Best Programming Languages for Game Development

The market worth of the video game industry was $108 billion in 2017 and is set to reach 128 billion by 2020. 2018 has seen big names in video games such as PUBG and Fortnite. The E3 conference recently passed where all the big names in video games were revealed. We are expecting more as the decade progresses.

If you are a programmer or an aspiring one, you may be looking forward to cash on the billion-dollar game market. A good place to start is by learning the right programming language. If you want to be a game developer, here are some programming languages to consider:

1. C++

When properly written, C++ code achieves fast execution. Fast is exactly what you and the user want for games.  It is the language of choice for professionals, so there are numerous resources out there with C++ in mind. Many AAA games are built using C++. The Unreal engine comes with special support for C++.

A lot of other cool game engines support this programming language. They include App Game Kit, Godot, OxyginE-2D. For those hoping to develop games for the Android platform, Android Studio can be used in conjunction with the Java NDK.

C++ game libraries have also got you covered –SFML,  Ogre3D. In terms of demand, companies are more likely to hire C++ programmers for game development. It is just that much respected.

2. C#

Most of the time, if you want to create an impressive game, you need a game engine. C# is supported on Unity3D, one of the best game engines out there. Xamarin, another game engine, also supports C#. With C#, games can be developed for almost every platform out there, and of almost any size.

Big games or small games? No problem. Xbox or Windows or Play Station or IOS or Android? No problem. C# is said to be more beginner-friendly than C and C++, so it may be easier to master and use. MonoGame is available to make your game run on multiple devices and platforms.

3. Java

Java is useful for building cross-platform games. With it, games can be built for desktop, as well as for mobile. The official language for Android game development in Java. One can get started easily with Android Studio integrated development environment and use OpenGL for graphics (JOGL).

LibGDX framework for 2D games and JMonkeyEngine for 3D games are popular options when developing games with Java. The JVM so many game libraries out there developed for it which should be explored, for example, LWJGL, a lightweight library that uses OpenGL for rendering.

4. JavaScript

JavaScript is one of the most versatile programming languages out there. It can be used to do a lot. And apparently, game development is not excluded from the list. JavaScript’s colleagues like CoffeeScript and TypeScript are also utilized. First of all, JavaScript can be integrated with HTML5 to produce beautiful web and browser games. JavaScript is also used on one of the best game engines out there, Unity.

5. HTML5

Web games are becoming increasingly popular. If you want to create one, HTML5 is the markup language of choice. It is a major version of HTML and carries more features, such as the canvas and other elements and attributes. HTML5 works well when used in unison with JavaScript and WebGL for graphics. Explore the Phaser framework.

Of course, there is no such thing as the “best” language to use. The language doesn’t matter. What matters is the skill and determination of the developer to execute the project. Admittedly, it will be advisable to choose a language with much more resources and beginner-friendly tools to get you started.