Why Odin and raylib is irresistible combo with Karl Zylinski!
Mar 1, 2025
auto_awesome
Karl Zylinski, a game programmer and author of the Odin Book, discusses his transition from a physics background to game development. He shares insights on creating the whimsical game 'Cat & Onion' with Odin and Raylib. The conversation highlights the challenges of programming, the importance of quaternions in graphics, and the joy of simplicity in coding. Zylinski reflects on his creative journey, exploring how straightforward tools can reignite passion in game development and the significance of finding joy in the programming process.
Karl Zylinski's transition from struggling with Unreal Engine to finding joy in the simplicity of the Odin language showcases the importance of choosing the right tools for game development.
The development of 'Cat and Onion' highlights innovative techniques like hot reloading that enhance coding efficiency and maintain a creative flow during projects.
Zylinski emphasizes the necessity of enjoying the programming process and encourages game developers to adopt a simple, iterative approach to avoid burnout and enhance creativity.
Deep dives
Journey into Game Development
The speaker shares their personal history, detailing their early interest in programming and game development, which sparked from a love of video games as a child. While initially struggling with programming, they ultimately pursued a formal education in game development, where they rapidly learned and collaborated with peers during projects. Their first real exposure to programming came through web development jobs, but their passion for game creation led them to seek out game-centric education. Eventually, they obtained an internship at a company specializing in game engines, significantly honing their skills and setting the stage for a career in game programming.
Challenges with Unreal Engine
The transition to working with Unreal Engine proved to be a challenging experience for the speaker, leading to feelings of burnout and depression. They describe an overwhelming dread whenever delving into Unreal's complex code structure, feeling detached and often unable to navigate its intricacies efficiently. Attempting to adapt to a slower iterative process caused frustration, different from their previous experiences where quick iteration was prioritized. Ultimately, their struggles with Unreal pushed them toward a new path, leading them to study physics and astronomy, which rekindled their love for mathematics.
Exploring Odin and Game Creation
After a period of studying physics and astronomy, the speaker returned to game development by experimenting with the Odin programming language, which they found to be a perfect fit for their needs. Their journey began serendipitously on a plane, where they started coding a simple game project as a fun exercise. They appreciated Odin's combination of simplicity and power, which allowed them to build the game's systems effectively. Their project, titled 'Cat and Onion,' became a delightful yet surreal side-scrolling adventure, reflecting their creative vision and childhood imagination.
Innovative Development Techniques
Throughout the development of 'Cat and Onion,' the speaker implemented innovative techniques such as hot reloading to enhance their coding efficiency and maintain creative flow. This approach allowed them to make real-time changes while the game was running, streamlining their development process and eliminating frustrating downtime. By using an immediate mode user interface for the level editor, they could quickly adjust game elements without constantly recompiling. This focus on speed and simplicity was critical in maintaining their enthusiasm for the project, especially after previous challenges with time-consuming iteration cycles.
Philosophy of Game Development
The speaker emphasizes the importance of enjoying the programming process to increase overall productivity and creativity in game development. They advocate for a simple, iterative approach, advising against overengineering or building overly complex systems when working on projects. By focusing on the specific problems at hand and avoiding excessive abstractions, developers can avoid getting bogged down and maintain engagement with their work. Ultimately, the message encourages aspiring game developers to prioritize fun and curiosity in their creative process, ensuring they remain motivated and inspired.
I'm joined by Karl Zylinski, who made CAT & ONION with Odin + raylib and has recently written the Odin Book! We talk about his experience, Unreal Engine programming, physics degree and of course, Odin and raylib! Join us!Odin Book: https://zylinski.itch.io/odinbookCAT & ONION on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2781210/CAT__ONION/Mentioned blog post: https://zylinski.se/posts/solodevs-and-the-trap-of-the-game-engine/Game Engineering PodcastShow links: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lukasz-scigaSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7tExkDJcI6vvmpCguX8YgdApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/game-engineering-podcast/id1683109481Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9J9u3apteD0EuFjzRpt71wRSS: https://anchor.fm/s/dd7643a4/podcast/rssX: https://x.com/g_engineering_
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
