Overview

This course features Coursera Coach! A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the course. In this course, you will gain practical skills in building an inventory system while learning how to manage player interactions within a game environment. You will start by exploring basic inventory algorithms and data structures and progress to designing a fully functional inventory system in Unity. Through hands-on examples and coding challenges, you’ll not only learn how to build systems from the ground up but also enhance your skills in debugging, customizing, and testing your work. The course is divided into modules that cover essential aspects of an inventory system. From setting up Unity and scripting basic features to implementing advanced functionalities such as player interactions and 3D item previews, you will be guided step by step. You will also learn how to refine user interfaces to improve player experiences, integrating key features like item pickups, drops, and UI syncing with inventory changes. Each lesson will provide you with real-world coding techniques and practical problem-solving skills that are vital for creating interactive and immersive gameplay systems. This course is perfect for game developers, designers, and programmers looking to enhance their understanding of game systems. Whether you’re building inventory systems for RPGs, action games, or any genre, this course provides a solid foundation in both programming and user interface design. The course is suitable for intermediate learners with basic knowledge of Unity and C#. By the end of the course, you will be able to design a fully functional inventory system, implement player interactions such as pickups and drops, create UI systems for displaying inventory, and customize features based on gameplay needs.

Syllabus

Introduction

In this module, we will provide an overview of the course and introduce you to key concepts. You will also learn how to connect with the H3D Social Community for ongoing support and engagement throughout the course. This section sets the stage for your learning journey in inventory systems and player interaction.

Basic Inventory Algorithms and Data Structures

In this module, we will dive into the core aspects of an inventory system, from the setup of Unity and scriptable objects to the creation of basic inventory management functions. You’ll learn how to create and manage inventory items efficiently, laying the foundation for more advanced features later in the course.

Player Interaction with the Inventory

In this module, we will focus on player interaction with the inventory system. You’ll learn how to create and manage pickup items, handle the process of dropping items, and refine the interaction mechanics with realistic physics. This section ensures that players can effectively interact with and manipulate their inventory within the game world.

Building a UI

In this module, we will cover the essential aspects of designing and building the inventory system’s user interface. From layout and tab organization to displaying 3D item previews, you’ll learn how to create a seamless and functional UI that enhances the player experience.

Hooking up the UI Inventory to the Player Inventory

In this module, we will connect the UI inventory system to the player’s backend inventory, enabling smooth interaction. You’ll also learn how to toggle the inventory’s visibility and manage items visually in the UI, including adding new items, tracking item counts, and implementing item drop features. This section completes the core functionality of the inventory system.