Spil Games embraces HTML5 to take its casual games mobile, launches developer contest

Spil Games, the casual gaming portal, has rolled out mobile versions of its games based on HTML5, making them accessible on a range of Android handsets, as well as the iPhone and iPad. Additionally, the Netherlands-based company is launching a developer contest to help fuel new HTML5 games, with prizes totaling $50,000 for the best new titles.

Claiming to be ranked as a top 60 most visited online property (citing comScore Media Metrix), Spil Games currently sees 130 million unique visitors to its array of casual gaming sites, which include games.co.uk (for families), agame.co.uk (for teens), and GirlsGoGames.co.uk (for girls). In total the company offers 47 localized online gaming destinations in 19 languages, although, until now, these target desktop web users only.

That’s set to change – each destination will now re-direct to a mobile-friendly version if needed – and with today’s announcement, Spil is clearly betting on the cross-platform capabilities of HTML5 with the advent of mobile devices that support the burgeoning standard.

“Openness is at the core of everything we do, which is why HTML5 fits so well with our company mission to unite the world in play,” says Peter Driessen, CEO of Spil Games. “We are aware that HTML5 is still at an early stage, but already developers can use it to make great games, and we are confident that the industry will quickly embrace it. Within three years, we expect HTML5 to be the standard in gaming devices.”

At an early stage, HTML5 may well be but that’s where Spil’s developer contest kicks in. As already noted, the contest, which will run for six months, boasts a prize pot of $50,000, while the winning games will be featured on all Spil Games’ mobile portals.