Howdy! This update about our upcoming game Marian made it in just under the wire today. 
Last week, a number of us got together last week to work on improving the animations in the game. Here’s a brief window into the discussion about Marian’s run cycle:
In case you’re wondering, our animator is Winnipeger Liem Nguyen.
In today’s tutorial, I talk about how to do basic collision detection in Unity3D. I also talk about messaging, getting more into code organization. Flashbang Studios have written a great messaging library that extends Unity’s core messaging functionality – making life easier for everyone.
We’re looking at our example space shooter project “Schpooter” again. You can play it and download the project files here. Remember, you can get a stripped down version of Unity3D for free here.
UT02 Part 1: Project Layout
UT02 Part 2: Basic Scripts and Collisions
UT02 Part 3: Collisions and Messaging
UT02 Part 4: Messaging
UT02 Part 5: Messaging Continued
If you have trouble following any part of the tutorial, or if you’d wish I’d elaborate on certain subjects; let me know in the comments. If there are enough requests for certain topics, I’ll spin them off into separate tutorials.
IA’s Unity Tutorial Series continues with a game called “Schpooter!” This is a simple side-scrolling space shooter example, but it has been built to demonstrate a few different ways of using Unity.
Part 1 is an introduction to how the project file is set up.
In part 2 we’ll dive into how the scripts work! If you have any questions or comments, please leave them here or on YouTube.
If you find these tutorials useful, send the link to others that you think would be interested. Thanks!
So how do you develop unique and smooth character motion for your game without spending a dime? One method involves harnessing the power of friends and family to mock up the movements in real life.
Chrissy (my girlfriend) and Eileen (my sister) got together with myself and Liem (Marian’s animator) this weekend to explore how our protagonist would move in the game.
Actually, we’re not really doing motion capture (“mo-cap”) – we’re creating a collection of animation references. For this game in particular, its much more effective to have an animator interpreting aspects of reality to create interesting dreamlike movements.
Here are some outtakes from our afternoon session:
Dan T points out that this form of animation reference is quite similar to the one used in the original Prince of Persia.
P.S. The interview mentioned last time is now up on Gamasutra.
P.P.S. If you’d like to help us pay for food and get your name into the credits of the game, check this link.
This piece was put together by an exceptionally talented duo – James Swirsky and Lisanne Pajot of Blink Works media. It premiered last night with a party at IMAX as part of a showcase of Winnipeg-based New Media companies.
James and Lisanne did a really great job with these. Not only did they manage to make the pieces entertaining and truthful, they also made a strong case for Winnipeg as a great place to live. (no small task)
There was a lot of excitement and laughter at the party afterwards, and a good feeling of solidarity. I hope the Winnipeg New Media scene manages to stay this creative, close-knit and free-spirited for many years to come.
Here are links to some of the other profiles:
Debreuil DigitalWorks
Stunt Software
Complex Games
FrogRocket
The New Media Community
So I just sat down and recorded an impromptu Unity3D introduction tutorial. Its a bit all over the place (I didn’t plan it out), but hopefully some of you will find it useful.
Unity3D is a game engine that you can try out for free, for both PC and Mac. Download it at unity3d.com.
It was used to create Paper Moon, Heroes + Villains and we’re also using it for Marian.
You can download the (crappy) project created in this tutorial right here: UnityTutorial01.zip.
Please let me know if found these helpful and/or what you think I can do to improve them. (I’d like to do more!) Thanks!
