Random dungeon
Encyclopedia
A random dungeon is a dungeon in a role-playing video game
which is procedurally generated by the computer using an algorithm
, such that the dungeon is laid out differently every time the player enters it, and a player often never plays through quite the same dungeon twice. Random dungeons are usually found in the Action RPG genre of games. Programs are also available that generate random dungeons for tabletop role-playing game
s.
Random dungeons first appeared in the ASCII
adventure game Rogue
, then in other "roguelike
s", combining the kinds of maze-like dungeons found in the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons
with a computer's ability to generate mazes on the fly. Random dungeons have followed video game technology through the advent of 2D and subsequently 3D graphics, although they still often rely on most of the same basic algorithms that were used when they used ASCII graphics.
"Skins" have been made for some of these games that use 2D graphics in place of the ASCII characters.
Role-playing video game
Role-playing video games are a video game genre with origins in pen-and-paper role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons, using much of the same terminology, settings and game mechanics. The player in RPGs controls one character, or several adventuring party members, fulfilling one or many quests...
which is procedurally generated by the computer using an algorithm
Algorithm
In mathematics and computer science, an algorithm is an effective method expressed as a finite list of well-defined instructions for calculating a function. Algorithms are used for calculation, data processing, and automated reasoning...
, such that the dungeon is laid out differently every time the player enters it, and a player often never plays through quite the same dungeon twice. Random dungeons are usually found in the Action RPG genre of games. Programs are also available that generate random dungeons for tabletop role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
s.
Random dungeons first appeared in the ASCII
ASCII
The American Standard Code for Information Interchange is a character-encoding scheme based on the ordering of the English alphabet. ASCII codes represent text in computers, communications equipment, and other devices that use text...
adventure game Rogue
Rogue (computer game)
Rogue is a dungeon crawling video game first developed by Michael Toy and Glenn Wichman around 1980. It was a favorite on college Unix systems in the early to mid-1980s, in part due to the procedural generation of game content. Rogue popularized dungeon crawling as a video game trope, leading...
, then in other "roguelike
Roguelike
The roguelike is a sub-genre of role-playing video games, characterized by randomization for replayability, permanent death, and turn-based movement. Most roguelikes feature ASCII graphics, with newer ones increasingly offering tile-based graphics. Games are typically dungeon crawls, with many...
s", combining the kinds of maze-like dungeons found in the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
with a computer's ability to generate mazes on the fly. Random dungeons have followed video game technology through the advent of 2D and subsequently 3D graphics, although they still often rely on most of the same basic algorithms that were used when they used ASCII graphics.
ASCII
- Ancient Domains of MysteryAncient Domains of MysteryAncient Domains of Mystery, or ADOM, is a roguelike game by Thomas Biskup first released in . The player's aim is to stop the forces of Chaos that invade the world of Ancardia....
- Angband
- NetHackNetHackNetHack is a single-player roguelike video game originally released in 1987. It is a descendant of an earlier game called Hack , which is a descendant of Rogue...
- RogueRogue (computer game)Rogue is a dungeon crawling video game first developed by Michael Toy and Glenn Wichman around 1980. It was a favorite on college Unix systems in the early to mid-1980s, in part due to the procedural generation of game content. Rogue popularized dungeon crawling as a video game trope, leading...
"Skins" have been made for some of these games that use 2D graphics in place of the ASCII characters.
2D
- The Fushigi no DungeonFushigi no Dungeonis a series of roguelike video games, most of which were developed by Chunsoft, but with select titles in the series developed by other companies with permission from Chunsoft to use the name...
series - Diablo
- Diablo IIDiablo IIDiablo II is a dark fantasy/horror-themed hack and slash, with elements of the role playing game and dungeon crawl genres. It was released for Windows and Mac OS in 2000 by Blizzard Entertainment, and was developed by Blizzard North. It is a direct sequel to the 1996 hit PC game, Diablo.Diablo II...
- Biomotor UnitronBiomotor UnitronBiomotor Unitron is an adventure role-playing game that was produced for the Neo Geo Pocket Color. Released in the United States in 1999 by developer Yumekobo and publisher SNK Playmore, Biomotor Unitron was the first RPG for the SNK handheld console and combined aspects of Dragon Warrior, Final...
- Dungeon HackDungeon HackDungeon Hack is a computer role-playing game developed by DreamForge Intertainment and produced by Strategic Simulations, Inc. . It was first released for the DOS platform in 1993...
3D
- Azure DreamsAzure DreamsAzure Dreams is a PlayStation video game developed by Konami and released on 30 June 1998. The game was later ported onto the Game Boy Color...
- Champions of NorrathChampions of NorrathChampions of Norrath: Realms of EverQuest is an online-capable action role-playing game for the PlayStation 2, set in the EverQuest universe. It is playable with one single player or cooperative for up to four players. However, with a Network Adapter, players can take the game online with others...
- Coded ArmsCoded ArmsCoded Arms is a first-person shooter video game that was developed and published by Konami for the PlayStation Portable handheld in 2005. Tentatively it was titled "Exploration Based Horror FPS".-Plot:...
- Daggerfall
- Dark CloudDark Cloudis a role-playing video game for the PlayStation 2 video game console. It was developed by Level-5 and published by Sony Computer Entertainment in 2000 and 2001 in Japan and American/PAL regions respectively. The gameplay of Dark Cloud combines action role-playing with elements of city-building...
- Dark Cloud 2
- Fate
- Neverwinter NightsNeverwinter NightsNeverwinter Nights , produced by BioWare and published by Infogrames , is a third-person perspective computer role-playing game that is based on third edition Dungeons & Dragons and Forgotten Realms rules. It was originally to be published by Interplay Entertainment, but the publisher's financial...
with the Infinite Dungeons premium expansion module. - Persona 3Persona 3Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3, originally released in Japan as simply , is the fourth video game in the Shin Megami Tensei: Persona series of console role-playing games developed by Atlus, which is part of the larger Megami Tensei series of video games...
- Persona 4
- TorchlightTorchlightTorchlight is an action role-playing game developed by Runic Games and published by Perfect World, released for Windows in October 2009. The fantasy-themed game is set in the fictional town of Torchlight and the expansive caverns and dungeons nearby, which adventurers explore to collect valuable...
- Untold Legends: Brotherhood of the BladeUntold Legends: Brotherhood of the BladeUntold Legends: Brotherhood of the Blade is a launch title for the Sony PSP handheld video game system. It is a third person action role-playing game in which the player can complete various quests for money and items...