Procedurally Generated - Different Systems Everytime?
- Thread starter Zaine
- Start date
No, procedural generation means that it is generated on an algorithm. Like minecraft worlds. If system 2349 is used as a seed, it will generate the same system if you use those same variables everytime.
What it does technically allow, is a dynamic universe where actions change the variables, so that a system will change, without having to manually create a new system and save all it's system data. It's a great way to intertwine things.
What it does technically allow, is a dynamic universe where actions change the variables, so that a system will change, without having to manually create a new system and save all it's system data. It's a great way to intertwine things.
Proper procedural generation is done by a seed, usually a hash or a simple numerical value, and if that value is input into the algorithm, it'll reproduce the exact same result every time. No idea what the seed ED uses - only the developers know, maybe something fun like "42" 
. Fun fact for those unaware, EVE's cluster uses an adaption of diffusion limited aggregation as their algorithm for its generation, they used the value "42" of course! It's an adaption of this process: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffusion-limited_aggregation
Frontier has their own algorithms and adaptions that all go into Stellar Forge, no one knows the inner workings other than them but what can be generated is always by a seed.
. Fun fact for those unaware, EVE's cluster uses an adaption of diffusion limited aggregation as their algorithm for its generation, they used the value "42" of course! It's an adaption of this process: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffusion-limited_aggregationFrontier has their own algorithms and adaptions that all go into Stellar Forge, no one knows the inner workings other than them but what can be generated is always by a seed.
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Procedural generation is based on maths, and is not random.
A very simplified example of how PG works is this: 2+2=4. This will always be true no matter how many times you run the formula, and it will always be the same for everyone who runs the formula. 2+2 always = 4.
Now substitute my simplistic addition with massively complex formula, which I cannot even begin to fathom, and you get procedurally generated game environments.
A very simplified example of how PG works is this: 2+2=4. This will always be true no matter how many times you run the formula, and it will always be the same for everyone who runs the formula. 2+2 always = 4.
Now substitute my simplistic addition with massively complex formula, which I cannot even begin to fathom, and you get procedurally generated game environments.
Not necessarily, the seed could be kept but additions to the algorithms, constraints, etc will change the output of that seed. Frontier have said they've made improvements to the PCG over time which is why things have changed, but that's mostly due to changes in the PCG system itself, I don't think they've changed the seed.