There are wide variety of programming languages when it comes to game making from scratch.
But most of them have flaws, but at the same time they are really good to use. For example: Java, you can comprehend all of the commands and statements but when it comes to actually coding a program, the computer, most of the time, gets REALLY confused. So, when it comes to making a really big game, even though Java DOES have the potential and the tools it need, I really don't recommend it for making such big projects.
One of the most POPULAR Java game, and just an indie game overall is Minecraft. Most people wanna code in Java because of that game, they think if Notch did it, why can't they make one. First of all, he years of experience in making games for PC so it's not nothing new to him, he just thought it up in his head and connected some statements and code together and bob's your uncle, Minecraft was born. Second of all, you probably can, and even make it better, but when it comes to understanding the code, I highly doubt that you will, you probably would just copy some one else's code or use pre-made game engines to make it. Third, Notch did not make the actual game from scratch, he used some popular game libraries (lwjgl, jInput, etc..), so no person has EVER made a BIG game from scratch using Java. And finally, Minecraft isn't THAT big, it may seem like a big game, but it actually isn't, Mojang made an engine for the game so now every time they wanna add something new they just write a few lines of code and POW, you have a new item, or mob, or block, etc.. The actual game engine for Minecraft is not small nor too big, if it's anything, I'd say it's medium sized. That's what the game is mostly made out of. If you have ever made a Minecraft mod, you would know that when coding in it, it doesn't seem like your coding in Java. So you actually HAVE to study it's Minecraft code. So yeah, if you're just starting out and want to make a small game that doesn't take a lot of work, then yes you should use Java, if you don't then I recommend you use another programming language. (PLUS: THERE IS A LOT OF BUGS IN JAVA).
C++ is one of the most used game making programming language ever used. The reason it that, it is faster to use, it is simpler to code (even though, there is a lot to learn when you learn it, it should just be like reading a book), and all the libraries and game engines that the public post are amazing.
So if you want to start coding for a game then I would recommend you using one of these 4:
-C++
-C
-C#
-Java
Hope this helped
-Rick "Rixel" (TekBird) [Game Dev Help]
