Choosing the Right Programming Language for Video Game Development

At the heart of any video game is a programming language—and there’s a never-ending debate raging about which language is best.

Spoiler alert: It depends!

But first, a primer. A great video game programming language should be:

1. Easy to learn
2. Efficient
3. Scalable
4. Simple to maintain
5. Written in an object-oriented manner

What Are the Most Popular Video Game Programming Languages?

Let’s start by setting the playing field and listing some of the most commonly-used languages in game development today:

1. C#
2. HTML5
3. CSS3
4. JavaScript

While the languages listed above are all currently deployed, the most popular are C# and HTML 5.

C# Scores an A+

Today, C# is widely regarded as a top choice for video game creation, thanks to its compatibility with Unity—arguably the most robust, flexible and easy-to-use game development interface.

Moreover, C# is easy to learn, efficient and features reusable code. It’s an object-oriented programming language, making it flexible and reducing the need for ongoing maintenance. C# is considered a higher-level construct, and compiles into Common Language Runtime (CLR), which is interpreted in a Just-in-Time (JIT) manner. Compared to C++, this process affords C# extra memory and time resources.

Bottom line—if you want to create a unique and enjoyable gaming experience, C# makes it possible. It’s an exceptional tool for video game development—and is the coding language of choice here at Beamable.

HTML5 Pitfalls

While certainly a serviceable programming language that offers several benefits, HTML5 comes with a few drawbacks that are important to be aware of.

Perhaps the biggest disadvantage with HTML5 is that it is constantly being developed and transformed. In theory, this means that any aspect of your game’s functionality could be changed at any moment. And on top of that, HTML5 is only compatible with JavaScript—and this scripting language simply does not offer enough features to enable an optimal gaming experience.

Video Game Coding Made Easy with Beamable

If you’re ready to get started building a game in C#, then Unity and Beamable represent the optimal solution to maximize both efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Start by checking out a sample project on Beamable—our simple, user-friendly platform makes creating amazing video games possible for anyone!