Unity 3D Game Development: Terrain

Doing things yourself is not always the easiest way to go, but for those who like to explore, it's possibly the most fun.

Technology and graphic design minds come together weekly at the Long Beach Sea Base when Morio Murase and Caprice Rothe get together to work on the content for delivery of a game development program at the Long Beach Sea Base over Spring Break.

I get to experience it in person, and it is very, very, good.

I've played with game design before, exploring different platforms such as Game Salad and Game Maker.  I was exposed to Unity 3D at a meetup at the Microsoft offices in Culver City.

It's a truly exciting environment, but it's not easy.  I wouldn't put it in front of a 9 year old (some platforms do work for that age group).  I would think twice about putting it in front of 10 or 11 year olds.  But, as I'm coming to realize, 12 and 13 become magic ages of understanding when the kids have had enough experience that they can apply to very complex tasks.

So, I sit in a session (in front of computers donated by IBuyPower - I hear they're developing a Steam-OS computer, and monitors donated by Sceptre) along with teenagers, my eyes being opened wide at the possibilities of this game development platform and game engine.

We're working on Terrain Development.  There's so much to learn that it would be foolish to try to do it all in one go.  Learning to work in 3D is a task in itself.  A real eye-opener!  My brain is taking some time to really grasp what I'm seeing...

I tried taking photos of the terrains with which we were experimenting, but the images don't do justice to the experience.  We hope that when we get around to inviting you and your child to share the experience with us, that you will be there to see it yourself!

Trish Tsoiasue is working on building the Maker presence at multiple locations in Long Beach through the Learning For Life program and the community group, Makersville.