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WPilot is a Browser-Based Multiplayer Space Shooter (No Flash Required)

Posted on 18. Apr, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey in Features

The Chrome Experiments keep coming.

The site, which is owned by Google, is a place where developers who are interested in creating new and interesting browser-based technologies can put up their latest ideas. There are some interesting mash-ups that take the web browser user experience to the next level – without using Flash. One of which is a port of the Asteroids game to the browser using HTML5.

This new nugget, called WPilot, allows players to fight one another in a game that seems eerily similar to the Asteroids game I mentioned before. Nevertheless, WPilot bugs and all is a sign that the browser will become the window with which we use for almost everything that is computer related – even multiplayer games.

WPilot uses HTML5′s canvas and audio elements, WebSocket API and WebGL although sound does not seem to be working for Chrome browser right now. Here are the browsers and their compatibility/performance with the game.

I’m still waiting for those Googlers to release a standalone version of Quake II for the browser that is multiplayer. I’m sure that they have it running by now; they’re probably just hoarding it. Ok, maybe “closed beta testing”. But you don’t create a Quake II browser port to play the game by yourself.

Anyways, check out WPilot. Right now the multiplayer servers are empty, so head over there because I need something to do for the rest of my night.

Tags: Adobe Flash, Asteroids browser port, Asteroids in browser, browser games, Chrome browser, Chrome Experiements, HTML5, HTML5 games, non-flash games, Quake II browser, Quake II port, WPilot