Mixed-Initiative Procedural Content Generation using Level Design Patterns and Interactive Evolutionary Optimisation

An approach for building mixed-initiative tools for the procedural generation of game levels using interactive evolutionary optimisation is introduced. A tool is created based on this approach which (a) is focused on supporting the designer to explore the design space and (b) only requires the designer to interact with it by designing levels. The tool identifies level design patterns in an initial hand-designed map and uses that information to drive an optimisation algorithm. This results in a number of suggestions which are presented to the designer, who can then edit them providing the system with valuable designer feedback. The effectiveness of this approach to create levels with similar level design patterns to a target is illustrated through a series of algorithm driven benchmark tests. To test the mixed-initiative aspect of the tool a triple-blind mixed-method, user study was conducted. When compared to a control group, provided with random level suggestions throughout the design process, the mixed-initiative approach increased engagement in the level design task and was effective in inspiring new ideas and design directions. This provides significant evidence that procedural content generation can be used as a powerful tool to support the human design process.