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Game Design in Unity (Lawson)

View Syllabus Overview
Intro to Game Design
Description

In this lesson students learn about the course objectives, the definition of game design, and the purpose of using game engines to design and build video games. They’ll complete a self-reflection assignment to help better understand their interest in game design and previous experience.

Objective

Students will be able to:

  • Describe the objectives of the course
  • Define game design
  • Explain how game engines benefit game designers and developers
Description

In this lesson, students learn about the basic history of video games and the industry. Students will reflect on how video games evolved with technological improvements and changes to game design and development in the early years of the industry.

Objective

Students will be able to:

  • Describe the basic evolution of video games
  • Explain how technology improvements evolved the video game industry
  • Describe early users of video games and how the industry became more mainstream
  • Explain the primary reason for the video game industry crash in the early 1980s and how it was revived
Get Started with Unity
Description

In this lesson students learn about the Unity game engine and ways it’s been used in the video game development industry. Students reflect on how Unity is used to efficiently and effectively develop various types of video games.

Objective

Students will be able to:

  • Describe how Unity is used to design and develop games
  • Describe game engines and how they’re used in industry
  • Explain the benefits of using a game engine, like Unity, to design and create video games
Description

In this lesson students learn how to set up a Unity account and install the Unity software with Unity Hub.

Objective

Students will be able to:

  • Access their Unity account
  • Install Unity Hub and Unity software
  • Manage Unity software versions and projects with Unity Hub
Description

In this lesson students learn about submitting Unity projects and use the Unity software and CodeHS platform to send projects and assignments to their teacher.

Objective

Students will be able to:

  • Set up a process for sharing their Unity projects
  • Submit Unity projects to their teacher by zipping a Unity project folder
  • Use Unity’s documentation as another resource for learning about the software
Create Interactive Game Worlds
Description

In this lesson students learn about Unity’s interface and GameObjects. Students will create a GameObject, add a material, and transform it.

Objective

Students will be able to:

  • Navigate Unity’s user interface
  • Create a GameObject
  • Add material to a GameObject
  • Use transform to manipulate a GameObject
Description

In this lesson, students learn about scene design and develop their own unique scene using a collection of polygon prefab assets.

Objective

Students will be able to:

  • Comfortably incorporate and manipulate prefabs in their scenes.
  • Understand the difference between prefab and object property changes.
  • Design their own scene from scratch.
Description

In this lesson, students dive into rigidbodies and colliders, learning more about the Unity’s built-in physics engine.

Objective

Students will be able to:

  • Define the purpose of rigidbody components.
  • Define the purpose of collider components.
  • Apply rigidbody and collider components to their GameObjects.
  • Use a script to trigger collision events.
Create Visual and Sound Effects
Description

In this lesson students learn how visual and auditory effects impact gameplay. They study ways game designers use these special effects to provide players with feedback and important information during gameplay.

Objective

Students will be able to:

  • Describe various types of gaming special effects.
  • Describe the process for improving the visual effects in a game.
  • Explain different ways visual and auditory effects are used to assist players during gameplay.
Description

In this lesson students learn about camera settings, angles, view frustums, and how multiple cameras can be used to provide players with top-down map views and two-player split screens.

Objective

Students will be able to:

  • Configure camera properties to optimize rendering and gameplay views
  • Create perspective and orthographic camera views
  • Create multiplayer split screen views
Description

In this lesson, students learn how to create different lighting effects in Unity to provide players with feedback and set the mood of a game scene.

Objective

Students will be able to:

  • Create and configure three different light types in a game scene.
  • Create glowing or spotlight effects using different light types.
Description

In this lesson, students learn how to use particle systems to guide players and give them feedback.

Objective

Students will be able to:

  • Add particle systems to their Unity scenes.
  • Adjust the properties of particle systems in order to created unique particle effects.
  • Use particle systems to add visual appeal to their scenes and/or convey information to the player.
Description

In this lesson, students learn about the roles sound effects can have in a game and how they can add them to their Unity scenes.

Objective

Students will be able to:

  • Explain how sound effects and music are used effectively in games.
  • Add a audio listener to a scene.
  • Add audio sources to a scene and configure their properties.
Description

In this lesson, students apply their knowledge of Unity effects in a scene of their own making.

Objective

Students will be able to:

  • Use assets to create a scene of their own.
  • Apply lighting effects, sound effects, and particles systems to enhance their scene.
  • Establish the main camera that follows the player.
  • Use a C# script to control a character.
Project: Design Your Game
Description

In this lesson, students are introduced to their final project, learn more about the organization they’re developing for, and begin brainstorming game ideas.

Objective

Students will be able to:

  • Describe the Keep America Beautiful (KAB) organization and their mission.
  • Understand the goal of their project for KAB.
  • List a handful of initial game ideas.
Description

In this lesson, students dive deeper into common elements that all fun games possess.

Objective

Students will be able to:

  • Explain common elements that are present in most fun games.
  • Identify how common elements manifest in familiar games.
Description

In this lesson, students learn about the storyboarding technique and what it’s like to be a storyboard artist.

Objective

Students will be able to:

  • Explain what a storyboard is and how it’s used.
  • Create their own storyboard for an aspect of a video game.
  • Understand more about the storyboard artist role.
Description

In this lesson, students choose two game ideas to flesh out and receive feedback on, ultimately narrowing down to one and drafting their first Game Design Document.

Objective

Students will be able to:

  • Describe their KAB game idea with more detail.
  • Explain how their KAB game idea may address each of the 4 game elements.
  • Develop a first draft of their Game Design Document.
Description

In this lesson, students create storyboards of their original game and get more feedback from peers.

Objective

Students will be able to:

  • Create storyboards for their original game story.
  • Explain their current ideas about their game flow.
Project: Finish Your Game
Description

In this lesson, students add details to their minimum viable product and create their final game!

Objective

Students will be able to:

  • Plan the final development of their game.
  • Implement details to enhance the visual appeal and experience of their game.
  • Present their game design process and find product.
Description

Students learn about promoting their game by designing and creating a gameplay trailer.

Objective

Students will be able to:

  • Understand the purpose of a gameplay trailer
  • Define the common structures of a gameplay trailer
  • Create a gameplay trailer to promote a game