When most of us think of gaming, PCs, consoles and even mobile devices are the first things that come to mind. And none of us would be wrong; after all, almost everybody uses one of these devices for most gaming, with a dedicated portable device, like the Nintendo Switch, also being a popular choice. Downloads and apps are the most common ways games are delivered, with some gamers preferring to buy hard copies of the games they like in the form of a cartridge or a disc. However, there’s another way millions of people play online games: web-based games — and if you haven’t tried them out, you might want to consider giving them a chance.
Web-based gaming platforms are the old-school way of playing games online but have been updated to take advantage of today’s technology. From casual games to complex multiplayer experiences, these platforms offer it all, and technological advancements, including HTML5, WebGL, and cloud computing, have allowed them to improve significantly. As the industry continues to change, many gamers are curious about what the future holds for this form of gaming. With 5G, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) making waves in the gaming world, web-based games are set to become more immersive and interactive. In this article, we explore how these trends could impact the future of web-based gaming platforms.
Evolution of Web-Based Gaming
Back in the day, web-based games were nothing but simple, text-based interactions that relied heavily on basic HTML and JavaScript for functionality. All of that began to change with the introduction of HTML5, which made it possible for developers to create complex and visually appealing games that could be played across different browsers and devices. From there, WebGL took things even further, enabling 3D graphics within a web browser.
JavaScript frameworks such as Phaser, Three.js, and Babylon.js have also played a big role in changing the face of web-based gaming. These frameworks offer powerful tools and libraries that simplify game development and enhance performance. Today, web-based games are a significant segment of the gaming industry.
Online Casinos: A Major Segment of Web-Based Gaming
While many online casinos offer mobile apps for users to play their favorite games on the go, these virtual platforms are still a big part of the web-based gaming scene. Whatever users prefer to play, these platforms offer a wide variety of casino experiences.
Poker is one of the big success stories of web-based gaming. As one of the most famous card games in the world, poker has always had a large following. When casinos began offering the popular game online, this opened it up to an even larger audience. No longer did people have to travel to poker rooms, brick-and-mortar casinos, or organize game nights with friends to enjoy this game; instead, they could log onto their computers and compete against people from around the world.
It also became a lot easier for people to learn how to play the game, with most online casinos offering tutorials explaining the rules of poker, making it possible for people to practice at their own pace. From detailed explanations of how to get started to hand rankings, there’s a lot to digest as a newbie, and these online sources have helped people decipher the topics. Once someone has mastered the basics and is ready to play their first hand at poker, they’ll find online casinos to be an immersive environment that, in many ways, replicates the atmosphere of a physical casino.
Social and Multiplayer Gaming
Gaming has always been a social activity, but before the advent of the internet, you had to invite your friends over and have either an extra game controller or set up a LAN party. If you couldn’t pull that off, you were stuck playing your favorite titles solo. Web-based gaming and the internet ushered in a new era of social and multiplayer gaming, forever changing how people viewed gaming.
These platforms emphasized social interaction, making it easy to connect with old friends and make new friends from around the world. Multiplayer games often include chat functions, friend lists, collaborative missions, and social features, making gaming more interactive and a shared experience. In the future, we might see matchmaking functions come to web-based games that match you with other players with similar interests and skill levels. Esports will also be a major driver of the development of new multiplayer formats for web-based games.