Diversitizer (2014)
As 2015′s ProcJam is wrapping up (don’t forget to submit your projects!) let’s take a look back at another ProcJam project from last year.
Diversitizer, by runevision, is “a simple study in environment diversity”.
I think it’s a clear example of what I’m talking about when I mention the value of structure and order in procedural generation. Just throwing down plants could quickly devolve into boring noise. Instead, the generator looks at the hidden parameters underlying the landscape, resulting in clumps of plants that feel right and hold your interest for much longer than a completely chaotic process would.
Because there’s an order to it, you can start to discern landmarks and anticipate what you might find next. And that anticipation is important, because without a pattern to set the players’ expectations, how can you hope to surprise them?