Unlocking New Revenue Streams: A Low-Effort Approach to Porting Mobile Games to Web Browsers

The web gaming market is experiencing significant growth, and mobile game developers can capitalize on this trend by porting their titles to web browsers, according to Pavel Polovinka, head of publishing at Playgama, a leading platform for HTML5 game distribution and monetization. When transitioning from the mobile gaming market to the web, several key questions arise. Can the two markets be compared? Is there value in making the switch? The answers are straightforward: user acquisition is relatively effortless, the markets share some similarities, and the potential benefits are undeniable. Although the web game market is smaller than its mobile counterpart, it is gaining momentum. Moreover, porting a mobile game to HTML5 and distributing it across various web platforms can be a relatively straightforward process. While the potential revenue may be lower than on mobile, ignoring the web market means leaving potential earnings on the table. A recent example of Playgama's success in this area involves StoreRider, a distributor of Android games on alternative stores. StoreRider partnered with Playgama to expand into the web game market, and the results were promising. The company initially uploaded two games, Gangsta Island: Crime City and Vikings: An Archer's Journey, to platforms like Playgama and Crazy Games, achieving 500,000 play sessions. Recognizing the market potential, StoreRider decided to expand its reach. However, optimizing the source code for multiple web platforms and navigating compliance requirements can be time-consuming. Playgama's expertise in this area enabled StoreRider to overcome these challenges. By integrating Playgama's SDK, the games became compatible with various web platforms, and additional features such as localization, asynchronous saves, and social engagement tools were added. The results were impressive, with over one million play sessions, a 20% day one retention rate, and a number one position in the MSN top ten for several consecutive weeks. While these figures may seem modest compared to the mobile market, they demonstrate the potential for mobile distributors to find new revenue streams with minimal effort. The web gaming market is currently considered a secondary option for mobile game developers, but this is changing. The mobile market dominates in terms of volume, with a value of $106.5 billion in 2024, compared to the web market's $16.77 billion. However, the web market offers greater accessibility in terms of marketing and user acquisition, making it an attractive option for developers who struggle to succeed on mobile. In conclusion, the web game market is growing rapidly, with the number of web browser games increasing by 4.9 times over the past two years. The HTML5 games market is projected to reach $31.9 billion by 2030, presenting a significant opportunity for mobile game developers to diversify their revenue streams. By porting their games to web browsers, developers can tap into this emerging market with relatively little effort, making it an attractive option for those looking to expand their reach and increase their earnings.