An Introduction to HTML5 Game Development

Although most Mobile Game developers know how valuable HTML5 is, we still want to emphasize why you should develop an HTML5 game. If you want to create a game that runs on various platforms, HTML5 is the way to go. Read the entire article if you’re here to learn some excellent stuff about HTML5 game development.

HTML5: What is it?

Let’s first talk about what HTML5 is before continuing. HTML5 is more than merely just a markup language. It’s a technology that enables the development of cross-platform and cross-browser games. Flash technology was initially used to make browser games.

However, as time passed, technology underwent a massive shift, and HTML5 productions came into existence. The rising popularity of this technology has inspired game developers to abandon Flash and embrace this thriving platform to create a wide variety of captivating and interactive games. Famous games made with html5 are CrossCode, HexGL, Treasure Arena, and Sketch out. Some famous unity html5 games are Super 3d World Adventure, Bonnie’s Bakery, The Open House, Leftovers, Six Cats Under, Strainge, Devil Express, and New Super Mario Bros.

JavaScript, the programming language HTML5, is used to create games. The delivery of new APIs for solutions like WebGL, Canvas, and WebAudio, regarded as essential components, is made possible by HTML5 game development.

Additionally, these elements help games run smoothly. The foundation of HTML5 is Canvas, making it possible to display good graphics. Canvas can draw graphics that are GPU-accelerated thanks to supporting of WebGL. In addition, WebGL, a platform built on OpenGL ES 2.0, provides 2 and 3-dimensional graphics APIs. These characteristics make HTML5 games engaging, immersive, and capable of wowing ardent players.

Unique Features

HTML5 game development is growing in popularity daily due to its many features. HTML5’s notable features may be used to create various games for both the web and mobile platforms.

Full-screen API

Even though it lacks an interface of its own, it still improves other interfaces by providing attributes, methods, event handlers, and other features to make full-screen functionality possible. It aids in offering strategies for showing specific items in full-screen mode. Additionally, it makes it easier to leave full-screen mode when it’s no longer necessary.

Web Audio API

This function provides a flexible and potent mechanism to control audio over the internet. Thus, mobile game developers can choose audio sources, construct audio visualizations, add effects to audio, apply spatial effects like panning, and more in this fashion.

Gamepad API

HTML5 has developed critical elements required for creating rich and interactive games. Newer technologies like JavaScript implementations, WebGL, audio, and video, coupled with canvas, have grown to the point where they can complement many activities that once required native code. The gamepad API has made it much easier for designers and developers to use and access gamepads and controllers.

Importance of HTML5

You will need CSS and HTML to design and code the front end of emails or web applications. While CSS aids in refining things to make them look appealing, HTML is responsible for organizing and containing information on a website.

You can make interactive games and mobile apps using various HTML tools. Simple to begin with: HTML and CSS are easy to learn and use. Beginning programmers who wish to learn how to create websites and video games can start with HTML/CSS and experience its programming style. Even though these two are not fundamental programming languages, they can teach you the syntax and guidelines of programming. One should have some basic understanding of JavaScript to create HTML5 apps and games. It is also rather simple to learn for those who are just starting. Without hampering the proposed functionalities and features, HTML5-enabled game development services can help in fast completion.

Fun tools

You can work with competent HTML5 game developers to make hybrid mobile apps and browser-based games.

Scalability

Games with HTML5 can be made in various styles to suit players’ various needs.

Advantages of HTML5 game development

HTML5 game development companies have various benefits to draw in and keep players. This platform creates games that motivate players to investigate every available option.

1) Cross-Platform

The fact that HTML5 games work on all modern devices is one of their most apparent benefits. Yes, you will need to think more carefully about how your game will respond to different input types and screen sizes, and yes, you may need to “personalize” the code a little bit for each platform (the main barrier being audio). However, it’s still much better than completely porting the game every time.

Developing games that don’t operate on mobile devices or tablets is always a huge mistake. When developing an HTML5 game, keep mobile devices in mind!

2) Different Distribution

HTML5 game distribution is frequently viewed as a weakness, but that’s only because we’ve seen it in the same sense as a native mobile game, where a marketplace is the only place to find games.

With HTML5 games, you have an incredibly powerful hyperlink. Links can easily be distributed across mobile devices and the web (think of how many links you click in the Twitter and Facebook apps), and it shouldn’t just be limited to the game’s main page.

The technology is there to link to your game and do more exciting things like play real-time against that friend, try to beat a friend’s score, or jump to a specific point in a game – use it to your advantage!

Examine what has made websites viral, then use the same strategies to make your games go viral.

3) Improved Development Time

When the game is finished, you can immediately push out the update without waiting for compilation, updates, or real-time debugging.

4) Games framework & Game engines

What is a game engine?

A game engine is a framework for games or a software development environment used to make games. One of the reasons why game developers adore HTML5 game development is due to game engines.

Selection of a Game Engine

A couple of the more time-consuming processes of game production are handled by game engines, which are merely another level of abstraction. While some engines (like ImpactJS, for instance) go as far as to include a 2D level editor and debug tools, others are rather basic. Although they differ quite a bit, most handle input, physics, audio, sprite mapping, and animation.

Determine if a game engine is necessary

The choice here is entirely subjective. Game engines generally shorten the time it takes to develop a fully playable game. Still, some prefer building everything from scratch to comprehend each game mechanic better.

It isn’t difficult to create basic games from scratch (assuming you have a JavaScript background and understand how games work).

A “Game Engine” vs. “Game Maker” comparison

However, there is also an option of using a “Game Maker” like Construct 2. Most of the audience will either use a game engine or create from scratch. You won’t have to write JavaScript while using a game maker; instead, you’ll have to generate events that resemble code in the editor. A trade-off must be made between control and customization over the outcome, ease of use, and speed to prototype and develop.

Html5 games framework & game engines

The development of games is greatly facilitated by HTML5 game engines, which take on some laborious tasks. In this manner, the time required by developers to create a fully functional HTML5 game is reduced. The gaming frameworks and engines handle:

● Audio

● Physics

● Maps

● Animations

And all of the elements mentioned are required to make poker, shooter, puzzle, and emulation games.

Consider the following game engines if you’re planning to develop HTML5 games: –

Phaser

A cross-platform game engine called Phaser makes it simple to create HTML5 games by supporting many plugins. A game can be created and compiled for various platforms using the Phaser game engine. Some well-known games made with Phaser are Submarine Dash, Elf Runner, and Bayou Island.

Play Canvas WebGL Game Engine

For executing 3D content, including games, on desktop or mobile browsers, PlayCanvas employs HTML5 and WebGL. Since it is an open-source game engine, anyone can add features to it. PlayCanvas is a must-have if you want to create 3D games with WebGL and HTML5 Canvas.

It speeds up game production and is highly powerful and mobile-optimized. Some games made with PlayCanvas include Robostorm, Master Archer, Blast Arena, and Swoop.

5) HTML5 Game Development can tackle emerging markets

We refer to developing nations or populations as emerging markets. Technology will become more common as a result of its advancement. There will be operating systems, gadgets, and more demand.

Additionally, making different games for various devices doesn’t sound very comforting. However, it will be simple with HTML5 game creation. It provides code reuse, which aids creators in releasing their games across many platforms.

How to earn money?

In-Game Purchases

In-Game purchases are the best option for HTML5 games over the long term. Most HTML5 games do not now have enough high-quality material or functioning game mechanics to encourage user purchases.

This revenue model has the greatest promise but is by far the most challenging to implement – not in terms of technological challenges but in creating a suitable game. Looking at games that do it exceptionally well on Flash and Mobile, such as those from King.com and Zynga, is, in my opinion, the best approach to learning how to monetize your game in this regard effectively. The Top F2P Monetization Tricks on Gamasutra is one of the many worthwhile reading materials available.

Licensing

The strongest and most reliable source of revenue for HTML5 games at this time is licensing, but only if your game runs smoothly on mobile devices.

Numerous “Flash Game Portals” acquire natural mobile traffic but cannot monetize it using the Flash games they offer. Their answer is to search for HTML5 games and get non-exclusive licenses (the right to provide the game to visitors on mobile devices while frequently making minor tweaks

Depending on the game and publisher, non-exclusive HTML5 game licenses (which allow you to sell to several sites) often cost between $500 and $1,000.Instead of paying you up front, some publications will use a revenue share model where you receive a 40–50% cut of advertising earnings.

The most you can make with a single game is in the $5,000–$6,000 area, although it is simpler to reach that threshold than in-game fees or advertising. Licensing is now the safest way to make money.

Advertising

Making money is simpler and has a larger potential through advertising (more than in-game purchases and licensing but probably less than in-game payments). Between in-game purchases and licenses, advertising occupies the middle ground. Ads are simple to integrate; choose your preferred ad network and place them either around the game or at different stopping locations.

LeadBolt for mobile and CPMStar for desktop are the two most popular ad networks. Clay.io can also be used, which makes implementing advertising a little easier and aims to maximize revenue by utilizing several ad networks based on the device used and other considerations.

Distribution

Distribution is the last phase of game production. Now that the game is finished, you want players! Fortunately, there are many locations where your game can be played, thanks to HTML5. These days, a growing number of marketplaces accept HTML5 games in their current state. Each has its prerequisites (Facebook requires SSL, most need a manifest file in a different format, etc.), but it usually takes less than 30 minutes to sign up for each. The manifest files and promotional picture assets you’ll need can be automatically generated with Clay.io, which also handles the SSL requirement if you want to decrease the time further.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the HTML5 framework offers countless opportunities for game development. It will be more future-ready thanks to the features mentioned above and creative enhancements that keep up with modern trends.