10 Essential Tips for Writing Game Code as a Beginner Developer
New to game programming? Learn the 10 most important things beginner developers need to know when writing game code—from structure and readability to performance and debugging.
Writing your first lines of game code is exciting—but it can also be overwhelming. Whether you're using Unity with C#, Godot with GDScript, or starting from scratch with Python or JavaScript, there are key practices every beginner game developer should understand to build clean, functional, and scalable games.
In this article, we’ll walk you through 10 essential things to take note of when writing game code. These best practices will help you avoid common mistakes and set a strong foundation for your game development journey.
1. Start Simple, Then Iterate
Many beginners make the mistake of starting with a complex game idea. Start with the basics:
- A player character that can move
- A basic game loop
- One or two gameplay mechanics
This allows you to focus on clean, manageable code and build confidence.
2. Understand the Game Loop
The game loop is the heart of your game. It handles:
- Updating game states (e.g., position, physics)
- Rendering visuals
- Handling inputs
Learn how the loop works in your chosen engine or framework. This knowledge helps you structure your game logic more efficiently.
3. Use Clear Naming Conventions
Readable code is maintainable code. Use meaningful names for variables and functions:
playerHealthis better thanphcheckCollision()is better thanchkCol()
Good naming helps when revisiting your code or collaborating with others.
4. Keep Code Organized
Structure your code into:
- Functions (for repeatable actions)
- Classes or components (for different objects like Player, Enemy, etc.)
- Files or folders by functionality (e.g.,
/scripts/player/,/scripts/enemy/)
Clean structure makes your project scalable and easier to debug.
5. Comment and Document
Don’t rely on memory alone. Use comments to explain:
- Why something is done (especially tricky logic)
- What a function or block of code does
// Reduce health when the player collides with an enemy
6. Write Reusable Code
Avoid duplicating the same logic everywhere. Instead, create reusable functions:
def apply_gravity(entity):
This keeps your code DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself) and easier to update later.
7. Test Small Changes Frequently
Make one small change and test it. Don’t write a massive block of code before checking if it works. Frequent testing helps catch bugs early and keeps progress steady.
8. Optimize Only When Necessary
Don’t obsess over performance from day one. Write clear, working code first. Then, optimize:
- Unused updates
- Expensive calculations inside loops
- Object pooling (e.g., for bullets or particles)
Use profiling tools only when performance issues arise.
9. Use Version Control (Git)
Even for solo projects, version control is a must. It helps you:
- Save progress checkpoints
- Revert to earlier versions if something breaks
- Collaborate easily
Platforms like GitHub or GitLab make it easy to share and back up your work.
10. Learn from Other Games and Open Source Code
Read and study beginner-friendly game projects. Platforms like GitHub, itch.io devlogs, or YouTube tutorials are goldmines for real examples. Try modifying simple games to see how code behaves.
Bonus Tips
- Follow coding standards of the language you’re using (e.g., PEP8 for Python).
- Ask for feedback on forums like Stack Overflow or r/gamedev.
- Use consistent indentation—it’s small but essential for readability.
Conclusion
Learning to write good game code is a marathon, not a sprint. By focusing on structure, clarity, testing, and reusability, you’ll grow into a more confident and capable game developer. Whether you’re building a simple 2D platformer or working toward your dream RPG, these tips will guide you in writing solid, beginner-friendly code.
Tags: beginner game coding, how to write game code, game programming tips, game dev for beginners, clean game code practices
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