Recreate the First Ever Easter Egg from Adventure in Unity from Coursera

In this one-hour, project-based course, we will recreate the first ever "Easter Egg" in game development history! Easter Eggs in video games are hidden features that can be revealed by pressing a combination of buttons, completing a task in a certain way or exploring remote or obscure areas of a game. They can be hidden messages from the programmers, hidden music tracks or art, even a complete hidden level. In this guided project, we will recreate the Easter egg secretly created by developer Warren Robinett in Atari’s 1980 game, Adventure! You'll learn how to set up a simple 2D environment similar to rooms from the original game; how to make the player move with the keyboard and enable the player to pick up and drop objects in the same way as Adventure!; and how to write a C# script that will reveal the Easter egg once all the requirements are met. Note: This course works best for learners who are based in the North America region. We’re currently working on providing the same experience in other regions.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches learners the fundamentals of video game Easter eggs and how to create them

Provides hands-on learning through a guided project that recreates a classic video game Easter egg

Introduces learners to the basics of game development, including player movement, object interaction, and scripting

Suitable for beginners with little to no prior programming or game development experience

May be of interest to learners interested in game design, programming, or retro gaming

Note that this course is currently only available to learners in the North America region

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 Recreate the First Ever Easter Egg from Adventure in Unity with these activities:

Read The Art of Game Design

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Start preparing for this course by reading a foundational text in game design.

View The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses, Third... on Amazon

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Purchase your copy of the book.
Read the first four chapters.
Read the chapters relevant to the course.

Find a mentor in the game design industry

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Gain valuable insights and guidance from an experienced game designer.

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Attend industry events and meetups.
Reach out to game designers on LinkedIn.
Ask for introductions from your friends and colleagues.

Watch video tutorials on game design

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Enhance your knowledge of game design by watching video tutorials.

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Find a video tutorial that is relevant to your interests.
Watch the tutorial.
Take notes and make summaries.

Four other activities

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Practice coding challenges

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Improve your coding skills by practicing coding challenges.

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Find a coding challenge website.
Choose a challenge that is appropriate for your skill level.
Solve the challenge.
Review your solution and identify areas for improvement.

Build a 2D game level

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Create a 2D game level to solidify your understanding of game design principles

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Choose a game design software.
Create a player character.
Design the game level.
Add enemies and obstacles.
Test the level and make adjustments.

Create a compilation of game design resources

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Organize and expand your knowledge of game design resources.

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Gather resources from various sources.
Create a system for organizing the resources.
Share the compilation with others.

Create a game design document

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Compile all of your knowledge and ideas into a game design document.

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Write an overview of the game.
Describe the game's mechanics.
Design the game's levels.
Create character profiles.
Write a marketing plan.

Career center

Learners who complete Recreate the First Ever Easter Egg from Adventure in Unity will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Game Developer

Creating the first ever Easter egg in a game requires a range of skills commonly used by Game Developers. In this course, you will learn how to set up a simple 2D environment and make the player move with the keyboard, which are fundamental skills for designing and developing video games. Writing a script to reveal the Easter egg will also teach you programming skills central to this role. Taking this course may help you build a foundation for a career as a Game Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Developer

Software Engineer

The course teaches how to write a script to reveal the Easter egg, which involves using programming languages and understanding scripting concepts. These skills are fundamental for Software Engineers who design, develop, and maintain software systems. Taking this course may help build a strong foundation for a career as a Software Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Game Programmer

Creating Easter eggs requires programming skills. Game Programmers are responsible for writing the code that powers the game, including the gameplay mechanics and AI systems. This course may provide a foundation in game programming principles and techniques, which can be useful for developing interactive and engaging video games.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Programmer

User Experience Designer

Easter eggs are hidden features in games that can be revealed by completing certain tasks. Understanding how to implement these features creatively can benefit User Experience Designers who are responsible for designing and evaluating the user experience of video games. This course can help you develop skills in understanding user behavior and creating engaging experiences, which are essential for success in this role.

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Technical Artist

Easter eggs often involve creating unique visuals or sound effects. Technical Artists are responsible for creating and implementing these visual and audio assets, ensuring they align with the game's overall aesthetic and design. This course may be useful in developing the skills needed to create game art and animations, as well as to understand the technical aspects of game development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Artist

Game Designer

Creating Easter eggs requires imagination, creativity, and an understanding of game design principles. Game Designers are responsible for designing and developing the overall gameplay experience, including creating engaging levels and challenges. This course may be helpful in developing the skills needed to design and implement game mechanics, as well as to understand how players interact with and experience games.

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Game Writer

Easter eggs can include hidden messages or narratives. Game Writers are responsible for crafting the story and dialogue for video games, ensuring they are engaging and immersive. This course may be useful in developing the storytelling skills needed to create compelling game content, as well as to understand the role of narrative in game design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Writer

Quality Assurance Analyst

Easter eggs are often hidden within games to be discovered as a surprise by players, requiring a thorough understanding of game mechanics and testing methodologies. Quality Assurance Analysts are responsible for testing and evaluating software to ensure it meets quality standards. This course may be useful in developing the skills needed to identify and resolve issues, as well as to ensure the overall quality of video games.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

Audio Designer

Easter eggs can include hidden sound effects or music tracks. Audio Designers are responsible for creating and implementing the game's audio assets, ensuring they enhance the gameplay experience and immerse players. This course may be useful in developing the audio production skills needed to create and mix sound effects and music for video games.

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Project Manager

Creating Easter eggs requires coordination and planning. Project Managers are responsible for overseeing projects and ensuring they are completed on time and within budget. This course may help develop the project management skills needed to plan and execute game development projects effectively.

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Data Analyst

Easter eggs can be analyzed to understand player behavior and preferences. Data Analysts are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to help businesses make informed decisions. This course may provide a foundation in data analysis techniques, which can be useful for analyzing game data and optimizing player experiences.

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Level Designer

Creating Easter eggs requires an understanding of game level design. Level Designers are responsible for designing and creating the game's levels, ensuring they are challenging, engaging, and visually appealing. This course may provide a foundation in level design principles and techniques, which can be useful for designing memorable and immersive game experiences.

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Marketing Manager

Easter eggs can be used as marketing tools to generate buzz and excitement around a game. Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. This course may provide a foundation in marketing principles and strategies, which can be useful for promoting video games and engaging with target audiences.

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Art Director

Easter eggs often involve creating unique visual elements. Art Directors are responsible for overseeing the visual style and overall aesthetic of a game. This course may be helpful in developing the artistic vision and leadership skills needed to guide a team of artists and ensure the game's visual quality.

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Public Relations Specialist

Easter eggs can generate media attention and create positive publicity for a game. Public Relations Specialists are responsible for managing a company's reputation and communicating with the media. This course may help develop the communication skills and media relations strategies needed to promote video games and handle press inquiries.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist