For years, developers have been arguing over which programming language is best for 2D games. Some say JavaScript, while others say Java. And some say Python or C++. But what is the answer? It depends on several factors: what platform you’re targeting, how experienced you are with coding, and whether you want to code by hand or use a game engine. This article will outline the pros and cons of each language and help you decide which one is right for your next project.
If you’re thinking about making a 2D video game, there are a lot of things you’ll need to consider before you even get started. Like what language will you use?
What kind of game do you want to make?
Even if you have no idea how to program, we can help.
Best Programming Language For 2d Games
JavaScript
About
JavaScript is commonly known as one of the core pillars of web development. It first appeared in 1995 and was designed to suit the new ECMAScript specifications that were attempting to standardize the web and web browsers. While HTML informs web layouts and CSS informs web aesthetics, JavaScript is the true computer programming language that breathes life into websites, adding most amounts of interactivity you see on a day to day basis.
However, with the emergence of HTML5, JavaScript has also become the core pillar of HTML5 game development in terms of game programming languages. As it was originally designed with both object-oriented and event-driven systems for web user interaction, this made it the perfect choice to extend for games. Additionally, with Flash now being obsolete, it also made way for these sorts of HTML5 games to rise up and become the mainstay of browser-based game development.
Pros
- As HTML5 games are based on the web, JavaScript makes it easy to make browser-based games and mobile games.
- Given JavaScript is a core part of the web, it’s easy to integrate such games with JavaScript-based frameworks and libraries, like Node.js and Express, for multiplayer video game creation.
- HTML5 games are generally the easiest to share since they can be hosted directly on a website for anyone to visit.
- JavaScript is generally less resource-intensive for game development, meaning it’s great if you don’t have a powerful computer to develop games on.
- Since JavaScript is an extremely stable coding language due to its need for the web, HTML5 games are easier to maintain and don’t require the same sort of updating games made with engines do.
Cons
- Options for 3D graphics are limited to specific frameworks, generally forcing most people to rely on 2D graphics for their video games.
- It is a rather high-level programming language, so it isn’t as efficient as other game programming languages on this list in terms of how fast it performs tasks.
- Due to not being as efficient, HTML5 games have more limits in terms of scope and size of the games you can make.
- While JavaScript itself receives lots of support for web development, HTML5 game communities are a bit smaller compared to other popular programming languages and engines for video game development.
- You don’t really see JavaScript being used as much for console games.
Relevant Engines & Frameworks
- Phaser
- Babylon.js
- PixiJS
- GDevelop
- ImpactJS
- melonJS
Popular Games Made with JavaScript
- Gods Will Be Watching
- HexGL
- CrossCode
- Miner Dash
- Polycraft
Where to Learn JavaScript
- How to Create a Game with Phaser 3 by Pablo Farias Navarro
- The Easiest Javascript Game Ever by KnifeCircus
- HTML5 Game Development Mini-Degree by Zenva
- How To Create A Game Using JavaScript by Dani Krossing
- Creating A Simple Multiplayer Game In Phaser 3 With An Authoritative Server by Scott Westover
- JavaScript Game Engines by Gamefromscratch
C#
About
C# is a general-purpose programming language created in 2000 by Microsoft with the specific intent of working with their .NET framework. Given the popularity of C++ and Java, it was designed to take the best of both programming languages and combine it into a new, easy-to-read, object-oriented programming language that had great cross-platform capabilities. However, it also strove to keep businesses in mind so that it could be easily used for software development.
As for video games, C# also found a home in the industry due to its relative efficiency and scalability. In particular, it became the default programming language for the popular Unity engine, with all modern Unity libraries being built around the language. Given Unity is used for a large percentage of the video game industry, this has given it a tight hold in this regard.
Pros
- Comparatively, C# is a very beginner-friendly language with fairly easy to read code.
- Automatic memory management means you don’t have to do a deep dive into those aspects and can focus more on just developing your game.
- As a language developed by Microsoft, it is a top choice for games on Windows PCs. However, it is capable of working on most modern systems.
- C# is a type-safe language, meaning your games will have more security and won’t exhibit tons of unexpected behaviors.
- It is relatively efficient and scalable, meaning it’s well-suited when used to create game projects.
Cons
- With some exceptions, outside of game engines, C# isn’t widely used for games. Thus, an engine is almost required in this case for community support.
- While more efficient than JavaScript, it isn’t as efficient as C++ or Java, meaning game performance can suffer if the video game is sufficiently complex.
- As the language was designed to work specifically with Microsoft’s .NET framework, it isn’t as flexible as other programming languages on the list.
- In the business world, while in high-demand for general business applications, it isn’t as demanded for game developers as C++ is.
Relevant Engines & Frameworks
- Unity
- Godot
- CryEngine
- MonoGame
- Microsoft XNA Game Studio
- Stride
Popular Games Made with C#
- Stardew Valley
- Cuphead
- Hearthstone
- Osiris: New Dawn
Where to Learn C#
- C# Basic Series by Allan Carlos Claudino Villa
- Unity Game Development Mini-Degree by Zenva
- C# Beginner Programming Series – Your First Day – Unity by SpeedTutor
- RPG Academy by Zenva
- How to Program in C# by Brackeys
- Multiplayer Game Development Mini-Degree by Zenva
- Learn C# Scripting for Unity in 15 Minutes (2020) by Charger Games
- An Overview of Unity and C# by Zenva
C++
About
The C++ programming language was originally called “C with classes.” It was created to take modern principles, like object-oriented computer programming, and combine it with the low-level features seen by languages such as C. In so doing, it would allow users to more easily create their programs with readability, while not losing advanced features such as memory management.
Given its general-purpose nature, C++ has, all around, become one of the most widely used programming languages, having applications for software and – as is the topic of this article – games. In fact, many modern engines, such as Unreal Engine, are built on the language, so learning to code C++ is considered key by many professional developers. Of the programming languages, then, this can be considered one of the most commonly used in general.
Pros
- Being so close to C, C++ is amazingly efficient and is one of the fastest programming languages to choose if you have lots of complex tasks to run in your games.
- C++ has perhaps the largest community and tutorial support given its universal usage almost everywhere.
- Its ability to do things like memory management is very handy if you want tighter control on game performance.
- It has a large amount of scalability and can be used for both small and large video game projects.
- It is platform-independent, meaning you can port projects around very easily regardless of OS.
Cons
- While there are plenty of game engines to use, finding lighter-weight frameworks for C++ game development can be a challenge. You also can’t easily develop games with JUST C++.
- Of the languages on this list, C++ is probably the most difficult to learn and is the least beginner-friendly.
- Though C++ gives you more control over memory management and the like, this comes at the cost of lacking automatic garbage collection – which means more work on the developer’s end.
- As an older language, some modern features seen in other languages are not present or standardized with C++.
- Since C++ allows developers to do more, this also allows less security – meaning you could get tons of unexpected behavior in your games without intention.
Relevant Engines & Frameworks
- Unreal Engine
- Godot
- CryEngine
- Cocos
- Simple and Fast Media Library (SFML)
- Simple DirectMedia Layer (SDL)
Popular Games Made with C++
- Soulcalibur VI
- Gears 5
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance
- ArcheAge
Where to Learn C++
- How to Get Started Programming in C++ by Nimish Narang
- C++ Tutorial 18 – Simple Snake Game by NVitanovic
- C++ Programming Bundle by Zenva
- Making A Game #1: Making The Game Loop by Let’s Make Games
- Beginner’s Guide to Game Development with Unreal Engine by Daniel Buckley
- 2019 Ultimate Unreal C++ Guide
- Unreal Game Development Mini-Degree by Zenva
Java
About
Created in 1995, Java is an object-oriented programming language created for general computer programming. The design principle behind the language was to have it require as few dependencies as possible – especially compared to other programming languages at the time and even now. In so doing, this meant that programs created with Java could easily run on different systems as they weren’t as dependent on the underlying computer architecture.
Given this cross-platform nature, Java is used fairly extensively for application development. However, in the realm of games, it also finds a place. Though not as extensively used as other programming languages on this list, quite a number of desktop games are still made with Java. In addition, as the top choice programming language for Android devices, Java is commonly used by a number of developers for mobile games and apps.
Pros
- As Java is the foundation for Android devices, it is well-suited to making mobile games.
- Despite its age, Java is capable of utilizing modern technologies like multi-threading for better game performance.
- As long as the platform supports JVM, Java games can be run almost anywhere. This includes systems like Linux.
- It is well-suited to server development, so multiplayer games can be made fairly easily with Java without the need for extra libraries and so forth.
Cons
- Even though successful games have been made with Java, it is not the standard choice for game development in the eyes of most developers. Thus, community support for it in this field is limited.
- Though it does have automatic memory management, it is known to have some latency issues for games because of that.
- Few engines or libraries specific for game development exist for Java compared to other languages.
- Most modern consoles do not support JVM, so despite its ability, Java games are often platform limited in this regard.
Relevant Engines & Frameworks
- jMonkeyEngine
- Lightweight Java Game Library (LWJGL)
- libGDX
- LITIengine
Popular Games Made with Java
- Minecraft
- RuneScape
- Project Zomboid
- FIFA 11
Where to Learn Java
- Zero-Day Java Guide by Mohit Deshpande
- Java Game Programming – Develop a Brick Breaker Game by Awais Mirza
- Mobile App Development Mini-Degree by Zenva
- Beginner Java 2D Game Programming Tutorial Series by CodeNMore
- How to Use Classes and Objects in Java by Nimish Narang
- Java Programming: Let’s Build a Zombie Game #1 by RealTutsGML
best language for game development 2022
Game developers use several programming languages, sometimes more than one at a time. The right language depends on the project, what features you need the language to have, and your experience level as a programmer.
- C++
C++ is the foundation of most major console and Microsoft Windows games. It’s an object-oriented programming (OOP) language, meaning it organizes code into self-contained, reusable units. Those objects are designed to be reusable and movable, so you can code complex games without building everything from scratch.
C++ is a powerful low-level language built for machine readability. It’s a challenging language to learn for beginners compared to languages like Python, but C++ is well worth the trouble for game developers looking to maximize their creativity.
How do game developers use C++?
C++ is the most popular language for creating game engines—the development environments where game programmers create and host their interactive worlds. Game engines provide the technology for every aspect of a game, from graphics, physics, and sound to the behavior of AI-powered game bots.
Developing your own engine is the best way to gain complete creative freedom and control over your game. If you decide to go this route, you’ll absolutely need to know C++; it is the industry standard, and you will need its versatility and high-performance capability.
Designers also sometimes use C++ to program in pre-existing engines. Creating an engine from scratch is extremely time- and resource-intensive, but you can get nearly as much flexibility from a commercial engine if you can do some of your own programming. Many of today’s most popular engines use C++, including:
Unreal Engine
Lumberyard
Godot
Source
Cryengine
C++ lets you get more out of these engines and develop more customized, higher-performing games.
Why is C++ used in games?
C++ is a popular video game programming language because it is fast, powerful, and flexible:
It’s a very fast language. Gamers expect high performance and minimal to no delay in a quality game. Unfortunately, video games are prone to high server load, which can lead to latency if the code converts too slowly. C++ converts quickly, even when multiple tasks run at the same time.
It works in close proximity to hardware. Video games rely on hardware for control functions. C++ operates closely to that hardware, so engines perform better with less chance of stalling.
It works cross-platform. C++ lets you release projects on multiple operating systems and gaming platforms.
It features high-performance tools. C++ has a rich set of open-source libraries that take some of the legwork out of coding. There are C++ libraries for many different aspects of game development, from graphics design to debugging.
It’s compatible with other game programming languages. C++ gives you the flexibility to incorporate languages like C# or JavaScript to improve particular aspects of a game, like graphics or audio.
- C#
C# (“C-sharp”) is a simpler, more accessible language than C++. It’s a high-level language, designed for humans to understand. Its syntax encourages code reusability, which makes it efficient, and its compilers reduce runtime errors by warning the programmer in advance.
What does C# do in video game development?
C# leads the pack as a video game scripting language. Scripting languages lay out the game’s mechanics and tell the computer what to do as the game progresses. If you want a player to see a certain graphic or message when their character picks up an object, scripting makes that happen.
Where does C# show up in game development?
Video game developer testing their VR creation
C# is the default language for Unity 3D, a popular game engine. Unity was the engine of choice for 61% of developers in 2021, making it the top engine of the year. It’s the powerhouse behind many popular mobile games, including Pokémon Go and Temple Run 2. Unity is also a popular game engine for VR games—90% of all Samsung Gear and 53% of Oculus Rift VR games use Unity. If you want to create games in Unity or for VR, C# should be in your toolbox.
C# is also a back-end language; in web-development contexts, developers use C# to communicate with the server rather than the user. When a player takes an action in a multiplayer game, C# tells the server how to interpret that action.
Many developers have used C# to create Xbox and other Microsoft games on the XNA Framework. Although Microsoft has retired XNA, C# remains compatible with its successor, MonoGame. It’s also the scripting language behind many Playstation console games.
- JavaScript
A leading front-end web development language, JavaScript is primarily used in computer programming to add interactivity to web pages. If you use a drop-down menu or click to play a video, JavaScript usually powers that action.
How is JavaScript used in game development?
JavaScript is often used to program games for hosting in web browsers. Today, online games usually run using the core web technology HTML5, which packages JavaScript code together with markup languages HTML and CSS.
JavaScript-powered HTML5 games run in web browsers and on mobile platforms like iOS and Android. You can host these games directly on a website, so they’re easier to share than console games. They’re also easy to maintain, thanks to the built-in stability of the JavaScript language.
What game engines use JavaScript?
JavaScript game developers have access to JavaScript-specific and compatible engines, such as:
Three.Js
Famo.Us
Goo Engine
Allegro
Impact.Js
Because JavaScript is such a popular web development language, it has a diverse set of tools and frameworks, including the cross-platform graphics library WebGL and HTML5 game framework Phaser.
- Java
Java is a versatile language commonly used by small game development companies. It’s powered some of the world’s top iOS and Android games including Minecraft and Mission Impossible III. Plus, Java is a cross-platform language, so it runs on nearly any system including Microsoft and Linux.
Why learn Java for game development?
Java is used for mobile games and apps
Java is a beginner-friendly language that is popular for mobile apps and games. If you’re new to coding, you can get started on Java and start writing, running, and debugging code faster than with many other languages.
A Java game will most likely run on a virtual machine—a software-based computing system that functions separately from physical host computers. Virtual machines help make games and other software quicker and less costly to create, easier to distribute, and simpler to scale as they grow.
What are Java’s game development features?
Just because Java is beginner-friendly doesn’t mean it’s limited in what it can do.
The programming language supports multithreading, a feature that lets two or more instruction sets run at the same time. Game developers often prefer to have separate threads for different types of tasks, such as graphics rendering and gameplay logic.
Java also offers socket programming, which powers two-way communications with servers. This makes it easier for developers to create multiplayer games without the need for additional tools.
Conclusion
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