First unveiled back in October, San Francisco-based studio Ludei has announced its in-house HTML5-to-smartphone development tool is now available to third parties in beta form.

The platform, dubbed CocoonJS, allows HTML5 games to be converted into iOS and Android apps without altering any code, with the firm also claiming it boosts the title's performance by up to 1000 percent.

Beating the browser

"HTML5 solves the problem of cross compatibility because most developers are familiar with HTML, CSS and JavaScript but the problem is the lack of support and subpar performance for HTML5 games on mobile web browsers," said founder Eneko Knorr.

"Unfortunately, the current technologies that support HTML5 games to run as native apps add another layer of complexity since the developer has to learn how to use their API's, and complex libraries.

"Our CocoonJS platform solves both the performance problem and learning curve problem by accelerating the canvas and the fact that our platform is as simple as zipping a folder."

Added extras

It's claimed evidence of the tool's prowess can be found in Sumon, which Ludei launched across iOS, Android and Facebook to demonstrate the performance boost the platform can deliver.

The studio has also built CocoonJS to accommodate additional features, such as support for ad networks, in-app

purchases, and an online multiplayer infrastructure.

The CocoonJS news follows the launch of AppMobi's HTML5 accerlation tool for Android directCanvas also in beta form, with the platform reportedly capable of boosting game rendering by 1000 percent.

Developers interested in utilising CocoonJS can either check the platform out at GDC's Smartphone Games Summit in San Francisco, or download the free launcher from the firm's website.



[source: MarketWire]