PlotMap: Automated Layout Design for Building Game Worlds
Yi Wang, Jieliang Luo, Adam Gaier, Evan Atherton, Hilmar Koch

TL;DR
PlotMap introduces automated methods for designing game world layouts that support narrative storytelling, reducing manual effort by using evolutionary computation and reinforcement learning techniques.
Contribution
This work presents a novel framework for automatically assigning story-related locations on game maps, integrating narrative considerations into map design.
Findings
CMA-ES and RL methods effectively automate facility layout tasks.
Generated dataset of 10,000 tasks facilitates future research.
Experimental analysis provides insights into method performance.
Abstract
World-building, the process of developing both the narrative and physical world of a game, plays a vital role in the game's experience. Critically-acclaimed independent and AAA video games are praised for strong world-building, with game maps that masterfully intertwine with and elevate the narrative, captivating players and leaving a lasting impression. However, designing game maps that support a desired narrative is challenging, as it requires satisfying complex constraints from various considerations. Most existing map generation methods focus on considerations about gameplay mechanics or map topography, while the need to support the story is typically neglected. As a result, extensive manual adjustment is still required to design a game world that facilitates particular stories. In this work, we approach this problem by introducing an extra layer of plot facility layout design that…
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Taxonomy
TopicsArtificial Intelligence in Games · Digital Games and Media
MethodsFocus
