How I learned Unity

About me

I am a Software Engineer and a Graphic Designer, having recently graduated university. I love cats, and video games, which are probably the two topics you need to know to start a conversation with me.

Why I wanted to learn Unity

I wanted to learn Unity so I could make video games. One of my first memories as a child is literally playing an 8-bit version of Prince of Persia 1, and Wolfenstein. I had been fascinated with graphics and AI and wanted to learn how to implement these myself.

How I approached learning Unity

Since I wanted to start off with making my own graphics, my first step was to learn 3D modeling. I started off by following an extensive tutorial on Youtube that showed you how to make your own model, add textures, rig and animate it. I then had to move on to implementing this in Unity, and coding its AI.

Challenges I faced

This whole process, even if you already know programming, can be overwhelming as heck. There is so much that goes into making a game, so many behind-the-scenes details that players miss.

Key takeaways

I like seeing results of my code immediately, which is why I'm such a huge fan of website development and game development. When I first learned Unity, having already developed games in programming languages such as SDL and OpenGL, I was in awe at the sheer functionality Unity provides you. It makes everything easier for a game developer to implement.

Blender, on the other hand, had a steep learning curve. It was exhausting making my first 3D model and rigging it, and things kept going wrong along the way. Nonetheless, I was pretty happy with my work and how it turned out in the end.

Tips and advice

When learning Unity and Blender, and making your first game, the key takeaway is to be patient and persevere. A lot lies ahead of you; think of like a mountain peak you're trying to conquer. Take your time, secure your footing before taking your next step.

Final thoughts and next steps

All in all, I'm glad I learned Unity since it has already proven useful to me. My next goal is to make a refined game I can publish on the Play Store, before moving on to Unreal Engine and 3D games.