[web] Flash or Java?

You can make something pretty in Flash far more quickly than in Java, it's designed for that kind of thing. For a web-game, Flash (or preferably Flex if your background is in programming) is very cool, for any kind of 2D game.

This is really down to personal preference.

But after coding OpenGL for many years, and then trying my hand at ActionScript (Flash) I was quite impressed with how much it was similar to C(++)...it felt like I could do almost anything - within reason.

I've also noticed how effective Java(Script) can be. A friend of mine used to do wonders with it, and he went on to be very successful...some place!?!
I say "Java(Script)" as their's a difference between Java and &#106avascript...which unfortunately I'm not able to advise you on, sorry.<br/><br/>Personally though, OpenGL works for me...with Flash to promote what I'm really trying to achieve. Sure Flash is getting even better each update. But like I said, you have to try it out and decide for yourself if it can deliver for your needs. Also, can you truly leave your previous coding platform, for what is probably a less powerful alternative. Saying that, I've seen some quite impressive Shockwave stuff out there...you might especially want to look in to that!<br/><br/>Give them all a go(!) if you can. Have a feel around using your own style.<br/><br/><br/>btw, when first looking at Flash...pressing F1 is your friend :)<br/>

I'm used with C/C++ with OpenGL, Java and &#106avascript too.<br>When I said Java i was referring to Java Applets.<br><br><br><br><!--QUOTE--><BLOCKQUOTE><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><table border=0 cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width="95%"><tr><td class=quote><!--/QUOTE--><!--STARTQUOTE-->btw, when first looking at Flash...pressing F1 is your friend :)<!--QUOTE--></td></tr></table></BLOCKQUOTE><!--/QUOTE--><!--ENDQUOTE--><br>haha thanks for the tip, i will not forget

I'd suggest flash too. It's really easy to use and getting cleaner with each release. What's more, it's got great market penetration. It's been on the web for quite a long time so you also have lots of documentation and communities available to help you.

You've mentionned Flash and Java Applets, but there's a new alternative : Silverlight. It's basically the .NET equivalent to java applets packaged with a framework to build interactive applications. You might want to give it a try if you have experience with C# or VB.NET.

Yes I would check out Flex/AS3.0 and Silverlight... both are fun new things to play with. AS3.00 has a lot of cool features to watch out for, although you can use it in a C++/Java style.

Flash: Easy, but slower than Java. 700$
Java: Less easy, but still pretty easy, faster than flash, 0$

If you're used to a language with static typing, you might want to try Haxe (it's free). It's a Java-like language and spits out flash, &#106avascript and php (amongst others). With this you will only need to use a single language for all the parts of your web application. It's a nice language and has a fine <a href="http://www.flashdevelop.org/community/viewforum.php?f=11&sid=c2cd02d73ae62951841d70903bbdde2d">IDE</a> (if you're on Windows).

Forgot to mention that Shockwave supports hardware. So that's a web-app with GPU/PPU (3D/PhysX). And even emulated (software) PhysX is ultra impressive.

I'll stick to hardware with C(++) myself, but you want web based games...

Quote:

Original post by Ahnfelt If you're used to a language with static typing, you might want to try Haxe (it's free). It's a Java-like language and spits out flash, &#106avascript and php (amongst others). With this you will only need to use a single language for all the parts of your web application. It's a nice language and has a fine <a href="http://www.flashdevelop.org/community/viewforum.php?f=11&sid=c2cd02d73ae62951841d70903bbdde2d">IDE</a> (if you're on Windows).<!--QUOTE--></td></tr></table></blockquote><!--/QUOTE--><!--ENDQUOTE--><br/><br/>Second vote for Haxe. I'm currently using it to prototype game concepts in Flash and the more I use it the more I like it.

Quote:

Original post by Zaku Flash: Easy, but slower than Java. 700$ Java: Less easy, but still pretty easy, faster than flash, 0$

Actually, Flex builder is only $249. Programmers from a C/C++/Java background should definitely be using FlexBuilder rather than CS3 to develop Flash applications.

Still, for a hobby project, not spending $249 and still being able to choose between two full-featured or dozens of lightweight IDEs is a plus.

For commercial projects, there's no way around Flex. It will Just Work on 90% of the clients out there, versus maybe 50% for Java.

If you want to do Applets, you need to know how to do Java GUI, which even Java coders may not if they come from a web-app background.

By the way, there are free ways to do Flex development. They're not so user-friendly as FlexBuilder, but it's possible.

Did anyone already mention Silverlight?

Oh, and you can get a free trial of FlexBuilder (it's 30 or 60 days I think).

I would suggest flash because Flash games can be sold to flash game sites for anywhere from $50-$5000 depending on the quality and contract. Look at flashgamesponsorship.com for more information on this aspect. I haven't yet sold any games, but I have one that is in developement that I plan to sell within the next few weeks. If you are still interested, then I'll get back to you after I have sold it.

~Cody

Quote:

I would suggest flash because Flash games can be sold to flash game sites for anywhere from $50-$5000 depending on the quality and contract. Look at flashgamesponsorship.com for more information on this aspect. I haven't yet sold any games, but I have one that is in developement that I plan to sell within the next few weeks. If you are still interested, then I'll get back to you after I have sold it.

Sure i'm interested, please tell me when you get it sold! And good luck!

I chose Java. I just wanted to start having a go making some web based/applet games for fun, the price of the Adobe/Macromedia was a put off plus i had done a little java before.

One of the downsides with java is the large JRE install for users to run the programs which a lot of users do not seem to have.

Download the JDK and have a go, like others have said, flash or java is very much a personal preference thing.

[Edited by - ssjx on June 30, 2008 9:26:48 AM]

Quote:

Original post by lostherott Quote: I would suggest flash because Flash games can be sold to flash game sites for anywhere from $50-$5000 depending on the quality and contract. Look at flashgamesponsorship.com for more information on this aspect. I haven't yet sold any games, but I have one that is in developement that I plan to sell within the next few weeks. If you are still interested, then I'll get back to you after I have sold it. Sure i'm interested, please tell me when you get it sold! And good luck!

Thanks for the support. I finished it last night, but I won't sell it for atleast a week because I am going on vacaqtion. I'll come back here and post when I do though.

~Cody

I would say Flash or Shockwave are your best bet, you can make pretty much anything (within reason) with those, and the market pentration for both is solid.

Quote:

Original post by d000hg Quote: Original post by Zaku Flash: Easy, but slower than Java. 700$ Java: Less easy, but still pretty easy, faster than flash, 0$ Actually, Flex builder is only $249. Programmers from a C/C++/Java background should definitely be using FlexBuilder rather than CS3 to develop Flash applications.

The Flex SDK is free, and if you don't feel comfortable with command line interfaces you can take a look at some of the free IDEs that support it (Eclipse for instance).