Thread: C++ or C# for game creation

Sorry for the noob question but I've only just started C++ programming.

What I was wondering is what is the main language for programming commercial PC games?? I'm talking about the big ones such as DOOM or Quake, AoE and such. I'm interested in getting into the games industry later and I wan't to know whether they still use C++ or is C# taking over as the preferred language??

I realise that its going to be years before I can even think about building games like that but I was still curious as to where to begin.

Thanks in advance.

Well I havn't worked with it myself as of yet apperently mananged directx using c# is easer to use then directx with c++

Originally Posted by 7smurfs

For example, C++ sucks when it comes to making Windows apps quickly, a task much better fit for a language like C# or VB.

So what is C++ good for?

C# is based in .NET framework, which means that it takes portability hits if you use it for, er, what it was meant to be used for. Whatever that is. Honestly, I don't think it's meant to supercede C++. I think it's meant to be an alternative to it for specific, .NET geared processes.

It doesn't really matter much. Unless you plan on making the next Quake or Unreal game, you don't really need anything super fast.

I couldn't disagree more. This statement is absurd. If that is true, hell just program your game in BASIC and chuck C/C++ out the window. After all I'm not coding Quake 5 here.

C# IMHO is just MS's way of tapping into the Sun Microsystems cash flow for Java.

VB is a sad attempt at making a non-object oriented language.... object oriented.

MFC makes it easier key word: easier to make Windows apps in C++. And the difficulty of making Windows apps in C/C++ has nothing to do with the language. It has everything to do with Windows.

I say use C++ but what the hell do I know?

I recall playing some QBasic games. Sprite loading took awhile, and, er, they were generally pretty clunky. Dunno if this was limitations int he developers programming, or the langauge, but it seemed to be a common problem in a lot of the QB games I played.

If you are just thinking about games, then C++ is probably a decent place to start. As of current most of the games you see flying about are C++ based. MFC is good for more of application situations, that is, if you wanted to make a model viewer, or some sort of productivity app, the performance lost is generally minimal to the time invested in creating all dialogs and everything needed.

As has been said before if you are looking for performance (and much literature), for gaming C++ probably has the best to choose from. There's a fair amount of code, and articles going around that it would make sense to choose C++. Best of luck to you, its a hard field, but definately rewarding.