Building an action game from scratch

Action games are a popular genre of video games that are known for their fast-paced and intense gameplay. These games typically involve a player controlling a character that is battling against enemies, overcoming obstacles, and completing missions. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of building an action game from scratch with code examples.

Step 1: Choose a Game Engine

The first step in building an action game is to choose a game engine. A game engine is a software framework that provides the tools and technologies needed to develop video games. Popular game engines for action games include Unity, Unreal Engine, and CryEngine. In this tutorial, we will be using Unity as our game engine.

Step 2: Design the Game Concept

Once you have selected your game engine, the next step is to design the game concept. The game concept should include the main character, enemies, and the overall story and setting. You can also decide on the gameplay mechanics, such as weapons and abilities.

Step 3: Create the Player Character

In this step, you will create the player character. The player character is the protagonist in the game and is controlled by the player. In Unity, you can create the player character using the Unity Editor and prefabricated assets such as 3D models and animations. Here’s an example code snippet to create a player character in Unity:

public class PlayerCharacter : MonoBehaviour
{
    public float speed = 10.0f;
    private Rigidbody2D rigidbody2D;
    private Vector2 moveInput;

    void Start()
    {
        rigidbody2D = GetComponent<Rigidbody2D>();
    }

    void Update()
    {
        moveInput = new Vector2(Input.GetAxisRaw("Horizontal"), Input.GetAxisRaw("Vertical"));
        moveInput = moveInput.normalized * speed * Time.deltaTime;
        rigidbody2D.velocity = moveInput;
    }
}

Step 4: Design the Levels

Next, you will design the levels for your action game. The levels should be challenging and exciting, with obstacles and enemies to overcome. You can also add interactive elements to the levels such as levers, buttons, and doors. Here’s an example code snippet to create a platform in Unity:

public class Platform : MonoBehaviour
{
    public float speed = 2.0f;
    private Rigidbody2D rigidbody2D;
    private Vector2 moveDirection;

    void Start()
    {
        rigidbody2D = GetComponent<Rigidbody2D>();
        moveDirection = Vector2.left * speed;
    }

    void Update()
    {
        rigidbody2D.velocity = moveDirection;
    }
}

Step 5: Implement the Game Mechanics

In this step, you will implement the game mechanics such as shooting, jumping, and climbing. These mechanics will allow the player to interact with the game world and progress through the levels. You can use Unity’s scripting system to create custom scripts for each of these mechanics. Here’s an example code snippet to implement a shooting mechanic in Unity:

public class Shooting : MonoBehaviour
{
    public GameObject bulletPrefab;
    public float bulletSpeed = 10.0f;
    private Transform bulletSpawnPoint;

    void Start() {
    bulletSpawnPoint = transform.Find("BulletSpawnPoint");
    }

void Update()
{
    if (Input.GetKeyDown(KeyCode.Space))
    {
        Shoot();
    }
}

void Shoot()
 {
    GameObject bullet = Instantiate(bulletPrefab, bulletSpawnPoint.position, bulletSpawnPoint.rotation);
    Rigidbody rb = bullet.GetComponent<Rigidbody>();
    rb.velocity = bullet.transform.forward * bulletSpeed;
    }

}

In the code above, we first declare our bullet prefab and bullet speed as public variables. The bulletSpawnPoint is a transform component that defines the position and rotation of where the bullet will spawn. In the Start function, we find the transform component of the bullet spawn point using the Find method. In the Update function, we use the Input.GetKeyDown method to detect if the player has pressed the spacebar and call the Shoot function if they have. In the Shoot function, we use the Instantiate method to create an instance of the bullet prefab and set its velocity to be in the forward direction of the bullet at the specified bullet speed.

Similarly, you can implement the jumping and climbing mechanics using similar code snippets in Unity. The exact code may vary depending on the specific game mechanics you want to implement, but this should give you an idea of the type of code you may need to write to implement a shooting mechanic in Unity.

Step 6: Add Sound and Music

To enhance the player experience, you can add sound effects and music to your action game. In Unity, you can import audio files and create audio sources to play sounds and music in your game. Here’s an example code snippet to play a sound effect in Unity:

public class PlaySound : MonoBehaviour
{
public AudioClip soundEffect;
private AudioSource audioSource;
void Start()
{
    audioSource = GetComponent<AudioSource>();
    audioSource.clip = soundEffect;
}

public void PlaySE()
{
    audioSource.Play();
}
}

In the code above, we declare the sound effect as a public variable and the audio source as a private variable. In the Start function, we get the audio source component of the game object and set the clip to be the sound effect. In the PlaySE function, we use the Play method of the audio source to play the sound effect.

Step 7: Test and Debug

Before releasing your action game, it is important to test and debug it. This will help you to identify and fix any bugs or issues that may impact the player experience. You can use Unity’s built-in debugging tools and test your game on multiple devices and platforms.

In this tutorial, we have provided a step-by-step guide to building an action game from scratch using Unity. By following these steps, you can create an engaging and exciting action game that players will love. With a little practice and creativity, you can take your action game to the next level.