Unity Game Development Trainee

Objective: The goal of this task is to familiarize yourself with the Unity Editor and its interface while creating a basic 3D scene. You will learn how to import simple assets, design a basic layout, and prepare a stage for gameplay. This exercise will help you understand scene management, asset organization, and basic lighting setup.

Expected Deliverables: You must submit a Unity project folder containing a scene with at least one terrain, a few imported 3D models (free assets are acceptable), proper asset organization in folders, and a README file explaining the structure and your approach. The README should be in PDF format and included in your submission.

Key Steps:

• Install and open the latest stable version of Unity.
• Create a new 3D project and set up an initial scene.
• Import at least three distinct free assets from Unity Asset Store or other public sources.
• Design a scene that includes a terrain, static objects, and appropriate lighting.
• Organize your assets and scripts into folders using a clear naming convention.
• Document your development decisions in a README file in PDF format.

Evaluation Criteria: Your submission will be evaluated based on the scene's visual quality, proper asset management, clarity of documentation, creativity in layout, and adherence to file submission guidelines. Ensure that all elements, including the scene, assets, and documentation, are easy to navigate and clearly showcase your understanding of Unity's interface and basic scene design.

This task is designed to take approximately 30 to 35 hours to help you build a strong foundation in Unity and to prepare you for more advanced game development tasks in the upcoming weeks.

Objective: In this task, you will develop a functional player controller that integrates basic physics interactions within a Unity scene. The focus is on scripting movement, collision detection, and configuring simple physics properties of your game object. This practical exercise is essential for understanding how to translate real-world movements into in-game mechanics.

Expected Deliverables: Submit a Unity project file where the core deliverable is a playable scene featuring a controllable player character. The project should include custom C# scripts for player movement (e.g., walking, jumping) along with a physics simulation that supports gravity and collision interactions. Additionally, include a project documentation file (PDF) explaining your script design, chosen physics settings, and any challenges you encountered.

Key Steps:

• Set up a new Unity scene with a ground plane and obstacles for collision testing.
• Create or import a character model and rig that will act as the player.
• Write a C# script to implement basic player controls using keyboard input.
• Configure Rigidbody and Collider components to ensure proper physics interactions.
• Test your scene to ensure responsive movement and collision detection.
• Document your process, including code explanations and design decisions, in a PDF file.

Evaluation Criteria: Your work will be assessed on the functionality of the player controller, the accuracy of the physics simulation, quality and clarity of your C# scripts, and the thoroughness of your documentation. Special attention will be given to how effectively you integrate physics with user input to create a seamless gaming experience. Overall, this task is designed to require a full commitment of 30 to 35 hours of practical work in a real game development environment.

Objective: The aim for this week is to implement a core game mechanic and related interactive elements within a Unity scene. You will design, code, and integrate a system where player actions affect the game environment—such as interacting with objects or triggering events. This task will improve your skills in event management, scripting interactions, and designing intuitive user experiences.

Expected Deliverables: You must deliver a Unity project that includes a scene showcasing the implemented mechanic (for example, a door that opens when a key is collected, or an object that changes when interacted with). Along with the scene, submit your C# scripts and a detailed documentation file (PDF) which describes your system design, interaction flow, and any obstacles encountered during development.

Key Steps:

• Start by outlining the interactive mechanic you plan to implement (e.g., item collection, door unlocking, or interactive NPC dialogue).
• Create a new Unity scene or modify an existing scene to integrate your mechanic.
• Develop C# scripts to handle interaction logic in the game.
• Integrate UI feedback elements such as text prompts or indicators when the player can interact.
• Test the mechanic under different scenarios to ensure reliability and responsiveness.
• Prepare a thorough documentation report in PDF format that explains your design process, code structure, and testing results.

Evaluation Criteria: Your project will be graded on the functionality, creativity, and reliability of the implemented mechanic. The clarity and detail in your documentation, including how you troubleshoot and resolve issues, will also be critically evaluated. This task is designed to challenge your ability to combine coding with game design principles, and it should require about 30 to 35 hours to complete, emphasizing practical application and innovative problem-solving.

Objective: This week's task is centered on optimizing your Unity project by focusing on asset management, lighting, and performance tuning. You will learn to balance visual quality with efficient performance by optimizing imported assets, optimizing lighting setup, and profiling your scene's performance. This exercise is crucial for understanding how to maintain a high-performing game, especially for complex scenes.

Expected Deliverables: Submit a Unity project demonstrating a well-optimized scene. The scene should feature various assets (models, textures, etc.) that you have optimized for performance. You must include a lighting setup that does not significantly degrade frame rates while enhancing the visual aesthetics of the scene. A detailed performance analysis report (PDF) must accompany your project, documenting the optimization techniques used, profiling results, and before/after comparisons where applicable.

Key Steps:

• Review and import a set of free 3D assets into a Unity project, keeping optimization in mind.
• Optimize the assets by reducing polygon count, compressing textures, and using LOD (Level of Detail) where necessary.
• Design an appealing scene that incorporates an advanced lighting setup using real-time or baked lighting where appropriate.
• Use Unity's profiling tools (e.g., the Profiler) to analyze the performance impact of your scene.
• Apply performance tuning measures to ensure a stable frame rate on a mid-range hardware setup.
• Compile a comprehensive PDF report detailing the techniques used, performance statistics, and steps taken during the optimization process.

Evaluation Criteria: Your task will be evaluated on the level of performance improvement achieved, the quality of asset optimization and lighting, and the clarity and completeness of your performance report. The final submission should reflect a balance between high-quality visuals and a smoothly running game environment. This task is intended to be a 30 to 35 hour exercise in advanced Unity project optimization and will be assessed on the practical application of asset management best practices and performance tuning.

Objective: The final task for the internship focuses on debugging, thorough testing, and refinement of a Unity game scene. You will be responsible for identifying and resolving bugs, optimizing your game scripts, and performing comprehensive playtesting to ensure the game mechanics are robust and free of errors. This task is aimed at polishing your project for a final presentation and sharpening your problem-solving skills in a game development context.

Expected Deliverables: Your deliverables should include a Unity project file with a scene that has undergone a complete debugging process, along with a script log or a bug tracking document (PDF) that details the bugs encountered, the steps taken to resolve them, and the testing outcomes. Additionally, submit a video walkthrough (optional but recommended) that highlights your testing process and final game state.

Key Steps:

• Conduct a comprehensive review of your existing Unity project for logical, graphical, and performance bugs.
• Utilize Unity’s debugging tools (such as Console logs and Profiler) to trace errors and optimize your scripts.
• Establish a testing plan that includes gameplay scenarios and edge cases, and document your testing procedures.
• Correct identified issues and refine game features to ensure a smooth and error-free experience.
• Create a bug tracking or log document in PDF format, listing each bug, how you discovered it, and the solution implemented.
• (Optional) Record a video walkthrough of your final project showcasing the playtesting and debugging process.

Evaluation Criteria: Your submission will be judged on the thoroughness of your debugging process, the clarity of your bug tracking documentation, and the overall improved quality of the game scene. The video walkthrough (if provided) will enhance your submission but is not mandatory. This task is designed to demand approximately 30 to 35 hours of focused work, consolidating your learning trajectory and preparing you for real-world challenges in Unity game development. Emphasis will be placed on effective debugging strategies and clear documentation to demonstrate deep engagement with the task.