Simple Dungeon Map Generation

Simple Dungeon Map Generation(smoldungeon.com)

121 points by kris-s 4 years ago | 17 comments

dexwiz 4 years ago |

If you want some actual info on Procedural Generation, then watch the talks from Roguelike Celebration. It's a convention focusing on roguelikes, which seem to attract those more interested in the programmatic side of game development. Its got a ton of great technical talks. I haven't watched the remote sessions, but the older in persons are great.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKv_QzXft4mD6TXmQBZtzIA/fea...

kruffin 4 years ago | |

My favorite from that collection on map generation is by Herbert Wolverson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlLIOgWYVpI He goes over 5 or 6 different techniques that are easy to implement.

kris-s 4 years ago | | |

He's the Rusty roguelike king, I worked through this awesome book when I was learning Rust.

https://bfnightly.bracketproductions.com

dragonwriter 4 years ago | |

If you are more of a text than video person, this survey paper might be interesting as a starting point:

https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.5555/3144605.3144638

fho 4 years ago | |

In addition there is the Roguelike Radio Podcast that has a ton of good content. Sadly it seems to be on hiatus for a while now.

But the last episode is on the Roguelike Celebration event: http://www.roguelikeradio.com/2020/09/episode-156-roguelike-...

omoikane 4 years ago |

For a different article on dungeon map generation that's a bit more detailed: http://journal.stuffwithstuff.com/2014/12/21/rooms-and-mazes...

Found via this thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/godot/comments/m6mmka/finished_my_t...

dole 4 years ago | |

That Bob Nyquist has a pretty cool roguelike on github called Hauberk written in Dart, amongst a number of other good related dev articles and best practices on his blog.

https://github.com/munificent/hauberk

Edit: I realized the link to Hauberk is at the top of his article, but it's worth checking out; mostly complete, good ideas, cool use of color.

kris-s 4 years ago | |

That's an awesome article, I'll add a link to it.

munificent 4 years ago | | |

The classic source for dungeon generators is RogueBasin, with this being a good starting point:

http://roguebasin.com/index.php/Articles#Map

10x_contrarian 4 years ago |

This article really doesn't provide any insights into map generation or explain any interesting implementation details.

jdkee 4 years ago |

Fantasy city generator:

https://watabou.itch.io/medieval-fantasy-city-generator

mattowen_uk 4 years ago |

The dungeon generation shown is the same as Brian Sawyer's 'Dungeon' game from 1979:

http://crpgaddict.blogspot.com/2013/02/game-85-dungeon-1979....

Not sure if Brian Sawyer is the original designer of this approach though?

adamc 4 years ago |

The problem with most of these generators is that you end up with insane looking dungeons. I wonder whether a different approach which took into account the kind of dungeon it was supposed to be, and what features should be located in it, could lead to better results.

setr 4 years ago | |

I think the usual method is to do a few things:

1. Different generators for different "environments" -- e.g. cellular automata for more open areas / caves, BSP for rooms, etc

2. Smash them together to create the map, with the different algorithms for different sections (or even applied on top of each other)

3. Add "templates" to have some more intelligently designed areas -- rooms designed by hand, possibly multiple variants for the same location. Use this for special rooms, boss areas, etc. DCSS has tons of these, both for important areas, treasure trove gimmick things and also just for flavor.

4. Change algorithm/template choices per topical area, to make them more distinct. DCSS uses different strategies per branch, giving them each a very distinct feel

Andrew_nenakhov 4 years ago |

Made me want to play ADOM again... Just not this GUI nonsense, the real ADOM.

besnn00 4 years ago |

Reminds me of Guild of Dungeoneering