2D Game Design in Unity

Price: Starting at $399
Age: Ages 13-17
Skill Level: Intermediate-Advanced
Format: Virtual Tech Camps | Small-Group, Online
Duration: Meets daily for 2 hours Monday-Friday

About This Course

Utilize Unity and C# to dive deeper into game development, exploring a 2D design approach and analyzing different genres to learn about game design principles. Whether it’s arcade games of yore or new-age RPG prototypes that take a creative and freeing approach to play and battle, a 2D canvas can have as much depth as you put into it. Try your hand at creating pixelated art assets, and discover how to program working with gravity, collisions, and more. Unlock more of Unity’s power, and expand your development in exciting new ways.

Tools: Unity, C#, Visual Studio Community Edition

Topics Covered

Analyze different genres to learn about game design
Use C# and Unity to create gravity and collisions
Create art assets to design unique worlds
Construct a game from a 2D canvas

Course Format

This course is part of a weeklong virtual summer camp running Monday through Friday. Your child will learn online with a small group of other students, in sessions led by expert instructors. Each day includes two hours of live instruction and peer collaboration plus two hours of self-paced project development. Learn more below.

Sample Schedule

Here’s a sample of what a week in this course could look like. Keep in mind students will progress at varying paces, and this is meant to serve as an outline of key materials and the overall experience.

Monday: Analyze Games & Discuss Game Design Concepts

Students will start the course by analyzing games and discussing game design concepts. They’ll build a 2D top-down arcade shooter game in Unity using provided templates. Then they’ll build a 2D platformer game that uses gravity in rigidbodies as well as colliders and tags.

Tuesday: Learn Basic Tools for Making Pixel Art

Using Piskel, students will create their own custom sprites to make their game unique. They'll learn the basic tools for making pixel art and how to export their sprites as art for their games. Then they'll import a sprite that they made into their Unity project to replace the art and reskin the game. They’ll also manage scenes and create a title scene to start their Unity game. Using knowledge of colliders and scene management, students will connect their scenes together to make a continuous game.

Wednesday: Create Collectible Items

Students will create collectible items to open locked-off areas by coding objects to reference other objects and classes in Unity. Then they'll dive deeper into learning about saving data by utilizing PlayerPrefs for saving and loading the game between scenes and playthroughs.

Thursday: Create a Hitbox, Use Collisions & More

Students will work in an action game in Unity where they'll create a hitbox using specified positions and directions from the player and then determine the amount of time it's active for. And finally, they'll use collisions to destroy enemies. They'll use code to set up a health bar system. Then they'll connect those values to an image that appears on the screen to show the player what their current health is.

Friday: Expand Upon & Complete Game

Students will choose their favorite game types that they made so far and expand upon them! They’ll expand upon this game, combine multiple scenes, and create a consistent theme and art style for their project. Then they’ll finish their games, build them out, and show them to the class! They’ll provide feedback to each other and spend additional time that they have working on adding those changes if they'd like to.

Portfolio-Boosting Transcript

At the conclusion of your child's course, they will receive an official iD Tech transcript outlining the skills they learned over the course of the week.

Elite Staff & Experienced Instructors

Passion for tech. Unmatched expertise. Personality that brings out the absolute best in your child. With 25 years of experience, we know there's no replacement for the best teacher. Each year iD instructors go on to be hired by the most prestigious tech companies in the world like Google, EA, Disney, Microsoft, and more. When your child learns from the best, they’ll unlock opportunities to become their best.

100% USA-based, adult instructors
Recruited from top universities like Stanford, Caltech, and NYU
Rigorous background and reference checks
Robust training programs and certification
Adherence to American Camp Association accredited guidelines

Instructor Highlights

Chris M.

Software Engineer at Google

“My time as an iD instructor was really formative. I stayed with STEM in college as a Computer Science and Electrical Engineering major, and now I’m working at Google in Chicago. If you find yourself thinking about STEM-related things outside of school, follow that passion. Major in it. Keep pursuing it.”

Instructor Highlights

Chris M.

Software Engineer at Google

Instructor Highlights

Aspen C.

Associate Designer at Bethesda Softworks

“The spirit of innovation and creativity I felt around my students while teaching Unity led me toward my career as a professional game designer. My time at iD Tech taught me that no dream is too big, and that brilliant ideas can come from anywhere.”

Instructor Highlights

Aspen C.

Associate Designer at Bethesda Softworks

Instructor Highlights

Brian M.

Software Engineer at Disney

“The opportunity to create an environment of collaboration, inclusion, and creativity was a truly special experience. The skills I honed while teaching at iD Tech led me to my software engineering roles at ESPN and the Walt Disney Company.”

Instructor Highlights

Brian M.

Software Engineer at Disney

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FAQ

What are game design “genres” and why do they matter?

It’s a question every game designer must ask themselves as they progress to intermediate and advanced levels. After all, the type of experience gamers are looking for varies widely based on the game genre. From classic arcade games to role playing games to first-person shooter games and many more, working within specific gaming genres is a great way to refine design and coding skills.

Why should my child learn with Unity?

As video games get more and more advanced, the production behind them is as sophisticated and complex as the making of blockbuster films! From coding to amazing graphics and sophisticated game mechanics, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes. By combining a gamer’s eye for design and game mechanics with Unity programming, kids can level up their STEM skills.

What is the virtual camp experience like?

While we are proud to offer world-class experiences on many of the world’s most prestigious university campuses, we also recognize that many families need the flexibility of quality virtual learning! It’s with these families in mind that we’ve adapted the core elements of our flagship camps to an online format with our Virtual Tech Camps.

Like our on-campus programs, Virtual Tech Camps feature structured small-group sessions led by expert instructors. Each week includes live teaching of our signature, cutting-edge curriculum, plus peer collaboration, social time, and independent project work. To complete the experience, our Virtual Tech Camps incorporate all the magic of summer camp including games, challenges, and legendary iD traditions!

Is this course suitable for all skill levels?

Yes, this course is designed for beginner to advanced students. Our small class size ensures that each student receives individual attention and has the freedom to learn at their own pace.

What are the technical requirements for this online course?

To run this online course with iD Tech, students will need a Mac or Windows computer (no Chromebooks, unless otherwise specified), a webcam, and a stable internet connection with access to Zoom video conferencing. Additional info on course-specific installation requirements will be communicated after registration.

What if I need to change my camp date or course at a later time?

As courses frequently sell out, we recommend registering early to secure your child’s spot. You can make unlimited changes - with no fees - up to 14 days before the start of your session. If you need to cancel, you will receive a refund of the amount paid, less the payment plan fee (if applicable) and the deposit of $250 per week. No refunds are provided for cancellations made within 14 days of the start of your session.

My child would prefer a 1-on-1 learning experience—is that possible?

Our Online Private Lessons offer 1-on-1 learning with our inspiring instructors, curriculum customized to your child’s needs, and a full range of STEM and other academic topics. It's as simple as selecting a lesson package and topic, and then choosing an instructor to schedule a 60-minute lesson at the date and time that works best for you. Learn more.

Who can I contact with additional questions?

Our Program Specialists are here to provide you with the best experience. Looking for a personalized course recommendation? Need help signing up? We’ve got you covered. Call us at 1-888-709-8324 or email hello@idtech.com.

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2D Game Design in Unity

About This Course

Topics Covered

Course Format

Sample Schedule

Monday: Analyze Games & Discuss Game Design Concepts

Tuesday: Learn Basic Tools for Making Pixel Art

Wednesday: Create Collectible Items

Thursday: Create a Hitbox, Use Collisions & More

Friday: Expand Upon & Complete Game

Portfolio-Boosting Transcript

Elite Staff & Experienced Instructors

Instructor Highlights

Chris M.

Instructor Highlights

Chris M.

Instructor Highlights

Aspen C.

Instructor Highlights

Aspen C.

Instructor Highlights

Brian M.

Instructor Highlights

Brian M.

FAQ

What are game design “genres” and why do they matter?

Why should my child learn with Unity?

What is the virtual camp experience like?

Is this course suitable for all skill levels?

What are the technical requirements for this online course?

What if I need to change my camp date or course at a later time?

My child would prefer a 1-on-1 learning experience—is that possible?

Who can I contact with additional questions?

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iD Tech
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Publish Date: 10/26/2023