Explore techniques for enhancing 2D top-down games with dynamic lighting, animation, and effects in this 20-minute conference talk from Unity at GDC 2023. Learn about Unity's new 2D sample game and discover how to implement 2D lights and shadows using Universal Render Pipeline (URP). Dive into topics such as creating normal maps, utilizing mask maps, setting up ambient lighting and sunlight, enabling depth effects, and generating various shadow types. Gain insights on performance considerations, day/night cycles, and upcoming features for 2D lighting and shadows in Unity.
Overview
Syllabus
Intro
2D e-book
Unity's 2D URP settings
Different ways to create Normal Maps for 2D
What are Mask maps in 2D
Performance/art/gameplay considerations
Creating ambient lighting
Creating a sunlight
Enabling depth effect with Normal Maps
Creating shadows with negative lighting
Creating blob shadows
Creating infinite shadow projection
Creating finite shadow projection
Creating shadows for buildings
More light and shadow possibilities
Day/night cycle
Notes on performance
New features for lights and shadows
Taught by
Unity
