Building Your First Action Game: A Beginner's Guide with Unity and Unreal Engine

 

Building Your First Action Game: A Beginner's Guide with Unity and Unreal Engine

Welcome, aspiring game developers! Are you ready to unleash your inner action game creator? This comprehensive guide will equip you with the foundational knowledge to bring your action-packed vision to life, using either Unity or Unreal Engine. While we'll focus on Unity throughout the process (as that's your preference), keep in mind that Unreal Engine is another powerful option with similar functionalities.

Part 1: Laying the Foundation

Before diving into the nitty-gritty of coding and design, let's solidify the core concepts of game development:

1. Game Design:

• Conceptualize: What kind of action game do you envision? A fast-paced side-scroller, a third-person shooter, or a platformer with combat elements? Sketch ideas, define the core gameplay loop (actions players take to progress), and brainstorm mechanics (movement, combat, power-ups).
• Story (Optional): Will your game have a narrative or focus purely on action? Craft a basic storyline if desired.

2. Choosing Your Engine:

• Unity: A versatile engine known for its user-friendly interface and vast asset store (pre-made game elements). It's a fantastic choice for beginners due to its accessible learning curve.
• Unreal Engine: Renowned for its stunning visuals and powerful tools. While it boasts a steeper learning curve, it caters to developers aiming for high-fidelity graphics.

Part 2: Setting Up Your Development Environment

For Unity:

1. Download and install Unity from the official website (https://unity.com/).
2. Explore the interface: Familiarize yourself with the Editor window (where you build your game), the Inspector window (where you edit object properties), and the Hierarchy window (which shows your game objects).

For Unreal Engine:

1. Download and install Unreal Engine from the official website (https://www.unrealengine.com/).
2. Explore the interface: Get comfortable with the Editor viewport, the Details panel (for object properties), and the Content Browser (for managing assets).

Part 3: Building Your Game World

1. Creating Game Objects:

• In both Unity and Unreal Engine, you can create basic 3D shapes (cubes, spheres, etc.) or import pre-made models from the asset store/marketplace.
• Arrange these objects to form your game environment.

2. Level Design:

• Block out your level using basic shapes. Define areas for players to explore, navigate, and engage in action sequences.
• Consider level flow: How will players progress through the level? Ensure a clear path with well-placed challenges.

Part 4: Scripting and Functionality

1. Introduction to Scripting:

• Both Unity and Unreal Engine use scripting languages (C# for Unity, C++ for Unreal) to define object behavior. Don't worry, you'll learn the basics!

2. Player Movement:

• In Unity and Unreal Engine, you can implement scripts to control player movement (walking, jumping, etc.). Start with simple movement mechanics and gradually add complexity.

3. Basic AI (Optional) for Enemies:

• You can introduce rudimentary enemy AI (Artificial Intelligence) using pre-built functionalities or basic scripting. Define simple enemy movement patterns (patrolling, chasing) to create the initial challenge.

4. Collisions and Interactions:

• Implement collision detection in both engines to make objects respond to each other (e.g., player colliding with a wall). This forms the foundation for combat and other interactions.

Part 5: Polishing Your Action Game

1. Animations:

• Breathe life into your game by adding animations for player actions, enemy movements, and environmental effects. Both Unity and Unreal Engine offer animation tools or support importing animations from external sources.

2. Visuals and Effects:

• Enhance the visual appeal with textures, lighting, and particle effects. Utilize the asset stores or create your own visuals to bring your world to life.

3. Sound Design:

• Integrate sound effects and background music to create an immersive atmosphere. Both engines allow for sound management and implementation.

4. Testing and Iteration:

• Playtest your game frequently to identify bugs, balance gameplay difficulty, and refine the overall experience. Iterate based on your findings to create a satisfying action game.

Part 6: Beyond the Basics (Optional):

• Advanced Mechanics: As you progress, explore more complex mechanics like health systems, combo attacks, and power-ups.
• Multiplayer (Advanced): Consider adding online multiplayer functionality for a more social experience (requires additional learning and setup).

Part 7: Additional Resources for Both Unity and Unreal Engine

Here's a comprehensive list of resources to empower your action game development journey, regardless of your chosen engine (Unity or Unreal Engine):

Learning Platforms:

• Unity Learn: (https://learn.unity.com/) - An official library brimming with tutorials, courses, and documentation specifically tailored for Unity development. Explore scripting lessons, project-based learning, and in-depth guides on various functionalities.
• Unreal Engine Learning: (https://dev.epicgames.com/community/learning/) - Unreal Engine's dedicated learning platform equips you with comprehensive video tutorials, documentation, and project templates. Master Unreal Engine's tools, delve into animation and visual effects, and explore blueprint scripting (Unreal Engine's visual scripting system).

Community Resources:

• Unity Forums: (https://forum.unity.com/) - A vibrant online community where Unity developers of all experience levels connect, share knowledge, and troubleshoot challenges. Post your questions, seek help from experienced users, and stay updated on the latest Unity developments.
• Unreal Engine Forums: (https://forums.unrealengine.com/) - The official Unreal Engine forums provide a platform for developers to engage in discussions, ask questions, and offer solutions to one another. Tap into the collective knowledge of the Unreal Engine community and get assistance with specific Unreal Engine functionalities.

Asset Stores:

• Unity Asset Store: (https://assetstore.unity.com/) - A treasure trove of pre-made game assets like 3D models, textures, animations, and sound effects. This vast marketplace allows you to accelerate development by utilizing high-quality assets and focus on the core gameplay mechanics of your action game.
• Unreal Engine Marketplace: (https://www.unrealengine.com/marketplace/en-US/store) - Similar to the Unity Asset Store, Unreal Engine's marketplace offers a wealth of pre-made content to enhance your game's visuals, audio, and gameplay. Find character models, environments, animation packs, and more to streamline your development process.

Additional Resources:

• YouTube Tutorials: Numerous talented content creators offer exceptional video tutorials on both Unity and Unreal Engine development. Search for specific topics related to action game development to find in-depth explanations and visual demonstrations.
• Game Development Blogs: Stay updated on the latest trends and best practices by following game development blogs written by experienced developers. Learn valuable tips, discover new tools, and gain inspiration for your own action game.

Remember: Don't be afraid to experiment, explore different resources, and leverage the power of online communities. The key is to keep learning, practicing, and iterating on your action game. With dedication and these valuable resources at your disposal, you'll be well on your way to creating an amazing action game experience!

Part 8: Diving Deeper into Scripting (Unity Focus)

Now that you've grasped the fundamental concepts, let's delve into scripting, the magic behind bringing your game objects to life! We'll focus on Unity's C# scripting as that's your chosen engine.

1. Unity Scripting Essentials:

• C# Scripting Environment: Within Unity, you'll find the MonoDevelop script editor for writing C# code. You can also use a preferred external code editor like Visual Studio Code.

• Attaching Scripts: Scripts are like blueprints that define object behavior. You can attach scripts to game objects in the Inspector window to control their movement, interactions, and more.

• Basic Script Structure: A Unity script typically includes:

  • Using statements (e.g., using UnityEngine;) to access Unity functionalities.
  • A class declaration defining the script's functionalities and properties.
  • Methods (functions) that dictate how the object behaves under certain conditions (e.g., player movement, enemy AI).

2. Scripting for Player Movement:

Let's create a simple script for player movement!

• Create a New C# Script: Go to Assets > Create > C# Script and name it "PlayerMovement.cs".

• Basic Movement Script: Here's a simplified example (replace "Player" with your actual game object name):

Extrait de code

        
code-container
        

            
        
     
using UnityEngine;

public class PlayerMovement : MonoBehaviour
{
    public float speed = 5f; // Adjust movement speed

    void Update()
    {
        float horizontalInput = Input.GetAxis("Horizontal"); // Get horizontal movement input (-1 left, 1 right)
        float verticalInput = Input.GetAxis("Vertical");   // Get vertical movement input (-1 down, 1 up)

        transform.Translate(horizontalInput * speed * Time.deltaTime, verticalInput * speed * Time.deltaTime, 0f);
    }
}

• Explanation:

  • public float speed = 5f; defines a public variable "speed" to control movement speed in the Inspector window.
  • void Update() is a function called every frame, allowing for continuous movement updates.
  • Input.GetAxis() retrieves player input from the keyboard (modify "Horizontal" and "Vertical" for different control schemes).
  • transform.Translate() moves the object based on the received input and adjusted speed.

3. Attaching the Script and Testing:

• Drag and drop the "PlayerMovement.cs" script onto your player game object in the Hierarchy window.
• In the Inspector window for your player object, you can now adjust the "speed" variable to control movement speed.
• Run your game (Ctrl+P) and test the player movement using your keyboard controls (usually WASD for movement).

Congratulations! You've just created your first basic script in Unity! This is just a stepping stone. As you progress, you can explore more complex functionalities like jumping, attacking, and enemy AI through scripting.

Part 9: Resources and Next Steps:

• Unity Learn: Dive deeper into scripting with Unity's official tutorials: https://learn.unity.com/
• Scripting Reference: Explore Unity's scripting documentation for in-depth explanations: https://docs.unity3d.com/ScriptReference/
• Online Communities: Connect with other Unity developers on forums and communities for help and inspiration.

Remember, this is just the beginning of your action game development journey! Keep practicing, experiment, and don't hesitate to seek help from online resources and communities. Happy coding!