How to Move Characters in Unity 3D: Built-In Character Controller Explained [#1]

Learn how to use the built-in character controller to move your characters in Unity 3D with this detailed explanation and break down!
This beginner-friendly tutorial is a thorough explanation of Unity 3D's built-in character controller! By understanding the properties and methods available, we can learn to properly move our characters without causing issues down the line!
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Interested in learning more about animating characters in Unity? Check out my growing series of tutorials:
✅ • Unity's Animation System
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►TIMESTAMPS:
Intro: 0:00
Project Setup: 0:33
Adding Character Controller: 0:54
Center, Radius, Height: 1:06
What is a Character Controller: 1:33
Collider Caveat: 1:51
Min Move Distance: 2:13
Skin Width Examples: 3:09
Skin Width Explained: 3:53
Step Offset: 4:06
Slope Limit: 4:43
Unity Docs: 5:07
Detect Collisions: 5:20
Enable Overlap Recovery: 6:20
Collision Flags: 6:54
IsGrounded: 7:10
Collision Flags Are Tricky: 7:27
Velocity: 8:31
How Move and Simple Move Work: 9:01
OnControllerColliderHit: 11:38
Next Time: 12:12
Outro: 12:30
Thank you for watching! 💛

[@xianead18]

You will probably be the next biggest thing in Unity tutorials after Brackeys with this high-level quality content. Solid work!

[@Mikelica69]

Yes!!!!!

[@digital_comrade]

I'd say this is leagues beyond what Brackeys produced in terms of clarity and depth.

[@xianead18]

@@digital_comrade agreed

[@malachiroberts1465]

Definitely a similar style

[@user-yv4gr2vf8o]

Vote for this!

[@Novecento]

I'm a Unity developer since 2015 and believe me, I've seen a lot of tutorials during these years, both free and paid. I have to say yours are the best I've ever seen! Clear, concise, informative and straight to the point! I hope you'll continue this wonderful work of yours in the future because your tutorials are pure gems! Thanks a lot!

[@KingRecycle69]

I love this. It's always good to know how something works in programming. They should place this video on the documentation page. Can't wait for the next one!

[@AlecAndersonZx]

Fantastic quality video. I rarely see videos that explain everything super well and also give visuals that help you perfectly grasp exactly what's happening. I'm looking forward to new videos in the future!

[@MJOb928]

Awesome tutorial. Easily, by far and away the most informative and information packed and accessible unity tute I haven seen on youtube. I love how you use the side by side visual examples to explain. Keep it up and i look forward to watching more 👍

[@simoncodrington]

Great visual breakdown of the movement controller properties mate. Perfectly explains what they do and when you'd use them. Looking forward to more great videos like this.

[@michaelmcveigh9534]

This could not have come a better time for me. I was just struggling with some of this stuff this morning

[@ognjenarsenijevic3444]

Youre actually insanely good at explaining things, and you explained everything without overcomplicating it. Thanks

[@thewightone7441]

Yo, this video is sick. I had to learn most of this on my own over a few years and I STILL didn't know about the collision collider flags and the character controller callback method. Great work, can't wait for the next video.

[@rivix7546]

I've just got into Unity from not programming or gamedev in 20 years, and by god your tutorials have been a god send! Ty so much.

[@abhisheksuper20]

Awesome video with simple and easy to understand explanation. What's more better is your direct demonstration in the editor itself. Makes the concept very easy to understand as it can be visualized directly. Keep up the awesome work!!

[@XuryGreer]

Really incredible timing, I was just looking for an explanation like this so I can help a friend without completely coding a character controller from scratch!

[@lee1davis1]

Best detailed explanation of the CC I've seen. Added to my must watch playlist.

[@zachklegon8849]

Great breakdown of everything! This was really well edited! Looking forward to more!

[@TheRyanSmee]

I was watching another video and this autoplayed and super I'm glad I didnt switch it off. This was such a clear and simple description of all the properties. Thank you!

[@chandrahasp6697]

Great video as always! I'll be pointing any beginners to your videos from now on, as you are good at explaining fundamentals than most of the others. Cheers mate!

[@metin1504]

dude i need this series, can't wait for ep. 2! keep em coming

[@ZombieBowTiie]

I loved the nod to RoyalSkies with that Not a Problem. And I love your tutorials which, if I may, are more of a course than anything. You give an actual broad explanation to things rather than just the narrow specified task at hand. For that, I thank you

[@tamilmaran4000]

I love the fact that you take your time for quality content, instead of pumping out videos continuously. Great work man. Helping a lot of people. Thanks

[@tamilmaran4000]

@@iHeartGameDev That's awesome man. your tutorials are very crisp and covers everything in the component. waiting for the upcoming ones eagerly.

[@sandybathwater8385]

Very well done. I have been wrasslin with this stuff (which is fun in a way) for a day. You just snapped a bunch of stuff into place. Thanks!

[@erikshukhyan]

So detailed and such a good explanation. Love your content, keep it up!

[@erz3030]

Great stuff Nicky! You always have an excellent way of using visuals combined with your ability to convey concepts concisely. I know I speak for others that are visual learners. Cheers.

[@ktmochiii]

seeing awesome new videos like these, makes me think how much the gamedev community has yet to grow in terms of tutorials. thanks nicky!

[@plinyvicgames]

this is unbelievably well made and very cleanly cut, very cool

[@tenaciousstudios03051]

Thanks for your guide on the basic built-in character controller. I'll make it a point to watch your video on the rigidbody method.

[@ShayminMaster2]

Literally, just started working on a new project with this and had to deduce most of this information myself through trial and error. Thanks! You're going taking the mantle of Brackeys =]

[@enzogherbi9312]

still works! followed steps exactly and it works, thx a ton and keep up the awesome videos

[@Ghin_Antonic]

Helpful because I had discovered the built in character controller and was going to use it for the game I'm making with a group, but didn't know all it encompasses yet. Will be good to have all this once I finished the world building tool.

[@SVAFnemesis]

I hope unity is financially endorsing you for doing all these. These are incredibly high quality works.

[@chrisa9549]

As always, the highest quality tutorial of its kind :) thanks a lot Nicky!

[@DarkParadice]

Awesome video and in depth explanations. Will use this as a reference to anyone who wants to learn because you explained them so well and even had a few things in there that I didn't know. I've always made my own character controllers because I better understand them and I get what I want. This was very insightful even to me and may even help speed up my process.

[@iHeartGameDev]

Thanks so much for the kindness! :D I love to hear that!

[@Visigoth_]

This was an excellent video (I loved how clear the explanations were and the visual examples were great)! 😁👍

[@someoneontheinternet3090]

Best tutorials I've seen in ages. Nice work!

[@kinza7740]

firstly I would like to wish you well and to say a huge thank you for uploading these videos as they have been an invaluable resource to

[@MrJwoody55]

Thank you Nicky! You have the best Unity tutorials out there. Please never stop making them!

[@iHeartGameDev]

More to come!

[@MrAnime-kl6kn]

The way you make me understand, just subscribed. Keep it up and never give up. You will be the next big youtuber in this field.

[@flomoemma8547]

Keep em' comin' and thanks for all of the help!!

[@kendavis4704]

Thanks for another great tutorial. Looking forward to the next episode!

[@conraddugger4165]

Solid stuff, man! Looking forward to the Rigidbody character controller video.

[@jamasbsamia2317]

For sure one of the best tutorials I've ever seen, perfect, completely clear with great examples, you are much much better than unity documents, I appreciate it sir.

[@iHeartGameDev]

Thank you so much! Happy to hear it helps out!

[@alexisfernandez8052]

Great tips!! I'll def check out more of your videos. Just started writing and making soft. I feel soft softs will help get to the next

[@andiedev2671]

ur channel is like treasure,i could save alot time if i found it earlier haha thx for explaining all the buttons and things in detail

[@tahmidshadman7922]

Just here to appreciate what you are you doing. You tutorials are very great and easy to understanding and gives overall needed knowledge about a component. Please keep things like this for future. Thank you Very much for you efforts in making this. Also can you do tutorials over custom character controller with movement and intereact with object that would be very helpful for lot of people. I've trying to find every but nothing clear is there.

[@mccrackenyt1241]

Thank you for this video man! This videos was really helpful and awesome! Keep it up! 🔥

[@therebelliousgeek4506]

Just keep it up man, just found your channel, subbed. Will probably binge your channel soon. Just keep making these.

[@Bunnunoox]

This was excellent! Very clearly explained.

[@recaps_plus]

I know tNice tutorials is an old video but I’m new and thank god I finally found you . Thank you for such an amazing and helpful video ❤️

[@gamedevtobe]

Great Video! Very clear and precise explanation! Keep up the good work!

[@forsaken559]

OMG THANK YOU!!! I went through hours of "beginner" guides before I could find tNice tutorials and at least make a simple soft... Only video I've

[@chryslerlazaro3327]

Brilliant tutorial, thank you.

[@iuridosanjos]

You got a really good way on teaching and showing in an easy way what you want to. Really well editted. Congratulations. Although, care with over explanating or detailing really basic things on the next videos. It's sure really good for beginners, but can get little too slow for other people.

[@ThisIsOnlyKurr]

THANK YOU SO MUCH THIS WAS EXTREMELY HELPFUL :D

[@Dragoncro0wn]

Subbed. Well detailed and explained. Looking forward to your next videos.

[@kmyoshino]

Thank you again for another amazing video. Your content is nothing short of gold.

[@Mr.Chand69]

Thanks for sharing your valuable experience.

[@csicskagyasz4270]

it worked! thank you so much!!

[@freemoncodes]

This was freaking awesome. Textbook tutorial, you have my thanks

[@barge489]

This is great, totally going to use this for my students.

[@smiley-jc4wc]

HIS HELPED ME SO MUCH! THANK YOU!

[@NamNguyen-uu8yq]

seriously helped thank you!!

[@luizhenriquebarbozalindolm8612]

So informative, thanks a lot!

[@RainDevs]

This is great! Excited for your next video.

[@ianfarrell1182]

Looking forward to this

[@_Hadda]

Great stuff, Keep up the great work!

[@ColeWithAGoal]

This was perfect man, thanks!

[@TNTCProject]

Well done mate, super clear!

[@aa-xn5hc]

Fantastic tutorial!

[@Tbone272]

Found myself watching your tutorials three times now, hitting the sub lol

[@PhantomWolf93]

Man, your video edition is insane and your explanations awesome. Keep the hard work, i love it!

[@iHeartGameDev]

Thank you so much!

[@titangame0078]

Thank you dude. it works

[@MrJuancho2706]

Hey Nikki! I just wanted to say that your channel deserve WAY more recognition, you explain really good, even tho im not using any of the 3D stuff unity has to offer (for now) im here to support you! Now if you are going to make a video for the 2D/Topview related thing ill be more than happy 😊. Have a nice day!

[@MrJuancho2706]

@@iHeartGameDev Nice! ill be looking foward!, keep the good work! and when people in the comments say that you will become the next big thing in Unity scene they werent lying :)

[@sourcelocation]

Excellent explanation

[@jiovanniabdelmalak296]

drums softing good start learning how to make your own lodies. Good luck bro!

[@ivanduarte1464]

Thankyou that was ready helpful.

[@Patricebrouh]

Yours videos are so great, so well explained. Please, don't forget a 3D Legde grabbing tutorial. Thanks

[@badoli1074]

Very well done!

[@krisprofreefire5376]

what a hearty video for all beginners!

[@kriptypell8851]

This is the best free software Ive seen. Respect.

[@doc8724]

Great tuto! subscribed!!

[@xxobadagamerxx8217]

Thanks for tNice tutorials amazin tutorial! Such a helpful one

[@ptjokr3700]

You do great work bro. Keep it up bro.❤❤

[@wesleytiago4121]

thanks for this tutorial got it easy

[@bishokuya7692]

Totally agree, bro!

[@Ciapodotit]

very high quality content, thank you

[@changemaker9751]

Thanks mate .Very useful content.I am waiting another video for Animator component :)

[@opcode6]

You do so much RIGHT with the way you teach. I am in awe of your tutorials!

[@iHeartGameDev]

Hey thanks so much! That means a lot to hear :D

[@kingdom216]

@@iHeartGameDev what do I have to add to this to not get compiler errors? How do I change this and it's affiliate statement to fit jumping into the mix: if (isrunning && (!forwardPressed || !runPressed)) I need specific help. Thank you. public class animationStateController : MonoBehaviour { Animator animator; int isWalkingHash; int isRunningHash; int isJumpingHash; // Start is called before the first frame update void Start() { animator = GetComponent(); isWalkingHash = Animator.StringToHash("isWalking"); isRunningHash = Animator.StringToHash("isRunning"); isJumpingHash = animator.StringToHash("isJumping"); } // Update is called once per frame void Update() { bool isrunning = animator.GetBool(isRunningHash); bool isWalking = animator.GetBool(isWalkingHash); bool isJumping = animator.GetBool(isJumpingHash); bool forwardPressed = Input.GetKey("w"); bool runPressed = Input.GetKey("left shift"); bool jumpPressed = Input.GetKey("space bar"); if (!isWalking && forwardPressed) { animator.SetBool(isWalkingHash, true); } if (isWalking && !forwardPressed) { animator.SetBool(isWalkingHash, false); } if (!isrunning && (forwardPressed && runPressed)) { animator.SetBool(isRunningHash, true); } if (isrunning && (!forwardPressed || !runPressed)) { animator.SetBool(isRunningHash, false); } } }

[@TheHandar_x]

Gracias master ! Por compartir contenido y por su talento artístico ! Estoy al tanto de todos sus videos ! Saludos !

[@charlesonis3484]

Cool video! Keep going for it Nicky!

[@akashjaiswar9437]

Excited for the next one!!! This one was very helpful. These videos should replace unity documentation or should be embedded in them.

[@davidturzak3996]

This. This is how tutorials should be. I love it

[@1001Reviews]

Best explanation on youtube

[@michaelwilson8461]

Really nice coverage. There's a million "copy what I do" videos out there. They're great for getting up and running, but having an understanding of the underlying properties goes A LONG way in actually being able to tune something to your needs. Its kind of like that whole "Give a man a fish , vs teach a man to fish " thing (paraphrased lol). Nice work man. One thought though, if at all possible it would be nice if you could slow down just a little. Ive watched on about 0.8 speed just to keep from having to scrub back a couple seconds all the time. When your brain gets old it slows down lol.

[@DandinXY]

This series rules! I've been working with Unity character controllers for years, and there were things I learned in the intro video that I've never understood before. Thank you!

[@alessandrodossantos235]

THANK YOU!!! You have no idea how much tNice tutorials video helps!

[@JubileeCloudJMMC]

I've seen that has actually explained it to in a concise way!

[@jorgealexanderguatequemart3735]

Thanks !!!!! your videos area great. I'm learning a lot.

[@ghostzone985]

Thanks for the video!

[@BB-uy4bb]

Really waiting for the next video, keep it up!

[@iHeartGameDev]

Thanks B B!! It’s coming! Another week or two!

[@kaloqnasenov4610]

Great video, the program works great