semiprocedural

Semiprocedural refers to a style of game design and level generation that blends elements of both procedural generation and hand-crafted design. In a semiprocedural system, some aspects of the game world, such as the layout of rooms, placement of enemies, or types of loot, are determined by algorithms. However, other elements are fixed or carefully placed by human designers. This approach aims to offer the replayability and surprise of procedural generation while retaining the intentionality, narrative coherence, and curated experiences often found in purely hand-designed content.

The key characteristic of semiprocedural generation is the selective application of randomness. Instead of generating an entire environment from scratch, designers might create a set of pre-designed modules or templates that are then arranged and populated by procedural systems. This allows for a controlled level of variation, ensuring that while each playthrough might feel unique, the core design principles and intended player experience remain intact. Examples can be seen in games where the overall map structure might be procedurally generated, but specific boss arenas or story-critical locations are meticulously crafted. This hybrid approach can lead to games that are both engaging and offer a sense of discovery with each new session.