I’m new to Unity. Have made games w/ Game Maker and RPG Maker XP, but never Unity. I don’t know programming and I am OK with Blender, but could REALLY learn more if I had too. Does Unity provide everything, or do I need to learn Blender (or whatever modelling software) first? And do I need to learn a programming language first too, or is it already in Unity and does it for me?
Unity comes with some models, scripts, shaders etc.
But in order to make a somewhat decent game, you will need to know one of Unity’s three programming languages.
Modelling knowledge is recommended, but you could purchase models off the asset store if you wanted to.
Unity does a lot of things for you. But there is still a fair bit of work you have to do yourself.
Thanks for the answer. What are the languages? Javascript or Java and C++ right?
Unityscript (somewhat like Javascript), C# and Boo
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Oh ok. Which one would you guys recommend I start with? I want to make a 3-D action adventure platformer.
Haha, both your avatars are of cats. My game is going to involve a cat…
For beginners, UnityScript (Unity’s version of JavaScript) is the best and easiest language to learn. If and when you start doing more advanced things, C# is recommended by most of the community. I personally prefer UnityScript, but C# is arguably more powerful. Boo is the creepy relative that nobody likes and/or knows, but is always lurking.
Unityscript is like Javascript, not like Java. Java is totally different.
I strongly recommend C#.
I was coming back to fix that dammit 
Most people here seem to use C#
I’m actually in the learning phase and trying to learn Unityscript. May jump over to Boo just to be different.
Was a programmer way way back and trying to get back in it after like…12 years.
Thanks for all the responses, really likin’ this community. Haha, that game looks good.
So, should I master a modelling software first, or the programming language?
I like Boo, and use it daily <3
Use C# as that’s the ‘native’ .Net language.
I would split it: 50% modeling and 50% programming so in an 8 hour day that’s 4 hours of each.
As an afterwork (or afterschool) thing I would do no more than 16 hours of work a week and I would alternate weeks between modeling and programming.
After a year’s time you’ll be somewhat efficient at both.
Hmm, if your more of a designer then i’d say buy a starter kit for a bit . THIS IS IF YOU WANT A HEADSTART . Like their are 2 tile frameworks right now that are on sale for less than 30$ . These will make level design very easy , and they come with sample levels .
Thanks, that does make sense. I should split the time up so I am learning both at the same time.
Finally, how does everyone feel about Blender? Am I making the right choice in learning it? Does it work well with Blender?
i’d say try javascript if you’re a beginner to programming cause its simple, but it could also be confusing at the same time. I personally prefer C# but that takes a little more time to learn. uhm i havent done any 3D games as of yet i’ve been doing 2D games so i can’t really say much about the types of models. but im sure you can download a few free blender models and test them out.
As far as free modeling programs goes it’s the most popular. That means there will be the largest abundance of tutorials and support for it, so if you need a free modeling program I’d recommend blender.
Blender is free and getting better. Pay $10 and download all the tutorials from CG Cookie and the Tim Blender Johnny 3 tutorials from David Ward.
Just my personal opinion:
- Java is nothing like UnityScript (javascript) but is very similar to c#
- Try not to overextend yourself and do both programming, and modeling. Stick to one, and become good at it. Which one do you feel like you are better at? Or maybe do something unique like become a sound artist (if you play a musical instrument or something.) Its not necessarily required to only do one thing, and those things dont have to come from the set modeling or programming, but I suggest you do one and you pick something you are good at.
EDIT:
- I agree with you about using C#
- I have school and this isn’t my professional job so that is why I don’t suggest trying to learn both.
- I agree that if you do something for a year you will be experienced in it, but one has to be extremely dedicated. That is just not me
PS:
Sorry in advance if my advice is horrible, my spelling/grammar are atrocious and my thoughts are jumbled and mundane.
Hook yourself up with Visual Studio and C# and you’ll be very happy you did.
VS as an IDE has great intellisense which helps you code and learn faster.
Lynda.com has a great video series on C# essentials… Buy a one month subscription and do the entire course.
http://www.lynda.com/Visual-Studio-2010-tutorials/C-Essential-Training/83789-2.html
Nope. But you will rarely see JS users defending their language as the better one like you can see here with C#.