More and more people are looking into browser games in the aftermath of Wordle’s popularity, a free-to-play web-based game. While the concept of browser games is not new, we are now seeing a huge surge in their development. So what exactly are browser games? How do they work?
What Are Browser Games?
Browser games run inside the confines of web browsers and are usually written in HTML, PHP, or JavaScript. They come in a variety of forms and can feature single-player or multiplayer modes. The variations are usually different genres such as puzzle, arcade, simulation, or strategy — all capable of running in your web browser.
The main appeal of browser games is their accessibility and convenience, no matter where you are, you can play them without downloading or installing anything on your device. Some may feature microtransactions or in-game purchases, but most are free to play.
How Do Browser Games Work?
Browser games are not resource-intensive, meaning you can easily run them even if you don’t have powerful hardware configuration. All you need is an internet connection and a good web browser that can handle itself on your mobile phone, PC, or tablet. Most browser games are designed to be responsive, which allows them to adapt to mobile screens and different resolutions without compromising performance or appearance.
Popular Browser Games
GeoGuessr and Wordle are two of the most popular browser-based games today. Though there is no shortage of similar games, a very few stand out from the herd. Bitcoin casino at Bovada is another popular platform that features a huge line-up of browser games. Whether it is blackjack, digital slots, or a game of poker, the web app technology allows players to bet without any hassle. The support for digital currencies, inclusion of engaging gameplay mechanics akin to native games, and a variety of immersive features have made these games incredibly popular among all demographics.
That said, here other notable examples of browser games:
Dungeon Crawl: Stone Soup
Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup (DCSS) is a roguelike browser game about dungeon exploring. Successor to the 1997 roguelike game Linley’s Dungeon Crawl, DCSS is free to play and open source and has a very active community.
Infinite: Craft
Infinite: Craft is a sandbox game that lets you build infinitely starting from basic elements: earth, water, and fire. Your creations in the game are seemingly infinite, and you can go creating forever with this simple addictive game.
Townscaper
Townscaper from Raw Fury and Oskar Stålberg is available as a free browser game. Unlike the paid version, you get a smaller grid and no save function, but the rest of it functions the same. Play this popular town-building game if you want to act on your creativity.
Best Gaming Browsers
The ability of a browser to run web-based games depends on its design and how well it is optimized for your devices. For instance, if you are on Mac, using Safari instead of Chrome will be the optimal choice. And for a Windows-based device, Microsoft’s Edge may be a better choice. Though Google Chrome is bit of a memory hog, it performs amazing in most scenarios. Following are some of the best gaming-oriented browsers out there.
Safari for Mac, iOS and iPadOS
Safari is the best browser on Apple products, nothing else comes close. Designed by Apple, it is optimized for your gaming needs and functions smoothly even when the system is running background processes. It has top-notch privacy features and safety systems that secure your payments as well as sensitive information from threat actors. Safari is easy to use but doesn’t have support for as many extensions as Chrome.
Opera GX for Windows devices
Opera GX is marketed as a gamer’s browser, and it does back it up with its super fast delivery of CSS and HTML pages. Most browser games are written in languages such as JavaScript, HTML5, or PHP, and Opera does a great job of handling web applications. It is also not resource-intensive, which allows you to run it on low-end devices or during other tasks without worrying about battery drain or any other performance issues.
Microsoft Edge for Windows PCs
Microsoft never had a good reputation for building a good browser, but that all changed when the company released Edge. Several tests show that it consumes significantly less RAM than Chrome and is incredibly energy efficient. Edge has features such as “Clarity Boost,” which are designed to make games look sharper and clearer.
Arc on MacOS
Though Arc Browser is now available on other operating systems, it doesn’t perform as good as it does on MacOS. This browser is very different from what we are used to because of its tab and space management. It is an attempt at redefining the browsing experience, and if you are a Mac user, there is no reason not to try it today.
