Looking to dive into game development but don’t know where to start? The Complete C# Unity Game Developer 3D (Updated to Unity 6) course on Udemy might just be your gateway. Updated with the latest Unity 6, this course promises to transform beginners into game creators, offering a mix of coding, game design, and problem-solving skills. Here’s my take on the course.
Instructor Reputation
When it comes to online courses, the instructor can make or break the experience—and Rick Davidson is undoubtedly a standout in this field. With a stellar Udemy track record, he has an impressive 4.7 instructor rating, over 250,000 reviews, and nearly 1 million students enrolled across his 21 courses. Rick’s unique teaching style blends deep technical knowledge with relatable and engaging delivery, making even complex topics approachable.
What sets Rick apart is his extensive background in the gaming industry. He’s worked in various roles, including Game Designer, Producer, Creative Director, and Executive Producer, and has contributed to well-known franchises like Mario, Transformers, Captain America, and Mortal Kombat. His experience doesn’t stop at working on existing IPs—Rick also founded his own indie game studio, Inspirado Games, which was acquired by Electronic Arts/PopCap. This mix of AAA and indie experience allows him to provide well-rounded insights into game development, whether you aspire to join a big-name studio or go the indie route.
But Rick isn’t just a seasoned developer; he’s also a qualified career coach who’s helped thousands of students navigate their journey into game development. His teaching philosophy focuses on breaking down intimidating concepts like C# programming and Unity’s powerful tools into digestible, fun lessons. His approachable demeanor and occasional dad jokes add a personal touch to the course, making it feel more like learning from a mentor than attending a lecture.
Additionally, Rick is backed by the talented GameDev.tv team, a group dedicated to helping aspiring game developers succeed. Their student-centric approach is evident in the course’s well-structured content, frequent updates, and the thriving online communities on Discord and Facebook. Whether you’re looking for quick answers, collaborative opportunities, or just motivation, these communities are an invaluable part of the learning experience.
Course Structure
The Complete C# Unity Game Developer 3D (Updated to Unity 6) course is designed to be both beginner-friendly and progressively challenging, ensuring students build a strong foundation while tackling increasingly complex projects. It follows a project-based learning approach, which is particularly effective for game development. Rather than bogging students down with dry theory, the course immerses you in hands-on projects right from the start.
The course features five games, each focusing on a specific set of skills:
- Obstacle Dodge
This entry-level project introduces the basics of Unity and C#, including player input, variables, collision detection, and basic game logic. It’s designed to give complete beginners a solid grasp of how Unity works while building confidence in coding. - Rocket Boost
This physics-based game ups the ante by incorporating forces, namespaces, and classes. It’s here that students start to see the creative potential of Unity’s physics engine, gaining insights into how these concepts can bring games to life. - Galaxy Strike
This game is a tribute to classic arcade rail shooters but with a modern twist. Students learn terrain and timeline tools, along with more advanced programming concepts like arrays, for-loops, and coroutines. By this point, students are working with more complex systems and refining their design skills. - Royal Run
Procedural generation is one of the most exciting aspects of modern game development, and this endless runner project provides a deep dive into the topic. You’ll work with lists, pickups, animations, and Unity’s post-processing effects, creating a game that feels dynamic and alive. - Sharp Shooter
The final project is a first-person shooter that challenges students to tackle enemy AI, weapon switching, raycasting, and level prototyping with ProBuilder. This game showcases Unity’s capabilities as a 3D game engine and helps students develop a comprehensive skill set that includes both programming and level design.
The structure of each project ensures a balance between guided learning and independent problem-solving. You’re first challenged to build the game yourself, then guided step-by-step, and finally encouraged to revisit and improve upon your work. This repetitive cycle is key to solidifying skills and fostering creativity.
Another standout feature is the inclusion of practical exercises in every video. These exercises are not just busywork—they’re carefully designed to reinforce critical concepts while giving you tangible results. Additionally, all project files and resources are provided, so you’re never left feeling stuck.
Beyond the core content, the course has a strong focus on best practices, such as using source control for collaborative projects and following good coding and design patterns. These skills are invaluable for anyone planning to work in a team environment or transition into other coding disciplines.
Lastly, the course has been updated to Unity 6, ensuring it stays relevant in a fast-changing industry. While older versions of Unity are still supported, the inclusion of the latest features and tools demonstrates the instructors’ commitment to keeping the course fresh and valuable. Whether you’re brand new to game development or looking to refresh your Unity knowledge, the course’s structure ensures you’re always building toward something meaningful.
Content Quality
The Complete C# Unity Game Developer 3D course stands out for its exceptional content quality, thoughtfully designed to ensure students not only understand the material but also enjoy the learning process. The course is meticulously structured to combine theory, hands-on application, and creative problem-solving, making it both engaging and highly educational.
One of the most impressive aspects of the course is its project-based learning approach, where you immediately apply what you’ve learned to build real games. This method eliminates the monotony of theoretical lectures and gives students a sense of accomplishment as they progress. The inclusion of five diverse game projects ensures a well-rounded experience, covering everything from 2.5D to 3D games and incorporating various programming concepts such as object-oriented programming, collision detection, procedural generation, and AI. These projects are not just exercises but stepping stones that guide students toward mastering Unity and C#.
The course goes beyond just teaching how to code by diving into essential game design principles. For example, students learn how to craft intuitive player controls, design compelling levels, and implement engaging mechanics. These lessons ensure that graduates of the course don’t just become coders but also develop a strong understanding of what makes games fun and engaging.
The quality of the instructional materials is also noteworthy. The videos are crisp, well-edited, and easy to follow. Visual aids, such as diagrams and screencasts, are used effectively to explain complex concepts. The pacing of the lessons strikes a perfect balance—fast enough to keep you engaged but slow enough to ensure clarity. Each lesson builds on the last, fostering a natural progression of skills and knowledge.
Another standout feature is the focus on practical exercises in every video, which is a hallmark of great teaching. These exercises reinforce key concepts, challenge students to think critically, and ensure they’re applying their knowledge in meaningful ways. The instructors also provide project files and additional resources, so if you ever get stuck, you have everything you need to move forward.
However, the course isn’t without its minor shortcomings. Some students noted that the final game project lacks sound effects, which detracts slightly from the overall experience. While the omission may be intentional to encourage students to add their own touches, it leaves the final project feeling a bit unfinished. Additionally, while the course excels at teaching Unity and C#, it doesn’t cover topics like art asset creation or advanced optimizations, which might be a drawback for those looking to delve deeper into these areas.
Overall, the content quality of this course is outstanding, providing a comprehensive introduction to Unity and game development while equipping students with practical skills they can immediately use to create their own games.
Overall Course Rating – 9.5/10
I’d rate this course a 9.5/10, and here’s why. The Complete C# Unity Game Developer 3D (Updated to Unity 6) course is one of the most well-rounded, engaging, and beginner-friendly game development courses available on Udemy. It manages to strike an excellent balance between accessibility for complete novices and depth for those with some coding or Unity experience. Whether you’re just starting your game development journey or looking to solidify your skills, this course offers tremendous value for the investment.
One of the key strengths of the course is its project-based structure, which ensures you’re not just passively watching videos but actively building games. By the time you complete the five projects, you’ll have a portfolio of games showcasing a wide range of skills, from collision detection to AI programming. This hands-on approach, combined with the thoughtful pacing and detailed explanations, makes the learning process both effective and enjoyable.
Another major highlight is the instructor, Rick Davidson, whose experience and teaching style add a layer of authenticity and expertise to the course. Rick’s ability to break down complex topics into simple, digestible steps ensures that even complete beginners can follow along without feeling overwhelmed. His occasional humor and supportive attitude create a positive learning environment that encourages students to keep pushing through challenges.
The course is also highly community-oriented, with active forums, Discord channels, and Facebook groups where students can interact, share their progress, and seek help. This sense of community adds a layer of motivation and support that’s often missing in online courses. You’re not just learning alone—you’re part of a network of aspiring developers who are on the same journey.
While the course is nearly perfect, there are a few areas where it could be improved. As mentioned earlier, the absence of sound effects in the final game project might leave some students feeling that it’s incomplete. Additionally, the course doesn’t delve into advanced topics like performance optimization or editor plugins, which could be valuable for students looking to create more complex or polished games.
Despite these minor shortcomings, the course’s strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. With its comprehensive curriculum, high-quality content, engaging projects, and expert instruction, the Complete C# Unity Game Developer 3D course is a top-tier choice for anyone serious about learning game development. It’s the kind of course that not only teaches you skills but also instills confidence, creativity, and a passion for making games.
