If you're a game enthusiast, WordPress creator, or indie developer looking to add a small 2D racing or sports game to your website, this guide is for you.
You don’t need a game engine like Unity. We’ll stay lightweight, using HTML5 <canvas> and JavaScript, all embedded within WordPress.
Concept Overview
You’re not building the next Mario Kart — you're building something lightweight, fun, and playable in-browser, directly inside a WordPress page.
Think:
- A runner-style racing game where a player dodges obstacles
- A mini sports challenge like sprint timing, basketball shots, or soccer penalties
Game Types You Can Build
Here are a few ideas of 2D game types you can implement:
| Game Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Endless Runner | Dodge obstacles, gain speed over time |
| Track Sprint | Tap or press keys to move faster |
| Racing Duel | Compete against a bot in a lane race |
| Jump Challenge | Precise timing (e.g., hurdles) |
| Penalty Kick Game | Angle + power to shoot |
Each can be done with basic canvas animation logic.
Core Components of the Game
- Canvas Element
- Acts as the game screen (think of it as your stage).
- All objects (player, track, obstacles) are drawn here.
- Game Loop
- A repeating function (requestAnimationFrame) that constantly updates the game screen.
- Player Object
- Usually a shape or image controlled by the keyboard or screen taps.
- Obstacles / Opponents
- Elements that move across the screen; player needs to avoid or beat them.
- Score / Time System
- Tracks performance; stored in variables or optionally saved to WordPress DB.
- Game Over / Restart Logic
- Conditions to detect loss, restart, or win scenarios.
WordPress Integration Strategy
You have several ways to include a game inside WordPress:1. HTML Block / Custom Page Template
- Add your <canvas> and <script> in a Gutenberg HTML block or custom page template.
2. Shortcode Plugin
- Create a custom shortcode like [my_game] to insert the game anywhere.
3. Iframe (External Game)
- Host the game on a subdomain (or outside), then embed it via iframe.
- Good for performance.
- Bad for tight integration with WordPress data.
Game Assets (Optional)
If you want to use images:
- Host sprites (cars, runners, background) in your theme or media library.
- Use JS to load them into the canvas.
Optional Features (Intermediate to Advanced)
| Feature | Concept |
|---|---|
| Leaderboard | Save scores to WordPress DB with PHP & AJAX |
| User-based stats | Track logged-in user progress |
| Mobile Optimization | Add touch controls + responsive canvas |
| Sound FX | Use JS audio APIs or lightweight sound libraries |
| Difficulty Levels | Change speed, spawn rate, or enemy AI |
Libraries You Can Explore
| Library | Why Use It |
|---|---|
| p5.js | Artistic, canvas-based |
| Phaser.js | Feature-rich 2D engine |
| Three.js | For 3D games (overkill here) |
For sports/race games, Phaser.js is ideal if you're open to deeper JS dev.
Game as a Learning Project
Even a simple racing or sports game teaches you:
- Game loops
- Real-time rendering
- Physics and collision detection
- Performance optimization
- Client-server logic (if you store scores)
Summary
| Step | What You Do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Define your game concept |
| 2 | Build it using HTML5 + JS |
| 3 | Test it locally |
| 4 | Integrate it in WordPress via page or shortcode |
| 5 | Add optional features (score, replay) |