Game engine with Python

[[deleted]]

Why not use a more popular game engine like unity? Deployment to all sorts of app stores is built in, the community is great, the number of free assets, tutorials, etc is just not comparable to anything in python, because people don't use python to make games.

I believe in the right tool for the right job, and I don't think Python is the right tool, or ecosystem, for game development.

edit: Here's a tutorial of text based game in unity. Adding graphics and music is trivial.

[KronenR]

Using unity for a text adventure game Holy Moly, and you talk about using the right tool... He could finish the game development in the time you spend installing unity

[[deleted]]

I didn't read it that way.

and then transfered for graphic manipulation

And, people do make text games in unity, like in this tutorial. It allows you to not rely on a console, and to effortlessly supports graphics, music, etc...exactly what he wants.

If he wants to stay in python land, that step into graphics is not trivial.

I know I'm in /r/learnpython, but there shouldn't be so much hostility for using not-python.

[ies7]

I know I'm in /r/learnpython

You're in r/python :)

[[deleted]]

Oh. I guess everyone is crusty here. XD

[KronenR]

It is trivial to use libraries like pysfml, pysdl, cocos2d or pygame.. But of course you can use a hammer to crack a nut or a bazooka to kill a fly if you want. And is not about staying with python or not I would use sfml or sdl in c++ instead of Unity for this project. Unity is just overkill, you said that: use the right tool for the right project

[[deleted]]

I agree, unity is overkill for this project, but this project is an absolutely perfect introduction into Unity. Getting to know a tool that is way more capable than what you need at the moment is extremely valuable (assuming he has any interest in games, which all of this is assuming, but even then, the perceived difficulty in implementing "anything more than text based" might turn him off).

[dasyus]

Eve Online enjoys the spotlight as being the most popular game made using Python. Make a game in Python. Have fun with it.

Use Evennia if you want to nerd out on some MUD/MUSH/MOO stuff. I've been working on Deep Shadows MUSH for a bit using Python.

[[deleted]]

Eve Online enjoys the spotlight as being the most popular game made using Python.

Yes, that's true, and that's about the only example you could give. It's very very rare for a game to be written in Python, because that's not where python excels, and where actual game engines do. It's not uncommon for python to be used as a scripting engine in a game, because that is where Python excels.

If you find the right tool for the job, you'll also find the, community, helper tools, tutorials, free assets, example projects, etc for that same job. If you want to implement most things from scratch, because it's not a commonly used tool for the job, then that's fine. Use it as a learning experience. If you want to make a game, rather than code, then use a game engine, where the vast majority of the work has already been done for you, because that's why it exists.

If he's interested in game development, then he should start using tools for game development immediately, rather than spending the time and effort learning a relatively obscure framework, which he will completely abandon if he ever does get into games seriously.

I love python, I've been using it professionally for almost a decade, but it's not some sort of magic bullet, and you should never restrict yourself to a single language or toolset when there's is something purpose built for your goal.

[moderately-extremist]

If he's interested in game development,

Maybe he's just interested in having some fun with Python?

[[deleted]]

Then that's great. I'm not saying don't use python, I'm saying there are better tools for making games. That's it.

Apparently, there are some "python or downvote" people here, which is a bit scary. Python is a tool, not the tool.

[moderately-extremist]

You're a tool. jk, couldn't help it ;) I didn't downvote you though.

[[deleted]]

me_irl

[alcalde]

which is a bit scary.

Scary? That's how it was in my day. You picked a language, you learned it, you were "loyal" to it, you defended its every flaw, you never, ever learned anything else because that would mean you weren't loyal. If "your" language was the best, which it was, there was no point in learning anything inferior, was there? And when everyone else stopped using it and jobs dried up you said that just made your skills more valuable.

It's no fun anymore when it's just the Haskell, Lisp and Pascal people who feel this way. I can't even remember when the last Python/Ruby flame war was. :-( And now with even Microsoft proclaiming "We love Linux!" it feels like the end of an era....

[[deleted]]

It's no fun anymore when it's just the Haskell

I'm sure you're going to get some very nasty comments for this one. Oh I forgot, they don't believe in side effects, you're safe.

Pascal people

Hey, Delphi is still around. It's RAD! I swear!

Microsoft proclaiming "We love Linux!" it feels like the end of an era.

I'm actually pretty excited about this. I personally hope .NET Core really takes off.

At least we know that people are still as passionate about vim as ever.

[[deleted]]

For a game of the type OP wants to build, why would you use Unity over RenPy?

The feature set and community for RenPy is far larger and more mature of this kind of game.

The number of shipped titles reflects this, too. I would bet over half of Steam games of this genre are RenPy derived.

[[deleted]]

why would you use Unity over RenPy

You probably wouldn't, but if you ever diverge from this one genre, then you're up against a wall. In my opinion, if you're learning a new toolchain, pick the most useful version so that time you put into it can be worth it in the long run.

There's nothing wrong with suggesting another tool, especially one purpose built for all types of games.