How to Make HTML5 Games

Are you thinking of developing a cross-platform game that works in a web browser? Well, for starter, this is a good idea as the flash was dumped by both Android and iOS. HTML5 is your only option as it is developer-friendly, and you can bring your creative thought on a web page easily. In this blog, we will guide you on how to make HTML5 Games!

What Exactly Is An HTML5 Game?

You might know HTML? If not, then here is a simple definition — it is a language that you can use to build a website. HTML5 is the latest version of the HTML. There are some new features which have caught a lot of attention. Some of which are JavaScript API’s such as WebAudio and Canvas, and Semantic HTML tags.

You can use this latest version to combine CSS, JavaScript with HTML to create anything you wish. This gives you a superpower to develop, not a simple website but something powerful like a game. Such games are known as HTML5 games.

Process Of Making HTML5 Games –

Now that you are familiar with HTML5 games and determined on making one. Here are a few steps which you need to follow in HTML5 games development.

1. Choosing An HTML5 Game Engine

Any game developing company, whether big such as Ubisoft or a small company, uses a game engine to build their games. It is software that you work on to develop your environment, character, and much more. You need to select one which suits you and your style. This is an important decision as you will be working a lot on this software. Here are our top 3 picks for HTML5 Game engine:

Choosing an HTML5 Engine
  1. Construct 2 – This game engine is specific for 2D games. You can create games on it without coding and just by dragging and dropping using the WYSIWYG editor. The only downside of Construct 2 is its fees, but it is worth buying if you are serious.
  2. PixiJS – The main selling point of PixiJS is its incredible speed, whether it is 2D advanced rendering or it’s easy API integration. It is free, but you can still donate. Many big enterprises are using it, so it might have something in it.
  3. Phaser –  The best thing about phaser is you can develop games without downloading or installing anything. Plus, you will receive a lot of plugins in it. Many skilled developers started their journey with phaser.

Whether free or licensed, all of these game engines have the potential to develop HTML5 games, which companies will be interested in buying. So select the one which suits you and your style.

2. Building Blocks –

Once you have decided on the game engine, you have to decide the language which you will be used to create the games. For example, a normal 2d HTML game will use the following things –

· HTML5 (JavaScript API’s)

· CSS3

These are called the building block of your HTML5 games, and you can add as many as you require. If you plan to create 3D games, then you have to add WebGL in your building blocks. So, research what are the building blocks require in your HTML5 games.

3. Server Side –

Companies are curious to buy HTML5 games, which has a lot of features, and one of the prominent features is saving game data. So, if you are planning to store your data, you will need a server for it. Creating your server isn’t as hard as it might sound. You can develop your own backend using the following side-server language:

· PHP

· JavaScript (NodeJS)

· Java

· Python

· Ruby

Or you can use a third-party backend service, either free or paid. But most of the free and cheap service has a limitation which can be tricky. The main reason to give the save option is to give user the chance to come back and play again.

4. HTML5 Frameworks And Libraries –

Most games have the same style of intro or settings. As a developer, you want to spend more time developing the game rather than spending on other stuff. This is where Framework and libraries as you can skip the tedious work using already created intros and setting. Even professional game development companies such as Freak X Apps use different Frameworks and libraries to reduce time and increase efficiency.

Plus, all of these are free to download from the internet, so search the internet. You can easily find stuff to reduce your work, but remember not to be influenced by it. Your core game idea shouldn’t be changed with all the new things you see.

How To Distribute An HTML5 Game?

Once you have created the game, you need users to play it. You can distribute your HTML5 game either by publishing on a gaming portal or pitching to an HTML5 game development company. There are many interested parties in the market who could buy HTML5 games.

Or if you want to publish it as an app on Android and iOS. Then you have to create a native app that acts as a browser to run your game. Phonegap is for Mobile app, and Webkit is for desktop platforms. Additionally, test your game on friends and acquaintances before distributing because, as a starter, you are bound to make mistakes. It is fine if they are exposed by a friend rather than strangers.

Recommended Reading:- Html5 Game Licensing | License Html5 Games

Resources To Learn HTML5 Game Development

If you are a complete novice and have no experience in developing games, then here are a few websites and communities which you can use to learn the tricks.

1. HTML5 Game Development Courses — We start off with a free course on Udemy, which will teach you how to create HTML5 from scratch. This two-and-a-half-hour course will teach you everything you need to learn in terms of HTML5 game development. Most importantly, it is from Udemy, a reputable site, plus it is free of cost. So, hurry up before they change the price.
Other Course — The Complete Mobile Game Development Course

2. HTML5 Game Tutorials — Now that you are learning HTML5 game development, you need to do practice to understand and remember everything. You can do it by visiting W3schools. Here you can create your own code and then see the result of it. This is an easy and free way to test your knowledge and build something to gain confidence before developing a game. These are some more tutorial which can help you in HTML5 game development —

HTML5 Game Development
Game Development Tutsplus
Script Tutorials
Code.tutplus
Tutorial Park

3. HTML5 Gamedev Communities — Once you start working on a game, you will definitely be stuck on certain things. With GameDev communities, you will be in touch with fellow developers whom you can ask questions and follow them for any trick to make the game better or perform faster. Plus, you can also hear game dev podcast for HTML5 games.

We guess a free development course, tutorials space, and a developer community is enough for anyone to develop their own HTML5 games.

Conclusion –

This is a lot of information to digest in one go, and a lot of work will go down in developing your own HTML5 games. As you might have understood, it is no rocket science, simple programming languages that you can learn from enough practice.

It is extremely important to follow the process we mentioned; otherwise, you will end up with work and no way to integrate them. So, our advice is to start slow and maybe even a single game each month and then move from there. Once you are well versed in HTML5 games, you will see it wasn’t difficult, just hard work!