So you’re ready to learn how to use Unity and build your own games. However, which are the best Unity tutorials to get you started with the Unity basics?
Unity, considered to be one of the Best Game Engines, is a popular, powerful, and versatile engine allowing you to create 2D, 3D and multiplayer games across a large number of platforms. Even with limited or no coding experience, you can quickly gain the skills to build games using the Unity Editor and C#. Below, we’ve compiled some of the best Unity tutorials available for beginners to get you programming with C# and working with this amazing game engine.
So, without delay, let’s learn how to use Unity!
Table of contents
What is Unity?
Unity is a powerful cross-platform game development engine that allows you to create interactive 3D and 2D content. It is used around the globe by indie developers and large-scale gaming studios alike, offering a broad and rich set of features. With its intuitive and user-friendly interface, Unity provides developers the tools needed for precise game design and immersive gameplay experiences, and supports a wide array of platforms, including Windows, MacOS, various game consoles, and mobile devices.
Not only is it perfect for creating visually stunning games, but it’s also excellent for developing simulations, animations, and interactive content for industries beyond gaming.
With such immense popularity, Unity also has many resources available. For example, in Zenva’s Unity Game Development Mini-Degree you can explore a whole curriculum of courses covering everything from the basics of Unity to a variety of genre-based mechanics including FPS games, kart racing, and more!
Why Learn Unity?
You might be asking yourself, “Why should I learn Unity?” Here are a few compelling reasons why this best Unity tutorials list is for you:
- Widespread Industry Adoption: Unity is the most popular game engine in the gaming industry. By mastering Unity, you are equipped with skills that are highly sought after in the industry.
- Cross-platform Development: One of Unity’s key features is its ability to deploy applications to multiple platforms. This means that you create once, and with minimal alterations, can reproduce your game for different systems.
- Demand for Unity Skills is High: Not only is the demand for Unity developers high in the gaming world but many non-gaming industries such as automotive, architecture, and film are now using Unity to create simulations and interactive content.
- Strong Community: Unity boasts a massive community that can provide support, tutorials, assets, and plugins, making it easier and faster to bring your projects to life.
By learning Unity, you’re giving yourself a leg up in the ever-evolving tech industry. Whether you’re a hobbyist looking to bring your game ideas to life, or a professional seeking to enhance your skills, learning Unity can open doors to exciting and creative opportunities.
Learn the Unity Game Engine in 90 MINUTES
This Unity tutorial from Zenva teaches all the foundational skills in using the Unity Hub, Unity Editor, and Unity programming with C#. It starts with the basics of the Unity game engine and the Unity Editor, including manipulating game object size, position, and rotation. Next, the lessons dive into the fundamentals of using C# and allow you to explore variables, operators, conditions, and more – especially as it applies to Unity’s Scripting API.
Key Topics Covered:
- Installing the Unity Hub and Unity Editor
- Creating projects in the Unity Hub
- Introduction to the Unity Editor
- Placing objects into a Unity Scene
- Cameras, shaders, views, and perspectives
- Manipulating objects by size, position, and rotation
- Parent-child relationships
- C# basics for programming in Unity
Duration: 1.5 hours of video Unity course videos
Access Now: Learn the Unity Game Engine in 90 MINUTES
This Unity tutorial from Jason Weimann takes you through the entire process of building an Angry Birds style-game in Unity from a beginner’s perspective. You’ll learn everything from how to handle 2D sprites, how to deal with Unity physics needed for this style of game, and even how to create better “game feel” with particles. In addition, you’ll also get to explore integral, less considered features like level progression – all culminating in skills you can transfer and apply to tons of different games. Besides, this will make a spectacular portfolio piece as you show off your skills to the world!
Key Topics Covered:
- Installing Unity and creating a project
- Game art and sprites
- Animation and physics
- C# coding in Unity
- Controlling cameras
- Particles, prefabs, and levels
- Building a complete game in Unity
Duration: 3 hours of video training
Access Now: How to Make a Game – Unity Beginner Tutorial
Unity Full Beginner Tutorial 2020 | Make your first game!
In this Unity tutorial series from Sorcerer, which is meant for people who are just starting out with Unity or just starting out with game development in general, you’ll learn while building your very first game. Of course, you will learn key Unity game engine features, coding basics, and game development skills such as scene layout, manipulating game objects, etc. However, you’ll also learn a great deal about implementing colliders & triggers and using Unity’s UI systems.
As mentioned, you’ll also build a fun rolling ball game while mastering all these skills that you can add to your portfolio, share with your friends, or even expand on your own. Of the Unity tutorials on this list, this is also probably the best if you want to go more towards the mobile development path.
Key Topics Covered:
- Unity setup
- Scene layout
- Primitive objects
- Manipulating object transformations
- Colliders and Rigidbodies
- Triggers
- Materials
- Prefabs
- Unity UI systems
- Rolling ball game mechanics
Duration: 2.5 hours of video training
Access Now: Unity Full Beginner Tutorial 2020 | Make your first game!
Another one from Zenva, this Unity tutorial also teaches the required Unity and C# skills needed to start building games in any genre. In this Unity tutorial’s case, though, you can take advantage of Zenva’s course system to keep track of your progress and organize your schedule around lessons that are 10 minutes or less. You’ll start from scratch by installing and setting up Unity, and then, create your first project while being introduced to the Unity Editor. Within the Unity Editor, you’ll learn how to set up a Scene in Unity with objects, materials, prefabs, and more.
In addition, you’ll explore the fundamentals of C# programming in Unity while learning how to interact with game objects using code – making it a really great arsenal if you specifically want Unity courses.
Key Topics Covered:
- Installing Unity and creating a project
- Using the Unity Editor
- Adding objects into a Unity Scene
- Manipulating object size, position, and rotation
- Adding materials and Prefabs
- C# programming in Unity
Duration: 1 hour of Unity course video
Access Now: Unity 101 – Game Development Foundations
How to make Your First Game TODAY! – (Unity 3D)
This Unity tutorial from Jonas Tyroller teaches all the key Unity game engine features for beginners by building three simple physics-based games. As expected of a beginner’s tutorial, you’ll learn about the Unity Editor, Unity UI systems, setting up the camera & changing its position, how to work with the C# programming language to move and transform objects, and similar. Of equal importance, you’ll also explore how to respond to triggers and apply physics to your game in many ways that can be used to turn physics itself into a game.
By the end of this Unity tutorial, you’ll have three games to expand your portfolio and demonstrate your game dev skills to anyone who asks!
Key Topics Covered:
- Getting Unity installed
- Working with the Unity Editor
- Unity’s UI elements
- Camera
- Scene layout
- Moving and transforming objects
- Triggers
- Building 3 physics-based games
Duration: 1.5 hours of video training
Access Now: How to make Your First Game TODAY! – (Unity 3D)
How to program in C#
We’ve explored a lot of Unity Basics, but only really brushed the C# surface. This Unity tutorial series from Brackeys fixes this by taking you through the basics of the C# programming language (used for Unity Scripts). Whether you are new to coding, new to C#, or just looking for a refresher this C# tutorial will cover all the programming basics you need to know in order to apply logic to games made with Unity.
Plus, these basics will prove absolute necessities if you start explore project-based Unity tutorials.
Key Topics Covered:
- Getting started with C#
- C# Variables
- C# Conditions
- C# Loops
- C# Arrays
- C# Methods
- C# Classes
Duration: 1.5 hours of video training
Access Now: How to program in C#
Learn C# Scripting for Unity in 15 Minutes
Similar to the above, this Unity tutorial series from Charger Games also covers the basics of using the C# programming language inside Unity, but goes a bit more in-depth on the topic. First, you’ll learn C# coding fundamentals such as variables, arrays, loops, methods, and classes. Next, you’ll apply these C# basics inside Unity to detect events, add physics, display text, and move between game levels.
You’ll round out scripting for Unity with C# by moving objects, working with the camera, and responding to collisions – all useful skills for your future game projects. Plus, it will enable you to interact with other Unity tutorials more easily.
Key Topics Covered:
- Creating C# scripts in Unity
- C# coding fundamentals
- Detecting mouse and keyboard events
- Adding physics and force
- Moving object with velocity
- Detecting collisions
- Loading the next “level”
- Displaying text on the screen
- 3D player movement and camera follow
- Audio inside Unity
Duration: 1.5 hours of video training
Access Now: Learn C# Scripting for Unity in 15 Minutes
Introduction to Game Development with Unity and C#
This Unity tutorial series from Sebastian Lague takes you through the basics of using the C# programming language inside Unity – only this time you’ll end up with some cool games at the end. You’ll start by learning the required fundamental programming concepts including C# variables, methods, and classes. After, you’ll learn the basics of the Unity game engine and how to apply these C# programming concepts to create several games of increasing complexity.
By the end, you’ll have two more games to add to your portfolio so you can demonstrate your Unity and, more importantly, your C# skills. It’s definitely a great entry on this Unity tutorials list if you want something very practical.
Key Topics Covered:
- Creating your first C# script in Unity
- Programming fundamentals with C#
- Detecting input events
- Using physics and force
- Changing object velocity
- Dealing with collisions
- Going to the next level
- Applying C# to actual game builds
Duration: 4 hours of video training
Access Now: Introduction to Game Development with Unity and C#
Making your first FPS in Unity with FPS Microgame
Moving a bit past pure Unity fundamentals (which has dominated this Unity tutorials list), this tutorial from Brackeys guides you through setting up and creating a first person shooter (FPS) game in Unity using Unity’s FPS Microgame.
What are Microgames? They are small, fully functional games designed to fast-track Unity game development by following simple In-Editor tutorials that come with the project. Unity’s FPS Microgame Template is a 3D first person shooter game that you can customize including levels, assets, weapons, enemies, and more. Thus, you’ll not only get a cool FPS game by the end, but have double the guidance just on how to take many of the Unity basics you might have already learned to make something a bit meatier.
Key Topics Covered:
- FPS Microgame installation and setup
- How to use interactive FPS Microgame tutorials
- Designing and building an FPS Microgame
- FPS mechanics
Duration: 20 minutes of video training
Access Now: Making your first FPS in Unity with FPS Microgame
Unity Game Development Mini Degree
Looking for something more robust from a Unity tutorial – or just want a collection of connected Unity tutorials? Developed by Zenva, the Unity Game Development Mini-Degree is a complete curriculum developed by Unity certified developers and designed to teach you not just the basics of Unity, but how to then apply Unity and C# to different genres.
Taking a project-based approach, you’ll build real projects that are perfect for your professional portfolio while learning key skills with Unity. You’ll create games in some of the most popular genres, and learn core game systems that can be added to your own projects.
Key Topics Covered:
- Unity setup
- Navigating the Unity Editor
- Creating C# scripts in Unity
- Game development techniques
- Aesthetics and storytelling
- Unity UI systems
- Optimizing huge worlds
- Procedural terrain
- Testing and debugging
Duration: 29 hours of Unity coding courses
Access: Unity Game Development Mini Degree
Bonus: Where to go Next?
Unity’s popularity also means it has a huge community – and there is no shortage of Unity tutorials you can peruse. Since not all content is created equal, you could end up wasting a lot of time bouncing back and forth between tutorials without really making any forward progress. To help, here are some considerations when deciding on your best learning path.
Tips
1. Consider the level of experience. Don’t jump into the most advanced concepts you can find. You really do have to learn the fundamentals over and over again before they stick.
2. Choosing content curated by a trusted source can save you a lot of time and stress, and avoid some of the issues that come with having confidence in free tutorials.
3. Structured courses with defined learning pathways ensure beginner developers have a clear path from no-experience to confident developer. Those with more experience already can jump back and forth between topics based on interest or just-in-time learning.
The following resources align with all of the above points – they were created by certified industry professionals, and guide you step by step from the basics through to creating your own complete games with Unity:
- 2D & 3D Games
- Survival Games
- 2D RPGs
- 3D RPGs
- Strategy Games
- Mobile Games
- Multiplayer Games
- VR Games
- AR Games
Extra Resources
For those new to game design and development we recommend reading our How to Make a Game and How to Code a Game articles. These articles will guide you through idea creation, designing, developing, testing, and finally publishing your first game.
If you enjoy learning from books, then Unity Programming for Human Beings is a good next step for advancing your Unity skills. As this is rendered in a PDF format, you can also take it with you on the go.
If you’re still at the stage where you’re considering whether Unity and C# is right for your game projects, you can start with our Making your Dream Games: What is Unity? article. This will go more into depth about why Unity is a great engine and also walk you through some features you may not have even known it had.
Alternatively, if you’re just ready to dive deep into Unity tutorials, you can check out some of the tutorials here on GameDev Academy which cover a variety of topics you might be interested in.
Unity Tutorials Wrap Up
With this personal list of what we consider to be the best Unity tutorials, we hope you’re able to take a more defined step forward in building games. Mastering the Unity basics with a learning style that fits your needs is key to your future success as a game developer. Of course, there are more Unity tutorials out there. So, if nothing from here fits what you need, don’t be afraid to explore and find the Unity tutorial that is just right for you.
Of course, if you want a sure-fire recommendation, nothing stands out more than Zenva’s Unity Game Development Mini-Degree. This immense curriculum covers everything you could want to know about Unity – whether that’s the foundations, how to make games like idle clickers, how to work with tools like Cinemachine, and much more. Plus, with supplemental learning material like quizzes and text summaries and 24/7 access, learning Unity is made to suit any learner easily.
Regardless, we wish you the best of luck with learning Unity and we can’t wait to see your future games!
Did you come across any errors in this tutorial? Please let us know by completing this form and we’ll look into it!
FINAL DAYS: Unlock coding courses in Unity, Godot, Unreal, Python and more.
