HTML5 is now widely used for game development as it allows to create  video games that can be easily played through web browsers of smartphones and desktops. HTML5 games are cross-platform and cross-browser enabled, hence developers get the freedom to write one code and conquer all, with just a bit  of personalization in the code for each platform. So, using HTML5, developers can build games much faster than native game apps. Developers initially used Adobe Flash Player to build online games but after the release of HTML5 in 2014 there was no looking back to Flash. Developers quickly moved from Flash to HTML5 conversion services for its cutting-edge functionalities, major browsers stopping support for Flash and Flash plugins becoming too heavy to get the desired results. Rise of smartphones is also a big reason why Flash became redundant (most smartphones don’t support Flash and simply cannot display web games). Today’s gamers look for games that are accessible and connected, and what could be better in that regard than a web browser? However, if you want you can also port HTML5 games as native mobile game apps (iOS, Android) by using technologies like Apache Cordova (formerly Phonegap) and CocoonJS. Other technologies like Javascript and CSS enhance HTML5 to create interactive and engaging game content. Let’s get to know more about the tech stack often used in HTML5 game development.

Canvas and Web Graphics Library (WebGL) are the core technologies used in HTML5 game development. Developers heavily rely on these two technologies to create advanced games for web browsers. Using Canvas element, developers do scriptable rendering of 2D shapes and bitmap images, whereas WebGL (a JavaScript API) is used to draw and convert any shapes into 2D/3D images and render them within web browsers. The beauty of WebGL is that it paves the way to create high quality, hardware accelerated 3D graphics without having to use plug-ins. Now, have a look at popular HTML5 game engines.

If you also want to build for platforms other than the web, the game engines below are among the best for cross-platform HTML5 games.

Now that we know what HTML5 game development is, let’s look into 5 HTML5 games which gamers enjoy the most.

HexGL is a futuristic, fast-paced racing game inspired from Wipeout and F-Zero. HexGL was created by Thibaut Despoulain, a software engineer at Artillery Games and WebGL aficionado, using HTML5, Javascript, WebGL and  three.js. The game requires you to glide and control a spaceship to avoid walls on tight turns by using your keyboard or touchscreen device or even a leap motion controller. HexGL is an online web browser game that truly shows the power of HTML5 to build high-graphics games. Depending on the hardware capabilities of your device, you can choose from three different graphics quality settings. You can play HexGL for free to become the greatest space racer and win the hearts of millions of racing game fans around the world. HexGL is a great example that shows what is graphically possible with HTML5. Just like HTML5 is used for building immersive browser games, ReactJS can also be used for developing impressive web games.

Bejeweled is a classic puzzle game that uses  WebGL for accelerated 2D graphics. The HTML5 version of the game has a smooth gameplay and subtle effects, making it stand out. Players enjoy playing this game for hours where they keep matching three gems to make them burst. Players get bonus points when they form chains of more than three identical gems and also when they form two chains in one swap.  Bejeweled shows how classic games can be built using HTML5 with enhanced graphics and gameplay. The creator PopCap Games tried hands at HTML5 to offer the title across a wide range of devices and platforms. The leading global developer, publisher and operator of casual video games said that the potential of HTML5 gaming is very interesting and holds a great promise for cross-platform development across all browsers and mobile devices.

Gamentio is an online 3D casino game built by Logic Simplified, an HTML card game design studio based in Dehradun, India, to transform the way card game fans play online. Gamentio was initially built using Adobe Flash but due to stopping of support by major browsers, the whole technology was eventually migrated to HTML5. Players across the world enjoy playing Poker, Teen Patti, Rummy and Auctions on Gamentio as it gives them a real feel of playing card games in a brick-and-mortar casino. Gamentio is available to play across all major browsers and is a prime example of how HTML5 games are not restricted to just 2D games. The game was also ported to iOS and Android using Apache Cordova. You can choose 3D avatars of your choice, chat with other players, create a private room, invite friends and enjoy many more exciting features on Gamentio.   

CrossCode is a very popular 2D game that entertains players for hours. The game is a retro-inspired 2D action role playing game (RPG) that showcases scenarios of the future with a gripping sci-fi story. Players solve different sets of puzzles and take on different quests to entertain themselves for hours. Radical Fish Games started the development of CrossCode back in 2011 as a small experiment using impact.js HTML5 game engine. The game was finally released in Q1 2017 and also sought funds through a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo for further development. The game developers said that the game was 100% written in HTML5 and used regular JavaScript and canvas 2D. They also said that the overall experience of working with HTML5 was very positive and they look forward to continue working with the technology to build future games.

Gods will be watching, a free online browser game, was created by a Spain-based indie development studio Deconstructeam. The game is a point-and-click adventure, puzzle video game that gives you 40 days to survive and make tactical decisions to prevent a paralytic virus from falling into the wrong hands. Players take on the character of Sgt. Burden and interact with other crew members to survive after being ambushed while researching for the deadly virus. You must make right decisions, fix your radio and send signals to your convoy for help before things take an ugly turn. This HTML5 game was made using GameMaker and in no time won the hearts of millions of gamers across the world. 

There are many more HTML5 games that are highly popular among gamers world over. However, with the five games mentioned above, I hope you have got a good idea of the potential of HTML5 game development service to build cross-browser and cross-platform games. With HTML5, you write once and run everywhere, which makes it easier to build, maintain and update video games. HTML5 is also a boon to game projects on a lean budget as you can build a game with a small team and in less time, which saves significant costs that goes in building different versions of mobile games for different operating systems. HTML5 game development also helps you quickly test your game idea and if successful, you can go ahead with native app development and even for consoles. Nevertheless, HTML5 is popular in the first place because it lets today’s gamers what they want from video games - easy accessibility and connectivity from anywhere. And the best way to fulfill that intent is to build browser games. So, do you also want to get started with HTML5 game development? Logic Simplified can help!

Logic Simplified offers HTML5 game development services to clients of all cultures across the globe. We are in the game design and development space for more than 8 years now and have successfully built many HTML5 games using robust technologies such as Phaser, PixiJS, WebGL, BabylonJS, PlayCanvas, GameMaker and many more. Our own game Gamentio speaks volumes about the expertise we hold in HTML5 game development. We just don’t offer you HTML5 development services, but consulting too as we have learnt from our successes and failures and know what exactly works in the gaming industry and what’s not. If you have a game idea but are still on the fence for any reason, we encourage you to write to us at enquiry@logicsimplfied.com so that we can understand your vision and see how we can help you turn your amazing idea into a reality. We understand how badly COVID 19 pandemic has affected the gaming industry or any industry for that matter, but the good news is that we are still very much in the business and can help you fight this battle together by continuing your gaming business operations. We are all ears to hear you out and offer you gaming solutions we are proud of. Get in touch with us to find out how we can help.