Workshop 2: Critical Thinking in Game Development

Introduction to Unity Editor & C# Scripting

Lucas P. Cordova, Ph.D.

lpcordova@willamette.edu

Willamette University

Game Development Skills

Core Competencies

• Learning - Continuous adaptation
• Critical Thinking - Design decisions
• Problem Solving - Debug & iterate
• Mathematics - Probability & functions
• Programming - Unity/C# mastery
• Creativity - Unique experiences

Game Development Competencies

Unity Roadmap 🗺️

Where We’re Going in Unity

• Weeks 2-5: 2D Game Development
  • Sprites, Physics2D, Tilemaps
  • 2D Game Mini-Project
• Weeks 6-10: 3D Game Development
  • 3D Models, Lighting, Physics
  • Advanced Interactions
  • 3D Game Mini-Project
• Final Project: Your Choice!
  • Any Unity game or simulation
  • 2D, 3D, or hybrid approach

Unity Editor Interface

Version Compatibility ⚠️

• Unity Editor interface varies by version
• Best Practice: Match tutorial version exactly
• If versions differ:
  • Expect UI differences
  • Research feature locations
  • Check Unity documentation

You should have completed the Editor Interface tutorial

Layout Best Practices

Recommended “Tall” Layout Setup

1. Window → Layouts → Tall
2. Move Game View below Scene View
3. Enable Console (Window → General → Console)
4. Arrange for maximum workspace

Recommended “Tall” Layout

Unity Tall Layout

Benefits of Tall Layout

Scene View

• Maximum vertical space
• Better for level design
• Easier object placement

Game View + Console

• Test gameplay immediately
• See debug output live
• Catch errors quickly

Today’s Demo: Bearcat Wheel of Fate 🎯

What We’ll Build

• Interactive spinning wheel game
• Introduction to C# scripting
• Basic Unity 2D setup
• Input handling with new Input System

Bearcat Wheel of Fate

Project Setup

Creating a New 2D Project

1. Unity Hub → New Project
2. Select 2D (URP) template
3. Name: “BearkatWheelOfFate”
4. Choose location → Create

Import Assets

• Wheel sprite (provided)
• Marker/pointer sprite (provided)
• Drag into Assets folder

Scene Setup

Positioning GameObjects

1. Wheel GameObject
   • Position: (0, 0, 0)
   • Scale as needed
2. Marker GameObject
   • Position above wheel
   • Ensure proper sorting order

Scene Setup

Introduction to C# Scripting

Creating Our First Script

1. Assets → Create → C# Script
2. Name: WheelSpin
3. Attach to Wheel GameObject
4. Open in code editor

The WheelSpin Script

using System;
using UnityEngine;
using UnityEngine.InputSystem;

public class WheelSpin : MonoBehaviour
{
    private float _rotationSpeed = 0.0f;
    
    // Start is called once before the first execution of Update
    void Start()
    {
        _rotationSpeed = 0.0f;
    }
    
    // Update is called once per frame
    void Update()
    {
        // Check if the space bar was pressed this frame
        if (Keyboard.current.spaceKey.wasPressedThisFrame)
        {
            _rotationSpeed = new System.Random().Next(2000, 5000);
        }
        
        if (_rotationSpeed > 0)
        {
            float rotationAmount = _rotationSpeed * Time.deltaTime;
            transform.Rotate(0, 0, rotationAmount);
            
            // Decrease rotation speed over time
            _rotationSpeed -= 500 * Time.deltaTime;
        }
    }
}

Understanding the Script - Part 1

Key Components

• using statements - Import Unity functionality
• MonoBehaviour - Base class for Unity scripts
• **private float _rotationSpeed**
  • Private: Only accessible within this class
  • float: Decimal number type
  • Underscore prefix: C# convention for private fields

Understanding the Script - Part 2

Unity Lifecycle Methods

void Start() - Called ONCE when GameObject becomes active - Initialization code goes here - Runs before first Update()

void Update() - Called EVERY frame (30-120+ times/second!) - Game logic and input checking - Performance critical code

Understanding the Script - Part 3

Transform & Rotation

transform.Rotate(0, 0, rotationAmount);

• transform - Built-in reference to GameObject’s Transform
• Controls position, rotation, scale
• Rotate(x, y, z) - Rotates around each axis
• Z-axis rotation for 2D spinning

Time.deltaTime Explained

Frame-Independent Movement

float rotationAmount = _rotationSpeed * Time.deltaTime;

• Time.deltaTime = Time since last frame
• Makes movement consistent across different framerates
• 60 FPS: deltaTime ≈ 0.0167 seconds
• 30 FPS: deltaTime ≈ 0.0333 seconds

Adding Debug Output

Debugging with Console

void Update()
{
    if (Keyboard.current.spaceKey.wasPressedThisFrame)
    {
        _rotationSpeed = new System.Random().Next(2000, 5000);
        Debug.Log($"Spinning! Initial speed: {_rotationSpeed}");
    }
    
    if (_rotationSpeed > 0)
    {
        // ... rotation code ...
        Debug.Log($"Current speed: {_rotationSpeed:F2}");
    }
}

Testing Your Game

Play Mode Testing

1. Save your script (Ctrl/Cmd + S)
2. Return to Unity Editor
3. Press Play button ▶️
4. Press Spacebar to spin
5. Watch Console for debug messages

Wheel Segments Decoded 🎰

Your Fate Awaits…

1. Bearcat Jackpot 🎉
   You landed big! (good fortune)

2. Mill Stream Mishap 🦆
   Oops, you slipped by the ducks (bad luck)

3. Star Trees Wish ⭐
   Make a lucky wish under the trees

Wheel Segments (continued)

4. Waller Hall Haunt 👻
   Unlucky… you met a campus ghost

5. Kaneko Lucky Break 🍕
   You found free snacks in the lounge

6. Goudy Gamble 🍽️
   Mystery food choice, will it be lucky or not?

Input System Resources

Exploring Keyboard.current

// Other useful inputs:
Keyboard.current.enterKey.wasPressedThisFrame
Keyboard.current.escapeKey.isPressed
Keyboard.current.wKey.wasPressedThisFrame

Documentation

• Unity Input System - Keyboard
• Input System Quick Start Guide

Key Takeaways

• Unity Editor layout affects productivity
• C# scripts bring GameObjects to life
• Start() initializes, Update() runs game logic
• Time.deltaTime ensures smooth movement
• Debug.Log() is your debugging friend
• Input System provides modern input handling

Next Lecture Preview

Gearing Up Towards the 2D Mini-Game Project 🎮

• Sprite animations
• Tilemap environments
  
• Player movement & collision
• Enemy AI basics
• Collectibles & UI

Questions & Practice Time

Your Turn!

1. Modify the spin speed range
2. Add different input keys
3. Experiment with rotation direction
4. Add sound effects (stretch goal)

Remember

• Save scripts before testing
• Check Console for errors
• Experiment and have fun!