The Unity game engine is at the top of users' preferences due to its versatility, meaning that it is compatible with most platforms. However, even if Oculus, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PS Vita support Unity, the harmonious history is about to end.
Chrome 42, the latest version of the Web browser, does not support the NPAPI plugin, something that the Unity Web Player is built on. Other browsers have decided to move away from plugin support and focus their development on other Web technologies. Firefox announced that the future versions of Firefox will lack plugin support. Edge, the browser that replaces Internet Explorer in Windows 10, shows the same indifference to plugin compatible browsing.
It seems that WebGL is keen on taking the cake in the browsing world. While not a plugin, WebGL uses default APIs present in the browser. The advantage of it is that WebGL content works without making plugin install a must. It must be noted that WebGL is a platform that diverges from the Web Player and has an entire different set of features and performances from the Web Player.
For fans of the myriad browser-based games developed on Unity Web Player, the solution is simple. Use an outdated version of your favorite browser that still has the NPAPI functionality.
"Unity deeply understands the importance and historical relevance of Web Player-powered games, and keeping this back catalogue of games playable is something we care about," writes Jonas Echterhoff, one of Unity's computer programmers.
Browser-based games are a field where history repeating itself is unlikely to happen. This means that updated, HD versions of classic titles have few chances to appear.
Unity is swimming against the current here; Adobe already announced that it is shutting down its legion of Flash-based titles. The team behind Unity caters to that niche of gamers who don't have the time or specs to enjoy big titles, and for them browser games are a sweet spot.
The developers declared that Unity is currently working out on "alternative technical solutions" to preserve the games.
Online magazine Kotaku wrote a story covering the soon-to-happen disappearance of Flash-based games and what that means to the gaming world.
