Code Like the Pros - Unity C# Programming - Create a Custom Crossy Road Game

In this class students use the Unity Programming Platform to learn how to create, modify and debug a classic computer game. Students will develop real coding skills in a inquiry based environment. Unity is a professional game design platform used to develop 1000's of games and applications both web-based and actually mobile apps. We will be coding in C# using Visual Studio, a free Microsoft product. No Experience is necessary, but a high level of comfort with learning new computer skills is strongly recommended.

After learning the basics of the software, students will be provided with a working 2D game design template and the challenge to redesign the game with the elements they would like to add. The code provided in this template is designed for students to experiment and manipulate leading to important lessons about problem solving and debugging.  Each week's lesson will be based upon the specific questions that students ask to help them to design their game. The games themselves can be as elaborate as a student's ambition leads them to create. The goal of our class will be for each student to have a fully functional game that reflects their newfound skills. All finished games will be uploaded to my website so they can be shared with classmates, family and friends.

The software for Unity and Visual Studio (C#) are free and instructions will be provided to explain to students how to download and install the software prior to our first week. The most important requirement about this class is for students to come to class ready to learn. This is not a cookie-cutter class and depends on students willing to test their limits and ask questions and problem solve to overcome coding obstacles. This will be an exciting class and I truly look forward to our first week!

Each day of the course will focus on a specific Unity component or coding skill:
Day 1 Introduction to Unity - Exploring the platform's layout and experimenting with sprites
Day 2 Sprites and Animations - We will learn how to add custom graphics(Sprite Sheets) and transform them into animations
Day 3 C# and Visual Studio - Students will learn how to write and modify and implement code in Visual Studio
Day 4 Prefabs - Students will learn how to "Instantiate"(Create) objects using code and variables
Day 5 Colliders - We explore how objects in the game can "sense" collisions
Day 6 Points and Powerups - We learn how variables can be write to keep track and display the score
Day 7 Game Publishing and wrap-up - students will learn how we export completed games and celebrate their success