How browser games work today

Six short explainers on the technology behind the games above, from WebAssembly to playing on a school laptop.

Six explainers

One server for every system

A game built on web standards runs the same code on Windows, macOS, Linux and ChromeOS. Everyone shares the same servers instead of being split by platform.

  • The same build on every system
  • No platform-specific patches
  • Invite a friend with a link

From Flash to HTML5

Adobe ended Flash Player support on 31 December 2020. Games that wanted to survive rebuilt their clients in HTML5 and WebGL or shipped a small launcher, and several titles on this list did one or the other.

  • Flash support ended on 31 December 2020
  • Clients rebuilt in HTML5 and WebGL
  • Some action games moved to a launcher

Playing on modest hardware

Integrated Intel and AMD graphics handle every strategy title here. In the 3D games, choose the low quality preset and close heavy tabs first. That usually helps more than a faster processor.

  • Strategy games run on integrated graphics
  • Use the low preset in 3D games
  • Close video tabs while you play

Why small studios like the web

Publishing on the web skips app store review and store fees, and an update reaches every player as soon as it goes live. That is why many browser games ship patches every week.

  • No store commission
  • Updates reach everyone at once
  • Players find games through links and forums

Playing with friends

Most games here have guilds, alliances or clans with their own chat. If you want Finnish-speaking teammates, ask in the game's global chat or on its official forum, where recruiting threads are common.

  • Guilds and alliances with built-in chat
  • Shared goals reward regular play
  • Recruiting threads on official forums

WebAssembly and the browser sandbox

WebAssembly lets compiled C++ or Rust code run in the browser at close to native speed. The code stays inside the browser sandbox, away from your files and system settings.

  • Close to native speed
  • No access to your files
  • Modules load while you play