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Stencyl FAQ

by Jon (Updated on 2015-10-08)


This is a general FAQ for those who have general questions about Stencyl. For the most part, it doesn't cover any common troubleshooting topics.

The Basics

Where can I get more help?

If Stencylpedia and Stencyl TV aren't meeting your needs, your best bet would be to ask your question on our forums.

I can't launch Stencyl.

In rare cases, Stencyl may not launch at all. Often, this is due to the absence of or an unsupported version of Java.

If Java is installed and up to date, we recommend seeking help on the Stencyl forums. Be as specific as possible when seeking help!

Stencyl doesn't let me sign in.

You need to sign up for a free account to sign in to Stencyl and gain access to our forums, StencylForge and other services. You can do this from within Stencyl (most do this) or from our site.

General Questions

What platforms is Stencyl for?

Mac, Windows and most flavors of Linux (like Ubuntu and its derivatives).

Can I export iOS and Android games?

Yes, we support exporting of iOS and Android games.

Is Stencyl free or does it cost money?

Creating Flash games is free. If you want to create mobile games or standalone games, or if you want to remove the splash screen, those will cost money.

Are there different versions of Stencyl? (Flash, iOS, etc.)?

There's just one version of Stencyl. When you purchase a license, the toolset automatically unlocks that functionality. To be clear, you are always able to test your games on all platforms - you just can't publish or export until you purchase a license.

How do I publish games?

Stencylpedia covers all aspects of game publication in the Publishing chapter.

Are there any rules about where I can publish my game?

You're free to publish your game anywhere you'd like, including other portals or a personal website. Games are not locked to a single site.

The Nitty Gritty

Do I need to know how to code?

Absolutely not. You can use code (Haxe, Java, Objective-C), but the vast majority of our users prefer to use our visual tools to build their game's behaviors.

What if I want to use code instead of the visual designer?

You can use Haxe via a built-in code editor or an external editor.

Are there any game graphics or sounds available with Stencyl?

Yes. Through StencylForge, our "marketplace for game resources", you can browse an extensive collection of royalty-free game graphics and sounds for your games.

What image format do I use with Stencyl?

Any raster format will do - PNG, JPG, and GIF. We even support animated GIF's. We don't support vector art to a satisfactory degree. It will import, but it will be converted to raster form.

What kind of audio files can I use?

MP3s for Flash and OGGs for everything else.. It's best if these are at a 44.1kHz sampling rate with a 16-bit resolution. You can use Audacity or a similar program to change the sampling rate, if need be.

Can I make ___ ?

Is there multiplayer support?

Not built in. Some clever users have figured this out on a limited basis, though.

Can I make a 3D game?

Stencyl does not officially support 3D games, although pseudo-3D and isometric games have been built.

Can I make isometric games?

Stencyl does not officially support isometric games. Clever users have figured out how to make them.

Are there any limits or restrictions on what I can make?

There are no limits (e.g. file size) or restrictions on what you can create with Stencyl. Your only limit is your imagination!

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Disclaimer: Use comments to provide feedback and point out issues with the article (typo, wrong info, etc.). If you're seeking help for your game, please ask a question on the forums. Thanks!

11 Comments

NileB
i can get to the part in which i ca choose the name of my game and its logo, however, i am unable to go past that point. It dosn't actually allow me to create my game.

0 8 years, 2 weeks ago
MenaceInRed
I'm not sure if this is stencyl itself or my laptop, but when I downloaded stencyl, the app itself was ridiculously tiny, to the point where I can't even use it. I can't read the text without having to zoom in by 200% and it makes it incredibly difficult to finish the game I started
1 9 years, 3 months ago
blackpearl
When I try to create a new game appears a window as these messages :

Unexpected problem on thread AWT-EventQueue-0: java.lang.NullPointerException
java.lang.RuntimeException: java.lang.NullPointerException
at stencyl.sw.app.tasks.StencylWorker. done(StencylWorker.java:72)
at stencyl.sw.app.tasks.SaveGameTask.d one(SaveGameTask.java:66)
at javax.swing.SwingWorker$5.run(Unkno wn Source)
at javax.swing.SwingWorker$DoSubmitAcc umulativeRunnable.run(Unknown Source)
at sun.swing.AccumulativeRunnable.run( Unknown Source)
at javax.swing.SwingWorker$DoSubmitAcc umulativeRunnable.actionPerformed(U nknown Source)
at javax.swing.Timer.fireActionPerform ed(Unknown Source)
at javax.swing.Timer$DoPostEvent.run(U nknown Source)
at java.awt.event.InvocationEvent.disp atch(Unknown Source)
at java.awt.EventQueue.dispatchEventIm pl(Unknown Source)
at java.awt.EventQueue.access$000(Unkn own Source)
at java.awt.EventQueue$1.run(Unknown Source)
at java.awt.EventQueue$1.run(Unknown Source)
at java.security.AccessController.doPr ivileged(Native Method)
at java.security.AccessControlContext$ 1.doIntersectionPrivilege(Unknown Source)
at java.awt.EventQueue.dispatchEvent(U nknown Source)
at java.awt.EventDispatchThread.pumpOn eEventForFilters(Unknown Source)
at java.awt.EventDispatchThread.pumpEv entsForFilter(Unknown Source)
at java.awt.EventDispatchThread.pumpEv entsForHierarchy(Unknown Source)
at java.awt.EventDispatchThread.pumpEv ents(Unknown Source)
at java.awt.EventDispatchThread.pumpEv ents(Unknown Source)
at java.awt.EventDispatchThread.run(Un known Source)
Caused by: java.lang.NullPointerException
at stencyl.core.lib.Game.getAllAtlasRe sources(Game.java:1947)
at stencyl.core.lib.Game.getResourcesF orAtlas(Game.java:2763)
at stencyl.sw.io.write.GameFileWriter. write(GameFileWriter.java:808)
at stencyl.sw.io.write.MasterWriter.sa veGame(MasterWriter.java:80)
at stencyl.sw.app.tasks.SaveGameTask.d oInBackground(SaveGameTask.java:48)
at stencyl.sw.app.tasks.SaveGameTask.d oInBackground(SaveGameTask.java:16)
at javax.swing.SwingWorker$1.call(Unkn own Source)
at java.util.concurrent.FutureTask$Syn c.innerRun(Unknown Source)
at java.util.concurrent.FutureTask.run (Unknown Source)
at javax.swing.SwingWorker.run(Unknown Source)
at java.util.concurrent.ThreadPoolExec utor$Worker.runTask(Unknown Source)
at java.util.concurrent.ThreadPoolExec utor$Worker.run(Unknown Source)
at java.lang.Thread.run(Unknown Source)

-1 9 years, 10 months ago
Jeffotron
I can't test my scene, when I try, Haxelib.exe stops working, and an empty adobe flash player window pops up. Why?!
2 10 years, 8 months ago
JaneBane
I CANT EVEN GET TO A PART WHERE I CAN MAKE A GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!
0 10 years, 8 months ago
AD2666
When I start Stencyl, it opens fine but the stops responding. I can't minimize or close it. Nothing works. Its not my PC that cant handle the load. Please help.
0 10 years, 9 months ago
mlaurie08
If I buy pro can I use Stencyls behaviors it comes with when publishing my app?

-1 10 years, 11 months ago
emilycunningham
I am so bad at this and need to make a game for a final project. I did the walk through but when I went to "test game" i only get a white screen, oh flash and when I try to play it off the internet.

It allows me to test scene in stencyl but I don't know how to fix it and don't want to continue unless i'm actually doing it right.
Please help!

-1 12 years, 1 month ago
DJ16
when i try to add a sound effect to a character it never works and glitches. sometimes it wont allow my game to load and/or makes my game lag.
1 12 years, 6 months ago
72master
so stencyl works with javascript right well then could somebody mind telling me where to find those files i really need them oh and i am using stencyl on windows if that makes a difference plz reply soon
-1 12 years, 6 months ago

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