This year, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of HTML5, the fifth iteration of hypertext markup language (HTML), the programming language used to power the applications and web experiences on the internet.
It was a game-changer for the world of casual gaming. Prior to HTML5, game developers and players were regularly constrained by the need for resource-hungry plugins such as Adobe Flash to power browser-based gameplay. These plugins weren’t just a drain on a device’s resources, they were also a security hazard. Despite periodic updates to these plugins, they were easily manipulated.
Yet HTML5 arrived on its metaphorical horse to revolutionize the gaming scene, delivering a streamlined, mobile-first approach to all forms of content consumption.
Apple’s lack of support for Flash was its death knell
When Apple took the bold and brave decision to withdraw its support for Adobe Flash plugins on its smartphone devices, it was the beginning of the end for Flash. Apple did so because they could see what was coming down the track: a new kind of programming language, capable of operating web applications within browsers, without the need for external plugins.
The implementation of HTML5 has since dramatically slashed the security risks of browser-based gaming, as well as mobile-based gaming, while transforming load times and broader performance. HTML5 has enabled audio and animations to be clearer and crisper, creating more immersive gaming environments on any screen.
Fully responsive gaming experiences
The mobile-first nature of HTML5 is what ushered in a new era of casual gaming. This type of gaming is meant to be quick, easy and instantly engaging – ideal for short bursts of entertainment, be it the early-morning commute, at lunch breaks or even relaxing at home in the evening. This ease of access allowing casual gaming titles to flourish and become the fabric of popular culture in the mid-2010s.