Game Development Learning Path

Phase 1: Game Development Basics & Engine Selection

1. Game Design Basics:
   • Understand the basic elements of the game: game mechanics, gameplay, level design, game balance, etc.
   • Recommended book: The Art of Game Design
2. Programming Basics:
   • Unity3D is programmed in C#, and Godot Engine is mainly programmed in GDScript (similar to Python) or C#.
   • Choose an engine and learn the basic syntax of its corresponding programming language: variables, data types, operators, control flow, functions, etc.
   • Recommended learning resources: Unity Learn ( https://learn.unity.com/ ), Godot Engine official documentation ( https://docs.godotengine.org/ ).
3. Mathematical and physical foundations (optional):
   • Understand the basic concepts of vectors, matrices, collision detection, physical simulation, etc. These knowledge are very important in game development, but they can be gradually deepened according to the learning progress.
   • Recommended learning resources: Khan Academy, math and physics tutorials for game development.

Phase 2: Familiarity with the game engine

• Download and install the engine: Select Unity3D or Godot Engine, and follow the official instructions to download and install.
• Learn the engine interface and basic operations: Be familiar with the editor interface, scene management, resource import and other basic operations.
  • Unity3D: Learn how to use panels such as Hierarchy, Inspector, Project, and Scene.
  • Godot Engine: Learn how to use the FileSystem, Scene, Inspector and other panels.
• Try to create a simple project: Follow the official tutorial and try to create a simple game scene, such as placing objects, adding lights, setting up cameras, etc.

Phase 3: Learning the core concepts of game engines

• Game objects and components: Learn how to create game objects, set properties, add components, etc.
  • Unity3D: Learn to use GameObjectclasses, component concepts, and commonly used components (Transform, Rigidbody, Collider, etc.).
  • Godot Engine: Learn to use Nodeclasses, the concept of node tree, and common node types (Spatial, KinematicBody2D, Area2D, etc.).
• Scripting: Learn to write game logic and control the behavior of game objects using the programming language of your choice.
  • Unity3D: Learn MonoBehaviourthe ​ class, Start()​,Update()​ and other common methods, and useGetComponent​ to get components.
  • Godot Engine: Learn _ready()​,_process()​ and other common methods, and useget_node()​ to get nodes.
• 2D Graphics and Animation: Learn to create game graphics using sprites, animation systems, particle systems, and more.
  • Unity3D: Learn Sprite Renderer component, Animator component, Particle System component, etc.
  • Godot Engine: Learn about AnimatedSprite nodes, AnimationPlayer nodes, Particles2D nodes, etc.
• Sound and Music: Learn to import and play sound effects, background music, and more.
  • Unity3D: Learn Audio Source components, Audio Listener components, etc.
  • Godot Engine: Learn about AudioStreamPlayer node, AudioStreamPlayer2D node, etc.
• User Input: Learn to handle user input events such as keyboard, mouse, and touch screen.
  • Unity3D: Learn aboutInput​ classes, GetKeyDown​, GetKeyUp​,GetMouseButtonDown​ and other methods.
  • Godot Engine: Learn aboutInput​ classes,is_action_just_pressed​ ,is_action_pressed​ and other methods.

Phase 4: Developing a game prototype

• Choose a simple game type: for example, Snake, Tetris, platform jumping, etc.
• Design gameplay and rules: Define the core mechanics and goals of the game.
• Use game engines to implement game prototypes: focus on the implementation of game logic and testing of gameplay.

Stage 5: Perfecting the Game (Advanced)

• Add more game content: such as level design, enemy types, prop system, skill system, etc.
• Optimize game performance: Learn how to optimize code, resources, rendering, etc. to improve game fluency.
• Testing and debugging: Conduct sufficient game testing, fix bugs, and ensure game quality.

Phase 6: Release the game (optional)

• Select a publishing platform: e.g. Steam, App Store, Google Play, itch.io, etc.
• Learn the game packaging and publishing process: package and publish games according to the requirements of the target platform.