[general algorithms] random map generating

King Harold · Post by **King Harold** » Sun 21 Oct, 2007 8:50 pm

I've read a lot about it, but most of it didn't seem to make much sense, and the "lot" wasn't that big (google didn't find many relevant things..)

if someone knows a good site/text I would be happy to hear it

JoostinOnline · Post by **JoostinOnline** » Sun 21 Oct, 2007 9:04 pm

You should find this guide very helpful.

King Harold · Post by **King Harold** » Mon 22 Oct, 2007 6:40 am

Where does it say anything about generating random maps?

driesguldolf · Post by **driesguldolf** » Mon 22 Oct, 2007 8:36 pm

I once put my mind on that, this is how I would handle it:
I'd use prestored bits of map data and 'merge' them together
You could decide a 'main theme' and have multiple map bits in multiple categories (stuff from the same category won't match together but from different categories they would all match)
So say you have these categories:

North border (3 map bits)
East border (4 map bits)
South border (2 map bits)
West border (5 map bits)
Middle part (3 map bits)

Just choose random stuff from each category and merge them

though... maybe I'll just try some googleling...

EDIT:
Tried "random map generation"

http://www.cs.unimaas.nl/m.ponsen/downl ... an_map.ppt I hope you like powerpoints
http://forum.java.sun.com/thread.jspa?t ... ID=2119570 Has some links, also alogritm bits of some sort
And moremoremoremore... 3,150,000 to be exact

King Harold · Post by **King Harold** » Mon 22 Oct, 2007 9:00 pm

Google wasn't very cooperative, most links were crap

note: it's about RTS maps

Anyway, if I get you right, you're suggesting this:
Have some data describing some map elements, then stick a few onto the map

ok, well, I would add a few things to that:
Some terrain analyzing to make sure resources etc are properly spread (neither too far apart nor too close together) and that you can move from most areas into most others (it wouldn't do to completely separate a group of players from an other).

How about calculating some influence maps for resources when the map is generated? The AI will need them anyway, and they sound like a good way to balance resources across the map - reject the map if it is too unbalanced (huge concentrations in a few places etc)

Of course I could be terribly wrong..

edit: So far the best things I've read were:
http://www.cs.unimaas.nl/m.ponsen/downl ... an_map.ppt
http://www.gamasutra.com/features/gdcar ... tinger.doc

Halifax · Post by **Halifax** » Mon 22 Oct, 2007 10:21 pm

King Harold: If you are looking for articles on every aspect of game development, and possibly RTSes, for PCs or whatever, then check out

gamedev.net and devmaster.net

King Harold · Post by **King Harold** » Tue 23 Oct, 2007 7:05 am

I know gamedev, thanks for devmaster

It sort of annoyed me how many of gamedev's articles are actually on gamasutra, so I joined that now..

Halifax · Post by **Halifax** » Wed 24 Oct, 2007 12:09 am

lol yes that annoyed me also

I haven't registered yet mainly because it annoys the hell out of me