10 Best Language for Game Development in 2023

Priyanka Mendiratta June 30, 2023

Table of Contents

Are you an avid gamer? If so, have you ever examined the process of making these games? Developers are the brains behind game creation. They utilize programming language for game development to build enormous source code—instructions that instruct computers how to behave—and wonderful, user-friendly video games.

Since the advent of simple arcade games, the gaming industry has developed to create complex and immersive experiences that fascinate millions of gamers worldwide. It’s no secret that the business is flourishing, with video game revenue predicted to exceed $365 billion in 2023, with a 7.17% annual growth rate.

By 2025, Statista projects that the market for video game production will reach a value of 268.81 billion.

But you’ll need to learn how to code before you can start making games. Since the popularity of video games is only increasing, there is a greater-than-ever need for game developers. Following that, we’ll look at the finest languages for game development and how they can help game developers.

It can be challenging to decide which programming language to acquire to create games because there are so many. However, a select handful is an excellent alternative for designing an enhanced gaming experience. Let’s look at ten languages that can be used to create video games.

Top Language for Game Development

Languages	Game Engines	Popular Games	Platforms
C++	Unreal Engine, CryEngine	Minecraft, World of Warcraft, League of Legends	Windows, iOS, Android
C#	Unity, HeroEngine	Pokémon Go, Cuphead	Windows, MacOS, Web-based
Java	jMonkeyEngine, LibGDX	Minecraft, Runescape	Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, Web-based
JavaScript	Phaser, PandaEngine	Alchemy, Cross Code	Web browsers, Desktop platforms, Server-side platforms
Swift	SpriteKit, ARKit	Herodom, Skillzone	iOS & macOS, Linux, Web-based
TypeScript	Excalibur	N/A	Linux, macOS, and Windows
PHP	N/A	N/A	Windows, Linux, Unix, Mac OS X
Lua	WorldForge, CraftStudion	Roblox, Age of Canon, Broken Age	Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web-based
Ruby	Ruby2D, Gosu, and DragonRuby	Hunter Assassin 2, WORDUS	Mac, Windows, Unix
Python	PyGame, Godot	Mount and Blade, Battlefield 2	Windows, MacOS,, Linux, iOS, Android, Web-based

1. C++ –

It’s hardly surprising that C++ is one of the most widely used language for game development, especially given how well-liked and adaptable it is. C++ is well-known for its substantial abstraction level, which gives you precise control over how a computer’s hardware interacts with your code. Additionally, C++ makes it easy for game designers to optimize unique aspects of their games, which is nearly impossible with other languages.

2. C# –

Another one of the most potent game programming languages utilized today for creating video games is C#, particularly for those that employ Unity as a graphics engine. With Unity, a well-known game engine many aspiring game developers use as a starting point, C# is frequently used with other programming languages. However, since larger companies utilize it more frequently, those who wish to create highly optimized 3D experiences might be better suited to learning C++.

3. Java –

Java is frequently regarded as the greatest language for game development while offering a different amount of precise control than C++. The simplicity of Java makes it a fantastic choice for many aspiring game developers, contributing to its popularity. One reason for Java’s appeal among programmers is that its model can be regularly changed, allowing it to compete with emerging technology.

4. JavaScript –

At this point, JavaScript is the market leader in programming languages. In 1994, JavaScript was created as a scripting language for Netscape Navigator, one of the greatest browsers. Since then, JavaScript has quickly risen to prominence. Due to its prevalence, JavaScript is frequently called the “language of the Internet.”

In fact, it’s the best game-development programming language available to create websites. Along with JavaScript, HTML, and CSS are used by game developers to make online games for many platforms.

5. Swift –

Swift is a powerful programming language from Apple that can be used to create iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS apps. One of the primary advantages of adopting Swift language for game development is its speed and performance. Swift code runs quickly and is an excellent option for demanding jobs like gaming because it is turned into machine code. Swift features a strong type system and automatic reference counting (ARC), which ensures code is safe, secure, and easy to maintain, which is perfect when designing huge and complicated games.

6. TypeScript –

According to StackOverflow’s list of most beloved languages, TypeScript is the second most popular language for game development, adored by 67.1% of developers, trailing only Rust. Since TypeScript is primarily a development language, it only appeals to the scientific community a little. However, because it is considerably simpler to learn and use, it has a lot of appeal in the gaming business.

7. PHP –

PHP, a server-side language, can be used with a database to develop dynamic web pages. The term “dynamic” refers to the ability to enter or query data from a web page. PHP also allows you to connect with databases, a crucial component of server-side languages. PHP is still useful for games played in browsers.

8. Lua –

Lua is a versatile programming language that looks comparable to JavaScript. Despite not being as well known as the other languages on this list, Lua has been utilized to create video games more frequently in recent years.

In addition to video games, Lua powers several game engines, including Gideros Mobile and Corona SDK. Angry Birds, Age of Conan, Baldur’s Gate, Civilization V, and The Elder Scrolls Online are well-known games created on Lua.

9. Ruby –

In the middle of the 1990s, Yukihiro Matsumoto, popularly known as Matz in the Ruby community, created Ruby, a completely object-oriented language. Making Ruby function as a logical barrier between human programmers and the underlying computing infrastructure was its main development goal. Ruby is an excellent language for learning game development ideas, but expect to make something other than highly-performant, professional, commercial, 3D games with it.

10. Python –

Python is a simple-to-learn language that was designed to be readable by everyone. Because it has one of the most English-like syntaxes among programming languages, it is frequently used as a teaching tool in the software development industry.

Although Python isn’t typically the first language that comes to mind when considering game production, it is a fantastic general-purpose language that is simple to learn and has several strong libraries and frameworks.

Are Coding and Programming Languages the Same?

are coding and Programming language are the same

Although, at first glance, coding and programming appear to be the same thing, they are quite distinct. While programming gives a machine instructions, coding refers to writing codes from one language to another. The differences between programming and coding are explained in the following sections:

Basis	Coding	Programming
Terminology	Writing code in a language that both machines and people can understand is what coding entails.	Before writing the actual code to complete the task, programming entails generating an overview and structure for the program’s code that adheres to particular standards.
Tools	Coders choose text editors with good themes because they are simple to use and are sufficient for coding.	A group of particular tools required for various jobs, including testing, debugging, and others.
Machine programs	Coding has to do with inputs that are machine readable.	Making executable machine programmes is what programming is.
Software development	Coding is the process of developing software, and developing software is the full process.	The first phase of software development is programming.
Knowledge	Coding demands basic programming knowledge without the use of any software tools.	To manage programming skills effectively, one must have a thorough understanding of programming skills as well as good software development tools.

What Makes a Language Perfect for Game Development?

What make a language perfect for game development

There are a huge variety of programming languages available. Understanding which ones are most effective for your area of interest—and why—is crucial. What qualifies as “good” language for game development?

Let’s examine some of the characteristics that make a language suitable for video game development:

Performance: The creation of video games frequently entails detailed simulations and real-time rendering, both of which require great performance.
Utilizability: This opens up game production to a wider spectrum of developers.
Memory management: For high performance, games often need a lot of memory, which must be handled well.
Community and support: Provides developers access to tools, libraries, and resources that speed up and improve development processes while assisting with debugging or optimization.

Conclusion

Choosing a suitable language for game development is critical to the success of your project. The language you select will define the platform you can build, the tools you can use, and the level of performance you can attain. This article discusses ten of the top programming languages for video game creation in 2023. With one of these ten game development languages, you should be prepared to create any game.

FAQs

Question 1: How Does Coding Function?

Python, SQL, and Ruby on Rails are just a few of the many distinct programming languages used in coding. The computer is made to perform various tasks by the programmer by entering “statements,” or essentially telling it what to do.

Question 2: Which is better for game programming, C# or C++?

C++ is a decent alternative for experienced programmers, whereas C# can be preferable for novices. Because they are both quick, effective, and supported by the two biggest game engines—Unreal Engine and Unity—C# and C++ are widely utilized for game creation.