What are the benefits of using Kotlin for game development?

Kotlin is a modern, concise, and interoperable programming language that runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and can also compile to native code or JavaScript. It has gained popularity among Android developers, but what about game developers? In this article, you will learn about some of the benefits of using Kotlin for game development, and how it can help you create more efficient, expressive, and enjoyable games.

1 Multiplatform support

One of the main advantages of Kotlin is that it can target multiple platforms with the same codebase. You can use Kotlin/JVM to create games for desktop, web, and Android, Kotlin/Native to create games for iOS, macOS, Linux, Windows, and embedded devices, and Kotlin/JS to create games for browsers and web servers. This means you can share common logic, data structures, and algorithms across platforms, and only write platform-specific code where necessary. You can also use Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile (KMM) to share code between Android and iOS apps, and leverage existing libraries and frameworks for each platform.

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2 Interoperability with Java and C/C++

Another benefit of Kotlin is that it can interoperate seamlessly with Java and C/C++ code, which are widely used for game development. You can use any Java library or framework in your Kotlin code, and vice versa. You can also use Kotlin/Native to call C/C++ code directly, or use the Kotlin/Native Interop Tool (KNIT) to generate bindings for C/C++ libraries. This means you can take advantage of the rich ecosystem of tools and resources available for Java and C/C++, and integrate them with your Kotlin code easily.

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Pooya Eimandar

Stay Hungry Stay Foolish
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In game development, it's common to avoid multiple languages. Many gaming companies opt for NDK with C++ and integrate an embedded scripting language like Lua for efficient development and integration. But sometimes it is essential to use JNI (Java Native Interface) for bridging the gap between native code and Java side.

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3 Concise and expressive syntax

Kotlin has a concise and expressive syntax that can help you write more readable and maintainable code. It has features such as null safety, data classes, extension functions, lambdas, coroutines, and delegated properties that can reduce boilerplate code, avoid common errors, and simplify complex tasks. For example, you can use data classes to define simple data structures with minimal code, extension functions to add new functionality to existing classes without inheritance, lambdas to create anonymous functions, coroutines to write asynchronous and concurrent code, and delegated properties to implement lazy initialization, observable properties, or delegated patterns.

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4 Modern and evolving language

Kotlin is a modern and evolving language that is constantly updated and improved by the developers and the community. It supports the latest features and standards of the JVM, such as Java 8 streams, functional interfaces, and default methods. It also introduces new features and enhancements in every release, such as inline classes, sealed interfaces, contracts, and trailing commas. It also has a strong focus on tooling and IDE support, with plugins for IntelliJ IDEA, Android Studio, Eclipse, Visual Studio Code, and other popular editors. It also has a built-in REPL (read-eval-print loop) that lets you experiment with Kotlin code interactively.

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5 Fun and enjoyable language

Finally, Kotlin is a fun and enjoyable language that can make game development more creative and satisfying. It has a friendly and welcoming community that provides feedback, support, and resources for learning and using Kotlin. It also has a playful and humorous tone, with references to movies, books, and pop culture in its documentation, error messages, and naming conventions. For example, the official Kotlin mascot is a cute and fluffy orange elephant named Koter, the standard library has a function called TODO that throws an exception with a message "Not implemented", and the compiler has a hidden Easter egg that prints "May the Kotlin be with you!" if you type "kotlinc -W".

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Anna Krepchenko

Product Manager | Game Producer
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Conciseness & Readability: Cleaner, easier-to-maintain codebases. Safety & Stability: Built-in null safety reduces crashes and bugs. Interoperability: Seamlessly works with Java code and libraries. Platform Reach: Targets Android, iOS, JVM, and web for wider audience access. Performance: Efficient machine code ensures smooth gameplay. Strong Tools & Community: Backed by popular IDEs and an active developer community. Remember, technical strengths like these, not just enjoyment, make Kotlin a valuable choice for game development. Evaluate it alongside other options based on your project's needs.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are the benefits of using Kotlin for game development?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Multiplatform support

2 Interoperability with Java and C/C++

3 Concise and expressive syntax

4 Modern and evolving language

5 Fun and enjoyable language

6 Here’s what else to consider

Game Development

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What are the benefits of using Kotlin for game development?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Multiplatform support

2 Interoperability with Java and C/C++

3 Concise and expressive syntax

4 Modern and evolving language

5 Fun and enjoyable language

6 Here’s what else to consider

Game Development

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