In this chapter we took a look at what HTML is, where it came from, and where it's headed. We discussed how the Open Web is a place where anyone with at least some knowledge of the technologies that make it work, and a lot of ambition (or enough curiosity) can reach an unprecedented audience at a virtually non-existent cost.
Although HTML5 is an upgrade of previous versions of HTML, the term also makes reference to the upgrade of other technologies that go hand in hand with the markup language, such as CSS and JavaScript. All three of these languages have been upgraded in response to current needs, and in order to take the Web to the next level. Many of the new features added to the languages attempt to shift the hard work of implementing commonly used functionality from the developer to the browser. What was once done by many developers through arduous, time consuming, and often expensive work, can now be done by the browser with minimal effort by the programmer. Also, many of the new features and capabilities of HTML5 make the web platform a very aggressive opponent to the desktop paradigm. The idea of individual desktop computers running in complete isolation from each other, each running program from its own central storage system is steadily going away. The replacement is a cloud-based paradigm, where the software in question is sent to each user from one central server connected to the Web. And since these web applications are executed in the users' browser, some of the major parts of the application are written in pure HTML5.
HTML5 is the perfect technology to master right now because it is at the core of the Open Web. Thanks to the responsive and evolving nature of HTML5, we can only wait to see what the future has in store for us, as browsers continue to get more powerful, and the cost of computing continues to decline.
We will explore the exciting world of HTML5, and cover its major concepts and building blocks by designing and developing fun and engaging games. We're taking this approach not only because games are fun, but also because many of the new capabilities in HTML5 lend themselves so well to the complex problems of programming video games. Also, by successfully programming full games in pure HTML5 technology, we will be able to test and prove the true capacity of HTML5 and the Open Web.
In the next chapter we will take the first step towards building awesome web-based games. First we'll set up a development environment by installing a web server. Next we will build an HTML5 web portal from which we can access our games, as well as get a bit of practice using the new semantic elements.