 1676 views)
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  #110  
Old 01-27-2004, 11:36 PM
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If someone knows flash, I want to improve Mars Rover, by making it for each level, it throws more of those balls down faster, and you get more points for each kill at higher levels

Also if you noticed, they seem to appear in the middle of the screen sometimes, not sure how to fix this as I dont know flash
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  #111  
Old 01-27-2004, 11:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zeeg99
This was taken from flashkit.com =)

This is my first one, and I did a Submit button since I was unable to get it to work right otherwise =)

P.S.

Someone teach me how to do it without a Submit button =)

You can try out the game here: http://forums.sieged.net/arcade.php?do=play&gameid=21 (demo/demo)
Thanks for the new game...like you said...it could use some improvements. Also...please don't post links to try out the game when you have to register on your boards to see it. It's kinda pointless.
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