Thinking about creating your own video game? That’s awesome! You’ve probably heard about game engines, but what are they, exactly?
Let’s imagine you’re building a house. You wouldn’t start laying bricks directly on the ground, right? You’d need a foundation, a framework, and a toolset to help you construct everything. A game engine is similar to that process but for game development.
In short, it’s a piece of software providing all the essential tools and functionalities to create a game, from rendering graphics and handling physics to managing audio and controlling player input.
One of the most popular choices for game engines is Unity – but is Unity good for new game developers? Let’s get into it!
Is Unity good for new game developers?
Let’s not beat around the bushes: yes, Unity is good for new game developers!
While there might be slightly easier game engines or programming languages to learn initially, Unity’s unique combination of features makes it an almost unmatched option for newcomers.
For starters, the game engine is packed with features that make it accessible to beginners. It has an intuitive visual editor – you drag and drop assets, adjust settings in the Inspector panel, and see the results in real time. It gives you that sweet instant visual feedback.
While some engines require you to write code for everything, Unity’s visual editor lets you create a lot just by using the interface. You heard it right: you can develop simple games without typing a single line of code. That’s really handy for understanding what you’re doing and how things connect.
While Unity offers so much visual customization, you can start diving into code and customize everything further as you get more comfortable. Unity uses the C# (read: C-Sharp) programming language, which is great for learning general programming concepts.
Even though the C# part might be scary for some, the sheer amount of learning resources for this engine makes it a beginner-friendly option: you’ll find online tutorials, courses, documentation, and more. It might not be as readable as well-written Python code, but you won’t be stuck fighting the compiler and your code every 3 seconds as happens with C++, Unreal Engine’s programming language.
Also, Unity is incredibly versatile. You can use it for almost anything you can imagine, from mobile games and simple 2D platformers to 3D action-adventure titles and virtual reality (VR) experiences. Or, you know, run some physics simulations for the heck of it.
This is a big plus for new developers, as you won’t be locked into a particular genre or style like you would with, say, GameMaker. It also means you can experiment with different projects and genres under the same development environment as you learn.
This should help you develop a broader skillset and discover your preferred niches within game development, especially considering how transferable these skills are.
One of Unity’s biggest strengths is its Asset Store. It’s basically a marketplace where you can find pre-made assets like 3D models, textures, sound effects, and even entire game templates. This can be a huge time-saver for new developers, allowing you to quickly prototype ideas or add polish to your games without creating everything from scratch. While some assets are free, many are paid, so keep that in mind.
And, of course, we saved the best for last: the community around Unity is huge and incredibly supportive. If you get stuck or have a question, you’re almost guaranteed to find topics related to your problem and solutions to go with it. After all, there are tons of forums, online communities (like on Reddit), and even local user groups where you can connect with other developers.
And, in the odd chance no one has encountered your problem so far, there’s a good chance Unity developers with years of experience under their belt will have a go at your issue.
What is this engine capable of? See some top-notch games made with Unity
In the end, Unity is good for new game developers because of all the aforementioned advantages – but all features and possibilities are meaningless if we can’t showcase some incredible, actual games made with Unity. As you’ll see below, plenty of successful and critically acclaimed titles were built using this beloved and popular game engine:
Pokémon GO
This augmented reality mobile game took the world by storm, tasking players with exploring their real-world surroundings to catch virtual Pokémon. It doubled as a way to get people moving, and it worked for some.
This game’s success demonstrated Unity’s ability to handle location-based gameplay, real-time interactions, and massive player bases. The simple yet addictive gameplay with familiar characters is loved by millions worldwide, from kids to adults.
Among Us
A social deduction game where players must identify the imposter among their crewmates, Among Us became a viral sensation during the pandemic’s darkest months.
Its simple graphics and addictive gameplay prove that Unity can be used to create engaging and replayable experiences even on limited resources. The game is deceptively complex and, like Uno and Monopoly, can cause some friendship-ending situations.
Hearthstone
Blizzard’s popular digital card game showcases Unity’s versatility in putting a polished and visually appealing spin on traditional games. Its creative card mechanics, unique animations, and smooth user interface are a delight to its impressively loyal player base. The game also features some impressive voice lines and artwork, with legendary cards getting a unique music stinger when played.
Cuphead
Prepare for a visual feast with Cuphead, a run-and-gun game that looks like it came straight out of a 1930s cartoon. Believe it or not, Cuphead’s artists drew every single frame by hand – a monumental task given its big and varied roster! On top of that, its challenging boss battles and jazzy soundtrack create a truly unique and unforgettable gaming experience.
Risk of Rain 2
Fast-paced action and roguelite elements are two terms you can use to describe Risk of Rain 2, a sequel taking the original’s side-scrolling gameplay and blasting it into 3D. In this game, you’ll battle hordes of enemies, collect powerful items, and try to survive as long as possible in this addictive and challenging shooter.
It also features an impressive modding community to completely shake up how you play RoR2. From League of Legends characters, dozens of new items, fully fledged expansions with tile sets, bosses, and artifacts, and silly additions, yes, it has almost everything!
Night in the Woods
Night in the Woods is a story-driven adventure game about a college dropout named Mae who returns to her hometown, Possum Springs. You explore the town, reconnect with old friends, and uncover dark secrets lurking beneath the surface.
It’s a game about small towns, growing up, and dealing with personal struggles. The focus is on the characters, the story, and the atmosphere, and it will leave you thinking about it long after you’ve finished playing.
So – is Unity good for new game developers?
Yes, absolutely! Whether you have coding experience or not, Unity’s accessibility, versatility, and huge community make it a fantastic place to start your game development journey. And, as we’ve seen with the games listed above, Unity is more than capable of creating incredible, successful titles.
Of course, it’ll take effort, persistence, and a lot of trial and error, but don’t get discouraged, especially if you aspire to work in game development – we all have to start somewhere!
Imagine you’ve got a game idea bubbling in your mind, but you need a skilled team of Unity developers to help you bring it to life. Or perhaps you’re already working on a project, and you’ve hit a roadblock? If so, we have the perfect solution.
At Main Leaf, we offer expert game development services, with proven expertise in both Unreal Engine and Unity. Whether you require a game built from scratch or help with all things game development, reach out for a free consultation! We’ll help you turn your dreams into reality!
