Category: Unity Basic

Setting up the network environment in game development is a very important process. Among them, Unity supports various networking solutions, one of which is Photon. Photon is a powerful framework for real-time multiplayer games, characterized by outstanding performance and ease of use. In this article, we will start with the basics of Unity, explain the understanding of the network environment, and describe the process of installing Photon in detail.

1. Basics of Unity

1.1 What is Unity?

Unity is a cross-platform game engine used to create 2D and 3D games. Thanks to its user-friendly interface and powerful features, it is one of the most widely used game development tools worldwide. Using Unity, you can develop and distribute games across various platforms (PC, mobile, consoles, etc.).

1.2 Understanding the Unity Interface

The Unity interface consists of several windows. The main components are as follows:

• Scene View: This is the space where you can place and manipulate game objects in a 3D or 2D environment.
• Game View: It reproduces the configured scene exactly as it is in the game, allowing you to check the game being played.
• Hierarchy: This displays all game objects in the scene in a tree format.
• Inspector: This is the space where you can modify the properties of the selected game object.

1.3 Scripting Basics

The scripting language used in Unity primarily is C#. C# is an object-oriented programming language that allows you to write complex game logic efficiently. A basic script has the following structure:

using UnityEngine;

public class MyFirstScript : MonoBehaviour
{
    void Start()
    {
        Debug.Log("Hello, Unity!");
    }

    void Update()
    {
        // Called every frame
    }
}

Scripts can be attached to game objects in Unity to define behaviors.

2. Understanding the Network Environment

2.1 The Necessity of Networked Games

Multiplayer games enable interaction between players and increase the fun factor of the game. Therefore, building a network environment is an essential element of game development. There are various forms of network structures such as server-client models and P2P models, each with its advantages and disadvantages.

2.2 Server-Client Model

The server-client model is a structure where the main server manages all game data, and clients request and receive this data. The advantage of this model is that it increases the reliability and consistency of the data. However, it also brings the disadvantage of higher dependence on the server.

2.3 P2P Model

The P2P (Peer to Peer) model is a model where each client is directly connected to perform data communication. This method can reduce server costs, but there may be challenges in maintaining data consistency.

2.4 Network Protocols

In network games, mainly two protocols are used: TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol). TCP guarantees the reliability of data transmission, while UDP prioritizes fast data transmission. Depending on the type of game, the appropriate protocol should be selected.

3. Installing Photon

3.1 What is Photon?

Photon is a powerful networking solution for multiplayer games that enables real-time communication. It integrates easily with Unity and is used by many developers.

3.2 Steps to Install Photon

To install Photon, follow these steps:

1. Download Photon Engine: Download the latest version from the official Photon Engine website.
2. Open Unity Project: Launch Unity and create a new project.
3. Use Package Manager: Open Unity’s Package Manager, select ‘Add package from git URL…’, and input the copied Photon package URL.
4. Configure Photon: After installing Photon, you need to set up the Photon Server Settings. Create an Application ID in the Photon Dashboard and enter that ID in Unity.

3.3 Using Photon SDK

The Photon SDK allows you to implement networking features in your game through various APIs. The basic connection code is as follows.

using Photon.Pun;

public class NetworkManager : MonoBehaviour
{
    void Start()
    {
        PhotonNetwork.ConnectUsingSettings();
    }

    void OnConnectedToMaster()
    {
        PhotonNetwork.JoinLobby();
    }
}

3.4 Key Features of Photon

• Room Management: You can create and manage individual spaces where users can play the game.
• RPC (Remote Procedure Call): You can call methods on other clients to update the game state.
• Synchronization through Network Variables: You can easily synchronize the states of various game objects.

3.5 Example of Using Photon

Let’s look at a simple example of how to use Photon in a real game. The following code shows the process of creating a player.

using Photon.Pun;

public class PlayerController : MonoBehaviourPunCallbacks
{
    void Start()
    {
        if (PhotonNetwork.IsConnected)
        {
            PhotonNetwork.Instantiate("PlayerPrefab", Vector3.zero, Quaternion.identity);
        }
    }
}

4. Conclusion

Through the basic Unity tutorial and the installation process of Photon, you can understand and establish a basic network environment. Based on this, you can lay the groundwork for developing multiplayer games. I hope this tutorial helps you appreciate the appeal of network games and encourages you to challenge yourself in actual game development.

Introduction

Unity is a powerful engine for game development, allowing developers to unleash their creativity through numerous tools and assets. However, as projects become more complex and larger, managing assets can often become challenging. The more assets there are, the more performance degradation and reduced development efficiency can occur. Therefore, regular asset organization is very important.

Importance of Asset Management

Asset management is one of the key elements of a Unity project. Organizing and managing unnecessary assets provides several benefits:

• Performance Improvement: Removing unused assets improves the loading time and execution performance of the project.
• Storage Space Savings: By organizing unnecessary assets, you can save hard drive storage space.
• Improved Development Efficiency: Keeping only the necessary assets makes it easier to find assets within the project, facilitating smoother collaboration among team members.
• Ease of Debugging: The more duplicate or unnecessary assets there are, the harder it is to pinpoint the cause of bugs. Organizing can make debugging much easier.

How to Identify Unnecessary Assets

In projects with many assets, it can often be difficult to determine which assets are unnecessary. Here are a few methods:

• Check for Unused Assets: In Unity’s Project tab, you can find unused assets. Assets that are not used in the selected scene are displayed in gray.
• Investigate Asset Dependencies: By checking the asset dependencies, you can determine which assets are unnecessary. In Unity, you can use the Right Click > Find References In Scene feature to perform this function.
• Review Project Settings: Check the project’s settings to see if there are any unnecessary assets included.

Procedure for Organizing Unnecessary Assets

Below is a detailed procedure for organizing unnecessary assets:

1. Backup: Always back up the project before deleting assets to ensure you can recover it if something goes wrong.
2. Review Assets: Use the aforementioned methods to review the assets within the project.
3. Remove Unnecessary Assets: Select unused assets and right-click to click Delete to remove them.
4. Organize Folders: After organizing assets, restructure the folder hierarchy for better management.
5. Test the Project: After deleting assets, run the project to ensure there are no issues.

Optional: Using Asset Management Tools

Unity offers various tools to assist with asset management. These tools make it easy to find and organize asset usage. Some recommended tools include:

• Asset Hunter: This tool provides functionality to find and delete unused assets.
• Project Auditor: Analyzes the quality of the project and custom assets to determine what is unnecessary.
• Editor Analytics: Analyzes asset usage status and provides data on which assets are being used effectively in the project, aiding in organization.

Conclusion

Asset management in Unity is an essential element for the successful development of projects. Organizing unnecessary assets is an important step that improves performance and increases development efficiency. It is advisable to develop a habit of regularly managing and organizing assets. This will help Unity projects run more smoothly, allowing developers to focus more on their creative work.

Additional Resources

More information and examples can be found through Unity’s official documentation and various online courses. By sharing experiences and exchanging information in the development community and forums, you can learn better asset management practices.

In this course, we will learn how to implement ‘invisible shooting’ using the Unity engine. This course is for those who have a basic understanding of Unity, and it will help if you know the basics of scripting and how to use game objects.

1. Setting Up the Project

First, create a new Unity project. Open the Unity Hub, click the ‘New’ button, and select the ‘3D’ project template. Set the project name to ‘InvisibleShooting’, choose a suitable save location, and then click the ‘Create’ button.

2. Structuring the Scene

Now let’s structure the basic scene. Create an empty game object and name it ‘Game Manager’, then create game objects named ‘Player’ and ‘Enemy’ underneath it.

2.1 Creating the Player

Select the ‘Player’ object, then choose 3D Object > Cube to create a cube. Adjust the size of the cube to be used as the player character. Then, add a Rigidbody component to give it physical properties.

2.2 Creating the Enemy

Create the ‘Enemy’ object in the same way with a cube. This object should also have a Rigidbody component added, and the enemy’s size and position should be set at a certain distance from the player.

3. Scripting

To make the sprite invisible, we need to set the opacity to 0. Let’s implement this in the script.

3.1 Creating the PlayerController Script

using UnityEngine;

public class PlayerController : MonoBehaviour
{
    public float moveSpeed = 5f;

    void Update()
    {
        float moveHorizontal = Input.GetAxis("Horizontal");
        float moveVertical = Input.GetAxis("Vertical");
        Vector3 movement = new Vector3(moveHorizontal, 0.0f, moveVertical);
        transform.position += movement * moveSpeed * Time.deltaTime;
    }
}

Add the above script to the Player object. This script allows the player object to move using the WASD keys.

3.2 Creating the Bullet Script

Next, let’s write the script for the bullet. First, create a new game object called ‘Bullet’ and add a Rigidbody component.

using UnityEngine;

public class Bullet : MonoBehaviour
{
    public float speed = 20f;

    void Start()
    {
        Rigidbody rb = GetComponent();
        rb.velocity = transform.forward * speed;
    }

    void OnTriggerEnter(Collider other)
    {
        if (other.gameObject.CompareTag("Enemy"))
        {
            Destroy(other.gameObject);
            Destroy(gameObject);
        }
    }
}

3.3 Implementing the Shooting System

Now let’s implement a way for the player to shoot. Add the following code to the PlayerController script:

public GameObject bulletPrefab;
public Transform bulletSpawn;

void Update()
{
    // Existing movement code
    ...

    if (Input.GetButtonDown("Fire1"))
    {
        Shoot();
    }
}

void Shoot()
{
    Instantiate(bulletPrefab, bulletSpawn.position, bulletSpawn.rotation);
}

This code adds functionality to instantiate a bullet each time the player clicks the mouse button. After creating the bullet prefab, link this prefab to the ‘bulletPrefab’ variable.

4. Implementing Invisible Shooting

Now that the bullet is instantiated, we need to adjust the alpha value using Material to make it invisible. Create an appropriate Material for the prefab and set the alpha value to 0.

4.1 Setting Up the Bullet Material

using UnityEngine;

public class Bullet : MonoBehaviour
{
    public float speed = 20f;
    private Material bulletMaterial;

    void Start()
    {
        bulletMaterial = GetComponent().material;
        Color color = bulletMaterial.color;
        color.a = 0; // Set the bullet's alpha value to 0 to make it invisible
        bulletMaterial.color = color;

        Rigidbody rb = GetComponent();
        rb.velocity = transform.forward * speed;
    }
}

5. Completing the Game

Now that all the functions are implemented, when you run the game, you will see the player moving and the bullets being fired invisibly. You can develop this system into a shooting game.

5.1 Creating Enemies and Game Flow

You can write an enemy spawner to spawn enemies. Add the following script to the GameManager:

using UnityEngine;

public class GameManager : MonoBehaviour
{
    public GameObject enemyPrefab;
    public float spawnTime = 2f;

    void Start()
    {
        InvokeRepeating("SpawnEnemy", spawnTime, spawnTime);
    }

    void SpawnEnemy()
    {
        Instantiate(enemyPrefab, new Vector3(Random.Range(-5f, 5f), 0.5f, Random.Range(-5f, 5f)), Quaternion.identity);
    }
}

6. Conclusion

In this course, you learned how to implement an invisible shooting mechanism in Unity. Utilizing these techniques will greatly assist you in developing various games. In the next course, we will cover more advanced techniques and content.

Thank you for reading to the end. I hope this helps you in your Unity development journey!

Designing enemy characters is an important element in game development. In this course, we will explain in detail the basic methods of creating an enemy character using Unity. It will cover various topics such as character modeling, scripting, animation, AI, and interactions.

1. Game Planning and Character Concept

Before creating enemy characters, you need to plan your game first. Enemy characters should fit the theme and story of the game, so creating concept art can be helpful. Depending on the game’s genre, the types of enemies should also be designed differently. For instance, RPG games need enemies with various abilities, while action games require fast and aggressive enemies.

1.1. Defining Character Types

Enemy character types can be divided into several elements:

• 1.1.1. Melee type
• 1.1.2. Ranged type
• 1.1.3. Support type

It is beneficial to organize what role each enemy character will play while conceptualizing the game.

2. Setting Up the Unity Project

To get started with Unity, you need to create a new project. Follow these steps to set up the project:

1. Open the Unity Hub and click on “New Project”.
2. Select a 3D or 2D template. (Here we will use 2D as an example.)
3. After naming your project and selecting a save location, click “Create”.

2.1. Basic Scene Setup

After creating the project, set up the basic scene where the enemy character will operate. First, add a plane to create a space where the character can move.

3. Enemy Character Modeling

You can create simple enemy characters in the Unity editor, but if more realistic models are needed, it’s better to use 3D modeling tools like Blender. Here, I will explain how to create an enemy character using Unity’s primitives.

3.1. Creating Basic Shapes

You can create enemy characters using the basic shapes provided by Unity. For example, you can combine a cube and a cylinder to make an enemy character.

3.2. Adding Textures and Materials

You can enhance the realism of the enemy character by adding textures and materials. Use Unity’s Material feature to adjust colors and textures.

4. Adding Scripts and Defining Behavior

Write scripts for the enemy character to define its behavior. Below is a simple AI script for the enemy character to track the player.

4.1. Writing the Script

Create a new C# script in Unity and write the following code.

4.2. Linking the Script

Add the script to the enemy character object to make it track the player’s position and act accordingly. During this process, the player object needs to be linked to public Transform player.

5. Adding Animation

You can make the enemy character more lively by adding animations. Use Unity’s Animator to switch animation states.

5.1. Creating Animations

Use a 3D modeling tool to create animations for walking, running, and attacking. Then, import these animations into Unity and set them up in the Animator.

6. Adding Sound Effects and Feedback

Add sound effects to the enemy character’s actions to enhance immersion in the game. Sound effects can be easily managed using Unity’s Audio Source component.

7. Testing and Debugging

Test the finished enemy character to ensure it works as expected. Fix any bugs or issues found during testing by modifying the scripts.

7.1. Checking User Feedback

Gather user feedback while playing the game and adjust the character’s performance as necessary. This can help provide a better play experience.

8. Optimization and Finalization

Finally, optimize all elements of the enemy character to improve game performance. Check memory usage, resource loading, and proceed with optimization.

8.1. Managing Resources

Efficiently manage the resources of the enemy character and delete unused resources to enhance game performance.

9. Conclusion

In this course, we explained the basics of creating enemy characters in Unity. We covered character design, modeling, animation, scripting, and how to complete an enemy character. We hope these elements will help you in game development.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please leave a comment. In the next course, we will cover more advanced concepts and techniques. Thank you!

Entering the world of game development is an attractive yet complex challenge. Particularly, Unity is a powerful game development platform that helps ease this challenge and is loved by many developers. In this course, we will explore the essential concepts of Unity and what you need to know to start development.

1. What is Unity?

Unity is a cross-platform game engine developed by Unity Technologies, founded in 2005. It is used to develop games that run on various devices, including PC, mobile, consoles, VR, and AR platforms. Unity is especially popular for its intuitive user interface and excellent community support.

1.1 Features of Unity

• Support for multiple platforms: Deploy to various platforms with a single development.
• Free and paid plans: A free version available for individuals and independent developers.
• User-friendly interface: Intuitive development with a Drag & Drop method.
• Community and resources: A wealth of tutorials and materials available for free.

2. Installing Unity

To use Unity, you first need to install the software. It is advisable to download and install Unity Hub from the official website. Unity Hub is a convenient tool for managing various projects and Unity versions.

2.1 Installing Unity Hub

1. Visit the official Unity website.
2. Download Unity Hub.
3. Run the installer to install Unity Hub.

2.2 Installing Unity Version

1. Run Unity Hub.
2. Click the ‘Installs’ tab and press the ‘Add’ button.
3. Select the desired version and additional modules (such as mobile build support) before installing.

3. Understanding the Unity Interface

Once the installation is complete, run Unity and create a new project. The Unity interface may seem somewhat complex, but understanding each element will allow you to develop much more efficiently.

3.1 User Interface Components

• Scene View: A space for visually composing the game world.
• Game View: A space to preview how the actual game will look.
• Hierarchy: A place where all objects in the scene are listed.
• Inspector: A panel to edit the properties of the selected object.
• Project: A place to manage all assets used in the project.

4. Creating a Project

Unity supports various types of game development. When creating a new project, you can choose the type of project and select a basic 3D or 2D template.

4.1 Project Creation Steps

1. Click the ‘New’ button in Unity Hub.
2. Set the project’s name and save path.
3. Select a 2D or 3D template and click the ‘Create’ button to create the project.

5. Adding Characters and Objects

Once the project is created, let’s add the necessary objects for the game. You can find various free and paid assets in the Unity Asset Store.

5.1 Adding Basic 3D Objects

1. Right-click in the empty scene.
2. Select 3D Object and then choose options like Cube, Sphere, Cylinder to add.
3. The created objects can be selected in the hierarchy to adjust their position, size, etc.

5.2 Downloading Assets from the Asset Store

1. Select Window > Asset Store from the top menu.
2. Search for the desired asset in the search bar.
3. Download and then add them to the project.

6. Basic Scripting

Unity uses C# scripts to implement game logic. Programming with scripts is essential to define and manipulate the behavior of the game.

6.1 Creating a New Script

1. Select the object in the hierarchy.
2. Click the ‘Add Component’ button in the inspector window.
3. Select ‘New Script’.
4. Enter the script name and then click ‘Create and Add’.

6.2 Basic Syntax of C#

C# is a C-based programming language with the following basic syntax.

using UnityEngine;

public class MyScript : MonoBehaviour
{
    // Start is called before the first frame update
    void Start()
    {
        Debug.Log("Game Started!");
    }

    // Update is called once per frame
    void Update()
    {
        // Called every frame
    }
}

7. Adding Physical Properties to Game Objects

By adding physical properties to game objects, you can create a realistic game environment. You can add a Rigidbody component to enable gravity and collision effects.

7.1 Adding Rigidbody

1. Select the desired game object in the hierarchy.
2. Search for ‘Rigidbody’ in the ‘Add Component’ section of the inspector and add it.
3. Then adjust properties such as ‘Mass’ and ‘Drag’ to set physical characteristics.

8. Implementing Simple Game Functions

Now that the basic elements are prepared, let’s implement a very simple game function. For example, you can set the object to jump when the spacebar is pressed.

8.1 Jump Function Script Implementation

using UnityEngine;

public class PlayerController : MonoBehaviour
{
    private Rigidbody rb;

    void Start()
    {
        rb = GetComponent();
    }

    void Update()
    {
        if (Input.GetKeyDown(KeyCode.Space))
        {
            rb.AddForce(Vector3.up * 5, ForceMode.Impulse);
        }
    }
}

9. Building the Project

Once all tasks are completed, you need to build the game to make it executable.

9.1 Build Steps

1. Click on File > Build Settings from the top menu.
2. Select the platform and click the ‘Switch Platform’ button.
3. Click the ‘Build’ button, set the desired output path, and save.

10. Conclusion

In this course, we covered various topics, including the basic concepts of Unity, installation methods, using the interface, project creation, and simple scripting. Unity offers a wide range of possibilities and freedom, so I hope you will practice and gain experience to become a more skilled developer. Please continue to explore various features and techniques. May success accompany you on your game development journey!

11. Additional Resources

• Official Unity Website
• Unity Asset Store
• Unity Learning Materials
• Unity Manual