Question: Why is Godot so small?

Answer

Godot Engine is known for being a lightweight and flexible game development tool compared to other engines like Unity or Unreal. Here are some of the reasons for its relatively small size:

1. Modular Design: Godot's architecture is modular, meaning that it allows developers to use only what they need. This design choice reduces the base size of the engine because not all components are bundled together by default.

2. Efficient Language: The engine's core is written in C++, which is both performant and compact. C++ can be optimized to produce very efficient machine code, leading to a smaller footprint.

3. Integrated Scripting Language: Godot comes with its own scripting language, GDScript, modeled after Python. GDScript is designed to integrate tightly with the engine, keeping performance high and the size low.

4. Optimized Assets: Godot uses a proprietary format for assets which helps maintain a small disk footprint. This optimization includes both scene formats and resource files.

5. No Redundant Features: Some larger game engines provide a vast array of features that may not be necessary for all developers, which increases their size. Godot focuses on essential functionalities but keeps them extensible through plugins and modules.

6. Open-Source Development: Being open-source, Godot has a community-driven approach to development where contributions often focus on optimization and refinement, leading to leaner software.

7. Custom Build Templates: When exporting games, developers can create custom export templates which include only the parts of the engine used by their game, potentially reducing the final game size even further.

# Example of a minimal Godot project structure in GDScript
extends Node

func _ready():
    print("Welcome to Godot! This is a simple project.")

# Assuming this is the entire script for a project,
# it represents how lightweight a Godot project can be at the most basic level.

Overall, Godot's small size makes it an excellent choice for developers who wish to create games with a minimal footprint, as well as those working on platforms with storage constraints or preferring quick iteration times.