Game Dev Digest — Issue #32 - AR/VR, Character Controllers, Scene Loading, HDR Graphics, And More
Tags: gamedev, unity3d, csharp, news
Published: 2020-02-21 14:19:30

###Issue #32 - AR/VR, Character Controllers, Scene Loading, HDR Graphics, And More

![Issue #32 - AR/VR, Character Controllers, Scene Loading, HDR Graphics, And More](https://gamedevdigest.com/assets/social-posts/issue-32.jpg)

This week saw a wide ranging set of topics covered. Starting with VR & AR at the forefront.

If you are working on a 2D game, the videos have you covered. Everything from shader graph, to character controllers, to tips on UX improvements.

At the very least, go check out some of those free/open-source assets below. I've never seen a cooler default capsule collider yet!

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[**Unity Performance: Oculus CPU and GPU Hardware Levels**](https://thegamedev.guru/unity-performance/cpu-gpu-hardware-levels/)  - Here's a question for those of you who develop for Oculus VR... How much do you really know about the Oculus CPU and GPU hardware levels? Let's see what these hardware levels are doing to your game.
[_The Gamedev Guru_](https://thegamedev.guru/unity-performance/cpu-gpu-hardware-levels/)

[**Creating Immersive Experiences from Point Data**](https://80.lv/articles/creating-immersive-experiences-from-point-data)  - RubenFro talked about Future Cities project, an immersive art experience based on photogrammetry, and his own real-time photogrammetry experience Dissolving Realities running in Unity. [Also check out the post [How That Amazing Unity Demo Dissolving Reality Into Pixels Was Made](https://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/2020/02/unity-demo-reality-rubenfro.html) on nwn.blogs.com].
[_80 Level_](https://80.lv/articles/creating-immersive-experiences-from-point-data)

[**Designing for mixed reality: Learnings from the MARS HMD companion app**](https://blogs.unity3d.com/2020/02/14/designing-for-mixed-reality-learnings-from-the-mars-hmd-companion-app/)  - The spatial design team, part of the authoring tools group in Unity Labs, is currently working on a head-mounted display (HMD) companion app for Project MARS, a Unity extension that gives creators the power to build mixed and augmented reality experiences that intelligently interact with the real world. [You may also like [Episode 104: Designing for VR & AR Games](http://thedebuglog.com/2020/02/18/episode-104-designing-for-vr-ar-games/) of the Debug Log podcast].
[_Unity_](https://blogs.unity3d.com/2020/02/14/designing-for-mixed-reality-learnings-from-the-mars-hmd-companion-app/)

[**Flutter + Unity3D AR Foundation**](https://morioh.com/p/df41a2ee57b7)  - This is a Flutter application with embedded Unity Project.
[_Flutter Dev_](https://morioh.com/p/df41a2ee57b7)

[**Job-Safe APIs in Unity 2019.3**](https://jacksondunstan.com/articles/5478)  - Today’s article continues the series by finding all the job-safe APIs in the Unity engine as of 2019.3. We’ll compare against 2019.1 to see what’s new!
[_JacksonDunstan.com_](https://jacksondunstan.com/articles/5478)

[**Simple Toon Shader**](https://alexanderameye.github.io/simple-toon)  - Ever wondered how to do toon shading? I got you covered! Here's a short and sweet 60 second #shadersdonequick tutorial. You can get the graph [here](https://alexanderameye.github.io/packages/simpletoon.unitypackage).
[_Alexander Ameye_](https://twitter.com/alexanderameye/status/1229730976697376769)

[**Generating Perfect Normal Maps for Unity (and Other Programs)**](https://medium.com/@bgolus/generating-perfect-normal-maps-for-unity-f929e673fc57)  - And how to tell what’s wrong with your content pipeline.
[_Ben Golus_](https://medium.com/@bgolus/generating-perfect-normal-maps-for-unity-f929e673fc57)

[**Glow on Mouse Over via MaterialPropertyBlock**](https://www.patreon.com/posts/34094230)  - Here's an example setup using MaterialPropertyBlock to prevent a flood of Material Instances. It triggers a little pop wobble glow on MouseOver, which fades away afterwards. Lots of variety without memory ruining the party. Free as in Hugs.
[_Puck Loves Games_](https://twitter.com/Ed_dV/status/1229257028029149184)

[**Tutorial: Sci-Fi Level Builder in Houdini**](https://80.lv/articles/tutorial-sci-fi-level-builder-in-houdini/)  - The tutorial will explain to you how to create a procedural Level Builder that uses a single curve to create the walls, ceiling, and floor along with doors and props. You will learn how to combine panels, crates and tanks into a single tool and generate a complete level inside Unity.
[_80 Level_](https://80.lv/articles/tutorial-sci-fi-level-builder-in-houdini/)

[**3D modelled BFG, using Unity**](https://www.doomworld.com/forum/topic/112140-3d-modelled-bfg-using-unity/)  - A Doom BFG model and playable Unity demo. Assets available for download as well.
[_Nootrac4571_](https://www.doomworld.com/forum/topic/112140-3d-modelled-bfg-using-unity/)

[**Unity Toy Path Tracer**](http://theinstructionlimit.com/unity-toy-path-tracer)  - On July 1st 2019, I started reading and implementing Peter Shirley’s Ray Tracing in One Weekend minibook in C# as a Unity project. I ended up working through the second and third minibooks as well, and had a blast doing so! So I want to write about what I consider makes my implementation a little bit different, features I added that aren’t present in the books, and generally document the process.
[_theinstructionlimit.com_](http://theinstructionlimit.com/unity-toy-path-tracer)

[**Unity Ballistics Tutorial**](https://github.com/Habrador/Unity-Ballistics-Tutorial)  - Tutorial on how to make realistic bullets in Unity. I've finally published the source code to my beloved Unity3d tutorial on how to make realistic bullets (with bullet drop). You will make both a mortar and a sniper rifle.
[_Erik Nordeus_](https://twitter.com/eriknordeus/status/1229715417805004800)

[**Insect Wall Crawling in Unity3D**](https://medium.com/@sebastianshearer/insect-wall-crawling-in-unity3d-a02e9ad13240)  - I wanted to create a system where insects could crawl on walls like in nature. I never use the built-in NavMesh system because of the limitations I feel it adds to the developers, so I avoided the easy route.
[_Sebastian Shearer_](https://medium.com/@sebastianshearer/insect-wall-crawling-in-unity3d-a02e9ad13240)

[**HTTP Basic Authentication with UnityWebRequest**](https://smartgamedev.com/posts/http-basic-authentication-unitywebrequest/)  - Use data from secured endpoints in custom Editor tools.
[_smartgamedev.com_](https://smartgamedev.com/posts/http-basic-authentication-unitywebrequest/)

[**ColliderChecker**](http://wiki.unity3d.com/index.php/ColliderChecker)  - I just added a script to the Unity3D Wiki which reports whether a point in space is inside a collider. Hope it comes in handy for someone else.
[_Hayden Scott-Baron_](https://twitter.com/docky/status/1229480807691116544)

[**50 Megatons of real-time collaboration: This student film made with Unity is getting noticed**](https://blogs.unity3d.com/2020/02/19/50-megatons-of-real-time-collaboration-this-student-film-made-with-unity-is-getting-noticed/)  - How did a student film on a minimal budget find itself sharing the nominee spotlight with blockbuster productions like The Lion King and The Mandalorian at the VES Awards? By using an innovative, real-time workflow – just like the big studios.
[_Unity_](https://blogs.unity3d.com/2020/02/19/50-megatons-of-real-time-collaboration-this-student-film-made-with-unity-is-getting-noticed/)

[**Encode/Decode Audio To/From PNG Alpha Channel**](https://unitycoder.com/blog/2020/02/15/encode-decode-audio-to-from-png-alpha-channel/)  - Unitycoder.com shares "a small test on embedding audio data into PNG alpha channel. With added option to shuffle pixels to hide/encrypt original image and sound." Source code available.
[_unitycoder.com_](https://unitycoder.com/blog/2020/02/15/encode-decode-audio-to-from-png-alpha-channel/)

[**Create your first game using Unity and C#**](https://dev.to/nineismine/create-your-first-game-using-unity-and-c-part-1-getting-your-environment-set-up-and-importing-some-art-2n0i)  - This series of articles will guide you through the steps to create your first game using the Unity engine and C#.
[_nineismine_](https://dev.to/nineismine/create-your-first-game-using-unity-and-c-part-1-getting-your-environment-set-up-and-importing-some-art-2n0i)

[**Catch up with Visual Studio Tools for Unity on Mac**](https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/catch-up-with-visual-studio-tools-for-unity-on-mac/)  - Since the launch of Visual Studio for Mac, we have been continuously working on improving Visual Studio Tools for Unity (VSTU).
[_devblogs.microsoft.com_](https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/catch-up-with-visual-studio-tools-for-unity-on-mac/)

## Videos

[![Making UI That Looks Good In Unity using Color Palettes, Layout Components and a Blur Panel](https://gamedevdigest.com/assets/images/8c19d3cf787855e382caf01466977ec2.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwdweCX5aMI)
[**Making UI That Looks Good In Unity using Color Palettes, Layout Components and a Blur Panel**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwdweCX5aMI)  - Learn ways to improve your understanding of how to design UI in Unity!
[_Game Dev Guide_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwdweCX5aMI)

[**5 Tips for Better Platformers in Unity (With Code)!**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QPmhDYn6rk)  - 5 tips to make your platformers feel and play better in Unity!
[_gamesplusjames_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QPmhDYn6rk)

[**Character Controller in Unity 2D! (Move, Dodge, Dash)**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf_5qIt9Gr8)  - Let's make a Character Controller in Unity 2D with Physics Movement, Instant Dash and Dodge Roll! Be sure to follow that up with [Melee Combat System in Unity 2D (With Targeting!)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXkaqW3E9OI) also by Code Monkey.
[_Code Monkey_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf_5qIt9Gr8)

[**How To Deal Damage - Unity DOTS (ECS, Burst, Jobs)**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMtAH5dfMBw)  - A tutorial on using Unity DOTS.
[_Dapper Dino_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMtAH5dfMBw)

[**Get started with 2D Shader Graph in Unity - Dissolve Tutorial**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dzGj9k8Qy8)  - Create your own 2D Shaders with Shader Graph!
[_Brackeys_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dzGj9k8Qy8)

[**Making a Realistic Environment with Unity in 1 Hour! (Beginner Friendly)**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j__Qf9z1HE)  - In this video, I'm going to show you how to make a Realistic Environment with HDRP in Unity 2019.3, using the Volume framework to add environment effects!
[_Sykoo_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j__Qf9z1HE)

[**UNITY 2019.3 : Top Graphics Updates**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsbZlcfe3Rg)  - Let's explore some of the new Graphics Updates in Unity 2019.3.
[_Unity Guruz_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsbZlcfe3Rg)

[**Creating Your Own HDRI Skybox in Unity**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJFlOLXU-Kw&amp;feature=youtu.be)  - Skyboxes are used for reflections and for lighting your scenes. Here's a quick beginner/intermediate tutorial on how to render your own custom HDRI skyboxes in Unity by baking reflection probes.
[_Philipp Seifried_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJFlOLXU-Kw&amp;feature=youtu.be)

[**They Said I Couldn't Make an Online Multiplayer Game... So I Made One!**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtdBAA3hCxY)  - The game is about parkour, pew pew, and physics. Regarding the movement, I might make a tutorial or upload on github or something when it's done. It's all done using forces and physics, so it's a very open and fun movement system!
[_Dani_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtdBAA3hCxY)

[**Updating your Unity Games with Remote Config! (Tutorial)**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw3rshPgTDo)  - In this video we will show how you can use Unity Remote Config in order to make changes to your game without creating a new build and resubmitting it to stores.
[_Unity_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw3rshPgTDo)

[**What are Subscenes in Unity? (Massive Worlds!)**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91kJtsDLTyE)  - Let's check out Subscenes in Unity, what they are and how we can use them to make Massive Worlds!
[_Code Monkey_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91kJtsDLTyE)

[**Unity 2020 Scene Manager With Loading Screen (Intermediate)**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oTluGCOgOM)  - In this episode of Unity Game Essentials, you will learn how to write an intermediate level scene manager using Unity3D and C#. With the UnityEngine.SceneManagement namespace, you can prompt Unity to change scenes, subscribe to scene related events, and insert custom behavior to handle scene transitions however you like. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to do all of that for yourself.
[_Renaissance Coders_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oTluGCOgOM)

[**Unity3D - 3D Model equipping | Scriptable Object Inventory System**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RESuTNMdqqQ&amp;feature=youtu.be)  - We will be going over how to equip 3D models to your character so that the items will move with your armatures bones.
[_Coding With Unity_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RESuTNMdqqQ&amp;feature=youtu.be)

[**BEST OF MADE WITH UNITY #58 - Week of February 13, 2020**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skUpvgPCXL0)  - This is a short list of some of the coolest things we found online that were made using Unity.
[_GameDevHQ_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skUpvgPCXL0)

## Assets

[![Best HTTP/2](https://gamedevdigest.com/assets/images/2cb899c3-d1e8-4116-8b3c-ad5281cd4bf1.jpg)](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/tools/network/best-http-2-155981?aid=1011l8NVc)
[**Best HTTP/2**](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/tools/network/best-http-2-155981?aid=1011l8NVc)  - If you want a plugin that supports request customization for REST, WebSocket, Socket.IO, SignalR, SignalR Core, Server-Sent Events (and much more) over HTTP/2 out of the box, with regular updates and outstanding support from the developer, then BestHTTP/2 is THE tool for you!

All source code included!

Check the store page for the extensive feature list. Currently 50% off!
[_BestHTTP_](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/tools/network/best-http-2-155981?aid=1011l8NVc) **Affiliate**

[**Get the hottest new assets and start creating!**](https://assetstore.unity.com/?on_sale=true&amp;orderBy=1&amp;aid=1011l8NVc)  - Great news! We've just launched a sale on the hottest new assets in the Unity Asset Store. Through February 29, 2020, customers can save 30% on several select new assets AND save up to 50% on many other select new assets.
[_Unity Asset Store_](https://assetstore.unity.com/?on_sale=true&amp;orderBy=1&amp;aid=1011l8NVc) **Affiliate**

[**Humble Best Of Polygon Game Dev Bundle**](https://www.humblebundle.com/software/best-of-polygon-game-dev?partner=unity3dreport)  - Create a polygonal style game in Unity or Unreal engine with this bundle of low poly asset packs! Each pack features heaps of 3D assets including characters, vehicles, buildings, props, environments, and FX to create computer, console, mobile or VR/AR games.

$391 WORTH OF AWESOME STUFF
[_Humble Bundle_](https://www.humblebundle.com/software/best-of-polygon-game-dev?partner=unity3dreport) **Affiliate**

[**Rucksack**](https://devdog.io/blog/open-sourcing-of-rucksack/)  - A few months ago we open-sourced several of our assets, including Inventory Pro, Quest System Pro and more. Today we're happy to announce we're also open-sourcing Rucksack, our advanced multiplayer inventory solution.
[_Devdog_](https://devdog.io/blog/open-sourcing-of-rucksack/) *Open Source*

[**THE DFAULTS - Animate Your Default Capsule**](https://forum.unity.com/threads/the-dfaults-animate-your-default-capsule.829272/)  - To add some flair to my prototyping, I wrote a shader to animate the Unity default capsule. It uses a single material and material property blocks for instancing. You can grab the free package and try it out.
[_Fergicide_](https://forum.unity.com/threads/the-dfaults-animate-your-default-capsule.829272/)

[**Eyeball Shader**](https://pastebin.com/6LrRnwV4)  - Added support for pupil and highlight textures to my Eyeball shader. Converting to shader graph soon, but here is the code version.
[_MinionsArt_](https://twitter.com/minionsart/status/1229752379752538113) *Open Source*

[**BackgroundDownload**](https://github.com/Unity-Technologies/BackgroundDownload)  - Plugins for mobile platforms to enable file downloads in background. Allows to launch file downloads that will continue even if the app goes into background or gets quit by the operating system. The downloads can be picked the next time the app is started. Supported platforms are: Android, iOS and Universal Windows Platform.
[_Unity_](https://github.com/Unity-Technologies/BackgroundDownload) *Open Source*

[**Bulk Rename Utility**](https://github.com/PabloSorribes/com.paalo.unity-misc-tools)  - Rename, find and replace, add prefix/suffix and enumerate the names of the GameObjects in your Hierarchy!
[_Pablo Sorribes Bernhard_](https://github.com/PabloSorribes/com.paalo.unity-misc-tools) *Open Source*

## Spotlight

[![Devil's Punishment](https://gamedevdigest.com/assets/images/2be3d3c77f1689c4dc0f1c415abf7e89.png)](https://gamejolt.com/games/devilspunishment/391190)
[**Devil's Punishment**](https://gamejolt.com/games/devilspunishment/391190)  - Devil's Punishment is an upcoming sci-fi/post-apocalyptic survival horror 3D game with FPS (First person shooter) mechanics, original setting and story based in a book scene, where a group of prisoners are left behind in an abandoned underground facility.
[_world_creator_](https://gamejolt.com/games/devilspunishment/391190)



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