Whether you’re an experienced coder looking to make the jump from one language to another, or a newbie who’s just starting out in web design and development, it’s important to know what language you should learn.
If you dream of making games, there are many languages from which to choose. But which is the best beginner programming language for games?
Table of Contents
Best Beginner Programming Language For Games
Top 8 Programming Languages For Game Developers
The choice of programming language for game developers depend on the game type (console, computer or mobile) and the extent of interactivity.
The gaming industry has been fast growing in India, as well as globally. According to Statista, the online gaming industry in the country was valued at Rs 76 billion last year and is expected to reach over Rs 155 billion by 2023. And behind every flashy and well-animated video game is a set of codes making the experience seamless for its users. Game developers use programming languages to create a game’s settings and mechanics.
The choice of programming language depends on factors including the game type– console, computer game or mobile game; and the extent of interactivity. Here’s a list of top eight programming languages for game development:
C++
Despite its high entry barrier, C++ is one of the most popular and commonly used programming languages for game designers. It offers a high abstraction level for both fine object-oriented programming and generic programming, providing direct control over hardware and graphical processes.
Additionally, C++ allows the optimisation of special parts to a very high level– a feature almost impossible to achieve with other languages.
C++ is used to build most big console and Windows games. Apart from that, popular games built using C++ include Counter-Strike, Football Pro, Starcraft, Master of Orion III.
Java
Given Java’s versatility and rich collection of open-source material, it is popularly used for the development of indie and mobile games. It is easy-to-use, is beginner friendly and can write a range of reusable system-agnostic code. When compared with C++, Java offers easy writing, debugging, learning and compiling.
Games including the likes of Mission Impossible III, Minecraft, FIFA 11, and Ferrari GT 3: WOrld Track, have all been created using Java.
HTML5
HTML5 is one of the top choices by game developers to build cross-platform and cross-browser apps and games. Further, it can be interchangeably used with JavaScript.
HTML5 is widely preferred for game development for its ultimate gaming engines. Game Frameworks including Construct 2, ImpactJS, Phaser, Turbulenz and Booty5 have taken the responsibility of the HTML5 Game Development process.
Some popular games built with HTML5 include Cookie Clicker, Gods Will Be Watching, World Cup Penalty 2018.
JavaScript
JavaScript is one of the best programming languages for interactive online games. It integrates with web technologies including CSS and HTML, allowing the development of cross-platform mobile games.
JavaScript is often used along with HTML5 since the latter cannot create animation or interactivity. Additionally, contributing to its popularity is JavaScript’s humongous online community and large number of frameworks.
Some popular games made with JavaScript include Hangman, HexGI, Little Alchemy, Swoop and Polycraft.
Python
Although not as popular as Java or C++, Python is used for game development. Its PyGame library is developer-friendly, easy to use for building games and enables developers to prototype games quickly. Additionally, just like Java and C++, Python also runs on OOP principles. Its simple learning curve makes Python a go-to option for many game developers.
Some popular games built using Python include Battlefield 2, Disney’s Toontown Online, Eve Online and Frets on Fire.
UnrealScript
Unreal Engine has developed the programming language UnrealScript or UScript. Like Java, UnrealScript is object-oriented without multiple inheritance. Major gaming platforms including the likes of Microsoft Windows, Android, Linux and Playstation use UnrealScript.
However, in 2014, Epic Games had announced that Unreal Engine 4 would not be supporting UnrealScript.
Some popular games developed using UnrealScript include Advent Rising, America’s Army, The Wheel Of Time, Batman- Arkham Knight and its series.
Lua
Lua is a light weight, high level and multi-platform programming language that is easy to run, making it fun and efficient to be used for video game development. It can be designed to embed into many applications, making it convenient for developers and players to alter the game.
Game engines including the likes of Gideros mobile, Corona SDK, and CryEngine, use Lua as its primary programming language.
Some popular games developed using Lua are Age of Conan, American Girl, Angry Birds, and Aquaria.
C#
Despite considered easier than C++, C# is a powerful language. Its XNA framework makes it perfect for building games on Windows and Xbox. Additionally, C#’s game engine Unity3D and Xamarin enables developers to build games on all platforms including iOS, Android, PlayStation and Windows.
C# is as popular in the gaming industry due to its efficiency and scalability.
Popular games developed using C# include Pokemon Go and Super Mario Run.
best programming language for android games
- C++
- Lua
- Kotlin
- Java
- Python
- Swift
- PHP
- Ruby
- JavaScript
- C#(C sharp)
These are some of the most popular programming languages used for game development.
Now I will discuss these programming languages in detail and why these languages are best for creating android games.
C++:
It is a very popular programming language and many developers choose this programming language for making software, web-based applications, and creating games.
It is a kind of general-purpose programming language.
And developers can use these programming languages within several areas.
That it is can be used to develop games for browsers for making operating systems, besides that this language is also used to create graphics, banking applications, databases, compilers, etc.Most of the game developers choose this C++ programming language for creating games because it is fast and its compilers are very good which will helps developers to compile the code very fast.
C Sharp(C#):
It is another familiar programming language That developers used for creating games.
It is also a multi-paradigm general-purpose programming language and it is also used in several areas.
It is a kind of object-oriented programming language and its developer is Microsoft itself. The file extension of c sharp is .csx.
With the help of this language, various things can be done such as creating web applications, Windows applications, games, etc.
The main advantage of using this programming language within games is the c sharp programming language provides a kind of framework and with the help of this Framework, you can create games very easily.
And it also works in combination with the Unity game engine.
LUA:
Specifically, it is a high-level programming language and it is a lightweight programming language.
It can be used within cross platforms. It is very easy to learn as a new programmer.
It is also considered the most popular scripting programming language used for creating games.
Is programming language is suitable for creating games because it is loads data very fastly and the code is very short?
Java:
It is another very familiar programming language that game developers tools.
It is a high-level programming language and besides that, it is also known as the object-oriented programming language.
Its developer is Oracle corporation and it was initially developed in the year of 1995.
One of the main advantages of using the Java programming language is that it can be used in numerous areas. Such as with the help of this language you can create mobile applications, games, graphical user interfaces, web-based applications, business applications, etc.
It is also helpful for game programmers because this programming language is multithreading and sockets.
Python:
In recent times Python has become the most popular programming language that programmers choose for their works.
It is also a high-level programming language as well as a general-purpose language.
Its developer is the python software Foundation, it was initially released in the year 1991.
And it can be used in various areas also, as a developer with the help of Python programming you can do lots of things such as – Data Analytics, programming applications, web applications, game development, language development, etc.
Although Python is very slow but tills it is one of the best programming languages because of rapid prototyping, which means that you can create a game by declaring a mall piece of code or prototype.
Kotlin:
At the current time, kotlin has become one of the most preferred programming languages for making android games.
It is a kind of cross-platform and general purpose programming language, you can use kotlin programming language instead of Java programming.
It is not an old programming language it was initially released in the year 2011 and its developer is JetBrains.
One of the most important advantages of using Kotlin over Java is that within the Java programming language you have to write multiple lines of code but within this programming language you can write the same amount of code within a single line.
And besides that, the syntax of this programming language is also very easier for the developers.
Because of that kotlin language emerging day by day for making android applications and games.
Swift:
In our list of programming languages next is Swift programming language.
Peoples are always confused that is it possible to make Android apps, games with the help of Swift programming language? well, I can say that it is possible. And this language works in combination with Unity Game Engine.
It is a general-purpose and multi-paradigm programming language it was developed by Apple and it is a very modern programming language that was initially released in the year 2014 after that it was updated several times and its stable version release in the year 2021.
As I mentioned this programming language is created by Apple, therefore, it is mainly used to create applications for iOS platforms but this programming language can also be used for making android apps and Android applications.
And the modern developers are choosing these programming languages because of one main reason that they can make applications and games for two devices for Android also and also for Apple devices.
JavaScript:
Javascript is one of the most popular programming languages among developers.
It is a high-level programming language and multi-paradigm programming language.
It is also known as a scripting language it can be used for the front portion as well as for the back portion of any website.
It was initially released in the year 1995, however, with the help of JavaScript many kinds of games can be created and you can create games for several platforms also.
But to do that you have to take the help of some of the tools besides that you can also use the libraries that JavaScript has to make your games much more attractive.
PHP:
Well, PHP is a programming language which is mainly used for the web development purpose.
And it is a general-purpose scripting language it was initially released in the year of 1994.
Well many people ask about is it possible to make games with the help of the PHP programming language, I should say that PHP is must preferable programming language for the server portion. It is used in the various game engine also.
However the making of games within this programming language is a very difficult task, and there are other good languages are available for making games. Therefore this language is not used for the making of games.
Ruby:
Ruby is a high-level and general purpose programming language it was released somewhere around 1990.
It is supported within several platforms and besides that, it also is used for making IOS applications and Android applications.
And in some of the cases, it also can be used for making the games.
Conclusion
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