CONCLUSION
Unity is an incredible gaming engine, and other than Unreal Engine, you’ll be hard pushed to find a more capable program. But software is often only as strong as the community that supports it, and Unity has a seriously committed fanbase. Many are developers who have worked hard to create plugins that extend the program’s core functionality.
In this round-up, we’ve picked out four different plugins that will not only make your life a whole lot easier, but will also push your designs to a whole new level of creativity. We’ve picked plugins that represent a range of different parts of the game development process, each one of which stands out as a leader in its particular field.
If you’re on the lookout for a suite of 2D camera tools, then you need look no further than Pro Camera 2D. With an abundance of five-star reviews, you’ll benefit from a well developed and incredibly intuitive set of tools. Camera movement in games can either make or break them, so it’s important to get it right. Pro Camera 2D will take your game from basic to pro level by offering a range of different tools perfectly suited to game development and user interaction. This plugin is regularly updated with new features added, so you can be confident you’ll be using a tool that has a promising future.
If 2D and 2.5D games are your bag, then not only will you want a camera plugin, but you'll also need tools for creating your characters and levels. One of the best solutions for this is the excellent Topdown plugin. With a brilliant character controller, it’s possible to create characters that take centre stage. The plugin handles all of the character functionality, including movement, collision detection, slope handling and jumps, so you can focus more on game development and less on what’s happening behind the scenes.
If you’re into developing 3D games rather than 2D ones, then you’ll need a professional terrain generation tool. Gaia Pro sets the standard here. With a suite of simple tools, artists can create mountains, hills, lakes and rivers, with the added possibility of populating these scenes with procedural objects such as plants and trees. This solution is even more appealing when you think of the number of sample assets that the plugin provides straight out of the box. Gaia Pro is one of the more expensive options available, but with it you’re guaranteed to get great results that will work on all platforms.
With an increasing number of games being deployed on VR platforms, the world needs the tools to make them happen. The Virtual Reality Interaction Framework plugin provides everything that artists need to get up and running with this technology. Through prefabs and modular components, game developers can set up a wide range of different interactions, including physical grabbing, throwing objects, pressing buttons and using weapons; this plugin excels at any type of hand interaction that’s required. Compatibility is one of VRIF’S strengths, with support for every single major VR headset.
“SOFTWARE IS OFTEN ONLY AS STRONG AS THE COMMUNITY THAT SUPPORTS IT, AND UNITY HAS A SERIOUSLY COMMITTED FANBASE”
If these plugins haven’t scratched where you’re itching, then head over to the Unity Asset Store and make a quick search for what you want. There are such a plethora of different options that you’re bound to find what you need. Check out the reviews for any possibility, and if they offer a free trial, give it a try. The stronger developed plugins often require payment, but there are some amazing free finds to enjoy too. If you’re new to the plugin world, there’s no better time to get involved than now!