Stephen Calender Programming Blog


Flash versus HTML5

Tags: HTML5, Opinion.

The biggest event to happen to internet and mobile in a long time is the ongoing development of HTML5. Currently there is partial support but the new standard’s definition still isn’t finalized. I have no doubt that it will be a large advance for the web developers; my particular challenge was determining if HTML5 was going to outclass Flash for game development. Full Article

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New Technology

Tags: Opinion.

There is the oddest phenomenon whenever a shiny new technology debuts. I suppose that it has to do with a naive Hollywood education about technology, or our desires for that futuristic breakthrough moment to happen. Whatever the newest thing is, it always seems to be perceived as the magic bullet, the game changer, and us digital wizards and sorceresses will effortlessly create a new world with it. Full Article

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No More LEGO Universe

Tags: NetDevil, Opinion, Video.

Yeah that was pretty fast. I have known about the pending shut down for months now, it is still hard to believe. After acquiring the development team back in February of 2011, they not only decided to stop production on LEGO Universe in November of 2011, but to shut down the studio entirely ending virtually all jobs in the Colorado satellite. LEGO universe servers were slated to be shut down at the end of January 2012. I think most of my opinions remain the same since I was laid off with roughly half the staff.

Lego Universe: History from Ethan Vincent on Vimeo.

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$365 Worth of Actionscript 3.0 Books

Tags: Opinion, Review.

I have been vexed for some time about closing a gap I have felt with, you, my audience (4th wall is hereby broken). I diligently pursue making my content, thoughts, and works accessible to those who do not have a computer science or math background. I do look for ways to encourage or inspire the hobbyist programmer and present Flash to those that might not even know a programming language – I do have code samples and downloadable source on this site. My mission for this blog was to be a journal of my projects, ideas, experiences, and share my discoveries along the way. I do not intend to create an instruction manual, teach programming, or provide game development materials – at least not in blog form (its chronological nature just doesn’t lend well to a course of study or reference guide). However, since I can now convince people to pay me to program in Flash, I can certainly put you on the path to master this platform.
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MMOFallout Interview

Tags: Opinion, Publications.

I am still not sure if I am worthy of being interviewed, sure I am in the games industry but I haven’t exactly been a part of anything wildly successful yet (not that I haven’t been trying). However, I got to talking with the author of MMOFallout after he picked up my post about the calamitous end of the Net Devil Studio. Here is a link to the published interview.
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A Glimpse Inside Adobe

Tags: ActionScript 3.0, Opinion.

One of my big goals when looking for a new job was to seek out someone that knew more about Flash than I did. In my interviews I encountered many bright and knowledgeable individuals; however, I believe I struck gold at Game Show Network’s Facebook development team. I am working side by side with a fellow named Rob Dixon, Rob was on the Adobe Flash team from 2003 – 2010 and additionally co-wrote several manuals and language references on Flash and ActionScript 3.0. Full Article

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Favorite Games: Resident Evil 4

Tags: Opinion, Review.

RIP NetDevil

Wow, I have many ‘favorite games’, but perhaps the most interesting and popular one to talk about is Resident Evil 4. If you are not familiar with this game, it is a 3rd person over the shoulder style shooter in the survival horror genera. Resident Evil 4 was as pivotal to shooting games as Diablo 2 was to role playing games, and its reviews still place it as one of the top 20 games of all time. While I could talk endlessly about this title, I will narrow my focus to what specific game play elements made it fun.

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The Supreme Court Weighs In On Violent Video Games

Tags: Opinion.

The verdict is in video games favor 7-2, personally I think the big win is that video games were not gerrymandered or segregated into its own entity needing unique rules. Video games and other digital interactive entertainment bear the same rights and responsibilities as music, plays, movies, and books.

“Like the protected books, plays, and movies that preceded them, video games communicate ideas — and even social messages — through many familiar literary devices (such as characters, dialogue, plot, and music) and through features distinctive to the medium (such as the player’s interaction with the virtual world). That suffices to confer First Amendment protection.” – Justice Scalia

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The Cycle Continues: Death of a Studio, Finding a New Job in the Games Industry

Tags: Opinion.

RIP NetDevil

Needless to say, it has been a busy and interesting year for me already. It has also taken some time for all of the events to unfold, and gain some clarity on them. If you are interested in a story about living through a studio going sour (maybe you want to know the warning signs, or unfortunately compare it to your own experience); or if you are on your own personal quest for a games industry job I hope this is an informative article.

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Building Lego Universe

Tags: NetDevil, Opinion, Project, Students, Video Game Trailer.

LEGO Universe Teaser

In May 2009, I joined NetDevil so I could work on LEGO Universe. After working there for over a year, and as our ship date nears, I thought I would share what the experience has been like. Full Article

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