Overview of Javascript in Games

by
Javier Arevalo

So, who am I?

Wait, Javascript?

  • Most 'AAA' PC/console games are written in C++
  • Flash dominates the web and social games scene
  • Objective-C, Java and C# rule their respective mobile platforms
  • Servers in Java, PHP, Python, Ruby, Go...
Makes sense to prefer native code. Games often require:
  • Raw performance
  • Real-time execution
  • Complex / flexible input
  • Rich visuals and audio
  • Storage, networking

Hardcore Game Programmers

But, but, but

Javascripters in action

So, who made it possible?

and, in my opinion...

  • Apple has adopted HTML5, CSS and JavaScript
  • Flash is the number one reason Macs crash
  • Flash has not performed well on mobile devices
  • Flash was designed for PCs using mice
  • Letting a third party layer of software come between the platform and the developer ultimately results in sub-standard apps
    • Oh wait...
http://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughts-on-flash/

How do we make games with Javascript?

Text-based games

DOM-based games

Extreme div usage: Wolf 3D

Canvas

WebGL

Audio

Input

Performance

Performance

Mobile wrappers

Online and server side

Misc

Misc

A random act of link spam

Thank you!

Any questions?


@TheJare

http://www.iguanademos.com/Jare/