Epic and Mozilla have released a new video demonstrating the Epic Citadel Web Version being ported with Unreal Engine 3 running in Firefox, and compiled from C++ source with Emscripten, running smoothly and efficiently without the need for plugins.
The Power of asm.js and Emscripten
“To achieve the performance that makes these advancements possible, Mozilla developed asm.js, a highly-optimized subset of JavaScript that enables Emscripten-compiled applications to reach near-native performance. This baseline performance enables developers to create visually compelling and fast gaming experiences on the Web. With this technology, the Web simply becomes just another target platform for developers.”
The collaboration between Epic and Mozilla showcases the potential of web technologies to deliver high-performance gaming experiences. By leveraging asm.js, Mozilla has enabled the Unreal Engine 3 to run efficiently in a web browser, eliminating the need for additional plugins or software installations. This is a significant milestone in web development, as it opens up new possibilities for game developers to reach a broader audience.
** The Epic Citadel demo will also run in Firefox 20 and for best results, Mozilla suggests using a newer version of Firefox Nightly (Firefox 23 or better) which includes optimizations for asm.js and support for Web Audio API.
Implications for Web-Based Gaming
The successful porting of Epic Citadel to the web using Unreal Engine 3 and Emscripten has far-reaching implications for the future of web-based gaming. Traditionally, high-performance games have been confined to desktop applications or gaming consoles due to the limitations of web technologies. However, with advancements like asm.js and WebGL, the gap between web-based and native gaming experiences is narrowing.
For instance, the Web Audio API support in newer versions of Firefox enhances the auditory experience, making web games more immersive. This is crucial for game developers who aim to create rich, interactive environments that captivate players. Additionally, the ability to run complex C++ code in the browser through Emscripten means that developers can port existing games to the web without significant rewrites, saving time and resources.
For more information on the new Epic Citadel Demo jump over to the Mozilla website for details.
Moreover, the performance improvements brought by asm.js are not limited to gaming. Other web applications that require high computational power, such as simulations, data visualizations, and even video editing tools, can benefit from these advancements. This broadens the scope of what is possible on the web, making it a more versatile platform for various types of applications.
Source: Mozilla
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