Something I find incredibly inspiring is seeing creators make games entirely on their own. There’s so much to consider: writing the code, visualizing the concept, defining the style, and—most importantly—crafting a compelling gameplay loop. Doing all that solo takes discipline, creativity, and a deep understanding of game development. The web gaming space is no exception; it, too, has its share of solo devs. I had the pleasure of speaking with web game veteran Havana24 about the challenges and creative potential of making games for the browser.
Could you tell the people who you are and what you do?
My name is Alessandro Pezzetti and I’m the founder of Havana24, a one-man indie game development studio based in Italy. I started making games as a hobby back in 2003 and became a full-time indie developer in 2012. Over the years, I’ve released many Flash games, collaborating with companies like Cartoon Network and DreamWorks. I’ve also created many mobile apps and developed over 60 HTML5 games, which I actively license. Recently, I’ve started working on instructional games for elementary and middle school students. In 2018, I released my first commercial PC game, Plug Me, on Steam, and now I’m preparing to launch my second Steam title, Tired to Fall.
When and where did you first start making games?
I started around the age of 14 using a tool called RPG Maker 2000. As a kid, I was in love with games like Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VIII and Legend of Dragoon. I was curious to understand how those games were made, and eventually I came across this tool specifically designed for creating RPGs. Later on, I moved to a more general-purpose engine called Stencyl, where I began experimenting with my first platformers, inspired by my passion for Super Mario. Today, I mainly use Godot for development.
What was developing web games like when you first started?
When I first started, development tools were much less intuitive than they are now. There was very little documentation available, and no AI assistance like we have today. If you ran into a coding issue, you often had to spend days looking for a solution, hoping someone had posted about it on a forum. It was a slower and more frustrating process, but also a great way to learn by trial and error.
Is there anything from back then that you would welcome back with open arms?
I really miss forums and the sense of community that used to form around specific tools or game genres. With social media and Discord becoming dominant, those forums have mostly disappeared. Today’s conversations tend to be shorter and more fast-paced, while back then you would often find long, thoughtful discussions in forum threads. I miss that depth and the slower, more focused way of sharing ideas.
You are quite the Game Jam Champion! Do you have advice or beginner tips for people that just got started with Game Jams?
"Champion" might be a bit much, but I’ve always loved game jams and have joined many of them over the years. I find them incredibly energizing. Having a theme actually helps a lot, because it pushes you to try mechanics or ideas you wouldn’t normally consider. A tight deadline also helps you stay focused and avoid over-scoping.
My biggest advice is to just join without worrying about winning. Use jams as a creative challenge, build something, publish it, and get feedback. The game jam community is usually super open and supportive. If you leave comments on other people’s games, they’ll likely do the same for you. Over time, your games will get more refined, and you might even win a jam or two. But the real reward is what you learn along the way.
In your portfolio there are a lot of 2D puzzle platformers. Would you say that is your expertise? Where did the passion for this genre come from?
Yes, I would definitely say it’s my main focus. My passion started with Super Mario. I played the original NES trilogy and completely fell in love with Super Mario Bros. 3. From there, I got into every kind of 2D platformer and puzzle platformer I could find, both on Nintendo and PlayStation. I think what really appeals to me is the clarity of the genre. What I love most is taking basic platforming mechanics and twisting them into something that challenges the player’s brain as much as their reflexes.
What inspires you when creating games? Are there certain topics or other creators or games that really help you out creatively?
Inspiration can come from many different directions. Sometimes it’s a game jam theme that sparks a unique idea. Other times, it’s a mechanic I discover while prototyping. I also follow many indie developers whose creativity really motivates me. Teams like Vlambeer have always been a huge inspiration, especially in terms of polish and game feel. Their attention to detail in responsiveness and feedback taught me a lot about how to make interactions satisfying. More recently, I’ve been really inspired by the Sokpop collective. I love how they consistently release simple but super creative games that each explore a unique concept. That kind of playful experimentation is something I try to bring into my own work as well.
When you make games, what is the one thing that you think is the most important when creating a piece of interactive media?
For me, the most important thing is the final polish. Small visual and audio touches can make a huge difference. Things like screen shake, little particle effects, or subtle sound cues help make the world feel alive and responsive. These are the things that players may not consciously notice, but they feel them. That kind of feedback adds to the immersion and makes the whole experience feel much more professional and satisfying.
What do you hope to accomplish when people play your game?
I hope they enjoy themselves and maybe even smile. When it comes to puzzle games, one of my favorite things is seeing players have that "aha!" moment when they figure something out. That sense of discovery and accomplishment, especially when the solution is clever but fair, is what I aim to create.
How do you feel about the future of web gaming? What are your predictions?
I think the future of web gaming is actually pretty bright. After Flash was phased out and mobile apps took over, it seemed like web games might fade away. But HTML5 has stepped up in a big way. Browser performance is better than ever, and more platforms are supporting web content. I believe this trend will continue, especially with how easy it is to access games instantly without downloading anything.
Is there anything you would like to say to our players on Ray Browser?
Keep exploring web games. There are so many developers out there creating amazing little experiences that you can play instantly. As for me, I’m continuing to make new HTML5 games and also working on growing my puzzle-platformer series, Tired to Fall. It’s actually coming soon to Steam as well, so I’d love for you to check it out when it’s released.
Would you like to try the games of Havanah24 out? You'll get the best performance using Ray Browser. Make sure to join our Discord server to find people to play and talk with!
