Game coding is a dynamic and interdisciplinary process that involves creating a game from scratch. This process requires the integration of various skills such as software development, design, storytelling, visuals, sound engineering, and marketing. In projects conducted with game studios, dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of professionals can work together. These teams can develop games specifically for platforms like PC, PlayStation, Xbox, or mobile, and they can also optimize a game to work seamlessly across all platforms.
A game can be developed by professionals specialized in different fields. Likewise, small game teams can create unique and interesting games. A good example of this is “Bright Memory: Infinite” which was developed by a single game developer using the Unreal Engine. With enough time and patience, anyone can prepare their own game. This process involves various tasks such as writing code, level design, art direction, environment and character modeling, sound design, storytelling, and editing. Through necessary testing and additions, bugs in the game are eliminated, and in the final stage, the game is published on the platforms it was launched for.
Game coding is a highly creative process that involves following the fundamental steps below:
Before starting to design a game, you should choose who the game will target. It’s crucial to identify your target market accurately to generate revenue from a game you’ve spent months working on. You should choose one of the FPS, RPG, TBS, MMORPG, or Adventure game genres and create an original work in this field.
The GDD document, which is a comprehensive summary of the game you will create, contains important details about the mechanics, genre, story, and structure of a game. By clarifying details such as which programming language you will use, how you will prepare the visual concept, and how you will make music selections, you can create a comprehensive roadmap.
All modern games are built on a comprehensive game engine. Game engines, critical for the success of a game, allow developers to simulate real-world physics conditions, enabling the development of realistic and enjoyable games. During the game development process, developers can use popular game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, or they can create their own game engines.
After the design and prototyping stage, you can start bringing the game to life. In this stage, you’ll be responsible for setting up the environment, defining tasks, taking on level design, bringing characters to life, developing animations, and completing sound effects.
Once you’ve tested the game, you can prepare it for release. At this stage, you may also seek support from QA test experts. Another aspect to focus on after releasing the game is marketing it effectively. To increase sales figures, you can create a dedicated website for the game, advertise on different platforms, utilize social media, and prepare engaging game demos.
Understanding which programming language is better to start game development can be a confusing process. However, some languages stand out for their developer support and versatility. The 5 programming languages commonly used for game coding are as follows:
C++, the object-oriented version of the classic function-based C language, is among the most preferred languages in game development. With the C++ programming language, you can efficiently process complex algorithms, large volumes of data, and intensive graphics. Mastering C++ is crucial for developing 3D games in powerful game engines like Unreal Engine or CryEngine.
C#, an object-oriented modern programming language, offers practical and versatile usage. Associated with the Unity game engine, C# facilitates the development of both 2D and 3D games. With the user-friendly structure of modern game engines, you don’t have to deal with technical details extensively, allowing you to focus directly on game mechanics and functionality.
Python, one of the most popular programming languages in recent years, is also a good choice for starting game development. With Python, you can create game logic and mechanics, develop basic algorithms, and prepare prototypes with less code. With the support of game engines like PyGame, Godot, and Ren.py, making games with this language has become quite practical.
Java, commonly preferred in backend and closed systems, can also be used for game development. While not as powerful as C# or C++, Java has its own unique advantages for game development. For instance, Java code can run smoothly on any device with Java Virtual Machine (JVM) installed, independent of various platform supports. With support from game engines like jMonkeyEngine, LibGDX, and Jake2, mobile or online games can be developed in a shorter time frame. Especially if you aim to develop applications and games for Android, you should give Java a try.
Many game developers commonly prefer Swift, a fast, concise, and modern programming language, for game development. If you want to develop high-performance applications and games to run in the iOS environment, you must learn Swift. With Apple’s programming language Swift, you can develop applications and games specifically for iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS platforms.
The essential skills required for game coding can be listed as follows:
