Procedurally/randomly generated worlds

[CRTGAMER]

In first, ELITE

THAT'S the one I was trying to remember! I forgot the name. It's amazing what they did with such limited technology. I just read about it on wikipedia. They programmed this in machine code to make up for the fact that the computer they were making the game on only had 14kb of memory. 14kb! Using procedurally generated techniques they were able to create a game in 1984 that contained eight galaxies with 256 unique planets to explore. Amazing stuff!

JT, there is a PC game that was inspired by ELITE called Line Wars 2. Even though its in DOS, it does run in WINXP. No Space Trading, but the Elite inspired Space battles are there complete with the original spaceships. I loved C64 Elite so much that when I saw this new, I bought the floppy version by snail mail, its buried in my boxes of DOS games somewhere. This too amazing considering its small size. Thanks to the wonders of the Internet an easy download, I just tested and it works! This arcade shooter is an easier to maneuver then the original Elite roll and turn up or down function. But there is still the roll feature in this remake too. Try docking in the Space Station while rolling the ship as in Space Odyssey 2001. Asteroids from the FPS view with Elite ships!

The Download Freeware:
http://www.takegame.com/simulators/htm/linewars2.htm

Authors Home Page Hey, there is a Gameboy DS version!:
http://linewars.patrickaalto.com/

Wiki Entry, I just updated the references there:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LineWars_II

Line Wars 2
Go to the end of the video for the gameplay screen.



No mention of it on Wiki, I'll have to put an update there. Fixed!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elite_(video_game)

Sorry about the sidetrack, but thought this might be an interesting note. But back on topic how about all the old 8bit dungeon explorer games? Random levels inspired by the old main frame Robot Maze games.

EPYX Sword of Fargaol
Dungeon explore game with random walls and enemies. I remember this taking forever to load each level. As in Command and Conquer, areas would open up as you explore. Evidently there is a remake for the Mac, PC and a 3D cell phone version.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sword_of_Fargoal

[YoshiEgg25]

The Pokemon Mystery Dungeon series. All of the dungeons and Pokemon inside are randomly generated when you enter them. This means that if you get to the end and you find Moltres, for example, you can't leave, heal yourself, and go back. It'll be gone.

[Hatta]

I forgot that Diablo had randomly generated dungeons. Persona 3 did that as well.

The Dark Cloud games do this too. IIRC Evolution for the Dreamcast had them too.

[Hobie-wan]

I forgot that Diablo had randomly generated dungeons. Persona 3 did that as well.

The Dark Cloud games do this too. IIRC Evolution for the Dreamcast had them too.

Also Hellgate London.

[k.vlaros]

First I want to thank the above for posting about Line Wars. Seeing that screenshot was shocking as the recognition flashed in and I was taken back to the sounds of dial up modems and the ANSI art of the local BBS. Wonderful memories, I would like to uncover more.

Second, on topic, there is a very interesting "indie" game called Dwarf Fortress that might appeal to one looking for procedurally generated worlds or something with a retro vibe. http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/

[Jrecee]

Robitica for saturn? It just makes for a god awful repetitive boring game though.

[J T]

I had to update this thread because I just found out that Elite is freeware now:

http://www.iancgbell.clara.net/elite/pc/index.htm

[GSZX1337]

I just played through BioMotor Unitron for the Neo Geo Pocket. Now, it has different layouts every time you enter a dungeon. The thing is, there's (I think) 8 layouts that cycle over and over again.Do you think that counts as randomly generated?

[Anapan]

If there were some kind of Mario game like this, it'd be the greatest thing ever.

Infinite Mario
Java JAR executable version here
It was used in the Mario AI Competition
Here's 2009's winner:
It's be modified to have adaptive difficulty here

There's a different flash one near the bottom of the page here
http://www.supermariobrothers.org/

There's also endless Megaman 3 and Megaman 5 rom hacks modeled after Megaman 9 & 10 endless modes.

I think every roguelike is procedurally generated, at least the underground areas of them.

[Niode]

Isn't there an open source version of Elite?

Edit:
http://www.oolite.org/

There you go.