Which Programming Languages Are Being Used To Code The Metaverse? (2024)

The metaverse industry seems to be on a constant upward trajectory, as technological advancement is transforming the metaverse from science fiction into reality. Companies and investors from around the world are pouring funds into the metaverse,financing development teams, products, and experiences, creating opportunities for talented programmers.

Whether you have entrepreneurial ambitions to build your own metaverse, or are a current or aspiring software developer who wants to build a career creating virtual worlds or related products or services, this blog is for you. We we explore what the metaverse is, how it works, and which programming languages are being used to create it.

What is the metaverse?

Simply put, the metaverse is a growing network of 3D virtual worlds that create immersive virtual experiences, with a focus on social connection via virtual and augmented reality tech. The nascent but quickly developing sector’s global market value is expected to reach $716.5 billion by 2027.

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A huge amount of investment capital is being ploughed into the metaverse industry, opening new opportunities for talented individuals, especially programmers and other software development and tech specialists.

While the positions and the compensation vary greatly there is high demand for professionals with specific experience developing metaverse products or knowledge of the programming languages it is built with.

So, what are the main programming languages used to build the virtual worlds of the metaverse?

JavaScript

One of the most prevalent programming languages, JavaScript is primarily used to develop web-based applications and interactive website elements. JavaScript is a widely used language and benefits from accessible learning opportunities thanks to the availability of a wide selection of free and paid educational resources and online communities.

JavaScript is a go-to programming language for modern AR and VR web-based applications. Whether you’re building a digital product on the blockchain or if you are coding directly for new metaverse experiences, like VR games, JavaScript is a good choice.

JS has become a staple language in the modern programmer’s portfolio, so whether you’re interested in building a career in the metaverse or not, mastering JavaScript will usually open many doors at independent development teams and large businesses in the software development sector.

If you’re focusing on the metaverse, however, you can expect the leading companies to require candidates to know JS among other coding languages.

C#

C# is the workhorse of software development and a veteran in the industry given the fact that it was created way back in 2000. Novice or aspiring programmers are often seduced by newer coding languages but having a C family language in your tech stack can make a big difference, especially if you want to start coding for virtual reality platforms and the metaverse in general.

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For example, Unity is one of the best-known VR-focused development platforms, and it’s important to note that C# is the platform’s primary coding language. What’s even more relevant for you as an aspiring metaverse developer is that the Unity platform boasts an enormous community, comprised of AAA game publishers, indie game developers, as well as talented hobbyists and students.

This creates a healthy and supportive environment for finding a job in the virtual reality field, and especially in the metaverse. If nothing else, learning C# is another key step towards becoming a well-rounded developer, regardless where your career path may take you.

C++

Another core programming language for gaming is, of course, C++. This coding language is the primary language for the Unreal engine, highlighting how important it is for aspiring developers to have C++ listed in their resumes.

With gaming companies expected to be at the vanguard of the metaverse’s development, C++ becomes even more important for game developers and large studios. That said, C++ is also one of the main back-end languages of large applications like Facebook.

The fact that Facebook is looking to integrate Meta marketplaces for NFTs where their creators can showcase their non-fungible tokens and gain global exposure means demand for C++ is expected to grow.

Python

Python first came onto the software development scene around 30 years ago and is to this day widely used as a popular general-purpose coding language. Being an open-source language means that you have a vast global community of developers, enthusiasts, and corporations using and helping to further develop it, which means there is both plenty support available and it is future-proofed.

Python’s open-source nature can be a double-edged blade, however, because of the inherent security risks that come with a free-to-use coding language. Nevertheless, Python is absolutely essential for modern programmers, especially those who are interested in building virtual reality applications. Python is also used for building augmented reality solutions.

Rust

Blockchain technology is a big part of the metaverse, and if you’re interested in building products and solutions for the blockchain, then you should consider adding Rust to your tech stack. Rust is quickly becoming the preferred coding language for the leading blockchain ecosystems, such as Solana.

Using Rust as your primary language in the Solana blockchain space means that you can take full advantage of all that the platform has to offer, including products like NFTs, Web3 games, payment solutions, and more.

Simply put, Rust gives you the toolkit to develop blockchain-specific solutions in the metaverse, making it one of the most valuable languages in your resume. With Rust in your stack, you can expect to stand out to blockchain dev teams and organisations investing in blockchain innovation.

Solidity

Last but not least we have Solidity, a programming language specifically designed for and by the Ethereum blockchain.

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This is another programming language you need to know in order to get into the blockchain space and start coding in the blockchain metaverse. Mastering Solidity will allow you to enter a niche in which investors are funding Ethereum dev teams and are investing in large-scale projects.

Needless to say, this is an opportunity to code for meaningful innovation within the blockchain space, and bring truly innovative solutions to the online community. The Ethereum blockchain’s smart contract functionality supports a huge array of applications.

With the rising popularity of the blockchain and the seemingly endless opportunities within, there’s no denying that including Solidity into your coding language portfolio is a worthwhile investment.