Electron Pong

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Elevating ‘Pong’: Packaging with Electron for Windows Deployment

The charm of ‘Pong’ transcends generations. Having recreated this classic with Phaser in our previous journey we now stand at the cusp of a new adventure—bringing ‘Pong’ to the Windows desktop. Enter Electron: a powerful framework that lets you build cross-platform applications using web technologies. Let’s explore how to package our Phaser game with Electron and prepare it for deployment to game stores. It’s a pickle!

Setting the Foundation

1. Initialize your project:
Start by initializing a new Node.js project:

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npm init

2. Install Electron:
Next, we’ll need Electron itself.

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npm install electron --save-dev

Integrating Phaser with Electron

1. Create the Electron Entry Point:
Create a new file main.js. This serves as the entry point for our Electron app.

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const { app, BrowserWindow } = require('electron');

let win;

function createWindow() {
    win = new BrowserWindow({
        width: 800,
        height: 600,
        webPreferences: {
            nodeIntegration: true
        }
    });

    win.loadFile('index.html'); // Assuming your Phaser game is in 'index.html'
}

app.on('ready', createWindow);

2. Update package.json:
Modify your package.json to point to the Electron entry point:

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"main": "main.js",
"scripts": {
    "start": "electron ."
}

With this in place, you can run npm start to launch your Phaser game in an Electron window.

Packaging and Distribution

1. Install Electron Builder:
Electron Builder simplifies the process of packaging and building a ready-for-distribution Electron app.

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npm install electron-builder --save-dev

2. Configuration:
Add a build key to your package.json to specify configuration:

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"build": {
    "appId": "com.yourname.ponggame",
    "win": {
        "target": "nsis"
    }
}

3. Building the App:
With everything set up, package the game for Windows using:

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npx electron-builder --windows

You’ll find the packaged game in the dist folder, ready for deployment.

Deploying to Game Stores

Different game stores have their criteria, so it’s essential to read the documentation specific to the platform. Generally, you’ll want to:

  • Sign up as a developer on the platform (e.g., Microsoft Store).
  • Ensure your game adheres to the platform’s guidelines and standards.
  • Package your game as required by the platform.
  • Submit the game for review.

With Electron, the world of desktop applications opens up to web developers. Taking our simple Phaser-based ‘Pong’ game and transforming it into a standalone Windows application epitomizes the power and flexibility at our fingertips. As you deploy to game stores, remember, each step in this journey is a testament to the evolving landscape of game development, bridging the classics with contemporary tech.