Unity is one of the most popular game engines in the world, powering everything from mobile casual games to AAA titles. If you’ve been wanting to build your first 2D game, this guide walks you through the essentials.
Step 1: Install Unity Hub
Download Unity Hub from unity.com and install the latest LTS (Long-Term Support) version. LTS releases are recommended for production projects as they receive bug fixes but no breaking new features.
Step 2: Create a 2D Project
Select the 2D Core template when creating a new project. This sets up the camera, import settings, and rendering pipeline optimised for 2D development.
Step 3: Understand the Scene View
The Scene view is your sandbox. Use the Hierarchy panel to manage GameObjects, the Inspector to tweak properties, and the Project window to organise assets.
Step 4: Add a Player Sprite
Import a sprite image into your Assets folder, drag it into the scene, and it becomes a GameObject. Add a Rigidbody2D and BoxCollider2D component to give it physics.
Step 5: Write Your First C# Script
Create a new C# script for player movement. Use Input.GetAxis("Horizontal") and rb.velocity to move your character. Attach the script to your player GameObject.
Step 6: Add a Camera Follow Script
Create a CameraFollow script that sets the camera’s transform position to the player’s position each frame in LateUpdate(). Add a smooth lerp for a polished feel.
Step 7: Build and Deploy
Go to File > Build Settings, select your target platform (PC, Android, iOS), and hit Build. Unity compiles your project into a standalone executable or APK. Congratulations — you’ve shipped your first game!
Unity’s cross-platform capability means one codebase can target PC, mobile, and even console. If you’re building games for Australian audiences, Unity is an excellent choice for both solo devs and small studios.