Shigemi Games | Handmade Browser Games

About

Originally, this collection of projects was conceived as a technical experiment in creating simple browser-based video games, independently crafted during my spare time, using standard web programming languages without relying on pre-built solutions such as frameworks, engines, or similar tools.

As a result, a successful implementation of a custom game engine was achieved, allowing the full set of the game's audio and graphic assets to be stored on the browser side in text format, without the need to install any third-party client application. This approach was unconventional for standard website design but made it possible to eliminate the need for server requests for missing graphic materials during gameplay. This approach was unconventional for typical website development, but it made it possible to eliminate the need for server calls for missing graphical assets during gameplay.

Over the course of about two years, development spanned from the onset of the pandemic to a period of military upheaval. By that time, a two-person art team had been assembled and managed to establish the visual style for the first game, Chess Etudes. The appearance of vegetation and various environmental elements was finalized. Despite the challenging circumstances, Chess Etudes was successfully brought to release independently. A year later, work began on the second game, Mind Forcers. This implementation includes an AI-Life system and free movement throughout the game world. Units learn to explore the game world independently, evaluate their discoveries, and collect only the most useful items to avoid overburdening themselves. They can remember notable features of the environment, engage in trading, and interact with other game characters in various ways.

Additionally, based on Chess Etudes, a chess implementation titled Kings Chess was developed, featuring a familiar top-down view and a more restrained visual style. For more information about updates and the development of these projects, you can follow our social media channels dedicated to Shigemi Games.

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Peculiarities:

VideoPreview

The ability to play through a web browser on any stationary device

No need to install a game client

Minimizing network traffic

Support for multi-channel stereo systems

Support for multiplayer mode

The ability to create game process saves in the browser

Adaptive layout for any screen size

Multiple language support

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Screens:

A model of a residential building for the game Mind Forcers. Neo-Gothic style. The design was created using photographs of elements from various architectural landmarks. One of several residential building models for the game Mind Forcers. The use of colors on the walls turned out to be a harmonious addition to the building's overall appearance. A set of plants for the first browser game Chess Etudes, designed in a cartoon style. An example of a building set for the game Chess Etudes. Before the game engine was completed, there were no sketches or even rough drafts of the future game’s appearance. Only the structure of the webpage was available. Therefore, when working on graphical elements, pre-drawn bounding blocks for each element turned out to be very useful. By "fitting" buildings, plants, and units into these blocks, it was possible to accurately determine the necessary proportions of the artwork. One of the first renders of the game Chess Etudes. This shot shows the parallax background elements of the chess-themed location. The first render of the game Mind Forcers. A ball lightning wandering through the forest undergrowth. Unlike in Chess Etudes, here a set of renders of finished 3D plant models was used. The renders were made to order and were processed in a graphic editor as needed before being imported into the game.

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