Top 5 Common Mistakes Beginners Make in Game Coding (And How to Avoid Them)

Avoid these frequent beginner mistakes and speed up your journey as a game developer.

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Game development is exciting but tricky. Many beginners stumble on similar issues, which can be avoided with the right mindset.

1. ❌ Skipping the Game Loop Basics

Many new coders jump straight into visuals without understanding the core loop.
Solution: Learn how update/render cycles work early on.

2. ❌ Writing Spaghetti Code

Putting all game logic in one file makes debugging a nightmare.
Solution: Use modular code. Separate input, rendering, and game state.

3. ❌ Ignoring Delta Time

If your game runs faster on some devices and slower on others, you’re not using delta time.
Solution: Always multiply movement by delta time.

4. ❌ Overcomplicating Early Projects

Many try to build open-world games as their first project.
Solution: Start with Pong, Flappy Bird, or Brick Breaker.

5. ❌ Not Testing or Debugging Enough

Skipping testing leads to hard-to-find bugs.
Solution: Test every small feature before adding new ones.

Key Takeaways:

  • Start small and iterate.
  • Learn core concepts first.
  • Write clean, modular code.
  • Always test as you build.