While traditional programming serves a variety of purposes, when it comes to building games, there are more practical options. Unity is one of the best, powering more than 71% of the top 1000 games. But what’s so great about it?
Game engines are development environments designed to simplify the game-building process. They’re also the most practical way to go about building a game.
Using Unity, the world’s most popular game engine, would be yet another practical decision for your business.
It offers the tools to bring your vision to life. Its cross-industry applications, from gaming to automotive and architecture, make it an essential tool for modern development.
What can Unity do for you?
Are you ready to start your development project?
We have the developers you need to take your development project in the right direction.
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What Is Unity?
Overview of Unity
Unity is a cross-platform game engine where developers can make real-time 3D projects of almost any kind. These projects can span many industries, including gaming, film, automotive, and architecture.
Its real-time capabilities make it a preferred choice for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) applications, which are becoming more and more popular.
Unity Use Cases
Some common case uses for Unity projects include the following.
- Games: Among Us
- Film & Animation: The Heretic uses Unity for real-time visuals.
- Automotive & Transportation: Volvo uses Unity for design and simulations.
- Architecture: Foster + Partners uses Unity for immersive walkthroughs.
- Manufacturing & Construction: Siemens uses Unity for manufacturing workflows.
You can compare game engines like Unity to integrated development environments (IDEs) for programming languages. In fact, they’re synonymous.
The difference is that a game engine doesn’t rely on coding in the way that you’d expect from any old software developer. Unity handles that part on its own, while Unity developers focus on the gameplay itself.
Although you don’t need to code an entire program, you can modify Unity’s code through MonoCode, the Unity text editor, or Visual Studio. To do this, you need to have a basic understanding of C#.
Unity uses C#, a language developed by Microsoft. C# is object-oriented, general-purpose, and comes equipped with a variety of features, from strong typing to lexical scoping.
It is also a multi-paradigm, meaning developers can use multiple programming paradigms within the language. The range and flexibility of the C# language make it a common choice for game developers.
What Is a Unity Developer?
Key Responsibilities
A Unity developer is a software developer who has gained an abundance of familiarity with Unity. More often than not, Unity developers will be game developers, as game development is the principal use of the platform.
Their key responsibilities would include building interactive 2D and 3D experiences by designing gameplay mechanics, optimizing game performance for various platforms, and collaborating on character development, storyboarding, and level design.
Skills Needed for Unity Developers
Unity developers are not necessarily C# developers, but previous programming experience in the language would undoubtedly be helpful.
They will need at least some level of proficiency in C# for scripting and customization.
Similarly, they will need experience with Unity’s Asset Store so that they can enhance game elements, they will need knowledge of Unity’s Netcode for GameObjects for multiplayer projects, and they will need to be familiar with Visual Studio or MonoDevelop.
It can be difficult to assess all of these skills and make sure that you find the right developer for the role. Luckily, certifications such as Unity Certified Programmer can demonstrate a developer’s ability.
Why Use Unity?
There are several reasons why using Unity would be a constructive choice for your business’s game development. Below, you’ll see some of the most compelling reasons.
Free-to-Start
The first reason is that it’s free. For businesses that are only now diving into the world of game development, Unity is perfect for beginners because it won’t cost you a dime – at least at first.
If you create a game in Unity and end up making more than $100K, it’s only fair that Unity scales with you and starts asking for something in return. Specifically, Unity asks for $150 a month for Unity Pro.
Cross-Platform Support
You will experience little to no limitations when you want to launch your games from one platform to the next. Unity supports over 25 platforms, including Android, iOS, Macs, PCs, Steam, Playstation, Xbox, and nearly any other platform you can think of, including VR devices.
Compared to the whole native versus cross-platform app debate taking place in the mobile app development realm, this versatility is definitely a perk.
Naturally, you will have to account for the unique features of each platform, but portability is generally smoother than otherwise.
Community
Unity has millions of developers dedicated to its software. As such, if you decide to use Unity yourself, you’ll have access to an extremely large support community.
There are many Unity forums where you can find like-minded individuals and perhaps even professionals with whom to collaborate. Unity also holds a conference every year called Unite.
Unity vs Unreal Engine
Unreal Engine is Unity’s main competitor. It is truly amazing and a much better option if you need high-end graphics.
However, that doesn’t mean that you should always use Unreal Engine over Unity.
Unity is particularly great because of its versatility. And it is definitely the more beginner-friendly of the two.
Advantages of Using Unity
Even if you’re not fully convinced that using Unity is right for you in the first place, it won’t hurt to hear about some more internal advantages of using the platform. Take a look.
Assets
One of the main advantages of using Unity is that you don’t have to make anything from scratch. You can maintain some originality while still using the Unity Asset Store to gather a few choice items, a character, for example, or a building.
This can save your developers a lot of time in the long run!
Not impressed? Well, you can always make some pocket money by building your own assets and selling them in the store. You’ll get as much as 70% of the royalties.
Scripting
You’ve heard your fair share about what C# is really about. But imagine how much a language with that kind of adaptability can improve your developers’ programming for the better. Whatever your preferred paradigm for programming is, C# is a solid choice.
In Unity’s scripting environment, the combination means that building complex game mechanics becomes incredibly simple.
Multiplayer
Building multiplayer video games is no easy task. Everybody wants the option to play with their friends and have fun together, but on the programming side of things, it is extremely difficult.
Unity provides a set of tools to help you through it. This includes Netcode for GameObjects.
Without Unity, you can be sure there would be much fewer multiplayer games around today to enjoy.
Learning
Getting started with Unity is fairly easy. You can see the results of what you’re working on almost immediately, and unlike traditional programming, you don’t need to compile anything to see it.
In addition, there are many free classes and tutorials online with hyper-specific instructions on how to get things done. YouTube is your friend. Leastways, it’s probably been a good friend to each one of your developers.
Udemy is also a great option, as it offers detailed guides that can help you get started quickly.
Games Built With Unity
Game | Genre | Platform |
Among Us | Social Deduction | Mobile, PC |
Cuphead | Run-and-Gun | PC, Select Consoles |
Temple Run | Endless Runner | Mobile |
Hearthstone | Collectible Card Game | Mobile, PC |
Fall Guys | Party Game | PC, Console |
Reasons to Hire a Unity Developer
There are many different reasons why you should hire a Unity Developer.
Ease of use is certainly an advantage to building in Unity, but by no means does it suggest that you should build an entire game by yourself.
Game development typically takes much longer than mobile or web development. The most enriching games take at least three years to develop.
You can opt for a simple 2D game to save time. Unity even has the capacity to accommodate such a project. But your time won’t be spent wisely either way. Professional developers are, by definition, qualified and efficient.
They can reduce development timelines astronomically while ensuring that your final product is of high quality by optimizing gameplay and enhancing user experience.
Remember, there are also many other uses of Unity as well. And hiring developers for those uses is just as important.
For example, unity developers can create VR simulations for training and education purposes.
How do you hire a Unity developer?
For those who wish to take the high road and hire Unity developers on their own, we’re still here to help.
Hiring a developer on your own is a very focused and hands-on process that requires considerable knowledge about software development in general.
The last thing you want to do is trust your hiring process to someone with no technical ability. If you are a non-technical manager looking to learn a thing or two, we have a great resource here for you to learn more about the hiring process in detail.
The basic steps you would need to follow include:
- Define Project Requirements: Decide whether you need a 2D or 3D game and target platforms.
- Evaluate Expertise: Look for portfolios showcasing previous Unity projects. Remember to evaluate a developer’s experience with Unity Asset Store and C# Scripting!
- Conduct Interviews: Include Unity-specific tasks like prototyping a level or customizing assets.
Generally, we recommend that you leverage hiring platforms as your primary tool to locate these developers. Upwork and Toptal are both great options.
Otherwise, we’d recommend you contact Trio for consulting and developer allocation. Our developers are pre-vetted and guaranteed to have experience in the relevant field. This not only increases your chances of success but saves time and resources.
What should you look for in a Unity developer?
Unity developers at a high level should have the following skills and abilities:
- Conceptualize and implement gameplay in a development environment
- Proficiency at using the Unity Asset Store and making modifications for uniqueness
- Demonstrate a foundational understanding of C# scripting and the skills to use it
- Can provide a portfolio of previous work in Unity showing their expertise and prior experience using the game engine
- Soft skills like problem-solving and teamwork.
How much do developers cost in the U.S.?
The average yearly salary for a Unity developer is $91,000, according to Glassdoor data. In general, annual salaries for Unity developers range between $71,000 and $116,000.
The biggest factors that influence costs include level of expertise, project complexity, and a unique or specialized skillset.
How much do developers cost in South America?
Due to economic differences between the United States and South America as a whole, the cost of offshoring software development is significantly lower than hiring full-time with U.S. talent. For Senior Unity Developers in South America, the average salary is currently around $27,000 – $30,000, whereas a mid-level developer costs around $20,000-$27,000.
Not only is this significantly cheaper than what you can expect in the United States, but offshoring to South America comes with additional benefits such as overlapping time zones and cultural alignment.
How much do developers cost in Ukraine / Eastern Europe?
Eastern Europe shares very similar rates to South America, again due to the economic differences. When looking at salaries in Eastern Europe, data shows that a Senior Unity Developer costs around $37,000 to $50,000.
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Hourly Rates for Developers
Another way to look at developer costs is through hourly rates. While salaries are good to understand for hiring developers for full-time and long-term, you might just need a developer for a period of 3-6 months or 6-12 months.
In these types of situations, it’s best to calculate your costs based on the hourly rates of a developer.
On Upwork, hourly rates for Unity developers vary anywhere between $20 and $40. If you take the higher end of this and assume you hire a developer for about 6 months, you could pay as much as $38,400.
Below is a table that lists the various hourly rates of developers in different locations based on their job titles.
Why Hire a Unity Developer?
Trio Unity developers are pre-vetted, interviewed, and then trained further to become true software professionals capable of adapting to situations that are both within and outside of the scope of their general expertise.
At Trio, we hold our developers to a higher standard. Much like how elite special forces units recruit only the best from the main branches of the military, we recruit developers who either show amazing potential or demonstrate exceptional skill.
We then take their talents and sharpen them even further.
Another benefit of hiring a Trio developer is that you won’t incur the costs of hiring, which can add up to around 30% of a developer’s salary on average, as well as overhead costs associated with full-time employment.
By working with Trio, you can enjoy a highly experienced full-time developer for a fraction of the cost, along with the added project management assistance.
Trio combines software mastery with access to South American developer talent. Meet our elite Argentinean developers, Chilean developers, and Brazilian developers for excellence in outsourcing.
Ready to build your dream game? Connect with our expert Unity developers and take your project to the next level! To learn more, tell us about your project, and we’ll get you started.