Python for game development: Should you develop games in Python?

You probably think of C++, C#; as the standard when making video games. The internet will even tell you to avoid Python. 

Therefore, this is because Python is built more for coding performance than for computing performance. Compared to C++, Python is reportedly about 25 times slower, which can be a significant difference. 

For example, this probably explains why only 10% of Python programmers used Python for game development. 

However, Python has many advantages that tilt the scales regarding game development. Moreover, this article will tell you how game development in Python is a great choice.

If you own a company and are looking to hire Python developers from India for game development, this article will clarify Python’s capabilities.

Easy to read syntax

Python’s simple syntax has made it one of the most popular programming languages.

In fact, as per the StackOverflow survey 2022, Python ranked 4th as the most commonly used programming language by professional developers. 

The code is simple to read and comprehend, making it a great option for developing games. Also, this implies that Python developers can create games faster and with less angst. 

The simple syntax facilitates the easy implementation of an idea or piece of logic and makes debugging easier.

Thus, it is a great option when companies want to create games quickly or participate in short game jams. For instance, having more than one programmer on the team makes communication easier.

Flexible object orientation

Game developers often need to create and update objects on the fly. 

Therefore, Python allows for very flexible object orientation. Hence, Python developers can easily create new objects and modify existing ones without writing much code.

Flexible object orientation operates by giving a class or type of object qualities or features (properties). Any categories that are generated from them inherit these characteristics. 

For example, a Python developer will create a human-type class and add standard features like a drink(), and eat(). Any other types derived from the human-type class can also have the same property. 

Free libraries and frameworks 

With Python, developers get free libraries and frameworks that can reduce their work. The libraries provide support to 2D graphics along with 3D graphics. Here are some useful libraries.

Pygame

Pygame is an open-source Python library for creating games on top of the outstanding SDL (Software and Documentation Localisation). This library combines OpenGL, Native, C, and Python.

As per Python Developers Survey 2021 Results, Pygame was used by 13% of Python developers. It runs on almost every platform and operating system and is incredibly portable. 

Among the characteristics are: 

• Utilizing multi-core CPUs is simple. 
• Uses C and Assembly code for core functions. 
• Easy and portable.
• Minimal coding is required.

PyKyra

One of the quickest game creation frameworks for Python. PyKyra is built on the Kyra engine and SDL.

It supports MPEG video, direct image reading, and sound in the form of MP3, Ogg Vorbis, Wav, etc., in addition to the framework’s normal features.

Pyglet

Pyglet is a cross-platform, open-source windowing and multimedia library for Python. In fact, there are no external dependencies or installation requirements.

As a matter of fact, developers can use the library to create visually stimulating software for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.

Windowing, user interface event management, joysticks, OpenGL graphics, loading of photos and movies, and playing of sounds and music are all supported by Pyglet.

In addition to supporting PyPy, Pyglet runs on Python versions 3.5 and up.It also has built-in support for images and audio. 

Kivy

Kivy is an open-source, cross-platform Python framework for quick application development. For instance, it comes with cutting-edge user interfaces, including multi-touch apps. 

The majority of inputs, protocols, and devices, including WM Touch, WM Pen, Mac OS X Trackpad and Magic Mouse, Mtdev, Linux Kernel HID, and TUIO, may be used natively by Kivy, which operates on Linux, Windows, OS X, Android, iOS, and Raspberry Pi. 

Additionally, the package includes more than 20 highly expandable widgets and is GPU accelerated.

Cocos2d

Cocos2d is an open-source software framework created in Python, C++, and Objective C and can be used to create interactive cross-platform GUI games, apps, and other programs. 

There are four members of the Cocos2d family: Cocos2d-x, Cocos2d-JS, Cocos2d-XNA, and Cocos2d (Python).

Developed in C++, Cocos2d-x is an open-source game framework that can be used to create cross-platform interactive GUI-based games, apps, and other products. 

Additionally, Cocos2d-JS is the javascript version of the Cocos2d-x engine, supporting all Cocos2d-x features with a set of streamlined javascript-friendly APIs.

Compatible with AI integration

Python is widely used in AI. Therefore, with AI integration gaining importance in gaming, Python has become an excellent choice for game development.

Python developers can use the power of deep learning and other forms of machine learning to optimize gameplay. 

Such as, implementing AI features into games has become incredibly easy with libraries like TensorFlow, Keras, and Theano. 

Strong performance

Importing modules, which enable Python developers to obtain data from other sources and reuse it for their projects, is a widely used and significant feature of the Python programming language. 

Therefore, thanks to the module importation function, one project does not need to contain all the data required to function.

Instead, only the modules that are essential are imported from other sources and combined with the original files. 

Moreover, Python has an excellent reputation for reliability. It follows that a lot of action won’t cause your game to lag.

Hence, it is beneficial for creating action-based games since they can process information simultaneously without freezing or lagging. 

For example, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, a well-known Nintendo game, is an excellent illustration. Over 45 million game copies have been sold globally, demonstrating Python’s capabilities.

Here are a few more examples of games built on Python.

• EVE Online – This game depends heavily on a fork of Python called Stackless Python. It is a space-based, massively multiplayer online role-playing game.
• Disney’s ToonTown Online – This game was developed using the Panda3D engine for its graphics. Players can explore and fight in this cartoon-based world. 
• Battlefield 2 – A lot of the gameplay is on Python code. This was a major first-person shooter-type game exploring a fictional world war.

Ultimately, the final word on using Python for game development and hiring a Python developer for might be the investment that your company needs. 

We have already outlined the many advantages of using Python for game development. Hire a Python developer who knows these plus points of Python and uses them to their advantage.

In some ways, Python can even be a more efficient language for game development than C# or C++.

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