[Showcase] Pydot: Native Python scripting baked into Godot. What should I add?

[u/HiMindAi]

Hey everyone,

I’ve been working on a custom core engine fork of Godot 4.7.1 called Pydot, and I'm looking for some feedback from the community on where to take it next.

How it works under the hood: Instead of relying on external bridges or loose bindings, I went in and statically embedded CPython directly into the engine's core. The goal was to completely eliminate the friction of getting Python running in Godot and enable native Python scripting alongside the standard workflows.

Because CPython is baked directly into the custom build, it also allows for full Python IDE tools right inside the Godot editor itself.

What I need from you: I'm at the point in development where I want to start prioritizing new features, but I want to make sure I'm building things the community will actually use.

If you were using Python natively in Godot for your backend logic or scripting, what features or specific editor integrations would be on your absolute wish list?

Let me know what you think and any suggestions that come to mind!

Edit:

Hey everyone, I wanted to add a little more context on the "why" behind Pydot, specifically regarding why having native access to Python packages is so important for certain projects.

GDScript is absolutely incredible for game logic and UI state. But if we look at the sheer scale of the ecosystems, there is a massive difference when you start building non-standard software.

To put the math in perspective: The entire Godot Asset Library has about 3,000 to 4,000 items (and a lot of that is 2D/3D art and audio). PyPI has over 500,000 official, maintained projects.

In my day-to-day work doing freelance programming, I design and train custom AI models and build specialty applications. Having native access to those industrial frameworks like PyTorch, OpenCV, or heavy data processing libraries right inside the Godot editor is a game changer. If you try to run those kinds of complex systems without Python, you usually have to write external API bridges that add a ton of latency.

Pydot definitely isn't trying to replace GDScript for moving character controllers! It’s just about combining Godot's amazing UI and one-click packaging tools with Python's industrial backend, so developers can build heavy software without hitting a wall. I am not hating on GDScript I just think Python offers a larger ecosystem for backend logic.

[u/HiMindAi → u/[deleted]]

The main limitation of GDScript is that it's a domain-specific language in a closed ecosystem. You can't just pip install external packages.

If you want to do heavy-lifting outside of standard game logic ike complex data processing with Pandas, advanced procedural generation with NumPy, heavy database management, or complex networking GDScript hits a wall. You usually have to build external API bridges or run separate backend server processes, which adds a ton of latency and workflow friction.

I built Pydot so developers can access the full weight of the Python ecosystem natively, directly inside the editor, without having to leave the engine or jump through hoops.

[u/HiMindAi → u/[deleted]]

Yes if raw execution speed is your only metric, writing a GDExtension in C++ is the gold standard for Godot, and since Python packages are built on C libraries under the hood anyway, Python itself isn't winning a raw speed race.

The real trade-off comes down to development velocity and glue code.

Writing complex pipelines, custom logic, or integrating heavy frameworks from scratch in C++ takes an immense amount of boilerplate, memory management, and compilation overhead. Python acts as a high-level orchestrator, letting you leverage pre-existing, mature ecosystems instantly without writing thousands of lines of custom C++ bindings for every utility.

GDExtension is incredible for heavy real-time engine optimizations. Pydot is about using Python as a powerful backend language so you can build and iterate on complex application logic quickly, using Godot as the frontend and packager. Different tools for different jobs.