I'm interested in browser game development as a hobby when I have free time.. just starting out now and wondering what my options are.
Flash has been "dead" for like 10 years and html5 is fairly new, does it have the same capabilities?
Is Unity an option for this niche of game development?

I'm talking about mmo web browser games, like Evony/Wartune/League of Angels. Which are all running on flash as far as I know.
Player base of around 50-1000+, login options, server selections etc.

I was under the impression these were only possible in flash. Inspect on a basic html 5 game I was looking at didn't reveal much.
Both left and right click capabilities in-game would be nice, possibly QWER or 1234 for ability usage.
I would like the ability to have a standalone downloadable client as well, removing the browser from the equation.
Being able to load the webpage and game from a tablet or phone would also be great (without the use of flash proxies for user).

7 years ago

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Which is better for browser game development?

View Results
Flash!
Html5!
Unity!

I have no idea. But have a bump.

7 years ago
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Why not Haxe?

7 years ago
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Hmmm, I must make a note of this to study further.

7 years ago
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If I recall correctly, Evoland and Papers, Please are written in Haxe. It also targets HTML5 of course, which is why I was suggesting it to the OP.

7 years ago
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Thanks!

7 years ago
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Do you have previous knoledge of ActionScript, or were you just wondering about Flash?

7 years ago
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Just starting now, figured I would try to start with something that would stay relevant for the next 5-10 years if I can.

7 years ago
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Flash will not be relevant in 5-10 years -- in fact Flash isn't even relevant now.

7 years ago
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Still wish there was something that allowed for the same object oriented graphics control as Flash did.

7 years ago
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Silverlight!

/s

7 years ago
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Have you used Construct? (Construct 2 now I guess)

7 years ago
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I know it but never used it myself.
It's got lots of features, I may be tempted to try it someday but too busy at the moment, and when you are already coding for a living you kind of not want to do it in your spare time too :D

7 years ago
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Construct 3, now...

7 years ago
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Flash; Yep, it's at deaths door and has been for a while.
Cross Code is developed in HTML5: http://store.steampowered.com/app/368340/CrossCode/
As for Unity...I've used it before in a production environment and found it to be a total pita. I'd recommend trying out UE4 instead.

7 years ago*
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They killed Flash too soon, before a viable replacement was available. For browsers, your best bet is HTML5. There are tools available to help bridge the gap between Flash and HTML5, but there's still a lot of work to be done.

7 years ago
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HTML5+AJAX can do anything Flash can do and does it better (more efficiently).

7 years ago
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It's not a problem of coding, but one of graphics. Flash lets you put objects within objects and gives you the means to send commands to each and every one. Create and destroy them, even attach code to them. It was surprisingly versatile and easy to use. Sprite sheets have a long way to go to reach that flexibility.

7 years ago
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If you want more than the browser, go with Unity, you'll have phone/tablet/consoles/desktop for (almost) free, since it will be the same code base.

7 years ago
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HTML5 > Unity Web > Flash

7 years ago
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Literally any other engine in the world > Flash > Java.

😐

I'm partial to HTML5, but that's just 'cause I know it.

7 years ago
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7 years ago
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I am definitely wanting the HTML5 based on my own research and what others have suggested in this thread.

Construct 2 seems to have beaming reviews about its ease of use and capabilities.
Have you tried Haxe? Another user here mentioned that one.

7 years ago
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7 years ago
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Check Clickteam Fusion. Is not free, though. I'll go with Unity from those three

7 years ago
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7 years ago
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You might be interested in this freshly kickstarted course : https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gdquest/make-professional-2d-games-godot-engine-online-cou
For Godot engine. (desktop/mobile/web browser export)

7 years ago
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Flash for game development might be something that will die pretty soon since facebook stops supporting flash.
Currently it looks like you'll need to focus on WebGL for browsergames. Unity already supports WebGL and it's currently one of the main tools of the game industry.

7 years ago
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