Which step is essential to create a new project in Unity?

Using Unity Hub and selecting 'New Project' is the essential step to create a new project in Unity. Unity Hub serves as a centralized interface for managing Unity projects and installations. When starting a new project, Unity Hub allows you to select the version of Unity you wish to use, choose a project template that matches your intended development style (like 2D or 3D), and specify the project location on your computer.

This option provides a streamlined process that ensures your new project is set up correctly with all the necessary configurations. In contrast, selecting an existing project template is part of the process but relies on the initial step of using Unity Hub to create a new project. Editing an existing project file directly does not facilitate the creation of a new project and could lead to unintended modifications to an already existing project. Downloading a project from the Unity Asset Store is not related to creating a new project; it involves acquiring assets or ready-made projects rather than starting a new development environment.