A Database-Driven Framework for 3D Level Generation with LLMs
This research advances procedural content generation for 3D games by providing a scalable, database-centric foundation for automated level creation with configurable progression, addressing a domain-specific problem.
The paper tackles the challenge of generating 3D game levels with spatial coherence, navigational functionality, and adaptable gameplay progression by introducing a framework that uses LLM-assisted databases for architectural and gameplay components, validated through experiments that show it can generate diverse, navigable environments and simulate distinct pacing strategies.
Procedural Content Generation for 3D game levels faces challenges in balancing spatial coherence, navigational functionality, and adaptable gameplay progression across multi-floor environments. This paper introduces a novel framework for generating such levels, centered on the offline, LLM-assisted construction of reusable databases for architectural components (facilities and room templates) and gameplay mechanic elements. Our multi-phase pipeline assembles levels by: (1) selecting and arranging instances from the Room Database to form a multi-floor global structure with an inherent topological order; (2) optimizing the internal layout of facilities for each room based on predefined constraints from the Facility Database; and (3) integrating progression-based gameplay mechanics by placing components from a Mechanics Database according to their topological and spatial rules. A subsequent two-phase repair system ensures navigability. This approach combines modular, database-driven design with constraint-based optimization, allowing for systematic control over level structure and the adaptable pacing of gameplay elements. Initial experiments validate the framework's ability in generating diverse, navigable 3D environments and its capability to simulate distinct gameplay pacing strategies through simple parameterization. This research advances PCG by presenting a scalable, database-centric foundation for the automated generation of complex 3D levels with configurable gameplay progression.