What is game programming?

Game programming is where ideas come to life. Where mechanics, visuals, and audio are stitched together into a fully functioning game. Whether you’re here because you want to develop your games or land a job as a professional game programmer, know that this is one of the most rewarding but challenging aspects of game development.

Let’s break it down and give you the tools to start coding your dreams into reality.

What Is Game Programming?

Game programming is the technical backbone of game development. It’s the process of writing code that defines how a game works. Programmers handle:

• Gameplay Logic: How mechanics behave, such as movement, inventory systems, or combat.

• Physics and Simulations: Ensuring realistic or stylized movements and reactions in the game world.

• AI: Creating intelligent behaviour for NPCs or enemies.

• Rendering and Graphics: Translating 3D models and 2D sprites into what you see on the screen.

• Optimization: Making the game run smoothly on different hardware setups.

• Networking: Coding multiplayer systems and synchronizing players.

Essential Skills for Game Programmers

Here’s what you’ll need to learn and master as you dive into game programming:

1. Programming Languages

• C++: The industry standard for high-performance games. Used in Unreal Engine, many AAA games, and custom engines.

• C#: Great for beginners and used in Unity, a top engine for indie development.

• Python: Fantastic for prototyping and scripting. Great for beginners to grasp programming basics.

• JavaScript: Essential for web-based games.

2. Game Engines

Learning a game engine can accelerate your development process.

• Unity: A versatile and beginner-friendly engine with robust documentation and C# support.

• Unreal Engine: Known for its stunning graphics and performance, but it has a steeper learning curve.

• Godot: Lightweight and open-source with scripting in GDScript, similar to Python.

3. Mathematics for Game Development

Brush up on:

• Linear algebra (for 3D transformations like rotations and scaling).

• Physics (collisions, gravity, forces).

• Trigonometry (angle calculations for movement, lighting, etc.).

4. Problem Solving and Debugging

Be prepared to debug endlessly. Programming is about solving puzzles and understanding why your code isn’t working as expected.

5. Version Control

Learn Git and GitHub for managing your code, especially in team environments. There are several other common version control used in industry but learning GitHub will give you a strong foundation on how they all will operate to some degree.

Best Practices for Game Programmers

1. Start Small

Just like with game design, you shouldn’t aim for your dream open-world MMORPG right away. Start with simple projects like:

• A Pong clone.

• A basic platformer.

• A simple top-down shooter.

2. Focus on Gameplay Before Graphics

A fun, polished game with placeholder graphics beats a gorgeous, unplayable game every time. Prioritize functionality first.

3. Break Down Problems

Large problems can feel overwhelming. Divide your tasks into smaller, manageable pieces.

4. Write Clean, Reusable Code

Don’t just write code that works, write code that can be understood by you (and your teammates) six months down the line.

5. Optimize Later

Don’t prematurely optimize, just get your game working first, then fine-tune performance later. (Be careful with this, you can't have such poor performance that it heavily impacts the player experience- if the project is for player consumption)

6. Stay Organized

Comment your code, use consistent naming conventions, and keep your project folder structure clean.

Tools and Resources to Learn Game Programming

Books

• "Game Programming Patterns" by Robert Nystrom: A must-read for understanding reusable programming patterns in games.

• "Learn C++ by Making Games" by Sam Pattuzzi: A beginner-friendly introduction to C++ for game development.

Online Courses

• "Unity C# Survival Guide" (Udemy): Beginner-friendly and practical.

• "Unreal Engine C++ Developer" (Udemy): Covers Unreal Engine’s C++ basics.

• CS50’s Introduction to Game Development (edX): An excellent free course that explores popular engines and fundamental concepts.

YouTube Channels

• Brackeys: Fantastic Unity tutorials for beginners (though no longer active, the videos are gold).

• The Cherno: A deep dive into C++ programming and engine development.

• Game Dev Academy: Unity and Unreal tutorials, plus broader gamedev advice.

• Sebastian Lague: Tutorials that explain complex concepts like AI, pathfinding, and physics with a practical approach.

Communities

• r/gameprogramming (Reddit): Share your progress, ask questions, and get help.

• Unity Forums: Active discussions for Unity-specific challenges.

• Stack Overflow: Get answers to technical questions (just search before you post!).

• Discord Servers: Many game engines (like Unity and Godot) have official or unofficial Discord communities where you can connect with others.

Tips for Aspiring Game Programmers

1. Learn by Doing

Start coding as soon as possible. Tutorials and books are great, but real learning happens when you apply what you’ve learned by getting hands-on.

2. Embrace Game Jams

Participating in game jams like those on itch.io or Ludum Dare is one of the best ways to get hands-on experience, improve under pressure, and build a portfolio.

3. Experiment with Open Source Projects

Explore open-source game engines or projects to understand how games are built. Try contributing to smaller projects. Play around with anything weird or wacky that you find interesting, this looks great among the sea of Unity and Unreal-focused portfolio pieces.

4. Play and Analyze Games

Play games critically. How are mechanics implemented? What works well? What doesn’t? Take notes as you play and try implement/replicate them in your own project.

5. Build a Portfolio

Document your projects (even the small ones) and showcase your progress on GitHub or a personal website. A solid portfolio is crucial for breaking into the industry.