The Tech Report spreads word that Google's Chrome 22 browser, which was published yesterday, adds Pointer Lock JavaScript API. This new feature enables the browser to run mouse-controlled first person shooters, such as Mozilla's Bananabread demo, a WebGL-based game that slightly resembles Quake III.
Oh, of course, we're not going to see the Doom 4 running in a browser. Capabilities like these are nevertheless adding a new dimension to browser-based PC games. Who needs Farmville and cheesy Facebook games when you can fire-up a high-adrenaline shooter right there in your browser, without special plug-ins or local installations?
The Pointer Lock API should enable more than just great browser games, too. Google says the functionality will be useful for applications like "scientific visualization, training, simulation, modeling, authoring packages, and more."
