Host an HTML5 game for free and share it easily

You've made your first game and you want to share it with your three friends. The first can't open the file, the second opens it, but in a text editor, and the third gets a "potentially dangerous file" warning. Nobody managed to launch it, yet the game works perfectly on your computer.

The problem isn't your game, it's the way you share it. A file can be tricky to open depending on the person and their device, so you need a solution that works for everyone.

Why a file doesn't get shared

When you send an HTML file in a message, the person receiving it has to do three things: download it, find it, then open it with the right program. You lose people at every step, and on a phone, the last one is often impossible.

On top of that, many messaging apps block .html attachments, and nobody really wants to open an unknown file sent by someone they barely know. We go into these roadblocks in our guide to turning an html file into a playable online game.

What a link changes

An online game gets shared like any other content: you send an address, the person taps it, and the game starts. No installation, no account, and no need to write instructions in your message.

In practice, it changes three things:

• More people open your game. A link launches in one tap, even from a group chat.
• Your game travels. Your friends can forward the link to their own contacts, and that's how your game gets out of your circle.
• You see what's happening. Once it's online, your game has stats, whereas with a file you sent, you'll never know if anyone played it.

Hosting so you can share

To get a link, you first need to put your game online. That's where Hoora comes in. Go to hooragames.com and click the purple "Import" button in the left-hand menu.

1. Drop in your standalone HTML file, and a playable preview appears right away.
2. Add a title and a description.
3. Publish, and your game has its public address.

It's free, and the only limit is a maximum file size of 100 KB.

Sharing beyond your contacts

Sending the link to your friends and family is a good start, but it runs out fast. The point of a publishing platform is that your game keeps going without you.

Your game joins the platform's feed, which players browse by swiping on the website and in the app. This swipe format is what got Gizmodo writing about Hoora's plan to become the TikTok of mobile gaming. People who don't know you come across your game, like it, share it in turn, and you see it all live in your stats. To go further, we cover other ways to get your game known in our guide on how to promote and publish your video game.

A few habits for sharing that works

• Take care of the title. It's the first thing people see, so it needs to make them want to tap.
• Record ten seconds of gameplay. A short video makes people want to try it far more than a description.
• Check the game on a phone before sending anything. Our guide to testing an html5 game on mobile gives you the checklist.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I get my game ready before making it public? Yes, you can keep it as a draft while you fine-tune everything, then publish it when you're ready. Once it's published, everyone can see it.
• Does the link work on iPhone and Android? Yes, an HTML5 game launches in the browser of any device.
• Do my friends need to install anything? No, no app and no account.
• Can I change the game after sharing it? Yes, just import a newer version of the file.
• How much does hosting cost if lots of people play? Nothing, bandwidth isn't on you. To compare with other solutions, see our guide on hosting an html5 game for free.

Next time you want people to try your game, forget the attachment. Put it online, send the link, and see how far it goes.