PC/Console Game Development

Engine selection and platform-specific principles.

1. Engine Selection

Decision Tree

What are you building?
│
├── 2D Game
│   ├── Open source important? → Godot
│   └── Large team/assets? → Unity
│
├── 3D Game
│   ├── AAA visual quality? → Unreal
│   ├── Cross-platform priority? → Unity
│   └── Indie/open source? → Godot 4
│
└── Specific Needs
    ├── DOTS performance? → Unity
    ├── Nanite/Lumen? → Unreal
    └── Lightweight? → Godot

Comparison

2. Platform Features

Steam Integration

Console Requirements

3. Controller Support

Input Abstraction

Map ACTIONS, not buttons:
- "confirm" → A (Xbox), Cross (PS), B (Nintendo)
- "cancel" → B (Xbox), Circle (PS), A (Nintendo)

Haptic Feedback

4. Performance Optimization

Profiling First

Common Bottlenecks

5. Engine-Specific Principles

Unity 6

• DOTS for performance-critical systems
• Burst compiler for hot paths
• Addressables for asset streaming

Godot 4

• GDScript for rapid iteration
• C# for complex logic
• Signals for decoupling

Unreal 5

• Blueprint for designers
• C++ for performance
• Nanite for high-poly environments
• Lumen for dynamic lighting

6. Anti-Patterns

Remember: Engine is a tool. Master the principles, then adapt to any engine.