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Noa Calice (aka Blackthornprod)

In this game development course you'll learn how to create a commercial quality 2D action game using Unity, C# and a 2D application like Photoshop or Gimp (whatever 2D drawing tool you have installed on your computer).

Here is a list of the key things you will learn by watching this course :

First of all, you'll have a stronger understanding of what it takes to actually finish a game from A to Z in Unity.

Read more

In this game development course you'll learn how to create a commercial quality 2D action game using Unity, C# and a 2D application like Photoshop or Gimp (whatever 2D drawing tool you have installed on your computer).

Here is a list of the key things you will learn by watching this course :

First of all, you'll have a stronger understanding of what it takes to actually finish a game from A to Z in Unity.

You'll learn how to sketch and paint 2D game characters, then import those creations inside of Unity, rig them and finally make game animations such as run cycles, attack animations, idle animations, and more.

Learn how to make a player character who can move around an environment and shoot projectiles by programming in C#.

Create various enemy game characters: a melee monster that runs fast towards the player and leaps at him to attack | A spooky necromancer that summons small, vicious skeletons that chase after the player | a dangerous bat that shoots dark fireballs at the game's hero.

Understand how to use state machine behaviors to create a multi-stage boss fight in Unity.

Make multiple weapons the player can equip and use against the game's various foes. As well as a health pickup.

Create cool looking effects using Unity's particle system and 2D sprites.

Create fun sound effects using Audacity and then implement that inside of your game.

You'll learn how to make a nice main menu with responsive, animated UI.

Create smooth scene transitions using UI panels and animations.

Publish your finished game to Itch io, Newgrounds, or Gamejolt.

Why learn from us?

My brother and I created this course to share our passion for making games and help others bring their unique visions to life. We've been teaching aspiring game developers how to use Unity, code with the C# programming language, and make game art and animations. Our tutorials have been viewed by thousands and are very popular, every day we get dozens of developers thanking us for helping them out on their own game dev journey.

We've not only made tons of tutorials but we've also created plenty of games using Unity, both 2D, and 3D. So we know what it's like to create a complete, polished experience from A to Z, and really want to equip you with the right tools and knowledge so you can do the same.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Learn how to sketch and paint 2d game characters.
  • Create awesome 2d game animations using unity.
  • Make a player character that can move around an environment and shoot projectiles.
  • Program some cool ai behaviors for various enemy game characters using c#.
  • Code a customizable enemy wave spawner.
  • Make a multi staged boss fight using state machine behaviors.
  • Make multiple weapons and power ups.
  • Learn how to make great main menus and responsive ui.
  • Create epic particle systems and sound effects.
  • Be able to make an entire game from a to z using unity, c# and some 2d application like ps or gimp. and then publish that finished product on itch io, newgrounds or gamejolt.
  • Show more
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Syllabus

HOW TO USE THIS COURSE
Course introduction
How to Use This Course
How to Use this Course Links
Read more
Games Made by other Students
By the end of this section students will be able to create their very own animated player game character using Unity and some 2D application like Ps !
Sketching the Player Character
Painting the Player Character
Importing the Character in Unity
Creating the Character's Rig
Introduction to Unity's Animation Tools
Creating the Player's Animations
Programming the Player's Movement
Creating the Animation Transitions
Creating the Player's Weapon
The Weapon's Rotation
Shooting Projectiles
Creating the Projectile's Particle Effect
Making the Camera Follow Script
CREATING THE ENEMIES
Drawing and Animating the Melee Enemy
Setting up the Enemy Class
Programming the Melee Enemy
Drawing and Animating the Summoner
Programming the Summoner
Drawing and Animating the Ranged Enemy
Programming the Ranged Enemy
Making a Wave Spawner
MORE WEAPONS & HEALTH PICKUPS
Creating More Weapons and Projectiles
Enemy Drops
Creating Health UI Part 1
Creating Health UI Part 2
Creating Health Pickups
CREATING THE BOSS CHARACTER
Drawing and Animating the Boss Part 1
Drawing and Animating the Boss Part 2
Programming the Boss Part 1
Programming the Boss Part 2
The Importance of Playtesting
ADDING DETAILS AND POLISH TO OUR GAME
Section Introduction
Creating Particle Effects
Adding Screen Shake and a Hurt Panel
Creating a Cool Custom Cursor
Creating Sound Effects
Implementing the Sound Effects
Creating a Health Bar for the Boss
MAKING A MAIN MENU & A WIN AND LOSE SCENE
Creating the Main Menu
Making Scene Transitions
Creating the Win and Lose Scenes
FINISHING UP
Publishing your Game on Itch.Io
Bonus Lecture : What next ?

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Provides a comprehensive walkthrough of the entire game development process, from initial concept and character design to coding, animation, and publishing, which is ideal for novice developers
Uses Unity and C#, which are industry-standard tools and languages for game development, providing learners with skills that are directly transferable to professional game development environments
Covers the creation of various enemy types with distinct AI behaviors, such as melee, summoning, and ranged attackers, which develops a strong understanding of game AI principles
Requires learners to have access to 2D art software like Photoshop or GIMP, which may require an additional purchase or the use of open-source alternatives
Teaches learners how to publish their finished game to platforms like Itch.io, Newgrounds, or Gamejolt, which provides practical experience in game distribution and portfolio building
Emphasizes the importance of playtesting and adding polish to the game, including particle effects, screen shake, custom cursors, and sound effects, which are essential for creating a high-quality final product

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Save Game Development/Art - Create a 2D Action Game with Unity/C# to your list so you can find it easily later:
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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Game Development/Art - Create a 2D Action Game with Unity/C# with these activities:
Review C# Fundamentals
Strengthen your understanding of C# syntax and programming concepts. This will make it easier to follow the course's coding examples and implement your own game mechanics.
Show steps
  • Review basic C# syntax and data types.
  • Practice writing simple C# programs.
  • Familiarize yourself with C# control flow statements.
Practice Unity Editor Basics
Familiarize yourself with the Unity editor interface and basic functionalities. This will allow you to navigate the editor efficiently and focus on learning game development concepts.
Browse courses on Unity Editor
Show steps
  • Explore the Unity editor interface.
  • Practice creating and manipulating game objects.
  • Learn how to import assets into Unity.
Unity 2D Game Development Cookbook
Reference this book for solutions to common 2D game development problems. It provides practical examples and code snippets that can be easily adapted to your own projects.
Show steps
  • Browse the table of contents to identify relevant chapters.
  • Read the chapters related to the current course topic.
  • Implement the code examples in your own Unity project.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Simple Animation
Practice creating a simple animation using Unity's animation tools. This will reinforce your understanding of animation principles and techniques.
Show steps
  • Create a new Unity project.
  • Import a 2D sprite into the scene.
  • Create an animation clip and add keyframes.
  • Play the animation in the Unity editor.
Game Feel: A Game Designer's Guide
Read this book to gain a deeper understanding of game feel and how to create a more engaging player experience. Apply the principles discussed in the book to improve the controls, feedback, and responsiveness of your game.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on controls and feedback.
  • Experiment with different control schemes and camera settings.
  • Add visual and audio feedback to player actions.
Expand the Game with a New Enemy Type
Apply your knowledge by creating a new enemy type with unique behaviors. This will challenge you to design and implement AI, animation, and combat mechanics.
Show steps
  • Design the new enemy's appearance and behavior.
  • Create the enemy's sprite and animations.
  • Implement the enemy's AI using C# scripting.
  • Integrate the enemy into the game's wave spawner.
Publish Your Game to Itch.io
Follow the course's instructions to publish your finished game to Itch.io. This will give you experience with the game publishing process and allow you to share your creation with others.
Show steps
  • Build your game for web or desktop platforms.
  • Create an Itch.io account.
  • Upload your game files to Itch.io.
  • Write a description for your game and add screenshots.

Career center

Learners who complete Game Development/Art - Create a 2D Action Game with Unity/C# will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Indie Game Developer
An Indie Game Developer often works independently or in a small team to create and publish their own games, and this course is perfectly suited for this path. The comprehensive nature of this course, covering art creation, animation, programming, and publishing, mirrors the diverse responsibilities of an indie developer. A learner may create everything from character design and animation to AI programming and UI design. The fact that this course guides the creation of a complete game and its publishing on platforms like Itch io, Newgrounds, or Gamejolt, helps those who want to become Indie Game Developers.
Unity Developer
This course provides a solid introduction to becoming a Unity Developer. A Unity developer uses the Unity game engine to build and implement game features. This course specifically goes over the fundamentals of game creation from start to finish using Unity and C#. Learners can build a foundation on creating player characters that can move and shoot, designing enemy AI, generating weapon systems, and designing user interfaces. A Unity developer benefits from the experience of publishing a finished product on platforms like Itch io, Newgrounds, or Gamejolt, as demonstrated in this course.
Game Designer
A Game Designer breathes life into interactive experiences, and this course helps develop skills crucial to this role. Game Designers often work with the Unity game engine and the C# programming language, both featured in this course. This course helps build a foundation on creating game mechanics, character animations, and AI behaviors for enemies. A future Game Designer understands how to design engaging player experiences, and using the knowledge gained on how to implement main menus, scene transitions, and sound effects can assist in bringing this vision to life. They may find sketching and painting 2D game characters and creating various types of enemy characters particularly relevant.
Animator
Animators create the movement and visual life of characters and objects within a game, and this course helps one get started in this career. This course specifically focuses on 2D game animation using Unity. A learner creates run cycles, idle animations, and attack animations. The course helps demonstrate how to sketch and paint 2D game characters, import them into Unity, and rig them for animation. This assists in understanding the entire animation pipeline within a game development context. For those interested in animation, spending time creating the player's animations may be particularly helpful.
Technical Artist
The role of a Technical Artist bridges the gap between art and programming, making this course an ideal starting point. Technical artists are often involved in creating and implementing visual effects, optimizing game performance, and developing tools for artists. This course assists with creating particle effects, custom cursors, and sound effects, all essential for game polish. By learning to rig characters, create animations, and implement them in Unity using C#, a future Technical Artist builds a foundational understanding of the technical aspects of game art. This course may be particularly useful in creating cool looking effects using Unity's particle system and 2D sprites.
C Programmer
This course provides an introduction to the skills needed to become a C# Programmer within the game development industry. C# is a versatile language used in game development. Learners practice programming player movement, enemy AI, weapon systems, and boss behaviors. By creating a complete 2D action game, a future C# Programmer builds a practical understanding of how to implement game logic and mechanics in C#. Understanding how particle systems work and the implementation of sound effects can further expand competence in game development using C#.
Gameplay Programmer
The role of a Gameplay Programmer involves implementing the mechanics and interactions that define how a game is played. This course provides an excellent starting point for a career as a Gameplay Programmer. The course may be useful because it touches upon creating player movement, weapon systems, enemy behaviors, and user interfaces. Gameplay Programmers often work closely with designers and artists to bring game concepts to life, and the experience of creating a complete game helps build the skills necessary to communicate and collaborate effectively within a game development team. A Gameplay programmer should pay close attention to the sections on programming the player's movement and creating the player's weapon.
AI Programmer
AI Programmers specialize in creating the artificial intelligence that drives non-player characters in games. This course may be useful because it covers the basics of programming AI behaviors for enemy characters using C#. A firm grasp is established on how to make a melee monster that attacks the player, a necromancer that summons skeletons, and a bat that shoots fireballs. The course additionally explores state machine behaviors for multi-stage boss fights. While this course may not cover advanced AI techniques, it can provide a solid foundation for further learning and specialization as an AI Programmer.
Level Designer
Level Designers craft the environments and challenges that players experience in a game. While this course does not specifically focus on level design principles, it can be a useful resource for aspiring Level Designers. This course may be useful because the course involves creating an entire game from start to finish. This helps one gain an understanding of how levels fit into the overall game structure. Moreover, understanding how player movement, enemy AI, and weapon systems work is crucial for creating engaging and challenging levels. The parts about making a main menu and win and lose scene may be especially helpful.
Software Developer
This course develops skills that are useful for a career as a Software Developer. A Software Developer is involved in creating code around a given specification. This course provides some insight on the fundamentals of software programming. As part of this course, a learner uses C# programming to make a variety of enemy game characters. Moreover, a learner can find experience in troubleshooting software bugs and improving software performance by taking this course. This type of experience may be useful for becoming a Software Developer.
Software Engineer
The skills learned in this course can be transferrable to a career as a Software Engineer. The course has instruction on programming in C#, a language that is used in a variety of software engineering fields. It may be useful to take this course as it might help build experience on how to make AI behaviors for game characters. It can provide useful practice for logic and problem solving. By creating a complete game, a Software Engineer may learn about project management and code structure.
Audio Designer
Audio Designers bring sound to games and interactive experiences. This course may be useful because it includes instruction on creating sound effects using Audacity and implementing them within a game. The course provides a practical introduction to the basics of audio design within a game development context. An Audio Designer may also benefit from understanding how sound effects contribute to the overall player experience and how they can be used to enhance gameplay. It also assists with creating sound effects, which is relevant to Audio Design.
UI/UX Designer
A UI/UX Designer focuses on the user interface and user experience of a product, and this course can provide insight into this field. The course content includes making a main menu with responsive animated UI and smooth scene transitions using UI panels and animations. The course can assist with understanding how to create engaging and intuitive user interfaces within a game setting. A UI/UX designer may find the section on making main menus and win and lose scenes useful.
Mobile App Developer
This course has some relevance to the career of Mobile App Developer. Mobile App Developers design and build applications for mobile devices. This course can assist with skills in computer programming, which is useful for a Mobile App Developer. It may be useful to participate in this course since it involves game development experience, which requires creative problem solving. This course can help one develop experience in software design, maintenance, and documentation.
Web Developer
This course can provide a introduction to the skills needed to be a Web Developer. C# is used in web development. Learners get exposure to working with C# and can grasp the fundamentals. This course may be useful because it can allow a learner to gain experience in creating game animations using Unity. Moreover, the course can help the learner to create cool looking effects using Unity's particle system and 2D sprites. Overall, this experience can be valuable in terms of becoming familiar with the work of a Web Developer.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Game Development/Art - Create a 2D Action Game with Unity/C#.
Provides practical solutions to common 2D game development challenges in Unity. It covers a wide range of topics, from character movement and animation to level design and UI. It serves as a valuable reference for implementing specific game mechanics and overcoming technical hurdles. This book is commonly used by both hobbyists and professional game developers.
Explores the concept of 'game feel' and how it contributes to a satisfying player experience. It delves into the subtle nuances of controls, feedback, and responsiveness that make a game enjoyable to play. While not directly focused on Unity or C#, it provides valuable insights into game design principles that can be applied to any project. This book is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference.

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