Are you tired of using the same old game engines and struggling to create engaging platformers? Are you looking for a new challenge and want to learn how to build games in Unity 3D? If so, then this tutorial is perfect for you! In this tutorial, we will cover everything from creating characters and levels to implementing physics and animations. So grab your controllers and let’s get started!
What is a Platformer?
A platformer is a type of video game that involves navigating through different levels by jumping or running on platforms. They are often designed for single-player or cooperative gameplay, and can be found in classic games like Super Mario Bros. and Sonic the Hedgehog. In this tutorial, we will focus on creating a Mario-style platformer using Unity 3D.
Getting Started with Unity 3D
Before we dive into building our platformer, let’s first take a look at some of the basics of Unity 3D. To get started, you will need to download and install the latest version of Unity from their website. Once installed, open up Unity and create a new project. From there, you will be greeted with a window that allows you to choose the type of game you want to create. For this tutorial, we will select “2D Platformer” as our template.
Creating Characters
The first step in creating any platformer is to create the main character. In this tutorial, we will be using Unity’s built-in 2D tools to create our Mario-style hero. To do this, go to the “Assets” menu and select “Create” > “Sprite.” From there, you can customize your character by adding different parts such as a head, body, arms, and legs. You can also add animations to make your character move and interact with the environment.
Once you have created your character, it’s time to give them some personality by adding expressions. Expressions are used to animate the character’s face based on their actions. For example, when the character jumps, their eyes will widen and they will raise their eyebrows. To add expressions, go to the “Animator” window in the “Window” menu and select “Create” > “Expression.” From there, you can create different expressions and assign them to different actions.
Creating Levels
Next, let’s move on to creating our levels. In this tutorial, we will be using Unity’s tile-based system to create our levels. To do this, go to the “Assets” menu and select “Create” > “Tilemap.” From there, you can add different tiles such as grass, dirt, and water to create your level. You can also add obstacles such as rocks, mushrooms, and enemies to make the game more challenging.
Implementing Physics
Now that we have our characters and levels set up, it’s time to add some physics to make our platformer feel more realistic. In Unity 3D, you can use the “Rigidbody” component to give objects physical properties such as mass, velocity, and acceleration. To do this, go to your character object in the hierarchy and add a new “Rigidbody” component. From there, you can adjust the settings to make your character jump higher or run faster.
You can also use Unity’s built-in physics tools to create more complex physics such as collisions and force fields. For example, you can create a force field that pushes enemies off of platforms or a collision that makes characters bounce off of walls. To do this, go to the “Physics” window in the “Window” menu and select “Create” > “Force Field.” From there, you can adjust the settings to create your desired effect.