Using GitHub Pages to Host HTML5 Games
GitHub Pages makes it easy to host any website — including games — without a backend. Using this solution is ideal for F2P browser games because it eliminates the need for DRM and allows developers to use an open source approach. This is perfect for indie game makers who want to make monetizable games and distribute them online.
Node-webkit
Node-webkit is a powerful tool that allows web developers to create desktop applications. It allows them to use their existing web development skills without having to learn new languages and frameworks. It also gives them access to the power of desktop graphics hardware.
In this example we’re going to build a simple contact list application using the Node-webkit library. To do this, we’ll need a few tools like FFMPEG and libGLE, which handle video and OpenGL respectively. Once these are installed, we can build a simple application using the npm install command.
When the application is built, you can package it up for distribution so that the end user doesn’t need to install anything. The instructions for doing this are available on the node-webkit wiki page. The application will need to be large compared to web apps as it will require a lot of graphics assets, but this is a good trade-off for the user experience.
No DRM
In addition to their cross-browser compatibility, HTML5 games offer a variety of monetization models. These include premium game sales, the subscription model, data monetization, and crowdfunding. Each of these offers unique opportunities to attract players and generate revenue for developers.
Unlike Flash games, which require a heavy Adobe flash plugin and have security issues, HTML5 games run in Web browsers, making them easy for users to find and play. They can also be played on various devices, including Android and iOS phones. Moreover, they are lightweight and load quickly, even over 2G networks in rural India or on the subway in New York City.
Developing HTML5 games is easier than ever for experienced coders, thanks to popular frameworks like Construct 2, which features a drag-and-drop game editor and supports the latest Web APIs. However, a good understanding of JavaScript is required to create high-quality games with complex graphics and animations. The best way to get started is by practicing basic games.
No hosting
Hosting is the cheapest way to make your HTML5 game available to anyone with an internet connection. It’s also the best solution for games that are open source or F2P. Most indie developers choose to use GitHub Pages as their hosting solution. This means that the code for your game is accessible and free to download. It also has a built-in CDN, making it easy for players to play offline. This is an important feature for browser games, which are often F2P.
No backend
If you don’t have the resources to host your own backend or want to avoid paying for a server, you can use GitHub Pages. This solution allows you to run websites without a backend and is ideal for HTML5 games. It also enables you to easily change the backend if your game needs to be updated.
If you have a good internet connection, you can easily debug the java code by running the html:superdev Gradle task. This will compile the game and set up a local HTTP server. Then, you can open Chrome’s dev console and step through the java code lines. You can even set break points and step through the DOM to see how the variables are mapped. This is very useful if you need to debug a complex UI.
