Introduction to Unity & Game Development Courses – the First Step towards a Hotshot Game

Developer

The game development industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world with no indications of slowing down in the future. This, undoubtedly, makes it one of the most promising careers to go for. However, developing an all-appealing game is not as easy as playing one. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, focus and of course, expertise. Perhaps you already know these. So, if you are an aspiring game developer, Introduction to Unity & Game Development Courses are the best options to bank upon.

Go for the right game engine

As far as game development is concerned, selecting a suitable game engine from so many available options is very important. The options range from simple and basic 2D game engines to feature-packed 3D options as well as free of cost to highly expensive powerhouses. And for obvious reasons, choosing the right one might be a bit hard for you. Confused, right? Don’t worry - there is a solution to all your confusions. It is the ‘Unity’, an amazing game development platform.

What is Unity?

Well, launched in the year 2004 by Unity Technologies, Unity is considered to be one of the best game engines so far. You would be surprised to learn that there are more than 1.3 million Unity developers (registered) and over 3 Lakhs active developers/month. According to a survey conducted an esteemed game magazine in the year 2012, it has been found that near about 53.1% of the mobile developers make use of this platform for making games.

What makes Unity so popular among game developers?

You might be wondering – what is so special about this game engine. Here are the answers – 

• Pricing – There are a number of game development platforms available in the market that come with super-expensive price tags and absurd payment plans. However, Unity is quite straightforward in this respect. It comes in two variants – Free and Pro. The former is obviously free of cost and no, it’s not at all a gimped version. In fact, Free Unity is a feature-packed version and allows you to develop games commercially without any compromise. In case, you want more professional features, such as Path-finding, LOD (Level of Details) support, etc, you can go for Unity Pro for a price of 1,500 dollars only.
• Easy to use – Everything in the Unity platform is so visual and thus, easy to use. This platform mainly focuses on simplifying the main aspect of game development, that’s seamless workflow. It provides you with an instant insight on what you are developing. 
• The freedom to script – Unlike most of the other game engines, object behaviors are not restricted to engine-integral modules when it comes to Unity. Rather, the latter allows you to write powerful object behaviors using JavaScript, Boo, and C#. 

So, there are three of the main features of Unity. However, that’s not all. This gaming platform offers much more. Although Unity is mainly used for developing 3D games, you can also make 2D games using this platform. It also allows you to develop multi-player games. One of the best things about Unity is – it is a multi-platform (Android, iOS, Windows, Xbox, etc…) game engine.

Learning Unity

In order to master this game engine, the need for Introduction to Unity & Game Development Courses cannot be overlooked. That’s because - without professional training, you won’t be able to go far in this career. So, get yourself enrolled in an esteemed institution and begin your journey as a hotshot game developer.

5 Benefits of Game Development With Unity

When it comes to game development, most of the game developers swear by Unity. It is a widely used is a cross-platform game engine that can is used to develop games for a wide number of platforms like Windows, OSX, iOS, Android, etc. It is available for Windows, OSX, Google Cardboard, HTC Vive, Linux, Microsoft Hololens, Nintendo, Oculus Rift, PlayStation, etc. Along with these, it has been released on 27 different platforms. It is available in four different versions i.e. Personal, Plus, Pro, and Enterprise. These differ in certain features with slight variations. 

Now a major question arises, Why should you opt to develop games with Unity. Game Development with Unity provides a number of features that make it the preferred options amongst the game developers. Here are some of the most amazing features that Unity provides over the other gaming engines and developing games from scratch. 

Simple and easy to use:

Unity is quite a simple and easy to use gaming engine. Even developing complex games using this is a lot easier as compared to other gaming engines. Developing games from scratch takes a lot of time and requires complex coding. In the case of unity, the number of codes you have to write for the game development reduces drastically. This helps you to develop better quality games faster and easier than other methods.

Develop any type of games:

No matter what type of game you wish to develop, unity lets you develop any type of game with ease. May it be the simple game, multiplayer game, online game, 2D game, 3D game, or VR enabled game. Any of the game can be developed if you have a thorough knowledge of the game development with unity. 

Develop games for any platform:

In order to develop games for different platforms, you need to have a setup for the different language. However, you can quite easily develop games for different platforms if you have a proper idea of the same. This, in turn, saves you a lot of time and resources. There are a large number of options available in it that makes the games developed compatible for other platforms with a few minor code changes. 

A large number of users available:

Unity has a large number of users available that makes it quite easy to seek help whenever you come across a problem. You can also look for the problems online and there are chances that the solution to your problem already exists. Apart from that, support is also provided to the users of paid version. It also provides proper documentation to help the users to cope with certain problems and also guide them while using the same. 

Free to use:

Last but not the least, Unity is free to use for the beginners, students, and hobbyists who wish to explore Unity and try their hands at Game development. If you want to dive further into the game development process, you can buy the subscription plans for the same. 

Summary:

Game development with Unity is quite simple and easy with a lot of features available. Hence it is recommended that if you wish to dive into the game development process, Unity is the perfect choice for you.

Common Mistakes Game Developers Make on Unity

3d Game Development with Unity 3D is an increasingly preferred approach many game developers take today. This platform follows its own pattern of function and if you are not aware of how it operates a trivial feature too, can end up being a challenge. It has to be understood well so as to avoid mistakes especially the first-timers working on Unity make.

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Common mistakes Game developers make on Unity include:

• Mixing up scripts -
  The scripts that you attach with the objects should be either written in java or C#. It should not be a mixture of both. It will help you to avoid confusion as well as save you from other issues that can crop because of mixing two languages. So choose a language you are comfortable with.
  
  
• Not Making use of the Asset Store Logically-
  Do not be in a mad rush to use the asset store to get sounds, scripts, models etc., downloaded. Make sure that the assets you want to buy are relevant for your gaming project. Beware of buying the popular ones because though you may be tempted these assets due to over usage have lost its exclusiveness making Unity games using the same visual style losing its unique visual appeal. Developers have misused the standard assets given by Unity.
  
  
• Not Knowing How to Set your Scale Right-
  As the measurement of an object is taken in meters therefore ensure while importing that the size can be compared to the object it represents. For example a building can be taken approximately as 20 meters or a spaceship can be considered as 200 meters. You might have to resize if you have not taken it likewise. Actually in Unity size does not play a major factor as much as the scale. Whatever the size is if the scale is set right then faults can be avoided like objects falling at a slow pace. You might get tempted to speed up the gravity to make it fall faster but it will only end up being unrealistic. From the very start you must try to set the scale right as changing the settings in the middle of a developed project might be a difficult task.
  
  
• Relying too Much on Reflection-
  Methods like the Get Component or Send Message is expensive and can retard your gaming speed. So it is better to switch on to an efficient alternative pattern.
  
  
• Not Using Rigid body Objects-
  A gaming object has a position, angular velocity, speed, etc. If an object is changed from its position by a script then lot of discrepancy can occur which in turn might make the game unpredictable. A rigidbody can be attached to the object to avoid collision and also to stop messing up of positions of gaming objects.
  
  Make your 3d Game Development with Unity 3d unique by creating it from newer objects.

Rectifying Common Physics Problem in Your Game Development

There are games that use physics engines to help things in the game move and react. The use of a physics engine can add immersion as well as emergent game play, but at the same time, if not used appropriately, can result in game-breaking issues. This blog discusses about the ways to determine and rectify the common physics problems in 3D game development with Unity 3D.

Common Mistakes and Ways to Fix Them

Following are the common physics mistakes often seen in game development. The ways used for fixing these issues have also been discussed:

• Inappropriate Scale:

In majority of the games, players assume that the scale of the world is related to Earth’s scale. Suppose, in a game, an enemy is falling from a height. The players would expect the foe to come down at the same rate as he would if he falls in reality on earth. If the speed of falling is too slow or fast, it may detract from the immersion, specifically if the one falling is human-sized. 

• Use a RigidBody As Well As a Character Controller:

The game developer assumes that a Character Controller is required for controlling their avatar. But the players want the avatar to be influenced by gravity and similar things in the environment. The issue is that a Character Controller is created for more traditional controls as seen in first person shooter. Gravity and certain physical forces affect a RigidBody. You need to select a Character Controller if you wish to have complete control over the way a player moves. Again, if you wish your character to be moved by a Physics engine, you need to use a RigidBody. In including a RigidBody to a character, you may wish to restrict rotation so that the player does not tumble. 

• Objects Rolling Constantly:

Suppose, you are developing a golf game. In this instance, you may find that the golf ball is not stopping and rolling constantly until it finds a hole. In reality, the glass blades on a golf course offers rolling resistance and slow down the ball. However, in Unity, you need to use artificial stopping forces to stop the ball. Using angular drag may be helpful in this case.

• Objects with No Bounciness:

All the objects bounce following an impact. However, the internal, default physics material of Unity does not have bounce. There will be no bounce until you apply physics material to the things showcased in your scene with a bounciness value more than 0. This problem can be rectified with the creation and assignment of your own default physics material in the Physics Manager.

Keep in mind the above mentioned suggestions during 3D game development with Unity 3D.

The Difference between 3D Animation in Games and in Movies

Most of us have a common idea that animation for movies and video games are the same thing. But then, this isn’t the truth. If you have done a 3D animation course in Singapore, then you’ll perhaps know that even though the same principles and tools of animation are applicable to both the mediums, but then, the techniques and processes greatly vary from one another.

 

 

Animation in Movies- What to Know

When talking about animation in movies, you’ll find that the animator is solely accountable for animating whatever is available in the view of the shot camera. More specifically, they have to exclusively worry about a single angle of the camera at a time. If a user is watching a movie, then all you need to do is press the PLAY button on a movie. On the other hand, in case of video game animation, things are a bit contrary.

 

Animation in Games- What to Know

Games should be interactive so as to keep the users engaged. When a player plays a game, you want to make sure that he or she has complete control on the camera and character. After all, it is the player who drives the story forward and allow the characters to proceed.

 

Hence, not only the animation should look good, but then, it should look good from each possible angle. For example, if the game is third person, then the player will rotate the camera around and they will see the run or walk cycle from a different perspective. This new angle may reveal things such as knee pops, which may not have been visible in the usual camera view. These are the things, which a game animator requires to take into consideration so as to make sure their animation holds up to whatever the player can throw at it.

 

And when you are creating game animations then you should see to it that it looks good from any angle. For example, when implementing the principle of arcs into an animation, the animator should see to it that the character is considering smooth arcing motions from any angle of the camera.

 

Creating Game Animation

As a game animator, you will be exposed to several kinds of animations that what is generally found in a movie such as DreamWorks or Pixar. You will find yourself creating animations for giants, fantasy creatures, scripted events and loads more. Majority of the games are driven by body mechanics, hence you will have to invest a lot of time to perfect the body mechanics in games. And as per the timing of the games is concerned, you need to focus on it depending on the specifications of the player inputs. You can take a 3D animation course in Singapore to get a good idea on animation and how it works.

 

Animating for games may bring a wide range of challenges to the table, but then, at the same time it also brings in a rewarding experience. Go for it today and create a new benchmark in the animation domain.

Game Development using Multiplatform Engines

The new age requirement expected from any game developer is the ability to create games across multiple platforms. It is essential to keep oneself abreast of the latest development and the channels that ensure game launches in sync with wide number of gaming devices. A Game Development Education encompasses the conceptual knowledge of multiplatform gaming. In a practical context, there are a number of options that enable a game developer to meet the new-age demands of creating games that provide the player to a wide variety of gaming devices.

 

 

 

While there are numerous cross platform tools in the form of multi-purpose engines, the essential question is which one works best for your needs? This can be answered by understanding the purpose served by these engines.

 

Multiplatform Engine - What is it?
The most amazing feature provided by a multiplatform engine is that it takes the work of the game developer and adapts the program to run across various devices. Thus, the professional needs to provide the blueprint of the game only once, after which the engine fine tunes it to suit the needs of other platforms. In simple terms, it is like writing a book and having it sent to different interfaces like print and eBook.

 

Points to Consider before using Multiplatform Engine
It would be a good idea to be pre-informed about the final devices the game would be a part of, so that the initial program can be written in the right manner. It is imperative to understand how multi-purpose engines channel your game towards the desired goal. The use of Software Development Kit or SDK enables the engines to break down your program into a format that can be read by various devices. Basically, it assesses the hardware and software needs of the receiving party and encodes the modifications to the program that you have provided so that it can run optimally across platforms.

How do you ensure that the final result will meet your needs? The goal is to have the finesse in stage one so that the final product is of the highest quality. While there are innumerable engines that offer cross platform solutions, the key is to understand which one will help you deploy the game that you are set to build.

 

Big Players
There is a variety of software that offers the service of cross-platform game adaptation. This is because more and more businesses are jumping on the bandwagon of providing their clients and employees access to modern day gaming experiences whether it is on phone, on laptop or even tablets. Several big players in the multiplatform engine business such as Unity, PhoneGap, SAP and Xamarin are dominating the market. Many of them can provide tailor-made solutions. The basic deciding factor when selecting a solution is for you to understand what kind of game you want to build and for whom.

 

The game development education that you undertake can set an essential base for your future gaming abilities as well as help you choose the right course of action in selection the right multiplatform solutions.

Tips on Designing your First Mobile Game

With smart phones becoming a common feature in the list of gadgets we all own, the gaming industry especially is finding ways to leverage this revolution by creating enticing mobile game. Now that you have finished your 3D game development course creating your first mobile game can be a daunting yet fulfilling exercise worth venturing into.

Here is an essential guide on designing a great first mobile game –

·         Knowing your Game

When designing your first mobile game, choose an art style that you know you can work with well. The idea is to create something that is easily recognizable and memorable. Some of the most popular games today are those which can be easily recognized by people around you while you are playing it. Creating a memorable game requires you to account for everything from the art design to the sound effects that people will recognize. Since this is your first time, it is best to design something you are familiar with yourself.

·         Choosing the Software

Before you start developing the game, you want to be sure about the software on which you will build it. Some of the most powerful game engines such as Unity are able to help pursue both 2D as well as 3D game development. Mobile developers love to use such game engines because of their superior graphic capabilities. Furthermore, these applications are free to use up until the point you put the game up in the market.

Depending on whether you choose to pursue a 2D or 3D game design, you will be expected to use different applications to create the assets. Photoshop is great for 2D while 3D developers often rely on 3Ds Max or Maya.

·         Learning a Programming Language

It is a given that as a mobile game developer you already know the right programming languages. As the development process gets more and more complex, you will realize the importance of knowing a language. C# is a great starting point since it is an object oriented programming language widely used by developers on Unity

Finally, 2D or not 2D? If you have the knowledge base to work on 2D or 3D games, you also want to account for what will work best for the game in question. Ask yourself if you really need a complex 3D environment for your game play or whether it really adds value to your game on the whole. With these considerations, you will be on your way to create an appealing first mobile game.

Summary

Planning on creating your first mobile game? This article takes you through various important considerations to get you started. 

Studying Motion Design and other Creative Technology Disciplines in Singapore

Motion Design in Singapore has certainly gained traction over the years, with a number of industries looking at this particular design discipline as an effective and creative avenue to release its message to the masses across several interactive media vehicles. Whether it is for branding, marketing or advertisement (the savvy amongst you will know the difference), the versatility and simplicity of motion graphic design takes the principles of print media design to the next level.

Of course, Motion Design Degrees and Diplomas are not the most common of disciplines, and thus finding one in Singapore might be a little tough, but fret not! MAGES has come up with not one, but two motion design diplomas catered to an individual’s needs, and graduates would be fit to work in the industry or pursue a motion design degree.

The Unity 3D courses at MAGES have also been a big hit with MAGES having already run several batches. Professional game studios have also sent their staff to MAGES for Unity 3D courses in order to take their staff’s familiarity with the game engine to the next level.

The full-time game design students at MAGES of course, have profited from MAGES’ expertise with the game engine, and are ahead of the curve as per compared to their student peers due to the unity 3d courses and modules that they go through.

For those of you who are still unfamiliar with Unity 3D, it is a game development engine/tool that has a low learning curve (only scripting, no programming knowledge required!) and a low entry barrier (you only pay if you’re making money off of it!). Certainly its accessibility and ease has sped up many a production timelines.

MAGES’ commitment to the development of the Creative Technologies sector means that their core strength is staying relevant to industry practices. This is apparent in the closeness with which they work with their industry partners. Many of MAGES mentors are practising professionals, and for them it is a way to help their students rack up industry experience.

Are you interested in picking up a discipline from a Creative Technology? Check out the many courses on offer in our website. In the meantime, that’s all the time we have for now. Don’t forget to leave your comments below!

Game Development Insights-What to Look Out For in a Game Development Education: Part I

Hi all!

Today I’d like to share a little bit about gaming courses in Singapore. 

When we speak about game development education, what comes to mind is usually in line with either game programming, design or art—so depending on what your niche is, there are several things to look out for. To prevent an information overload, we shall separate it into three posts, starting with Game Design, before moving on to Game Art, and then Game Programming.

Gaming Courses in Singapore

There are several reasons for one to come to Singapore to study, so much that not all can be covered in detail. What aspiring game designers should know is that Singapore provides a safe, convenient and optimal learning environment. Furthermore, the Creative Technology industry in Singapore is quickly gaining prominence in Singapore, with the government raising its budget to support industry. As a result more jobs and opportunities have been created, making it the perfect place to start a career and education in.

As quoted by Singapore’s minister of Finance in the Budget 2014 debate, “There will be many jobs that involve working with technology and using technology to gain a competitive advantage. Jobs in engineering… Jobs in programming, data analysis, ICT. And jobs in the creative industry.”

A recent survey showed that from the period of 1986 to the year 2000, the creative cluster has been shown to be growing faster than its overall economy, with an annual growth rate of 13.4% as per compared to the national economic annual growth rate of 10.6%. 

There are other numbers that could be thrown about such as the increased support and awareness in creative education, but it is better to summarise that Singapore’s creative industry is one of the fastest growing in the world, and definitely in its region.

Naturally, gaming courses in Singapore have also begun to evolve as its importance and demand grows. It has grown so important, that even the public schools have begun to integrate gaming courses into their programmes. Private institutions, like MAGES, offer their students accelerated programmes, as well as smaller student to lecturer ratios for a more tailor-made education.

 Game Design

Game Design remains one of the more popular courses in Game Development education, owing perhaps to the fact that it covers a broader range of topics. A typical game design course should offer art modules (such as character design, animation), programming modules (C# programming, mathematics and physics for artificial intelligence), as well as design specific courses (level design, game design and development).

This has to do with the role of a designer in a development team. A typical game designer is expected to know aspects of both programming and art so as to be able to integrate the assets into the game, as well as fluent in design software and to be able to conceptualize the game mechanics and story.

A game designer is as much a creative role, as a technical role and is very much the glue of the development team. There are finer aspects to being a game designer as well. The game designer is often also expected to be knowledgeable in matters such as the business aspect of games, and as such, a deeper education in game design will often cover games business topics such as the psychology of pricing models, as well as market analyzing and deductions of video games.

A word of warning to all aspiring designers; due to the crucial nature of the job, most companies seek only experienced game designers to join their development team and graduates cannot expect a cushy job from the get-go.

However, those who show their passion and talent can quickly rise to prominence and make a name for themselves. The game industry, in Singapore especially, is small enough such that it is an extremely close-knit community, filled with supportive members who are always willing to lend a hand to promising developers.

On a final note, I hope that this short post has helped anyone considering a game design education in Singpaore. Do leave your comments and queries if you want to know more about the subject matter or the videogames industry in general, and I will try to have them answered to the best of my knowledge.

Cheers!

Game Development Insights-What to Look Out For in a Game Development Education: Part I

Hi all!

Today I’d like to share a little bit about gaming courses in Singapore.

When we speak about game development education, what comes to mind is usually in line with either game programming, design or art—so depending on what your niche is, there are several things to look out for. To prevent an information overload, we shall separate it into three posts, starting with Game Design, before moving on to Game Art, and then Game Programming.

Gaming Courses in Singapore

There are several reasons for one to come to Singapore to study, so much that not all can be covered in detail. What aspiring game designers should know is that Singapore provides a safe, convenient and optimal learning environment. Furthermore, the Creative Technology industry in Singapore is quickly gaining prominence in Singapore, with the government raising its budget to support industry. As a result more jobs and opportunities have been created, making it the perfect place to start a career and education in.

As quoted by Singapore’s minister of Finance in the Budget 2014 debate, “There will be many jobs that involve working with technology and using technology to gain a competitive advantage. Jobs in engineering… Jobs in programming, data analysis, ICT. And jobs in the creative industry.”

A recent survey showed that from the period of 1986 to the year 2000, the creative cluster has been shown to be growing faster than its overall economy, with an annual growth rate of 13.4% as per compared to the national economic annual growth rate of 10.6%. 

There are other numbers that could be thrown about such as the increased support and awareness in creative education, but it is better to summarise that Singapore’s creative industry is one of the fastest growing in the world, and definitely in its region.

Naturally, gaming courses in Singapore have also begun to evolve as its importance and demand grows. It has grown so important, that even the public schools have begun to integrate gaming courses into their programmes. Private institutions, like MAGES, offer their students accelerated programmes, as well as smaller student to lecturer ratios for a more tailor-made education.

Game Design

Game Design remains one of the more popular courses in Game Development education, owing perhaps to the fact that it covers a broader range of topics. A typical game design course should offer art modules (such as character design, animation), programming modules (C# programming, mathematics and physics for artificial intelligence), as well as design specific courses (level design, game design and development).

This has to do with the role of a designer in a development team. A typical game designer is expected to know aspects of both programming and art so as to be able to integrate the assets into the game, as well as fluent in design software and to be able to conceptualize the game mechanics and story.

A game designer is as much a creative role, as a technical role and is very much the glue of the development team. There are finer aspects to being a game designer as well. The game designer is often also expected to be knowledgeable in matters such as the business aspect of games, and as such, a deeper education in game design will often cover games business topics such as the psychology of pricing models, as well as market analyzing and deductions of video games.

A word of warning to all aspiring designers; due to the crucial nature of the job, most companies seek only experienced game designers to join their development team and graduates cannot expect a cushy job from the get-go.

However, those who show their passion and talent can quickly rise to prominence and make a name for themselves. The game industry, in Singapore especially, is small enough such that it is an extremely close-knit community, filled with supportive members who are always willing to lend a hand to promising developers.

On a final note, I hope that this short post has helped anyone considering a game design education in Singapore. Do leave your comments and queries if you want to know more about the subject matter or the video games industry in general, and I will try to have them answered to the best of my knowledge.

Cheers!