Make a horror survival game in Unity from Udemy

Do you want to create a professional looking horror survival game in Unity? Well you've found the right course. This is aimed at anybody who loves game design and wants to make awesome games.

My name is Pete Jepson and I have taught game design for over 9 years. In this series we will be making a first person survival game where you try to survive on an Island overrun by zombies. You are looking for a vaccine before your infection level reaches 100 and you become one of the undead.

In this 2022 updated version of the course I will be using intermediate level coding to give you professional skills in game design. If you are completely new to Unity, you will be pleased to know that the older beginner level version of this course is still available in the later sections. That means you can complete the beginner level and then move onto the intermediate level. It’s like buying two courses for the price of one.

You will need a powerful computer to complete this project, so please ensure your computer meets the minimum specifications

So, what's in the course?

We start by creating the AAA post processing visuals to establish a night time look for the game. The enviornment map and props are free to download and you can use them in any game you decide to create.We also add a nightvision camera with zoom lens.
We then create an interactive inventory menu that allows you to carry multiple pickup items and weapons. We also add the ability to combine items into new weapons, such as a makeshift flamethrower, using a spray can and lighter, and a molotov cocktail grenade.
The melee weapons drain your stamina levels as you use them, so you have to use strategy when attacking enemies. You may need enough stamina to run to safety. Guns can also be picked up, but they make enough sound to attract large zombie armies to descened on your position, so make sure you have enough ammo left to escape
Then we will import zombie characters, which are free to use in this project and any other project you want to create. We develop an animation flow using mecanim, which will create a wide variation of types of zombies.
We will work on navigation path finding and artifical intelligence, allowing the zombies to make their own decisions on where to go and what to do. Once the zombies detect you, they will discover their own different ways to hunt you down.
We add spawning systems for the characters, creating the illusion of an infinite amount of zombies, while ensuring we optimise the system so it will run easily on any computer system.
We create a door open and close system and also a door locking system. Some doors require that you find a key to unlock them. Exploring the map then becomes necessary to complete the game.
We finally work on a main menu and loading screen.

By the end of this course you will have a completed horror survival game which you can export out as a finished product. You will have developed the skills, confidence and understanding of how to make your own games in Unity.

So why not enrol today and I look forward to seeing you in my course.

This course includes the following free assets:

Free horror environment 3D scene
Free weapons from Sketchfab
Free realistic animated zombie characters
Free sounds and music

Free music by Bensound

What's inside

Syllabus

Setup Unity

Introduction to the Updated course

Welcome to the update 2022 make a Horror Survival game in Unity

Install the project

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Uses Unity, which is a standard engine in the game development industry, making it easier to transfer skills to other projects or roles

Covers post-processing visuals, interactive inventory menus, and AI navigation, which are all key components in modern game design

Includes a beginner-level version of the course, allowing newcomers to build a solid foundation before moving to intermediate concepts

Employs intermediate-level coding techniques, which can help learners develop professional skills applicable to real-world game development scenarios

Requires a powerful computer to complete the project, which may be a barrier for some learners with older or less capable hardware

Provides free assets such as a horror environment, weapons, zombie characters, sounds, and music, reducing the need for additional purchases

Reviews summary

Comprehensive unity horror game project

According to learners, this course offers a highly practical, project-based approach to building a complete horror survival game in Unity. Students appreciate the ability to create a fully functional game from scratch, covering a wide array of essential game development topics like visuals, inventory, AI, and weapons systems. The course is designed to accommodate both beginners and intermediate users, offering separate tracks. While the included free assets are a positive bonus, some learners note that the intermediate coding sections can be challenging if not properly prepared, and building a project of this scope may require a powerful computer. Overall, it seems well-regarded for its hands-on delivery and comprehensive project.

Helpful assets included with course.

"The included environment and character assets were really useful for the project."

"It saved a lot of time not having to find or create all the art assets myself."

"Appreciated getting free, usable assets as part of the course material."

Suitable for different skill levels.

"Starting with the beginner section was really helpful before tackling the intermediate parts."

"I appreciated having both a beginner and intermediate track available in one course."

"The course progression felt suitable for someone with some basic Unity experience looking to build."

Covers many game development aspects.

"The course touches on all the key systems you need for this type of game: inventory, AI, combat, etc."

"I learned about visuals, player mechanics, enemy behavior, and UI, which is comprehensive."

"It provides a solid overview of the different components needed in a game project."

Hands-on experience creating a full game.

"I loved building a complete, playable game from start to finish using the course steps."

"The project structure gives you a tangible outcome, which is very motivating."

"It's great to finish the course with a real game I can export and show off."

Performance needs for the project.

"My computer definitely struggled with running the full project smoothly."

"Make sure your machine meets the recommended specs, it's important for this project."

"Had some lag and performance issues while testing the developed game."

Intermediate sections can be challenging.

"Some of the intermediate coding sections were a bit fast-paced or assumed prior knowledge."

"I found debugging the scripts required more background than I initially had."

"It helps to have some coding experience before diving into the intermediate parts."

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 Make a horror survival game in Unity with these activities:

Review C# Scripting Fundamentals

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Reinforce your understanding of C# scripting, which is essential for creating interactive elements and game logic in Unity.

Browse courses on C# Programming

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Review basic C# syntax and data structures.
Practice writing simple scripts for object manipulation.
Familiarize yourself with Unity's API for C#.

Review 'Unity in Action, Third Edition'

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Solidify your understanding of Unity's core concepts and workflows by reading a comprehensive guide.

View Unity in Action, Third Edition on Amazon

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Read the chapters relevant to the course topics.
Try out the examples and exercises in the book.
Take notes on key concepts and techniques.

Implement Zombie AI Behaviors

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Practice implementing different AI behaviors for zombies, such as chasing, attacking, and patrolling, to enhance the game's challenge and realism.

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Implement a basic chase behavior using NavMeshAgent.
Add an attack behavior with animation triggers.
Implement a patrolling behavior with waypoints.
Combine behaviors using a state machine.

Four other activities

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Document Your Game Development Process

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Improve your understanding and retention by documenting your game development process, including challenges, solutions, and lessons learned.

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Create a blog or journal to record your progress.
Document each step of the development process.
Reflect on challenges and solutions.

Expand the Game with New Features

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Deepen your understanding of the course material by expanding the game with new features, such as new weapons, enemies, or environments.

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Brainstorm new features to add to the game.
Implement the new features using the skills learned in the course.
Test and refine the new features.

Review 'The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses'

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Improve your game design skills by studying the principles outlined in a comprehensive game design book.

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

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Read the chapters relevant to the game's design.
Apply the lenses to analyze the game's mechanics.
Identify areas for improvement.

Create a Game Design Document

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Solidify your understanding of the game's design by creating a comprehensive game design document that outlines the game's mechanics, features, and art style.

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Outline the game's core mechanics and features.
Describe the game's art style and visual elements.
Document the game's story and characters.
Create a detailed level design plan.

Career center

Learners who complete Make a horror survival game in Unity will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Unity Developer

A Unity developer uses the Unity game engine to create interactive experiences, including video games. This course directly aligns with the skills needed for this role, as the course centers on building a complete horror survival game in Unity. You'll learn about post processing effects, interactive inventory systems, weapon implementation, artificial intelligence for enemies, and user interface design. The course's coverage of intermediate level coding and the inclusion of free assets makes this an ideal choice for aspiring Unity developers. Becoming familiar with Unity's tools is critical for a Unity Developer, and this course is the perfect place to start.

See salaries and explore the career path for Unity Developer

Indie Game Developer

An indie game developer typically works independently or within a small team to create and publish their own games. This course helps build essential skills for this career path, as it guides you through the process of developing a complete game from start to finish. You'll gain experience in various aspects of game development, including game design, programming, art integration, and level design. In particular, learning how to use free assets and optimize game performance is valuable for indie developers on a budget. Indie Game Developer candidates should take this course to learn how to create and launch a game.

See salaries and explore the career path for Indie Game Developer

Game Designer

A game designer is responsible for creating the vision, rules, and gameplay of a video game. The course, which allows students to make a horror survival game in Unity, helps build a foundation for this role. You'll gain practical experience in level design, character implementation, and creating interactive systems. In particular, the course's focus on artificial intelligence for zombies, spawning systems, and door locking mechanisms is highly relevant. A potential game designer should take this course to learn the essentials of game development in Unity. The work on navigation path finding helps one create a more immersive game. The course helps build a foundation in game design with intermediate level coding skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer

Level Designer

A level designer creates the environments and layouts within a video game. This course helps build skills for this role, as it involves designing the game's environment, including the island setting and interactive elements like doors and pickups. You'll learn how to use Unity's tools to create immersive and engaging levels. The course also delves into creating door locking systems, which can add more depth to a level and make it more compelling. Consider this course to learn level design using Unity. This role may require a portfolio of successful level designs. Level Designer candidates will find this course helpful for that purpose.

See salaries and explore the career path for Level Designer

Gameplay Programmer

A gameplay programmer is crucial to the implementation of game mechanics, character controls, and interactions within a video game. The course may be useful for this role, as it includes intermediate level coding to create features like interactive inventory menus, weapon systems, zombie artificial intelligence, and item combination. The course helps those interested in Gameplay Programmer to learn how to implement gameplay systems using Unity and C#. The course's focus on weapon systems and zombie AI is particularly good as it provides potential gameplay programmers with a solid experience working with common gameplay programming problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Gameplay Programmer

Artificial Intelligence Programmer

An artificial intelligence programmer specializes in creating the AI systems that control computer controlled characters. This course may be useful to those seeking the role, as it teaches how to develop artificial intelligence for zombies, including navigation path finding and decision making. You'll learn how to make zombies hunt the player in different ways. The course helps Artificial Intelligence Programmer candidates build a foundation in AI programming using Unity, and could serve as a portfolio piece when applying for jobs in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Artificial Intelligence Programmer

Technical Artist

A technical artist bridges the gap between artists and programmers, by optimizing assets and implementing art into the game engine. This course may be useful as it involves importing and optimizing 3D models, setting up animations, and using post processing effects to enhance the game's visuals. Technical Artist aspirants can consider this course to learn how to integrate art assets into Unity. You'll also get experience using free assets and optimizing game performance.

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Virtual Reality Developer

A virtual reality developer creates interactive experiences for virtual reality platforms. The course may be useful to Virtual Reality developer candidates as it teaches how to create immersive first person experiences in Unity. While the course focuses on a horror survival game, the underlying principles and techniques can be applied to VR development. You'll learn how to implement player movement, object interaction, and visual effects in a 3D environment. In particular, the night vision element of the course could translate well to VR, as that helps with immersion.

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Augmented Reality Developer

An augmented reality developer may find elements of this course useful. You'll learn how to build interactive experiences that blend the digital and physical worlds. While the course focuses on a traditional video game, the skills learned, such as object interaction and user interface design, can be applied to augmented reality development. The course may benefit Augmented Reality Developer candidates as it provides a foundation in Unity development and 3D interaction, things that can form the basis of AR projects.

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Simulation Developer

A simulation developer creates software that simulates real-world environments or systems for training, research, or entertainment purposes. The course may be useful to those wishing to be Simulation Developer candidates as it teaches you how to create a virtual environment and simulate zombie behavior. The skills learned in the course, such as artificial intelligence implementation and environment design, can be applied to simulation development. By simulating real world environments, such as the outdoor level in this course, one will gain the skills necessary to succeed in simulation development.

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Quality Assurance Tester

A quality assurance tester is responsible for finding and documenting bugs and issues in video games or software. The course may be useful, as it allows students to fully develop a horror survival game in Unity. Those seeking to become Quality Assurance Tester candidates can use the course to learn how games are built and how they break. One can learn to think critically about potential problems or unexpected scenarios that may arise when playing their version the horror survival game. In general, those with development experience are more effective when testing.

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Project Manager

A project manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects successfully. While this course is more technical in nature, Project Manager candidates may find it useful as they watch all the components come together in the development of a video game. By seeing the development process, the PM may be better equipped to handle video game projects or other software centered projects. Experience with Unity or other software platforms may be useful in this context.

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Technical Writer

A technical writer creates documentation and guides for software, hardware, or other technical products. Those aspiring to become Technical Writer candidates may find this course useful, as it involves learning about the Unity game engine and its features. You can use this knowledge to create documentation or tutorials for other Unity developers. This can be used as a portfolio piece. One can use the knowledge gleaned from the course, such as the intermediate level coding, to help inform their writing.

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Instructional Designer

An instructional designer creates learning materials, such as online courses or training programs. This course may be useful as it will allow Instructional Designer candidates to learn how to create a Unity game, which may then be used as the medium for instructional materials. In addition, the course may benefit instructional designers by providing them with a model for how to present and structure their own courses. By seeing how another instructor teaches game design, one can use those lessons in their own teaching or course design.

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Customer Support Specialist

This course may be useful in becoming a Customer Support Specialist. This is because the course helps you develop a horror survival game from start to finish. The Customer Support Specialist candidates can use this knowledge to help customers who may be facing issues working with the Unity game engine. While the course focuses on a horror survival game, the knowledge gained can be applied to many different kinds of problems. In particular, familiarity with the Unity development environment may be useful for Customer Support Specialists.

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Make a horror survival game in Unity

What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Comprehensive unity horror game project

Activities

Career center

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