d20/RPG Websites with Flash

[Eosin the Red]

So, anybody know of any good RPG sites that use flash animation or a flash intro?

There used to be one with a wicked intro movie (45 seconds or so) but I cannot recall what it was called.

Thanks

 

[Eosin the Red]

Spoiler

bump

 

[jmucchiello]

So, anybody know of any good RPG sites that use flash animation or a flash intro?

I don't know any "good site" that uses flash, let alone a good RPG site that has one. IME, flash and good site are contrary. In fact, I do recall going to a RPG site that was only flash. Couldn't view it at all at work.

 

[barsoomcore]

Flash is good for "web applications" as opposed to web sites. It's very poor for distributing information (which is what most web pages are doing). One of the problems with working in Flash is that you need to use Macromedia's expensive IDE application -- a big shift from HTML/CSS/Javascript.

But no, I don't know of any RPG sites that make good use of it.

 

[JVisgaitis]

Larry Elmore actually has flash buttons on his website, though that hardly qualifies as a Flash website. No Flash d20 sites that I know of. We are currently planning to make a Violet Dawn Flash based site, though that won't see the light of day till 2005.

 

[barsoomcore]

The big problems with using Flash for one's website are:

Usability: Pages based on structural mark-up (HTML) can be interpreted by a variety of devices which can present the page information to users who have special needs -- there are page readers and text enlargers for people with visual disabilities, there are special input systems for people without hands, etc. Likewise, a properly marked-up page translates to a variety of window sizes, can be viewed on a pocket device and so on.

Flash cannot do any of these things. The user MUST use the interface decided upon by the Flash developer, and if they can't make use of it, too bad for them. Such users have NO access to your information.

Searchability: Flash code doesn't Google. Search spiders crawl all over your HTML and can rank your site higher depending on the <h*> tags and so on that they find. They can't find any of the information you've embedded in your Flash interface, so your site will rank lower in searches.

Maintainability: To update your Flash-based site you need a Flash developer. To update your HTML-based site you need Notepad. To change your entire look and feel and layout in HTML/CSS all you need to do is tweak ONE file with a text editor. To do the same thing in Flash requires an expensive Flash developer working in Macromedia's expensive toolset, and the chances of errors being introduced is much higher than in HTML/CSS.

Flash is more expensive, less usable and less effective than HTML/CSS for the distribution and presentation of information. It's great for specific applications, but for general web delivery, it is inappropriate.

*looks around, stops ranting wildly*

Sorry about that. Something I feel strongly about, I guess.

 

[Eosin the Red]

Ask questions about something you know nothing about and you are sure to receive answers


What I am talking about is the equilivent of a splash page. A small movie/intro that runs on the main page BUT can be bypassed with ease (in html) leading to the main index.

 

[Raflar]

What I am talking about is the equilivent of a splash page. A small movie/intro that runs on the main page BUT can be bypassed with ease (in html) leading to the main index.

I had a Flash Intro up for awhile, took it down when I redid my site. (Gave up on my homebrew world and focused more on The Realms)... Here's the link: http://www.raflar.com/intro.html

Right now it will lead you to my 'normal' site, but the menu (also Flash) can take you to my Forgotten Realms site.

 

[Eosin the Red]

Thanks Raflar -

Exactly what I was looking for.

 

[Raflar]

Thanks Raflar - Exactly what I was looking for.

You're welcome... Curiousity demands that I ask... any particular reason you are looking? Just for kicks or are you interested in having one created for yourself?