Why Browser Games Lose Players Before They Load: Load Times, Heavy Assets and the First-Click Problem

While apps might have the upper hand in a few key areas, nothing beats a browser-based game for compatibility or convenience, and those two factors alone are probably why developers still make them. Unfortunately, a game built to run in a browser window can still suffer from performance issues, with arguably a greater likelihood of hitches existing in this context. So, what are the root causes of subpar browser game experiences that cause players to bounce off rather than stick around?

The Slow Loading Conundrum

People play browser games quite differently from games on other ecosystems, squeezing short play sessions into whatever slice of free time they can carve from their day. That means they have a very low tolerance for slow loading times, and if a game isn’t ready to go in a handful of seconds, you can wave goodbye to a big portion of your potential player base.

That’s why it’s so worthwhile to shave off as much data as possible from a browser game. Leaner games load quicker, and when a player is likely using a mobile connection, there’s a twofold reason to trim the fat.

Take the example of the slots available at the Tikal Casino site as a baseline for what quick loading should aspire to. They’re built to be lightweight without skimping on what matters in this genre of game: visual flair and exciting audio. Other developers can achieve the same by paring back assets to what’s strictly necessary to engage players, rather than opting for over-the-top bells and whistles that don’t serve to elevate the experience.

The Issue of Asset-Heaviness

The latest and greatest engines powering browser games can deliver impressive spectacles, but at the expense not just of load times but of moment-to-moment performance. Developers still need to build for the lowest common denominator from a hardware perspective, as otherwise they’ll end up alienating a large chunk of would-be players who haven’t upgraded to super-powerful devices. Given the ongoing memory chip crisis and spiraling hardware prices, avoiding asset-heavy design is becoming even more important.

To combat heavy assets, browser games must use asset bundling and lazy loading. Instead of forcing the player to download the entire game upfront, they download a tiny micro-client (under 5 MB) that contains only the main menu and the first level, for example. The rest of the game assets are streamed quietly in the background while the player is occupied with the tutorial.

The First-Click Friction

Web browsers tend to be quite strict about how they handle media playback, so games may fall foul of automatically imposed blocks on audio effects or even fail to launch entirely. Having some unavoidable user interaction to initiate the experience creates a little friction from the get-go, and that, of course, is where players might drop off.

Overcoming the first-click hurdle can be achieved with a modicum of gamification. Having a ‘Start’ button isn’t that exciting, so instead it’s sensible to make this initial touchpoint interactive, such as by letting the player customize their username, choose a character class, or play a mini-game.

If in doubt, learn by doing, and see how your new player experience compares with other successful browser games in those vital first few seconds.

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