Games, Web Apps, Business Intelligence

Why develop a browser-based game? There are so many reasons it would be difficult to list them all here, but let me give it a try.

The main reason for me is because it can be played from any computer with an internet connection and a web browser. This is a huge advantage for someone like me who plays on my home desktop, my work computer, and my laptop whether it's in the living room or at a coffee shop.

Let me digress for a moment. The games that I develop are primarily for me. Of course, I would love to release a game that thousands of people around the world could enjoy, but I really do it because I simply love to design games. Having said that, let's get back to the topic at hand.

Another major reason for browser-based games is that there is no software to install which means it does not care what operating system you have or what hardware is installed on your machine. I play the same games from my Windows laptop and my Linux boxes.

Being a huge fan of free programs, I can tell you that most browser-based games are free. When was the last time you went to Best Buy and they just handed you a free copy of World of Warcraft. Part of the reason is that web games cost almost nothing to distribute - because nothing is actually being distributed.

My preference is for persistent browser-based games (PBBG's). I like the idea of building things, whether it's character stats or a national military. Quick single-play games have their uses, but I doubt you'll read much about them here.

My current PBBG, and one that I will discuss in depth in this blog, is Legends of Dhashar. It is a standard fantasy RPG based on the original Advanced Dungeons & Dragons rules. I am using a hexagonal movement system to give the players maximum flexibility when navigating.

I have included a screenshot of one of the regions in the game as it currently appears. I openly admit that I have no talent for graphics as the screenshot will show. My specialty is in programming - creating functionality and playability.