HTML5 Game Development Resources
12/15/2011
5 minutes to read
In this article
The first series of HTML5 Game Camps concluded yesterday, helping attendees to learn HTML5 by diving in and writing games. Here’s a summary of links and resources for anyone who would like to get started.
The events featured introductions to the underlying technologies (HTML5, JavaScript, graphics) then a look at engines that can make game development easier. The second half was hacking time followed by a chance for everyone to demo their creations. It was great to see what could be made in just a few hours!
Thanks to everyone who participated, and let me know if you’ve continued working on your creations after the events!
Session 1 – A Tour Around HTML5
This session focuses on a brief introduction to HTML5, CSS3, standards, and browser support.
Learning HTML5
List of HTML5 Presentation Resources – Earlier post with many links for this session
HTML5 at W3C – Specifications and learning materials
HTML5: Edition for Web Authors – Focused subset of the specification for web devs
HTML5 Doctor – HTML5 articles, Element Index, and resources
Implementing HTML5
CanIUse.com – Details support by browser for HTML5, CSS3, and other technologies
Modernizr – HTML5 & CSS3 feature detection made easy
HTML5 Cross Browser Polyfills – Helpful for implementing features while supporting a range of browsers
Internet Explorer & HTML5
IE Blog – Windows Internet Explorer Engineering Blog
Beauty of the Web – Shows IE and HTML5 in action
Session 2 – Adding the Fun(ctionality) with JavaScript and Tools
The focus is on a few resources for learning JavaScript, libraries to make things easier, and support in developer tools.
General JavaScript
Eloquent JavaScript – Introduction to JavaScript programming (published online under an open license)
JSLint and JSHint – Tools to help identify problems in your JavaScript
jsFiddle – Tool for testing snippets of JavaScript, HTML, and CSS
JavaScript Frameworks & Tools
jQuery – JavaScript library to help with common functionality with cross-browser support
jQueryUI – Effects, widgets, and themes with cross-browser support
Internet Explorer Developer Tools (built in to IE 8+) – See also Firebug for Firefox and the Chrome Dev Tools
WebMatrix 2 Beta
WebMatrix 2 Beta - Free, lightweight, and supports HTML5/CSS3, ASP.NET, and PHP development
Visual Studio 2010 Extensions
Visual Studio Web Standards Update – Adds HTML5 & CSS3 support to VS2010
Web Essentials Extension – Many new CSS, HTML and JavaScript IDE extensions for VS2010
CSSCop Extension – Uses CSS Lint to help detect issues in your CSS
Expression Web 4 HTML5 Support
HTML5, CSS3, and More with Expression Web 4 SP1 – Post describing CSS3 & HTML5 support added in SP1 (now on SP2)
Session 3 – HTML5 Graphics
Focused on 2D graphics with SVG and Canvas and choosing between them.
SVG
UN Systems Org Chart – Shows the effects of zooming with SVG
SVG-Oids – Simple SVG game example
Inkscape – Open Source SVG editor
Canvas
Canvas Pad – Great way to see/learn canvas capabilities
“Deep Dive into HTML5 ” – Mix11 session by Jatinder Mann
Paper.js – Open source framework for vectors on canvas
SVG & Canvas
Session 4 – Creating an HTML5 Game
At this point, the survey of the moving parts (HTML5, JavaScript, graphics, etc.) is done, so it’s time to pull it all together and make games! So many choices, but to keep things simple the focus was on leveraging game engine libraries already out there.
JavaScript Game Engines
List of Game Engines – Before you start, take a look at this list to see what’s already out there
EaselJS – Canvas-based JS library by gskinner.com. Used in some of the demos during the session.
Akihabara Tutorials – A nice tutorial series by Boston locals Darren Torpey and Darius Kazemi
Audio
SoundJS – Helps make it easier to work with HTML5 audio
3D in 2D
ThreeJS – A way to add 3D to your 2D games
Galactic Demo – Built using ThreeJS
Game Dev Resources
IGDA – Find a chapter near you and network with game developers
Game Development on MSDN – Targets XNA & Silverlight, but the Education Catalog has some interesting tutorials and starter games that could inspire your HTML5 work
The Slides
Much of the time was spent in code and demos, but the slides we did use are up in a presentations folder on SkyDrive. The relevant files are:
HTML5 – Practical First Look
HTML5 Camps – Scripting
HTML5 Game Camp – Graphics
HTML5 Game Camp – Games
Webcasts
Missed the in person events? Fortunately, it isn’t game over! The content is being brought to you online via these webcasts:
Enjoy creating those games!
-Chris