EL405: Platforming, Sidescrolling, and Settling in Flash

My latest issues in producing my final Flash project stem from my inability to figure out side-scrolling and platform jumping using ActionScript. My hopes of finding various tutorials to teach me have been a little side-tracked. The tutorials exist, however they are hopelessly vague. Either folks making the tutorials stubbornly insist on not explaining things, or they are creating the tutorials too fast to really make the code universally usable. I did find a few that helped me at least get some semblance of a platform and gravity engine installed, but I can't seem to apply that to a game just yet.

To be blunt: I'm frustrated. Mainly because I am sick and tired of compromising every vision I have for a game in this class. Each project I have done starts out with these (what I deem) great ideas for something that I would really enjoy playing and making. But with each project, I have to scale back, I have to rethink. And now, it looks as if I will be doing the same for my Dodge Intrepid side-scroller.

Right now, the only aspect of the game I really am confident on is the opening menu. The menu looks sweet. I mean, if there's one thing I got down in Flash, it's making menus. It's the rest of the game, really, that is hurting my soul.

At this point, there is a lot of "get it done" mentality going through my head. Just get the game done, who cares if it's what you really want. Just get it done so you have something to show. And maybe that's a good plan of attack for now. Get it done so I have something to build from and work on in the future. A good starting point. With only two weeks left, and really only one class period left, since the other two will be devoted to Hammer, I will have to make the best use of my time.

This is why I have been considering making the Dodge game into a more Lode Runner-style adventure game, rather than a side-scrolling beat-em up. What's the difference? Really only one thing: there's no scrolling. My main issue would be eliminated, and I could focus instead on creating a large level with lots of platforms, ladders, etc. Of course, I don't think I would have the enemies chase you around like in Lode Runner, but rather they would be stationary and you would have to fight them to get to the books you need.

I'm still toying around with the idea. I just want to have one cool level made for the final, and then after this class is over I can make more in my spare time (if such a thing exists). The big problem I have this going this route is that the graphics would need to be smaller, which means less detailed artwork.

I have a long road ahead of me... I just hope I have enough time to dedicate to this project to get something finished.