I've seen a few hundred posts asking how to make a game, and no responses showing how to do it for free, so I'll help out anyone who seriously wants to program a game in Actionscript, and not spend $699 on Flash CS3.
1) Download the Flex 3 SDK from Adobe's website. This includes the mxmlc.exe compiler to create SWF files. Cost: $0.00
2) Download the latest version of FlashDevelop. It'll really help with writing actionscript, organizing files, and using mxmlc.exe, the SWF compiler included in the Flex 3 SDK. Cost: $0.00
3) Read up on programming in Actionscript 3.0 (or 2.0 if you want). Senocular has a great intro to using mxmlc.exe and as3 here.
The downside? You have to import all your graphics, or draw things in code.
It would be easier to have a private jet than fly coach, right?
If you have $699 for Flash CS3, go right ahead. However, the Flash IDE is not very good for actionscript. A lot of people use a separate program (like FlashDevelop) for coding and use Flash CS3 for the graphics, testing, and compiling into a SWF file.
Since I'm a programmer, not an artist, I'd rather spend the $699 on a talented artist and write the code using free programs.
Flash is free for 30 Days, long enough for anyone to try out. You can also get a students lisence at a much reduced price. It really is quite affordable for the range of tasks it can perform, in comparison to some other softwares, such as 3D Max etc. I find the Flash IDE very friendly for coding in, myself.
This might not work, if I was right I would just do the trial, wouldn't want to go to jail or anywhere bad at a small age. So I don't really understand you're idea. Too dangerous.
I hate seeing these threads because you are showing people the wrong way of doing things. This shouldn't be done or encouraged to save money. It's like telling someone to buy a horrible quality food for their health so save money. Flash cs3 is 700 dollars because they know it is necessary and no amount of free stuff can change that. Plus as I said before the reward from flash outweighs the price tenthousand fold. Making just one game can pay for CS3 TWICE.
