Best Programming Language for Games: Overview
Behind every video game is the code that runs it. Choosing the optimal programming language for games is an integral part of developing this type of software. The various codes used in the design and development of video games determine how we perceive and interact with them.
Well-developed code can ensure smooth gameplay. A good knowledge of the languages used for video game programming is the first step to becoming a specialist in creating them.
Want to learn more? In this article, we will look at the main codes and their most common use in different types of projects.
Video Game Programming: Basic Concepts
A game programming language, script, or code is a system used by game programmers to shape game settings and mechanics. That is, it is the mechanism that makes a video game work in a certain way.
In this sense, each programming language used in video games serves specific purposes and is used for specific tasks. Therefore, different codes have different syntax and will be more effective for performing certain tasks.
The most common programming language in AAA video game development is C++.
However, many programming languages overlap and are compatible with each other, each contributing to the overall gameplay. Therefore, it is not uncommon for programmers to use multiple languages when developing some games, which we will cover in the following sections.
Best Programming Language for Games: List
The way a game is coded depends on many factors, such as the type of project being developed. For example, creating a game for consoles is not the same as creating a game for a PC.
Furthermore, the same amount of memory or level of interactivity is not always required, so in many cases the best programming for games is one that allows savings because it is much simpler.
Conversely, a project can be very complex and require the use of several programming languages so that all layers of the game work as intended in the design document.
As you can see, the factors for choosing the best programming language for games vary, and ultimately it all depends on what type of game is being developed, what platform it is for, and how complex you want your video game to be. Now we will take a detailed look at some of the most common programming languages for video games.
C++
The C++ language was released in 1985 and to this day remains one of the most important and best game programming languages.
It is a highly optimized code that allows more efficient memory management, which is a necessary attribute in the development of high-resolution, high-polygon video games.
C++ is a popular language for both AAA games and independent games. C++ works with most game engines, such as Unity or Unreal, making it one of the most common choices for game programmers.
C#
C# is another one of the most powerful programming languages among those used today for video game development, especially those that use Unity as their graphics engine.
This popular programming language was released by Microsoft in 2000.
C# is relatively easy to learn, so it is often used in small game developments and by programmers starting out in the video game industry.
Lua
Lua is a simpler cross-platform language that maintains compatibility with more complex languages.
It is one of the easiest game programming languages to learn.
Lua is useful for various types of games, small projects, and independent developments for those who want to learn to create video games. Additionally, it is also used for web application development and image processing.
Java
Game development in Java is inspired by the C++ language. It is a very versatile system and one of the most popular languages currently in use.
Minecraft in its early versions was developed using Java.
One reason for Java's popularity among programmers is that its model can be continuously updated, allowing it to compete with newer technologies.
Javascript
JavaScript in its early development was heavily influenced by Java and is now one of the most common programming languages for browser and web games.
In fact, it can be argued that it is the best programming language for games, used primarily for web design and development.
Python
Similar to what happens with C++ and Java, Python is also based on object-oriented programming, but in this case with a much simpler syntax and execution.
Python allows programmers to generate prototypes faster, making the game development process smoother.
Objective-C
This is an exclusive and specialized programming language for the operating systems of mobile devices Android or iOS.
Being a simpler and more modern programming language, it is used in the latest game engines for specific development aimed at mobile platforms.
In this sense, Objective-C provides mobile game developers enough space to create small but complete games.