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English Best language to create a simple game?

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old Best language to create a simple game?

muslim
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If I want to create a game, which language would be the easiest and most effective to start with? I gave Python a try and even asked ChatGPT to make me one, but I realized that Python has its limitations. Even if I become really good at it, the end result wouldn't be a game that's worth all the effort.

So, I'm looking for a language that's not too difficult, where I can create a simple yet enjoyable and decent game. Can you suggest any options? Keep in mind that I'm not even a good programmer, but I want to start with a good language.

old Re: Best language to create a simple game?

ohaz
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Well the fact that you think you can't make good games with Python tells more than you think. Python is very much capable of producing most non-AAA games. What "limitations" did you find?
Also "asking ChatGPT to make you a game"... big oof.

But if you really want something "better", use the godot engine.
edited 1×, last 21.05.23 12:32:03 pm

old Re: Best language to create a simple game?

DC
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@user Alpha Beta: Oh no! BlitzMax is only free because nobody would buy it anymore
It's definitely not a wise choice in 2023. Especially not when using the standard IDE. It's incredibly bad. Might be okay for tiny starter projects though.

The best part about BlitzMax is that you just have to program everything yourself and that there's no visual editor for anything. Great thing if you love maximum freedom and possibilities and like to program stuff yourself. Probably a disadvantage if you're new to programming and just want to make a game as quickly as possible.

@user muslim: Are you really asking about the programming language or the game engine?

As programming language I would recommend C# or C/C++ for game development. C# is much easier/safer than C/C++. C/C++ is more complex/complicated but faster and more popular.

As a game engine I would probably recommend Godot as well because it's free. Unity is also a good choice because it's free unless you want to sell your games and because there are tons of resources and tutorials available for it. Unreal Engine is another "free" option (royalties if you sell). GameMaker is also popular but you have to pay a subscription to release your games - unless your fine with browser builds.

If you prefer programming everything yourself and don't want to use visual editors you can try MonoGame, RayLib or Love2D. Love2D uses Lua though and I wouldn't recommend to create big games in Lua because the language isn't designed for large projects in my opinion.
edited 1×, last 21.05.23 12:30:31 pm

old Re: Best language to create a simple game?

MikuAuahDark
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I'd go with love2d if you already know Lua (i.e. if you have made CS2D scripts before). There are some VSCode plugins that can be used to provide additional typing helper to reduce Lua errors due to wrong type when coding.

Spoiler >

old Re: Best language to create a simple game?

muslim
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I did what you guys suggested and downloaded Love2D. It's starting to feel familiar to me already.

I even bought a course to learn more about it and made some basic games. At first, I used ChatGPT for help, then I followed the course and created more advanced games. Now, I'm just trying to improve my skills, nothing fancy yet but I will keep going.

old Re: Best language to create a simple game?

EngiN33R
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Although I also have experience working with Love, I'll go against the grain here and second DC's comment.

I have worked on some projects in Godot in the past. It definitely has its drawbacks, such as a relative lack of resources out there compared to Unity or UE, and fragmentation between its versions and the resources that do exist out there (not everything out there is even relevant to Godot 3, let alone the recently released Godot 4). However, the fact that it's free and open-source is a massive boon, and it will get you used to the general mental model and some shared concepts used in e.g. Unity.

In terms of programming languages, Godot for instance ships with its own Python-esque GDScript, C#, and a visual editor for when you're just not in the mood for code. Generally, GDScript is nice to get you going and get you used to development, but C# is a very powerful tool, especially when you start using the full power of the .NET ecosystem. It's also the language used in Unity.

Love and Lua are great to start learning and make hobby projects - there was a time I worked on a few game in Love, and it's a great project. I obviously also have love (excuse the pun) for Lua as the language I started with. But you have to bear in mind it is significantly different from most other languages out there in terms of language design.
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