Pley Developer FAQ

What is Pley?

Pley gets your game on the web.

1. Web Playable: Have your feature-complete game run on web. The Web Playable (the box where the game is played) can run nearly anywhere with payments, ads, asset delivery, and great UX.
2. Gamesite: A custom site for your players to explore your game, working out-of-the-box for any game on Pley. Optimized for UA and SEO.
3. Distribution: Reach platforms like Crazy Games and Discord, with no extra work to maintain your cross-platform game.
4. Developer Tools: Automated uploads, performance post-processing, web browser compatible code patching, crash logging, and much more.

How does Pley work?

Pley provides everything needed to earn, expand, and distribute your mobile game on the web (desktop and mobile). After being ported to WebGL (WebAssembly), Pley enables everything that's needed; in-game payments, ads, analytics, distribution channels, CI/CD, and much more.

You should continue making great games, and Pley helps you get more out of that development!

What is required of me as a game developer?

Working with Pley begins with a porting period, where your game is

1. The game is made ready for WebGL. Pley SDK is installed.
2. Pley functionality is added to the game's codebase.
3. Codebase is merged into the same branch as mobile, and Pley is added to your CI/CD or build pipeline.

After that, you go back to the same development as before, except that builds are also distributed on the web!
Same development, more players!

How do I get started?

Request developer access at Pley Developer Tools, install the SDK, and follow Starting with Pley.

Do I need to maintain a new version of my game?

NEVER! One game, one backend, one branch—IOS, Android, and Web. Merge the web port into your main branch and upload builds to Pley alongside mobile. Then expand on the web to many more web-based distribution channels!

One game, multiple platforms!

What game engines does Pley support?

Pley supports Unity (easiest to port) and native C++ engines. Other engines may work — contact us to confirm or get your game evaluated by the Pley team. Pley does not currently support Cocos engine or Godot.

Do I need web development experience?

No, Pley’s toolchain manages hosting, optimization, and delivery. Focus on your game. Pley does the rest.

Are there security/cheating issues with running my game on web?

Very little! Anything that users can do in a web browser, they can already achieve on Android. Cheating or security issues are very rare for games on Pley. Pley makes sure all communication is robust and difficult to meddle with. Critical functionality, such as authentication and purchases, is verified server-to-server using HTTP cURL.

How do I start porting my game to the web with Pley?

Install the Pley SDK, set WebGL as the target platform in Unity, and upload your build via the Game Manager. Often, there will be issues. Disable code that does not work on WebGL until the game works. Once the game can be run with WebGL as a build target and it is uploaded to Pley, begin fixing issues caused by disabling code and services.

How long does the porting process take?

Porting takes 2-6 weeks, depending on game complexity.

How do I integrate Pley with my CI pipeline?

Set up Continuous Integration to auto-build WebGL and upload to Pley when you build for mobile. The goal for Pley is always to automate any processes for the web, so you can focus on your core development.

How do I publish updates?

Upload builds (manual or CI/CD) to the Game Manager and set them live with one click—no review delays.
Most games on Pley publish weekly or twice-per-week updates.

Can I maintain one codebase for mobile and web?

Yes, use conditional compilation (e.g., #ifdef PLEY) to handle web-specific code. Merge into your main branch post-porting. Pley also insists on using the same backend for all versions of your game, no matter the platform.

How do I add monetization?

Configure products in the Game Manager. Pley supports rewarded ads (Google Adsense) and in-game purchases. Once Pley payments are implemented, it will work on any distribution channels -- no matter what payment solution they use.

How do I link mobile and web accounts?

Use Pley Connect to sync progress with a button, link, or QR code.

What analytics are available?

View core events in the Game Manager or send detailed analytics to your preferred service. See this article on Analytics.

Can I launch on third-party platforms like Crazy Games?

Yes! Make a production release through the Game Manager, and submit your game for Crazy Games through the Crazy Games page in the Game Manager. Currently, Pley supports releasing games to Crazy Games and Discord.

How do I let users link accounts with third-party platforms such as Discord / Crazy Games?

Account linking with other distribution channels comes out-of-the-box for all games using Pley Gamesites.

How do I test my game before launch?

Use closed/open testing tracks in the Game Manager for QA and pre-production builds.

What if my game has web-incompatible features?

Pley’s SDK analysis flags issues. Fix them via the report window or consult our porting process.

Browser Support

Pley works on all major browsers, auto-processing builds for compatibility. Some privacy limits may apply for private browsers. Through Pley's automated build post-processing, the goal is +98% browser support. Details here.

Can we do frequent game updates?

Yes! There are no restrictions or reviews to publish more builds. Most games on Pley update their game weekly, plus hotfixes.

Add Pley to your CI pipeline. Build for mobile and web together, then instantly publish updates via the Game Manager.
The workflow between mobile and web stays nearly identical!

CI/CD Integration?

Absolutely. We always highly recommend integrating Pley into your build pipeline. Automate WebGL builds and uploads to Pley. Learn how.

Performance-Heavy Games?

If it runs on mobile, it’ll shine on web.