The highly anticipated sequel to Streets of Rogue, aptly titled Streets of Rogue 2, is slated to release later this year. With fans eager for more information about the game’s development, developer Matt Dabrowski has begun sharing his insights through a series of developer diary videos. In his latest video, Dabrowski delves into the intricate process of generating the game’s open worlds and biomes using procedural generation algorithms.
The Art of Map Creation
Dabrowski starts by explaining how he utilizes clever algorithms to craft the game’s basic map. These algorithms lay the foundation for the world, allowing him to add geographical details such as lakes, forests, mountains, and oceans. These elements give the world a sense of shape and variation, making it more immersive for players.
Once the base map is established, the next step is to populate it with cities. To accomplish this, Dabrowski employs yet another algorithm that assists in laying out the cities on the map. This ensures that they are strategically spaced out, creating a balanced and diverse environment. Interestingly, Dabrowski mentions that players will have the ability to adjust both city placement and landscape generation when generating their own maps. This means that players can choose to create a map without any cities, providing a unique gameplay experience.
However, Dabrowski points out that generating maps predominantly composed of ocean can pose challenges for the game’s NPC artificial intelligence. While it may not be feasible at this point, he expresses hope that improvements in the future will allow players to create maps reminiscent of the dystopian film Waterworld.
Once cities are placed, Dabrowski relies on yet another algorithm to create roads that connect them. This feature ensures seamless navigation and enables players to explore the open world effortlessly. Additionally, Dabrowski’s map algorithms also play a role in placing landmarks on the map, offering players and their companions additional areas to discover and investigate.
While the generation of cities, roads, and landmarks are aided by algorithms, Dabrowski emphasizes that the content within these landmarks is handcrafted. This attention to detail ensures that each landmark feels unique and engaging for players. To achieve this, Dabrowski employs a system called Chunks, which serves as a level editor. These Chunks contain pre-designed content that the game can draw from to populate its landmarks and regions, further enhancing the game’s immersive world.
The use of Chunks extends beyond landmarks and regions. Dabrowski explains that he utilizes these pre-designed sections to construct larger cities and biomes within the game. This allows for greater control over the design and layout of these more extensive areas, resulting in visually appealing and diverse environments for players to explore.
The development of Streets of Rogue 2 involves a meticulous design process utilizing procedural generation algorithms. From creating the basic map with intricate geographical features to placing cities and landmarks, Dabrowski ensures that players will experience a dynamic and immersive open world. With the implementation of Chunks for handcrafted content and the potential for player customization, Streets of Rogue 2 promises to deliver a truly unique and engaging gameplay experience.
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