Just to answer some questions...
You do NOT need to pay $700 to use Flash. I recommend it just for drawing graphics and stuff but I don't even use Flash CS3 personally...well only when I decide to make my own graphics. I paid someone else to do the graphics...I think like 600 (that wasn't taken out of the 3000..the 3000 is what I got after it was said and done)
Anyway, you can get Flashdevelop...which is free. It lets you program Flex, Flash, Haxe, PHP, whatever...its amazing and has code hinting etc.
Personally I use Flex Builder from Adobe. There is a 90 day trial (i think) which I used and I just have to say it is completely amazing.
Anyways, as far as how I got $3000...I met this amazing guy Adam Schroeder from
Flash Game License: Welcome
I worked with him and he gave me some great tips on how to improve my game and he did all of the negotiating to close the deal for me with Gimme5Games.com
He has a great website with info here:
FlashGameSponsorship - Home
Most "crappy" flash games can get like 800-1000 dollars now days, and some of the better ones were getting upwards of 5..10...and even over 20k.
Desktop Tower Defense has made about 100k since it came out a year ago. Read about that here:
Happy Birthday Desktop Tower Defense! « Paul & Dave’s Novel Concepts
Anyway, this post is getting long. I love to talk about game development and help out new developers so if you think you might want to check it out then give me a shout on MSN: colby [at] cheezeworld (dot) com
I'm on all the time (polyphasic sleeper) so just send me a msg and I'll answer any questions you have.
Hope that helps!
