What Programming Language is Often Used for Video Games?

How a game is coded depends on many different factors, chief of these is the type of project that’s being developed. A game that’s going to be played on consoles, will need to be coded differently than one that’s going to be played on a computer, for instance.

The language used for programming is a system that game developers use that shape how the settings and mechanics of a game work. For instance, you might not always need the same amount of memory or the same level of interactivity from one game to another, so coders will find ways to keep things as cost-effective as possible.

One of the best ways of finding out how all this works is to look at lots of different platforms - so why not to download some games and take some time to scrutinize them to see how they’re developed?

What are the most used programming languages for video games?

C++ is perhaps still the best and most important game programming language - developed almost 40 years ago in 1985, it’s a highly optimized code, that allows for better management of memory, which is necessary when high-definition games are being developed, with a large volume of polygons. It remains a popular language for AAA titles, but also for indie games. It runs with most game engines and it’s one of the commonest choices for game programmers.

C# is another one of the most powerful game programming languages - often utilized by developers using Unity as a graphic engine. It’s just under a quarter of a century old now, being released by Microsoft in 2000 and it’s easy to learn for new coders interested in getting into gaming and perfect for smaller game development.

Lua is a very simple cross-platform game development language that is still super compatible with more complex languages, and it’s one of the easiest to learn for gamers interested in getting into the industry. This is because it’s useful for a wide variety of games from very small projects through to indie developments and those who are keen to learn how to properly develop video games. It’s also a super language for making web applications and processing images.

Java is our next language - and established game developers will know how much it’s inspired by C++. It’s a very popular language that’s still very widely used today and was used in the very earliest incarnations of Minecraft. It remains so well respected as its model and usage can be consistently updated, and it means it can compete seamlessly with new technology.

Javascript is the next choice. Originally, this was highly influenced by Java, and it’s perfect for use in browsers and web-based games. Some users still argue that it’s the best all-rounder for games that are still being used today - in terms of overall web design and development.

Python is the penultimate on our list. It’s based on object-oriented programming - as are C++ and Java, but Python has a much simpler execution and syntax. It means that programmers can get prototypes together much more quickly and overall this can assist with making the process of game development a lot smoother.

Objective-C is an interesting one, as it fills the need for having a dedicated programming language for use on Android or iOS mobile device operating systems, something that was only necessitated by the rise of the smartphone! It’s a simple-to-use and modern programming language that can be used in even the most advanced game engines for game development that’s aimed specifically at mobile platforms. It means that developers can create small, but perfectly formed games for use on devices!

There you have it! A brief rundown of some of the best and widely used programming languages for video games.

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