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Game Development Patterns with Unity 2021
Game Development Patterns with Unity 2021

Game Development Patterns with Unity 2021: Explore practical game development using software design patterns and best practices in Unity and C# , Second Edition

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Game Development Patterns with Unity 2021

Before We Begin

Welcome to the second edition of Hands-On Game Development Patterns with Unity; this edition is not merely a revision of the previous version, but a complete upgrade of the original book. After the first edition came out, I was fortunate to get a lot of constructive feedback, which inspired me to improve the structure of this new edition. As we will review in the following sections, this book concentrates on the "hands-on" aspect of the title; in other words, we are going to get our hands dirty and work on implementing systems and features for a fully playable prototype of a game with design patterns. This new approach to the book's structure will be more tangible and also more enjoyable. It's more fun to work on a playable game than with random code examples. So, before we begin, in the following sections, I will establish specific parameters to the book's content and overall approach.

Let's quickly review the topics we are going to see in this chapter, as follows:

  • Notes about the new edition
  • The philosophy of the book
  • What are design patterns?
  • Which subjects aren't covered in this book?
  • The game project

Notes about the new edition

As mentioned, I redesigned this edition entirely based on reader feedback from the previous version, and so, in consequence, I decided to cut some content from the last edition that readers considered to be trivial, such as the following:

  • Game loop and update pattern chapters: These chapters focused too much on theory and didn't align themselves with the book's "hands-on" approach.
  • Anti-patterns chapter: Anti-patterns is a complex and deep subject that deserves a book in itself to do it justice.

The end goal of this edition is not to cut content but to instead redesign the book to focus on practical game development uses of software design patterns in order to build a complete project. In other words, unlike the first edition, in which I took the approach of presenting each design pattern in isolation and with a self-contained code example, we will use them unitedly this time.

I added some chapters in this edition that were lacking in the previous version, such as the following:

  • The Game Design Document: The beginning of a new game project often starts with writing a GDD. A GDD is a document that will help us understand the design intention behind the game systems and mechanics that we will build throughout the book.
  • A Short Primer to Programming in Unity: We will use several advanced Unity engine concepts, C# features, and object-oriented programming (OOP) techniques throughout the book. In this chapter, we will take the time to review them to establish a shared knowledge base.

The philosophy of the book

This book is not a technical bible or the ultimate authority on how to use design patterns with Unity, and it's best described as a guide filled with design propositions to resolve some game programming challenges in Unity. The code examples included in each chapter are not flawless implementations because the art of design and programming is a continuous refinement process, and so the core goal of this book is to introduce you to potential solutions and inspire you to find better ones.

I always recommend seeking at least two sources of information on any technical subject, particularly concerning design patterns. It's essential to avoid getting too influenced by a single perspective of a complicated subject matter to the point that it becomes dogma instead of knowledge.

What are design patterns?

For those that are very new to programming, design patterns might be a novel concept. The simplest way of explaining design patterns is that they are reusable solutions to common software development problems. An architect named Christopher Alexander originated the notion of design patterns to describe reusable design ideas. In the late 1980s, inspired by the concept, software engineers started experimenting with applying concepts of reusable design patterns to software development, and over the years several books were written on the subject, such as the classic Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software by the so-called "Gang of Four".

But in this book, I will be avoiding covering the academic side of software design patterns, focusing instead on their practical use for programming game mechanics and systems in Unity. I will present a recurrent game programming problem in each chapter and propose resolving it using a specific design pattern adapted for the Unity application programming interface (API).

Which subjects aren't covered in this book?

There are many facets to game programming, and a single book cannot cover them all with the depth they deserve. This book has a specific focus: design patterns and the Unity engine. So, if you are starting your journey into becoming a professional game programmer, this book will not be enough to complete your education. But luckily, some very talented individuals in our industry have taken the time to write very specialized books on core topics of game development. I recommend that anyone interested in joining the game industry reads each of the following reference books:

  • Physics programming: Real-Time Collision Detection, Christer Ericson
  • Engine programming: Game Engine Architecture, Jason Gregory
  • Three-dimensional (3D) programming: Mathematics for 3D Game Programming and Computer Graphics, Eric Lengyel
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) programming: Programming Game AI By Example, Mat Buckland 

I have focused the content of this book on a specific aspect of game programming, but I will mention concepts from other domains of game development throughout the book. So, if you feel unfamiliar with some of the topics mentioned, take the time to explore them in depth; the time invested in researching will make you a better game programmer.

The game project

Throughout this book, we will be working continuously on a single game project example. The working title of the game is Edge Racer. As the title may indicate, it's a racing game; to be more specific, it's a futuristic racing game in which the player drives high-speed motorcycles. We will review the core concepts of the game in more detail in Chapter 2The Game Design Document. But before continuing, I wish to list the reasons I decided on a racing game instead of another type of game—for example, a role-playing game (RPG)—as follows:

  • Simplicity: Racing games have a simple premise—get to the finish line as fast as possible without crashing. Because this book is not about game design but game programming, I wanted a simple type of game that will permit us to focus on learning about software design patterns and not get bogged down with the implementation details of complex game mechanics.
  • Fun: I've worked on various games of many different genres, and I always found that racing games are the most fun to develop because they are enjoyable to test. In racing games, you can speed-run to specific parts of the game and quickly reproduce bugs or test new features. Unlike other games with deep game mechanics and large maps, such as RPGs, racing games are usually quicker to debug.
  • Performance: The main challenge of programming a racing game is maintaining a consistent frame rate as you add more features and content. So, I find working on racing games forces you to maintain good game-programmer habits by always keeping an eye on how fast your code is running and not just making it more readable.
  • Personal: There's also a personal reason for me choosing a racing game—it's because it's my favorite genre. I love playing racing games and I love making them. 

In conclusion, the game industry produces various products in many genres and sub-genres, but a racing game is a good reference point for us to start learning about design patterns in Unity because it's a simple context and forces us to keep an eye on keeping code clean and fast.

Summary

In this chapter, we reviewed the book's structure so that we can start with a clear understanding of its content and purpose. The key takeaway is that we will be using design patterns to build the mechanics and systems of a new racing game named Edge Racer.

In the next chapter, we will review the GDD to have a solid understanding of the game project that we will be working on in the upcoming chapters. I would not recommend skipping it because it's always a good practice to get to know as much as possible about a game project before starting writing code, as this helps in understanding how the parts fit the whole.

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Key benefits

  • Gain a comprehensive overview of Unity engine architecture and coding model
  • Build a complete racing game using software design patterns and understand how to implement them in Unity
  • Download the source code of the complete prototype demonstrating each of the software patterns used

Description

This book is written for every game developer ready to tackle the bigger picture and start working with advanced programming techniques and design patterns in Unity. Game Development Patterns with Unity 2021 is an introduction to the core principles of reusable software patterns and how to employ them to build components efficiently. In this second edition, you'll tackle design patterns with the help of a practical example; a playable racing game prototype where you’ll get to apply all your newfound knowledge. Notable updates also include a game design document (GDD), a Unity programming primer, and the downloadable source code of a complete prototype. Your journey will start by learning about overall design of the core game mechanics and systems. You’ll discover tried-and-tested software patterns to code essential components of a game in a structured manner, and start using classic design patterns to utilize Unity's unique API features. As you progress, you'll also identify the negative impacts of bad architectural decisions and understand how to overcome them with simple but effective practices. By the end of this Unity book, the way you develop Unity games will change – you’ll adapt a more structured, scalable, and optimized process that will help you take the next step in your career.

Who is this book for?

This book is for Unity game developers who want to learn industry standards for building Unity games. Knowledge of the Unity game engine and programming in the C# language is a must, so if you’re a beginner, try our Learning C# by Developing Games with Unity 2021 handbook instead.

What you will learn

  • Structure professional Unity code using industry-standard development patterns
  • Identify the right patterns for implementing specific game mechanics or features
  • Develop configurable core game mechanics and ingredients that can be modified without writing a single line of code
  • Review practical object-oriented programming (OOP) techniques and learn how they re used in the context of a Unity project
  • Build unique game development systems such as a level editor
  • Explore ways to adapt traditional design patterns for use with the Unity API
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Table of Contents

21 Chapters
Sections 1: Fundamentals Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Before We Begin Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
The Game Design Document Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
A Short Primer to Programming in Unity Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Section 2: Core Patterns Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Implementing a Game Manager with the Singleton Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Managing Character States with the State Pattern Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Managing Game Events with the Event Bus Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Implement a Replay System with the Command Pattern Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Optimizing with the Object Pool Pattern Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Decoupling Components with the Observer Pattern Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Implementing Power-Ups with the Visitor Pattern Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Implementing a Drone with the Strategy Pattern Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Using the Decorator to Implement a Weapon System Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Implementing a Level Editor with Spatial Partition Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Section 3: Alternative Patterns Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Adapting Systems with an Adapter Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Concealing Complexity with a Facade Pattern Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Managing Dependencies with the Service Locator Pattern Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
About Packt Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Other Books You May Enjoy Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

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IvanDBeltran Mar 13, 2022
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
I've been studying this book for 3 or 4 weeks, and it has been extremely helpful. Thanks to the book I have a better understanding not only of the patterns described in the book, but also their practical application within the context of game development in unity.I liked the way the author started with core patterns and progressively moved the reader to the "Alternative patterns". I must confess that before reading the book I'd apply the same singleton pattern at any opportunity, now I feel that I have the tools to evaluate more consciously the requirements of the project/task and implement a pattern/solution more suitable. Being a somewhat complex topic (at least for me), I appreciate that the length of each chapter is not excessive, giving the readers a good amount of information without making them feel overwhelmed.That said, I wish there were implementations of the patterns covered in more than 1 context. In my experience, I only master knowledge when I apply the same principle more than once in different situations. Besides, sometimes I felt I was just copying a lot of code without actually getting the solutions myself. For further editions it would be super beneficial to have challenges in which the reader has to apply the knowledge acquired and then check the author's solution. My solution was to find those different contexts and create the challenges myself, so no big deal, just a suggestion.Overall, the book covers the most important and most used patterns for game development. A solid understanding of data types, interfaces and events is necessary to get the most of the text. It is a great starting point to understand the basics of design patterns, giving the readers the tools to keep expanding their knowledge in this fascinating topic.
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Dekel Sep 24, 2021
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
If you're a Unity developer who want to expand his knowledge about game programming, this is the book for you!In this book you can learn how to make your code maintainable, flexible and well organized using different design patterns, and and the big plus is that you get to build actual project while learning.I have enjoyed the learning process and actually managed to implement some of the patterns in my personal projects.Very recommended!
Amazon Verified review Amazon
yash Oct 27, 2021
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Excellent, engaging, and error-free. Great care has been taken to avoid assumptions and I found that if I had a problem, it was my issue, always reread his words and got there.It is highly recommended for people who are starting out as game developer and gives a good understanding of developing with c#
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Jarvis Hill Sep 11, 2021
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
If you've ever created a program where the removal of several lines of code or entire script could jeopardize the stability of the entire, or if you've ever run into any performance issues due to your code then this book is for you. This book is filled with a bunch of great design patterns that help you decouple your code to prevent dependencies. This book also helps you make your code more flexible, modular, and help you boost your performance. The Singleton pattern helps you create a central point to access other scripts. State Pattern allows you to create multiple modular states. The Command Pattern allows you to store, execute, undo, and redo previous actions. The Object Pool Pattern helps you boost your performance by returning objects to the pool for reuse. Those were just a few of the 13 patterns found in this book.The one thing I love is that there is a ton of examples everywhere in this book. You will get code examples for every design type. I would keep this book on hand as reference material.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Roshan Sep 21, 2021
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Very nice book to get an introduction into unityI've read through the book and now have a good base understanding about the basic concepts to get started with unity dame development.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
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