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Construct (game engine)

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Construct 2
Developer(s)Scirra
Initial releaseFebruary 4, 2011 (2011-02-04)[1]
Stable release
r227 / April 12, 2016 (2016-04-12)[2]
Written inC++, Javascript
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows
Available inEnglish
TypeGame creation system / Multimedia content creator
LicenseProprietary
Websitewww.scirra.com

Construct 2 is an HTML5-based 2D game editor, developed by Scirra Ltd.[3][4] It is aimed primarily at non-programmers,[5] allowing quick creation of games in a drag-and-drop fashion using a visual editor and a behavior-based logic system.

Features

Event system and behaviors

The primary method of programming games and applications in Construct is through 'event sheets', which are similar to source files used in programming languages. Each event sheet has a list of events, which contain conditional statements or triggers. Once these are met, actions or functions can be carried out.[6] Event logic such as OR and AND, as well as sub-events (representing scope) allow for sophisticated systems to be programmed without learning a comparatively more difficult programming language.[7] Groups can be used to enable and disable multiple events at once, and to organize events.[8]

Object instance selection

Unlike many traditional development environments, Construct eschews selecting specific instances of objects when adding events, in favor of filtering through all instances of an object type on screen. When adding events, the editor allows the user to specify conditions or checks that must be fulfilled by each object instance on the screen before the event will be added or run by it. Events can be chained together using sub-events, allowing for more complicated behaviors to be created.[9]

Supported platforms

HTML5 and storefronts

Construct's primary export platforms are HTML5 based. It claims support across Google Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer 9+, Safari 6+ and Opera 15+ on desktop browsers, and support for Safari in iOS 6+, Chrome and Firefox for Android, Windows Phone 8+, BlackBerry 10+ and Tizen.

Additionally, Construct can export to several online marketplaces and platforms, including Facebook, the Chrome Web Store, the Firefox Marketplace, the Amazon Appstore, Scirra's own Arcade and Kongregate.[10][11]

Native platforms

Construct has the ability to export to several platforms that provide offline and native application behavior: Windows, OS X and both 32-bit and 64-bit Linux are supported by exporting to Node-Webkit. Doing this will allow the user to incorporate several features that HTML5 apps do not normally support, such as fileIO.[10] On October 23, 2012, Scirra announced full support for exporting to Windows 8 Metro apps, including the incorporation of in-app purchases, 'snap' view states, roaming data, sharing, live tiles, touch input and accelerometer and inclinometer input.[12]

Construct 2 handles native mobile support for iOS and Android by utilizing third-party wrappers such as PhoneGap, CocoonJS, Crosswalk and Ejecta.[13][14][15][16]

Consoles

On January 20, 2014, Scirra announced that Construct would be adding support for Nintendo's Wii U system.[17] Later that year, a plug-in was released to make Construct-based games compatible with the Nintendo Web Framework. Currently, there has been no discussion or news about supporting other consoles.

Release history

Construct Classic

Construct Classic
Developer(s)Scirra
Initial releaseOctober 27, 2007 (2007-10-27)
Stable release
r2 / February 5, 2012 (2012-02-05)
Written inC++
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows
Available inEnglish
TypeGame development
LicenseGPL
Websitewww.scirra.com

Originally developed by a group of students,[18] Construct Classic is the free and open source DirectX predecessor to Construct 2, first released on October 27, 2007.[19] The most recent release is r2, released on February 5, 2012.[20]

Construct 2

On April 20, 2013, Construct Classic was retired to allow the development team to focus more on Construct 2.[21] Construct 2 added a JavaScript framework for programmers to use alongside the drag-and-drop editor.[3]

Steam

On October 18, 2012, Construct 2 was submitted to Steam Greenlight.[22] Construct 2 was in the first batch of software titles to be greenlit[23] on November 30, 2012. On January 26, 2013, Construct 2 was the second 'Greenlit' software title to be launched on Steam.[24]

Construct 3

On January 27, 2015, Construct 3 was announced in an entry in the official Scirra blog. New features include Mac and Linux support, multi-language support and third-party extensibility of the editor.[25]

References

  1. ^ "Download the public preview (release 26)". Ashley Gullen. 2014-02-04. Retrieved 2014-06-15.
  2. ^ "Construct 2 Release r227". Scirra. 2016-04-12. Retrieved 2016-04-23.
  3. ^ a b "Create games with Construct 2". Scirra.
  4. ^ "London Startup Scirra Launches HTML5 Game Creator". Yahoo News.
  5. ^ "Construct 2, a drag and drop game maker". ActiveTuts+.
  6. ^ How Events Work. (n.d) retrieved 2/25/2014, from Scirra Web Site: https://www.scirra.com/manual/75/how-events-work
  7. ^ Gullen, A (2012, April, 13). Guide to Construct 2's advanced event features. retrieved 2/25/2014, from Scirra Web Site: https://www.scirra.com/tutorials/292/guide-to-construct-2s-advanced-event-features
  8. ^ Event Groups. (n.d) retrieved 2/25/2014, from Scirra Web Site: https://www.scirra.com/manual/80/groups
  9. ^ Scirra. How Events Work. retrieved 5/20/2014, from Scirra Web Site: https://www.scirra.com/manual/75/how-events-work
  10. ^ a b Scirra. Supported platforms. retrieved 5/20/2014, from Scirra Web Site: https://www.scirra.com/manual/168/supported-platforms
  11. ^ Burton A. (2012, December, 17). How to Export to Kongregate/How to Upload to Kongregate. retrieved 5/20/2014, from Scirra Web Site: https://www.scirra.com/tutorials/424/how-to-export-to-kongregatehow-to-upload-to-kongregate
  12. ^ Gullen, A. (2012, October, 23). Make Windows 8 games with Construct 2. retrieved 5/25/2014, from Scirra Web Site: https://www.scirra.com/blog/99/make-windows-8-games-with-construct-2
  13. ^ Gullen, A. (2011, October 28). How to make native phone apps with Construct 2 and PhoneGap. retrieved at 5/25/2014, from Scirra Web Site: https://www.scirra.com/tutorials/71/how-to-make-native-phone-apps-with-construct-2-and-phonegap
  14. ^ Gullen, A. (2012, May 14). How to export to CocoonJS. retrieved at 6/15/2014, from Scirra Web Site: https://www.scirra.com/tutorials/303/how-to-export-to-cocoonjs
  15. ^ Gullen, A. (2014, January 14). How to export to Android with Crosswalk. retrieved at 5/25/2014, from Scirra Web Site: https://www.scirra.com/tutorials/809/how-to-export-to-android-with-crosswalk
  16. ^ Gullen, A. (2014, April 23). How to export to iOS with Ejecta. retrieved at 5/25/2014, from Scirra Web Site: https://www.scirra.com/tutorials/992/how-to-export-to-ios-with-ejecta
  17. ^ Gullen, A. (2014, January, 20). Announcing Construct 2 support for Wii U. retrieved 5/20/2014, from Scirra Web Site: https://www.scirra.com/blog/135/announcing-construct-2-support-for-wii-u
  18. ^ Ashley Gullen (2007-01-07). "Forum Post". Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  19. ^ "Construct Classic - Browse /construct/Construct 0.8 at". Sourceforge.net. 2007-10-27. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
  20. ^ Ashley Gullen (2012-02-05). "Construct Classic r2 released". Retrieved 2014-06-04.
  21. ^ Ashley Gullen (2013-04-20). "Forum Post". Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  22. ^ "Steam Greenlight :: Construct 2". Steamcommunity.com. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
  23. ^ "Group Announcements :: Greenlight". Steam Community. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
  24. ^ "Construct 2 on Steam". Store.steampowered.com. 2013-01-25. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
  25. ^ Ashley Gullen (2015-01-27). "The future of Construct". Retrieved 2015-03-01.
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