INTRODUCTION
Are you a developer who wishes to venture into the field of game development? To manage that feat, you definitely must know the computer programming language best games for the job. We have gone to great lengths to unearth the leading languages of these kinds for you to consider utilizing.
The best programming languages for game development are C++, C#, and Java. These languages are ideal because their code is compiled, and compiled code executes more quickly than interpreted. It is for this reason that Python, despite its popularity, has been a latecomer to the gaming industry.
In our search and find of the most suitable languages for the job, we considered the customer ratings, the kinds of successes that the languages have netted so far, and the ease, or lack of it, with which the languages may be used to develop the games.
WHICH COMPUTER PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE IS BEST FOR GAMES?
Here now are the leading programming languages for the development of games:
#1: ActionScript
It is a great programming language on the earlier versions of the flash-based operating systems. These include Adobe Air, iPhone, and Blackberry. This is because it adopts an object-oriented imperative approach to the matters of gaming.
The language is delivered on JavaScript and stands out as one of the topmost implementations of the out-of-the-box JavaScript supersets. Almost all of the earlier versions of the flash games were manufactured using it. Suffice it to say, the language is steadily losing traction owing to the waning of this operating system.
#2: Clipper
In a nutshell, Clipper is a powerful and general-purpose programming language. Initially, it was developed for the purpose of formulating solutions to the database issues under the MS-DOS platform. As soon as it was rolled out, it steadily garnered wider acceptability insofar as the solution of complex computational problems were concerned.
Almost as soon as it was rolled out, the language was used to build the first gaming engine that featured the MegaTexture technology. On the same note, it fueled the rise and acceptability of leading games then like Wolfenstein and Rage.
#3: AMPL
Stands for ‘A Mathematical Programming Language.’ The language came to be in the early 90s. It traces its roots in the Bell Laboratories. It primarily endeavors to offer solutions to large-scale optimization and scheduling-type issues. At the same time, it provides developers the leeway to program in diverse ways.
These include but are not limited to the second-order cone, nonlinear, quadratic, and linear programming. One more thing, AMPL is cross-platform in the sense that it operates well across numerous platforms and operating systems. Use it also to solve boundary problems.
#4: Squirrel
Squirrel is a high-level, imperative language that also possesses object-oriented programming capabilities. As things stand, it is the most recent game design programming language, having come into existence in 2018. This language draws its inspiration from Lua and C++ parent programming languages at the same time.
Thanks to this awesome combination, it is capable of solving complex computational issues. That makes it also capable of solving complicated real-time issues that also call for the employment of higher levels of bandwidth. These include exceptions and recursions in ways that are very pragmatic. Games like Counter-Strike, Portal 2, and Left 4 Dead were developed by it.
#5: UnrealScript
UnrealScript is one of the revolutionary game programming languages. It is a scripting language that lends support to the leading gaming platforms such as PlayStation VR, Android, SteamOS, Linux, macOS, and Microsoft Windows, to name but a few! This is possible only because it contains many complex features.
Among these are OOP. Some of the games that have already been developed by it are Devil May Cry, Bioshock, Fortnite, and Arkham City. Largely, the language is suitable for developing games that are to be run or operated on the Unreal Engine. Its games are largely known to be complex and enduring.
#6: Cg
Cg is the short form of the ‘C for Graphics.’ It is a high-level shading language that was brought to fruition by the famous GPU in conjunction with Microsoft. This language is founded on the C programming language and displays many similarities with the syntactical components of the same kinds.
This might be the language to set your eyes on if you are intent on solving complicated issues that are associated with or relevant to GPU programming. To date, the language has given rise to the development of numerous games like Doom 3, Battlefield 2, Hitman, and Farcry.
#7: Papyrus
Papyrus is one of the latest game programming languages in vogue at the moment. It was developed by Bethesda Studios and is used alongside the Creation Engine. The language has so far powered games like Fallout 4, Skyrim, and The Elder Scrolls, to name but a few!
At its core is a scripting system that makes use of advanced programming techniques like events, objects, variables, and functions to bring about the intended outcomes. Its script for a large part preoccupies itself with the events and the pre-specified functions each time an event is triggered to operate.
#8: HTML5
HTML5 is as we speak one of the most common programming languages for the World Wide Web. Most of the mobile games we have today make use of it to produce the games. With it, you may easily generate complicated web-based gaming solutions. Also, you may blend it with other languages as well.
For instance, you may combine it with the WebGL for the sake of graphical components and the HTML5 with JavaScript for the purpose of enhanced interactivity. Many of the games as we speak are produced by it as the software is easier to make use of and manipulate.
#9: JavaScript
JavaScript, though originally not intended for large-scale gaming development is steadily gaining traction to that effect. As of now, it is one of the most widely used languages on the World Wide Web and cheapens the task of combining two or more web applications easier.
Of all it is in the position to manage, it works particularly well in constructing videos, creating interactive online games, integrate the JavaScript codes, and blend many resources smoothly together. Need we add that it is also a cross-platform that operates across numerous operating systems? That of course assures you of some fair degree of convenience.
#10: Objective C
Objective C is one of the most outstanding programming languages for developing games on the iOS platform. It merges the syntax of Smalltalk along with that of the C. This merger jointly provides a convenient solution for the construction of iOS games.
Also coming along is the ability to program in the object-oriented approach. This in turn manages a faster rendering time. The language has up-to-date powered game engines such as Cocos2D, Core3D, and the OOP style. In all, it is suited for easy-to-grasp game design programming languages.
#11: Lua
Lua is a lightweight and cross-platform scripting language. Ever since its inception, it has garnered a huge following and acceptance in the mobile gaming industry. This has largely been informed by the mix of the simple language structure as well as a viable syntax. They ensure smoother operations and wider adaptability.
Many modern gaming engines make use of Lua as the basic game design programming language. Top examples of these are Gideros Mobile, Corona SDK, and CryEngine. Go for this language if you are a hard gamer as it is indeed tough and reliable enough to craft and develop such games.
#12: Python
Python is by far one of the most straightforward and versatile programming languages we have at the moment. It has a comparatively easy syntax while its semantics are also similarly easier to comprehend. The program provides full-fledged object-oriented programming techniques to the developers.
Its core trait is the Pygame framework that stands as one of the most notable video gaming programming languages that exist in the meantime. Most notably, it has worked extensive wonders for the development of video games as it is easier to deploy and manage.
#13: Java
Java stands taller as one of the leading programming languages for gamers. It makes use of the selfsame object-oriented programming principles that are leveraged by C++. Nonetheless, it broadens the range of systems by a considerable margin. Unlike other languages, it has its own platform called Java Virtual Machine.
This performs the act of translating the prompts into a set of generic bytecode that may be executed by any other system. Thus, it enables developers to produce games for just about any system that be out there. It doubles up as a primary language for the development of Android games.
#14: C#
C# is by far one of the leading programming languages for video games. In light of this, you have to possess a thorough knowledge of this language. Most developers as a matter of fact tend to prefer it over and above others as it is easier to grasp and subsequently make great use of.
This language gives the developers the capability of constructing games of just about any kind. Moreover, it also supports Unity3D that is presently one of the best gaming engines that the industry has to provide. Choose to work with it as a starting point in your gaming endeavors.
#15: C++
C++ is a pioneer in the field of modern game programming languages. It introduces the concept of object-oriented programming onto its predecessor, C. Its most distinguished trait is its ability to regulate the components of the low-level systems as well as a faster running time.
Indeed, many high-end games these days rely on C++ codes in some shape or form. Also, the leading gaming consoles like the PlayStation and Xbox both make use of the programming language extensively. Tap into it if you have a futuristic mindset or wish to take a lead in the production of future games.
#16: Web (HTML5 + Javascript)
As the name implies, this is a gaming language that is web-based. In fact, a whopping 95% of all the websites make use of it to construct games. By its design, it is intended to be easily accessed via a wider variety of platforms and devices.
That is not to mention being easy to grasp and implement. To grasp this programming language, however, you must have a firm prior knowledge of C++ and C#. On top of these, you need to make use of any other webpage format besides the HTLM5.
#17: Kotlin
Kotlin was developed by a Czech company and launched into the market in the year 2011. Many developers and programmers view it as a spiritual successor of the Java programming language. The program also boasts of being fully compatible with Java, a fact that makes the users of Java transition to it simply.
Some of its peak advantages are clear and precise codes, limited errors, null-pointer, and full back-end support for a vast array of gaming software. As of 2019, Kotlin was accepted as the language of choice by the Android developers and continues to gain wider traction.
#18: Swift
Swift is a creation of the Apple company. It made its debut in the year 2014 and is used in developing software for iOS gadgets (with iOS 7 version and higher). In spite of its shortcomings, this language has already performed better than Objective C with regards to matters of popularity and wider acceptance.
Going forward, it seems that the language shall be the industry standard for all matters of iOS engineering. It stands apart from its competitors in that it has unique features like type safety, pointer security, and automatic memory management.
#19: Rust
Rust is an upstart programming language that has been beloved by game developers for five years in a row now. In fact, 86.1% of those polled stated they would gladly wish to continue using the program in the future. The language was developed by Mozilla Corporation.
Just like C++ and C, Rust is primarily meant for low-level systems programming. It nonetheless lays special emphasis on the security and speed of operations. Along with this is the ‘Safe Code’ that prevents the program from gaining unauthorized access to portions of the memory that may give rise to system crashes and unexpected behaviors.
#20: Ruby
Ruby is yet another scripting language that is extensively used for the matters of web development. Particularly, it serves as the basis on which the ‘Ruby on the Rails’ application framework is extensively utilized. It is largely popular among starters due to its friendly stature and reputation.
Its association with the big tech companies also gives it a competitive edge among many other computer programming languages that exist at the moment. Its use is hence a sure way of tapping into the benefits that these companies ordinarily have to provide for users.
#21: Elm
Elm is at this point in time one of the latest languages to come to being. It started out as a thesis for a student of Harvard University but later grew to become a widely accepted language for the front-end developers the world over. It is compatible with Javascript and used to develop fast-executing user interfaces.
This language has the added advantage of suffering minimal errors at its run time when compared to the other ones in vogue at the moment. By and large, this resource is a fully functional programming language that generates the client-side interfaces well without the heavy CSS and HTML luggage.
#22: Go
Go is a core language that is widely favored by the Google search engine giant. It is low-level and manages much the same degree of functionality of the C++ and C. These it does without unnecessary luggage of the steep learning curve and difficult syntax of the two languages.
Other than gaming, this language is widely useful for data pipelines, web servers, and a host of machine-learning packages. Given its compiled nature, the language enables faster running times. This blends with the open-source nature to bring about wider acceptability and use.
#23: Scala
Scala is also called the ‘cousin of Java’ as it combines all the best features of this programming language over and above its unique ones. Some of these are the lightning-fast JVM runtime and the object-oriented structure. In light of this, it gives you so much more than you purchase.
Given its functional nature, Scala grants engineers the ability to elevate the qualities of their codes to the level of pure math. It also makes room for simultaneous programming that enables two or more complicated procedures to be implemented at the same time. What’s more? It also allows for the creation of unique data types!
CONCLUSION
From the discussions above, one thing stands out. That the languages listed and explained above are all unique. That means you can never pick any randomly and expect to achieve the necessary end results. Because of that, we ask you to read in between the explanations to find out the uniqueness of each of them.
Then go ahead now and make a pick that mirrors your game as much as possible. You will no doubt have to spare some of your time to learn each language in detail before going ahead and utilizing it. If in doubt, we ask you to bring in experts to help you out.