UNITY Character Controller - Easy Tutorial

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through using the Character Controller component in Unity for movement without the complexities of a Rigidbody. The Character Controller allows for smooth movement while handling collisions easily, making it ideal for character navigation in game development. By the end of this guide, you will understand how to set up and implement a character controller in your Unity projects.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Unity Project

• Open Unity and create a new project.
• Choose a template suitable for your game (2D or 3D).
• Once the project is loaded, set up a simple scene with a terrain or ground object:
  • Right-click in the Hierarchy panel.
  • Select 3D Object > Plane to create a ground surface.

Step 2: Adding the Character Controller Component

• In the Hierarchy panel, create a new GameObject for your character:
  • Right-click and select Create Empty.
  • Rename this GameObject to "Player".
• With the Player object selected, go to the Inspector panel.
• Click on "Add Component" and search for "Character Controller".
• Adjust the Character Controller settings:
  • Set the "Height" to around 2 (adjust based on your character size).
  • Set "Radius" to approximately 0.5 to match the character's width.

Step 3: Creating the Player Movement Script

• In the Project panel, right-click in the Assets folder and create a new C# script:
  • Name it "PlayerMovement".
• Double-click the script to open it in your code editor and implement the following code:

using UnityEngine;

public class PlayerMovement : MonoBehaviour
{
    public float speed = 5.0f;
    private CharacterController controller;

    void Start()
    {
        controller = GetComponent<CharacterController>();
    }

    void Update()
    {
        float moveX = Input.GetAxis("Horizontal");
        float moveZ = Input.GetAxis("Vertical");
        Vector3 move = transform.right * moveX + transform.forward * moveZ;
        controller.Move(move * speed * Time.deltaTime);
    }
}

• Save the script and return to Unity.

Step 4: Assigning the Movement Script to the Player

• Select the Player GameObject in the Hierarchy.
• In the Inspector, click on "Add Component" and search for your "PlayerMovement" script.
• Adjust the speed variable in the Inspector if needed (default is 5.0).

Step 5: Testing the Character Controller

• Press the Play button at the top of the Unity interface.
• Use the WASD keys or arrow keys to move your character around the scene.
• Observe how the Character Controller handles collisions with the ground.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Ensure the Player GameObject has a Collider (Character Controller acts as one), or you may experience unexpected behaviors.
• Remember to test your game in Play mode to see movement in action.
• Adjust the speed and Character Controller settings for different gameplay experiences.

Conclusion

You have successfully set up a Character Controller in Unity and implemented basic player movement. This component simplifies collision management and movement, making it a key tool for game development.

As a next step, consider adding animations or advanced features like jumping or sprinting to enhance your character's movement capabilities. Keep exploring, and enjoy developing your game!