Many people celebrate Adobe’s decision to discontinue the Flash browser plug-in by 2020. However, Flash is often associated with annoying web ads, security vulnerabilities, overly animated sites, and mobile devices that cannot load Flash content, which contribute to its widespread dislike.
However, Flash had a different significance for some developers. In 1995, a developer began using Shockwave, Flash’s predecessor, to create web-based games and other content. Before this, creating software and earning a living from it required finding a way to distribute it. Shareware was the only viable option without a publisher or retail access, but it only worked for a few developers.
The introduction of browser plug-ins changed the game. They allowed software to run directly on web pages, giving developers immediate access to a global market of users.
Flash Opens New Doors for Game Developers
The desire to become a game developer led this individual to embrace Flash. The technology allowed users to create games, host them on personal websites, and play them. Flash opened a new world, providing a pathway to a successful career.
By 2000, the developer transitioned from the aging Director/Shockwave platform to Flash. Flash’s smaller file size made it more accessible and soon surpassed Shockwave’s popularity. This shift made games available to a broader audience. Companies worldwide began approaching the developer to create Flash games for entertainment and educational purposes. A team of around ten people was formed, and three books were written to help other developers create their own Flash games.
The Legacy of Flash Games
The Flash games created were entertaining and became essential to the web experience. They were the primary attraction on a webpage, rather than intrusive ads. These games provided hours of fun, and many continue to be played on the developer’s websites.
Flash was a powerful tool that provided an entire development environment within a web page. The more powerful a tool, the greater the potential for misuse. While Flash could have been more secure if limited to video playback, it wouldn’t have had the impact it did. Flash allowed developers to create engaging, interactive content that became essential to the web. Although some considered Flash insecure, it wasn’t as risky as portrayed, provided users kept it updated. In fact, Windows likely posed a greater security risk over the years than Flash ever did.
The Misuse of Flash and Its Impact on User Experience
One downside was the way some websites used Flash unnecessarily. If a website only needed to deliver a single piece of information, forcing users to go through a lengthy Flash animation at the start could be frustrating. However, this was more a design flaw than a fault of Flash itself.
For those who never played web-based games, Flash may have seemed like an annoyance. It’s similar to how those who bike everywhere might see cars as pollution-generating road hazards. However, millions of people play and continue to play Flash games today. Flash was a powerful tool for creators to build great content and sustain a career.