Mozilla May be Aiming For a Firefox Games Platform
About three months ago, there was an article about Google's idea how to turn its Chrome browser into a gaming platform.
That strategy has not changed and it is clear that Google will be steamrolling its weight into this market to compete with Microsoft for cloud app market share. What has changed however, that Mozilla is now quite apparently also thinking about its chances in this segment and if gaming is a fitting app environment for Firefox.
Mozilla quietly launched the developer preview of its Apps project, which outlines some guidelines how developers can create apps to run in Firefox. It's Mozilla's version of web apps, but it's all done in the open and other browser makers (if they matter) could adopt the idea. What is noteworthy is the gaming and entertainment component that was outlined by Rob Hawkes in a Mozilla Hacks post. If you have been following this topic, there is not much news and you may very well be aware that there is a Full Screen API, the Mouse Lock API, the Gamepad API, Websockets and WebRT than can be leveraged for online gameplay within the browser window. Hawkes, however, also states that BrowserID can be used to identify players. Even more importantly, it is the first time that Mozilla publishes, for the first time, ideas how the browser, in this case Firefox, could become a game platform.
Of course, feature such as the gamepad API are not yet available in Firefox (Chrome already supports this API) and Firefox lacks a certain standout feature to attract gamers and create the kind of buzz Chrome currently owns. We should notice, however, that Mozilla has gaming in its sights and given Firefox' HTML5 capabilities, it is a smart and necessary move. Of course, the strategy will only work if those features that are supporting online gaming will be available rather sooner than later.
Games are better as individual programs, not Web Browser apps.
Just my 2 cents.
Games are better as individual programs, not Web Browser apps.
Just my 2 cents.
Actually, it is
Oh yeah, almost forgot: GTFO troll.
plays games in browser.
Seriously though, with no installed data how are these games going to be any good?
Perhaps, they can get deals to play huge games in the browser (think, sonic / mario/ pokeman/ streets of rage II)
That would be fun, add revenues to the old titles that are no longer commonly available through legal means.
I think a browser should be capable of handling ps1/n64 games without a typical browser port. Kidding themselves if they think they can 'stream' something like BF3 or Skyrim to any enjoyable level.
Adding a Games Platform to Firefox will only give the browser extra bloat that it doesn't need.
I wouldn't mind if installation of it (like an add-on or alternatively alongside the base of the program) were voluntary and you can choose not to install it.
No, Xbox boy, a serious gamer does not was his or her time on stupid phone games or the vast majority of console games too. The serious gamers still prefer the PC and I would say games like SkyRim and the excellent mod community would be one of them. Now go back into your moms basement little boy.
If the phrase "Intolerant loner with delusions of grandeur" is substituted, then several of the above posts make much more sense....