05-29-2025, 04:14 AM
(https://copilot.microsoft.com/)
I asked Copliot:
If I decide to learn a BASIC dialect for game development, which one should I choose?
Copliot gave this answer:
Choosing the right BASIC dialect for game development largely depends on your goals, the kinds of games you want to create, and your desired workflow. Here are some solid options along with a deeper look at their features, strengths, and considerations:
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PureBasic
BlitzMax (and the Blitz Family)
QB64
Other Options & Points to Consider
Final Thoughts
If your main aim is game development and you want a blend of performance, resource support, and a game-oriented API, PureBasic is often the top recommendation. On the other hand, if you’re chasing a retro aesthetic and desire a development environment that’s a throwback to early days of game coding, BlitzMax or QB64 might be more appealing.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your interests and project ambitions. It might be helpful to try out a couple of small projects in each dialect to see which one fits your workflow and creative style.
Would you like a more detailed comparison table of these dialects or perhaps some links to tutorials and sample projects that you can experiment with?_{{{CITATION{{{_2{18 Best BASIC-like programming languages as of 2025 - Slant
I asked Copliot:
If I decide to learn a BASIC dialect for game development, which one should I choose?
Copliot gave this answer:
Choosing the right BASIC dialect for game development largely depends on your goals, the kinds of games you want to create, and your desired workflow. Here are some solid options along with a deeper look at their features, strengths, and considerations:
---
PureBasic
- Overview: PureBasic is a compiled language that’s known for its speed and cross-platform capabilities—it runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS. It offers a fairly rich standard library that covers graphics, sound, and even physics, which makes it well-suited for developing 2D (and even some 3D) games.
- Strengths:
- Performance: Since PureBasic compiles to native code, you get good performance without needing to handle many low-level details.
- Community & Documentation: It has an active community with plenty of tutorials and sample projects, which is especially helpful when tackling game development challenges.
- Ease of Deployment: Cross-platform support means that your games can reach a wider audience with minimal fuss.
- Performance: Since PureBasic compiles to native code, you get good performance without needing to handle many low-level details.
- Considerations: The language has a somewhat traditional, procedural style. Although this simplicity is ideal for beginners, if you eventually want to transition to more modern paradigms (like OOP), you might encounter a learning curve.
BlitzMax (and the Blitz Family)
- Overview: BlitzMax and its related versions (like Blitz3D or BlitzPlus) were specifically designed with game development in mind. They offer a straightforward syntax reminiscent of classic BASIC, but they also provide built-in support for handling graphics, audio, and user input.
- Strengths:
- Game-Focused APIs: The libraries and frameworks built into BlitzMax are tailored for creating games quickly, which is ideal for prototyping and even commercial-level projects.
- Rapid Prototyping: Its design philosophy emphasizes producing results fast—a key advantage when iterating on game ideas.
- Nostalgic Appeal: If you’re drawn to a retro aesthetic or want to recapture the feel of early PC game development, BlitzMax aligns well with that vision.
- Game-Focused APIs: The libraries and frameworks built into BlitzMax are tailored for creating games quickly, which is ideal for prototyping and even commercial-level projects.
- Considerations: While it remains powerful for creating games, the ecosystem around BlitzMax has become more niche over time. This means fewer modern updates and potentially a smaller pool of online resources compared to platforms used more widely today.
QB64
- Overview: QB64 is a modern revival of the classic QBasic language, updated to run on modern operating systems. It maintains the simplicity of its predecessor while offering improved performance and additional capabilities that can be harnessed for game development.
- Strengths:
- Familiarity: For those who started with QBasic in the ’80s or ’90s, QB64 feels very familiar while learning modern programming practices.
- Simplicity: Its straightforward approach makes it easy for beginners to start coding games without stumbling over complex syntax.
- Community Projects: There is a dedicated niche community that shares games and tutorials, which can be a great resource for learning.
- Familiarity: For those who started with QBasic in the ’80s or ’90s, QB64 feels very familiar while learning modern programming practices.
- Considerations: QB64 may not offer the same level of advanced graphics or multi-threading found in newer engines. Thus, while it’s excellent for learning and creating simple games, there might be performance or feature limitations if you plan on scaling up your projects.
Other Options & Points to Consider
- B4X (B4A, B4J, etc.): Though not always exclusively touted for game development, the B4X suite offers a BASIC-like syntax in a modern development environment. It’s widely praised for its cross-platform capabilities. However, its primary focus is on business apps, which means you may need to adapt or extend its frameworks for game-centric needs.
- Key Factors to Decide:
- Project Scale & Complexity: If you plan on developing larger, more graphics-intensive games, the performance benefits of a compiled language like PureBasic might be critical. For rapid prototyping or smaller indie projects, QB64 or BlitzMax can get you started quickly.
- Community & Resources: A strong community means better support. PureBasic and QB64 have nurtured active communities over the years, which can be a lifeline when learning or troubleshooting.
- Future Transition: Think about whether you might want to transition to modern languages or engines later. Starting with a niche BASIC dialect could be fun and educational, but be sure you’re comfortable with the possibility of eventually expanding your toolset.
- Project Scale & Complexity: If you plan on developing larger, more graphics-intensive games, the performance benefits of a compiled language like PureBasic might be critical. For rapid prototyping or smaller indie projects, QB64 or BlitzMax can get you started quickly.
Final Thoughts
If your main aim is game development and you want a blend of performance, resource support, and a game-oriented API, PureBasic is often the top recommendation. On the other hand, if you’re chasing a retro aesthetic and desire a development environment that’s a throwback to early days of game coding, BlitzMax or QB64 might be more appealing.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your interests and project ambitions. It might be helpful to try out a couple of small projects in each dialect to see which one fits your workflow and creative style.
Would you like a more detailed comparison table of these dialects or perhaps some links to tutorials and sample projects that you can experiment with?_{{{CITATION{{{_2{18 Best BASIC-like programming languages as of 2025 - Slant
