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The Awake method is called when a script is loaded, meaning it is invoked when the GameObject the script is attached to is instantiated or when the scene containing that GameObject is loaded. This method is used to initialize any variables or state before the game starts running. It is particularly useful because it allows you to set up your script before any other functions like Start are called, ensuring that everything is in place right from the beginning.

While the Start method is used for initialization that depends on other GameObjects being initialized, Awake is executed regardless of whether the GameObject is active or not. This distinction is crucial; Awake can run even if the GameObject is not yet activated, making it applicable for setup that doesn't rely on the rest of the scene or other GameObjects being ready. In contrast, calling a script upon execution or when the scene begins can be misleading because those actions can trigger at different stages of gameplay lifecycle, not necessarily correlating with the Awake method.

Understanding this lifecycle will help when managing script execution order and initial setup within your Unity projects.