[mattnewport]

C++ design principles are already a good match for game development however. Specifically its intent to leave no room for a lower level language (except assembly) and to provide zero cost abstractions. There are lots of things C++ doesn't try to be and the are lots of languages more popular in particular domains as a result. C++ dominates game development (and particularly game engine development) because it is the best available match to the needs of that domain. It continues to try and evolve to match those needs better (that's why there's a game development focused study group SG14 on the standards committee, show me another language that takes the needs of game developers that seriously).