Unity is a popular choice if you want to either start a career as a game developer with an easy-to-understand tool or have a passion and want to follow it. Unity is a preferred tool for many reasons (less code needed, Asset Store, etc.). One of them is that you can create a game that will be available across different platforms, such as mobile, desktop, consoles, and even virtual reality.
So, why should you choose Unity for your game? Today, we will check out Unity’s capabilities in Gamedev and what makes it stand out among other software available.
Unity’s Multiplatform Support
Unity is a great option for those looking to create a game that will support multiple platforms. Unity supports the following platforms:
- Mobile. A developer who created a game in Unity can easily adjust it to support both iOS and Android’s distinct operating systems and distribution platforms (App Store for iOS and Google Play for Android). This way, they reach a broader mobile market.
- Desktop. Developers can build their games in a way that they can automatically adjust to different operating systems. It helps to have a smooth gaming experience whether the player is using Windows, macOS, or Linux.
- Web. Games developed for the web can reach a broad audience with minimal friction since players don’t need to download and install the game.
- Consoles. If the developer decides to break into the console market, it is good to have a tool to optimize the game to their specific requirements, and Unity is here to help.
This wide range of devices allows Unity game development company developers to easily move their products from one platform to another, which in turn reduces the development time and effort needed.
Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and Tools
The Unity Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is known for its accessibility and wide range of game development tools for developers of all skill levels. The main features include:
Visual editor:
It offers intuitive tools to create scenes and the game environment, as well as allows the creation of object manipulations. For instance, it offers an intuitive interface to create scenes and environments easier, which is a great way for developers to visualize their game’s layout and flow. One more option – the drag-and-drop tool- allows you to manipulate objects within the game space more easily, which often includes positioning, scaling, and rotation. For example, a developer can quickly assemble a forest scene by directly dragging trees, animals, and terrain models into the game view. It helps to adjust them as needed without writing a single line of code.
Asset store:
Unity’s repository has a wide range of ready-to-use assets that range from textures to models, from scripts to entire sample projects. It is a good option for those needing to speed up the development process. For example, a developer can easily include a professionally designed character model into their game that is already with animations without the need for detailed 3D modeling skills.
Scripting APIs in C#:
With Unity, you don’t have to write huge amounts of code to create excellent game features. A typical example here includes writing a script in C# to control a character’s movements, where Unity’s APIs simplify the process, which makes it more accessible for developers who may not have deep programming knowledge.
Graphics and Performance
One of the most important components of Unity is its rendering engine. With this component, you can create high-quality graphics that will not get worse while using different platforms.
The graphics engine supports features such as advanced lighting, shadows, and particle systems, which allow game developers to create attractive visuals for their games.
Unity’s performance is another thing to mention. It allows games to run smoothly on different devices, including high-end gaming PCs and consoles to lower-end mobile devices.
Unity Asset Store and Ecosystem
Another thing to mention is the available Unity Asset Store. If you need some specific elements for the game, you can find them in the Asset Store, which provides the developers with a vast number of assets and tools to make the development process faster. The store offers:
- Textures. High-quality textures are a must-have if you create visually nice environments and characters. The Asset Store provides various textures that often include realistic and stylized options suitable for multiple game genres.
- Models. Whether developers need detailed character models, specific environmental elements, or simple placeholders, the Asset Store has a wide range of items to choose from. It also includes models. They are easy to customize and apply to games, which saves tons of time in modeling work.
- Scripts. Ready-to-use scripts can add complex functionality to games without the need for huge code amounts and deep coding experience. Find what you need – from AI behaviors to physics enhancements, to help you implement sophisticated features quickly.
- Project templates. For those who are new to Unity or simply want to start with less hustle, project templates offer pre-configured settings and structures for various types of games. It is a good option for those who want to customize and expand the template rather than build it from the ground up.
In addition to the store, the Unity community also has something to share. From support and plugins to helpful extensions, it has everything you need for work, collaboration, and learning new things.
Success Stories and Case Studies
Many games have been created with the help of Unity. Here is the list of the most well-known ones:
- Monument Valley;
- Pokémon GO;
- Hollow Knight;
- Night In The Woods;
- RimWorld.
Wrap Up
Unity is a popular tool for creating nice and authentic games. What is better is the way it allows the creation of games playable on different platforms, from mobiles to VR and many more. Use Unity if you need a better user experience, the ability to choose assets and extensions from the vast library, find a fully created project ready to be customized, or if you simply want your development process to be faster.
