Flash to HTML5 Modernization

Project Context: Lead Engineering Experience (Previous Tenure)

Service: Legacy Software Rescue, Reverse Engineering, Flash Migration

Tech Stack: HTML5, TypeScript, Phaser

Executive Summary

The Great Fire of London interactive game was a staple in UK classrooms, but it faced a critical threat: Digital Obsolescence. Built originally in Adobe Flash, the game was slated to become unplayable as browsers dropped Flash support.

This project was a “Rescue Mission.” Spearheaded by Ocean View Games’ current Lead Developer (during their tenure at a previous agency), the goal was to reconstruct the game for the modern web. The catch? The original source code was lost.

This case study demonstrates our team’s ability to handle complex legacy modernization and forensic engineering — rebuilding software from scratch without documentation.

The Challenge: The Black Box

The client (Museum of London) needed the game preserved, but without the source code, a simple “port” was impossible. We faced three distinct constraints:

• Zero Documentation: We had to determine how the game worked solely by playing the Flash version.
• Aspect Ratio Lock: The original was built for 4:3 CRT monitors. It needed to work on modern 16:9 widescreens, iPads, and Chromebooks.
• Performance: It needed to run at 60 FPS on low-end hardware often found in schools.

The Solution: Forensic Reconstruction

We treated the original game as a “Black Box,” reverse-engineering the logic frame-by-frame.

1. Reverse Engineering Mechanics

Since we couldn’t read the code, we analyzed the output. We cataloged every interaction, animation timing, and win-state condition. We then wrote modern, clean code (HTML5/TypeScript) to replicate these behaviors exactly.

The Result: A 1:1 recreation of the gameplay feel, ensuring teachers didn’t need to relearn the tool.

2. UI/UX Modernization

Simply stretching the old game would look terrible. We re-engineered the layout system to be responsive.

The Fix: We decoupled the UI from the game world, allowing menus to anchor to the edges of the screen regardless of the device size. This made the game “Mobile Native” for the first time.

3. Asset Optimization

To ensure the game loaded quickly on slow school Wi-Fi, we implemented a modern asset pipeline.

The Tech: We extracted the original vector assets and rasterized them into optimized sprite sheets, reducing the initial download size and draw calls significantly.

The Outcome: Preserving Digital History

The project was a success, ensuring that a vital educational resource remained accessible to a new generation of students.

Key Achievements:

• 100% Mobile Compatibility: Playable on tablets and smartphones.
• Future-Proof Codebase: Removed all dependencies on dying plugins.
• Performance Boost: Achieved a stable 60 FPS across target devices.

Do You Have “Dead” Software?

At Ocean View Games, we specialize in rescuing legacy projects. Whether you have a Flash game that no longer runs or an old app that crashes on new iPhones, we can modernize it.

Contact Us for a Legacy Review