5 answers
Blake
Student
2
Questions
Asked
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What programing language would be recommend for beginners in video game design?
Any suggestions are welcome for this! I've heard some recommendations before like C++ and Java, but I would love to have more possible languages to try out.
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5 answers
Raj Desai
Software Architect
13
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Raj’s Answer
Great to hear that you're exploring video game design! For beginners, it’s good to consider languages that balance ease of use with power and flexibility in game development. Here are a few programming languages that are great for game design, ranging from beginner-friendly to more advanced options:
1. Python (Beginner-Friendly)
Why: Python is widely considered a great starting point due to its simplicity and readability.
How It’s Used in Games: You can use Pygame, a library for creating 2D games. It allows you to build small games and work on game logic, graphics, and sound without the steep learning curve of more complex languages.
Best For: Beginners who want to learn game development concepts without getting overwhelmed by complex syntax.
2. C# (Great for Unity)
Why: C# is the primary language for Unity, one of the most popular game engines for both 2D and 3D games.
How It’s Used in Games: Unity’s user-friendly interface and C# scripting makes it easy for beginners to get into the game development world. It's widely used in both indie games and large commercial projects.
Best For: Beginners who want to make both 2D and 3D games, and those looking to break into the indie game scene or mobile game development.
3. JavaScript (Web-Based Games)
Why: If you’re interested in web-based games, JavaScript is a great choice because it runs directly in the browser.
How It’s Used in Games: JavaScript can be used with libraries like Phaser or Babylon.js to create interactive 2D and 3D games for the web.
Best For: Aspiring game developers interested in creating browser-based or mobile-friendly games.
4. C++ (For Performance)
Why: C++ is one of the most powerful languages for game development and is commonly used for high-performance games.
How It’s Used in Games: Many big-name game engines, such as Unreal Engine, use C++ for scripting. It’s more complex but gives you greater control over game performance.
Best For: Beginners willing to put in the effort to learn a powerful language, especially for 3D games, AAA titles, and advanced game engines.
5. Lua (Great for Scripting in Game Engines)
Why: Lua is lightweight and fast, making it ideal for scripting in game engines.
How It’s Used in Games: It’s often embedded within game engines, like Love2D for 2D games or used for scripting in larger game engines like Roblox and World of Warcraft.
Best For: Beginners who want a flexible, easy-to-learn language for creating game logic, particularly for 2D games or modding existing games.
6. GDScript (For Godot Engine)
Why: GDScript is a Python-like language used specifically with the Godot engine. It’s designed to be simple and easy to learn for game developers.
How It’s Used in Games: Godot is an open-source engine with an easy-to-learn interface, perfect for both 2D and 3D game development. GDScript integrates seamlessly with Godot’s tools.
Best For: Beginners who are interested in working with an open-source engine for indie game development.
7. Swift (For iOS Games)
Why: Swift is the go-to language for iOS development, and Apple’s SpriteKit and SceneKit frameworks are great for 2D and 3D games on iPhone or iPad.
How It’s Used in Games: Swift is straightforward and integrates well with Apple’s game development tools.
Best For: Beginners who are interested in developing games specifically for iOS devices.
Conclusion:
If you’re just starting out, Python is a fantastic way to get your feet wet, while C# with Unity is perfect for building more serious 2D and 3D games. For web games, JavaScript is a solid choice, and if you’re aiming to work with AAA games or highly detailed 3D games, learning C++ or Unreal Engine is the way to go.
Best for absolute beginners: Python with Pygame or JavaScript with Phaser.
Best for a more serious game development career: C# with Unity or C++ with Unreal Engine.
Best for modding or simple games: Lua or GDScript with Godot.
Choose one based on your interests—whether that’s simple 2D games, mobile apps, or high-performance 3D games—and dive in! Let me know if you need more resources for learning any of these languages.
1. Python (Beginner-Friendly)
Why: Python is widely considered a great starting point due to its simplicity and readability.
How It’s Used in Games: You can use Pygame, a library for creating 2D games. It allows you to build small games and work on game logic, graphics, and sound without the steep learning curve of more complex languages.
Best For: Beginners who want to learn game development concepts without getting overwhelmed by complex syntax.
2. C# (Great for Unity)
Why: C# is the primary language for Unity, one of the most popular game engines for both 2D and 3D games.
How It’s Used in Games: Unity’s user-friendly interface and C# scripting makes it easy for beginners to get into the game development world. It's widely used in both indie games and large commercial projects.
Best For: Beginners who want to make both 2D and 3D games, and those looking to break into the indie game scene or mobile game development.
3. JavaScript (Web-Based Games)
Why: If you’re interested in web-based games, JavaScript is a great choice because it runs directly in the browser.
How It’s Used in Games: JavaScript can be used with libraries like Phaser or Babylon.js to create interactive 2D and 3D games for the web.
Best For: Aspiring game developers interested in creating browser-based or mobile-friendly games.
4. C++ (For Performance)
Why: C++ is one of the most powerful languages for game development and is commonly used for high-performance games.
How It’s Used in Games: Many big-name game engines, such as Unreal Engine, use C++ for scripting. It’s more complex but gives you greater control over game performance.
Best For: Beginners willing to put in the effort to learn a powerful language, especially for 3D games, AAA titles, and advanced game engines.
5. Lua (Great for Scripting in Game Engines)
Why: Lua is lightweight and fast, making it ideal for scripting in game engines.
How It’s Used in Games: It’s often embedded within game engines, like Love2D for 2D games or used for scripting in larger game engines like Roblox and World of Warcraft.
Best For: Beginners who want a flexible, easy-to-learn language for creating game logic, particularly for 2D games or modding existing games.
6. GDScript (For Godot Engine)
Why: GDScript is a Python-like language used specifically with the Godot engine. It’s designed to be simple and easy to learn for game developers.
How It’s Used in Games: Godot is an open-source engine with an easy-to-learn interface, perfect for both 2D and 3D game development. GDScript integrates seamlessly with Godot’s tools.
Best For: Beginners who are interested in working with an open-source engine for indie game development.
7. Swift (For iOS Games)
Why: Swift is the go-to language for iOS development, and Apple’s SpriteKit and SceneKit frameworks are great for 2D and 3D games on iPhone or iPad.
How It’s Used in Games: Swift is straightforward and integrates well with Apple’s game development tools.
Best For: Beginners who are interested in developing games specifically for iOS devices.
Conclusion:
If you’re just starting out, Python is a fantastic way to get your feet wet, while C# with Unity is perfect for building more serious 2D and 3D games. For web games, JavaScript is a solid choice, and if you’re aiming to work with AAA games or highly detailed 3D games, learning C++ or Unreal Engine is the way to go.
Best for absolute beginners: Python with Pygame or JavaScript with Phaser.
Best for a more serious game development career: C# with Unity or C++ with Unreal Engine.
Best for modding or simple games: Lua or GDScript with Godot.
Choose one based on your interests—whether that’s simple 2D games, mobile apps, or high-performance 3D games—and dive in! Let me know if you need more resources for learning any of these languages.
Mark Terrano
Game Designer
5
Answers
Spokane Valley, Washington
Updated
Mark’s Answer
Look at the engines you'd like to use - most of the game industry uses Unreal Engine and Unity. Unreal engine you'll want to know Blueprint scripting and C++ to do more hardcore software engineering. Unity you'll want C# or Javascript. Learning *any* programming language thoroughly will help you prepare for learning other languages as most are pretty similar once you understand the concepts and can think like a programmer or software engineer. Each computer language has its strengths but the most important thing is to be able to get your ideas working in the game engine. My recommendation - start with the engine and learn its native tools thoroughly - then broaden your skills from there.
Download Unreal or Unity game engine, sign up for their developer program.
Learn programming with tutorial content, modifying the example programs, and following tutorials on Youtube and other platforms.
Mark recommends the following next steps:
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
565
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Blake,
Video game developers use several different languages. If you are new to coding and want to start with a language that is easy to learn, python is a good starting point.
If you want to delve into a language that is most commonly used, but more difficult to learn, C++ is your thing.
Eventually, you'll learn several languages for different purposes. You'll recognize the similarities and differences in syntax.
I hope this helps! All the best!
KP
https://www.mooc.org/blog/best-programming-languages-for-game-development
https://www.codecademy.com/resources/blog/programming-languages-for-game-development/
Video game developers use several different languages. If you are new to coding and want to start with a language that is easy to learn, python is a good starting point.
If you want to delve into a language that is most commonly used, but more difficult to learn, C++ is your thing.
Eventually, you'll learn several languages for different purposes. You'll recognize the similarities and differences in syntax.
I hope this helps! All the best!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Abhishek Purushothama
Computer Science Grad Student, Software Engineer
3
Answers
Boulder, Colorado
Updated
Abhishek’s Answer
The other two answers encompass the two main parts. So additionally, you will want to learn the programming with asynchronous actions and interval mechanisms. These do require certain different programming practice in perspective.
Most languages have some ways to do this. Make sure to learn and practice asynchronous programming in your language of comfort.
Most languages have some ways to do this. Make sure to learn and practice asynchronous programming in your language of comfort.
Elliot Jordan
Web Developer
102
Answers
Indianapolis, Indiana
Updated
Elliot’s Answer
Start with HTML (Canvas) and Javascript libraries. Python is good. Lua is good. C# is good with Unity. These are all fine, established languages with plenty of documentation, books, videos, etc. to study and lean with.
These will keep you busy for years!
Good luck :)
These will keep you busy for years!
Good luck :)