Video: Understanding I-O Games Evolution

Rate this content
Bookmark
I-O games are multiplayer web games that are easy to pick up but can be played for hours. Developers have added deeper game mechanics and adapted I-O games for mobile, generating high revenue. Acquiring users for I-O games is done by sharing the games to play together at school. Monetization of I-O games is primarily through ads, as it is difficult to generate in-app purchases from the web. Web standards and user-generated content are opening up new possibilities for better web games.

This talk has been presented at JS GameDev Summit 2023, check out the latest edition of this JavaScript Conference.

FAQ

I-O games are multiplayer web games that are easy to play and can be addictive with gameplay extending for hours. They cater to players with short attention spans by offering simple mechanics and the ability to play in large lobbies, making them engaging and accessible.

Agar.io, launched in 2015, was pivotal in popularizing I-O games by featuring simple gameplay where players control a blob to consume others in a competitive lobby. Its simplicity and multiplayer aspect attracted massive player engagement and set the stage for subsequent I-O games.

Initially characterized by basic graphics and simple gameplay, I-O games evolved around 2016 by incorporating more complex game mechanics like skill trees and themed gameplay, enhancing depth and engagement without compromising the ease of access.

I-O games engage players through features like five-second startup times, quick learning of game mechanics, ephemeral leaderboards, and network effects that encourage frequent and short play sessions. These elements help maintain player interest and competitive spirit.

I-O games typically grow their user base through network effects and organic sharing among players, especially in school settings. This grassroots approach allows them to acquire users without the need for traditional marketing expenditures.

Monetizing I-O games is challenging due to their casual nature and the environments they are often played in, like schools. Strategies such as offering in-game purchases or pushing players to other platforms where monetization is easier have been employed to tackle this issue.

Recent improvements in web gaming standards, such as WebGPU, WASM threads, and enhanced web transports for low latency, are set to significantly enhance the quality and performance of multiplayer web games, making them more competitive with traditional gaming platforms.

Nathan Flurry
Nathan Flurry
14 min
28 Sep, 2023

Comments

Sign in or register to post your comment.

Check out more articles and videos

We constantly think of articles and videos that might spark Git people interest / skill us up or help building a stellar career

Optimizing HTML5 Games: 10 Years of Learnings
JS GameDev Summit 2022JS GameDev Summit 2022
33 min
Optimizing HTML5 Games: 10 Years of Learnings
Top Content
Watch video: Optimizing HTML5 Games: 10 Years of Learnings
PlayCanvas is an open-source game engine used by game developers worldwide. Optimization is crucial for HTML5 games, focusing on load times and frame rate. Texture and mesh optimization can significantly reduce download sizes. GLTF and GLB formats offer smaller file sizes and faster parsing times. Compressing game resources and using efficient file formats can improve load times. Framerate optimization and resolution scaling are important for better performance. Managing draw calls and using batching techniques can optimize performance. Browser DevTools, such as Chrome and Firefox, are useful for debugging and profiling. Detecting device performance and optimizing based on specific devices can improve game performance. Apple is making progress with WebGPU implementation. HTML5 games can be shipped to the App Store using Cordova.
Remix Flat Routes – An Evolution in Routing
Remix Conf Europe 2022Remix Conf Europe 2022
16 min
Remix Flat Routes – An Evolution in Routing
Top Content
Remix Flat Routes is a new convention that aims to make it easier to see and organize the routes in your app. It allows for the co-location of support files with routes, decreases refactor and redesign friction, and helps apps migrate to Remix. Flat Folders convention supports co-location and allows importing assets as relative imports. To migrate existing apps to Flat Routes, use the Remix Flat Routes package's migration tool.
Building Fun Experiments with WebXR & Babylon.js
JS GameDev Summit 2022JS GameDev Summit 2022
33 min
Building Fun Experiments with WebXR & Babylon.js
Top Content
This Talk explores the use of Babylon.js and WebXR to create immersive VR and AR experiences on the web. It showcases various demos, including transforming a 2D game into a 3D and VR experience, VR music composition, AR demos, and exploring a virtual museum. The speaker emphasizes the potential of web development in the metaverse and mentions the use of WebXR in Microsoft products. The limitations of WebXR on Safari iOS are discussed, along with the simplicity and features of Babylon.js. Contact information is provided for further inquiries.
Making Awesome Games with LittleJS
JS GameDev Summit 2022JS GameDev Summit 2022
34 min
Making Awesome Games with LittleJS
Top Content
Little.js is a super lightweight and fast JavaScript game engine that has everything included to start making games right away. It has a tiny footprint and no dependencies, making it perfect for size-coding competitions like JS13K. Little.js is built with an object-oriented structure and comes with several classes. It provides a fast rendering system, a comprehensive audio system, and various starter projects for different game types. Little.js is designed to be simple and easy to understand, allowing you to look at and modify the code.
Boost the Performance of Your WebGL Unity Games!
JS GameDev Summit 2023JS GameDev Summit 2023
7 min
Boost the Performance of Your WebGL Unity Games!
Top Content
The Talk discusses ways to boost the performance of WebGL Unity games, including issues with bundle size, memory usage, and runtime performance. It suggests using Brotli for compression and non-exception support for better performance. Choosing the appropriate texture compression format and experimenting with separate builds can also help. The Talk also covers optimizing textures, models, audio, and assets by reducing build size, using compression, disabling unnecessary models, and optimizing audio quality. Unity's optimization tools and profilers are recommended for analyzing performance and memory issues.
How Not to Build a Video Game
React Summit 2023React Summit 2023
31 min
How Not to Build a Video Game
Watch video: How Not to Build a Video Game
The Talk showcases the development of a video game called Athena Crisis using web technologies like JavaScript, React, and CSS. The game is built from scratch and includes features like multiple game states, AI opponents, and map editing. It demonstrates the benefits of using CSS for game development, such as instant load times and smooth transitions. The Talk also discusses optimizing performance, supporting dark mode, and publishing the game to other platforms.

Workshops on related topic

Make a Game With PlayCanvas in 2 Hours
JSNation 2023JSNation 2023
116 min
Make a Game With PlayCanvas in 2 Hours
Top Content
Featured WorkshopFree
Steven Yau
Steven Yau
In this workshop, we’ll build a game using the PlayCanvas WebGL engine from start to finish. From development to publishing, we’ll cover the most crucial features such as scripting, UI creation and much more.
Table of the content:- Introduction- Intro to PlayCanvas- What we will be building- Adding a character model and animation- Making the character move with scripts- 'Fake' running- Adding obstacles- Detecting collisions- Adding a score counter- Game over and restarting- Wrap up!- Questions
Workshop levelFamiliarity with game engines and game development aspects is recommended, but not required.
Integrating LangChain with JavaScript for Web Developers
React Summit 2024React Summit 2024
92 min
Integrating LangChain with JavaScript for Web Developers
Featured Workshop
Vivek Nayyar
Vivek Nayyar
Dive into the world of AI with our interactive workshop designed specifically for web developers. "Hands-On AI: Integrating LangChain with JavaScript for Web Developers" offers a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between AI and web development. Despite the prominence of Python in AI development, the vast potential of JavaScript remains largely untapped. This workshop aims to change that.Throughout this hands-on session, participants will learn how to leverage LangChain—a tool designed to make large language models more accessible and useful—to build dynamic AI agents directly within JavaScript environments. This approach opens up new possibilities for enhancing web applications with intelligent features, from automated customer support to content generation and beyond.We'll start with the basics of LangChain and AI models, ensuring a solid foundation even for those new to AI. From there, we'll dive into practical exercises that demonstrate how to integrate these technologies into real-world JavaScript projects. Participants will work through examples, facing and overcoming the challenges of making AI work seamlessly on the web.This workshop is more than just a learning experience; it's a chance to be at the forefront of an emerging field. By the end, attendees will not only have gained valuable skills but also created AI-enhanced features they can take back to their projects or workplaces.Whether you're a seasoned web developer curious about AI or looking to expand your skillset into new and exciting areas, "Hands-On AI: Integrating LangChain with JavaScript for Web Developers" is your gateway to the future of web development. Join us to unlock the potential of AI in your web projects, making them smarter, more interactive, and more engaging for users.
PlayCanvas End-to-End : the quick version
JS GameDev Summit 2022JS GameDev Summit 2022
121 min
PlayCanvas End-to-End : the quick version
Top Content
WorkshopFree
João Ruschel
João Ruschel
In this workshop, we’ll build a complete game using the PlayCanvas engine while learning the best practices for project management. From development to publishing, we’ll cover the most crucial features such as asset management, scripting, audio, debugging, and much more.
Introduction to WebXR with Babylon.js
JS GameDev Summit 2022JS GameDev Summit 2022
86 min
Introduction to WebXR with Babylon.js
Workshop
Gustavo Cordido
Gustavo Cordido
In this workshop, we'll introduce you to the core concepts of building Mixed Reality experiences with WebXR and Balon.js.
You'll learn the following:- How to add 3D mesh objects and buttons to a scene- How to use procedural textures- How to add actions to objects- How to take advantage of the default Cross Reality (XR) experience- How to add physics to a scene
For the first project in this workshop, you'll create an interactive Mixed Reality experience that'll display basketball player stats to fans and coaches. For the second project in this workshop, you'll create a voice activated WebXR app using Balon.js and Azure Speech-to-Text. You'll then deploy the web app using Static Website Hosting provided Azure Blob Storage.
Tiny Game Live Coding Workshop
JS GameDev Summit 2023JS GameDev Summit 2023
115 min
Tiny Game Live Coding Workshop
Workshop
Frank Force
Frank Force
Dive into the captivating world of micro-game development with Frank Force in this interactive live coding workshop. Tailored for both seasoned developers and curious newcomers, this session explores the unique challenges and joys of creating games and demos with extreme size constraints.
Managers Are From Mars, Devs Are From Venus
TechLead Conference 2024TechLead Conference 2024
111 min
Managers Are From Mars, Devs Are From Venus
Workshop
Mo Khazali
Mo Khazali
A Developer’s Guide to Communicating, Convincing, and Collaborating Effectively With Stakeholders
It’s a tale as old as time - collaboration between developers and business stakeholders has long been a challenge, with a lack of clear communication often leaving both sides frustrated. The best developers can deeply understand their business counterparts’ needs, effectively communicate technical strategy without losing the non-technical crowd, and convince the business to make the right decisions. Working at a consultancy, I’ve both failed and succeeded in architecting and “selling” technical visions, learning many lessons along the way.Whether you work at a product company, are a consultant/freelancer, or want to venture beyond just being a developer, the ability to convince and clearly communicate with stakeholders can set you apart in the tech industry. This becomes even more important with the rise of GenAI and the increasingly competitive developer market, as problem-solving and effective communication are key to positioning yourself.In this workshop, I’ll share real-world examples, both good and bad, and guide you through putting the theory into practice through dojos.