Aleksandra frames game development as a creative outlet and a way to tackle new challenges. It can also teach new programming languages and concepts, or let developers build a game they want to play.
What if I want to be a game dev?
Speaker
Aleksandra Desmurs Linczewska of Callstack explains game development options and ways to combine Unity with React Native at React Native EU 2021.
Developers can use React Native alone, try the React Native Game Engine library, or integrate a dedicated game engine for more complex projects. Aleksandra points to examples including Flappy Royale and William Candillon's React Native experiments.
Aleksandra compares Unity and Unreal, noting Unity's tutorials, free assets, support for both 2D and 3D games, and existing React Native integrations. A 14-hour Unity tutorial helped her build a small game with an animated character, health, and conversations in about a week.
A React Native app can host a Unity game or feature, while a Unity game can incorporate React Native functionality. Examples include a shooter inside an app, interactive 3D objects, and an augmented reality shopping experience; the two sides can communicate both ways.
Takeaways
- Choose the development route based on the game's complexity, from React Native alone to a dedicated engine.
- Use React Native Game Engine when built-in loops and movement can speed up a simpler project.
- A guided tutorial and free assets can help developers get a playable Unity prototype running within days.
- Unity can add 3D, game, or augmented reality features to an existing React Native app.
- Embedding React Native in a Unity game can support in-game experiences such as a store.
Mentioned in this talk
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What was claimed 7
- featurePushea: Available on Google Play Store and App Store
“the app is currently available on the Google Play Store and the App Store”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
- built
“a small app called Pushea that I worked on”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
- works at
“I recently joined Callstack”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
- featureReact Native Game Engine: Provides game functions including loops and character movement
“It has some built-in functionalities, like loops or character movement”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
- integrates withUnity integrates with React Native
“it has existing integrations with React Native”
YouTube Unverified2 sources· Talk
- featureUnity: Unity as a Library was introduced in Unity 2020
“Unity as a Library, a feature introduced in Unity 2020”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
- integrates withReact Native integrates with UnityCan be integrated into a Unity game as an app or module
“integrate the React Native activity, or React Native as a module, inside Unity 3D”
YouTube Unverified1 source· Talk
