WebGL / Canvas - How important is a Fallback Renderer?

[Jochen]

Hi,

How important is it, that HTML5 games still support fallback renderers in case webgl isn't available? Do you have any data how many systems are out there that doesn't support webGL at all? What do you think.

[bruno_]

If you are developing for android a cordova/crosswalk application some versions of android don't support webgl. In that case is good to have the fallback.

[tips4design]

Depends on the platform.

If you want some numbers see this: http://caniuse.com/#feat=webgl

It says global support is ~87% of all devices.

[Jochen]

Ah, cool numbers.

What do you think if you'd like to sell licenses to portals. Does this matters to portals/distributors?

[mattstyles]

You'd have to check with the distributors, some require older device support, some won't mind.

I'd imagine you put yourself in a stronger bargaining position if you support more devices though.

[alex_h]

If you are using Phaser / pixi.js then unless you want to use webgl effects like shaders you essentially get the fallback option for free, its done for you automatically. It's only when you want to use stuff that canvas2D doesn't support that it requires any additional work. So depending on what your game requirements are, a lot of the time supporting both is not something you have to really worry about, it just happens anyway.

[permith]

Depends if you're going onto a platform that has reviews.  

[jkohler]

I use canvas fallback renderer, it's not as efficient but at least it shows something to the user