C# is actually "Unity script" and compiles to C++. It even bundles its own C++ garbage collector.

It's terrible. Not being able to write native code is a tremendous weakness of the engine. Not to mention that since you're writing a "fake" C#, you don't get the full runtime (can't use reflection, can't use coalescing null features, etc).

Pardon my French but you’re talking out of your ass.

Unityscript is the Js clone they have/had (they’ve been pushing for C# to be the main language).

You can use null coalescing.

You can use all of Reflection bar platform restrictions on AOT ie. iOS (don’t recommend it in a game though...)

You can use a async/await.

You’re writing “real” C# with Unity, either with a custom Mono runtime or IL2CPP, neither of which turns your C# into “fake” C#

And Unity3D is “terrible” enough to serve 700 million players.

Lol I just opened unity, and can't use null coalescing. I say unity script because it all compiles down to the same IL. Where did I say you can't use async/await. It's not "real" C# in the sense that you don't get the .Net runtime.

Update your Unity3D version and learn how to set your .NET runtime.

Then learn the settings and limitations for your target platform.

Just because you don’t know how to use Unity doesn’t make it doesn’t have features it does.

Yes it's on the latest version and you can't set the runtime when targeting certain platforms.

Look, just because I abhor Unity doesn't mean you have to take it personally.

I don’t care if you abhor Unity, I just particularly dislike FUD on HN. People tend to hold what people write in a slightly higher light and assume a professional is speaking... not a guy who thinks “you need the newest version” is a disqualification for a feature list.

Jeez well I've been an engine developer for 10+ years so if you want a professional that's me. Comparing the source code and functionality of Unity to, say, Unreal 4, there's just no comparison. (edit, and let's not count all the custom engines I've been exposed to or worked on)

I guess I’m glad you’ve taken 10+ years to come here and be wrong about something this simple.

Now you’re waving your hands and saying “So what I was wrong, Unreal has code, it has the best code”?

I think we’re done here.

They are in the process of adopting .NET 4.6.

IL2CPP is no different from CFront.

...and is often used by translating IL code to C++, if I remember a recent cppcast episode correctly.

Yes, but that is an implementation detail.

Unity devs could have gone full way and implemented a compiler backend themselves.

Instead they decided to take advantage of the SDK present in every target platform they support.

C++ once upon a time, also got compiled by generating C code.