Set up your 2D game world

Make a flying obstacle prefab

Random obstacle size, direction, and speed

Steer the player

Add a scoring system

Restart the game with a bang

 Optional bonus features

Build and publish to web

In this tutorial, you'll preview the finished version of Sprite Flight: a simple, 2D arcade game where you steer a triangular ship to dodge flying obstacles. Then, you'll create a new Unity project using Unity’s 2D template and set up the basic play area for your 2D game, complete with walls around the edges of the screen. 

Overview

Create a new 2D project

Set up your layout

Navigate around a new 2D scene

Add an Obstacle sprite

Change the size and background of the camera

Create the first screen border

Duplicate to make other screen borders

Lock the aspect ratio and adjust borders

Organize the Hierarchy window and Assets folder

Optional: More things to try

Next steps

Configure the scenes in the build

Switch to the Web platform

Build your project

Publish to Unity Play 

Test your game

Optional: More things to try 

Share your project [SUBMISSION STEP]

 Your next steps 

In this course, you’ll build a 2D game in Unity — starting from a completely blank project with no assets provided, you’ll create the entire game from start to finish. In the game, you fly a simple triangle-shaped ship using mouse clicks (or screen taps on mobile). Your goal: stay alive for as long as you can by dodging flying obstacles while your score increases over time.

Along the way, you’ll learn the fundamentals of working in 2D, from navigating the Scene view to coding simple gameplay interactions. You’ll also explore key Unity systems like a user interface (UI), particle effects, audio, and publishing. By the end, you’ll not only have a complete, playable game, but you’ll also have the skills to start building your own original 2D projects.

2D Beginner Game: Sprite Flight

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Confidently operate the Unity Editor from an empty default project. 

Unity Editor Essentials

NealEdu

Product Manager at Unity

Create and manage Unity versions and projects in the Hub.

Creating and Managing Unity projects

Identify the defaults elements in a new scene, Create and manipulate GameObjects and configure their components.

Scene Building Essentials

Beginner Unity Cameras

ElizabethMidgley

1.1 - Course overview.mp4

1.3 - Set up your layout.mp4

1.4 - Navigate around a new 2D scene.mp4

1.5 - Add an Obstacle Sprite.mp4

1.6 - Change the size and background of the camera.mp4

1.8 - Duplicate to make other screen borders.mp4

1.9 - Lock the aspect ratio and adjust borders.mp4

1.10 - Organize the Hierarchy and Assets folder.mp4

1.7 - Create the first screen border.mp4

Gaming

Identify and describe the windows that appear in the Unity Editor’s default view.

Rearrange, dock, and undock windows in the Unity Editor.

Explain the differences between the Project and Hierarchy windows.

Explain the relationship between the Hierarchy window and the Scene view.

Explain when to use the Scene view and the Game view.

Explain the purpose and functionality of the Package Manager.

Use the Package Manager to add functionality to the Unity Editor.

1.1 Identify and describe the windows that appear in the Unity Editor’s default view.

1.2 Rearrange, dock, and undock windows in the Unity Editor.

1.3 Explain the differences between the Project and Hierarchy windows.

1.4 Explain the relationship between the Hierarchy window and the Scene view.

1.5 Explain when to use the Scene view and the Game view.

1.6 Start and stop Play mode (Game view).

1.7 Explain the purpose and functionality of the Package Manager.

1.8 Use the Package Manager to add functionality to the Unity Editor.

Employ essential features of the Unity Editor

Understand the role of Unity Hub in creating and managing projects.

Explain the purposes and uses of the sections of the Hub interface.

Explain the uses of the 3D, 2D, and microgame templates in the Hub.

Create a new Unity project using a template in the Unity Hub.

Add a Unity project from another source to the Unity Hub.

Open an existing Unity project from the Unity Hub.

Explain the differences between and purposes of LTS and TECH Stream releases.

Install a version of the Unity Editor using the Unity Hub.

Update a project to a newer version of the Unity Editor using the Unity Hub.

Understand what version control is and why it is essential in real-time development among teams.

2.1 Understand the role of Unity Hub in creating and managing projects.

2.2 Explain the purposes and uses of the sections of the Hub interface.

2.3 Explain the uses of the 3D, 2D, and microgame templates in the Hub.

2.4 Create a new Unity project using a template in the Unity Hub.

2.5 Add a Unity project from another source to the Unity Hub.

2.6 Open an existing Unity project from the Unity Hub.

2.7 Explain the differences between and purposes of LTS and TECH Stream releases.

2.8 Install a version of the Unity Editor using the Unity Hub.

2.9 Update a project to a newer version of the Unity Editor using the Unity Hub.

2.10 Understand what version control is and why it is essential in real-time development among teams.

Work with projects in the Unity Hub

Explain how primitives are typically used in a 3D Scene.

Describe the types of primitives available in Unity.

Import a premade asset into a project as a GameObject.

Add a GameObject to a Scene by dragging it from the Project window.

2.1 Define GameObject.

2.2 Explain how primitives are typically used in a 3D Scene.

2.3 Describe the types of primitives available in Unity.

2.4 Add a primitive to a 3D Scene.

2.5 Define Sprite

2.6 Import a Sprite into a Scene

2.7 Create an empty Sprite

2.8 Assign an image to an empty Sprite.

2.9 Import a premade asset into a project as a GameObject.

2.10 Add a GameObject to a Scene by dragging it from the Project window.

2.11 Add a GameObject to a Scene by dragging it from the Project window.

2.12 Create an empty GameObject.

Create GameObjects

Explain the Toolbar buttons used to manipulate objects.

Select a GameObject from both the Hierarchy window and the Scene view.

Link GameObjects in parent-child relationships using the Hierarchy window to create complex GameObjects.

Explain the relationship between the Scene view and the Inspector window.

Move, scale, and rotate a GameObject using the Toolbar buttons and the mouse in the Scene view.

Move, scale, and rotate a GameObject using the Transform Component in the Inspector window.

Position Sprites in 3D space in a 2D Scene.

Use 3D GameObjects in a 2D Scene to group Sprites.

3.1 Explain the Toolbar buttons used to manipulate objects.

3.2 Select a GameObject from both the Hierarchy window and the Scene view.

3.3 Link GameObjects in parent-child relationships using the Hierarchy window to create complex GameObjects.

3.4 Explain the relationship between the Scene view and the Inspector window.

3.5 Duplicate a GameObject.

3.6 Move, scale, and rotate a GameObject using the Toolbar buttons and the mouse in the Scene view.

3.7 Move, scale, and rotate a GameObject using the Transform Component in the Inspector window.

3.8 Position Sprites in 3D space in a 2D Scene.

3.9 Use 3D GameObjects in a 2D Scene to group Sprites.

Transform GameObjects

Explain Unity’s 3D Y-up coordinate system.

Identify the Toolbar button(s) used for changing your view.

Change your view in the Scene view using the mouse and keyboard.

Change your view in the Scene view by focusing on a selected GameObject.

Change your view in the Scene view using the Scene Gizmo.

Use the 2D button to change the view of Scene view.

Navigate the Scene view confidently in all three dimensions, demonstrating the ability to quickly relocate to desired position and orientation in 3D space.

3.1 Explain Unity’s 3D Y-up coordinate system.

3.2 Identify the Toolbar button(s) used for changing your view.

3.3 Change your view in the Scene view using the mouse and keyboard.

3.4 Change your view in the Scene view by focusing on a selected GameObject.

3.5 Change your view in the Scene view using the Scene Gizmo.

3.6 Use the 2D button to change the view of Scene view.

3.7 Navigate the Scene view confidently in all three dimensions, demonstrating the ability to quickly relocate to desired position and orientation in 3D space.

Navigate in 3D space in the Scene view

Ellen Flaherty

Senior Learning Architect - Unity

Describe the 3D nature of a 2D Scene in Unity.

Explain the 2D coordinate system in Unity.

4.1 Describe the 3D nature of a 2D Scene in Unity.

4.2 Explain the 2D coordinate system in Unity.

4.3 Use the 2D button to change the view of Scene view.

4.4 Navigate a 2D Scene in 3D space.

Navigate in 2D space in the Scene view

Set up a camera for a specified/predetermined point of view

Fill in background of the Main Camera view 

Capture the desired view of the Scene by controlling the position and rotation of the Main Camera

Control the field of view of the Main Camera by adjusting the frustum

Control the depth of view of the Main Camera by configuring the clipping planes

Set up an perspective camera view in a 3D Scene

Set up an orthographic camera view in a 3D Scene

Configure a Unity camera for a scene

Let’s start by previewing the game you're going to build. In Sprite Flight, you control a triangular ship that flies around a rectangular game space. The goal is to survive for as long as possible by avoiding the moving obstacles. The longer you stay alive, the higher your score climbs. If your ship collides with an obstacle or wall, it explodes — and it’s game over.

By the end of this course, you'll have created your own version of this game from scratch. Along the way, you’ll learn how to do the following:

Set up and navigate Unity’s 2D environment

Use physics components to simulate bouncing and movement

Write simple C# scripts and attach them to GameObjects

Handle collisions, UI, and game restart logic

Previewing the final game helps you understand where you’re headed and why each step along the way matters.

1.  Play the web version of the demo game:

Click or tap anywhere to steer the ship in that direction.

Your score increases the longer you stay alive.

Avoid the flying hexagons and the outer walls.



Notice the basic shapes: a triangular player, square borders, and hexagon obstacles.

Pay attention to how the movement feels — there's momentum, bounce, and randomness.

You’ve now experienced the final version of Sprite Flight and have a clear goal in mind. Next, you’ll start your own project and begin building the game world step-by-step.

Now that you’ve previewed the final game, it’s time to start building it yourself. In this step, you’ll create a new Unity project using the Universal 2D template. This template sets up your environment with settings and tools suited for 2D games.

If you don’t have Unity Hub or a version of Unity 6 installed yet, download and install it from unity.com/download.

Name your project “Sprite Flight” or something similar.

Set a project location on your computer where you can easily find it.

Select Create Project and wait while Unity sets up your files and opens the Editor.

Important: Make sure you select the Universal 2D template or your project won’t be configured properly to create this project. 


You now have a fresh Unity project using the Universal 2D template, ready for development.

The Unity Editor, showing the Hierarchy, Scene, and Inspector windows, as well as the Scene view.

Unity’s layout is customizable, and organizing your windows early helps you work more efficiently. Also, setting your layout so that it matches the instructions and screenshots in this course will make the tutorials easier to follow. 

In this step, you’ll arrange your workspace so that you can see the Scene view, Game view, Hierarchy, Project, and Inspector windows all at once.

In the upper-right corner of the Unity Editor, open the Layout dropdown and select 2 by 3.


2.  Move the Project window below the Hierarchy window:

Drag the Project window so it sits below the Hierarchy window.

Drag the upper-edge of the Project window up so that it aligns with the top of the Game view.


In the Project window, select the More (⋮) menu and ensure that the One Column layout is enabled.

Your layout is now configured so you can comfortably access all the tools you’ll need during development and more easily follow along with this course.

Creating a new scene ensures a clean, organized starting point for your game. In this step, you’ll set up and save a dedicated scene.

In the Project window, right-click the Scenes folder and select Create > Scene > Scene.

Double-click the Game scene to open your new scene.

A dialog stating “Scene(s) have been modified” might appear, referencing the SampleScene. When prompted, select Don’t Save, as you have created a new scene, and so SampleScene is no longer needed.

You’ll now see the name of your scene (Game) appear at the top of the Hierarchy window.

Use your scroll wheel (or two-finger swipe on a trackpad) to zoom in and out of the Scene view.

Ensure the View tool (hand) is selected from the Tools overlay in the Scene view, then hold right-click and drag to pan around the scene.

Tip: Navigating the Scene view with these gestures will help you quickly place and adjust GameObjects throughout this course. To learn more about scene navigation, check out the Explore the Unity Editor tutorial. 

You now have a new empty scene open in the Unity Editor and understand how to navigate 2D space.

To build your game world, you'll start by adding a simple hexagon-shaped obstacle to your scene. In Unity, 2D objects are made using sprites — flat images that can be moved, colored, and given physical properties. You’ll place a hexagon-shaped sprite at the center of the scene.

Unity uses an (x, y, z) coordinate system. In this system, the x-axis runs left to right, and the y-axis runs up and down. In 2D games, the z-axis is ignored — since it goes forward and back in the scene. The origin — the center of the scene — is located at position (0, 0, 0). 

Right-click in the Hierarchy window and select 2D Object > Sprites > Hexagon Flat Top.

This creates a new 2D GameObject in your scene using Unity’s built-in Hexagon shape.

2.  Rename and reposition the GameObject:

Set up your 2D game world

1. Overview

2. Create a new 2D project

3. Set up your layout

4. Navigate around a new 2D scene

5. Add an Obstacle sprite

6. Change the size and background of the camera

7. Create the first screen border

8. Duplicate to make other screen borders

9. Lock the aspect ratio and adjust borders

10. Organize the Hierarchy window and Assets folder

11. Optional: More things to try

12. Next steps

Complete this tutorial