The Beginning

This is the start of the game engine that I am developing in Adobe Flash with ActionScript3.

It allows the character to move left(press left or A), right(press right or D), and jump(press up or W). Note: it is usually necessary to first click on the movie rectangle for the game to work.

Zelda is a trademark of Nintendo.

Original sprite artwork by SemiJuggalo.

A brief rundown of programming with ActionScript3:

Variables - hold information relevant to the game and the status of the objects in the game

The AS3variable declaration format:

var variableName:VariableType = defaultValue;

Examples:

zeldaJumping:Boolean = false;

leftKeyIsDown:Boolean = false;

moveSpeed:Number = 10;

zelda:MovieClip = new MovieClip();

Functions - manipulate the variables of the game and updates status information throughout gameplay

The AS3variable declaration format:

function functionName(inputName:InputType):outputType{...}

Examples:

zeldaJump():void{...}

checkIfKeysDown(event:KeyboardEvent):void{...}

moveCharacter(event:Event){...}

In this Flash movie, the character cannot jump when she is already jumping, because then she could jump the Moon and beyond! To prevent such inconsistencies, the status variables must be meticulously maintained so that at any given moment, everything you need to know about the character is available and valid.