Top 4 Programming Languages for Games Development

Game development is a great career choice and one that allows your creativity to flourish while also challenging you technically. As the gaming industry continues to grow, this is a great time to build the foundations of your coding skills so that you can land your first game developer role. Here we outline what languages are the best, and why, so that you can flourish in your new career! 
 

C++ 

First appeared: 1985 

C++ has been one of the most popular programming languages in use for a while and continues to grow in popularity. This is due to the versatile nature of language and its cross-platform ability. C++ is not only used for game development but also for web development, operating systems and data engineering.  
When it comes to game development, C++ is popular due to its ability to store memory, cross platform ability and high performance. As C++ is a compiled language, it is already converted into machine code before it is run on a computer. While this means the process of writing the code will be a bit longer, it produces a faster and more reliable game - a much better experience for gameplay. Larger, more complex game titles will use C++ for the base of the game (gameplay code, logic) then use a scripting language such as JavaScript or Python on top for finer details and execution of the game. These factors combined make it probably the most used language within game development. 

Note: Due to the high performance of C++, it is commonly used to create actual game engines. 

Notable game engines built using C++: 

• Unreal Engine 
• Lumberyard 
• Lumix Engine 

C# 

First appeared: 2000 

C# is a popular language within game development due to it being modern and easy to maintain. It is known for being a general purpose language developed by Microsoft and is used to develop mobile apps, web apps, games and a lot more.  

C# is great for game development because it allows developers to build reliable games that are cost efficient. Additionally, as it is a modern language that is constantly growing, it is quite adaptable – easy to update and rebuild.  

The flexibility of this coding language is also one of its many pluses as it gives developers the opportunity to build apps on many different platforms like iOS, Android and Windows. C# continues to grow in popularity which is partly due to its compatibility with a variety of tools and libraries.  

Notable games built using C#: 

• Super Mario Run 
• Pokemon Go 
• Temple Run 

JavaScript 

First appeared: 1995 

JavaScript is an essential language to developers in most fields and today, it is used in 98% of websites on the internet. It is a scripting language that allows you to create and control dynamic elements such as animation or multimedia.  

As JavaScript is an interpreted language and code is executed line by line, it is best suited for web based or mobile games. This is due to the simpler nature and less need for complexity, which is a huge plus for churning out games in a short time frame.  

JavaScript is one of the most popular languages in use so there are a variety of tools and platforms available that can easily run its code. To get the most out of building a game through JavaScript it is essential to use a good game engine such as ThreeJS, ImpactJS or PhaserJs. These tools will help structure the game and allow your creativity to flow! 

Notable games built using JavaScript: 

• Wordle 
• Angry Birds 
• Bejeweled  

Python 

First appeared: 1991 

Python is a versatile and powerful programming language making it perfect for game developers. It is known for its simplicity and flexibility, making it a great choice for both beginners and experienced developers. 

One of the main reasons Python is used in game development is its ability to handle complex tasks with ease. Python has a large standard library that includes modules for math, data manipulation, and file handling, as well as libraries for 2D and 3D graphics. This makes it a powerful tool for creating games with rich graphics and gameplay. 

Another advantage of Python is its versatility. Python can be used to create games for a variety of platforms, including PC, console, mobile, and web. It is also supported by a large community of developers, which means that you can find a wealth of resources, tutorials, and libraries to help you get started with game development. 

Notable games built using Python: 

• Sims 4 
• Battlefield 2 
• Toontown Online 

 



Overall, these are some fantastic coding languages, in general, and within Game Development as they provide different levels of complexity and functionality. The gaming industry is thriving and things are only going to develop in the future! 

If you have some coding experience and are looking to get into Game Development, why not check out our Games Development Bootcamp! Our 16 week curriculum has been developed with Games Development companies such as 1010Games, Cloud Imperium Games and NDreams and therefore teaches the skills games companies are really looking for.