Serious games require using a large amount of computer computing resources, which are known to be limited. Also, to get more profit the final product must be distributed among the maximum number of players. This is achieved not only by successful PR-campaigns, but also by porting the game to different gamer platforms (Xbox, PlayStation and others). There arises the necessity to use a multi-paradigm, cross-platform, high-performance programming language, with the help of which you can manage memory and not create unnecessary system load. C++ language meets such criteria. No serious game-product development can do without it.

Thanks to C++ the game mechanics is created – interaction of the player with the world and the world with the player. When people speak about professional game programmers, they usually mean C++ programmers. For the ability to create optimized large-scale AAA level games you have to pay a lot of effort and time, because this programming language is considered to be one of the most difficult to learn. This way of development is often chosen by the most hardcore guys, ready for challenges and trials, who are very passionate about the game industry and want to become an integral part of it.

Game Engine

It is a kernel that helps programmers create games by taking existing software as a basis, thus automating some routine processes. Often the engine includes game logic, object behavior, visual scene editor, animation utility, game environment design tools and other elements. Thus, when starting to create a game, the programmer does not need to write from scratch the physics of water, objects and perform other capital works – it is enough to take the ready-made and create something of your own from it. Below we will tell you about some well-known video game development environments.

Unreal Engine is a very popular game engine. Among its advantages are: flexibility, multiplatform, high graphics performance, high-quality lighting, the ability to create games for VR, general developer friendliness and rich built-in development tools. The most famous games created with Unreal Engine are Mass Effect, Bioshock Infinite, Mortal Combat 11, Fortnite, Borderlands, Batman: Arkham Asylum.

Development on this engine is conducted in C++, however, it is possible to use a special scripting language Blueprint, which to a certain extent can simplify the creation of games.

CryEngine is a powerful engine from the German company Crytek, the brainchild of which became such games as: Crysis, Far Cry, Ryse: Son of Rome, Sniper II: Ghost Warrior and others. Possesses cross-platform, advanced animation system, impressive level of graphics, realistic physics, its own ray tracing technology and many other advantages. It is worth noting that in the development on CryEngine causes more difficulties than on Unreal Engine.

If you analyze these engines, Unreal Engine is suitable for AAA games, especially shooters and action-adventure games. Also, it is a good choice for indie developers because of its favorable licensing policy. CryEngine, on the other hand, is more suitable for experienced teams that have a lot of time and money to create expensive and large-scale games.

There are many other engines: Chrome Engine, C-Engine, Frostbite, Source, Id Tech, Creation Engine, etc. Study information about them and choose the one that best suits your needs.

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However, it is worth noting that developing a game on your own can be a challenge, especially for those who are new to the industry. It is important to have the following aspects in mind:

• The scope and complexity of the project: If the plan is to develop a small and simple game such as a simple puzzle or arcade game, doing the project on your own can be quite feasible. However, if it is a larger and more complex game with high demands on graphics, sound and mechanics, a larger development team may be required;
• Skills and experience: Game development requires knowledge in various areas such as programming, design, graphics and sound. If you already have experience or good skills in one or more of these areas, it can make the process much easier. Otherwise, it will take time for you to learn and master the skills you need;
• Using game engines: There are various game engines such as Unity, Unreal Engine, Godot and others that make the game development process easier. They provide ready-made tools and functionality that can be used to create a game without having to write code from scratch;
• Project Management: Game development can be a time-consuming process, especially when working alone. It is important to plan and manage the project well to meet deadlines and not get overwhelmed;
• Support and Updates: Once your game is complete, you may need to support and release updates to fix bugs and add new content. Make sure you are prepared to provide support for your game once it is released.

Self-developing a game requires persistence, creativity, and a willingness to learn new technologies. It is an exciting experience that allows you to fully realize your ideas and share your creative work with the world.

Knowledge and skills required for game development

Successful game development really requires a variety of knowledge and skills to effectively handle different aspects of the game content creation process. Here’s a closer look at each of the required knowledge and skills:

• Programming: Knowledge of programming languages such as C++, C#, Python, Java, and others is fundamental to game development. Programmers are responsible for writing the code that implements game mechanics, character behavior control, physical simulation, and other important game features;
• Graphic Design: The visual elements of a game, such as characters, backgrounds, objects, and the interface, play an important role in attracting players. Artists specializing in graphic design should be able to create quality and attractive graphic resources using graphics programs and tools;
• Sound Design: The sound design of a game involves creating sound effects, music, and dialog. Sound designers are responsible for creating atmosphere, unique sound effects for character actions, background music, and other sound components that make the game experience more realistic and immersive;
• Game Design: Game designers are responsible for developing the core game mechanics, story, levels, and balance of the game. They must understand how to create interesting and engaging gameplay to attract and keep the attention of players.

It is important to note that game development is a team effort, and each team member contributes to the creation of a unique game universe. So while you may specialize in one of these areas, a shared understanding of and interaction with other team members is also an important aspect of successful game development. Excellent communication and teamwork skills will help you collaborate with other specialists and successfully realize the overall game concept.

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Now there is an improved version of OpenGL – Vulkan, and it is close enough to the leader. If a game has support for this library, it becomes much easier to port it to Linux. There are also all sorts of wrappers (for example, DXVK) – these are libraries that allow you to run DirectX through Vulkan.

Not to mention that difficulties can also appear due to individual features of the game, as in the case of “Space Rangers 2”. In fact, this game consists of two, which reduces the load on the PC, but it prevents porting and running on other operating systems.

If earlier developers had to directly apply graphics libraries, now this work is entrusted to the engine. So you only have to go into the settings and select the necessary library.

Thus, you can make a Windows game using DirectX, and then just use Vulkan to compile it in Linux. Most of the time this process takes a few clicks, but sometimes you still need to make edits to the code.

To port games to other operating systems, you need to increase your development investment quite a bit. But the result will be a significant increase in your audience.

As for creating games only for Linux, we think it’s a bad idea, because too few gamers use this system, which makes it unprofitable.

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