Game programming languages

DeadPixel

Hi all.

I have a question, what programming languages are used for different platforms?

For example what do they write xbox, ps3/4, android and IOS and of course windows games in? Like C++, C# and so forth.

If this question has been asked before please just drop me a link to it :)

Thanks

SkinnyBoy

You can make games with any language although some languages may be natural on some platforms
eg. java on android
c# and c++ on xbox, pc and windows phone
objective c on iOs


...so read the following post

http://makegamessa.com/discussion/1574/how-to-be-a-game-programmer#Item_34

and

http://www.gamefromscratch.com/post/2011/08/04/I-want-to-be-a-game-developer.aspx

Funnynel42

Luckily Unity can export to consoles, iOs, android, Mac and PC. The languages it uses are Boo, Java and C#.
If you don't use Unity, then I would suggest you to use C++ and/or Objective C.

Bensonance

@DeadPixel,

Hey! Are you wondering this because you want to start learning a language for a specific platform or just out of interest? If it's the former, really -unless all you've ever dreamed of becoming is a games programmer- you should just use Unity :).

As @Funnynel42 points out, if you use Unity you can choose a language from Boo, Java or C# and the genius code behind the engine will convert it for you :). Why this is so amazing is that most platforms either require completely different coding languages or at least different frameworks.

If you want to learn more about programming we have a lovely section in our FAQ under the title 'I want to learn programming, where do I start?'

dislekcia

@DeadPixel: What's motivating the question? Most Xbox and PS3/4 games are written in C++ (or at least are running on some flavor of library written in C++). Android, iOS and PC games are written in a wide array of languages depending on who wrote them - Indie developers use whatever works for them (which varies according to their skillsets and backgrounds), AAA studios tend to use C++ or large and well-supported systems like Unity or Renderware. That might sound like the thing to do to get into game programming is to learn C++ as fast as possible, but that would be incredibly misleading.

@SkinnyBoy: ... Um.

DeadPixel

awesome thanks for the replies. the main reason i was asking is because i was just curious :) i dont want to develop for a specific platform but it is nice to know what i can do with the langs that i am learning :) and i do use unity so its all good :)