Exploring the use of procedural content generation demonstrated in a simple 2D video game

Abstract

The primary objective of this thesis was to explore the use of procedural content generation (PCG) for indie games demonstrated in a simple two-dimensional (2D) minimum viable product (MVP) video game called Adventure Game. This thesis focused on procedural level generation. The level generation uses binary space partitioning as a tool to create game levels called “dungeons”, which are comprised of randomly generated rooms and corridors.

The MVP game was written in C# and uses the Godot game engine as well as Godot libraries to build and run the game. The player controls a player character that is able to move through the levels in the game via keyboard commands. Game levels consist of a grid with a coordinate system and tiles, which have different properties. The tiles also have texture sprites, which give the levels their physical appearance. Different textures are placed in different parts of the dungeon to create the appearance of floors, walls and corridors. The dungeons have tiles in three different colour schemes for variety. The MVP game also includes a menu with buttons for starting a new game, continuing a game and quitting the game. The procedurally generated levels contain randomly placed items and entrances that load a new level when the player character walks over them.

The procedural content generation in the game was evaluated based on the properties of reliability, controllability, speed, expressivity and diversity, and creativity and believability. A checklist of functions and criteria that the procedural level generation system had to meet was also devised prior to development, and the MVP game was evaluated against this checklist. The MVP game fulfilled the criteria set out in the checklist and the procedural level generation system was deemed reliable at generating levels in accordance with the criteria set out for this project. However, whilst the level generation system produced playable levels that were generated with appropriate textures, rooms, and corridors, the resulting levels were not as visually appealing, interesting or creative as something produced by a human level designer. Therefore, the PCG system developed for this thesis was successful in producing randomly generated levels. However, these levels lacked the creativity and diversity of levels designed by humans.