User:Revac - Revision history

Revac: /* The Curate Tab */

2024-03-23T22:56:05Z

The Curate Tab

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:56, 24 March 2024
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	The Curate Tab is where all curation work is done, whether it be an entirely new curation or a [[Content Patches\|content patch]]. To enable this tab, open the '''Config''' tab of Flashpoint and select '''Enable Editing'''.		The Curate Tab is where all curation work is done, whether it be an entirely new curation or a [[Content Patches\|content patch]]. To enable this tab, open the '''Config''' tab of Flashpoint and select '''Enable Editing'''.

	To start a new curation, click '''New Curation'''. You should now see a whole bunch of empty boxes, some with yellow boxes. These are the '''Metadata Fields''', where all the information for titles live. The yellow-highlighted fields represent that they are required for submission. These are the '''Title''', '''Tags''', '''Source''', and the '''Launch Command''' fields. The Application Path field is also required, but it prefills to <code>flashplayer_32_sa.exe</code>.		To start a new curation, click '''New Curation'''. You should now see a whole bunch of empty boxes, some with yellow boxes. These are the '''Metadata Fields''', where all the information for titles live. The yellow-highlighted fields represent that they are required for submission. These are the '''Title''', '''Tags''', '''Source''', '''Library''', and the '''Launch Command''' fields. The Application Path field is also required, but it prefills to <code>flashplayer_32_sa.exe</code>.

	The required fields for ''just'' running a curation in the curate tab are the '''Launch Command''' and the '''Application Path''' fields, alongside having the correct game files in the curation's content folder. These three should be handled first before filling out metadata, and we will focus on these now.		The required fields for ''just'' running a curation in the curate tab are the '''Launch Command''' and the '''Application Path''' fields, alongside having the correct game files in the curation's content folder. These three should be handled first before filling out metadata, and we will focus on these now.

Cursed-light: some small rewordings, changed things for more consistency, added a warning to check that files downloaded automatically are actually required by the curation

2024-03-23T22:14:37Z

some small rewordings, changed things for more consistency, added a warning to check that files downloaded automatically are actually required by the curation

Show changes

Cursed-light: Made some consistency changes, reworded some little things

2024-03-23T21:28:59Z

Made some consistency changes, reworded some little things

Revac: /* Identifying the Launch Command */

2024-03-23T18:17:36Z

Identifying the Launch Command

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:17, 23 March 2024
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	The first step to getting a game working into Flashpoint is finding the title's launch command, the URL we give to Flashpoint to launch our game. Launch commands (usually) follow a game's original URL that it was hosted to, but there are some exceptions such as <code>localflash</code>. Flash launch commands are usually straightforward to find. What we are looking for is a '''URL that ends with .swf''', embedded on a page that has the game. Let's take [https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/218014 Interactive Buddy] for example, and look at two possible methods to find Interactive Buddy's launch command.		The first step to getting a game working into Flashpoint is finding the title's launch command, the URL we give to Flashpoint to launch our game. Launch commands (usually) follow a game's original URL that it was hosted to, but there are some exceptions such as <code>localflash</code>. Flash launch commands are usually straightforward to find. What we are looking for is a '''URL that ends with .swf''', embedded on a page that has the game. Let's take [https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/218014 Interactive Buddy] for example, and look at two possible methods to find Interactive Buddy's launch command.

	'''Both of these methods will give you a launch command that begins with https://, the s will need to be removed when you are doing anything involving a URL in Flashpoint, resulting in http:// .'''		'''Both of these methods will give you a launch command that begins with https://, the s will need to be removed when you are doing anything involving a URL in Flashpoint, resulting in http://, as Flashpoint does not support HTTPS.'''

	=== View Page Source Method ===		=== View Page Source Method ===

Revac: /* Network Tab Method */

2024-03-23T18:16:16Z

Network Tab Method

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:16, 23 March 2024
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	Now that we have the link to the game's files, it's time to download the game.		Now that we have the link to the game's files, it's time to download the game file(s).

	== Downloading Game Files ==		== Downloading Game Files ==

Revac: /* Identifying the Launch Command */

2024-03-23T18:16:07Z

Identifying the Launch Command

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:16, 23 March 2024
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	What we want is a request with a <code>x-shockwave-flash</code> type. We can find this by either selecting the '''Other''' category, or searching '''.swf''' in the tab's search bar. The .swf URL can then be copied by right clicking it.		What we want is a request with a <code>x-shockwave-flash</code> type. We can find this by either selecting the '''Other''' category, or searching '''.swf''' in the tab's search bar. The .swf URL can then be copied by right clicking it.


			Now that we have the link to the game's files, it's time to download the game.

	== Downloading Game Files ==		== Downloading Game Files ==

Revac: /* Filling Out Metadata */

2024-03-23T18:02:40Z

Filling Out Metadata

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:02, 23 March 2024
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	==Filling Out Metadata==		==Filling Out Metadata==
			[[File:goodmeta.png\|380px\|thumb\|An example of good metadata from an Alien Hominid curation.]]
	You should now have your submission running successfully in the curate tab. The next step is filling out the metadata of the submission. Take your time when it comes to this also, the more accurate and official metadata you can add, the better.		You should now have your submission running successfully in the curate tab. The next step is filling out the metadata of the submission. Take your time when it comes to this also, the more accurate and official metadata you can add, the better.

Revac: /* Submission */

2024-03-23T18:02:18Z

Submission

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:02, 23 March 2024
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	==Submission==		==Submission==
	~~[[File:goodmeta.png\|380px\|thumb\|left\|An example of good metadata from an Alien Hominid curation.]]~~
	You should now have the game fully working entirely within Flashpoint.		You should now have the game fully working entirely within Flashpoint.

Revac at 17:54, 23 March 2024

2024-03-23T17:54:13Z

Show changes

Revac: /* Identifying the Launch Command */

2024-03-23T07:19:15Z

Identifying the Launch Command

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:19, 23 March 2024
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	== Identifying the Launch Command ==		== Identifying the Launch Command ==
	The first step to getting a game working into Flashpoint is finding the title's launch command, the URL we give to Flashpoint to launch our game. Launch commands (usually) follow a game's original URL that it was hosted to, but there are some exceptions such as <code>localflash</code>. Flash launch commands are usually straightforward to find. What we are looking for is a '''URL that ends with .swf''', embedded on a page that has the game. Let's take [https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/218014 Interactive Buddy] for example, and look at two possible methods to find Interactive Buddy's launch command.		The first step to getting a game working into Flashpoint is finding the title's launch command, the URL we give to Flashpoint to launch our game. Launch commands (usually) follow a game's original URL that it was hosted to, but there are some exceptions such as <code>localflash</code>. Flash launch commands are usually straightforward to find. What we are looking for is a '''URL that ends with .swf''', embedded on a page that has the game. Let's take [https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/218014 Interactive Buddy] for example, and look at two possible methods to find Interactive Buddy's launch command.

			'''Both of these methods will give you a launch command that begins with https://, the s will need to be removed when you are doing anything involving a URL in Flashpoint, resulting in http:// .'''

	=== View Page Source Method ===		=== View Page Source Method ===

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:28, 23 March 2024
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	Flashpoint is more than just a program to play files; rather, it's a combination of two programs working in parallel:		Flashpoint is more than just a program to play files; rather, it's a combination of two programs working in parallel:
	* a '''web server''', which hosts game files from an internal or external drive and pretends to be the original Internet source the games ran off of,		* A '''web server''', which hosts game files from an internal or external drive and pretends to be the original Internet source the games ran off of,
	* ~~and a~~ '''launcher''', the user interface to select and play games from.		* A '''launcher''', the user interface to select and play games from.

	Flashpoint itself also comes in two primary versions:		Flashpoint itself also comes in two primary versions:
	* '''Infinity''', the version that downloads games and animations from a server as you play or view them,		* '''Infinity''', the version that downloads games and animations from a server as you play or view them,
	* ~~and~~ '''Ultimate''', the gigantic version with every game and animation included and ready for offline play and viewing.		* '''Ultimate''', the gigantic version with every game and animation included and ready for offline play and viewing.

	Infinity will download files as you play games that request them, while Ultimate knows the files are already there. Both make the files believe they're being ran on their original source. This has numerous benefits, the two most important being bypassing '''sitelocks''' and supporting '''multi-asset''' games. The [[How Flashpoint Works]] article provides more detail on this topic.		Infinity will download files as you play games that request them, while Ultimate knows the files are already there. Both make the files believe they're being ran on their original source. This has numerous benefits, the two most important being bypassing '''sitelocks''' and supporting '''multi-asset''' games. The [[How Flashpoint Works]] article provides more detail on this topic.
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	== Setting Up Our Software ==		== Setting Up Our Software ==
	Curation only requires:		Curation only requires:
	*'''[https://flashpointarchive.org/downloads Flashpoint Infinity]''', version 12 or later; curating in previous versions, as well using Flashpoint Core (built for curating but now deprecated) or Ultimate may run into compatibility problems,		*'''[https://flashpointarchive.org/downloads Flashpoint Infinity]''', version 12 or later; curating in previous versions, as well as using Flashpoint Core (built for curating but now deprecated) or Ultimate may run into compatibility problems,
	*'''~~and a~~ modern web browser''' such as Chrome or Firefox, which have tools that we can use to find and grab game files like SWFs, and sometimes multi-asset titles with low amounts of resources.		*A '''modern web browser''' such as Chrome or Firefox, which have tools that we can use to find and grab game files like SWFs, and sometimes multi-asset titles with low amounts of resources.
	Additionally,		Additionally,
	*'''cURLsDownloader''' is usually very beneficial in curation. It is found as a component in the Extras section of the Flashpoint Infinity Installer. This isn't strictly necessary, but it helps immensely; you'll see why later on. There are also other helpful utilities available in this section, like fpcurator.		*'''cURLsDownloader''' is usually very beneficial in curation. It is found as a component in the Extras section of the Flashpoint Infinity Installer. This isn't strictly necessary, but it helps immensely; you'll see why later on. There are also other helpful utilities available in this section, like fpcurator.

	To enable the Curate tab, where all ~~curation~~ takes place, open the config tab of Flashpoint and select Enable Editing. Please make sure your installation of Flashpoint is working normally first, if not, join our Discord server and post in #help.		To enable the Curate tab, where all the curating takes place, open the config tab of Flashpoint and select '''Enable Editing'''. Please make sure your installation of Flashpoint is working normally first, if not, join our [https://discord.gg/qhvAkhWXU5 Discord server] and post in the #help channel.

	== The Curate Tab==		== The Curate Tab==
	The Curate Tab is where all curation work is done, whether it be an entirely new curation or ~~you are making~~ a [[Content Patches\|content patch]]~~, it is all done here~~.		The Curate Tab is where all curation work is done, whether it be an entirely new curation or a [[Content Patches\|content patch]].

	To start a new curation, click New Curation. You should now see a whole bunch of empty boxes, some with yellow boxes. These are the '''Metadata Fields''', where all the information for titles live. The yellow-highlighted fields represent that they are required for submission. These are the '''Title''', '''Tags''', '''Source''', and the '''Launch Command'''. The Application Path is also required, but it prefills to <code>flashplayer_32_sa.exe</code>.		To start a new curation, click '''New Curation'''. You should now see a whole bunch of empty boxes, some with yellow boxes. These are the '''Metadata Fields''', where all the information for titles live. The yellow-highlighted fields represent that they are required for submission. These are the '''Title''', '''Tags''', '''Source''', and the '''Launch Command''' fields. The Application Path field is also required, but it prefills to <code>flashplayer_32_sa.exe</code>.

	The required fields for ''just'' running a curation in the curate tab are the ~~launch command~~ and the ~~application path~~, alongside having the correct game files in the curation's content folder. These three should be handled first before filling out metadata, and we will focus on these now.		The required fields for ''just'' running a curation in the curate tab are the '''Launch Command''' and the '''Application Path''' fields, alongside having the correct game files in the curation's content folder. These three should be handled first before filling out metadata, and we will focus on these now.

	== Identifying the Launch Command ==		== Identifying the Launch Command ==
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	=== View Page Source Method ===		=== View Page Source Method ===
	[[File:Interactivebuddyngsource.png\|600px\|thumb\|The SWF for Interactive Buddy in Firefox's View Source page; it should look similar on Chrome.]]		[[File:Interactivebuddyngsource.png\|600px\|thumb\|The SWF for Interactive Buddy in Firefox's View Source page; it should look similar on Chrome.]]
	The simplest way to find the launch command is to '''right click on the page and view its source''', or press '''Ctrl+U'''. (These may be slightly different depending on your browser.) You can either find the .swf link yourself, or press '''Ctrl+F''' and type ".swf". Usually the game's .swf is the first result, but depending on the site, other .swf's may show up first. For Interactive Buddy, the URL we are looking for is <code>https://uploads.ungrounded.net/218000/218014_DAbuddy_latest.swf</code>. This will be our launch command. (Please note that there may be extra slash's in the url, which ~~can~~ be removed. Only include forward facing slashes.)		The simplest way to find the launch command is to '''right click on the page and view its source''', or press '''Ctrl+U'''. (These may be slightly different depending on your browser.) You can either find the .swf link yourself, or press '''Ctrl+F''' and type ".swf". Usually the game's .swf is the first result, but depending on the site, other .swf's may show up first. For Interactive Buddy, the URL we are looking for is <code>https://uploads.ungrounded.net/218000/218014_DAbuddy_latest.swf</code>. This will be our launch command. (Please note that there may be extra slash's in the url, which should be removed. '''Only include forward facing slashes'''.)

	All Flash works on Newgrounds will be hosted on <code>uploads.ungrounded.net</code>, and similar portal sites will follow their own common domain, such as Armor Games (<code>cache.armorgames.com</code>) or Kongregate (<code>chat.kongregate.com/gamez/</code>)		All Flash works on Newgrounds will be hosted on <code>uploads.ungrounded.net</code>, and similar portal sites will follow their own common domain, such as Armor Games (<code>cache.armorgames.com</code>) or Kongregate (<code>chat.kongregate.com/gamez/</code>)
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	===Manually Downloading===		===Manually Downloading===
	[[File:lc.png\|380px\|thumb\|left\|Interactive Buddy's launch command and the respective folder structure inside the content folder.]]		[[File:lc.png\|380px\|thumb\|left\|Interactive Buddy's launch command and the respective folder structure inside the content folder.]]
	The slowest and most inefficient method; .swf's can be manually downloaded from the internet just by opening their link. When working with games that use multiple assets, their assets can be manually downloaded too. Images can be saved with Save Image as in the right click context menu. .xml and .js files can be downloaded with Save Page as in the context menu as well. When getting your files into the content folder, you will need to manually create folders based on the URL the file exists/existed at. This can be done by first making the folder of the domain inside the content folder, done with <code>New > Folder</code> in the right click context menu of File Explorer, and then making as many folders as is needed within that to fit the launch command.		The slowest and most inefficient method; .swf's can be manually downloaded from the internet just by opening their link. When working with games that use multiple assets, their assets can be manually downloaded too. Images can be saved with '''Save Image as''' in the right click context menu. .xml and .js files can be downloaded with '''Save Page as''' in the context menu as well. When getting your files into the content folder, you will need to manually create folders based on the URL the file exists/existed at. This can be done by first making the folder of the domain inside the content folder, done with <code>New > Folder</code> in the right click context menu of File Explorer, and then making as many folders as is needed within that to fit the launch command.

	If your launch command is <code>http://uploads.ungrounded.net/218000/218014_DAbuddy_latest.swf</code> for example, you will need to make a <code>uploads.ungrounded.net</code> folder, a <code>218000</code> folder inside that, and then finally the .swf inside that.		If your launch command is <code>http://uploads.ungrounded.net/218000/218014_DAbuddy_latest.swf</code> for example, you will need to make a <code>uploads.ungrounded.net</code> folder, a <code>218000</code> folder inside that, and then finally the .swf inside that.
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	For multi-asset titles, there are two methods available.		For multi-asset titles, there are two methods available.
	Let's check out a multi-asset game called [https://www.kongregate.com/games/struma/gateway-ii Gateway II]. Here's the link to the main ~~SWF~~ of the game:		Let's check out a multi-asset game called [https://www.kongregate.com/games/struma/gateway-ii Gateway II]. Here's the link to the main .swf of the game:
	https://chat.kongregate.com/gamez/0000/3268/live/gateway_2.swf?kongregate_game_version=1581667106		https://chat.kongregate.com/gamez/0000/3268/live/gateway_2.swf?kongregate_game_version=1581667106
	Try curating this ~~SWF~~ as described above and testing it in Flashpoint with the Run button. You'll only get to the language select screen before the game freezes once you pick one.		Try curating this .swf as described above and testing it in Flashpoint with the Run button. You'll only get to the language select screen before the game freezes once you pick one.

	Select the Logs tab in Flashpoint, then look near the bottom of the log. You should see a line with "200 HTTP/1.1" followed by a directory to the main SWF, followed by one or more lines with "404 HTTP/1.1" followed by directories to additional assets.		Select the '''Logs''' tab in Flashpoint, then look near the bottom of the log. You should see a line with "200 HTTP/1.1" followed by a directory to the main SWF, followed by one or more lines with "404 HTTP/1.1" followed by directories to additional assets.

	This means the game was calling for one or more assets that it didn't have offline, making the game freeze because it failed to load a required asset. Thankfully, Flashpoint can handle these assets as long as they're downloaded properly.		This means the game was calling for one or more assets that it didn't have offline, making the game freeze because it failed to load a required asset. Thankfully, Flashpoint can handle these assets as long as they're downloaded properly.
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	==Filling Out Metadata==		==Filling Out Metadata==
	[[File:goodmeta.png\|380px\|thumb\|An example of good metadata from an Alien Hominid curation.]]		[[File:goodmeta.png\|380px\|thumb\|An example of good metadata from an Alien Hominid curation.]]
	You should now have your submission running successfully in the curate tab. The next step is filling out the metadata of the submission. Take your time when it comes to this ~~also,~~ the more accurate and official metadata you can add, the better.		You should now have your submission running successfully in the curate tab. The next step is filling out the metadata of the submission. Take your time when it comes to this as the more accurate and official metadata you can add, the better.

	If you happen to find an official source for metadata that can be added, but it is different than the Source tab, you can add that metadata and link it in the Notes field. (NOT the Curation Notes.) This is typically done with a simple <code>Metadata from:[link]</code>		If you happen to find an official source for metadata that can be added, but it is different than the Source tab, you can add that metadata and link it in the Notes field. (NOT the Curation Notes.) This is typically done with a simple <code>Metadata from:[link]</code>
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	===Additional Applications===		===Additional Applications===
	The ''Additional Applications~~'' metadata~~ field can be used to add Messages, Extras, or Alternates to a curation. You can add these through the "New App", "Add Extras", and "Add Message" buttons at the bottom of each curation in the "Curate" tab. Each of these items is explained in detail below.		The Additional Applications field can be used to add Messages, Extras, or Alternates to a curation. You can add these through the "New App", "Add Extras", and "Add Message" buttons at the bottom of each curation in the "Curate" tab. Each of these items is explained in detail below.

	'''Messages'''		'''Messages'''