What language do I need to choose for PC gaming?
Creating videogames is a lucrative and promising career. So many IT professionals who wish to start their IT careers through creating videogames are searching for programming languages.
In this article, we will look at which languages computer and web games are written, along with games that can be played on modern smartphones.
Games programming languages
It is important to know what you are going to build before learning “the most suitable programming language” for games. Since games aren’t the same thing as other types of entertainment, the languages needed to create them differ.
You can, for example:
- Swift and Objective C is suitable for iOS, MacOS and MacOS games;
- JavaScript and PHP can be used to create browser-based games;
- Java and Kotlin is suitable for Android games;
- C# can be used to develop PC games using Unity;
- C++ is the best choice for creating demanding computer games.
During the creation of games, other languages were used! Then you may not have to go through a retraining process if your current language is already well-known. All you need to do is learn another framework.
For example, if you want to try to develop a small game in order to learn more about the profession of game development – regardless of whether you are doing it yourself or not – you should look into game engines that can be used without knowing any code. If you want to create a game without knowing any code, then for instance:
- Unity;
- Unreal Engine;
- CryEngine;
- etc.
What is the best game programming language?
The answer will always be different, as each language has its advantages and drawbacks. It is important to note that each programming language caters for its specific type of game and has its unique set of problems. The best heavy, complex games are usually written in multiple languages. Each language has its own unique function.
Before deciding on a language, consider your personal preferences for writing games.
Browser games
These games are familiar to us, though some enjoy playing them. Although they may not look as good as console or computer games, their addictive nature makes them a great alternative.
As well, they are very popular. Their gameplay gives the gamers a few “doses” so as to avoid getting bored. In case you have concerns about money, browser games are also monetizable. They are easier to develop and faster to produce than full-fledged games.
One example of browser games is online slots, which are called differently depending on the language. For example, in Romanian online slots would be – Sloturi Online. These games are developed based on HTML5 and various JavaScript frameworks – Angular, Node JS, etc.
Download games for mobile phones
Mobile games’ quality and volume are better than those played on browsers. Some of these games have beautiful graphics and cool performances. The challenge is to make the game easy for you to play. Developing games like this is relatively easy, which helps offset the difficulty. When using one of many popular game engines, which already include solutions to developing graphics, game physics and other features, it’s possible to produce a complete game in a short period.
Working with game engines on smartphones and computers makes it easier for you to code.
You must decide which operating system you will use to build your mobile games. Android and iOS each have their official software development tools. To learn the respective programming languages, you’ll need to be familiar with each of these operating systems.
Cross-platform gaming solutions are sometimes sought. This has its own advantages, as the code needs only to be written one time and then it is compiled once for each platform. The reality is that these games have a lower performance when compared to games built using native software for the system. Cross-platform is the best solution if you want to build a toy for testing a particular niche or idea. When you need to make something more serious, and for “a very long time”, then you should pay attention to the tools native to each operating system. The very first paragraph of the post covered them.
In addition to the development of the slots themselves, the developers are also implementing integration of payment systems into the games, the automatic allocation of bonuses to players after registration, such as “no deposit bonuses” (you can find out more information here).
Computer and console gaming
This group of games is able to be grouped because their programming languages are similar.
- Realistic graphics;
- VR (VR technology);
- Huge game worlds;
- Large-scale online projects;
- You can do so much more.
It is possible to develop small games on your computer, but the team you choose becomes important when a more ambitious project comes into view.
The bigger the project is, the greater the demands and costs of labor and finances. There was a preference in the games for realism. Many projects were focused on small details such as:
- shadows;
- light;
- reflections;
- dynamics;
- The physics of realistic simulation;
- etc.
Conclusion
There is an opinion that you can develop a game without knowing any code, so you should not learn programming languages to create games initially. There’s no denying this, but you should understand that you can hardly create something unique using ready-made solutions. That means you are unlikely to have a lot of users that will play your game. And if you don’t have users there will be no point in making a game for yourself or for “just trying it out”.
Even the use of modern game engines and ready-made templates for games involves, albeit small, but knowledge of the programming language that uses the engine itself. So knowing what programming language the games you want to develop are written in is very important.
Remember that the best programming language for creating games is the one that you know perfectly. So if you’re starting out, first choose which games you want to create, then find the right programming language and additional tools for them and start learning, because time is running out.