PROCEDURAL GENERATION

Game components which are constructed using software algorithms. Generally, the system either selects pre-programmed chunks of the geography, dialogue, level design, enemy attributes  or otherwise and combines them in a way that appears natural, or it generates new components based on specific rule sets. This type of generation is often utilised to provide more individual experiences or to engage players for longer by increasing replayability.

Procedural generation is often conflated with the likes of random number generation, but it’s important to remember that procedural content is created based on rules, not randomness.

“Each system, each planet within that system, and every environment on that planet is procedurally generated, from the weather to the items, meaning a trip in Starbound really is an adventure unique to the player.”