Hacker News Reader

Comment by slacka | Hacker News Reader

I was talking about HTML5 demos posted on HN. Like this one that DOES use CSS: http://www.keithclark.co.uk/labs/css3-fps-new/

Granted, it's a terrible abuse of a CSS, but it's also a perfect example of how I'm supposed to be wowed by a buggy HTML5 demo my PC could render better in every way 15 years ago.

And no one has answered my question yet. What benefit does HTML5 bring me as a gamer? Why are HTML5 games better than native games in my steam library, especially considering DSL is my only option for Internet here?

View on HN

The same benefit the web apps generally bring:

* The ability to play the game without installing anything

* The ability to play the game on other peoples computers

* Cross-platform accessibility (Windows, OSX, Linux? Doesn't matter.)

* The ability to play the game without installing anything

Obviously you haven't played any HTML5 games. They all make you wait to download game data. And if the Internet gods have been good to you, it won't be cleared from your localstorage next time you start it up. Steam is far better.

* The ability to play the game on other peoples computers

So can Steam.

* Cross-platform accessibility (Windows, OSX, Linux? Doesn't matter.)

10-20% of the games on Steam have Linux ports, and most of the others run fine under Wine.

So 2/3 are better on Steam and the 3rd is primarily a benefit for the developer.

Apples and Oranges are being compared here. The difference between Steam and web games is like the difference between video files and Youtube. Youtube is always of inferior quality, but it can play almost anywhere anytime. You don't need a windows machine with administrative rights.

HTML5 may not bring any benefit to you as a gamer, but it has the potential to bring the games to millions of other people who don't use Steam.

I don't see HTML5 being used for creating cutting edge games. I do see it being used to create smaller, less graphically intense games that easily hook users.

>> What benefit does HTML5 bring me as a gamer? Why are HTML5 games better than native games in my steam library, especially considering DSL is my only option for Internet here?

more people making games and more people playing them. i don't think anyone thinks the browser is the end all be all platform to deliver a game. just like some games run on OS X and some don't, and some games are on Steam and some are not. some games will be in the browser and some won't.

i hear you on the technical concerns. lots of problems. but the vendors recognize this and have a vested interested in fixing it.

ps - how can we start an hn sc2 group

Reply on news.ycombinator.com