06-03-2025, 07:09 AM
(https://copilot.microsoft.com/)
The programming language Rust looks popular.
I asked Copliot:
On Itch.io, many games were developed in Rust. Is Rust a very popular programming language for game development nowadays? What is the reason? Which game libraries do these developers use with Rust?
Copliot's answer:
Rust has been steadily gaining popularity among indie game developers, and you’ll often see Rust-based projects on platforms like Itch.io. . Although it isn’t yet the go-to language for AAA titles, its combination of high performance, memory safety without a garbage collector, and modern language features has made it a favorite for many independent studios. Here’s a detailed look at why Rust is attracting game developers and which libraries they typically use:
Why Rust for Game Development?
Popular Rust Game Libraries
Developers using Rust for game development typically choose from a few prominent libraries and engines, tailored to different needs:
In Summary
While Rust as a language is enjoying rising popularity among indie game developers—which you can see reflected in many projects on Itch.io—the reason lies in its outstanding blend of speed, safety, and modern development practices. Its ecosystem, supported by libraries like Bevy, ggez, and Macroquad, offers a range of options from rapid prototyping to building more complex and scalable projects. For many developers, this combination translates into a highly productive and innovative environment in which to build games.
Would you like to dive deeper into any of these libraries or discuss specific case studies of Rust-based games to see how developers leverage these tools?
The programming language Rust looks popular.
I asked Copliot:
On Itch.io, many games were developed in Rust. Is Rust a very popular programming language for game development nowadays? What is the reason? Which game libraries do these developers use with Rust?
Copliot's answer:
Rust has been steadily gaining popularity among indie game developers, and you’ll often see Rust-based projects on platforms like Itch.io. . Although it isn’t yet the go-to language for AAA titles, its combination of high performance, memory safety without a garbage collector, and modern language features has made it a favorite for many independent studios. Here’s a detailed look at why Rust is attracting game developers and which libraries they typically use:
Why Rust for Game Development?
- Performance and Memory Safety Rust is a compiled language that delivers performance comparable to C or C++ but with strong compile-time checks that eliminate many common bugs and crashes. Its ownership model ensures memory safety without the overhead of a garbage collector. In game development—which often demands both speed and reliability—this feature lets developers write highly optimized code while reducing the risk of runtime errors.
- Concurrency and Modern Features Modern games, even indie titles, often require efficient use of multi-threading for complex tasks like physics simulation, rendering, or game AI. Rust’s approach to concurrency helps prevent data races, enabling developers to write safe parallel code. This is a significant advantage when pushing performance boundaries in a game.
- Robust Tooling and Developer Experience Rust’s package manager and build system, Cargo, makes managing dependencies, compiling projects, and creating modular code straightforward. This streamlined workflow is a boon for developers who prefer a modern, well-organized development environment—a factor that’s contributed to the language’s popularity in the indie game community.
- A Growing and Passionate Community Rust consistently ranks as one of the “most loved” languages in community surveys. This enthusiastic community has produced a host of libraries, tutorials, and shared projects that lower the barrier for game development. Indie game developers find this supportive ecosystem invaluable when experimenting with new ideas.
Popular Rust Game Libraries
Developers using Rust for game development typically choose from a few prominent libraries and engines, tailored to different needs:
- Bevy Bevy is currently one of the fastest-growing game engines in the Rust ecosystem. It uses a data-driven, Entity-Component-System (ECS) architecture that excels in handling both 2D and 3D projects. Its modern design, integrated editor (on the horizon), and rapidly expanding documentation make it a top choice for developers seeking to build complex, maintainable games.
- ggez Inspired by frameworks like LÖVE2D, ggez is a lightweight game framework that aims to make 2D game development simple and approachable. It abstracts away many of the lower-level details so you can focus on game logic and design, making it ideal for smaller projects or prototypes.
- Macroquad Macroquad is another lightweight, multi-platform game engine that emphasizes simplicity and ease of use. Its minimal API and fast iteration cycle allow developers to quickly prototype ideas, which is especially appreciated in the indie scene.
- Additional Options: Some developers also experiment with libraries like Piston or Rust bindings for established C libraries (like raylib-rs). While engines like Amethyst used to be popular for game development in Rust, the community’s momentum has largely shifted toward Bevy due to its modern design and active development.
In Summary
While Rust as a language is enjoying rising popularity among indie game developers—which you can see reflected in many projects on Itch.io—the reason lies in its outstanding blend of speed, safety, and modern development practices. Its ecosystem, supported by libraries like Bevy, ggez, and Macroquad, offers a range of options from rapid prototyping to building more complex and scalable projects. For many developers, this combination translates into a highly productive and innovative environment in which to build games.
Would you like to dive deeper into any of these libraries or discuss specific case studies of Rust-based games to see how developers leverage these tools?