Some questions on Unity before starting

[asmodeii]

Hi

I have some basics on programming (and luckily, specifically C#); I’ve had this project in mind for years and I don’t mind how much it’ll take. I’m familiar with classes and object oriented programming and can understand the logic and algorithm well; still, I’d need a lot of time to learn and apply. Most people will tell me to start little, making small games, and that’s what I plan to do (and I already in the past). But before starting to use Unity, I’d love to have these questions answered (and excuse me if some of them sound really beginner-tier).

a) All of the game is 2D. How’s Unity in supporting 2D? I’d need to use tiles, tilemaps, charsheets, etc. Is all of this supported? I’d avoid making a map in an external software, like Tiled. Since it’s a top-view and 2D, collision wouldn’t really be a big problem, but it needs to be there. The character needs to go behind houses or trees, or get the feet cropped when in bushes, so all of this should be supported from the start if possible.

b) How will I handle databases? There will be thousands of dialogues lines, npcs, items, skills, properties, all sort of stuff, you know. Saving all this stuff to a file on the PC seems crude, rudimentary and not ideal, but I’m sure there are other ways (hopefully more friendly)?

c) The game will be both an RPG and a minigame-collection of some sorts. So I’d need to be able to control everything in these minigames. These will most likely be the hardest part (because of geometry and sprites management). I guess making some sorts of Space Invaders in Unity is not that hard, but I’m going for more than that.

d) This is more of a curiosity. How do I go about saving? Same stuff for files? Write to file on local → Open it up on load? Isn’t this a problem when there will be lots of stuff to save (hundreds of variables; switches on NPC for dialogues lines; etc)?

Thanks and sorry if these questions look newbie, but before adventuring in something so big I’d like to know where I’m heading. Especially the 2D support and the databases part.

PS: Sorry for any mistakes, english’s not my first language.

[Schneider21]

Welcome! I have a tendency to go on and on when I type, so I’ll try to stick to just answering your questions as you’ve asked them.

@asmodeii

a) All of the game is 2D. How’s Unity in supporting 2D? I’d need to use tiles, tilemaps, charsheets, etc. Is all of this supported? I’d avoid making a map in an external software, like Tiled. Since it’s a top-view and 2D, collision wouldn’t really be a big problem, but it needs to be there. The character needs to go behind houses or trees, or get the feet cropped when in bushes, so all of this should be supported from the start if possible.

Unity’s support for 2D is very good, and it’s constantly getting better. There’re are a lot of 2D improvements in the works, even, but I’d wager even with the existing toolset, Unity still ranks in the top for making 2D games. It’s still 3D, in a way, but just limited to 2 axes kinda… You should give it a shot.

@asmodeii

b) How will I handle databases? There will be thousands of dialogues lines, npcs, items, skills, properties, all sort of stuff, you know. Saving all this stuff to a file on the PC seems crude, rudimentary and not ideal, but I’m sure there are other ways (hopefully more friendly)?

Like most things, there are a number of ways you can handle this. One of Unity’s core strengths is the Asset Store. If you’re able to spend a bit of cash, you can find anything you need there. I’ve purchased Pixel Crusher’s Dialogue System but have yet to use it. It does seem to be a popular choice, but there are plenty of other options as well, including rolling your own solution.

@asmodeii

c) The game will be both an RPG and a minigame-collection of some sorts. So I’d need to be able to control everything in these minigames. These will most likely be the hardest part (because of geometry and sprites management). I guess making some sorts of Space Invaders in Unity is not that hard, but I’m going for more than that.

There’s not really a question here, but whether it’s a big open world RPG or a series of minigames, Unity can handle both. What’s worth considering, that you alluded to even, is that you’re going to want to work your way up to this level of effort a bit before diving in. Maybe make some of the minigames as standalone apps first to get your feet wet, then piece them together as the starting point for your big full game.

@asmodeii

d) This is more of a curiosity. How do I go about saving? Same stuff for files? Write to file on local → Open it up on load? Isn’t this a problem when there will be lots of stuff to save (hundreds of variables; switches on NPC for dialogues lines; etc)?

Again, looking to the Asset Store, I use Easy Save. I can’t recommend it enough. The developer of it is very responsive and is willing to add features upon request. Worth every penny.

@asmodeii

PS: Sorry for any mistakes, english’s not my first language.

Never apologize for not being a native English speaker.

[asmodeii]

Hi, thanks for taking time to answer.

I’m currently downloading the free version of Unity. From what I can see, there’s no real limitations (unless you’re a company or small team). Thanks for pointing me out to these extensions, but I don’t know if I really want to buy them. As I said, this is a project mostly for me and it will take something like a year or two to even come close to a finished alpha. I’d rather go in and make some easy system by myself. Eventually I’d want to learn some above-basic programming, and my vision of the game doesn’t really require advanced stuff (I hope so )

Yes, I’m totally going to make some minigames first, then expand a little bit upon them (changing stuff while in game, options, etc) so I’d get the hang of it, and while doing that it will also help for the real project, cause these will be in the real game.

If you don’t mind, can you point me to a documentation for 2D stuff? I don’t want to cluster the forum with lots of questions ^^

thanks, -mark

Edit-- I just found out about 2D Experimental Preview. This looks awesome,

[Schneider21]

You’re very welcome!

It’s worth reading through the manual for the 2D toolset, and of course, going through the 2D tutorial set as well as the Roguelike and UFO tutorials (both 2D). Plenty of resources available!