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[Iris]

So in a fit of temporary insanity, I have decided to learn Unity. Since I have way too many ideas and I can't figure out which ones to pursue, and because I need someone to hold me accountable in my learning (and not at all influenced by Delphonso's thread nosiree) I thought "why not make a thread tracking my progress?".

So this is that! I will post whenever I do something interesting - since I don't think the absolute beginner Unity experience is a particularly riveting one - which is hopefully at least once a week.

Context: I am a software engineering major. I have a working knowledge of Python - enough to make simple passion projects in it - though no knowledge of digital content creation or C# and dreadfully little training in algorithmic thinking. It is entirely possible I am biting off far more than I can chew and will crash and burn within two weeks, in which case I apologize for leading you on.

Now to the fun part!


Idea One is a modular crafting system which would eventually be attached to an isometric RPG set in a dark, gothic magitech world that has been taken over by both machines and mysterious disease. Heavily inspired by classical Fallout.

Immediate goals: Implement "parts" and "tags" that affect the final product and a simple menu to combine them. Some "parts" synergize, yet others are mutually exclusive. The final use of the tool is determined by all the "tags" it holds.

Idea Two is a spaceship creator that would be used for a 4X/grand strategy game. While I intend to eventually go into enough detail to make Rule the Waves or Aurora blush, for now, it is simple.

Immediate goals: Create a ship creator utilizing a set of "modules" that can attach to each other. It would be strongly preferable not to use a grid system. Calculate ship stats from these parts.

[King Zultan]

I really like the sound of idea one.

[delphonso]

Welcome to hell, Iris.

I also think option one sounds quite interesting. Reminds me vaguely of Vagrant Story, just on the surface.

I found learning in public (the term for this style of like...posting about what you're learning about and getting constant feedback and advice) to be really successful in my own learning process. Happy to read along.

Obligatory "How about Godot" comment here, too.

[Iris]

Idea One it is! Now if only I could get the UI Builder working...

Obligatory "How about Godot" comment here, too.

Unity was what I was recommended, so that's what I decided to learn, though I'm not so attached to it so as to not abandon ship if something better comes along.

[delphonso]

Godot is FOSS and uses Python's syntax if that helps. It has good documentation, but can't really compete with Unity's 3D capabilities. In 2D, I think Godot is a clear winner.

[EuchreJack]

Interesting ideas!
Good luck!

[Magmacube_tr]

The saying "Bay12 is a gateway drug into coding" becomes truer by the day.

One more poor soul joins the pit of torment.

[Iris]

Doing light research to find out what goes into a game makes me realize that, wow, I have no idea how to do any of this. I am a passable programmer, but game design? Artwork? Putting it all together with the engine? Totally beyond me. It's a little overwhelming and quite frankly I don't know where to start.

So, to keep things moving, I'll just work on mechanics. One thing at a time. I don't need to know it all at once.

[Moghjubar]

You can get art packs online. In reality though, you should probably aim lower. Like way, way lower for first Unity project.

Something like: focus on making a game with just UI only, like an idle game.
Then a simple platformer. Etc.
You want to basically have projects to learn each little aspect of both how Unity works and how to actually design a game.

[King Zultan]

If making a 3D game seems hard what about making a 2D game with ASCII graphics?

[Iris]

The issue I have been trying to avoid is that simple projects bore me to tears. Doing the "microgames" and the Unity Essentials Pathway made me want to throw myself out of a window.

That's why I've set immediate goals that are much simpler, so I can say to myself "this is going to be cool someday!" For the crafting project, for instance, my immediate goals are programming UI and reading "parts" and "tags" from JSON within the Unity/C# environment. The game is going to be an RPG one day, but for now, I just want to get the crafting and inventory menu working.

Speaking of: I ran into a small problem yesterday. Specifically, I realized I didn't know what the results of the crafting system were going to be used for, which meant I had a hard time making parts or envisioning what they would be combined with to make.

[King Zultan]

So your currently trying to make part of a game right now rather than a whole game, will the whole game your planing on making be full 3D?

[EuchreJack]

So your currently trying to make part of a game right now rather than a whole game, will the whole game your planing on making be full 3D?

VR obviously

[Iris]

So your currently trying to make part of a game right now rather than a whole game, will the whole game your planing on making be full 3D?

Yes. Each component of the game will be roughly self-contained so I don't go overboard. Then I can hopefully combine them and (eventually) I'll have something cool!

Idea 2 was planned to be full 3D, yes, though Idea 1 will likely stay isometric for the time being.

[King Zultan]

Isometric sounds cool, doesn't seem like it's used that much anymore and that's a shame.