Alex Rivera

Zakladatel a hlavní vývojář

Full-stack developer with 10+ years building web applications. Previously led engineering at two startups. Passionate about making the web more fun and accessible. Alex founded FastPlayGames to prove that free browser games can rival app-store titles in quality and polish.

10+ years of professional experience in founder & lead developer.

Profiles: https://fastplaygames.com/author/alex-rivera

Credentials

• Full-stack web developer
• Former startup CTO

Areas of expertise

web development, html5 games, browser performance, pwa, progressive web apps, javascript, typescript

Articles by Alex

• Games to Improve Reaction Time — Fast-reflex games that train reaction speed. How much reaction time actually improves is modest, but real. Picks below.
• CrazyGames Alternatives: Free Browser Gaming Sites Compared — Looking beyond CrazyGames? Here is how the main alternatives compare on catalog size, performance, and mobile.
• Games for 6 Year Olds — Free Browser Games for First Graders — Six-year-olds are ready for more challenge. These browser game picks bridge from preschool simplicity to elementary-school capability.
• Games to Play on a Long Flight — Flight-compatible browser games. Load them on the ground, play them in the air. Deep enough to fill hours, light enough to run on any device.
• Games to Play When You Can't Sleep — Can't sleep but don't want to make it worse? Low-stimulation browser picks that occupy the mind without winding you up.
• The Future of Esports: What's Next — The Future of Esports: What's Next. Analysis of gaming culture and history with specific examples and context. Deep coverage rather than surface takes.
• Spawn Mechanics in Game Design — Spawn Mechanics in Game Design. Design-focused analysis aimed at players interested in the why of game mechanics.
• Responsive Game Design for Any Screen Size — Responsive Game Design for Any Screen Size. Technical deep-dive for developers and technically-minded players. Current best practices and real-world examples.
• Using Extensions to Improve Gaming in Chrome — Using Extensions to Improve Gaming in Chrome. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• How to Bookmark and Organize Favorite Games — How to Bookmark and Organize Favorite Games. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• Kids Gaming: Then and Now — Kids Gaming: Then and Now. Analysis of gaming culture and history with specific examples and context. Deep coverage rather than surface takes.
• Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment Explained — Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment Explained. Game design analysis for readers who want to understand the underlying mechanics.
• Touch Controls Design for Browser Games — Touch Controls Design for Browser Games. Technical deep-dive for developers and technically-minded players. Current best practices and real-world examples.
• Safari Gaming Tips for MacBook and iPhone — Safari Gaming Tips for MacBook and iPhone. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• How to Report Broken Browser Games — How to Report Broken Browser Games. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• Games for 8 Year Olds — Free Browser Games for Elementary Kids — Browser games that hit the sweet spot for eight-year-olds — challenging enough to feel rewarding, friendly enough to not frustrate.
• The Future of Browser Gaming: WebAssembly and WebGPU — What's next for browser games. WebAssembly performance gains, WebGPU graphics, and why the gap with native is closing fast.
• Women in Gaming: A History of Exclusion and Change — Women in Gaming: A History of Exclusion and Change. Analysis of gaming culture and history with specific examples and context. Deep coverage rather than surface takes.
• Rubber-Banding in Games Explained — Rubber-Banding in Games Explained. Design-focused analysis aimed at players interested in the why of game mechanics.
• Browser Games and Mobile Performance — Browser Games and Mobile Performance. Technical deep-dive for developers and technically-minded players. Current best practices and real-world examples.
• Firefox Gaming Settings and Optimization — Firefox Gaming Settings and Optimization. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• How to Clean Browser Cache When Games Have Issues — How to Clean Browser Cache When Games Have Issues. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• Browser Gaming Cross-Cultural Appeal — Browser Gaming Cross-Cultural Appeal. Analysis of gaming culture and history with specific examples and context. Deep coverage rather than surface takes.
• Why Difficulty Spikes Happen in Games — Why Difficulty Spikes Happen in Games. A deep look at game design for players who want the why behind the mechanics.
• Service Workers and Offline Games: How They Work — Service Workers and Offline Games: How They Work. Technical deep-dive for developers and technically-minded players. Current best practices and real-world examples.
• Chrome Settings for Gaming Performance — Chrome Settings for Gaming Performance. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• How to Set Up Parental Controls for Browser Gaming — How to Set Up Parental Controls for Browser Gaming. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• How to Play Browser Games Offline (PWA Guide) — Using Progressive Web Apps to play browser games offline. Setup, tips, and which games work without a connection.
• The Game Design Principles That Still Work — The Game Design Principles That Still Work. Analysis of gaming culture and history with specific examples and context. Deep coverage rather than surface takes.
• Tutorial-Free Design: Trusting Players — Tutorial-Free Design: Trusting Players. Design-focused analysis aimed at players interested in the why of game mechanics.
• Game Networking: WebRTC vs WebSockets — Game Networking: WebRTC vs WebSockets. Technical deep-dive for developers and technically-minded players. Current best practices and real-world examples.
• How to Optimize iPad for Browser Games — How to Optimize iPad for Browser Games. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• How to Block Inappropriate Browser Games — How to Block Inappropriate Browser Games. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• How Browser Games Actually Work: HTML5, WebGL, and What Makes Them Fast — What actually happens when you click a browser game and it loads in a second? A technical walkthrough of HTML5, WebGL, Progressive Web Apps, and the clever tricks that make modern browser games rival native apps.
• How to Speedrun Browser Games: Tools and Techniques — The technical side of speedrunning browser games. Timers, splits, video recording, and submitting to leaderboards.
• Why Simple Games Often Beat Complex Ones — Why Simple Games Often Beat Complex Ones. Analysis of gaming culture and history with specific examples and context. Deep coverage rather than surface takes.
• Tutorial Design: What Works, What Doesn't — Tutorial Design: What Works, What Doesn't. A deep look at game design for players who want the why behind the mechanics.
• Godot Engine for Web Game Development — Godot Engine for Web Game Development. Technical deep-dive for developers and technically-minded players. Current best practices and real-world examples.
• How to Optimize Your Chromebook for Browser Gaming — How to Optimize Your Chromebook for Browser Gaming. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• How to Find Safe Browser Games for Kids — How to Find Safe Browser Games for Kids. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• AI-Generated Games: Are They Actually Good? — The state of AI-generated games in 2026. What works, what does not, and which AI gaming trends will stick.
• The Evolution of Casual Games: Flash to Mobile to Browser — The Evolution of Casual Games: Flash to Mobile to Browser. Analysis of gaming culture and history with specific examples and context. Deep coverage rather than surface takes.
• Pay-to-Win vs Fair Monetization — Pay-to-Win vs Fair Monetization. Design-focused analysis aimed at players interested in the why of game mechanics.
• Unity Web Export Explained for Developers — Unity Web Export Explained for Developers. Technical deep-dive for developers and technically-minded players. Current best practices and real-world examples.
• How to Invite Friends to Browser Games — How to Invite Friends to Browser Games. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• Browser Gaming Accessibility: The Quiet Strength — Browser Gaming Accessibility: The Quiet Strength. Analysis of gaming culture and history with specific examples and context. Deep coverage rather than surface takes.
• Lives vs Energy Systems Compared — Lives vs Energy Systems Compared. A deep look at game design for players who want the why behind the mechanics.
• WebAssembly Gaming Performance: The Future — WebAssembly Gaming Performance: The Future. Technical deep-dive for developers and technically-minded players. Current best practices and real-world examples.
• How to Play Browser Games with Friends — How to Play Browser Games with Friends. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• Addictive Game Design: The Ethics Debate — Addictive Game Design: The Ethics Debate. Analysis of gaming culture and history with specific examples and context. Deep coverage rather than surface takes.
• Checkpoints and Save Systems: Design Thinking — Checkpoints and Save Systems: Design Thinking. Design-focused analysis aimed at players interested in the why of game mechanics.
• Phaser vs Pixi vs Three.js for Browser Games — Phaser vs Pixi vs Three.js for Browser Games. Technical deep-dive for developers and technically-minded players. Current best practices and real-world examples.
• How to Mirror Browser Games to Your TV — How to Mirror Browser Games to Your TV. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• How Free-to-Play Changed Everything — How Free-to-Play Changed Everything. Analysis of gaming culture and history with specific examples and context. Deep coverage rather than surface takes.
• Random Number Generation in Games — Random Number Generation in Games. A design deep-dive for players curious about why games work as they do.
• Game Engine Options for Browser Developers — Game Engine Options for Browser Developers. Technical deep-dive for developers and technically-minded players. Current best practices and real-world examples.
• How to Play Browser Games on Your TV — How to Play Browser Games on Your TV. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• Gamification: Where It Works and Where It Does Not — Gamification: Where It Works and Where It Does Not. Analysis of gaming culture and history with specific examples and context. Deep coverage rather than surface takes.
• Procedural Generation Explained for Gamers — Procedural Generation Explained for Gamers. A deep look at game design for players who want the why behind the mechanics.
• Why HTML5 Games Load Faster Than Apps — Why HTML5 Games Load Faster Than Apps. Technical deep-dive for developers and technically-minded players. Current best practices and real-world examples.
• How to Sync Game Progress Across Devices — How to Sync Game Progress Across Devices. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• The Role of Browser Games in the Gaming Industry — The Role of Browser Games in the Gaming Industry. Analysis of gaming culture and history with specific examples and context. Deep coverage rather than surface takes.
• Why Timers Work (and When They Don't) — Why Timers Work (and When They Don't). A design deep-dive for players curious about why games work as they do.
• WebGL vs Canvas for Game Development — WebGL vs Canvas for Game Development. Technical deep-dive for developers and technically-minded players. Current best practices and real-world examples.
• How to Save Browser Game Progress — How to Save Browser Game Progress. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• Why Mobile Gaming Is Bigger Than Console — Why Mobile Gaming Is Bigger Than Console. Analysis of gaming culture and history with specific examples and context. Deep coverage rather than surface takes.
• Lives and Continues: A Retro Gaming Staple — Lives and Continues: A Retro Gaming Staple. A design deep-dive for players curious about why games work as they do.
• How PWA Games Work: A Technical Explainer — How PWA Games Work: A Technical Explainer. Technical deep-dive for developers and technically-minded players. Current best practices and real-world examples.
• How to Screenshot Browser Games the Easy Way — How to Screenshot Browser Games the Easy Way. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• New Browser Games This Week — April 7, 2026 — April 7, 2026 roundup — the browser games that earned attention this week, plus what is rising in the popularity lists.
• The Rise of Casual Gaming: A Demographic Shift — The Rise of Casual Gaming: A Demographic Shift. Analysis of gaming culture and history with specific examples and context. Deep coverage rather than surface takes.
• Combo Systems Explained — Combo Systems Explained. A deep look at game design for players who want the why behind the mechanics.
• Color Theory in Game Design: Essentials — Color Theory in Game Design: Essentials. A deep look at game design for players who want the why behind the mechanics.
• How to Stream Browser Games Live — How to Stream Browser Games Live. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• How Flash Deprecation Saved Browser Gaming — How Flash Deprecation Saved Browser Gaming. Analysis of gaming culture and history with specific examples and context. Deep coverage rather than surface takes.
• Understanding Progression Systems — Understanding Progression Systems. A deep look at game design for players who want the why behind the mechanics.
• Audio Design in Games: The Overlooked Power — Audio Design in Games: The Overlooked Power. Game design analysis for readers who want to understand the underlying mechanics.
• How to Record Browser Game Gameplay — How to Record Browser Game Gameplay. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• How to Find Trending Games on FastPlayGames — How to Find Trending Games on FastPlayGames. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• Gaming Ergonomics: Play Comfortably for Hours — Ergonomics basics for long gaming sessions. Posture, wrist position, screen height, and preventing repetitive strain.
• The History of Browser Gaming: Two Decades in Review — The History of Browser Gaming: Two Decades in Review. Analysis of gaming culture and history with specific examples and context. Deep coverage rather than surface takes.
• What Makes a Game Feel Good: Design Principles — What Makes a Game Feel Good: Design Principles. Analysis of gaming culture and history with specific examples and context. Deep coverage rather than surface takes.
• Why Power-Ups Matter in Game Design — Why Power-Ups Matter in Game Design. Game design analysis for readers who want to understand the underlying mechanics.
• Camera Design in 2D and 3D Games — Camera Design in 2D and 3D Games. Game design analysis for readers who want to understand the underlying mechanics.
• Customizing Keybindings for Browser Games — Customizing Keybindings for Browser Games. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• How to Browse FastPlayGames by Category — How to Browse FastPlayGames by Category. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• Cloud Gaming vs Browser Gaming: The Future — Cloud Gaming vs Browser Gaming: The Future. Analysis of gaming culture and history with specific examples and context. Deep coverage rather than surface takes.
• How Scoring Systems Actually Work — How Scoring Systems Actually Work. Game design analysis for readers who want to understand the underlying mechanics.
• Input Buffering and Responsive Gameplay — Input Buffering and Responsive Gameplay. Game design analysis for readers who want to understand the underlying mechanics.
• Using Game Controllers with Browser Games — Using Game Controllers with Browser Games. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• How to Use FastPlayGames Offline via Cache — How to Use FastPlayGames Offline via Cache. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• Open Web vs App Stores: The Gaming Battle — Open Web vs App Stores: The Gaming Battle. Analysis of gaming culture and history with specific examples and context. Deep coverage rather than surface takes.
• What Makes a Good Difficulty Curve — What Makes a Good Difficulty Curve. Game design analysis for readers who want to understand the underlying mechanics.
• Coyote Time and Jump Forgiveness Explained — Coyote Time and Jump Forgiveness Explained. A deep look at game design for players who want the why behind the mechanics.
• Browser Game Analytics: Privacy-Respectful Approaches — Browser Game Analytics: Privacy-Respectful Approaches. Technical deep-dive for developers and technically-minded players. Current best practices and real-world examples.
• Using Keyboard Shortcuts in Browser Games — Using Keyboard Shortcuts in Browser Games. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• How to Install FastPlayGames as a PWA — How to Install FastPlayGames as a PWA. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• From Flash to HTML5: The Browser Gaming Revolution — How browser gaming survived Flash's death and came back bigger. The technical and cultural transition.
• HTML5 as Universal Game Platform — HTML5 as Universal Game Platform. Analysis of gaming culture and history with specific examples and context. Deep coverage rather than surface takes.
• Understanding Game Loops: Design Theory — Understanding Game Loops: Design Theory. Design-focused analysis aimed at players interested in the why of game mechanics.
• Hitbox Design: Making Games Feel Fair — Hitbox Design: Making Games Feel Fair. Design-focused analysis aimed at players interested in the why of game mechanics.
• Web Vitals, Core, and Gaming Performance — Web Vitals, Core, and Gaming Performance. Technical deep-dive for developers and technically-minded players. Current best practices and real-world examples.
• Full-Screen Mode in Browser Games: Hotkeys and Tips — Full-Screen Mode in Browser Games: Hotkeys and Tips. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• How to Add FastPlayGames to Your Home Screen — How to Add FastPlayGames to Your Home Screen. Specific, actionable steps. What works, what does not, and quick solutions to common issues.
• HTML5 Gaming: The Complete Guide to Browser Games — HTML5 quietly replaced Flash and turned your browser into a legitimate gaming platform. This guide explains the technology behind modern browser games, why they work so well, and where the industry is headed next.
• The Complete Guide to Playing Games on Your Chromebook — Chromebooks have evolved from limited web terminals into legitimate gaming devices. This guide covers every option for playing games on a Chromebook in 2026, from browser games to Android apps to cloud streaming.
• How HTML5 Browser Games Compare to Mobile Apps in 2026 — The HTML5 vs mobile app debate has shifted dramatically in the past few years. Here is an honest comparison of where each format wins and loses in 2026.
• Are Free Browser Games Safe? A Privacy and Security Guide — The short answer is: most browser games are safer than the mobile apps people install without thinking. Here is the long answer about why, and what to actually watch for.