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Game Design and Development 2

2D Platformer

Brian Winn

If you love games and want to learn how to make them, then this course is your second step down that path. In this course you will learn the fundamentals of game design, including an understanding of the game world, storytelling, gameplay, user experience, and game technology. You will continue developing videogames using industry standard game development tools, including the Unity game engine. At the end of the course you will have completed a 2D Platformer game, and will be able to leverage an array of game development techniques to create your own basic games.

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Syllabus

Your Second Step into Game Design and Development

Are you ready to take the next step in your journey into game design and development? In this module, we will introduce the theory and practice of this course. From a theoretical perspective, we will be using the Design, Play, Experience Framework across this course as a vehicle to discuss game design. From a practical standpoint, you will be creating your second game project in the course, a 2D Platformer. In the first part of the assignment, follow along with the tutorial videos introduced in this module. In the second part of the project, you will modify the game to make it your own.

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Provides a foundational understanding of game design principles, including game world, storytelling, gameplay, and user experience

Emphasizes the practical aspects of game development through hands-on projects, using industry-standard tools like Unity

Develops students' skills in creating basic 2D platformer games

Provides opportunities for peer feedback and collaboration through project submissions and reviews

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Reviews summary

Hands-on 2d platformer game design with unity

According to students, this course offers a strong conceptual foundation in game design through the Design, Play, Experience framework. Learners particularly appreciate the hands-on, project-based approach to creating a 2D platformer game using the Unity engine, often finding the tutorials clear and easy to follow. While many find the course rewarding and insightful, some reviews highlighted challenges with Unity version mismatches, requiring troubleshooting. The balance between theory and practical application also varied for some, with a few wishing for more direct coding. Overall, it's seen as a valuable next step for those with some prior Unity knowledge, providing a solid understanding of game development principles.

Some learners desired more direct coding applications.

"I enjoyed the storytelling and UX modules, though some parts felt a bit theoretical compared to the practical game development."

"The theoretical parts were interesting but I wish there was more practical application tied directly to them."

"The theoretical framework is interesting but not enough practical coding for my taste."

Provides a strong theoretical foundation in game design.

"The DPE framework was really insightful and helped me think about game design conceptually."

"The concepts of mechanics, dynamics, and affects were well-explained. The course built a strong foundation for understanding game development beyond just coding."

"The DPE framework was a new concept for me, very useful for thinking about design."

Building a 2D platformer is a highly engaging experience.

"The Unity tutorials were clear and easy to follow, and the challenge of modifying the platformer project pushed my skills."

"The hands-on project was the best part. I enjoyed the storytelling and UX modules..."

"Fantastic course for intermediate Unity users. The project-based learning is excellent, and I really enjoyed the freedom to customize my platformer."

"This course helped me create a cool 2D platformer. The step-by-step instructions for the base game were clear."

Feedback quality from other learners can be inconsistent.

"Peer reviews were hit or miss depending on the other learners."

"The peer review system could be improved, as some reviews were very brief."

"I appreciated the peer review process, got some good feedback, but it varies."

Older Unity versions can cause occasional frustrations.

"Content is good, but the Unity version mismatch was a constant frustration. Tutorials often referenced older UI or features that required extra searching..."

"The Unity version is outdated, which made following the tutorials painful. I spent more time troubleshooting than learning."

"Some parts of the course content seemed to assume a specific Unity version, which sometimes led to minor inconsistencies if you were using a newer one."

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 Design and Development 2: 2D Platformer with these activities:

Review foundational coding skills

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Solidify your coding fundamentals to enhance your understanding of the game development concepts covered in this course.

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Revisit basic data structures and algorithms.
Practice writing simple code snippets to reinforce your understanding.

Read Game Architecture and Design by Andrew Rollings and Dave Morris

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Expand your knowledge of game design principles and the architecture behind successful games.

View Game Architecture and Design: A New Edition on Amazon

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Read specific chapters or sections relevant to the course material.

Explore Unity development resources

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Enhance your familiarity with Unity and its capabilities by exploring available resources and tutorials.

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Visit the Unity Learn website for official tutorials and documentation.
Search for Unity-related tutorials on YouTube or other online platforms.

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Join a study group or forum

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Connect with fellow learners to exchange insights, support, and feedback on your game development journey.

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Join online forums or social media groups dedicated to Unity game development.
Find study partners or form a group to discuss course material and collaborate on projects.

Develop a game design document

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Create a detailed plan for your 2D Platformer game project to enhance your planning and execution skills.

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Define the core mechanics, gameplay loop, and target audience.
Write a narrative outline, including the game's story and characters.
Design level maps, obstacles, and challenges.

Experiment with Unity mechanics

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Enhance your understanding and dexterity by experimenting with different Unity mechanics and features.

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Create small test projects to explore physics, animation, and user input.
Build prototypes of game mechanics, such as character movement or enemy behavior.

Participate in game jams or hackathons

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Challenge yourself and showcase your skills by participating in game development competitions or hackathons.

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Find appropriate game jams or hackathons online or through local events.
Form a team or work solo to create a game within a set time frame and constraints.

Career center

Learners who complete Game Design and Development 2: 2D Platformer will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Game Designer

Game Designers work on the creative and technical sides of game development. They design and develop the overall gameplay experience, including the game's story, characters, levels, and mechanics. This course provides a great foundation for a career as a Game Designer. It will teach you the fundamentals of game design and development, and you will get hands-on experience creating your own games. This course will also increase your marketability for the gaming industry in general, and the skills you learn here may also be applicable to other fields, including software development and web design.

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Level Designer

Level Designers are responsible for creating the levels in video games. They design the layout of the levels, place objects and enemies, and create the puzzles and challenges that players must overcome. This course will teach you the fundamentals of level design, and you will get hands-on experience creating your own levels. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to get started in a career as a Level Designer.

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Game Artist

Game Artists create the visual assets for video games, including the characters, environments, and objects. They work with game designers to bring the game world to life. This course will teach you the fundamentals of game art, and you will get hands-on experience creating your own game art. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to get started in a career as a Game Artist.

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Game Programmer

Game Programmers write the code that makes video games work. They work with game designers and artists to bring the game world to life. This course will teach you the fundamentals of game programming, and you will get hands-on experience creating your own games. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to get started in a career as a Game Programmer.

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Technical Game Designer

Technical Game Designers work on the technical side of game development. They design and develop the game engine, which is the software that powers the game. They also work on the game's physics, AI, and other technical systems. This course will teach you the fundamentals of technical game design, and you will get hands-on experience creating your own games. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to get started in a career as a Technical Game Designer.

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Indie Game Developer

Indie Game Developers are independent game developers who create and publish their own games. They work on all aspects of game development, from design to programming to marketing. This course will teach you the fundamentals of indie game development, and you will get hands-on experience creating your own games. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to get started in a career as an Indie Game Developer.

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Game Tester

Game Testers play video games to find bugs and other issues. They work with game developers to improve the quality of the game. This course will teach you the fundamentals of game testing, and you will get hands-on experience testing your own games. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to get started in a career as a Game Tester.

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Game Producer

Game Producers manage the development of video games. They work with game designers, artists, and programmers to bring the game to market. This course will teach you the fundamentals of game production, and you will get hands-on experience producing your own games. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to get started in a career as a Game Producer.

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Game Journalist

Game Journalists write about video games for magazines, newspapers, and websites. They review games, interview game developers, and cover the latest news in the gaming industry. This course will teach you the fundamentals of game journalism, and you will get hands-on experience writing your own game reviews and articles. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to get started in a career as a Game Journalist.

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Game Educator

Game Educators teach game design and development at universities and colleges. They also work with game developers to create educational games. This course will teach you the fundamentals of game education, and you will get hands-on experience teaching your own game design and development courses. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to get started in a career as a Game Educator.

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Game Localization Specialist

Game Localization Specialists translate video games into different languages. They work with game developers to ensure that the game is culturally appropriate for different markets. This course will teach you the fundamentals of game localization, and you will get hands-on experience localizing your own games. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to get started in a career as a Game Localization Specialist.

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Game User Researcher

Game User Researchers study how players interact with video games. They conduct user testing and research to improve the user experience. This course will teach you the fundamentals of game user research, and you will get hands-on experience conducting your own user testing. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to get started in a career as a Game User Researcher.

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Game Analyst

Game Analysts analyze video games to identify trends and patterns. They work with game developers to improve the quality of the game. This course will teach you the fundamentals of game analysis, and you will get hands-on experience analyzing your own games. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to get started in a career as a Game Analyst.

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Game Developer

Game Developers work on all aspects of game development, from design to programming to testing. This course may be useful for those who want to work as Game Developers, as it will provide you with a foundation in the fundamentals of game design and development.

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Featured in The Course Notes

This course is mentioned in our blog, The Course Notes. Read one article that features Game Design and Development 2: 2D Platformer:

Game Development: The Complete Learning Roadmap

62 minute read

Reading list

We've selected eight 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 Design and Development 2: 2D Platformer.

Chris Crawford on Interactive Storytelling

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Classic work on game design. It provides a comprehensive overview of the subject, covering everything from the basics to advanced topics. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand the art and science of game design.

Game Design and Development 2

2D Platformer

Here's a deal for you

What's inside

Syllabus

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Save this course

Reviews summary

Hands-on 2d platformer game design with unity

Activities

Career center

Featured in The Course Notes

Reading list

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