C++ Gaming — 01 — Overview

3 min readSep 8, 2024

Hello! I am Samuel Asher Rivello, a professional game developer with over 20 years of game development experience. This series aims to share my learning journey with C++ gaming.

Why C++?

C++ has been at the heart of gaming development for decades. As a powerful, low-level programming language, it allows developers to create performance-driven applications, manage resources efficiently, and have fine control over hardware interaction.

“Learning C++ strengthens your understanding of how software connects with hardware, improves your ability to manage resources, and enhances problem-solving through low-level programming. These skills are vital for game devs.”

Benefits

High performance & low-level hardware access
Greater control over libraries, memory and system resources
Broad reach, from PC to consoles and mobile

C++ for Gaming

C++ has long been favored in the gaming industry due to its flexibility and performance optimizations. From AAA studios to indie developers, C++ serves as the backbone for complex game engines and systems that require precise performance tuning.

There are publically available C++ game engines which anyone can use as well as proprietary options used only within certain companies.

Features and Tools

Here’s a breakdown of notable features and tools that make C++ a great choice for gaming development.

When working with C++, having the right tools is essential for streamlining development and ensuring optimal performance.

VS Code (IDE) — A lightweight yet powerful code editor with extensive C++ extensions. Alternatives: Rider, CLion, Eclipse
CMake (Builder) — A popular build system for managing project files and cross-platform builds. Alternatives: Meson, Premake
GCC (Compiler) — A widely-used, open-source compiler supporting C, C++, and other languages. Alternatives: Clang, MSVC
GDB (Debugger) — A powerful debugging tool for analyzing and fixing C++ programs. Alternatives: LLDB, WinDbg

Conclusion

C++ continues to be a cornerstone in the gaming industry, offering unparalleled control and performance for developers.

Whether you’re working on AAA games or indie projects, its flexibility and wide range of tools make it a powerful choice for creating complex game engines and systems. By leveraging the right IDEs, compilers, and debuggers, developers can streamline their workflow and push the boundaries of gaming technology.

As this series unfolds, we’ll explore more tools, techniques, and best practices that make C++ a go-to language for game development.

Resources

🦜 Contact

Samuel Asher Rivello has over 20 years of game dev XP. He is available for remote, contract hire as a game developer and game dev educator.
Contact Sam today to say hi and discuss your projects!