HTML5 Export for Itch.io.

[bytecauldron]

This isn't as simple as "set the target for HTML5 and build it". From what I understand, there are a lot of additional considerations when trying to get a web-equivalent version of a GM project working. See here: https://help.yoyogames.com/hc/en-us/articles/216754008-Uploading-Your-HTML5-Game-To-A-Web-Host

Because of this, it may be impossible to build an HTML5 version that is "one-to-one" with the Windows build (or at all).

[bytecauldron]

Here are my findings so far. The general process is to start with a fresh project and incrementally add stuff from the existing one:

• "DevTools failed to load source map: Could not load content for http://127.0.0.1:51264/html5game/inflate.min.js.map: HTTP error: status code 404, net::ERR_HTTP_RESPONSE_CODE_FAILURE" It still loads the blank project without issue, but I have noticed this error on both Firefox and Chrome. Unsure what it means but probably worth noting.
• Scribble appears to have some performance issues when using text formatting to animate? The [wave] tag seemed a bit laggy but unsure if there's anything I can do about that. At the very least, it is drawing in the HTML5 canvas just fine. It could also just be a "me" problem.
• Iota also seems fine so far.
• Tested TransFX as well, just to be safe (since it does a lot of shader stuff). Seems like it works for what I need it to do (simple circle transitions between rooms).

[bytecauldron]

Aha! Input out of the box appears to be causing issues with the HTML5 export. This happens in both Chrome/Firefox: "unable to convert undefined to a number". Same issue we were having during the gamejam, so this is probably the root cause. Supposedly Input should work for HTML5 but maybe there is some extra configuring? I wasn't able to find an existing bug report or recent discussion in the Kitchen Discord, so maybe this is a new thing (or I'm doing something wrong).

Ok, so in order to properly debug what is going on here:

• [x] Make sure I'm updated to both the latest version of GameMaker, Input, and browser (in this case I should probably stick with Chrome, but it does appear to be an issue affecting all browsers)>
• [x] Set up a fresh project again and import Input in isolation. Run the build and provide detailed steps to reproduce.
• [x] See if there are any closed issues related to this?
• [ ] If everything else has been exercised, submit a bug report.

[bytecauldron]

No need to file a bug report, Juju fixed it! Something involving a __input_class_player constructor in Input. So I'm guessing this will be in the next release (5.3.2?). I'm sure there are other reasons why this game won't build to HTML5, but this was definitely one of the reasons. Very happy about this. 😊

[bytecauldron]

Ok! I have tested this with Input 5.4.0. Game loads great now. Couple of things, however:

• [ ] Have to fix the bindings. I sort of imported the latest Input without thinking and have to rebind the keyboard/controller verbs lol.
• [ ] Investigate the weird Iota/Input delay. Seems like the menu/in-game rail switching either has a delay, or doesn't recognize the button press? I'm guessing this has to do with me checking Input within the Iota clock cycle, or something. Also, the rail switching code is pretty garbage, but I don't think that's the only contributor if there are input skips/delays in the main menu as well. Very odd.
• [ ] Scribble text rendering is a bit blurry in the HTML5 build. Need to look further into this.

Aside from that, I'm surprised it loaded at all. The goal is to get the HTML5 build a close as possible to the Windows build, so I'll see what I can do to try to mitigate these issues.