Since GitHub is a primary tool for software development, it is rarely blocked by standard firewalls, allowing these "mirror" sites to remain accessible where dedicated gaming sites are restricted.
In the late 2010s and early 2020s, a growing number of web-based games began appearing on URLs of the form username.github.io/game-name . These projects range from simple HTML5/JavaScript puzzles to complex WebGL experiences. Unlike traditional game distribution platforms (Steam, Itch.io, or app stores), github.io game sites require no downloads, no payment, and often no registration. This paper asks: Why has GitHub Pages, a service designed for software documentation and project pages, become a de facto gaming platform? games site github io