Adobe AIR Development

[shevbg]

Hi all,

I am looking to make a 2D (perhaps 3D) game app for the playbook but I am trying to figure out which tool set would be most appropriate. It seems like there are a number of options, such as AIR, javascript and HTML5, the native SDK, etc. 

How are most 2D graphics games made for the playbook? For example, which API's does Angry Birds (for the playbook) or the like use? I'm trying to figure out which runs best on the playbook and has the richest API and active community support. I would prefer AIR/ActionScript 3 but I would be open to C/C++ or whatever else. 

I've looked into Starling which uses AS3 and tried to make it work with the playbook but was not successful. Is it supposed to work with the playbook?

Thanks in advance!

[rbaezam]

Hi, I'm also interested on this topic.

I too tried the Starling framework without success, I guess it's because it uses Stage3D which isn't available yet on the current air version installed on the playbook (3.1).

I have tried with Cocos2d-x with the native SDK but I couldnt make it work yet.

Maybe you could try the Flashpunk framework for adobe air.

[taylortbb · Accepted solution]

Until there's Stage3D support in AIR (and it doesn't seem like we'll be seeing that any time soon) the native SDK will probably be your best option to build a smooth 60fps game. That being said, games like Dillo Hills are done in AIR using the GPU render mode, but that has its own set of issues. Your example, Angry Birds, was done with the native SDK.

[shevbg]

Thank you for your responses! What would you say about HTML5 / JavaScript? It seems like it is possible to create 2D/3D graphics/effects as shown here...though it seems like a lot of code just to make that simple TunnelTilt game..

[dmalik · Accepted solution]

TunnelTilt was developed using low level WebGL. If you're looking at creating a 3D game in WebGL I would recommend using a framework like Three.js. It saves you writing a lot of code.

A framework that is similar to Flash in the JavaScript world that I would recommend is Create.js. Also if you're familiar with the Greensock tweening engine they just released a JavaScript version. 

[shevbg]

Wow, thanks for all the recommendations. They all seem like they will work great and save lots of coding time. Do you think there will be any obvious barriers, for example how Starling did not work because Stage3D is not supported, etc.

Thanks!

[dmalik]

No there should be no barriers if you go down the HTML5 path. Just take a look at who's in first and the next upcoming top tablet browsers at HTML5test.com.

[cycletronic]

Cocos2d-x is excellent.  Very well supported, runs great on the playbook, and really pretty easy to use.  C++, so powerful, but you can shoot yourself in the foot.  I have used a lot of game engines, and this is a good one, but perhaps not for a total beginner.  I haven't been a beginner for quite a while