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Lucas Whitaker

What will you do in this course?

In this course, you will develop a 2D mobile game in Unity. The game you will be making is inspired by the classic "Flappy Bird" game released 2013. Throughout the course, you will learn how to develop a 2D mobile game from start to finish. You will have an opportunity to use the Unity game engine, write your own C-Sharp scripts, and understand the entire game design process.

What will you learn?

In this course, you will learn how to:

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What will you do in this course?

In this course, you will develop a 2D mobile game in Unity. The game you will be making is inspired by the classic "Flappy Bird" game released 2013. Throughout the course, you will learn how to develop a 2D mobile game from start to finish. You will have an opportunity to use the Unity game engine, write your own C-Sharp scripts, and understand the entire game design process.

What will you learn?

In this course, you will learn how to:

  • Use the Unity interface

  • Use prefabs and game objects in Unity

  • Importing sprites and 2D graphics

  • Write C-sharp scripts in Unity

  • Implement rigidbodies and use Unity's 2D physics engine

  • Implement mobile controls in Unity

  • Add a score and menu to your game

  • And much more.

Who is this course for?

This course is perfect for students who have never used Unity before. If you have never developed a game before, something like Flappy Bird is a great project to get started. This course will teach you the fundamentals of game design and everything you need to get started with Unity. If you already have experience with the Unity engine, this course still has plenty to offer. You will learn about 2D development, simple programming, and how to create your own player controls.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Learn how to generate random Flappy Bird obstacles in Unity.

Learn how implement score and death mechanics in Unity.

Learn how to add text in Unity, and use Unity UI.

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A quick showcase of what you will be making and learning throughout this course.

Learn how to install Unity.

Learn how to create a 2D game project in Unity.

Learn how to configure and add sprites to your Unity game.

Learn how to setup your environment and rearrange your sprites in Unity. This will help you feel more comfortable with Unity's user interface.

Learn how to add rigidbodies and colliders to your game objects in Unity. This is an introduction to Unity's 2D physics engine.

Learn how to save your game objects as prefabs in Unity. This will make working with your game objects in the future easier.

Test your understanding of game objects, prefabs and colliders in Unity.

Learn how to implement Flappy Bird controls in Unity.

Learn how to add your own custom font to Unity text.

Learn how to build and port your game to mobile devices in Unity.

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Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a hands-on introduction to Unity, covering fundamental concepts like game objects, prefabs, and the 2D physics engine, which are essential for building a solid foundation in game development
Mirrors the structure of many introductory game development bootcamps, offering a practical project-based approach to learning Unity and C#, which are valuable skills in the game industry
Focuses on creating a 2D mobile game, which allows learners to quickly grasp core concepts without the complexities of 3D development, making it ideal for beginners
Uses the 'Flappy Bird' game as a case study, which provides a familiar and engaging context for learning game development principles and applying them in a practical project
Teaches how to build and port a game to mobile devices, which requires learners to have access to a mobile device and developer accounts, which may pose a barrier to some students
Uses Unity, which is a leading game engine, but the course does not specify the version, and using older versions may lead to compatibility issues with newer assets and features

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Reviews summary

Unity 2d game development for beginners

According to learners, this course is a highly recommended positive introduction to Unity for beginners, particularly focusing on 2D game development positive by creating a Flappy Bird clone. Students praise the instructor's clear and concise explanations positive and the course's step-by-step structure positive which makes complex topics manageable. Many found the hands-on project approach positive very effective for learning. Some noted minor issues like dealing with version differences warning between the course material and newer Unity versions, which required some problem-solving.
Covers core Unity basics effectively.
"Gave me a solid foundation in the Unity interface and basic concepts."
"Learned about prefabs, sprites, and the physics engine."
"Covers the essential tools you need to start building in Unity 2D."
"A great first step into the Unity ecosystem."
Building a game helps solidify understanding.
"Learning by doing the Flappy Bird project was super helpful."
"The project structure makes it easy to see how everything fits together."
"Building a complete, albeit simple, game was very rewarding."
"Loved the hands-on approach to creating the game."
Instructor explains concepts very clearly.
"The instructor explains things in a very clear manner."
"His instructions are precise and easy to understand."
"He breaks down complex topics into simple steps."
"Really appreciate how clear the lectures are."
Excellent for newcomers to Unity and game dev.
"This is a great introductory course for anyone wanting to get into Unity."
"Highly recommend this course for anyone just starting with Unity, especially 2D."
"Perfect for those who have zero prior experience with game development or Unity."
"I've never touched Unity before and this course made it easy to follow along."
Requires minor adjustments for newer Unity versions.
"Had to look up how to do a couple things because my Unity version was newer than the course."
"Some small parts of the interface have changed since the course was made."
"Requires a bit of troubleshooting if you're using the latest Unity version."
"Not a big deal, but be prepared for slight UI or process changes."

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 How to Make a 2D Mobile Game in Unity (Flappy Bird in Unity) with these activities:
Review C# Fundamentals
Strengthen your C# skills to better understand the scripting aspects of the course.
Browse courses on C# Scripting
Show steps
  • Review basic C# syntax and data types.
  • Practice writing simple C# programs.
  • Familiarize yourself with C# control flow statements.
Review 'Unity in Action, Second Edition'
Gain a deeper understanding of the Unity game engine and its features.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters related to 2D game development.
  • Experiment with the code examples provided in the book.
Implement Basic Game Mechanics
Reinforce your understanding of game mechanics by implementing them in Unity.
Show steps
  • Create a new Unity project.
  • Implement player movement using C# scripting.
  • Add collision detection and response.
  • Implement a simple scoring system.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Review 'Game Programming Patterns'
Learn about common design patterns used in game development.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters related to game design patterns.
  • Identify opportunities to apply these patterns in your own projects.
Create a Short Tutorial on Unity Prefabs
Solidify your understanding of Unity prefabs by creating a tutorial for others.
Show steps
  • Research and gather information on Unity prefabs.
  • Create a script and record a video tutorial.
  • Edit the video and add annotations.
  • Share the tutorial online.
Expand the Flappy Bird Game
Deepen your understanding by adding new features to the Flappy Bird game.
Show steps
  • Brainstorm new features to add to the game.
  • Implement the new features using C# scripting.
  • Test the game thoroughly.
  • Refine the game based on feedback.
Create a Portfolio Piece
Showcase your skills by creating a polished portfolio piece based on the course.
Show steps
  • Refine the Flappy Bird game or create a similar game.
  • Create a video demo of the game.
  • Write a description of the game and your role in its development.
  • Add the game to your online portfolio.

Career center

Learners who complete How to Make a 2D Mobile Game in Unity (Flappy Bird in Unity) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Mobile Game Developer
If you want to create games for mobile devices, a career as a mobile game developer may be right for you. Mobile game developers specialize in creating games specifically for smartphones and tablets. This course helps you develop skills in using the Unity game engine to build a 2D mobile game. By learning how to implement mobile controls, manage sprites, and add UI elements like scores and menus, you gain practical experience relevant to mobile game development. This course is particularly useful because it emphasizes building and porting your game to mobile devices, providing a crucial skill for this specialization.
Game Developer
A game developer brings games to life, and this course gives you a taste of the role. Game developers are crucial for designing, coding, and debugging games. They often specialize in areas like gameplay, graphics, or artificial intelligence. This course helps build a foundation by focusing on the fundamentals of 2D game development within Unity. The course covers essential aspects such as using the Unity interface, importing sprites, writing C-sharp scripts, and implementing physics. This course is particularly useful to prospective game developers because it provides a hands-on project, walking learners through the creation of a complete, playable game inspired by a classic mobile title.
Unity Developer
A Unity Developer is a software engineer who works on interactive real time projects. They use the Unity engine to prototype and realize digital projects. This course offers a direct introduction to the Unity interface, game objects, and C-sharp scripting. The syllabus covers the topics related to configuring sprites, adding rigidbodies and colliders, and implementing player controls. It may be useful for a prospective unity developer because it provides the skills needed to create a functional 2D game from the ground up.
Game Programmer
A game programmer specializes in writing code that brings a game’s design to life. Game programmers focus on implementing the game's mechanics, artificial intelligence, and user interface. This course helps to build skills in writing C-sharp scripts to implement Flappy Bird controls, score and death mechanics, and random obstacle generation. This course helps by providing a practical experience in game programming. The course’s emphasis on Unity’s 2D physics engine, and the use of rigidbodies and colliders will be of use to someone interested in becoming a game programmer.
Indie Game Developer
An independent game developer, or indie game developer, works independently or in a small team to create and publish their own games. They often handle all aspects of game development, from design and programming to art and marketing. This course helps build skills in developing a 2D mobile game from start to finish. By learning how to use Unity, write C-sharp scripts, and implement game mechanics, you gain practical experience in independent game development. Aspiring indie game developers may find this course useful because it provides a complete project that can serve as a foundation for their own games.
Game Designer
Game designers conceptualize and create the rules and structure of a game. This course may be useful for breaking into the field of game design. Game designers define the gameplay mechanics, level design, and overall player experience. This course helps by offering experience with the entire game design process, from the conceptual stage to implementation. The course's emphasis on implementing score and death mechanics, as well as adding text and UI elements helps build skills necessary for effective game design. Budding game designers may find this course useful because it provides a practical understanding of how design decisions translate into a playable game.
Technical Artist
A technical artist bridges the gap between artists and programmers, ensuring that the art assets function correctly within the game engine. This course may be useful for those who wish to become technical artists. This role requires understanding of both art and programming, and this course helps build skills in using the Unity interface, importing sprites, and writing C-sharp scripts. The course’s focus on configuring sprites, setting up the environment, and saving game objects as prefabs is also helpful. It may be useful, especially for those with an artistic background, as it provides an introduction to the technical aspects of game development.
2D Artist
A 2D artist creates visual assets for games, and this course may be useful for becoming one. 2D artists are responsible for designing and creating the 2D elements within a game, such as characters, backgrounds, and UI elements. This course helps develop the skills needed to import sprites and 2D graphics into the Unity game engine. The course's focus on arranging sprites and setting up the environment helps build a foundation in asset integration. Aspiring 2D artists may particularly benefit from learning how to configure and optimize their artwork within a game engine.
Software Engineer
Software engineers apply engineering principles to design, develop, maintain, test, and evaluate computer software. This course may be useful for building a portfolio. The course helps you learn to write C-sharp scripts within the Unity game engine. Understanding how to implement rigidbodies, use Unity's 2D physics engine, and create player controls helps build a foundation in software development principles. Software engineers may find this course useful because it provides a practical, hands-on project that demonstrates programming skills. An understanding of game design, and the mathematics behind the physics is helpful to software engineers.
Application Developer
An application developer designs, develops, and implements software applications. This course may be useful for learning the fundamentals. Application developers create apps for various devices, and this course helps build skills using Unity. The course focuses on developing a 2D mobile game, teaching you how to use the Unity interface, write C-sharp scripts, and implement mobile controls. Application developers may find this course useful because it provides a hands-on project that demonstrates app development skills. By learning how to build and port your game to mobile devices, you gain practical experience relevant to app creation.
Augmented Reality Developer
Augmented reality developers create applications that overlay computer generated images onto the real world. A background in game development is helpful, and this course may be useful. Augmented reality developer work helps build skills in using the Unity engine, importing sprites, and implementing user interfaces. The course’s emphasis on mobile controls, as well as building and porting the game to mobile devices is particularly relevant. Augmented reality development can leverage the knowledge obtained in this course.
Virtual Reality Developer
Virtual reality developers create immersive digital environments and experiences. While this course focuses on 2D game development, many of the underlying principles are transferable. VR developers work helps build skills in using the Unity engine, implementing user interfaces, and handling user input. The course’s emphasis on game design and creating interactive experiences is particularly relevant. This course may be useful to those interested in virtual reality, especially those without a Unity background.
Simulation Developer
Simulation developers create software that models real world situations for training, research, or entertainment purposes. While this course focuses on making a 2D mobile game, many of the principles can be applied to simulations. The course helps build skills in using the Unity engine, writing C-sharp scripts, and implementing physics engines. The ability to create interactive and dynamic environments, as taught in the course, helps simulation developers. It may be useful because it provides a hands on introduction to game development.
Quality Assurance Tester
Quality assurance testers are responsible for finding and documenting bugs and issues in games before they are released. While a QA tester does not themselves develop a game, familiarity with game development is helpful. QA testers work may helps build skills in understanding the game design process, identifying potential problems, and testing game mechanics. The course’s emphasis on implementing player controls, score mechanics, and death mechanics helps develop an understanding of these elements. This understanding would be useful to a prospective QA Tester, as it would enable them to better analyze and test these mechanics.
Instructional Designer
Instructional designers create learning materials and experiences. This course is useful for those who wish to make tutorial content. This course helps build skills in understanding the Unity interface, writing C-sharp scripts, and implementing game mechanics. The course's focus on developing a 2D mobile game from start to finish provides a comprehensive understanding. This understanding could be communicated in educational material by an instructional designer. Someone who is considering to become one may find it useful because it provides a practical, hands-on project.

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 How to Make a 2D Mobile Game in Unity (Flappy Bird in Unity).
Provides a comprehensive guide to Unity, covering both 2D and 3D game development. It's a useful reference for understanding the Unity interface, scripting, and physics engine. While not strictly necessary for the Flappy Bird project, it offers a broader understanding of Unity's capabilities. It is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions.
Explores common design patterns used in game development. While the Flappy Bird game is relatively simple, understanding these patterns can help you write cleaner, more maintainable code in future projects. This book is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference. It is commonly used by industry professionals.

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