WebGL and modern technology has changed the web-based gaming landscape. For many, browser and web-based games are a cherished memory of incredible innovation and creativity. But it is certainly a memory of primitive and juvenile gaming, simple graphics and simpler systems. A lot has changed since then, quite a lot! Gone are the days of Flash, the simple animations and limited systems. WebGL and the powerful capabilities of modern browsers has allowed the web-based gaming landscape to evolve.
Let’s take a look at these changes, why web-based gaming is growing in popularity with developers, and how Magic Media can help you explore its potential.
The Capabilities of Modern Web-Based Games with WebGL and WebGPU
Web-based games have always had an advantage due to their accessible and casual nature. Whether you’re on a desktop computer, mobile browser, or a tablet, the browser still operates the same. Which allows a degree of seamlessness beyond traditional game porting. These games we grew up with, that evolved with the modern digital age, have grown up too. While still casual in nature, they have massively expanded in quality and popularity.
The accessibility of a console is being gated by their cost but the completely universal access to any device with browser access means it’s almost difficult to avoid these games. They are cross-platform by their existence, even a console with internet access can play them. No different application, no porting pipeline needed. Just pop open your browser and there it is. Its unified code base eliminates the need for porting and means performance is consistent across all its versions.
The technologies allowing this are twofold: the browsers themselves and the capabilities of WebGL (and its upcoming evolution, WebGPU). WebGL was only released in April 2023, a JavaScript WebAPI that allows interactive 2D and 3D graphics to be rendered without any plugins. A year might sound like lot but in the world of technology, it’s still very recent. With the impending arrival of WebGPU, we’ll see an even greater leveraging of power as it will allow your browser to utilize your GPU. The popularity and use is already there as we’ve seen the newest Unity and Unreal Engine versions both contain ports for WebGPU!
There is actually one further reason why these games are becoming more popular and growing in their capabilities. The devices that we run them on are also exploding with more power and their optimization. They can handle far larger programs and therefore web games are becoming more viable.
This is leading to a rising trend of full 3D WebGL games. Casual games that do still have memory restrictions and won’t rival full PC game releases. But the audience is there and growing.
Magic Media Services and Web-Based Games
One of our main services is game porting and game development, which gives us a huge array of skills that perfectly fit the needs of web-based game development. Any engine, any stack, mobile, console, or PC, our team have the expertize needed.
We have developed several games on WebGL already, we know its limits, its constraints, and its growing potential. Our porting team have a strong history of optimization, managing asset size for performance, and ensuring a game is accessible to the widest audience. That is why we are perfectly suited for this market of gaming.
Optimization
Optimization is always important in tech and gaming. However, it cannot be overstated how integral it is to a web-based game. There is nothing kept on the user’s side, the game must load completely each time it is accessed. Optimization is one of our specialties and we know how to build and refine a game so that it loads efficiently and dynamically while users play.
Responsiveness
A browser game can be opened on almost any device with a screen. Varying resolutions, landscape or portrait, it can be streamed to Smart TVs, all of which must respond and operate smoothly for an enjoyable game experience. Our expertize and experience with mobile game development and game porting mean the Magic Media team are more than able to deliver on this front.
Controls
Finally, web based games can be played on touch-screen, with a remote, or any style of controller that can interact with any of its potential platforms. Once more, porting experience means we have this comfortably in hand. Comprehensive testing and understanding the different potential control methods are a mainstay of our cross-platform game development and game porting services.
To take advantage of our game porting expertize, our experience with cross-platform game development, and our familiarity with WebGL games, get in touch today. Our global, diverse, and talented team are ready to take on your dream project and make magic happen.
