You have probably played an HTML5 game without even knowing or ever thinking about what was happening behind the scenes. Open a game in your browser, wait a moment for it to load, and start playing. No need for an installer or a separate program. In fact, often you don’t even need an account. That simple experience is what has helped HTML5 games become such a natural fit for browser gaming. But what exactly does an “HTML5 game” mean?

What is an HTML5 game?

An HTML5 game is a game built using modern web technologies so that it can run directly inside a compatible web browser.

Despite the name, HTML5 isn’t doing everything on its own. That’s because modern web games usually combine several technologies, including HTML for the page itself, CSS for presentation, as well as JavaScript for the game’s logic and interactions.

Browsers also provide tools for graphics, sound, controls, networking, and saving data. For example, the Canvas API can be used to draw game graphics, while WebGL allows browsers to produce hardware-accelerated 2D and 3D graphics without needing an additional plugin.

In other words, an “HTML5 game” is useful shorthand for a game built using the modern web platform.

How do HTML5 games work?

When you open an HTML5 browser game, your browser loads the files the game needs from the web. JavaScript handles much of the actual game logic. Graphics may be drawn using Canvas or WebGL, while browser technologies can also handle sound, keyboard and touchscreen input, networking, and saved information. All of that happens inside the browser rather than through a traditional installed game.

That doesn’t mean absolutely nothing is downloaded, however. Your browser still needs to receive game files, images, sounds, and other data. But the difference is that you normally don’t have to download and install a separate application before you can play an HTML5 game.

Do HTML5 games need Flash?

No, HTML5 games don’t need Flash. One of the major advantages of modern HTML5 browser games is that they don’t depend on old browser plugins such as Adobe Flash.

Modern browsers have their own built-in technologies for graphics, audio, input, and storage. That means developers can create everything from simple puzzle games to much more elaborate 2D and 3D experiences using the browser itself.

What devices can play HTML5 games?

HTML5 games can work across a wide range of devices, including desktop PCs and laptops, as well as handheld devices like smartphones and tablets.

Exactly how well a game works will depend on the game itself, your browser, and the power of your device. A simple card or puzzle game naturally asks much less of your hardware than a detailed 3D game. Most modern browser technologies such as WebGL are supported across current major browsers, although your device still needs compatible graphics hardware.

This cross-device flexibility is one reason browser games are so convenient. The same game can often be opened from a URL, rather than requiring a completely separate installation for every device.

Are HTML5 games the same as browser games?

Not quite, although the terms overlap heavily. This is the general rule of thumb:

• A browser game simply means any game designed to be played through a web browser.
• An HTML5 game describes the modern web technologies used to build and run many of those games.

Today, a large proportion of modern browser games use HTML5-era web technology, which is why you’ll often see the two terms used almost interchangeably, despite the subtle difference.

What types of games can be made with HTML5?

Almost every familiar casual genre can work as an HTML5 game. That includes puzzle games, card games, sports games, arcade games, strategy games, idle games, and even multiplayer experiences.

Modern browser technologies can also handle 3D graphics. WebGL, for example, allows compatible browsers to use hardware acceleration for both 2D and 3D rendering. So HTML5 gaming is no longer limited to tiny games with simple graphics. The current technology underneath the browser has become far more advanced than that.

Why are HTML5 games useful for players?

The big advantage is convenience. You can often go from finding a game to playing it within seconds. There is usually no installation process to work through, and the game can be accessed from a browser you already use.

That makes HTML5 games especially useful when you want something quick to play without planning ahead for every new game, thinking that it’s another piece of software that you have to install. If you want to see that in action, you can browse and play games directly through FRVR.

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