Victory! Overcoming Programming Challenges
After spending the better part of a week getting my bearings, and overcoming old developer habits (see previous blog), I completed the last challenge of Phase 1: Framework for our Space Shooter project, based upon GameDevHQ’s Unity-certified 2D Game Development course.
The last challenge was a camera shake. Because of my recent challenges to create efficiency in the code, I was better prepared to use the IEnumerator or I suspect this task would have taken much longer. All to say, I feel great! I’ve reached this goal, and best of all, I’m pleased with the quality of the work; perhaps it’s a little rough, but hey, it’s my first time making a game for Unity and it’s my first C# project.
I’ve been told by others that Phase 2: Core Programming is more difficult, and I’ve had a look, it is. I’m sure to have a head-bang here and there. But I am confident the worst is behind me.
In less than a month, I have nearly completed the 2D Development Course, become quite proficient in using GitHub and have commits for all of my Phase 1 tasks, and I’ve learned to appreciate that C# isn’t all that different from other similar languages, so far.
Unity, on the other hand, is the largest, most complex application I’ve ever used or seen in my life. Back in 1993, I owned a Silicon Graphics Workstation running Alias, a software app that has a modern son named “Maya”. Today, Maya is one of the most utilized applications by the movie industry for computer graphics (CGI). And the game industry uses it for graphics, too. The point I’m trying to make here is that Unity is on par with the most advanced computer software tools in the world.
In less than a month, I can open Unity projects of complicated games and actually begin to understand how they are built. Coming from more rudimentary tools for development, I can attest that GameDevHQ’s training for Unity is awesome! My hope is to complete Phase 2: Core Programming within a week and then get on with the Cinematography Course, which looking at it briefly, reminds me of the complex 3D graphics apps like Maya. I wonder how surprised I will be! And what will I learn? I’m having a blast!
Thanks again to Jonathan, Al, Austin, Dan, Jeff, Joanne, Aaron, the team and all those at the Economic Development Alliance of Hawaii for investing into this program and my future! I am grateful beyond words.
