Using Construct 2 to Create a Platform Game for Firefox OS

I wrote another blog post showing how to make a simple platform game using Construct 2 but tailoring it for a Firefox OS phone (the new ZTE Open C) and for touch. I tried a different approach to controls for a platformer and I think it is wacky but it works!

Check it out at http://firefoxosgaming.blogspot.com/2014/06/platform-game-using-construct-2-game.html.

And thanks to — for the really fabulous public domain art. This guy is really cool. Check him out at http://www.kenney.nl/.

I saw it, here is my comments:

You are using sprites for repeated images, which is not that great, try using either tilemaps or tiledbackground (the tilemap seems more designed towards what you are doing, since you are using a tileset anyway).

You are using letterbox scale, which is fine but most people that target mobile actually try to get rid of the black bars resulting by the letterbox scale

The controls feels weird, I don't mind the concept but the fact it teleports instead of just walking, while the jumping is fluid, just feels wrong.

You have 4 "on left clicked", you should try to see how to use subevents, to not repeat the code too much (it is ok in that case, but still more maneageable to not repeat unnecessary events), also I didn t know that click events triggered on firefox OS phones, i d rather use the touch event but it is fine it seems.

I can see seams in game, which could have been avoided by using tiledbackgrounds instead of sprites(since the tiledbackgrounds won t be spritesheeted on export), even though I am not sure those seams should even be here even with sprites.

Also the player can still fall after getting the cherry, but I am being too picky this time x3.

I saw it, here is my comments:

You are using sprites for repeated images, which is not that great, try using either tilemaps or tiledbackground (the tilemap seems more designed towards what you are doing, since you are using a tileset anyway).

You are using letterbox scale, which is fine but most people that target mobile actually try to get rid of the black bars resulting by the letterbox scale

The controls feels weird, I don't mind the concept but the fact it teleports instead of just walking, while the jumping is fluid, just feels wrong.

You have 4 "on left clicked", you should try to see how to use subevents, to not repeat the code too much (it is ok in that case, but still more maneageable to not repeat unnecessary events), also I didn t know that click events triggered on firefox OS phones, i d rather use the touch event but it is fine it seems.

I can see seams in game, which could have been avoided by using tiledbackgrounds instead of sprites(since the tiledbackgrounds won t be spritesheeted on export), even though I am not sure those seams should even be here even with sprites.

Also the player can still fall after getting the cherry, but I am being too picky this time x3.

Your reply is full of criticism

Don't know why you do that

I hope you can change the tone

Sorry, I didn t wanted to seem mean, with retrospect I realise that it was actually pretty rude on my part, the tutorial itself is fine for the aimed public and aimed objective, and my reply seems very cold compared to what I originnally wanted to say.

The tutorial is fine, I am sorry

fongka2

I don't see where he/she sounded mean, you are getting angry because he found imperfections in the code and gave you constructive criticism,

Aphrodite was diligent enough to point out many of the flaws in the code and you should thank him

This is all important advice, and stuff like that can slow down your game if you let it in your code

All I can say is that if you can't bear somebody pointing out your code as bad then don't expect us to help you

Aphrodite

Don't let you down like that, if he wants kind compliments and flowers, he can call McDonald's customer service, you were all right and I thank you for pointing that out

Bob Thulfram

Very nice tutorials but I second Aphrodite's Suggestion, may make the tutorial even better, you could even explain why Aphrodite's suggestions are better and help newbies get into the habit of optimizing their C2 code

fongka2

I don't see where he/she sounded mean, you are getting angry because he found imperfections in the code and gave you constructive criticism,

Aphrodite was diligent enough to point out many of the flaws in the code and you should thank him

This is all important advice, and stuff like that can slow down your game if you let it in your code

All I can say is that if you can't bear somebody pointing out your code as bad then don't expect us to help you

Aphrodite

Don't let you down like that, if he wants kind compliments and flowers, he can call McDonald's customer service, you were all right and I thank you for pointing that out

Bob Thulfram

Very nice tutorials but I second Aphrodite's Suggestion, may make the tutorial even better, you could even explain why Aphrodite's suggestions are better and help newbies get into the habit of optimizing their C2 code

jesus,I'm not #1,IM#2...okayt?

that game/website not made by me,kay??

Whiteclaws

You are confused about what "constructive criticism" is. It means you also point out whats good about the tutorial and offer encouragement. The point is to "build up" instead tear someone down. Although Aphrodite's initial post isn't overly negative, it doesn't point out anything that's done well.

So it's simply criticism.

No. That's totally wrong

Wikipedia:

The purpose of constructive criticism is to improve the outcome. In collaborative work, this kind of criticism is a valuable tool in raising and maintaining performance standards.

Especially sensitive individuals may adopt a passive, defeated attitude if they view a situation as personal, pervasive, or permanent (see learned helplessness). Others may adopt an aggressive response. In an online forum lacking face-to-face contact, constructive criticism is rare. People criticize the style of writing and grammar, and based on that often make assumptions about the person. They write without consideration for how their opinion will be received, which is not consistent with the idea of constructive criticism. Effective interpersonal communication skills can be helpful to assess the recipient's frame of mind

Basically, Constructive criticism is pointing out what's bad and how it can be done better, that's exactly what Aphrodite did, point out that she never used the word "bad", but not great and can be better, he gave a suggestion on how to improve performance, and how you can also remove the seams between sprites, he never imposed, he always used the word try, tldr, he never was rude, you took that as rude, maybe because he just complained, but I'm sure it was meant to be helpful

Please, I know I was being too critic about this, I admit that I didn't point out the good things that had been done (and there were things done well, the idea behind the control system for exemple was actually pretty cool), and I seemed more like a I-only-like-perfection kind of guy rather that what I originally intended in that post, but every response after that was more about "Was Aphrodite's post constructive or not" rather than actually about the tutorial posted.

This tutorial actually explained things for users that aren't really into C2 in the first place from what I've saw, and it does it pretty well, sure it could improve as I said, but it does it's job, I'll admit that the "constructive aspect" of my post can be criticized, but that is not what this thread is about, and so it should not go further into this direction I think, and rather go back to it's original subject: the tutorial.

No. That's totally wrong

Wikipedia:

The purpose of constructive criticism is to improve the outcome. In collaborative work, this kind of criticism is a valuable tool in raising and maintaining performance standards.

Whiteclaws

I now see why you might think that. The Wikipedia definition I read says something different. It reads, "Constructive criticism is the process of offering valid and well-reasoned opinions about the work of others, usually involving both positive and negative comments, in a friendly manner rather than an oppositional one."

That's a more accurate definition. Oxford Dictionary states "constructive" as "serving a useful purpose; tending to build up." You're not building anything up by taking something away or replacing it with a better solution. You "build up" with positive comments. Constructive criticism is meant as a polite way to criticize someone's work in an effort to help them improve.

You can make the argument that it's "constructive" to offer solutions while criticizing work, but that falls apart when that person doesn't accept your solution and takes it as you just making counter arguments as to why they are wrong. Arguing points is not constructive. Aphrodite stated what she thought was wrong and argued what a better solution would be without any positive feedback. That is not constructive. That's simply criticism.

Aphrodite

I don't really take issue with what you said. I think it's fine. I don't see it as overly negative, but it just wasn't positive either. That's not to say it wasn't helpful. I'm certain it was and that you meant well by it. I just took issue with what Whiteclaw defines as "constructive criticism." As an instructor dealing with critiques on a daily basis, I feel it's important to clearly define what constructive criticism is.

I'm traveling right now but I wanted to do a quick reply. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Aphrodite's comments. In fact, they are very useful. Very useful. I don't need praise, I need to know if I'm doing something wrong. I'll update my tutorial when I get back from vacation.

I don't exactly understand what seams are, and I admit I haven't figured out tiles and tilemaps yet. But I want to learn.

Yes, the controls are weird. I'm experimenting with using touch only. But touch=click for me because I haven't figured out real touch. I'll try some true touch controls and see if I can figure out a better way to do platformers without buttons or pseudo-buttons.

Honestly, Aphrodite's comments weren't rude, they were extremely useful. Bang, bang, bang, things to fix, so I'll fix 'em. This encourages me to do more tutorials and make sure that I post them here as well to catch things that aren't obvious.

Again, Aphrodite did nothing wrong and in fact did a great service by pointing out some of the optimization issues I hadn't stumbled across. I'd pay big bucks for a book or class on optimizing Construct 2, but I'll take it anywhere I can find it.

After all, he wasn't insulting me, calling me names, telling me to get out, don't quit my day job, or anything else except pointing out where my mistakes are. And if he hadn't, I wouldn't know!

So, thank you, Aphrodite!

Your name reminds me of an old song about "Aphrodite, with your stain-glass nightie."