{"id":37,"date":"2018-09-25T18:53:26","date_gmt":"2018-09-25T18:53:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/the-best-coding-languages-for-video-game-development\/"},"modified":"2022-10-13T21:03:00","modified_gmt":"2022-10-13T21:03:00","slug":"the-best-coding-languages-for-video-game-development","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/the-best-coding-languages-for-video-game-development\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Coding Languages for Video Game Development"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Best Coding Languages for Video Game Development<\/span><\/h1>\n<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8568\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/iStock-923918684-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/iStock-923918684-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/iStock-923918684-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/iStock-923918684-1030x579.jpg 1030w, https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/iStock-923918684-1500x844.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/iStock-923918684-705x397.jpg 705w, https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/iStock-923918684-450x253.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s a reason why kids are drawn to video games. The artistry, sound design, and graphics make it an immersive experience where they can achieve their goals or live out impossible fantasies. But that doesn\u2019t mean that time is spent frivolously.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parents who see their child express a passion for gameplay can use it as an opportunity to introduce computer programming and get their child interested in the gaming industry. Learning programming languages that control the design and development of a game is an exciting, creative way to immerse young learners into the world of coding.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learning the basics of game coding is the start of a career in video game design and development. At theCoderSchool, we help kids learn what goes into making some of their favorite games. Video game development is rooted in coding, and we\u2019ll show your kids how it\u2019s done using the best programming languages for their age and skill level.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is Game Programming?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Game programming is using coding to bring a video game to life. While others are responsible for the character design, art, and sound, the video game programmers pull all of those elements together in order to tell the computer or video game console what to do.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Video game programming skills are learned with experience over time. Kids as young as six can explore coding, but that doesn\u2019t mean you have to leap right into complex scripting languages. For young coders, it\u2019s best to start on visual platforms like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/camps\/minecraft\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minecraft<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/camps\/roblox\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Roblox<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or with games featuring drag n\u2019 drop activities that help them understand fundamental concepts like variables, memory management, debugging, and if\/then logic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At theCoderSchool, we\u2019ll start with beginner-friendly video game programming. From there, we\u2019ll expand on functionality so kids can continue learning other popular programming languages.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Best Coding Languages for Video Game Development<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Video game programming can involve many different coding languages. Whether your child is interested in online games or mobile apps, each requires a different approach to coding. Here are some of the best programming languages to consider for your budding developer:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">C++<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">C++ is an essential open source language. Used for years by console game makers to create complex graphics for systems like Xbox and Playstation, young coders can use it to develop anything from video games to operating systems. If you\u2019re a gamer, popular games like Angry Birds are built in C++.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">C#<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The majority of games using C# are developed on the Unity 3D engine, which is used for, among other things, training simulators and software created for first responders. C# is an intuitive language to learn, and because it has been around a long time, young developers have many tools and tutorials at their disposal to make it easier. If you\u2019ve played Pok\u00e9mon Go or Super Mario Run, you\u2019ve experienced C# programming.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Swift\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mobile gaming was mainstreamed by Swift, which is used by developers creating mobile apps for Apple\u2019s iOS. The language is often considered to be easier to learn and faster to use than other coding languages, like Python and Objective-C. Swift has also been used in software development for apps like Facebook and WhatsApp.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Java\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-6441\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Shes-a-fast-typer-889461006_2163x1392-300x193.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"193\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Shes-a-fast-typer-889461006_2163x1392-300x193.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Shes-a-fast-typer-889461006_2163x1392-705x454.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Shes-a-fast-typer-889461006_2163x1392-450x290.jpeg 450w, https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Shes-a-fast-typer-889461006_2163x1392.jpeg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many coders use Java for gaming and app development, but the programming language is used in countless other ways. It\u2019s leveraged in developing everyday websites, for Android and Microsoft\/Windows applications, and for a wide range of Java games like Codewars to Minecraft.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While best reserved for a time when your young coder has a little experience under their belt, Java isn\u2019t widely used in video game development, but many web-based games do use Java in conjunction with Flash.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lua<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lua is a fast, fun, and efficient language to use for video game development. Used for in-game programming with Minecraft, Lua is great for modding objects in worlds to express creative details. Roblox\u2019s game logic was entirely built with Lua, and Roblox\u2019s Studio for game development makes it easy to organize and program your code.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Python <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11670\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/python-logo.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"80\" \/><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Among the most simple syntaxes to learn, Python continues to grow. It&#8217;s a programming language that helps coders develop problem-solving and creativity skills. It also helps improve written skills. While Python might not be highly acknowledged as a video game programming language, it does have a simple structure. Its ease of readability makes coding a slam dunk for younger kids, whether they\u2019re learning how to build games or learn about data science structures. If you\u2019ve played classic games like Tetris and Pac Man, you\u2019ve played with Python.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HTML5, CSS3, and SQL<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8290\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/cover-web-241x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"241\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/cover-web-241x300.jpg 241w, https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/cover-web.jpg 402w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 241px) 100vw, 241px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other web programming languages are often used interchangeably for web browser-based video games. HTML5 games may be interchangeable with JavaScript. CSS3, the newest form of CSS, can be used in conjunction with HTML5. SQL has more back-end processes including trophies, achievements, save points, and other means to measure data during the game. Coders interested in video game development should get experience in all three programming languages.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find Video Game Programming Classes Near You<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Give your kid a jumpstart to a STEM career path by enrolling them in coding camps for beginners. At theCoderSchool, our child-focused learning philosophy helps young coders foster logical thinking skills and explore video game development at their own pace.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whichever coding language you decide to pursue for video game development, theCoderSchool is here to help. Through our camps and classes, your child will learn the fundamental skills needed to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/camps\/games\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">build their own video games<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TheCoderSchool also provides coding <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/camps\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">classes and camps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for other computer science interests to make it easy for curious, creative kids to explore computers and technology. With locations across the United States, we strive to provide new challenges so kids can push their learning to the next level.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/locations\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find a class near you<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and get in touch with the educators at theCoderSchool today to learn more about our virtual learning courses, in-person classes, and one-on-one private lessons.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Coding provides the basis for a whole world of technological systems and devices used in our society today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[63,29],"class_list":["post-37","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-coder-blog","tag-coding-languages","tag-video-games","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12720,"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37\/revisions\/12720"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thecoderschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}