Top 5 Programming Languages For Game Development in 2024

Level Up Your Game Development Skills with These 5 Programming Languages — C++, Java, C++, JavaScript and ?

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12 min readApr 5, 2023

Top 5 Programming Language For Game Development to learn

Hello guys, if you want to become a Game developer in 2024 but not sure which programming language to choose then you have come to the right place.

I have been sharing the best programming languages for different domains like the best programming language for cyber security, best programming language for AI and Machine Learning, and web development in the past and in this article, I am going to share the best programming language for Game Development

As the gaming industry continues to grow rapidly, aspiring game developers need to be equipped with the right set of skills to stay ahead of the curve.

While there are many programming languages available for game development, choosing the right language can significantly impact the success of a game project.

In this article, we will discuss the top 5 programming languages for game development to learn in 2024 — Java, C++, Python, JavaScript, and C#.

You will learn the unique strengths of each language and the types of games they are best suited for. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced game developer, this article will help you make an informed decision on which language to learn next.

In the past, I have shared best Game Development courses and in this article I have also included the best online courses to learn that programming language from scratch for Game development.

But you should choose the language which is closer to your heart but C++ is my favorite for Game development and then you can check out the resources I have shared to learn that programming language.

And, if you are in hurry and just want to start game development using C++ then you can just go and join Unreal Engine 5 C++ Developer: Learn C++ & Make Video Games course on Udemy. This 29.5 hour online course will not just teach you C++ but also Unreal Engine, a powerful and popular game development framework and library for modern game development.

5 Best Programming Languages for Game Development in 2024

Here is my list of the best programming language for Game development in 2024. These are the programming language which are used by many big game development companies like Sony, Xbox, Nintendo, Konami, etc for creating games we all love. You can choose the language which is close to your heart and start your career in the exciting field of game development.

1. C++

Have you ever wanted to make a game but lacked the knowledge of the technological world? C++ is a widely-used programming language that provides excellent object-oriented programming, a high degree of abstraction, direct control, and graphics processing. It is an integral part of coding as every database, browser, and operating system needs C++ code to run smoothly and effectively.

The programming language enables programmers to optimize high-level programs, large consoles, and other applications. It is widely used among programmers and is relatively easy to learn and use with the right masters and techniques.

Udemy C++ course is always a cherry on the cake for the students to learn C++ code as their specially qualified teachers is expert to teach you C++ from beginning to end quickly. Some popular games made using C++ are Master of Orion III, football pro, StarCraft, Maple story, Warcraft, etc.

Why is the C++ language best for Game development?

When it comes to game development, C++’s strength is its ability to organize the data structures that your software will employ precisely. It was the most widely supported and developed programming language when performant real-time systems first emerged. As a result, it was an obvious choice for games that pushed platforms to their limits.

As a result, even if they don’t require it, most developers have accepted this decision. Important speed bottlenecks, such as memory allocation, may be bypassed with C++. It has the capacity to arrange and place items in the memory precisely where they desire.

And if you want to learn C++ for Game development and looking for the best resources, then I suggest you suggest the Beginner C++ course: Beginner to beyond course on Udemy. It’s a great course to learn C++ programming language basics and essential concepts in 2024.

Why the Udemy C++ course? (Beginner C++ course: Beginner to beyond )

Udemy Beginner to beyond course is a fresher course for students new to C++ and will make you a pro at this language. This course will teach you both crucial aspects of the Qt Framework and how to use the framework’s tools, including the extremely powerful Qt Creator IDE.

By the conclusion of this course, you’ll know how to create desktop GUI front ends, as well as how to work with JSON data files and Qt’s networking components. You’ll also learn how to communicate across classes and processes using the signals and slots technique.

Here is the link to join this course — Beginner C++ course: Beginner to beyond

2. Java

Java is often utilized to produce indie and mobile games due to its adaptability and extensive open-source library. It’s simple to use, beginner-friendly, and capable of producing a variety of reusable system-agnostic code.

When compared to C++, Java is simpler to write, debug, learn, and compile. You can learn Java from the Udemy website, which offers thousands of courses. You can choose one of your preferences.

Some popular games are Asphalt 3, Avalon: the legend lives, Asphalt: Urban GT 2, etc.

Why is java language best for game development?

Java is an open-source programming language with many features and is regarded as a beginner-friendly platform. This language is often used for mobile games.

Java is often utilized to produce indie and mobile games due to its adaptability and extensive open-source library. It’s simple to use, beginner-friendly, and capable of writing a variety of system-agnostic code.

And, if you want to learn Java Programming language from scratch, both for Game development and server-side development, and need a course then I highly recommend you to join Java Programming for Complete Beginners course by Ranga Karnam, a fellow Java blogger and one of the best Udemy instructor.

Why Udemy Java course? (Java Programming for Complete Beginners )

This course has been designed to help you become a full and professional Java engineer at the conclusion of the course, rather than only teaching essential Java skills.

To guarantee that you grasp the Java language, the course has been designed to be extremely thorough, covering the majority of Java language features and explaining them in great detail.

Tons of best practices and design ideas are described and illustrated in code to guarantee you are industry-ready and can write well-designed, professional code.

You’ll also use Eclipse as an IDE to create an instructor-led REST API with Spring Boot utilizing professional coding principles.

Here is the link to join this course — Java Programming for Complete Beginners

3. C#

C# is a popular programming language, but it can also be frightening. Even with a basic program, a lot is going on! It might feel like scaling a brick wall when you first start learning C#. Because of its efficiency and scalability, C# is quite popular in the gaming business. C# allows you to create games rapidly for Windows, Android, iOS, and Mac OS X.

Unity is one of the most popular game development platforms. C # is one of the most common and most accessible programming languages available in a unity environment. If you want to learn the C# course, then you can frisk the courses of Udemy, which will provide you with specialized courses according.

Renowned games like Pokémon Go and Mario run are made using C# code.

Why is C# language best for game development?

C# is an excellent programming language for creating Xbox and Windows games that leverage the XNA framework. It uses Xamarin and Unity3D to allow for the production of games for several platforms while maintaining scalability and efficiency.

The XNA framework is a crucial feature of this game development language. This is a suite of Microsoft tools and a runtime environment optimized for games on the Xbox and Windows platforms. and if you want to learn C# for Game development and need a resource, I highly recommend you to join the C# Masterclass course on Udemy.

Why Udemy C# course? ( C# Masterclass)

You’ll set up a development environment and run a little “Hello, World!” application in this C#: masterclass course. There will be a lot of moving elements in that program. Fear not: you’ll go through each section one by one until you have a good understanding of what’s going on.

To begin, you’ll convert the simple program into a useable command-line tool using a pre-baked piece of code. After that, you’ll work together to uncover and solve an issue in Microsoft Visual Studio.

Finally, you’ll learn about structs and properties, two additional complex C# capabilities.

Here is the link to join this course — C# Masterclass

4. JavaScript

JavaScript is one of the most popular programming language that can be used for a wide range of applications, including game development. There are several reasons why learning JavaScript can be beneficial for game development:

Accessibility: JavaScript is widely used and supported across different platforms, making it an accessible language for game development.
Web Integration: JavaScript can be easily integrated with other web technologies like HTML5 and CSS3, allowing for the creation of web-based games that can be easily played across different devices.
Large Community: JavaScript has a large and active community of developers, which means that there are many resources and tools available for learning and creating games.
Lightweight: JavaScript is a lightweight language, meaning that it can be easily integrated into game engines and can be used to create games that run smoothly on different devices.
Cross-platform compatibility: JavaScript can be used to create games that are compatible with different platforms like desktops, mobile devices, and even gaming consoles. This makes it an ideal choice for game developers looking to create games for a wide range of platforms.

Why is the JavaScript language best for Game development?

When it comes to creating high-quality games, JavaScript has already proven its worth. And, as you’d expect from a language with so many frameworks and libraries, there are a plethora of game engine possibilities to suit your programming abilities and requirements.

And if you want to learn JavaScript in 2024 and need a resource like an online course then I suggest you check out The Complete JavaScript Course 2024: From Zero to Expert! course by Jonas Schmedtmann on Udemy. This is my favorite and most up-to-date course to learn JavaScript in 2024.

Why the Udemy JavaScript course? (The complete JavaScript course from zero to expert)

This is Udemy’s most comprehensive JavaScript course. It’s an all-in-one program that will teach you everything you need to know about JavaScript, from the foundations to creating current and complicated apps.

Step-by-step, you’ll learn contemporary JavaScript from the ground up. Real-world and entertaining code examples, the key theory about how JavaScript works behind the scenes, and whole projects.

You’ll also learn how to think like a developer, design application features, architect your code, debug code, and a variety of other real-world skills that you’ll need on the job as a developer. You’ll be able to apply the ideas you’ve learned in this course to other situations after it.

Here is the link to join this course — The Complete JavaScript Course 2024: From Zero to Expert!

5. Python

Python is a computer language with a wide range of applications and you will be glad to know that you can also do Game Development with Python. It is still not as popular as C++ and C# for Game development but Python is coming up with an exciting library that will aid Game developers to create games in Python.

If you want to learn Python for Game Development and need a resource then I suggest you join the 2024 Complete Python Bootcamp: From Zero to Hero in Python course on Udemy. This is the most popular course to learn Python on Udemy and it’s great for beginners.

Learners will become familiar with both fundamental and advanced features in the 2024 Complete Python Bootcamp. They will learn how to utilize Object-Oriented Programming and construct graphical user interfaces and games.

There are 20 parts in all, as well as two milestone projects. Students will gain access to 21.5 hours of video, materials, and activities on demand.

Here is the link to join this course — 2024 Complete Python Bootcamp: From Zero to Hero in Python

Conclusion

In this article , we have highlighted five programming languages commonly used for game development: C++, C#, Java, Unity 3D, and LibGDX. We have also included the unique selling points (USPs) of each language.

C++ is known for its low-level access to hardware, making it a robust and efficient choice for game development. Then you have unreal engine for creating professional grade games in C++.
C# is a modern language that is easy to learn and provides features like garbage collection and LINQ. Unity 3D is a popular game engine for developing 3D games, making it a popular choice for game developers using C#.
Java is platform-independent and provides features like garbage collection and multithreading.LibGDX is a popular game development framework for creating 2D games in Java.
Python has rich libraries and tools, and is easy to learn and use
JavaScript provides cross-platform compatibility and low-level control over hardware

These are best programming languages you can learn for Game development in 2024. Java provides cross-platform compatibility, rich libraries and tools, and an object-oriented programming model. C++ offers low-level control over hardware and efficient memory management.

C# is easy to learn and use, and also offers efficient memory management. Python has rich libraries and tools, and is easy to learn and use. JavaScript provides cross-platform compatibility and low-level control over hardware.

These languages may look complicated, but you can ace them with deep understanding and concentration and set in your game development journey. You can learn all these languages from a Udemy instructor who provides a detailed explanation with a better understanding.

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P. S. — If you want to become a Game Developer in 2024 then I also highly recommend you check out Unreal Engine C++ Developer: Learn C++ and Make Video Games which will guide you on what you can learn to become an expert Game programmer. It contains everything a professional Game developer should know.

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