As the World Wide Web developed and browsers became more sophisticated, people started creating browser games that used a web browser as a client. Simple single player games were made that could be played using a web browser via HTML and HTML scripting technologies (most commonly JavaScript, ASP, PHP and MySQL). More complex games would contact a web server to allow a multiplayer gaming environment.
The development of web-based graphics technologies such as Flash and Java allowed browser games to become more intricate. These games, also known by their related technology as "Flash games" or "Java games", became increasingly popular. Many games originally released in the 1980s were recreated as games played using the Flash plugin on a webpage. Most browser games had limited multiplayer play, often being single player games with a high score list shared amongst all players. This has changed considerably in recent years.
More recent browser-based games use web technologies like Ajax to make more complicated multiplayer interactions possible and WebGL to generate hardware-accelerated 3D graphics without the need for plugins.
One of these great online games is Happy Wheels. Targeting our addiction to these flash games and our fascination to the slightly macabre Happy Wheels combines ridiculous obstacle courses and a consistent damage system which are measured according to the injuries your character sustains during the game.
This damage system is what really sets it apart from similar games. The cartoon graphics of the injuries have just the right level of detail but remain cartoony enough that you won't get too grossed out but with a touch of realism giving it that morbid feel. The obstacle courses mix a little bit of traditional platform gaming with some puzzle and racer elements, the courses are really original at times. You might have to drive full speed into towers to knock them over so you can continue on your way or set off explosions at just the right moment to get some obstacles out of your path. It's the injuries, however, that your racers suffer that really make the game addictive. The first time you crash into something with your head, maybe your helmet will split in half and fall off your head, but then you might stick a landing poorly instead of rolling with it and bust your ankle. Fall down a couple more times and you might wind up without legs from the knee down, grabbing the handlebars of your ride for dear life as you whip up and down ramps, through vacuum tubes and across collapsing bridges. The more the character is injured, the trickier it becomes to operate your character and finish the level.
In this game you can choose one of four characters, firstly Wheelchair Guy, who you can try out with the demo version. Secondly, there is Segway Guy. The Segway has a silver segway which has a spring activator. The third character is the Irresponsible Dad. He takes his young son on a ride on his bicycle throughout the game. Finally you have the effective shopper. She is a fat lady on a golf cart stuffed with groceries.