What Programming Language Should Game Developers Know?

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Video game development has come a long way over the past decade alone, thanks to major advancements in coding/programming languages used to make digital content for the entertainment sector.

If you are considering entering a career in crafting the next generation of video games, here are some of the main computer programming/coding languages every budding game developer should take time to learn.

I am considering becoming a game developer; what computer programming languages do I need to learn?

Anyone who is considering becoming a game developer must be willing to learn at least one or two of the foundational computer coding/programming languages required for a career in digital game development. It also helps to understand how to use existing game engines, such as Unity or Unreal.

The type of computer programming languages you must learn depends on the type of gaming content you want to specialise in because some are more relevant to a certain type of game than others.

In other words, once you decide which type of games you want to make, you can then find out which programming language will be more suitable.

For example, if you want to work for a market-leading online casino software provider or game development studio in the iGaming industry to craft feature-rich online slots, table & card games, scratchies, slingo, bingo & lottery-style games, or arcade games, it will help if you become proficient in the following languages:

• CSS3 and HTML5
• C++
• C#
• Java
• Java Script
• Python

If you are considering developing 3D games, the best programming languages to learn, to begin with, are C# and C++. It’s best to learn Python, Java, C++ or C# if you want to specialise in making games for desktop and laptop computers running on the Windows, macOS and Linux operating systems, and for a career in mobile game development (e.g., games for Android devices), learn C#, C++ or Swift.

Learning C++ or C# is best for developing high-end, graphically demanding, triple-A blockbuster video games. For web-based games, JavaScript or Python are worth learning, and for a career in developing VR (Virtual Reality) games), learn C#, C++, Swift, or JavaScript.

To give yourself the best shot at succeeding, perhaps start by mastering C#, C++, Python, Lua, and/or JavaScript. They are classed as general-purpose programming languages and shouldn’t take too long to learn.

Some of the standout qualities that make them ideal for video game development are ease of use, interoperability, support, performance, and community.

What are the main roles of a game developer?

A video game developer (aka game dev) has many important roles and responsibilities and can work alone on a much smaller project or as part of a team on bigger projects.

Game developers are required to have a range of relevant skills. A background in computer engineering and mathematics will come in extremely handy, as well as having either a bachelor’s degree or computer science qualifications.

Final thoughts

Becoming a successful game dev won’t happen overnight. It will take several years of hard work and determination to make it to the top, and you must be prepared to devote your time if you want to land the dream game development role.

Some of the main roles in the gaming sector that come under the game developer umbrella that you may want to consider are backend developers, physics programmers, game producers, engine developers, game designers, sound/audio engineers, AI design specialists, and user interface experts.

Others include 3D graphics/animation artists, network programmers, creative directors, writers, and testers, to name a few.

Research each job and find out what it entails before embarking upon a career in that field to ensure you have chosen the right path before fully committing yourself.