Is C++ or Rust Better for Learning Game Development as a Beginner?

Honestly, if I were starting out today, I might lean towards Rust because of its growing popularity and cleaner syntax. However, I agree that if you focus solely on game dev, C++ is probably the more practical choice right now due to its long history in the field. If you don’t have any low-level programming experience, give C++ a shot first, and you can explore Rust later!

If your main focus is game development, I'd recommend starting with C++. It’s integrated into most major game engines, has a plethora of learning resources, and you’ll learn the essentials that'll serve you well across various platforms. C++ may be a bit tricky with its memory management, but that challenge is part of fully grasping how programming works. Rust is great too, but its borrow checker might make learning game logic more complicated than it needs to be right now. So for game dev fundamentals, stick with C++, and you can explore Rust later if you're interested in safety and more modern design.

Rust is interesting and has some powerful capabilities, but it's not necessarily beginner-friendly unless you have a solid grasp of memory management. Learning C++ gives you a deeper understanding of how everything works, which can be beneficial when you eventually move on to Rust. If your goal is to whip up something functional fast, C++ might be the better way to go.

Since you're already familiar with Godot and GDScript, consider picking up C# as your next step. Godot has a .NET version that supports C#, which could be a smoother transition for game development. It allows you to build on what you know without diving straight into the complexities of C++. Just a thought! But if you’re dead set on C++ or Rust, C++ remains the more practical start.