iterative game development with unity3d

Iterative Game Development

with Unity3D

@amiablegames

What is Iterative Game Development?

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New

What is Iterative Game Development?

Idea

Implement

Feedback

Evaluate

Working Iteratively as a Team

• Stay connect in real time

• Have a specific task list

• Maintain a backlog

• Version control

• Skype

• Trello

• P4V, Git, SVN, Dropbox

Why Unity?

• Super Fast Prototyping!

• Flexible & Forgiving Asset Pipelineo Accepts almost every file format

• Easily Extendible Editor

Why Unity?

Why Unity?

Why Unity?

Pipeline Goals

• Work Collectively but Separately

• Use It ‘til You Lose It!

• Tools over Tedium

Pipeline Goals

• Work Collectively but Separately

• Use It ‘til You Lose It!

• Tools over Tedium

Work Collectively but SeparatelyDesign Iterations

• Make separate scenes to test ideas in isolation

• Have a way to bridge the gap between test scenes and your main sceneo Prefabs

Work Collectively but SeparatelyArt Iterations

• Two Screen Approacho Get assets into engine quicklyo Photoshop to Unity loop

Work Collectively but SeparatelyArt Iterations

Work Collectively but SeparatelyArt Iterations

Work Collectively but SeparatelyArt Iterations

Work Collectively but SeparatelyArt Iterations

Work Collectively but SeparatelyArt Iterations

Work Collectively but SeparatelyArt Iterations

Work Collectively but SeparatelyArt Iterations

• Playing Nice with Design and Techo Naming Conventionso Modular Designo Asset Pipeline

Ensuring everyone has something to work on

Work Collectively but SeparatelyArt Iterations

Blockout

Concept

Pre Production Production

ModelTexture

Animate

Pipeline Goals

• Work Collectively but Separately

• Use It ‘til You Lose It!

• Tools Over Tedium

Use It ‘til You Lose It!

• Unity comes with a lot of stuff!

• Use it until it's holding you back

• Exampleso NavMesh Agent

Old Crap New, Hip, Refreshing

o Input Manager

Use It ‘til You Lose It!Art Tools

• Broad Strokes with Unityo Render Settings

Lighting and Fogo Built in Color Tool

Adjust colors in engine Save time

o Unity Terrain Great for iterative level design

Pipeline Goals

• Work Collectively but Separately

• Use It ‘til You Lose It!

• Tools over Tedium

Tools over Tedium

• Extend Default Inspector Functionality

• Make Tools!

Our Tools

• Linear Mover

• Camera Volumes

• Level Trigger

• Prefab Reverter

Tools over TediumIs a Tool Needed?

Is your life awful?

Is it because of Unity3D?

Make a tool!

You're lying

Need a hug?

Tools over Tedium

• Linear Movero Move things, LINEARLY!

Tools over Tedium

• Camera Volumeso Preview different camera viewso No need to play through game to see what

different areas will look like

Tools over Tedium

• Level Triggerso Visual Scripting for Designerso Avoid hard-coding specific level events

Pitfalls of Unity

• Leniencyo Project Folder Structureo Scene Hierarchy

• Tools and libraries are non-specific

• Systems Deptho Input/Controller supporto AI/Pathfindingo Physics/Lighting Coupling

Takeaways

• Keep everyone on your team busy

• Use It ‘til You Lose It!

• Tools Over Tedium

@amiablegames

Questions?

@amiablegamesinfo@theAmiable.com