Dilemma: WebGL VS Flash

Hello,

I am currently working on a project where our target priority are as follow:

• Unity Flash (or WebGL)
• Unity Web Player
• iOs
• Android

Well it goes without saying that building for the WebPlayer works like a charm. Nothing wrong to say with iOs and Android (other than some resolution and ratio hiccups...)

Flash
For Flash.... a big amount of time was already spent trying to make it functional.
Currently, an enormous amount of time is still needed on this version.
Flash Fatal errors are frequent and I'm afraid will never disappear. Performance is quite lacking behind Web Player and mobiles.

WebGL
With WebGL just out, I have been given the possibility to replace the first priority (Unity Flash) for a WebGL build. The conversion of my projet isn't going as smoothly as one would wish (frequent errors, hard to dissect). Performance wise, it's better than Flash.

Thing is, we are talking about a preview version in development with (mostly) constant weekly updates. It's impossible to know what the next update will bring (new bugs?)

WebGL vs Flash
The project deadline is around Christmas. If it was a bit later in 2015, I wouldn't have this dilemma of Flash VS WebGL. I can't make a wrong decision at this, but currently, I feel none of the answer is the right decision at this moment. Personally, I want to make it work in WebGL. Unity Flash is my nemesis... But emotions aside...

What would you do in my shoes? Why?

PS: The first priority has to be Flash or WebGL, unfortunately.
For the clients, we are talking about schools. It is out of our hands to force the installation of a plugin (Web Player)

 

As you stated, WebGL is a beta now and is unpredictable so I'd use Flash. It may not be perfect but you can go around these limits since they won't change.

And I'm not sure you are allowed to distribute any Unity WebGL product yet.

 

Well if it's true that we cannot distribute any Unity WebGL product, that answers the questions...

Any insight from Unity would help clear that out.

 

I've seen UT (by jonas or maybe ralph?) replies that you are allowed to distribute. Note that WebGL does not work as nearly many as you might think (yet). My friends said my project did not work for them in chrome, firefox (froze whole thing etc), some with older browser version, some with plugins or stuff that mess the webgl js execution.

Flash is more safe at this point (IMO).

 

@Ostwind, on what browser version were your friends on?

I'm not confident with Flash being more safe, in all honesty.
Flash, being unsupported for a while now, does have a lot of risk. There is no way for me to estimate the time it would take to complete my project with Flash as I am constantly finding "surprises".

But, obviously WebGL does have it's fair share of risk, also.

Another issue with Flash, is all you learn will basically go to the trash once the projet is completed.

Anyway, it's a big dilemma for me, at this moment, hence this thread!

 

Who is your target audience? Flash is still installed for many users on desktop computers where the current WebGL is also targeted with the exception that only works good with 2 browsers.

I only asked ff version from couple users and both were 2x or 3x something

 

Today Flash, Next year WebGL.

 

Might I suggest talking to the schools before making a decision?

You mention that you can't force the installation of a plugin. It stands to reason that you probably can't force the installation of a web browser that supports WebGL - like many corporations, schools have a tendency to stick with something older-that-works. If these are primary/secondary schools, it's also within the realm of possibility that they may not have flash installed either, since kids tend to primarily use flash for games (or try to, anyway) and in many cases there's no academic need for it. In other words, you're best to find out what restrictions the school(s) already have in place, because your decision may already be made for you.

Even if the software you're making is aimed at the administrative end (office machines instead of lab machines), it's not uncommon for everything to run through an IT department. A quick visit or a short phone call before making a decision may save you a lot of grief down the line.

 

I've seen in other forum posts that there is no prohibition against distributing WebGL content, and it has already been done as part of a Humble bundle.

 

jonas echterhoff confirmed in this thread(http://forum.unity3d.com/threads/unity-5-0-pre-order-beta-now-available.276320/page-3), that we are we allowed to distribute projects build with Unity WebGL.

 

Good to know.

 

i wouldn't do flash... and I probably wouldn't do WebGL currently, either.

sounds like you got yourself into a S***ty situation if those are your top priorities and you can't just have them install the web player.

unity might not be the best choice for you if you are targetting those platforms and have a deadline in a month.

 

@philwinkel, I am in a S***ty situation... lol

We have no control on forcing them to install a plugin like WebPlayer
We chose Unity, because we need to target: Web, iOs and Android.

Projet is 80% done, already. Works well on Web Player, iOs and Android. Porting to Flash or Web Player are the main problem right now. Most of it works under Flash, except for the frequent Fatal Errors, though.

@jdi_knght, Trust, me I did everything in my power to force the Web Player. This is out of my control unfortunately.
We are talking about multiple school with different school boards and different IT.

What I've been told, forcing a browser such as Chrome (more and more of them are moving to Chrome anyway) is OK.
At least they will have two options: Chrome/Firefox + Web Player OR Flash Player + Web Player.

 

Hi, look at the problem in a different way. You are between a rock and a hard place, there is no objective way to know which decision is better. Not even Unity staff can give you better advice, they are busy fixing bugs in WebGL.

Lacking better information, you have a 50/50 chance that either choice is better. So what else can tip this?

If you choose Flash, you have a 50% chance of making the wrong choice, and a 100% chance of immersing yourself for another 4 weeks in a product which is dying. With WebGL, you have a 50% chance of making the wrong choice, but at least you acquire experience with a new tech that is up and coming!

Easy call, I'd say.

 

@WendelinReich,

I like the way you see things!

 

If only these schools had some qualified personnel able to install the webplayer on all their computers with some kind of centralised tool/command. We could call this the IT department and this would make everybody's life easier...

Seriously, I agree with Wendelin, WebGL may not be perfect, but it is meant to evolve in a good way. It might be your best bet.

Still, you should re-insist on the webplayer: they say it can't be done but chances are they just declared that out of the blue without even consulting the IT guys. And don't forget to state WebGL is a prototype on your quotation: this way it is their choice to face if this goes wrong.