web-games

---
name: web-games
description: "Web browser game development principles. Framework selection, WebGPU, optimization, PWA."
---

# Web Browser Game Development

> Framework selection and browser-specific principles.

---

## 1. Framework Selection

### Decision Tree

```
What type of game?
│
├── 2D Game
│   ├── Full game engine features? → Phaser
│   └── Raw rendering power? → PixiJS
│
├── 3D Game
│   ├── Full engine (physics, XR)? → Babylon.js
│   └── Rendering focused? → Three.js
│
└── Hybrid / Canvas
    └── Custom → Raw Canvas/WebGL
```

### Comparison (2025)

| Framework | Type | Best For |
|-----------|------|----------|
| **Phaser 4** | 2D | Full game features |
| **PixiJS 8** | 2D | Rendering, UI |
| **Three.js** | 3D | Visualizations, lightweight |
| **Babylon.js 7** | 3D | Full engine, XR |

---

## 2. WebGPU Adoption

### Browser Support (2025)

| Browser | Support |
|---------|---------|
| Chrome | ✅ Since v113 |
| Edge | ✅ Since v113 |
| Firefox | ✅ Since v131 |
| Safari | ✅ Since 18.0 |
| **Total** | **~73%** global |

### Decision

- **New projects**: Use WebGPU with WebGL fallback
- **Legacy support**: Start with WebGL
- **Feature detection**: Check `navigator.gpu`

---

## 3. Performance Principles

### Browser Constraints

| Constraint | Strategy |
|------------|----------|
| No local file access | Asset bundling, CDN |
| Tab throttling | Pause when hidden |
| Mobile data limits | Compress assets |
| Audio autoplay | Require user interaction |

### Optimization Priority

1. **Asset compression** - KTX2, Draco, WebP
2. **Lazy loading** - Load on demand
3. **Object pooling** - Avoid GC
4. **Draw call batching** - Reduce state changes
5. **Web Workers** - Offload heavy computation

---

## 4. Asset Strategy

### Compression Formats

| Type | Format |
|------|--------|
| Textures | KTX2 + Basis Universal |
| Audio | WebM/Opus (fallback: MP3) |
| 3D Models | glTF + Draco/Meshopt |

### Loading Strategy

| Phase | Load |
|-------|------|
| Startup | Core assets, <2MB |
| Gameplay | Stream on demand |
| Background | Prefetch next level |

---

## 5. PWA for Games

### Benefits

- Offline play
- Install to home screen
- Full screen mode
- Push notifications

### Requirements

- Service worker for caching
- Web app manifest
- HTTPS

---

## 6. Audio Handling

### Browser Requirements

- Audio context requires user interaction
- Create AudioContext on first click/tap
- Resume context if suspended

### Best Practices

- Use Web Audio API
- Pool audio sources
- Preload common sounds
- Compress with WebM/Opus

---

## 7. Anti-Patterns

| ❌ Don't | ✅ Do |
|----------|-------|
| Load all assets upfront | Progressive loading |
| Ignore tab visibility | Pause when hidden |
| Block on audio load | Lazy load audio |
| Skip compression | Compress everything |
| Assume fast connection | Handle slow networks |

---

> **Remember:** Browser is the most accessible platform. Respect its constraints.

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