Optimal Asset Loading

Abstract

Designing an efficient method of loading game asset data for HTML5 games is essential in creating a good user experience for players. When games can be played immediately in the browser with no prior downloading there are different considerations to make, not only for the first time play experience but also for future plays of the game. The assets referred to by this chapter are not the usual HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other media that make up a web site, but are the game assets required specifically for the game experience. The techniques mentioned in this chapter go beyond dealing with the standard image and sound data usually handled by the browser and aim at helping you consider assets such as models, animations, shaders, materials, UIs, and other structural data that is not represented in code. Whether this data is in text or binary form (the “Data Formats” section will discuss both) it somehow needs to be transferred to the player’s machine so that the JavaScript code running the game can turn it into something amazing that players can interact with.