The gaming industry is rapidly expanding in part due to the rise of competitive gaming as its own sport. To facilitate gaming innovation, new game development software is created regularly.
With the popularity of esports and video gaming, the demand for game developers is also on the rise. Learning a game engine like Unity can be a good way to ensure future job prospects.
In this guide, we will introduce you to Unity and cover all the basics of the software development program. We will also discuss how you can use Unity to build a career in the gaming industry.
What Is Unity?
Unity is a game engine software used by developers to create their own games. The software is free unless you are making a profit from a game you have made using Unity.
This software is a game-changer because it puts all developers on an even playing field. It is popular among hobby game developers and large gaming companies.
It provides most of the usual features required to make a 3D or 2D game. Popular games like Temple Run, Angry Birds, Super Mario Run, and Escape Plan were all created using this software. It also includes virtual reality technology that is used by NASA and Ubisoft.
What Is Unity Used For?
As mentioned above, Unity is a game engine with an array of features that can be used to create any type of game. It is a go-to application for artists because of its powerful animation tools. You can use this tool to create 2D animations or 3D cutscenes.
While Unity is generally known as a tool for creating 3D games, it is also one of the best 2D game engines around. Games developed with Unity can run on Windows, MacOS, and Linux.
Skills Needed for Unity
To use the Unity game engine, you should have a variety of technical and creative skills. A Unity developer should be savvy in many technical areas. Some of the necessary skills are listed below.
Excellent Knowledge of Unity
You must learn how to navigate Unity efficiently in order to create games. It is important to learn all the features of the platform and how you can utilize them productively to develop a game.
Programming Languages
It is no secret that programming languages are at the core of game development. Without this skill, you won’t be able to use Unity. However, if you can learn to code for free through a variety of online resources. Keep in mind that the Unity game engine mostly functions on JavaScript, Unityscript, and C#.
Familiarity with User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) design
Usually, when you create a product like a game, you are hoping to secure sales. Therefore, creating a UX and UI design-friendly product is important. As a developer, you should be able to identify problems and figure out solutions to improve your product while catering to customers’ needs.
To get the most out of Unity, you should also have project management and data science skills.
Creativity
Although this might not seem like an important skill, it is crucial in game development. Having a creative touch is significant because you must come up with new and engaging products. Read about new gaming trends and industry updates to get inspired.
Learning Unity
Learning a game engine like Unity requires a lot of technical skills. The amount of time it will take you to learn it fully will depend on your interest and existing skills in the different areas within game development.
How Long Does it Take to Learn Unity?
It can take around three to six months to master Unity. It could be less if you already have significant programming experience and game development skills.
You can speed up the process by learning C# and Javascript before you get started with Unity. Learning how to code a game with no experience is also a good idea. Overall, the total time it takes to learn will depend on your time management and commitment to learning the platform.
How to Learn Unity: Step-By-Step
It is crucial that you have a plan before you start learning a new skill. We at Career Karma understand this, so we have provided a step-by-step guide to help you get started.
- Get familiar with Unity. Do research so you can get familiar with the layout of Unity and what the game engine is all about.
- Explore courses. Based on your background, you can choose the best programming language to use while creating with Unity. If you already have programming knowledge, you can start looking up game development courses to find a specific area that interests you most.
- Enroll in courses. Enroll in Unity class that covers the fundamentals of the technology. Then, complete a more specific developer course once you have decided which areas interest you the most.
- Practice. The only way you will succeed in any new skill is through practice. Keep on writing new code for games.
- Get certified. Take a certification exam once you feel you have enough experience and can fulfill all the prerequisites.
The Best Unity Courses, Training, and Books
To learn a new skill, it is important that you make use of the available resources, such as courses, books, and training. There are many Unity bootcamps and courses you can take to get started. Below are some of the best resources for learning Unity.
Best Online Unity Courses
Online learning is a great way to figure out your way around a digital platform. You need a hands-on approach to master the tools of Unity. So here are some of the best online courses.
Udemy
- Course: Complete C# Unity Game Developer 2D
- Time: 35 hours
- Prerequisites: None
- Cost: $9.99
This course is an introduction to the popular coding language C#. In it, you will learn how to use Unity to design and develop games. You will also get to create playable games to boost your portfolio. You will also earn a certification upon completion.
Zenva Academy
- Course name: Unity Game Development Mini-Degree
- Time: 29 hours
- Prerequisites: None
- Cost: $20 per month, $168 per month
Zenva Academy offers this 29 hours course on developing games with Unity. You will learn how to develop both 2D and 3D games.
This mini-degree is a great way to get hands-on experience with the software. You will get practice by creating real video games in a variety of genres. This is a great course to help kick-start your game development career.
Udemy
- Course name: Learn Unity’s Entity Component System to Optimise Your Games
- Time: 13 hours
- Prerequisites: Background in Unity and C#
- Cost: $9.99
This course is for students who already have a working knowledge of C# and the Unity game engine. In it, you will learn the advantages and disadvantages of using DOTS on the platform. This in-depth class covering Unity DOTS/ECS, and is great for anyone interested in these topics. You will earn a certification upon completion.
Udemy
- Course name: Learn to Create An Action RPG Game in Unity
- Time: 12 hours
- Prerequisites: Copy of 2019 Unity
- Cost: $9.99
We have included a second course by Udemy because the website has a plethora of great technology courses. In this class, you will learn the programming language C#, and object-oriented programming. It also covers how to create 2D games with the platform. You will learn the overall game development process and earn a certification upon completion.
Best Free Online Unity Courses
There are many free courses you can take to learn about Unity. Below are the free online Unity courses available.
Learn Unity
- Course name: Create With Code
- Time: About 36 hours
- Prerequisites: None
- Cost: Free
Learn Unity offers this free introductory course on how to write basic C# code. In this class, you will learn how to create and develop games, write codes that utilize the platform’s APIs, and prototype new concepts. You will also learn to diagnose and fix problems in your game coding. We recommend this course for anyone interested in taking a certification exam.
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Coursera
- Course name: Unity XR: How To Build AR and VR Apps Specialization
- Time: 3 months
- Prerequisites: None
- Cost: Free
In this course, you will learn to create virtual and augmented reality mobile apps with Unity. This specialization includes three in-depth courses that will teach you the technology that goes into Unity XR, and how to develop the best products with it. You can choose to pay for certification upon completing this course.
EdX
- Course name: Creating Virtual Reality (VR) Apps
- Time: 3 months
- Prerequisites: None
- Cost: Free
UC San Diego offers this course on how to develop a VR app using Unity 3D. You will learn how to build a VR engine from scratch, and how to apply VR interactions. This course also offers professional certification for a fee upon completion.
Unity Books
You can also learn Unity by using text references. Although it is a digital software, you may want to study from books first, then apply your knowledge to the digital platform. Below are some of the best books to help you learn Unity.
Unity Game Development Cookbook: Essentials for Every Game 1st Edition, Paris Buttfield Addison, Jon Manning, and Tim Nugent.
In this book, Addison, Manning, and Nugent cover everything you need to know about 2D and 3D game development using the platform. The goal of the book is to teach you the specific scripting systems and features of Unity.
The book will also explain how to address common gameplay scenarios in the development process. Overall, it provides solutions for animation, movement, AI, sound, and user interface.
This book is for those who already have a beginner to intermediate background in Unity game development.
Learning C# Programming with Unity 3D, Alex Okita
Okita aims to teach you the fundamental aspects of the C# programming language so you can use it productively. Throughout this book, you will learn how to use the language to develop a game in Unity 3D.
The book includes plenty of details regarding calculations, how to read and write code, and how to build a 3D game. The book is an organized and concise way to learn everything about C#. It’s a great beginner’s book for anyone interested in Unity 3D.
Developing 2D Games with Unity: Independent Game Programming with C# 1st ed. Edition, Jared Halpern
Halpern’s book will teach you the fundamentals of how to make a simple 2D game in Unity. It offers 2D centric lessons in C#. You will learn how to work with image assets, cameras, animations, and scripting.
This is a great book for independent developers who want to excel in 2D games, which are usually cheaper to produce. The book will teach you specific 2D concepts like tile slicing and sprites.
Unity Certifications
Learning skills is the first step, but having certifications to prove those skills is equally important. Certifications will demonstrate your mastery of a subject and help you get the job you want.
Unity Certified User
This entry-level certification by Unity will test your foundational knowledge of the platform. You will need to know how to create real-time and interactive 3D experiences, as well as C# before you can obtain this certification.
You may want to get this certification if you are seeking an internship in game development or programming. It is also beneficial if you want a career in interactive content creation or UX and UI design.
Unity Certified Associate
This certification is for aspiring game developers who want to add their Unity skills to their portfolio. You will be tested on many topics, including animation, asset management, programming, and physics.
You will be more likely to pass this exam if you have a background in computer science or an intermediate understanding of Unity. An understanding of end-to-end game production and how to build prototypes are prerequisites. You can apply for a professional role at Unity if you have this certification.
Unity Certified Professional
This certification is for those who have two to four years of professional work experience at Unity. You will be tested on programming core interactions, developing application systems, and performance optimizations.
This is an excellent certification if you want to advance your career in Unity. This certification will showcase your professional coding skills and prove that you know how to execute the technical aspects of a project from beginning to end.
Unity Certified Expert
This certification demonstrates that you have reached the highest possible level of Unity skills. If you have this certificate, you can apply for the most advanced Unity jobs. To receive the certificate, you will be tested on technical skills in shading, effects, tooling, pipeline, animation, and rigging.
You are required to have five-plus years of Unity work experience before applying for this certificate. Experience in creating a video game development studio and knowledge of scripting languages are prerequisites for this course. Familiarity with programming languages such as Python, MEL, and MAXScript is also required.
Best Online Unity Resources
It is important to use the available online resources to further practice and learn Unity. Below are the two top online resources you can use to build a solid foundation in Unity.
JesseEtzler
YouTube provides great video tutorials on almost every topic imaginable. The JesseEtzler channel exclusively uploads tutorial videos on Unity. This channel covers everything from RPG development to mobile games. For the visual learners out there, this is a great way to start building games.
Unity Learn
Unity Learn offers you course content, project-based learning, resources, and ideas. On this website, you can find everything you might want to know about the software. You can also search for the specific areas of game development you are interested in, or check out featured user submissions to get inspired.
Should You Learn Unity?
If you want to become a game developer and build a career at a successful video gaming company, then learning Unity will put you at an advantage. Unity is among the best gaming engines today for developing playable games.
The gaming industry has transformed in recent decades, so it’s a good time to join this booming field by developing new games with Unity.
This game engine will not only put you on a lucrative career path but will also help you get in touch with your creativity. So, if a gaming career path resonates with you, then you should learn Unity.
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