Computer Languages/game Engines?

Miniike · Post by **Miniike** » February 2nd, 2013, 10:59 am

Hi guys!

I'm currently learning programming, mostly C++, hopefully leading to video game development. For those of you who have experience with this type of thing, what are the best computer languages and engines to use for game development? I'm considering Java and Unity. What do you suggest?

~Miniike

Post by **bionicnacho** » February 2nd, 2013, 11:38 am

I use Unity for its simplicity and it can give some really good results.

Although, i've never tried Java

luke5227 · Post by **luke5227** » February 2nd, 2013, 1:01 pm

Java could be a good starter although if you don't enjoy programming a ton you can always try GameSalad.

Post by **Sebastian Lawe** » February 2nd, 2013, 7:20 pm

luke5227 wrote:Java could be a good starter although if you don't enjoy programming a ton you can always try GameSalad.

The only issue with GameSalad, in the end its less efficient using a visual IDE for everything. Also, you'll be limited to any bugs the visual IDE generates.

In terms of programming languages, C++ will perform faster, though it takes longer to code a C++ program or game. However, it truly depends on what you wan't to do. C# and VB are quicker to code with (used with unity), GameSalad removes the need to know any code syntax and C/C++ runs faster. In terms of Java, I can't really list its pro's or cons.

One could create a game with stealth, simplicity, or greater performance.

freekboy31 · Post by **freekboy31** » February 3rd, 2013, 1:24 am

I'm going to learn LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP) and also PHP because it's a coding language among the four software. Those four can make a web server.

Post by **Wowfunhappy** » February 3rd, 2013, 11:27 am

Don't use Java. Slow language is slow.

Just take a look at Minecraft. Minecraft doesn't look bad- it's pixelated-retro style has a definite charm- but it's not a game which should be graphically intensive. And yet, it IS graphically intensive.

Behold the wonders of making a game in Java...

Echo · Post by **Echo** » February 3rd, 2013, 4:08 pm

Wowfunhappy wrote:Don't use Java. Slow language is slow.

Just take a look at Minecraft. Minecraft doesn't look bad- it's pixelated-retro style has a definite charm- but it's not a game which should be graphically intensive. And yet, it IS graphically intensive.

Behold the wonders of making a game in Java...

True that, it's ridiculous. Although some of it could be lack of optimization.

Swords761 · Post by **Swords761** » February 4th, 2013, 1:34 am

Java also has some serious security vulnerabilities and is becoming less and less respected every day. It's only saving grace is the wide distribution across thousands of devices (cars, phones, planes, etc.) that are relied on by millions of people.

Python is all the rage these days- you should learn that if you're interested. Learn C/#/++ too, C is always a good language to know. Unity is definitely a good program to use, there are tons of asset libraries you can download for free to help you make a project too. I had someone recommend Processing to me the other day as well, which is a sort of sketchbook of prototypes/ideas coded in C.

Miniike · Post by **Miniike** » February 4th, 2013, 10:05 am

So from what I'm seeing, I should use Unity and C++. Thanks for your suggestions, guys!

Post by **Sebastian Lawe** » February 4th, 2013, 1:22 pm

Miniike wrote:So from what I'm seeing, I should use Unity and C++. Thanks for your suggestions, guys!

Mind you, Unity only uses .net languages (C#, VB).

Miniike · Post by **Miniike** » February 4th, 2013, 1:22 pm

Sebastian Lawe wrote:Mind you, Unity only uses .net languages (C#, VB).

Darn.

Post by **Sebastian Lawe** » February 4th, 2013, 2:51 pm

Miniike wrote:Darn.

If you looking for a C++ game engine check out the Unreal Engine.

boberto · Post by **boberto** » February 4th, 2013, 3:24 pm

I'm going to be taking Computer Science next year and apparently we will be learning how to program with Java, rather than C++ which used to be used.

Miniike · Post by **Miniike** » February 4th, 2013, 5:53 pm

Sebastian Lawe wrote:If you looking for a C++ game engine check out the Unreal Engine.

Looks pretty good, might test it out.

Post by **eXoDuS** » February 6th, 2013, 3:29 am

Thought I would chime in a lil bit here.

First of all don't confuse Java with a game-engine, the fact that minecraft is written in Java does not mean Java is a game engine. Java is a bytecode/interpreted language very similar to C# in concept. Although it's very used in the business world mostly for the big companies behind it and it's "certified developers" it's not a very good language in many aspects, and it's generally considered slow.

On the other hand Unity is a game engine, written on C++ like most engines out there.

If you really want to get into game development C++ is the way to go, specially if you want to do techy savy stuff.

As for Minecraft not behind graphics intensive... what makes you think that? Minecraft IS enormously graphics intensive. Of course it could probably perform better since just from the notion of it being programmed in Java by a single guy with no background I'm assuming it doesn't have much of a graphics engine behind, but still, Minecraft IS graphics intensive. Video cards these days are all about optimizing the fill rate and the PS stages, Minecraft uses none of that, instead it throws tons of triangles in separate draw calls at the video card, and it chokes.

Tata

Post by **Wowfunhappy** » February 6th, 2013, 9:25 am

Well that's interesting. I wonder if we'll ever see Minecraft optimized video cards.

Miniike · Post by **Miniike** » February 6th, 2013, 10:31 am

eXoDuS wrote:Thought I would chime in a lil bit here.

First of all don't confuse Java with a game-engine, the fact that minecraft is written in Java does not mean Java is a game engine. Java is a bytecode/interpreted language very similar to C# in concept. Although it's very used in the business world mostly for the big companies behind it and it's "certified developers" it's not a very good language in many aspects, and it's generally considered slow.

On the other hand Unity is a game engine, written on C++ like most engines out there.

If you really want to get into game development C++ is the way to go, specially if you want to do techy savy stuff.

As for Minecraft not behind graphics intensive... what makes you think that? Minecraft IS enormously graphics intensive. Of course it could probably perform better since just from the notion of it being programmed in Java by a single guy with no background I'm assuming it doesn't have much of a graphics engine behind, but still, Minecraft IS graphics intensive. Video cards these days are all about optimizing the fill rate and the PS stages, Minecraft uses none of that, instead it throws tons of triangles in separate draw calls at the video card, and it chokes.

Tata

Thanks! This was very helpful.

Post by **eXoDuS** » February 7th, 2013, 1:28 am

Oh sorry something I thought of mentioning and forgot, specially since I've read some anti-c/c++ ramblings. *Knowing* C++ is never a bad thing, sure, C# is much easier to use and better designed in many aspects, but again, knowing C++, and specially knowing it really well, is always a plus, it will teach you things no other language will. It just makes you a better programmer. So what im saying, even if you end using a higher level language in the end for speed, time constraints, design, whatever, it's never the wrong decision to spend time learning C++, even if you never ever use it afterwards.

I think that's the wisest advice I can give

Newah · Post by **Newah** » February 9th, 2013, 3:26 pm

Thanks for the advice eXoDuS. I myself am trying to figure out which language to devote my time to. I'm tied between C++ and C#. Or should I learn both, and if so in what order?

Post by **Sebastian Lawe** » February 9th, 2013, 5:31 pm

It depends on what you want. C# will give faster results, while C++ will give faster peformance.