Action Script Self Help Books

[Moonhog]

There seems to be quite a few on amazon.. anyone know any good ones?

I'm fairly experienced in action script but when I try and create games there's always something that stumps me and I end up quiting.

[Deathcon7]

I'm in the same boat as you. I've ended up spending close to 200 bucks on flash books (and about 100 bucks on ones borrowed from the library) seeking to cure myself of some disorder that prevents me from finishing a project. I would say there isn't anything I can't do with AS2.0, this is the level of experience I can claim. With that being said I still can't seem to get a project done.

What i'm getting at is it doesn't matter what you spend your money on, the real secret is about your own tendencies. A lot of people never get anything done because flash isn't serious. There is no need to seriously complete a full project other then personal enjoyment. That being said there is nothing pushing people like you and I to finish our persuits.

My advice to you, and this is what I'm trying to do, is start off really small. On a project you can make all by yourself, and build from there. For example, a simple point and click game may not seem like it's worth gracing NG, but it could be a good jump-off point for finishing off other projects. It'll provide the sense of accomplishment and ability to fuel future projects.

Another piece of advice, and one i'm still not willing to follow myself '-_- is to realistically survery your ability. If you can't finish at least a tiny project, then why should you have the bragging rights of claiming you're good. We need to swallow our pride and really consider ourselves as noobies to the game. Despite our endeavors and trials, we have nothing to show for our skill so in that since we really are noobies. This is probably the key to unlocking our true potential but perhaps one of the most difficult steps. I'm a man of my pride, and I can be proudful to a fault sometimes, so this is something I'll have to learn to get over.

If after all that you still want to buy a flash book than buy any one you'd like, because ultimately it's all going to have the same things in it, only presented from a different perspective. I will say this though the Game Development Series has a lot of good, entertaining, writers. Plus, the books are usually in the 25-35 range so it's not as expensive as some other books (that may get as high as 50-65).

[Deathcon7]

Double Post :)

I forgot to say as well that anything by Sams is awesome as well though they end up being a bit more expensive, typically 35-50 bucks.

[Moonhog]

Wow thanks for the in depth post. I totally get where your coming from and I might give it a go. You just see games on the front page with decent AI or rag doll physics and wonder how they got so good. Maybe there's an underground cult we don't know about? Lol. Well good luck to you my friend, maybe we'll be making front page games yet.

[Deathcon7]

Oh we definetly will... in time :)

[Bezman]

Buy a book by Colin Moock. I got that advice from the programmer of http://www.projectrockstar.com/ and I've been eternally grateful.

Colin Moock is awesome.

[SashaNein]

The book i'm using just now is Actionscript 3.0 Game Programming University by Gary Rosenzweig. It's really good imo and doesn't give you a brain haemorrhage like some AS books.