The age of downloadable casinos is long gone, and very few players were sad to see it go. These days, most players use instant play casino games, which are available on desktop and mobile.
Instant play casino games have changed immensely over the years, beginning as Flash based titles and then steadily switching over to HTML5. Flash seemingly got a bad name for itself, with players growing tired of the apparent compatibility issues, whereas HTML5 technology is more accessible.
However, Flash hasn’t actually gone away, and is still used on countless online casinos. It just happens to be considerably more effective than it once was, with fewer compatibility problems.
But what does this mean for players, are Flash games better than those created with HTML5, and how do they differ?
What is Flash?
Flash is responsible for most of the graphics and animations you see on websites. It was been the go-to software for many years and while its creators announced that it would be completely phased out by 2020, it is still being used on many older games.
Some of your favourite games were probably created using Flash and if not for this software, you wouldn’t be able to enjoy them anymore.
Flash was created by Adobe, and they are also the ones keen to phase it out. Their concern is that Flash requires a plugin to work. This is where the compatibility issues come from and it also causes potential security risks. But when used properly, there are no such issues. Flash has been used on countless websites over the years and has caused very few problems. We can attest to that, and the online casino industry, which is one of the most secure industries on the web, can back us up.
What is HTML5?
HTML5 is said to be more secure than HTML5 and it also doesn’t require a web plugin to work. HTML5 works directly through HTML and it is much easier to create programs using this platform. We’re now at a point where HTML5 can do pretty much everything that Flash can do, and that’s why developers are making the switch.
This platform is used for most modern browser games, including popular platform and arcade games. If it’s new and can be played directly through your web browser, there’s a good chance it uses HTML5.
HTML5 vs Flash
Flash may have its issues, but when used in the right setting and with the right software, it still works flawlessly and you shouldn’t have an issue using it regardless of your device or platform. However, it’s fair to say that HTML5 offers developers more freedom and gives players more opportunities.
The main difference, as noted above, is that Flash requires a web plugin. If you don’t have this plugin, you will need to download it, and this is frustrating for users. HTML5, on the other hand, works quickly, smoothly, and without a download.
From a development point of view, Flash is a proprietary software, and to create applications for it, developers need to use Adobe’s software. This limits what developers can do, although it’s also worth noting that some developers have been using this software for years. They built their skillset on the back of Flash and know the software inside out—if they’re going to use any platform to create top titles, it will be Flash.
HTML5 is an open format program, which means developers don’t need to work directly through a single provider and have a little more freedom to create the games they want to create.
What Does This Mean?
The online casino industry is vast and secure. It’s also adaptable and understands that everyone has different needs. On the one hand, it still uses Flash for many of its older games and tends to lean more towards this platform when it suits them. However, when dealing with Mac users and creating new and demanding games, it switches over to HTML5.
In a few years, it’s likely that even the older games will switch over to HTML5, but it’s just as likely that Flash will have its last hurrah in this industry and will continue to exist on other sites and platforms, feeding an industry that has not given up on it.
