Unity has become one of the most popular game development engines, partly because of its robust ecosystem of source codes and templates that can significantly accelerate development. Many successful games have been built using Unity source codes, demonstrating how developers can leverage existing assets to create commercially viable products. In this article, we’ll explore several case studies of successful games that were built using Unity source codes, highlighting how each developer utilized these resources to achieve their goals.
1. Hollow Knight: Leveraging 2D Platformer Templates
Game Overview: Hollow Knight is a critically acclaimed action-adventure game developed by Team Cherry. The game features a vast interconnected world, tight platforming controls, and a unique art style that has garnered a dedicated fanbase.
Source Code Utilization: Although Hollow Knight is often recognized for its originality, the developers utilized existing 2D platformer templates in Unity to kickstart their project. By starting with a basic platformer template, the team could focus more on the game’s unique features, such as its combat system, exploration mechanics, and art design. The platformer template provided a solid foundation for player movement and physics, which the team then customized extensively to fit the specific needs of their game.
Key Takeaway: Using a platformer template allowed Team Cherry to fast-track the development of core mechanics, giving them more time to polish other aspects of the game. This approach is particularly useful for small teams or indie developers who need to allocate resources efficiently.
2. Crossy Road: Building on Endless Runner Frameworks
Game Overview: Crossy Road, developed by Hipster Whale, is a wildly popular mobile game that challenges players to navigate an endless series of obstacles. The game is known for its simple yet addictive gameplay, voxel art style, and clever monetization strategies.
Source Code Utilization: Crossy Road was built using an endless runner framework available in Unity. Endless runners are a common genre in mobile gaming, and Unity offers several frameworks that provide the basic mechanics, such as procedurally generated levels, obstacle placement, and character controls. Hipster Whale used one of these frameworks as a base, adding their own twist with the “cross the road” mechanic, varied environments, and a diverse roster of characters.
Key Takeaway: By using an existing endless runner framework, Hipster Whale was able to focus on what made their game unique—its charm, humor, and the strategic use of in-game ads and purchases. This case shows how source codes can be a starting point for creating something original and engaging.
3. Monument Valley: Enhancing Puzzle Mechanics
Game Overview: Monument Valley, developed by Ustwo Games, is a visually stunning puzzle game where players guide a character through a series of optical illusions and impossible architecture. The game is celebrated for its innovative design, aesthetic beauty, and soothing atmosphere.
Source Code Utilization: The development team used Unity’s 3D capabilities alongside puzzle game templates to create Monument Valley. These templates provided essential features like grid-based movement, object interaction, and camera controls, which were crucial in designing the game’s intricate levels. Ustwo Games then innovated on top of these basics by incorporating perspective-shifting mechanics inspired by the works of M.C. Escher.
Key Takeaway: Ustwo Games demonstrates how starting with a puzzle template can allow developers to focus on refining and enhancing game mechanics, as well as on art and level design. This approach is ideal for developers who want to innovate within a specific genre.
4. Alto’s Adventure: Utilizing Procedural Generation
Game Overview: Alto’s Adventure, created by Snowman, is a serene and visually captivating endless runner where players control a snowboarder navigating through procedurally generated landscapes. The game is praised for its beautiful art, dynamic weather effects, and smooth, relaxing gameplay.
Source Code Utilization: Snowman used a procedural generation framework within Unity to develop Alto’s Adventure. This framework provided the necessary tools for generating endless landscapes, controlling character physics, and implementing dynamic weather systems. The team focused on enhancing the procedural generation aspect to ensure that each playthrough felt unique, while also polishing the game’s visuals and audio to create an immersive experience.
Key Takeaway: Procedural generation frameworks in Unity can be a powerful tool for creating games with endless replayability. By focusing on the quality and variation of the generated content, developers can create games that are both technically impressive and deeply engaging.
5. Reigns: Adapting Card-Based Mechanics
Game Overview: Reigns, developed by Nerial, is a unique strategy game where players make decisions by swiping left or right on a deck of cards, much like in a dating app. The choices affect the fate of a kingdom, leading to multiple possible outcomes.
Source Code Utilization: The developers of Reigns used a card game template as the foundation for their project. Unity offers several templates for card-based games, which include mechanics for shuffling, drawing, and playing cards. Nerial adapted these basic mechanics to fit their narrative-driven gameplay, where each card represents a decision point with significant consequences.
Key Takeaway: Reigns shows how a standard card game template can be transformed into a completely different experience with a unique theme and gameplay mechanics. This is a great example of how developers can repurpose existing source codes to fit innovative game ideas.
6. Subway Surfers: Scaling a Mobile Game with Source Codes
Game Overview: Subway Surfers, developed by Kiloo and SYBO Games, is one of the most downloaded mobile games of all time. It’s an endless runner where players dash through subway tracks, avoiding obstacles and collecting coins.
Source Code Utilization: Subway Surfers was built using an endless runner template in Unity, similar to Crossy Road. The developers took advantage of the ready-made mechanics for character movement, obstacle generation, and coin collection, which are standard in endless runners. They then added their own features, such as the unique setting, vibrant graphics, and regular content updates, which have kept players engaged over the years.
Key Takeaway: Even high-profile games like Subway Surfers can benefit from using source codes to streamline development. The key to success lies in the customization and continuous content updates that keep the game fresh and engaging for players.
7. Firewatch: Leveraging First-Person Narrative Templates
Game Overview: Firewatch, developed by Campo Santo, is an immersive first-person narrative game set in the Wyoming wilderness. The game is noted for its strong narrative, compelling characters, and stunning environments.
Source Code Utilization: Firewatch utilized a first-person narrative template available in Unity. This template provided the basic mechanics for player movement, camera control, and interaction with the environment—critical elements for a first-person game. Campo Santo then focused on developing the story, creating detailed environments, and refining the interactions that would drive the narrative forward.
Key Takeaway: Firewatch illustrates how using a template can free developers to concentrate on narrative and environmental design, areas that can significantly enhance the player’s emotional engagement with the game.
Conclusion
These case studies highlight the versatility and potential of Unity source codes in game development. By leveraging existing templates and frameworks, developers can accelerate the creation process, allowing them to focus more on innovation, design, and player experience. Whether you’re working on a simple mobile game or a complex narrative-driven project, Unity’s ecosystem of source codes can provide a solid foundation, enabling you to bring your game idea to life more efficiently.