Adobe releases cloud-based game development tools

Game Developers Tools made available were the first tied to the Adobe's "Creative Cloud," providing computing muscle from Adobe's online datacenters.

"For anybody who wants to develop a game that targets the Flash player it will be a lot easier," said Diana Helander, group product marketing manager for Gaming Solutions at Adobe.

"For people who want to try their hand at being a game developer, this allows you to play around and target a bunch of different marketplaces," she continued. "That really opens the door for revenue and for discovery, even if you just have a free little game you want to put out there."

Flash-based games can be found in among the top titles at social network Facebook as well as those popular for play using personal computer browsers.

Adobe said it tools enable games to be crafted more efficiently to work across the sometimes challenging array of device screen sizes and operating systems.

Flash software can enable a desktop computer version of the game be shifted to suit smartphones or tablets which are becoming increasing popular devices for play.

"Gaming companies are becoming more like media companies," Helander said. "Gaming as a whole is definitely increasing in popularity."

Adobe envisioned the free tools boosting the number of rich, immersive games available including many based on characters or franchises that have been hits on videogame consoles.

Japan-based Square Enix and France-based Ubisoft are among videogame industry titans working with Flash tools, according to Helander.