There was a time on the internet when a significant portion of media ran from the backing of a piece of software named Flash. From games to videos, Flash was once the king of delivering content that was more complicated than just text and images. Counted among the platforms which once embraced Flash were online video games, casino games, and even the first versions of YouTube.
Today, Flash is a distant memory, an obsolete piece of software not supported in the mainstream. It’s been an interesting story, and its effects are still felt in the world of online casino gaming.
Why Was Flash Used?
Flash became popular because it extended the potential of then-limited internet browsers, such as Internet Explorer. Running on older versions of HTML, these browsers by themselves couldn’t accomplish much more than display text and images. The technology was young, the internet was unproven, and humanity collectively didn’t know where it was going.
Each version of HTML at the time could be thought of as a foundation, upon which add-ons and extensions were built to support increased functionality. FutureSplash, released in 1995, was one such piece of software that supported animation and moving interactive displays. Over the years, this technology would continue to expand, and after some rebranding and buyouts, would become known by its modern name of Flash.
‘Museum Computer’ Rd. Vortex via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
How Did Flash Become Abandoned?
Flash always had a limited lifespan. The idea of allowing animations and powerful interactive elements was so useful that the internet of the future couldn’t avoid it. From online casino games to playing simple videos, every browser needed these abilities, so every browser needed the add-on. Flash was tacked onto a foundation after creation, however, so it could be buggy, and keeping it secure in an increasingly complex online landscape became untenable.
HTML developers eventually clued into the growing issue that Flash represented. Instead of taking this functionality on after release, it made more sense to include it within the foundation of online browsers and code, and thus HTML5 arrived. With HTML5, the abilities of Flash were extended without the need for third-party software. HTML5 implementation was more efficient and more flexible, and so Flash was left behind.
Source: Pixabay
Is the Death of Flash a Positive Development for Casinos?
To contradict Betteridge’s law of headlines, the answer in online casinos is a profound yes. Consider how a modern NJ casino app operates, and how its features work. Downloaded from the Apple or Google Play stores, these services and software are now based on HTML5. This makes browsing websites more reliable, it makes games like slots and live titles more performant, and it improves accessibility and consistency over all HTML5 compatible devices. The move away from Flash did require the conversion of a huge number of older titles to HTML5, but this process more than paid off.
For better security and an improved all-around experience, the death of Flash is one of the best things to happen to the online casino arena. Flash wasn’t a negative force by any means; it played a crucial role in helping casinos reach where they are today, demonstrating their legitimacy and contributing to their popularity.
It was also just a temporary stepping-stone, and one which iGaming has to thank as it treks further into the future.