Tag Archives: Android

Adobe Gaming & Buffalo Studios: BINGO Blitz

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BingoIn creating BINGO Blitz, the developers at Buffalo Studios have cut out the crowded, smoky rooms and uncomfortable chairs and delivered a digital bingo experience that everyone can enjoy.  Using Adobe Gaming technology such as Flash Pro and Adobe AIR, the team has ported the original Facebook incarnation of the game to Android and iOS platforms.  With a player base of over 16 million game installs, Barry Sohl, senior vice president, knew the team could still push their game to a wider audience: “Players today demand high-performance, cross-platform experiences on every device. Adobe Game Developer Tools deliver on that promise.”

Adobe technology has allowed Buffalo Studios to extend their intuitive gaming experience from desktop to mobile platforms.  The game’s smooth visuals were created using the Adobe Creative Suite and the framework, user interface, and overall experience were built entirely in Adobe Flash Professional.  Keeping the entire development pipeline under one umbrella has allowed a single development team to release weekly content updates, seasonal Bingo rooms, and bring new features to market more quickly.

BINGO Blitz offers hundreds of simultaneous players a chance to participate in a modern, mobile version of Bingo that has already been downloaded over 1 million times.  The experience developing and porting the feature-rich game to multiple platforms has made a believer out of Buffalo Studios for their next projects. “We are basing all our current and future titles on Adobe Game Developer Tools.” After the success of BINGO Blitz, we can’t wait to see what Buffalo Studios comes out with next! You can learn more about their streamlined development process here.

Gaming Spotlight: FreshPlanet’s SongPop

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How fast can you name a song clip? That is the question that SongPop, a game by FreshPlanet, puts out there for music fans looking for a challenge. This wildly popular music trivia game makes the most of social gaming, offering over 5 million daily Facebook and mobile app users the chance to compete to see who can name that song faster.

SongPop delivers a unified experience across desktop browsers on Facebook and extends that experience to mobile apps for iOS and Android. In using Adobe Gaming technologies, FreshPlanet was able to leverage a single code base, instead of having to build native apps for each mobile platform, and was able to easily streamline the workflow between designers, developers and animators.

FreshPlanet CTO and VP of Products Olivier Michon noted that Adobe Gaming technologies, “enabled us to code at top speed in Adobe ActionScript [and] rapidly integrate design assets and animations,” making development so easy that it only took two developers and one designer less than three months to complete SongPop for iOS and Android, and only one more month to launch it on Facebook.

For more on FreshPlanet and SongPop, check out their full story in, “Adobe Gaming & Fresh Planet: SongPop.” You can also get your hands on open sourced Native AIR extensions from FreshPlanet on their GitHub profile: https://github.com/freshplanet.

Developer Spotlight: A Follow Up with Jordan Casey of Casey Games

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We had the chance to reconnect with young developer Jordan Casey, who recently released a new gaming app – Greenboy Touch. In our Developer Spotlight back in July, Jordan mentioned that he was going to slow down, but that obviously wasn’t the case! Read up on our latest interview with Jordan to find out more about his inspiration and the making of his latest Android and iOS game submitted to our Flash Rocks gallery.

What was your inspiration behind your new app, Greenboy Touch?

Greenboy Touch was based off a Flash game I developed about 2 years ago. I’m always trying new genres and I love different game concepts. While most of my games are just one specific style of gameplay, Greenboy Touch is made up of tons of different concepts. It is sort of a puzzle game.

We’d love to share more about the making of the app with our readers. What Creative Suite products did you use and did you have any favorite features?

I used Photoshop and Illustrator for graphics – they’re great tools! To develop the game I used Adobe AIR for iOS and for Android. I programmed in ActionScript 3.0, Flash and AIR, which are amazing. With the click of a button, I could switch a Flash game to a desktop app for Mac or PC back to an Android app to an iOS App. The program is great because it’s really visual and really powerful. ActionScript is an amazing language, and though so powerful, quite easy to pick up.

What was your experience like using Flash to create for Android and iOS? Are there any tips you would share with other developers?

The process was great. Like I said, with the click of a button I could go from iOS to Android. It’s just great. It’s the same as making a Flash game – the exact same, and with just a click, you get a native app! Just like that! It’s magic!

You’re juggling school and development. We want to know – what’s your secret? How are you doing it all?

Well, it is tough juggling between school, development, and lots of speaking events. To make up for time I missed while I’m away speaking, I take a 2-hour study course after school to catch up or study for exams. That way, I have my homework done and I can develop for about an hour or so.

Check out Greenboy Touch in action below.

From Rock the Vote to Smash Vote!

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With the U.S. elections in high gear, it’s time to channel your pre-election day passion and energy into Smash Vote, a new game from Mighty Bits built with Adobe Gaming technology. Mighty Bits is a mobile development shop in Las Vegas that focuses on mobile games, utilities and entertainment apps for iOS and Android. In their latest creation, you can choose your representative and get ready for some arcade style fighting action in this mobile app.

Built using Flare 3D and AIR 3.4, Mighty Bits’ tongue-in-cheek take on politics gives players a chance to debate the old fashioned way – a bi-partisan chance to learn who can really rumble – much like last night’s debate. Featuring crisp graphics, six playable politicos straight from Washington D.C., and a global ‘exit poll’ tracking system to compare against other players, there’s lots of fun to be had. To find out more about games with Adobe Gaming technology visit gaming.adobe.com.

The Impact of the Flash Player Unpublish Announcement on Android Video Delivery

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As announced last fall, although Flash Player for the Android mobile browser will not receive any further version updates, it remained available in the Google Play Store. This week we announced Flash Player for the mobile browser will be unpublished from the Google Play Store.

Does this mean Adobe is not committed to video on mobile devices? Absolutely not. We continue to innovate and solve mobile video fragmentation challenges. Specifically, on Android, we solve this with Adobe AIR, with high-end video features such as Adobe Access DRM, and frequent new releases with new video features. In addition, we introduced “Project Primetime”, focusing on solving video fragmentation and monetization challenges across desktop, mobile and digital home.

We made the decision to discontinue support for Android mobile browser because of two reasons: 1) Premium experiences on mobile devices are typically being delivered through apps and 2) Mobile websites mostly rely on HTML5 based video delivery.

What does the mean for you if you use Flash Player on Android for mobile browser video delivery? First, existing users can continue use as is. Android market unpublish does not mean Flash Player will be uninstalled from devices. Devices with Flash Player already installed will continue to receive security updates. Second, you should develop a migration plan. New users will not be able to download Flash Player and install to their mobile browser.

Adobe’s solution for video delivery to mobile devices is centered on enabling apps. As an immediate future-proof migration path, Adobe AIR provides the same advanced Flash based video features, which means no changes to your content protection or video delivery infrastructure. AIR enables advanced video features for playback on Android 2.2+ devices, including Adobe Access DRM, live support, and adaptive streaming. Adobe is fully committed to further develop and support Adobe AIR on Android. Adobe AIR does not rely on the in-browser Flash Player and is not impacted by the unpublish change.  Popular AIR video application examples include WatchESPN, iTV, and Snagfilms.

To learn more about Adobe AIR based video delivery, read the Adobe AIR mobile video delivery guide.

(Portions of this page are reproduced from work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.)

Virtual Modern Warfare Evolves with CUKETA’s Age of Defenders

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Indie game developer CUKETA is changing the online video gaming landscape with its latest release, Age of Defenders, a 2012 Mochis Award Finalist. The game is now a multiplatform, multiplayer tower defense game where the goal is to defend a player’s fortified towers while simultaneously going on the offensive to attack the enemy – something that is not typically seen in standard multiplayer games.

Age of Defenders was created from scratch in about a year and delivered to desktop and mobile devices via Adobe AIR. The accelerated graphics optimization and easy deployment to Android tablets and the Apple iPad allowed CUKETA to deliver a unique quality gaming experience to a wide audience. Age of Defenders grabbed the attention of more than 5,000 players in the first month, who averaged one hour of gameplay each, and has only increased in popularity over time.

Check out the full success story here and visit http://gaming.adobe.com/ for more information about creating and playing groundbreaking Flash games.

Winning Tablet Apps for Adobe AIR App Challenge, Sponsored by Sony, Announced

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Today, Adobe and Sony are excited to announce the winners of the ‘Adobe® AIR® App Challenge, Sponsored by Sony’. The contest launched in July to drive the creation of breakthrough Flash based apps powered by Adobe AIR for the Android-based Sony Tablet™ S and Sony Tablet™ P. The winners will receive a cash prize plus premium promotion* of their app for Sony Tablet S and Sony Tablet P via Sony’s Select App, the website with a shortcut icon on the tablets’ home-screen to highlight Sony-recommended Android™ apps.

Hundreds of entries were received from developers in eligible countries, including Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, UK and USA. The winning apps in five categories (excluding ‘MAX Public Favorite’) were selected by a panel of Adobe and Sony judges and industry experts. Submitted apps were judged based on quality and performance on Sony Tablet S and Sony Tablet P, innovation and creativity, and overall user experience. All apps are now live and available for download from Android Market™ – visit the links below. Congrats to the winners and thanks to everyone who submitted an app!

List of Winning Applications by Category

  • Grand Prize ($100,000 US): Tweet Hunt,  by RED Interactive Agency
    • Tweet Hunt is a classic shooting gallery game powered by Twitter.

  • Best Game ($20,000 US): Conveyor, by drMikeyStudios
    • Conveyor is an addictive word game – race the clock to score the most points!

  • Best Entertainment App ($20,000 US): Kidoodle: Pirate Scribblebeard, by Kidoodle Apps
    • Join Oscar, Josephine and Pirate Scribblebeard in this groundbreaking new type of interactive, animated, drawing app for kids.

  • Best Business & Productivity App ($20,000 US): Conqu, by AsFusion
    • Conqu is an easy-to-use yet powerful task management application that will help you conquer your inbox with style.

  • Best Lifestyle & Community App ($20,000 US): Sylvester’s Band, by Uncle Handsalt
    • Sylvester’s Band is Sylvester’s Band an interactive book for children ages 2-7, with 35+ pages and English voiceover.

  • Most Innovative App ($10,000 US): LEVEL, by drMikeyStudios
    • LEVEL is a puzzle-platformer with a twist. Designed specifically for the Sony Tablet P, LEVEL takes specific advantage of the two screen layout.

  • MAX Public Favorite ($10,000 US): Cassandra Stand – News & Clock, by Small Screen Design
    • Transform your tablet into a useful stand with date & clock, weather forecast and top stories from more than 50 countries. (Announced last month at MAX 2011, Adobe’s annual developer and designer conference, based on a public vote from the ten applications selected for the Adobe MAX Showcase prizes).

The Android-powered Sony Tablet S and Sony Tablet P devices combine all of Sony’s innovations rolled into one including unique hardware, content and network services with seamless usability to create a world of engaging networked entertainment experiences.

Sony Tablet devices are distinguished by four key features that set them apart from any other tablets on the market. These include: optimally designed hardware and software, a “swift and smooth” performance, cross-device connectivity and network entertainment services including Video Unlimited and Music Unlimited, PlayStation® Store and Reader™ Store.

Sony Tablet S is optimized for rich media entertainment on its 9.4-inch touchscreen display and its unique asymmetric design allows for hours of comfortable use. With a powerful NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2 mobile processor, the Sony Tablet S lets you enjoy the web as well as your favorite content and applications on its large, high-resolution screen and built-in Wi-Fi® compatibility means Internet connectivity virtually anywhere there’s a hotspot.

Available in 2012 exclusively on AT&T’s mobile broadband network, Sony Tablet P is ideal for mobile communication and entertainment. With its revolutionary folding design and two 5.5-inch displays, it can easily fit into a pocket, purse or backpack. Sony Tablet P is both Wi-Fi and 3G/4G capable allowing users access to digital content including videos, games, and e-mail, while on the go, nearly anytime. Taking advantage of its unprecedented design, Sony Tablet P allows for dual screen functionality  within specific applications, , such as playing games on one screen while using the other as a controller or reading e-mail on one screen while using the other as a software keyboard.

For additional contest details, please visit the ‘Adobe AIR App Challenge, Sponsored by Sony’ website at http://airappchallenge.com. For more information on Adobe AIR, go to www.adobe.com/products/air.html.

* Requires signing a premium promotional agreement with Sony

Reach the Final Frontier with Circ and Flash Builder

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Circ, available for Android, BlackBerry Tablet OS and iOS, is so simple in its gameplay but challenging at the same time—players navigate their spaceships collecting stars and points, while escaping from planets and stars trying to pull the ship away from its course. It’s the kind of game that’s perfect for passing the time between train stops or even just for a quiet few minutes at home.

Similarly, the challenge for Scrape Apps, the brains behind Circ, is navigating the hurdles related to releasing the game across platforms in spite of a limited budget and limited team resources. That’s why they turned to the Adobe Flash Platform, specifically Flash Builder.

The team leveraged features in Flash Builder such as reusable coding, automatic debugging and streamlined optimization to make the game available on as many platforms as possible in the least amount of time using the least amount of resources. Now the Circ team is looking forward to building new enhancements into the game, while taking advantage of Flash Builder’s flexibility and extensibility.

To learn more about how the Circ development team worked with the Flash Platform, visit here. Also be sure to check out www.adobe.com/gaming for more about our gaming solutions.

Machiniarum Machinations with the Adobe Flash Platform

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Becoming a number 1 iPad 2 game is probably as challenging as building a futuristic robot and navigating him through scrap yards. Not coincidentally, Czech game developer Amanita Design accomplished both with its critically acclaimed online adventure game, Machinarium, built with the Adobe Flash Platform.

The game tests players’ puzzle-solving skills, as they guide their robot through puzzles and obstacles to reach the city of Machinarium and save his girlfriend from the bad guys. Gamers praise the gameplay, but were particularly impressed with the game’s textured and animated graphics. Since it began in 2003, Amanita Design has used the Flash Platform to not only deliver great visuals, but also easily bring Machinarium to virtually any desktop or mobile platform.

The team leveraged Adobe Flash Builder to reuse original code from the web version of the game to bring it to other platforms like Android, with BlackBerry Tablet OS coming soon. The best part is that it only took two months! To create the game’s rich graphics, Amanita used a combination of Photoshop and Flash Professional, as well as Adobe AIR to deliver the game across mobile devices.

To learn more about how Amanita delivered this top game so quickly across different devices and platforms, visit here.

 

 

News from Adobe MAX

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- Flash Player 11 and AIR 3 available later today

- Flash-based apps live on Samsung SmartTVs; LG and TiVo latest partners to support AIR on TVs, digital home devices

- Adobe enters into an agreement to acquire Nitobi, creator of PhoneGap

Adobe MAX is in full swing in LA and CTO Kevin Lynch kicked off today’s opening keynote. You can tune into the keynotes on both days live and on-demand through MAX Online. Here’s a rundown of the Flash, AIR, and HTML5 news:

Flash Player 11 and AIR 3 will be available for download tonight at 9:00 p.m. PT for desktops and supported mobile platforms, including Android and the Amazon Marketplace. A production release with support for 3D for mobile platforms is expected to ship in an upcoming release. As we recently announced, dozens of new features allow developers to deliver a new class of gaming and premium video experiences, as well as sophisticated, data-driven apps with back-end systems integration across devices and platforms including Android, Apple iOS (via AIR), BlackBerry Tablet OS, Mac OS, Windows and connected TVs and others. For more specifics on new features like 3D support visit the AIR and Flash Player Team Blog. For more details about amazing 3D apps already available today, visit Adobe’s Gaming Solutions site or check out our demo video (link below)

Demo video of Flash-based apps with 3D graphics and others running on a Samsung Smart TV and other devices:

We are also thrilled to announce that Flash-based entertainment apps are available on Samsung Smart TVs today and that LG and TiVo have become the latest partners to bring Flash based apps to connected TVs and digital home devices. With more than 100 unique digital home devices already certified to support Flash and AIR, we expect rapid growth for Flash based apps across connected TVs. New gaming apps like Frima Studio’s Zombie Tycoon, VH1’s ‘I Love the 80’s’ Trivia or Raider from PlayJam, as well as premium video experiences from SnagFilms, Flingo, EPIX and others are just a few of the apps powered by AIR. Also, check out what some of our partners have announced around Flash Player 11 and AIR 3 including a demo of new 3D apps shown at MAX:

Watch this video to see some examples of how Flash is driving 3D experiences on the web:

We’d also like to congratulate the winners of the “Adobe Flash/AIR” competition in the fourth annual BlackBerry Partners Fund Developer Challenge. Apps were judged based on quality and use of development best practices, level of visual appeal, user experience, and creativity and innovation. Read the announcement and check out these winning apps on the BlackBerry PlayBook from BlackBerry App World.

HTML5

We are also excited to announce an agreement to acquire privately held Nitobi Software, the creator of PhoneGap and PhoneGap Build. PhoneGap is a popular open source platform for easily building fast, cross-platform mobile applications with HTML5 and JavaScript. With PhoneGap, Adobe will offer developers the choice of two powerful solutions for cross-platform development of native mobile apps, using HTML5 and JavaScript with PhoneGap or using Flash with AIR. The acquisition is subject to certain closing conditions and is expected to close by the end of October 2011.

Adobe also released a third public preview of Adobe Edge, the new HTML5 web motion and interaction design tool that is bringing beautiful animation to websites and mobile apps using HTML, JavaScript and CSS capabilities. The new release contains innovative interactivity features and other additions based on feedback from the development community, and helps content creators easily deliver a new level of visual richness to HTML5-only websites and mobile apps.

Follow MAX from Wherever You Are

This is only part of the day one news at Adobe MAX, but things are off to an exciting start! For all the news, visit the Adobe Conversations Blog. You can follow MAX online through the keynote video streams, Facebook, Twitter (#AdobeMAX) and YouTube. There’s even a live radio and podcast stream from the show floor, courtesy of Nerd Radio and CodeBass Radio so tune in. We’ll have more news from MAX this week so check back to the Flash Platform Blog for updates!

[UPDATED: 10/5/11 at 7:15 p.m. PT]