There has been a lot of chatter lately in the industry about the possibility of using HTML5 as the new lead software development platform for mobile and browser based games. There were even enthusiasts riled up enough to say that HTML5 would eventually completely replace Flash, which has been an extremely dominate design platform for many hard-hitting and best-selling games across multiple platforms.
Well, Zipline Games’ Ceo, Todd Hooper isn’t buying into all the hype surrounding HTML5 as the next best thing for gaming. In fact, he believes that it’s all part of an agenda from other companies who focus on apps to push the platform where it doesn’t belong.
In an interview with Gamesndustry.biz, Hooper stated that…
"A lot of people are talking about HTML5. There's a lot of hype around that, and my feel at this point is that's exactly what it is: hype," ... "I mean, the HTML5 guys have a lot of conferences, but let's see some games.”
Some counter-arguments to the heralds of the phrase "let’s see some HTML5 games" have been that the platform is fairly new and it will take time for developers to churn out something of quality using HTML5. A counter to that counter-argument would be that sometimes when a new platform is being pushed into the industry there are usually tech demos that show us what the platform is capable of, such as Sony’s Emotion demos from 1999 for the PS2, which didn’t release until 2000. There was also The Samaritan demo for the next-generation of platforms supporting Unreal Engine 3 and the latest in DirectX capabilities. Maybe the most applicable comparison would be Flash Player 11 debuting with Unreal Tournament III running at 60 frames per second. Now that’s impressive.
In other words, if HTML5 was really all it was cracked up to be there would be proof of its capabilities not just hyperbole, which is Hooper’s point.
"Obviously different companies have pushed it because it suits their agendas," … "The reality is that most folks who are developing games are not HTML5 programmers. In fact, most game programmers don't want to use JavaScript." …"When I saw the new Facebook app on iPad and saw the HTML games, they would have been state-of-the-art three or four years ago, but they aren't state-of-the-art now."
Hooper also goes on to explain that the developers he’s talked to just don’t see HTML5 being much of a platform priority right now even though it is free, open-source and doesn’t require any expensive tools to get games off the ground. In our interview with Meteor Games and their upcoming mobile and Facebook endeavors, HTMl5 doesn’t seem to be on their radar at all.
However, this isn’t to say that HTML5 is a throwaway platform. Not at all. Zipline’s CEO is just a design-platform skeptic, and it makes sense considering that you don’t want to throw any of your eggs into a basket that may not be able to churn out scrambeled eggs, much less a sparkling omelet.
Mr. Hooper closed out his comments by saying…
"I'm sorry, but if you look at any of the games that are charting right now or have been charting for the last twelve months, I just don't see those games being delivered in HTML5. I keep hearing that they're coming, but everything I see behind the scenes and actually talking to real game developers one-on-one, including people that have used some of these technologies, the jury is still out."
Yes, the jury is still out. You can check out the entire article over at GamesIndustry.biz or visit the Official Zipline Games Website to learn more about their current and upcoming projects.
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