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Is Game Developer a Coder? Game Programming Languages

Many game developers get into the game industry for the love of games. More than a million people play games, and the number keeps increasing, hence the need for more game developers. Game development is a high-paying job with a great salary scale. A game is created by coding; what's the role of a game developer in it? For a game to be developed, a game developer works with a team of other professionals like game designers, game coders, game animators, etc. 

Game developers transform games from an idea into reality. They do it by coding visual elements, testing iterations, and programming features till the game is fully developed and ready for gamers. It's safe to say that a game developer is a software developer who uses his technical skills to create games. They do more than just coding; they are involved in all stages of game development, i.e., creation, design, and production.

Do Coders Work on Games?

Game coding is the set of computer instructions written to make a game playable. Game coders learn top game engines like Unity to enable them and developers to create a game. A coder plays a significant role when it comes to game creation. They write the codes that bring the game to life. Their primary focus is programming games for consoles, mobile phones, or computers. They work with game developers, artists, designers, and animators to actualize the idea. 

Their primary responsibility is translating the game's vision and the developer's specifications into code. They also build game engines for existing engines and test and troubleshoot bugs. A coder should have excellent problem-solving and communication skills. It's also mandatory for them to know programming languages and have experience with game engines. A background in computer skills, math, and physics is also a plus.

What Are the Programming Languages for Game Development?

There are many game programming languages, and it might be hard to know specifically which one you need to learn to develop games. However, there are a few that stand out for game creation. Let's explore them:

C++

It's the most known option for game development. Based on C, C++ is superior, efficient, fast, and robust. It supports complex graphics, imagery, and a massive pile of data. It has excellent features, such as debugging tools that help in coding issues and game optimization. 

Java

It's a well-known and extensively adapted language. It's easy to learn, unlike C and C++. Games developed with it run on all systems; hence, it's a good choice for those creating versatile games and apps. It is not as agile as C++ and is not widely used in game development.

C#

It offers almost the same benefits as C++ but is more accessible to master. However, you can lose the level of control C++ offers. The language can be used in conjunction with Unity and Unreal Engines. It is not advisable for more optimized 3D experiences; instead, C++ would do. 

Python

It's an excellent general-purpose game language, easy to learn, and has great features. The language can also be used in applications like artificial intelligence, business intelligence, and machine learning. If you want to learn a language that's not only for game development but also opens other opportunities, python is the best choice. 

JavaScript

It's not only used for game development but for other business applications apart from gaming. It's versatile, presents a lower barrier of entry, and is an excellent choice for those who don't want to take a complicated language like C++. However, JavaScript is not fast and is more advisable when creating low-profile 2D games and not 3D games. 

Is Game Development the Same as Game Programming?

Most people confuse game programming with game development, thinking they are the same. However, game programming is the general process of game production, while game programming is a part of game development. It focuses more on software development, which consists of writing codes that bring video games to life. 

After the game design is established, the game programmers bring it to life. They create the code that will help actualize the design. Most programmers use C++ and C language to create the product. Game programmers also work with other teams, like game artists and designers, towards achieving the same goal. Game programming is a wide field with several areas, as shown in the table below;

On the other hand, game development is the process that games go through, from the idea to the final product. An excellent game idea is the most important part of the game, and it's determined by knowing who plays the game, their experience, their value, and the kind of issues they'll be challenged with. Game developers are important in the game industry, they identify the mechanics, rules and how the gamers will play the game to achieve their goals.

The concept is then tested in the pre-production stage by prototypes created by programmers. The concept contains the main elements of the game and a draft engine where the programmers build the master engine. After the initial steps are complete, the production begins. Other professions like game designers also oversee the creating of creative elements like sound effects, environment, creation of characters, etc.

Game artists also play other roles, with programmers and developers working closely with them to ensure a smooth game production. Everyone involved in game production refers to the game design document (GDD), which shows the whole process, from the design to the game's direction. When testing the game, the GDD is amended, and everything follows the latter. It also contains vital data about the player the game is targeted to and the features that the game has.

Conclusion

A game developer is vital in any game development; they are the master behind the game. They, however, work with other professions to ensure a smooth transition of the entire production. Both game developers, programmers and others like artists, designers, animators, etc, need each other. Game development is fun; enough of the dull games; let us help you with game developer services and take your gaming experience to the next level.