Why We Bet Against "JavaScript Can't Do AAA Graphics"
The gaming industry has a favorite truism: "Real games need real engines." Unity for mobile. Unreal for AAA. JavaScript for... toy projects? We took the opposite bet. Here's why we're winning.
The Myth of Compiled Performance
In 2020, the argument was simple: JavaScript is interpreted, C++ is compiled, therefore C++ wins. Case closed.
In 2025, the reality is different:
- WebGPU approaches native GPU performance
- V8 JIT compilation rivals native code for hot paths
- Gaussian splatting runs at 60fps in browsers
- Neural rendering is coming to Three.js
The bottleneck isn't the language anymore. It's the renderer. And renderers are becoming AI.
What's Actually Happening
Antimatter15's WebGL Gaussian Splat Viewer renders photorealistic 3D scenes in browsers. No plugins. No downloads. Just JavaScript calling WebGL, displaying neural representations of reality.
JavaScript Integration
This runs in your browser today - rendering millions of Gaussians at 60fps with simple worker messages.
Unity Integration
Adding Gaussian splatting to Unity requires engine modification, custom C++ plugins, recompilation, and redistribution to all users. Learn more about browser-based advantages.
The Dynamic Advantage
Here's what compiled engines can't do:
Hot-swap rendering pipelines: When neural rendering ships, JavaScript platforms update instantly. Unity developers wait for Unity 2026. Runtime model loading: JavaScript can load any AI model dynamically and set new renderers. Unity requires recompiling the entire project. Browser sandboxing: No downloads means no friction. AAA graphics without AAA installers.
The Proof Points
SuperSplat: Browser-based Gaussian splat editor. Drag and drop. Real-time editing. Runs on phones.
PlayCanvas: Ships AAA-quality graphics in browsers. BMW configurators. Nike experiences. All JavaScript.
Rosebud Creations: 70,000 creators building visually rich games. Not one asked for C++.
Neural Rendering Changes Everything
Traditional rendering: Rasterize triangles, shade pixels, fake realism with clever math.
Neural rendering: AI understands the scene and generates photorealistic output.
When this ships to Three.js (and it will), JavaScript codebases integrate it immediately. Unity developers? They'll wait for Unity Technologies to negotiate licenses, modify their engine, and ship Unity 2027. Compare this with our detailed analysis of JavaScript vs Unity.
The Mobile Reality
"But mobile devices can't run JavaScript games!"
Current reality:
- iPhone 15 runs Gaussian splatting in Safari
- WebGPU ships native GPU compute
- 5G means streaming fallbacks work everywhere
The "performance" argument is dead. The "distribution" argument never existed - browsers are everywhere.
Why Rosebud Bet on JavaScript
We didn't choose JavaScript because it was easy. We chose it because it's inevitable.
- When models generate code, they generate JavaScript best - it's 90% of their training data
- When new rendering techniques emerge, they ship to browsers first - researchers want shareable demos
- When creators want to build, they want to build now - not after downloading 20GB of engine
Potential Timeline
Near term: Gaussian splatting could become standard in Three.js
Mid term: Neural rendering may ship to WebGPU
Long term: Browser-based AAA graphics could become commonplace
The Bottom Line
We bet against "JavaScript can't do AAA graphics" because we understood the constraint wasn't JavaScript - it was yesterday's rendering techniques.
Tomorrow's techniques are AI-based. AI models are just functions. JavaScript calls functions better than any compiled language ever will.
The future isn't about polygon counts and shader complexity. It's about who can integrate AI fastest, iterate quickest, and ship everywhere.
JavaScript does all three better.
Ready to Build the Future?
Join us in building AI-powered games with JavaScript at rosebud.ai