In this section, you’ll learn how to take your completed Phaser game and make it available to players. We’ll cover the process of exporting your game for the web and other platforms, preparing your files for distribution, and publishing your game online.

Exporting is the process of preparing your game files so they can be run outside your development environment.
Publishing means making your game accessible to others, typically by uploading it to a website or game portal.

• Build: The final version of your game, ready for distribution.
• Hosting: Where your game files are stored online.
• Distribution Platforms: Websites or stores where players can access your game (e.g., itch.io, GitHub Pages).

Before exporting, ensure your game is ready:

• All assets (images, sounds, etc.) are included in your project folder.
• Code is free of debug statements and unnecessary logs.
• Game runs smoothly and is bug-free.

Phaser games are web-based, so exporting usually means preparing your HTML, JavaScript, and asset files.

1. Bundle Your Files

   • Ensure all game files are in a single directory.
   • Use a build tool (like Webpack or Parcel) for larger projects to bundle and minify your code.

2. Check Asset Paths

   • Use relative paths for assets (e.g., assets/player.png), so they work on any server.

3. Test Locally

   • Open index.html in a browser or use a local server (e.g., http-server) to ensure everything works.

Example: Minimal index.html

Explanation:

• phaser.js is the Phaser library (can also use a CDN link).
• main.js is your game code.

1. Create an Account on itch.io.
2. Create a New Project and select "HTML" as the game type.
3. Upload Your Files: Zip your game folder (including index.html, assets, etc.).
4. Configure Settings: Set the game to "playable in browser".
5. Publish: Your game is now live!

1. Push Your Game Folder to a GitHub repository.
2. Go to Repository Settings > Pages.
3. Select Branch (e.g., main or gh-pages) and root folder.
4. Access Your Game at https://yourusername.github.io/your-repo/.

Exercise:
Export and publish a simple Phaser game to itch.io or GitHub Pages.

Steps:

1. Prepare your game files (index.html, main.js, assets/).
2. Test your game locally.
3. Zip your game folder (for itch.io) or push to GitHub (for GitHub Pages).
4. Follow the publishing steps for your chosen platform.

Solution Example (GitHub Pages):

Common Mistakes & Tips:

• Incorrect asset paths: Use relative paths, not absolute.
• Missing files: Double-check all assets are included.
• Case sensitivity: File names are case-sensitive on most servers.
• Testing: Always test your game after uploading.

• Exporting prepares your Phaser game for distribution by bundling all necessary files.
• Publishing makes your game accessible online, commonly via platforms like itch.io or GitHub Pages.
• Always test your exported game in the target environment to catch any issues.
• With your game published, you can share it with the world and gather feedback!

Next: In the following section, you’ll learn how to optimize your game’s performance for a smoother player experience.