Do You Still Need to Learn Programming in the Age of AI?

Will AI change the way we code? Yes. Will it change the need to code? Not as much as you think.”

In a world where ChatGPT can generate entire scripts in seconds and GitHub Copilot helps complete functions like predictive text on steroids, do we still need to learn to code?

If you’re dreaming of making games, playing around in Unity, or just entering the realm of Game Design and Development, this isn’t just a philosophical question. It is personal.

May I answer quickly?

Yes, you still need to learn to code, specifically, if you want to work with AI, not just use it.

So why is that?

The Emergence of AI Coders: Helpful Sidekick or Easy Way Out?

When Fiverr’s CEO, Micha Kaufman, told his employees, “AI is coming for your jobs. Heck, it’s coming for mine too,” he wasn’t being melodramatic – he was being realistic.

From IBM replacing HR roles with bots, to Microsoft actively using AI to write its code to the tune of 30%, generative AI is shaping how technology will be built.

But it is more complicated than that.

A recent Stanford study found that entry-level developer job openings did dip post-ChatGPT – but just for “average” performers. High performers – the people who understand logic and structure, and are able to assist AI – were hired for jobs.

So, what do you think the real challenge is?

People are skipping the learning stage.

As the Redditor say:

“Don’t use LLMs until you learn to code. Once you understand the output, then you can use it.”

AI is a fantastic sidekick, but if you’ve never learned to code before, it can be a dangerous crutch. You won’t know when it’s wrong, when it’s just lazy, or when it is hallucinating.

And in game dev? Ah, that’s where we get into the fun stuff.

From AI-Generated Code to Game-Ready Software – The Unity 3D Context

Yes – AI can write code.

But games aren’t just code. Games are systems, games are interactivity, games are a feeling.

And so, learn Unity 3D.

Unity remains one of the most dominant engines in contemporary game design, having produced hits such as Monument Valley, Among Us, and Cuphead. However, it is more than just an engine; it is a sandbox where coding converges with creativity.

In Unity, if you want to build a game, you cannot just ask AI to create you a jump function; you have to learn Unity 3D to understand:

• Shift gravity and colliders
• Call your animations with input
• Add events for UI and physics
• Ensure performance is optimized everywhere

Yes, AI can:

• Make a basic C# script for player control
• Create some snippets for raycasting or health systems
• Help with syntax, or point out where your logic might be off

But there is a limit to what AI can do. For example, an AI cannot feel if the moment you just created is intuitive, fun, or meaningful.

And also the designer’s job.

This is why learning Unity 3D is non-negotiable for you.

You must think in code and design in motion.

AI can help you be quicker, but your skills are what make the game playable (and memorable).

Why Learning to Code Is Still Worth It in 2025 (and Beyond)

If you’re in the Game Design and Development world—or heading there—here’s why programming still matters more than ever:

1. AI Can’t Fix What You Don’t Understand

When the AI-generated code breaks (and it will), you’ll need the skills to debug it. If you don’t understand loops, functions, or logic flow, you’re just guessing—and guessing at bugs is developer purgatory.

2. Game Design Demands Interactive Thinking

Unlike general software, games react to players. You need to know how to structure triggers, design feedback loops, and manage performance in real-time environments.

3. Prompt Engineering Is Not Programming

Sure, writing good prompts is useful. But problem-solving, critical thinking, and architecture—the core of coding—still belong to you.

4. AI Complements Skill, Not Substitutes It

Once you know how to code, AI becomes magical. You can prototype faster, generate test cases, refactor cleanly, and explore alternate ideas. But only because you understand what’s going on under the hood.

Also, see how AI is affecting creative roles in Can Generative AI Replace Game Designers?

Unsure if programming is still worth learning? See the big picture in Game Design Course vs Programming

So… Should You Learn Programming After All?

Definitely. Not because AI won’t help you do it, but because the full power of AI will only be available if you can already code.

Game design is changing. Coding is changing. But no matter how things change, there is one constant:

• You can’t define the limits of the game until you know how it’s been coded.
• Ultimate quest: learn to code, and then let AI augment you!
• Do you want to create games that matter? Does that surprise players? Learn Unity 3D to leave the player saying, “Oh wow?”

Then, welcome to learning Unity 3D, C#, and building your developer brain. AI isn’t replacing people; it is waiting for you to get started.

Join MAGES Institute’s Game Design & Development Program

Learn Unity 3D. Learn the fundamentals. Work with AI.

Make the games that only you can envision.