Random level map generator

[Minim]

This was an area I was working on about two months ago for personal use initially but I thought I might share this with you. This topic is about creating level maps using the random integer generator. I've created an OpenOffice (I presume it's still free) spreadsheet based on this.

Basically, the idea is to set the coordinates of terrain pieces (The lucky one turned out to be part of addamsgallery. I hope that's still available in the download, but the dimensions of 48x25 for a terrain piece are just right for this) and arrange them randomly using the RNG. The RNG also changes the skillset and dimension (Thanks to the one who lifted the screen size restriction) according to the coordinates, along with a few other parameters.

However, I do run into common problems like airborne exits, instant death starts and overlapping terrain pieces over objects. Looks like I'll need to create a few more parameters and some more terrain pieces to override these issues, but if this idea is popular, I'd be more than happy to come back and work on this, and eventually do all sorts of stuff.

Here I have some downloads below:
* A spreadsheet where on NeoLemmix you can add the coordinates for up to 52 terrain pieces (More can be added if necessary). They also give you instructions listed on the right of the border on how to set the level up correctly. The spreadsheet also contains a Lix exclusive worksheet.
* A .nxlv document of an example level. This document can be edited with notepad. The level itself is doable and not too hard.

Hope I explained everything clearly. Have fun!

[WillLem]

This is a good idea, has there been any further development of this?

[Minim]

Apparently, yes. No further updates for NL, but I tried implementing this on Lix as well (which probably isn't completed let alone updated). I think this random map idea is probably going to work better in multiplayer rather than single player, but I don't think I have the draft level ready for Lix yet.

It's good to see interest in this at last, I'll re-upload the spreadsheet with the Lix data.

[JRT]

I was wondering what sort of scope there is for this kind of thing.

Computer Generated Levels would be an incredibly complex task but maybe possible with enough work?

Maybe an algorithm would want to begin with a toolbox of the skills and the uses for them, including all the specialised tricks and combos. It then uses these to create a sort of random graph with combinations of skills at nodes with clear paths for crowds on the edges. Maybe also a secondary graph dealing with how to get athletes to certain places.

Then it figures out how to build up terrain and objects around this graph.

But then how does it deal with flow, crowd control especially relative timing of nodes etc? This must surely be a major complication.

Also would be cool to see what those typical Machine Learning algorithms that have been let loose on simpler games would do with Lemmings.

Unfortunately I'm not a real programmer, only excel VBA lol.

Minim yeah it would be interesting to see what you've got so far.