It all boils down to your aspirations. Why embark on the journey of learning Unity and game development? If it’s a passion project, as it often is, forcing yourself through the process might be counterproductive. Hobbies should be enjoyable, and time for them is often a precious commodity. The key is to discover joy in the learning process itself.
Many find themselves in a similar boat, repeatedly attempting to learn Unity, each time delving a bit deeper. A break of a year might make you feel like you’ve forgotten everything, but that’s rarely the case. Some knowledge sticks, even if it’s not immediately apparent. While consistent practice is the path to mastery, it’s not the only way for hobbyists to make meaningful progress. The real challenge for self-motivated learners without deadlines is maintaining momentum. One effective technique is the “no zero days” rule. This means dedicating some time, however small, to your project or learning every single day. Whether it’s coding, following a tutorial, reading about advanced topics like Quaternions, or even sketching level designs on paper when you’re away from your computer, any engagement keeps the learning process alive.
Concerns about deprecated features in Unity are understandable. It’s true that projects might encounter issues when opened in newer versions. However, older projects can always be opened with older versions of Unity, ensuring compatibility. The allure of new features can also be distracting. Seeing a new feature and wishing you had it from the start can lead to the temptation to update your project mid-development, often causing unforeseen complications. As a beginner, resist this urge. Focus on mastering the fundamentals with the tools you currently have. Breaking changes are a reality in software development, even beyond Unity. Experiences with platforms like Oculus Quest for Unity, where updates can disrupt projects, highlight this challenge.
The current Unity landscape, with its array of rendering pipelines and input systems, can seem overwhelming. It’s easy to get caught up in forum discussions and Reddit threads where users express frustrations. However, for most hobbyist projects, this complexity is unnecessary. Choose a rendering pipeline, like URP (Universal Render Pipeline), and concentrate on mastering it. If features become deprecated in future Unity versions, remember that similar alternatives will emerge. For smaller, solo-developed projects, these changes are manageable and part of the evolving tech world.
Embrace the power of small projects. Think micro-games, not just mini-games. Start with a simple game idea, then simplify it further, and then simplify it again until you have a core mechanic. Completing even a tiny game is a significant achievement that builds momentum for future projects. The sense of accomplishment is incredibly rewarding.
For instance, recently I created a wind simulation shader in Shader Graph for low-poly trees made in Blender. Is it the most optimized shader? Probably not. Was it exceptionally difficult? No. Will it definitely be used in a game? Maybe, maybe not. But the satisfaction of solving the problem and the learning gained during the process were invaluable.
Learning Unity, or game development in general, is a journey with both challenging and rewarding moments. Remember that learning something new is inherently valuable, regardless of the specific tool. The skills you acquire learning Unity extend to other game engines. Concepts like design patterns, programming paradigms, and game design principles are universal across engines and even applicable to board game design. While it may not always feel like it in the early stages, these foundational skills are broadly transferable. Of course, focused practice within Unity will make you proficient and faster within that specific environment.
While Unreal Engine is often perceived as more stable and potentially more future-proof, it can be overwhelming for solo indie developers. If you genuinely feel disenchanted with Unity, exploring other engines like Unreal might be worth considering. However, it’s not always the solution. Perhaps Unreal will resonate with you more. Personally, I believe sticking with Unity and focusing on the fundamentals is often the most effective path for hobbyist game developers.
