Scirra Arcade - Why the limitations?

I would like to get my free trial on Scirra Arcade - but why is it limited to 800px width and why is there no fullscreen option?

I think these two issues are keeping many good games away from Scirra Arcade. The 800px max width especially - that doesn't make any sense to me at all and it excludes my own game.

It make sense to keep the global design of the website.

In that design, game canvas are supposed to be contained within the layout of the webpage.

If the canvas was wider than the actual available size, it could visually break the design.

The arcade is being worked on by Tom anyway, at some point a new layout and less limitations should arrive.

The limitation preventing "many good games away" from the arcade, in my opinion, is the fact that you can't use third part plugins/behaviors, rather than the size of the game itself.

The arcade needs an overhaul, but we're just too busy to do it at the moment. Hopefully we'll renovate it in future.

You can go fullscreen from an Arcade game btw - just use the Browser object's 'request fullscreen' which now also works in the Arcade.

It make sense to keep the global design of the website.

In that design, game canvas are supposed to be contained within the layout of the webpage.

If the canvas was wider than the actual available size, it could visually break the design.

The arcade is being worked on by Tom anyway, at some point a new layout and less limitations should arrive.

The limitation preventing "many good games away" from the arcade, in my opinion, is the fact that you can't use third part plugins/behaviors, rather than the size of the game itself.

Ok - my game is absolutely stuffed with plug-ins :D

The arcade needs an overhaul, but we're just too busy to do it at the moment. Hopefully we'll renovate it in future.

You can go fullscreen from an Arcade game btw - just use the Browser object's 'request fullscreen' which now also works in the Arcade.

OK - thanks. Just learned that plug-ins doesn't work either and my game is stuffed with them :D

It's worth noting that Kongregate only allow a smaller width than 800px, and other portals often have similar restrictions. Depending on how or if you're planning to monetize your games it can be a wise decision to ensure it works -- and works well -- within these width restrictions.

jbadams, I had no problem putting an 800px game on Kong.

This quick little workaround by dafoundah might be worth a try. I've not attempted it myself, but in theory it makes sense.

sqiddster: they must have updated at some point, there used to be a limit of 700px width, with height unrestricted. Good to know!