The best programming languages to build mobile games are languages written to develop modern games and apps on smartphones. These programming languages have been in existence for decades and they’ve helped build amazing mobile apps.
Mobile app development has seen the rise of different programming languages used in building applications. If you’ve ever wondered how most apps on Android, iOS, iPadOS and other smart devices are being built. Well, they’re built using programming languages. Some of these languages are cloud programming languages and are learnt by front-end and back-end developers. These days, a lot of high-end programming languages are being adopted for building games. You’ll find most mobile app development companies worldwide using one or two languages to build user-friendly apps and games.
If you’re interested in building mobile games and you want to know the right programming languages to use. In this article on NaijaKnowHow, you’ll discover the best programming languages to build mobile games. You can as well read more articles on free app builders or apps to create websites on Android and iOS.
List of The Best Programming Languages to Build Mobile Games
Whether you want to build adventure games, action games, strategy games, card games, solitaire games or any type of game for mobile devices. With the programming languages listed below, you’ll be able to know which one to use. These languages also require different text editors to write corresponding codes.
1. C#
When it comes to building mobile games or applications, C# is recognized as one of the strongest programming languages to use. Well, it’s quite popular due to its unit game engine and you’ll find most heavy Android games being built on the C# unity engine. Most battle royale games like Fortnite, PUBG and Apex Legends Mobile are built using programming languages like C#. Known for its simplicity and ease of use, C# provides developers with a powerful and flexible environment for creating engaging mobile gaming experiences. One of the key advantages of using C# is its extensive library support, which includes a wide range of game development frameworks, tools, and resources. This makes it easier for developers to implement complex gameplay mechanics, handle graphics and audio, and create interactive user interfaces.
Another reason why C# leads the way in building games is due to more features and support. You’ll find features such as garbage collection, memory management and support for object-oriented programming. These features contribute to the language’s ability to handle large-scale mobile game projects efficiently. C# is a high-level programming language and also one of the best languages to build mobile games.
2. JavaScript
JavaScript is one of the most popular front-end/back-end languages. If you want to take the journey of a web developer, then you must know everything regarding JavaScript and its frameworks. Its versatility and compatibility with various platforms and devices make it a top choice for developers. JavaScript, along with HTML5 and CSS3, forms the foundation for building mobile games that can run in web browsers or be packaged as standalone applications. If you want to build web applications or games that run on Chrome, Firefox, Safari and other modern web browsers.
One of the key advantages of using JavaScript is its availability of frameworks and libraries. Frameworks like Phaser, Pixi.js, and CreateJS provide developers with the tools and resources needed to create visually stunning and interactive mobile games. Everything regarding mobile applications is worth using JavaScript for. You’re looking at one of the sweetest programming languages in JavaScript.
3. C++
C++ has long been a preferred programming language for game development due to its performance and control over hardware resources. It offers low-level programming capabilities, making it suitable for building high-performance mobile games with complex graphics and physics simulations. C++ is commonly used in game engines like Unreal Engine and Cocos2d-x, which provide powerful tools and frameworks for creating mobile games. One of the reasons you might want to use C++ is due to its ability to access hardware resources directly. With such techniques, you’ll be able to optimize performance and memory usage when testing or building games.
This is crucial for mobile games, where resource constraints and performance optimization are essential considerations. Additionally, C++ offers extensive support for multi-threading, the multi-threading makes it possible to take advantage of multi-core processors. Therefore making it possible to improve game performances. While C++ is good for building games, there’s a downside to it. It is one of the most complex programming languages and it requires hard work and smartness.
4. Swift
Swift is one of the best programming languages to build mobile games. This programming language was developed by Apple and if you’ve been wondering how most Apple apps are being built. Well, Swift is the language behind iOS, macOS and watchOS apps. Most iOS apps in the Apple Store or other stores like AppValley, Panda Helper and TutuApp are developed with Swift. This programming language has gained significant popularity among mobile game developers due to its performance, safety features, and seamless integration with Apple’s frameworks and tools.
One of the key advantages of using Swift for mobile game development is its modern and expressive syntax. Swift offers an intuitive and readable codebase, making it easier for developers to write clean and maintainable code. Its strong type inference and memory safety features contribute to safer and more reliable mobile game development. Whether you want to build 2D or 3D games for Apple devices, Swift is one of the languages you can use.
5. Java
Java has been a popular programming language for mobile game development for many years, particularly for Android app development. With its extensive libraries, tools, and resources, Java provides a robust foundation for building mobile games that run on the Android platform. Most modern Android apps on the Google Play Store and other Play Store alternatives are built using Java. One of the key advantages of using Java is its cross-platform compatibility.
Java programs can be executed on any device with a Java Virtual Machine, making it easy to deploy games across different platforms. Furthermore, Java also benefits from its robust garbage collection system, which helps manage memory efficiently. With this technique, the risk of memory leaks will be reduced and there will be an improvement in overall performance. If you want to know more about how Java works, it has a community filled with Java developers. You’ll find documentation and external resources that can be embedded alongside your Java code.
6. Python
Similarly to JavaScript, Python is a very powerful programming language and also one of the easiest to learn. Whether it’s for web development or mobile game development, Python is a go-to option for most developers. Python offers several frameworks and libraries that make it a viable choice for building mobile games. Simplicity and user readability is one reason why Python is so popular amongst most mobile developers. The clean and concise syntax of Python makes it easy to write and understand code, making it an ideal language for beginners and rapid prototyping.
Python’s extensive standard library and third-party packages, such as Pygame and Kivy, provide developers with the necessary tools and resources to create 2D and simple 3D mobile games. Furthermore, Python’s cross-platform compatibility enables developers to deploy their games on multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, and Windows.
7. Kotlin
Kotlin has also risen to be one of the best programming languages for building mobile games. It is a modern high-level language developed by JetBrains and it is designed to work perfectly with Java. Kotlin gained recognition primarily as an alternative to Java for Android app development. It has also become a popular choice for mobile game development on the Android platform. With seamless integration with existing Java codebases, you’ll be able to move your existing Javaprojetc to Kotlin. You can also write new codes using Kotlin while still leveraging Java libraries and frameworks.
Kotlin offers a concise syntax, null safety features, and enhanced developer productivity, making it an efficient language for building mobile games. Furthermore, Kotlin’s support for functional programming and coroutines also enables developers to write more concise and asynchronous code. Which naturally improves the performance and responsiveness of mobile games. Kotlin also works with some Java tools like Android Studio IDE and so on.
8. Lua
Another programming language to build mobile games is Lua. It is a lightweight scripting language that is used by most game developers. Lua’s simplicity and easy integration make it a popular choice for embedding scripting capabilities within game engines and frameworks. One of the key advantages of using Lua is its small footprint and high execution speed. Making it well-suited for mobile game development. This language’s dynamic nature allows developers to write and modify codes on the go.
Additionally, Lua’s C-like syntax and straightforward API make it accessible to both experienced developers and beginners. Lua is commonly used in game engines like Corona SDK and Love2D, which provide a range of features for developing 2D mobile games. If you’re hoping to explore a different perspective for building mobile games, Lua is one of the coolest languages you can use.
Conclusion
With the list of programming languages above, you’ll be able to develop any mobile games of your choice. While there are plenty of high-level programming languages out there. The ones listed above are the common ones and they’re widely used by big game developers worldwide. So if you want to build mobile games, these are the best languages to build mobile games.
