What is Unity? An easy-to-understand explanation of what you can do with game development and development examples

1. What is Unity?

Unity is a game engine developed and provided by Unity Technologies.

A game engine is a collection of functions required to develop a game . Unity is one of the most popular game engines and is used by over 1 million developers worldwide.

　• Andoroid
• iOS
• Linux
• Windows
• Nintendo Switch

Not only can you develop apps for multiple platforms, but you can also customize them. There is also an online store where you can use materials, etc., and it is a high-performance and highly expandable integrated development platform.

It has a high market share as a development environment for smartphone game apps, and is suitable for individuals and those who want to develop games on a small scale.

The feature is that it supports not only 2D games but also 3D games. Currently, many RPGs and location -based games are being developed in Unity.

In addition, Unity has been adopted for development in the field of AR / VR , which has been attracting attention in recent years . The popular game “Pokemon GO”, which has become a social phenomenon, has also been developed in Unity. It has abundant libraries and materials, and it is attractive that it can be developed without coding and can be operated intuitively.

1.1 What you can do with Unity

There are three main things you can do with Unity:

1. You can develop games that work in any environment

Unity is cross-platform, allowing you to deliver the same content on multiple different platforms. Therefore, games developed with Unity can be played on smartphones, the Web, game consoles, etc.

2. Can develop both 2D games and 3D games

Initially used primarily for 3D game development, Unity now also supports 2D games.

3. Intuitive game development

Unity has visual programming tools for codingless development . You can develop games without having advanced programming skills.

As an example of game development using Unity, there is “Mr. Takagi VR who is good at teasing”.

“Teasing Master Takagi-san VR” is a next-generation VR animation game that allows you to experience Takagi-san’s teasing in a simulated manner.

Shogakukan and KAYAC, an interesting corporation, jointly worked on the development, and it was developed with a small number of 7 people as the core members of VR development and 2.5 people as Unity engineers.

Unity was used for overall VR development. The relationship with “Mr. Takagi” is realized by realistic movement and space production by VR.

1.2.2 Automobile

Source: Visualizing the future of BMW’s autonomous driving | Unity Blog

A development example in the automotive field is the simulation development of autonomous driving in BMW.

Test driving is essential for the development of autonomous driving, but even if you actually drive a test vehicle, it cannot cover all possible situations.

BMW has leveraged Unity’s scalability to develop millions of virtual road driving simulations. This made it possible that the simulation could cover about 95% of the total test mileage.

By developing a simulation custom tool with Unity, it has become possible to evaluate autonomous driving technology at a high level.

1.2.3 Manufacturing

Source: DNP Virtual Experience VR Showroom | DNP

In the manufacturing industry, there is the development of photorealistic expressions by Dai Nippon Printing (DNP).

Until now, there has been a problem that construction of model rooms and the like requires a lot of costs such as cost and location.

At Dai Nippon Printing, as an initiative to utilize 3DCG for product sales promotion,

　• VR showroom
• VR model room
• VR interior simulator

System such as is developed and put into practical use by Unity.

Real-time, high-quality photorealistic expression not only reduces costs, but also leads to high purchaser satisfaction, saying that “you can experience the size and atmosphere of the property as if it were real.”

2. How to download and install Unity

There are 10 steps to install Unity.

All you have to do is download the installer and follow the steps to install it. However, there are many people who want to translate it into Japanese or actually create a new project and try it out.

Please check the following for the installation procedure with images and how to create a new project!

[Introduction to Unity] Summary of recommended sites for installation, usage, and learning

3. What are the benefits of learning Unity?

Unity allows you to develop multiple games, but what are the benefits of learning Unity? Here are three benefits of learning Unity.

Let’s take a look.

3.1 Efficient development utilizing abundant assets

With Unity, you can efficiently develop games by utilizing assets.

Assets are parts, materials, and parts of the game . Specifically, there are 3D models, sound data, game objects, and so on.

Unity’s service has an ” Asset Store” where you can get assets, and you can use assets created by others for free or for a fee.

Speaking of famous free materials, there is “Unity-chan”.

Source: Unity-Chan! Model ｜ Unity Asset Store

It’s a very high quality character, so it’s recommended for those who are thinking of making a 3D game. The Asset Store has everything from materials such as objects that can be used in game development to sample game projects.

3.2 Get started for free

Unity is free to get started for personal use.

Free plan

　• Student
• Personal

There are two, so choose the one that suits you best.

However, please note that you will be charged for personal use if your earnings or funds raised in the last 12 months exceed US $ 100,000.

For paid plans,

　• Plus
• Pro
• Enterprise

There are three.

A free plan is sufficient for Unity beginners to start game development, but one day you may consider a paid plan when you develop Unity as a professional.

3.3 Compatible with various platforms

A big attraction of Unity that other game engines do not have is that it supports various platforms. As mentioned earlier, content developed in Unity can run on any platform.

It is a great advantage to be able to develop games that transcend the boundaries of the platform and keep development costs down. It’s perfect if you want to develop a game that can be played on multiple platforms.

4. 3 recommended books to help you learn Unity

For those who want to start learning Unity right away, we have compiled a list of recommended books that will help you learn.

Book learning allows you to systematically learn Unity information. Choose the book that suits you and start learning.

4.1 Unity textbook

A popular introduction to Unity is the Unity Textbook .

This book explains from how to install Unity to the game production procedure in an easy-to-understand manner. By following the steps, you can experience game production with Unity.

Through the production of sample games, you will acquire the basic knowledge of Unity and the flow of game production. The basic contents of C # are also explained, so even those who have no programming experience can rest assured.

There are plenty of images and repeated explanations, so you don’t have to “stumble in the middle because you don’t understand.”

” Introduction to 3D / 2D game development practice ” is recommended for those who want to learn more practically .

In this book, you can learn how to develop smartphone games with Unity while downloading four sample programs and actually developing the game.

Since we will not only develop games but also proceed on the premise of “creating and publishing something that can be played properly as a smartphone game”, it is a content that you can experience the specific flow of mobile game development using Unity.

It also explains how to build on the actual machine and how to set up to publish to the store. Ideal for those who want to release their own mobile games.

The content is one step ahead of the introd

4.3 How to make a fun 2D game Introduction to game development starting with Unity

If you want to specialize in 2D games, we recommend ” How to make fun 2D games: Introduction to game development starting with Unity “.

In this book, you can learn how to operate Unity and game development through the following two simple 2D game development.

As functions are added to the small game screen little by little, you can proceed with learning with the feeling that you can do more.

There are plenty of materials, and you can move cute characters and feel the joy of game development.

For those who have no programming experience, it is recommended as the next book to choose after the introductory book.

5. 5 recommended sites to help you learn Unity

Unity can learn more practically by utilizing the site.

The advantage of the site is that you can learn more easily with videos, ask questions, and actually enter the code.

There are many sites where you can learn Unity, so here are some recommendations.

5.1 Unity Official

In Unity, columns such as Unity usage examples and game development background are posted on the official website. It has a lot of useful information and is perfect for deepening your understanding.

The Unity blog provides information for users who have some knowledge. Articles are updated frequently, and it is recommended for those who want to actively learn Unity from the latest information.

In addition, we introduce 5 video tutorials for game beginners. Use it to understand your game development tools and mindset.

Japanese is not supported, but there is also a tutorial by Unity official. If you can read English without any problems, check it out.

5.2 Getting Started with Dot Install Unity

If you want to learn in small steps, we recommend getting started with Unity with dot installation.

With dot installation, you can learn one content with a video of less than 3 minutes. If you are an introduction to Unity, you can learn from basic knowledge of Unity to writing games in all 26 chapters (about one and a half hours).

You can also watch it on your smartphone during your free time, so even those who are busy and have no time can secure study time.

All the introductions to Unity are free to watch videos, so it is also ideal for those who want to learn casually first.

If you update to a paid plan, you will also be able to view your questions and answers. It will help you to answer your questions.

If you are not good at learning with textbooks, video learning may be more suitable.

6. Recommended Unity-related qualifications

There are six official qualifications that Unity offers:

Check below for more information on each!

▸ Reference: Certification Exam | Unity

7. Unity-related job trends

Introducing Unity’s freelance job listings posted on professional engineers.

This is a project to design, develop, and test around 2D and 3D using Unity.
Applicants must have at least 3 years of design / development experience using Unity and development experience including non-Unity.
The monthly unit price is 700,000 to 800,000 yen, so I think you can aim for a high unit price.

This is a development project in charge of client-side development in Unity. We are involved in development from upstream processes such as database design, from design related to cooperation with external systems.
Experience in client development of games using Unity and apps for smartphones is required.
The monthly unit price is 700,000 to 800,000 yen.

Most of my work is game development, and the monthly unit price is often 600,000 yen or more.

Professional engineers have introduced many other Unity-related jobs, so if you are interested, please check them out below.

▸ Unity related project information ｜ Professional engineer

8. Summary

This time, I gave an overview of Unity in the flow of •
　What you can do with
　Unity • Development example of Unity
　• How to install Unity.

Unity is an essential skill if you specialize in game development or AR / VR.

Not only developing the game, but also learning how to build it on the actual machine and how to set it for publishing to the store will make it a more practical skill.

Please start Unity development by referring to the method introduced this time.