2025-12-31-unity-2d-platformer-setup.md

Unity 2D Platformer Setup Guide for Beginners

Date: 2025-12-31
Purpose: Getting started with Unity 2D game development on Mac
Target Audience: Complete beginner (13-year-old, no programming experience)
Target Machine: 2019 Intel MacBook Pro, latest macOS
Inspiration: Cuphead-style 2D platformer

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System Compatibility

A 2019 Intel MacBook Pro is fully supported:

Requirement	Status
macOS version	Big Sur (11+) required for Unity 2023.2+ - latest macOS works
GPU	Metal-capable Intel/AMD GPUs - fully supported
Architecture	Unity provides specific Intel Mac builds

Storage needed: Budget ~20 GB free (Hub ~500MB, Editor ~5-10GB, projects vary)

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Installation Steps

Step 1: Download Unity Hub

URL: unity.com/download

• Click the "Mac Intel" download option specifically
• Unity Hub is the central launcher for managing Unity versions and projects

Step 2: Create a Unity Account

• Free "Personal" license is all that's needed
• Required to use Unity Hub
• Create at id.unity.com

Step 3: Install a Unity Editor Version

Via Unity Hub:

1. Open Unity Hub
2. Go to Installs → Install Editor
3. Recommended: Unity 2022 LTS (Long Term Support)
   • Better tutorial compatibility than Unity 6
   • Stable and well-documented
   • Most beginner tutorials target 2021-2022 versions

Step 4: Install Modules

When prompted during editor install, include:

• Visual Studio for Mac (or VS Code) - for writing code
• 2D Sprite package (can add later too)
• Documentation - helpful offline reference

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Recommended Beginner Tutorials

Best Starting Point

Unity's Built-in Microgame Tutorials (accessible from Unity Hub "Learn" tab)

• Specifically designed for kids/teens
• "Mod" approach: start with working game, learn to customize
• Less frustrating than building from scratch

Follow-up Resources

Tutorial	Length	Link	Notes
Unity Official 2D Platformer Microgame	Short	learn.unity.com	Best first step
Code Monkey - Unity Beginner 2025	~11 hrs	YouTube	Free, comprehensive
Learn Unity by Making a 2D Game	~6 hrs	YouTube	Unity 6, teaches C#

No-Code Option (Visual Scripting)

If avoiding programming entirely at first:

• Udemy: "2D Platformer for Beginners in Unity: Master Game Mechanics"
• Uses drag-and-drop Unity Visual Scripting
• Udemy Course Link

Additional Video Tutorials

Tutorial	Length	Notes
Complete Platformer - 40+ Features (2024)	~3 hrs	Comprehensive feature coverage
Making a 2D Platformer in Unity 6	Series	Latest Unity version
How to Create a 2D Platformer (2024)	~10 min	Quick overview

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About the Cuphead Inspiration

Good news: Cuphead was built in Unity, so the engine choice is right.

Reality check:

• The game mechanics (2D run-and-gun platformer) are achievable
• The art style is what made Cuphead exceptional - hand-drawn frame-by-frame traditional animation that took years
• Start by learning mechanics with placeholder/free art, swap in original art later

Recommended approach:

1. Start with Unity's 2D Platformer Microgame
2. Learn game mechanics with free/placeholder art
3. Add original art once the game works

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Tips to Avoid "Tutorial Hell"

From Reddit community wisdom:

1. Pick ONE tutorial and complete it fully
2. Experiment on your own before starting next tutorial
3. Break games into systems (movement, enemies, collectibles) rather than trying to learn everything at once
4. Don't try to make the "whole game" at once

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Optional Extras

Item	Purpose
Visual Studio Code	Free, lighter-weight code editor alternative
Unity Asset Store	Free sprites/sounds for learning

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Research conducted 2025-12-31. Unity versions and links may change over time.