How Photon Users Educate Each Other: Enabling the Community on YouTube.
Empowering Game Developers with Photon Tutorials
Fredrik Kellermann, aka Fred, the creative force behind Pretty Fly Games, has a contagious passion for game development that shines through his detailed YouTube tutorials. He’s on a mission to make the world of game development, particularly the challenging realm of multiplayer games, more accessible to everyone. And his own journey demonstrates why this mission is so personal to him.
Fred’s love for game development began back in 1983 with his first computer, a C64. He dreamed of creating amazing games, but the lack of clear resources and tutorials made the process feel impossible. It was only when he found “proper tutorials” created by experienced developers who were eager to share their knowledge that he finally started to understand the complexities of game development. This experience sparked a passion for helping others navigate the often-intimidating world of game development. As he puts it, “Without those people and tutorials, I would never have been able to get into the gamedev world. I make tutorials to contribute to the gamedev community and allow others to follow their dreams.”
Fred’s tutorials focus on making powerful tools like Photon’s PUN, Fusion, and Quantum accessible to developers of all skill levels. He knows that creating multiplayer games is a dream for many aspiring developers, but the technical hurdles can feel insurmountable. He’s determined to change that. He firmly believes that “using products from Photon makes it possible for developers with relatively limited knowledge to create online games.” He credits PUN, Photon’s Unity Networking solution, as a pivotal tool in his own journey: “PUN was the first framework where I felt it was truly possible for me to make and release a multiplayer game.”
Upgrading with Confidence: Fred’s Guide to Quantum 3
In one of his most recent tutorials, Fred tackles the often-dreaded task of upgrading from Photon Quantum 2 to Quantum 3. Instead of simply relying on the automated process, he guides viewers through a manual upgrade, emphasizing the importance of understanding each step. He explains, “The manual process helped me understand what was going on with the project. If there is an issue during the upgrade process, it’s easier to identify and resolve it when you’ve followed the steps manually.” While acknowledging that automation can be useful for quick tests, he believes that “serious developers benefit from the deeper understanding provided by manual upgrades.”
Fred’s step-by-step approach breaks down the upgrade process into manageable chunks, making it less intimidating for developers. He shares valuable insights into the rationale behind each step, ensuring that viewers not only know what to do but also why they’re doing it. This focus on understanding empowers developers to troubleshoot issues independently and adapt the process to their specific project needs.
Fred doesn’t shy away from highlighting the challenges he encountered during the upgrade process, showing how to overcome them with a mix of technical know-how and a positive attitude. When he encountered missing components during the installation, he simply deleted and re-imported the package, demonstrating a pragmatic problem-solving approach. He reassures viewers that running into issues is a normal part of development and encourages them to see such setbacks as opportunities to deepen their understanding of the technology. He reflects on this, saying, “As a gamedev, you need a lot of patience and the drive to keep going no matter what. These challenges increased my understanding of Photon Quantum 3.”
Sharing the Joy of Success
Fred’s genuine excitement when he successfully upgrades the project and sees it running smoothly with multiple clients is palpable in his video. He emphasizes the satisfaction of maintaining functionality while gaining access to the new features of Quantum 3, proving that upgrading doesn’t have to be a painful experience. His journey is a reminder that game development, even when tackling complex tasks, can be an enjoyable and rewarding process. Looking ahead, he says, “So far, I’ve just touched the surface of the possibilities with Quantum 3, and I’m eager to keep exploring its new features.”
Fred’s contributions to the game development community exemplify the transformative power of shared knowledge. His tutorials not only simplify complex concepts but also inspire developers to embrace challenges, persevere through setbacks, and ultimately achieve their game development dreams. He’s a great example of how we would like our users to grow, and we’re happy to have him as part of the Photon community.
Ready to build your own successful multiplayer game? With Fusion and Quantum by Photon, it’s never been easier to integrate cutting-edge multiplayer features into your project. We offer the industry’s most advanced tools, comprehensive support, and everything you need to get started – from downloadable samples to detailed documentation.
Take the first step today – download Fusion or download Quantum and start building. If you’re looking for in-depth assistance, join our Gaming Circle, where you can connect directly with our developers and get expert guidance throughout your journey.
Your multiplayer success story starts here!
