The gaming industry generates nearly $140 billion in revenue each year. If you are a game developer, finding a way to cash in on your skills shouldn’t be too hard. However, the only way to create a popular game is with the use of trial and error.
When developing a computer game from scratch, the first decision you have to make is what programming language to use. Most people don’t know that popular games like The Sims, Battlefield and World of Tanks were developed using the Python programming language.
If your knowledge of Python is limited, you need to start by getting more familiar with the intricacies of this programming language. Doing things like practicing on a Sudoku GUI in Python is a great way to increase your understanding of how to use this programming language for your new game.
Here are some of the pros and cons that come with using Python during the game development process.
The Benefits of Using Python for Game Development
Most developers think of Python as a general-purpose programming language. For years, NASA, Google and even Instagram have used Python for data analysis and website development. However, this programming language has gone unused in the gaming industry until recently. There are many reasons why Python is gaining popularity with gaming developers and here are some of them.
Clean and Readable Syntax
When it comes to code readability, Python is head and shoulders above other programming languages like Java or C. Not only is the code created with Python easier to read, it can also help to speed up the development process.
Most gaming developers reuse basic templates to speed up the development process. If these templates are filled with readable code everyone on the team can interpret and alter, it will reduce the time it takes to get a project built and launched.
A Vast Library of Tools
Having lots of third-party libraries and a massive number of built-ins is another reason why Python is gaining popularity in the gaming development community. There are a number of third-party models that make figuring out statistics and database access easier. This means developers are able to do far more without having to use too much code.
The Ability to Rapidly Prototype a New Idea
Most gaming developers start out with a general outline of what their new creation is. Often times, this idea will change during the course of building the game. Being able to rapidly prototype a new idea to see how well it works is beneficial.
If you are using Python in your game development process, you can create a prototype in a matter of days instead of weeks. For the most part, Python is agile by nature, which means refactoring and altering the code is easy. With the power of Python, you can constantly improve a game as it is being developed.
The Drawbacks of Using Python for Game Development
Now that you know about the benefits of using it during the game development process, we will cover some of the drawbacks. Knowing both the pros and cons of this programming language can help you figure out whether it is the right fit for your project.
Python is Slower Than Compiled Programming Languages
Perhaps the biggest drawback of using Python to develop a game is the slower performance it provides. However, there are a number of ways to improve Python’s speed. One of the best ways to achieve this is by separating this programming language from the runtime.
Hard to Find Errors
Another drawback of using Python for gaming development is the considerable testing this language requires. Since this is a dynamically typed language, you will have a hard time finding errors. The only time you will see these design errors is at runtime. While you will have to invest more time in testing your Python-based game, it will be worth it in the long run.
Choosing the Best Option for Your Game
With the information in this article, you should have no problem figuring out whether Python is right for your game. The more you know about the various programming languages on the market, the easier it will be to optimize the game development process.
