163 lines
4.5 KiB
Markdown
163 lines
4.5 KiB
Markdown
---
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name: web-games
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description: >-
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Web browser game development. Framework selection (Phaser, PixiJS, Kaplay,
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Canvas/WebGL, Three.js, Babylon.js), hybrid DOM+canvas, WebGPU, optimization,
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PWA, audio unlock. Use when building HTML5/WebGL/WebGPU games or choosing a
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browser runtime.
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risk: unknown
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source: community
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date_added: "2026-02-27"
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---
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# Web Browser Game Development
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> Framework selection and browser-specific principles. For stack choice details see `game-development/engine-selection`.
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---
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## 1. Framework Selection
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### Decision Tree
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```
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What type of game?
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│
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├── 2D Game
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│ ├── Full game engine features? → Phaser 4
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│ ├── Fast prototype / jam? → Kaplay
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│ ├── Raw rendering power? → PixiJS 8
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│ └── Tiny / no dependency? → Raw Canvas / WebGL
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│
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├── 3D Game
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│ ├── Full engine (physics, XR)? → Babylon.js
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│ └── Rendering focused? → Three.js
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│
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├── Hybrid (DOM UI + canvas moments)
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│ └── Custom shell + guest viewport
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│ (Canvas/Kaplay/Phaser/Pixi inside a region/modal)
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│
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└── Narrative-first
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└── Ink (inkjs) or Twine export + DOM host
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```
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### Comparison
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| Framework | Type | Best For |
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|-----------|------|----------|
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| **Raw Canvas / WebGL** | 2D / low-level | Small scope, full control |
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| **Kaplay** | 2D toolkit | Rapid prototypes |
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| **Phaser 4** | 2D engine | Full game features |
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| **PixiJS 8** | 2D renderer | Rendering, custom systems |
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| **Three.js** | 3D renderer | Visualizations, lightweight 3D |
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| **Babylon.js** | 3D engine | Full engine, XR |
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### Hybrid shell + guest
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Use when chrome is HTML (menus, inventories, text, dashboards) but bursts of play need a canvas:
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1. Mount guest in a container; pass context in.
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2. Run a **local** game loop in the guest.
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3. Return results (score, pass/fail); **destroy** guest (RAF, listeners, GL context as needed).
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Do not let the guest own global app routing unless the product *is* a full-screen game.
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---
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## 2. WebGPU Adoption
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### Browser Support (2025)
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| Browser | Support |
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|---------|---------|
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| Chrome | ✅ Since v113 |
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| Edge | ✅ Since v113 |
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| Firefox | ✅ Since v131 |
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| Safari | ✅ Since 18.0 |
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| **Total** | **~73%** global |
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### Decision
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- **New GPU-heavy projects**: Use WebGPU with WebGL fallback
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- **Broad legacy / simple 2D**: Start with WebGL or Canvas 2D
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- **Feature detection**: Check `navigator.gpu`
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---
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## 3. Performance Principles
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### Browser Constraints
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| Constraint | Strategy |
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|------------|----------|
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| No local file access | Asset bundling, CDN |
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| Tab throttling | Pause when hidden (`visibilitychange`) |
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| Mobile data limits | Compress assets |
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| Audio autoplay | Require user interaction |
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### Optimization Priority
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1. **Asset compression** - KTX2, Draco, WebP
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2. **Lazy loading** - Load on demand
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3. **Object pooling** - Avoid GC
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4. **Draw call batching** - Reduce state changes
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5. **Web Workers** - Offload heavy computation
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---
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## 4. Asset Strategy
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| Type | Format |
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|------|--------|
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| Textures | KTX2 + Basis Universal (or WebP/PNG for simple 2D) |
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| Audio | WebM/Opus (fallback: MP3) |
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| 3D Models | glTF + Draco/Meshopt |
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| Phase | Load |
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|-------|------|
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| Startup | Core assets, <2MB |
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| Gameplay | Stream on demand |
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| Background | Prefetch next level |
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---
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## 5. PWA for Games
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**Benefits:** offline play, install, fullscreen, optional push.
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**Requirements:** service worker, web app manifest, HTTPS.
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---
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## 6. Audio Handling
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- Create/resume `AudioContext` on first click/tap
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- Prefer Web Audio API; pool sources; preload common SFX
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- Compress with WebM/Opus when possible
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---
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## 7. Anti-Patterns
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| ❌ Don't | ✅ Do |
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|----------|-------|
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| Load all assets upfront | Progressive loading |
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| Ignore tab visibility | Pause when hidden |
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| Block on audio load | Lazy load audio |
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| Skip compression | Compress everything |
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| Assume fast connection | Handle slow networks |
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| Leave canvas engines running off-screen | Tear down guests |
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---
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> **Remember:** Browser is the most accessible platform. Respect its constraints.
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## When to Use
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Use when building HTML5/WebGL/WebGPU games, choosing a browser runtime, or wiring hybrid DOM+canvas guests.
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## Limitations
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- Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
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- Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
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- Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.
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