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Unity Technologies and Dustin Carroll
Welcome to Rapid Gameplay Prototyping, the first course in Unity's Gameplay Programming Specialization! This course is exam preparation for Unity's Expert Gameplay Programmer Certification Exam. This course will challenge you with a series of realistic...
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Welcome to Rapid Gameplay Prototyping, the first course in Unity's Gameplay Programming Specialization! This course is exam preparation for Unity's Expert Gameplay Programmer Certification Exam. This course will challenge you with a series of realistic programming problems in Unity video-game projects, inspired by one or more of the topics covered in the Expert Gameplay Programmer Exam. Throughout this course, you will work on a 2D “infinite platformer” game project. This will help you practice prototyping core game play mechanics, including scripting GameObjects and their components, coordinating UI systems, and implementing UI scripting. You will also identify conflicts and implement solutions during the prototype stage. This is an advanced-level course, intended for industry game developers or very experienced Unity enthusiasts who are looking to “level-up” their gameplay programming and implementation strategies. To succeed in this courses, you should have at least 2-3 years of experience developing games with Unity. You should be familiar with the full-game lifecycle (working from early concept to launch), creating and working with Prefabs, understanding game asset and animation pipelines, and have some experience with Unity Services. You should also have advanced programming skills, particularly in the C# language.
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Good to know

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Exam preparation for Unity's Expert Gameplay Programmer Certification Exam
Core gameplay mechanics including scripting GameObjects, coordinating UI systems, and implementing UI scripting
Advanced-level course for industry game developers and experienced Unity enthusiasts
Requires 2-3 years of experience developing games with Unity
Taught by Unity Technologies and Dustin Carroll, industry experts in gameplay programming

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Reviews summary

Rapid gameplay prototyping exam prep mess

Rapid Gameplay Prototyping, intended for experienced Unity users, is unfortunately disorganized and not beginner-friendly as advertised. Students who took this course felt misled because the materials were not appropriate for the exam it was supposed to prepare them for.
Course is overpriced for what it offers.
"...charging $100..."
No feedback given for work.
"...they don't bother to mark your stuff..."
Course advertising is misleading.
"...I thought this was an expert certification..."
Course is not beginner-friendly.
"...this is really beginner stuff..."
Course is disorganized and messy.
"...the organization of the course is a mess..."

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 Rapid Gameplay Prototyping with these activities:
Mentoring Junior Game Developers
Mentor junior game developers by providing guidance and support, fostering their growth and understanding of gameplay programming principles.
Show steps
  • Identify opportunities to mentor junior game developers through online communities or local meetups.
  • Provide guidance on Unity development, best practices, and career advice.
  • Review their code, provide feedback, and help them improve their skills.
C# Refresher
Review basic C# concepts to strengthen your programming foundation for this course.
Browse courses on C#
Show steps
  • Review the C# syntax and data types.
  • Practice writing simple C# programs.
  • Complete online tutorials or exercises to reinforce your understanding.
Unity API Exploration
Follow guided tutorials to familiarize yourself with the Unity API and its various modules, enhancing your understanding of Unity's capabilities.
Show steps
  • Identify a specific Unity API module to explore.
  • Find and follow online tutorials or documentation on the chosen module.
  • Experiment with the API through hands-on practice.
Six other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all nine activities
Game Development Workshop
Attend a game development workshop to gain hands-on experience in a collaborative environment, enhancing your practical skills and learning from industry experts.
Show steps
  • Identify and register for a relevant game development workshop.
  • Attend the workshop and actively participate in discussions and hands-on exercises.
  • Network with other participants and industry professionals.
Coding Challenges
Solve coding challenges to enhance your problem-solving skills and deepen your understanding of Unity gameplay programming concepts.
Show steps
  • Find online coding challenges or use resources provided by Unity Technologies.
  • Attempt to solve the challenges on your own.
  • Review solutions and analyze your approach.
Peer Code Reviews
Participate in peer code reviews by providing and receiving feedback on game code, fostering collaboration and improving your code quality.
Show steps
  • Find a study group or connect with classmates for peer code reviews.
  • Exchange code snippets or projects for review.
  • Provide constructive feedback on code structure, efficiency, and adherence to best practices.
Gameplay Design Blog
Create a blog or website that discusses gameplay design principles, sharing your insights and analyzing game mechanics from different perspectives.
Show steps
  • Choose a topic related to gameplay design.
  • Research and gather information on the topic.
  • Write and publish your analysis, sharing your perspectives and insights.
Contributing to Unity Open Source Projects
Contribute to open-source projects related to Unity development, gaining hands-on experience in collaborative software development and enhancing your understanding of the Unity ecosystem.
Show steps
  • Identify open-source Unity projects that align with your interests and skills.
  • Review the project documentation and contribute code, bug fixes, or enhancements.
  • Engage with the project community and contribute to discussions.
Game Prototype Showcase
Create a prototype of a 2D platformer game, showcasing your skills in implementing core gameplay mechanics and UI systems.
Show steps
  • Plan and design the game prototype, including game mechanics, levels, and UI.
  • Implement the game prototype using Unity, applying the concepts learned in the course.
  • Test and refine the prototype to ensure it meets the design specifications.

Career center

Learners who complete Rapid Gameplay Prototyping will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Game Programmer
Game Programmers are responsible for writing code that brings video games to life. They work closely with designers to implement game mechanics, create artificial intelligence, and optimize performance. This course is a valuable resource for aspiring Game Programmers because it provides a solid foundation in the core principles of gameplay programming. Students will learn how to script GameObjects and their components, coordinate UI systems, and implement UI scripting. This knowledge will be essential for success in this rapidly evolving field.
Game Designer
Game Designers are responsible for creating the overall vision and design of video games. They work with programmers, artists, and other team members to bring their ideas to life. This course may be useful for aspiring Game Designers because it provides insights into the technical aspects of gameplay programming. Students will learn how to identify conflicts and implement solutions during the prototype stage, which will be helpful for creating games that are both fun and engaging.
Technical Artist
Technical Artists are responsible for creating and implementing game assets that are both visually appealing and technically sound. They work closely with programmers and designers to ensure that the game's art meets the technical requirements of the project. This course may be useful for aspiring Technical Artists because it provides a foundation in the technical aspects of gameplay programming. Students will learn how to create and work with Prefabs, understand game asset and animation pipelines, and have some experience with Unity Services.
Systems Engineer
Systems Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining complex systems. They work in a variety of industries, including video game development. This course may be useful for aspiring Systems Engineers because it provides a foundation in the core principles of gameplay programming. Students will learn how to identify conflicts and implement solutions during the prototype stage, which will be helpful for creating systems that are both reliable and scalable.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software systems. They work in a variety of industries, including video game development. This course may be useful for aspiring Software Engineers because it provides a foundation in the core principles of gameplay programming. Students will learn how to script GameObjects and their components, coordinate UI systems, and implement UI scripting. This knowledge will be valuable for developing software systems that are both efficient and user-friendly.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. They work in a variety of industries, including video game development. This course may be useful for aspiring Data Scientists because it provides a foundation in the core principles of gameplay programming. Students will learn how to create and interpret game metrics, which will be helpful for understanding player behavior and improving game design.
User Experience Designer
User Experience Designers are responsible for creating user interfaces that are both visually appealing and easy to use. They work in a variety of industries, including video game development. This course may be useful for aspiring User Experience Designers because it provides a foundation in the core principles of gameplay programming. Students will learn how to coordinate UI systems and implement UI scripting, which will be helpful for creating user interfaces that are both efficient and enjoyable to use.
Quality Assurance Tester
Quality Assurance Testers are responsible for testing software to ensure that it meets the requirements of the project. They work in a variety of industries, including video game development. This course may be useful for aspiring Quality Assurance Testers because it provides a foundation in the core principles of gameplay programming. Students will learn how to identify and fix bugs, which will be helpful for ensuring that games are released with minimal defects.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. They work in a variety of industries, including video game development. This course may be useful for aspiring Marketing Managers because it provides a foundation in the core principles of gameplay programming. Students will learn how to create and interpret game metrics, which will be helpful for understanding player behavior and developing marketing campaigns that are targeted and effective.
Project Manager
Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. They work in a variety of industries, including video game development. This course may be useful for aspiring Project Managers because it provides a foundation in the core principles of gameplay programming. Students will learn how to create and interpret game metrics, which will be helpful for understanding player behavior and making informed decisions about project scope and timeline.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts are responsible for analyzing business processes and identifying areas for improvement. They work in a variety of industries, including video game development. This course may be useful for aspiring Business Analysts because it provides a foundation in the core principles of gameplay programming. Students will learn how to create and interpret game metrics, which will be helpful for understanding player behavior and making recommendations for improving the game's business performance.
Product Manager
Product Managers are responsible for planning, developing, and marketing products. They work in a variety of industries, including video game development. This course may be useful for aspiring Product Managers because it provides a foundation in the core principles of gameplay programming. Students will learn how to create and interpret game metrics, which will be helpful for understanding player behavior and making informed decisions about product development.
Agile Coach
Agile Coaches are responsible for helping teams adopt and implement agile practices. They work in a variety of industries, including video game development. This course may be useful for aspiring Agile Coaches because it provides a foundation in the core principles of gameplay programming. Students will learn how to create and interpret game metrics, which will be helpful for understanding player behavior and making recommendations for improving the team's agility.
Scrum Master
Scrum Masters are responsible for facilitating Scrum teams and ensuring that they are following the Scrum process. They work in a variety of industries, including video game development. This course may be useful for aspiring Scrum Masters because it provides a foundation in the core principles of gameplay programming. Students will learn how to create and interpret game metrics, which will be helpful for understanding player behavior and making informed decisions about the team's sprint backlog.
Technical Writer
Technical Writers are responsible for creating documentation for software and other technical products. They work in a variety of industries, including video game development. This course may be useful for aspiring Technical Writers because it provides a foundation in the core principles of gameplay programming. Students will learn how to create and interpret game metrics, which will be helpful for understanding player behavior and writing documentation that is clear and concise.

Reading list

We've selected 21 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 Rapid Gameplay Prototyping.
Comprehensive guide to physically based rendering, which technique used to create realistic images in computer graphics. It provides a deep dive into both the theoretical and practical aspects of this field.
Is an essential resource for anyone interested in the theory and practice of real-time graphics, providing a comprehensive overview of all aspects of this field.
Provides a comprehensive overview of common game programming patterns, which can be helpful for understanding the design and implementation of gameplay mechanics.
This comprehensive guide provides a solid foundation in Unity game development, covering essential concepts from scripting to asset management. It complements the course's focus on gameplay prototyping by offering a broader perspective on the Unity development process.
Provides a practical guide to using Unity for game development, covering topics such as scripting, physics, and animation.
Provides a detailed overview of algorithms and techniques used in game programming, which can be helpful for understanding the implementation of gameplay mechanics.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the C# programming language, which is used in Unity.
Great resource for learning the C# programming language. It's easy to read and understand, and it covers all the basics of the language. It's also commonly used as a textbook in academic settings and in technical training courses.
Covers a wide range of Unity topics, providing a comprehensive reference for learners to supplement the course. It offers detailed explanations of Unity's core features and best practices, enhancing the understanding gained through the lectures.
Provides an in-depth look at advanced topics in game programming, such as graphics, physics, and artificial intelligence.
Provides an in-depth look at the architecture of game engines, which can be helpful for understanding how gameplay mechanics are implemented.
Provides an overview of algorithms commonly used in game development, which can be helpful for understanding the implementation of gameplay mechanics.
Great resource for learning how to write clean and maintainable code. It covers a variety of topics, including coding standards, refactoring, and testing.
While the course does not cover shaders in depth, this book provides a comprehensive reference for shader development in Unity. It offers a deep understanding of the Unity ShaderLab language, enabling learners to create custom shaders and enhance the visual quality of their gameplay prototypes.
Provides a comprehensive overview of artificial intelligence techniques used in game development, which can be helpful for understanding the implementation of gameplay mechanics.
Provides a comprehensive overview of game design, covering topics such as game mechanics, level design, and storytelling.
Provides a theoretical overview of game design, which can be helpful for understanding the design considerations behind gameplay mechanics.

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