The gaming system I've been developing for 5 years is the backend that allowed me to create the 'Adventure Game'.

I wanted to construct an old-style game that everyone could play, no matter what browser or setup you're running, and it doesn't require any additional downloads like Flash/Shockwave/Java etc.

It only requires the tiled images to play, which are very small in size.

Every aspect of the gaming system is stored in a MySQL database. It holds character, map, items, shops and monster information. As the character enters the game, PHP Code is run to gather all the information around the area of the player and send it to the client browser in JavaScript format.

The JavaScript is run client-side which updates all the tiled images dynamically and without 'Refreshing' which is one major limitation to the HTTP Protocol and PHP.

Each time a character takes an action, either moving, picking up or dropping an item, or entering a store, the PHP is constantly connecting with the MySQL database allowing immediate responses and map changes.

With technologies such as PHP/MySQL and JavaScript, I've found little limitations to creating a large and dynamic backend for a gaming system.

Some might say the graphical environment made by the gaming system through JavaScript has limitations. Such as the lack of animation, fancy effects and quick rendering on multiple layers.

It's true there are limits to HTML and JavaScript, especially compared to the high-end graphics of today's games. However, these such games require downloading/installing to play, and they usually require fast video cards. Or if they're created in Flash or Shockwave, they also require downloading and often significant processing speed to run.

One other point to this gaming system is that Flash and Shockwave may not be available on some computers, such as work computers, school computers and other such systems.
This gaming system however, is strictly HTML and JavaScript on the client-side, rarely blocked by these systems.

The technology in JavaScript or even HTML for that matter can still be attractive and have such things as animation & effects. For instance the tiled images could be animated GIF's, allowing streams of water to flow or battles to take place in animated sequence.

Such technologies will be looked upon and discussed for implementation in the newer versions of the gaming system.