Extended FAQ: Difference between revisions
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Q: Why is there no Mac version of Flashpoint? | Q: Why is there no Mac version of Flashpoint? | ||
A: Redirector | A: Our program uses something called the Redirector to bypass sitelocks, which only works on Windows. Since macOS is made to be incompatible with everything not made specifically for it, it's impossible to simply rewrite Redirector to work on Mac. If you have the neccesary skills to do such a rewrite you're welcome to try, but no one here has the time to work on it. | ||
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A: https://unstable.life/owncloud/s/rsKMq0VQr44dBxd | A: https://unstable.life/owncloud/s/rsKMq0VQr44dBxd | ||
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NTdcf0eayp8C1LhbMw9ue74p4EC_tsLUV8KYydLLmNY/ | https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NTdcf0eayp8C1LhbMw9ue74p4EC_tsLUV8KYydLLmNY/ | ||
The "flashfreeze" channel on Discord server | |||
Q: What is the difference between requesting and curating a game? Can I "submit" a game? | Q: What is the difference between requesting and curating a game? Can I "submit" a game? | ||
A: Requesting - | A: Requesting - This option adds your game to an ever-growing list of ones people want added. You will need to fill out the request form which takes 1-5 minutes. Chances of game being saved by any of the curators is small because there are thousands of games waiting on the list, some of which have been waiting longer than a year. If you want to increase the chances of it being saved, we suggest that you try to write an engaging description of the game and/or the reason you want it saved. | ||
Curating - | Curating - This is the process of actually adding the game to Flashpoint. It requires testing the game using procedures detailed in our curation guides. It takes about 30 minutes for the first time, but as you learn the process you can get it under 5 minutes. | ||
https://bluemaxima.org/flashpoint/datahub/Your_first_curation_-_an_illustrated_guide is made for beginners working on their first Flash curation. | https://bluemaxima.org/flashpoint/datahub/Your_first_curation_-_an_illustrated_guide is made for beginners working on their first Flash curation. | ||
If you curate | If you curate a game it will be saved and added to the next version of Flashpoint. | ||
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Q: How do I tell what platform a game is? | Q: How do I tell what platform a game is? | ||
A: If | A: The easiest way to check these kinds of things is to right click. If it says something about flash, it's a flash game. If it says nothing out of the ordinary, it's probably HTML5. | ||
You can also use inspect element to look at the embed of the game for the following files: | |||
.swf - Flash | |||
.dcr/.dir/.dxr - Shockwave | |||
.unity3d - Unity Web Player | |||
.jar/.class - Java | |||
.html - HTML5 | |||
If it's something else it may be under one of our other platforms, but these are the most common types. | |||
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Q: Will the game files disappear in 2020? | Q: Will the game files disappear in 2020? | ||
A: They won't disappear by themselves. | A: They won't disappear by themselves. However, when Flash support is removed from browsers, most people (who don't downgrade their browser) won't be able to use flash content. In that case sites hosting it might decide to remove flash games because no one will be playing them. That's why we're working hard to grab the files while they're here. | ||
Q: Why are there no game logos? | Q: Why are there no game logos? | ||
A: Flashpoint Infinity does not come with the game logos by default, due to size reasons. However, they can be downloaded as an add-on from the Home tab within the Flashpoint Launcher. | A: Flashpoint Infinity does not come with the game logos by default, due to size reasons. However, they can be downloaded as an add-on from the Home tab within the Flashpoint Launcher. After they are downloaded and the launcher is restarted, switch to Grid view to see them all. | ||
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A: 1. We might not have that game yet. | A: 1. We might not have that game yet. | ||
2. | 2. It is under a different name, which happens when English sites with games give arbitrary titles to games in other languages. | ||
3. You hadn't download other technologies pack in your copy of Flashpoint Infinity. | 3. You hadn't download other technologies pack in your copy of Flashpoint Infinity. | ||
4. You are searching in a playlist. Make sure you have "All Games" selected in the left-hand column. | |||
Q: Why can I not see the logos even though I downloaded them? | Q: Why can I not see the logos even though I downloaded them? | ||
A: You have to switch | A: You have to switch the launcher's view mode to grid view. | ||
Q: What is a good tool to decompile/look at the code of/hack SWF files? | Q: What is a good tool to decompile/look at the code of/hack SWF files? | ||
A: JPEXS Free Flash Decompiler | A: JPEXS Free Flash Decompiler[https://github.com/jindrapetrik/jpexs-decompiler/releases] | ||
Q: What is the legality of this? | Q: What is the legality of this? | ||
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Q: Won't the games just be converted to HTML5? | Q: Won't the games just be converted to HTML5? | ||
A: No. | A: No. HTML is an entirely different programming language, so it's impossible for them to be converted automatically. | ||
Developers could remake Flash games, but there's no guarantee that they'll care. | Developers could remake Flash games, but there's no guarantee that they'll care. | ||
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Q: Can't I use the Wayback Machine to play them? | Q: Can't I use the Wayback Machine to play them? | ||
A: The game has to be archived there in the first place, so that you'll be able to play them | A: The game has to be archived there in the first place, so that you'll be able to play them. Wayback is specifically poor at grabbing multi-asset games (games that use more than one file), so chances are that it will not work there. | ||
Games with | Games with sitelocks won't work there even if they are archived. | ||
Q: Can't I just use a Flash projector to play them? | Q: Can't I just use a Flash projector to play them? | ||
A: Some games have sitelocks, which mean they won't work | A: Some games have sitelocks, which mean they won't work unless they are found in a predefinied site. Since the projector is obviously not this site, the game refuses to load. | ||
Revision as of 00:50, 14 September 2019
Q: Why is there no Mac version of Flashpoint?
A: Our program uses something called the Redirector to bypass sitelocks, which only works on Windows. Since macOS is made to be incompatible with everything not made specifically for it, it's impossible to simply rewrite Redirector to work on Mac. If you have the neccesary skills to do such a rewrite you're welcome to try, but no one here has the time to work on it.
Q: Where can I see what websites have been archived?
A: https://unstable.life/owncloud/s/rsKMq0VQr44dBxd https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NTdcf0eayp8C1LhbMw9ue74p4EC_tsLUV8KYydLLmNY/ The "flashfreeze" channel on Discord server
Q: What is the difference between requesting and curating a game? Can I "submit" a game?
A: Requesting - This option adds your game to an ever-growing list of ones people want added. You will need to fill out the request form which takes 1-5 minutes. Chances of game being saved by any of the curators is small because there are thousands of games waiting on the list, some of which have been waiting longer than a year. If you want to increase the chances of it being saved, we suggest that you try to write an engaging description of the game and/or the reason you want it saved.
Curating - This is the process of actually adding the game to Flashpoint. It requires testing the game using procedures detailed in our curation guides. It takes about 30 minutes for the first time, but as you learn the process you can get it under 5 minutes. https://bluemaxima.org/flashpoint/datahub/Your_first_curation_-_an_illustrated_guide is made for beginners working on their first Flash curation. If you curate a game it will be saved and added to the next version of Flashpoint.
Q: What tools should I use to archive whole websites?
A: HTTrack or wget. You can also use cURLsDownloader or HAR extractor, but they are better for downloading small parts of sites or games.
Q: Why do I need Flashpoint to play SWF files?
A: Some games have sitelocks, which mean they won't work if they are not embedded in predefinied site. Flashpoint circumvents this, which is why you have to use it.
Q: How do I tell what platform a game is?
A: The easiest way to check these kinds of things is to right click. If it says something about flash, it's a flash game. If it says nothing out of the ordinary, it's probably HTML5. You can also use inspect element to look at the embed of the game for the following files: .swf - Flash .dcr/.dir/.dxr - Shockwave .unity3d - Unity Web Player .jar/.class - Java .html - HTML5 If it's something else it may be under one of our other platforms, but these are the most common types.
Q: Where can I submit my collection of SWFs?
A: https://unstable.life/owncloud/s/egdmnffEpviRBrz It would be appreciated if you check your collection against masterlist and uploaded only games we don't have in Flashpoint already.
Q: Will the game files disappear in 2020?
A: They won't disappear by themselves. However, when Flash support is removed from browsers, most people (who don't downgrade their browser) won't be able to use flash content. In that case sites hosting it might decide to remove flash games because no one will be playing them. That's why we're working hard to grab the files while they're here.
Q: Why are there no game logos?
A: Flashpoint Infinity does not come with the game logos by default, due to size reasons. However, they can be downloaded as an add-on from the Home tab within the Flashpoint Launcher. After they are downloaded and the launcher is restarted, switch to Grid view to see them all.
Q: Why can I not find some games?
A: 1. We might not have that game yet.
2. It is under a different name, which happens when English sites with games give arbitrary titles to games in other languages.
3. You hadn't download other technologies pack in your copy of Flashpoint Infinity. 4. You are searching in a playlist. Make sure you have "All Games" selected in the left-hand column.
Q: Why can I not see the logos even though I downloaded them?
A: You have to switch the launcher's view mode to grid view.
Q: What is a good tool to decompile/look at the code of/hack SWF files?
A: JPEXS Free Flash Decompiler[1]
Q: What is the legality of this?
A: "The only real answer is nobody knows and really, nobody should care. Games that more or less have a ticking clock until they die need to be saved now, as fast as possible." - BlueMaxima
Q: Won't the games just be converted to HTML5?
A: No. HTML is an entirely different programming language, so it's impossible for them to be converted automatically. Developers could remake Flash games, but there's no guarantee that they'll care.
Q: Can't I use the Wayback Machine to play them?
A: The game has to be archived there in the first place, so that you'll be able to play them. Wayback is specifically poor at grabbing multi-asset games (games that use more than one file), so chances are that it will not work there. Games with sitelocks won't work there even if they are archived.
Q: Can't I just use a Flash projector to play them?
A: Some games have sitelocks, which mean they won't work unless they are found in a predefinied site. Since the projector is obviously not this site, the game refuses to load.
Q: Where are the games stored?
A: The games are stored in the Flashpoint directory, in Server\htdocs.
Q: Where is the save data located?
A: The locations of the save data are listed on this page: https://bluemaxima.org/flashpoint/datahub/Save_Data_Locations