Section 4: Coding, part 1

This article is set to receive further refinement at a later date. This installment serves as one of many in a series dedicated to providing in-depth insights into the art of Game Design and Development. Within the scope of this educational endeavor, one will encounter comprehensive explanations of the fundamental principles and terminologies that underpin the field of Game Design and Development. This note will be removed upon completion of all necessary revisions and improvements to the article.

Welcome to the world of Game Design & Development! As someone interested in this field, you likely have a passion for gaming & are excited to learn more about the behind-the-scenes process of bringing a game to life. In this article, we'll explore how coding plays a critical role in game design & development, & how it helps bring your favorite games to your screens.

At its core, coding is the process of creating instructions that a computer can follow to perform a specific task. In game design, this means creating the rules & mechanics that govern how a game operates, from the movements of characters to the way the game responds to player actions. Without coding, a game would simply be a static image on a screen with no interactive elements.

There are a variety of programming languages used in game development, with popular options including C++, C#, & Java. These languages allow developers to create complex systems, from the physics of a game world to the behavior of non-playable characters. In addition, game engines like Unity & Unreal Engine provide developers with pre-built tools & interfaces that make it easier to create & manipulate game objects, characters, & environments.

The coding process begins with designing the game mechanics & systems. This involves identifying the core gameplay elements, such as movement, combat, & interactions with the game world, & determining how they will be implemented. Once these mechanics have been defined, developers can begin coding the game's engine & user interface, creating the underlying systems that will allow the game to function.

From there, developers move on to coding the game's content, such as character behavior, dialogue, & level design. This involves creating code that controls the actions of characters, determines how the game responds to player choices, & creates the game's overall experience.

While coding is critical to game development, it is not the only factor that determines a game's success. Good game design requires a balance of coding, art, sound design, & narrative, with each element working together to create a cohesive & enjoyable experience for players.

Moreover, game development is an iterative process. As developers code & test the game, they will inevitably encounter bugs, glitches, & other issues that need to be addressed. This requires a willingness to experiment, make changes, & test the game repeatedly to ensure that it is as polished & functional as possible.

Coding is a critical component of game design & development. Without it, games would be static & unresponsive, lacking the interactive elements that make them so engaging. By using programming languages & game engines, developers can create complex game systems & mechanics, & bring their ideas to life. If you're interested in game design & development, learning how to code is a crucial first step in bringing your gaming visions to reality.




4. Code
4.1 Scripts
- Core
- Menu/UX/UI
- Leaderboards
- Achievements/trophies
- In-game store
- Microtransactions
- DLC (downloadable content)
- Localization
- Accessibility options
- Parental controls
- Gameplay Mechanics
- Saving/loading system
- Dialog system
- Quest/mission design
- Economy/currency system
- Trading/bartering system
- Crafting system
- Building/construction system
- Vehicles/transportation
- Character Scripts (Player Pawn/Player Controller)
- Camera control
- Character movements
- Character customization
- Character stats/attributes
- Health/damage system
- Death/respawn system
- A.I.
- NPC Scripts
- Character stats/attributes
- Health/damage system
- Death/respawn system
- Animation
- Environment Animations
- Character Animations
- Dialog system
- Events

4.2 Game Assets
- Cutscenes
- Levels
- Audio
- Ambient Scripts (Runs in the background)
- Localization
- Text

4.3 Tests
- Unit Tests
- Integration Tests
- Performance Tests
- Physics/collision
- Physics
- UI
- Graphics
- Sound
- Input
- Android

4.4 Plugins
- Localization
- UI
- Input
- Camera
- Animation
- Shaders
- Audio
- AI
- Rendering
- Networking
- Physics
- Particle Effects
- Video
- Lighting
- UI Effects
- Scripting
- Build Pipeline
- Tools
- Third-Party Integrations
- Documentation

4.5 Programmers Notes
- Game patch notes
- Game support
- Game updates
- Game cheat codes