Why Is Game Programming So Hard?

3 months ago
11

Join me as I ramble, breaking down why game programming is one of the most challenging domains in modern software development. After 18 years as a developer working across numerous languages and frameworks, I've pinpointed exactly what makes game dev uniquely difficult.

X: https://x.com/TheMythOfKen
Live on Youtube 6-9 PM CST Sunday/Tuesday/Thursday at youtube.com/@TheMythOfKen

Allen Chou's Uncharted 4 Work: https://allenchou.net/2016/05/a-brain-dump-of-what-i-worked-on-for-uncharted-4/
Sebastian Graves' Dark Souls In Unity: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD_vBJjpCwJtrHIW1SS5_BNRk6KZJZ7_d
Frostbite's OOP with DOD slides: https://www.ea.com/frostbite/news/introduction-to-data-oriented-design
IGN - Complexity of Making Games: https://www.ign.com/articles/turns-out-hardest-part-making-game-everything

Drawing from my experience in both web development and game programming, I explain how the lack of standardization and extreme interaction complexity combine to create significant challenges. While I can master a new web framework in hours, game programming requires solving problems with almost endless implementation possibilities.

I explore:
- Why web development has clear patterns that make learning new frameworks easy
- How my journey through Unity, Unreal, and now Godot has shaped my understanding
- The staggering complexity of even "simple" game systems like doors, menus, and combat
- Why ECS, OOP, and other methodologies all offer different approaches with no clear winner
- The real reason AAA game features can take months to implement correctly

Whether you're a beginner curious about game development or an experienced programmer considering the switch, this video will give you realistic expectations about the unique challenges waiting for you.

#GameDevelopment #ProgrammingChallenges #GameDevReality #Godot #Unity #IndieGameDev #WebDevelopment

Loading comments...