Random dungeon

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 games. Dungeons are not only located in role-playing games, but are also in action and adventure games such as the legend of zelda series, Diablo series, but mostly in role-playing games such as the Shin Megami Tensei series, the Final Fantasy series. The purpose of entering random dungeons in role-playing games is usually to gain experience points in order to level up (most role-playing games go up to level 99. Also, it can be to find items and/or special weapons to progress in the story mode, or to complete side quests and/or missions. The concept of randomly generated dungeons can be a bit tricky sometimes, because different enemies appear at each visit. Sometimes a player may encounter a rare enemy that could possibly kill your character, or party depending on how leveled you are. But the rewards far outweigh the risks in most cases, like for example in the game persona 3, there is a high level enemy called the reaper that you cannot beat until you are in the mid to upper 70's, but you explore the dungeon starting anywhere from the single digit levels to the teens. But when you do finally beat him, the spoils are great.

Randomly generated dungeons usually consist of a distinct places randomized in a variety of positions. The method of randomizing differs from game to game, of course, but all have some level of consistency from one version of the dungeon to another. All have an entrance and/or exit, of course, and whatever event triggers or areas are required for certain quests or monsters, or even weapons and items. These might include enemy points or teleporters or a unique room that stays consistent each time you play. While the concept of randomizing a dungeon gives the sense of replay, it can often be a bad thing, as many randomized dungeons feel overly artificial and dull. If the process is not well constructed, a randomized dungeon can be extremely confusing, require a lot of backtracking and/or leveling, and can harm the player's experience. Keeping the dungeons feeling moderately different (not repetitive), while not driving away the player with overly difficult enemies and/or puzzles is a challenge that few game companies have met.

Random dungeons first appeared in the ASCII adventure game Rogue, then in other "roguelikes", 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.

Examples of games that center on random dungeons

ASCII

• Ancient Domains of Mystery
• Angband
• NetHack
• Rogue

"Skins" have been made for some of these games that use 2D graphics in place of the ASCII characters.

2D

• The Fushigi no Dungeon series
• Diablo
• Diablo II
• Biomotor Unitron
• Dungeon Hack

3D

• Final Fantasy VII
• Digital Devil Saga 2
• Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
• Chrono Cross
• Legend of Zelda
• Final Fantasy X
• Persona 3
• Persona 4
• Final Fantasy XII
• Tales of Symphonia

See also

• Hack and slash
• Dungeon crawl
• Procedurally generated content
• Role-Playing Game
• Roguelike

References

Yu, Derek. "Randomly Generated Dungeons". Article. Giant Bomb. Retrieved 3/4/2012.