LudumData

Should I bother with a Web version of my game?

[raw] LD29Global Game Jam 30. Apr 2014 · 13:17 UTC · 5 days after compo start by Code White · 0

Hi there. I’m 13 and this is my first Ludum Dare competition, so don’t be surprised if I come up with a question.

I finished my game but only compiled for Windows. Apparently I can also port to Web. The LD guide also says Web entries are best – my question is: should I even bother?

Is it really so inconvenient to just download a zip folder? Who would even be looking to rate games on some Android device, and how many people even care about my game anyway? There are so many out there better than mine, it’s hardly a loss.

So what do you think? Should I make a Web port? How many ratings is not doing one likely to lose you? Are you really sat there thinking, “If only this kid had ported to Web so I can play it”? Do you even want to?

Are you really dying to play?

Are you really dying to play?

Comments

30. Apr 2014 · 13:24 UTC
Absolutely yes. It is worth your time to compile a web version. If you can, you should.
30. Apr 2014 · 13:26 UTC
Yes, it is worth it. There are multiple reasons, starting with the fact that not everyone is using Windows, and a web version can be played on any operating system (except maybe Linux, if you are using Unity). As for the zip file being a problem… it kinda is. A single zip file is not a problem, but the inconvenience of 50 of them adds up pretty quickly.
Scam
30. Apr 2014 · 13:50 UTC
Of course you should do the web port. Jeffalisk above pointed out almost everything I wanted to say, but

I’d like to add that everyone is a beginner at some point. This was my first LD as well, and I’m over 30 already. :) I debated a long time with myself if I should publish my entry. After all, I do programming for a living and my entry was far from good. I liked the idea of my game, but still my entry was quite simple and hastily coded.
30. Apr 2014 · 13:59 UTC
Do a quick calculation: Downloading and unpacking a zip file takes 3, maybe 4 clicks. And you have to tidy up your filesystem if you decide you don’t want to keep all the downloaded games (the zip file and the unpacked folder). Accessing a web game takes only one click. Now 3 clicks vs 1 click might sound a little like hairsplitting, but do that 30 – 40 times and it’s becoming a chore. And there is also the aforementioned compatibility argument.
30. Apr 2014 · 14:13 UTC
While going through games for my 20+ ratings I ran, I ONLY played games that had a web file. It takes less time to find a web game to play than to do the entire download and unzip routine. It also keeps my drive less cluttered.
x1212
30. Apr 2014 · 15:45 UTC
Running Linux myself I have a hard time finding entries I can rate and often I end up wasting time trying to get something to run through wine or mono … so I think if you can provide ports without too much effort you should definitly do so …

In my case I even ran out of links for platforms (4 plattforms seems to be the max) so I only uploaded those, I was able to test somehow, otherwise I would like to support even more.