Procedural generation of biomes with MAP-Elites algorithm applied to the context of a serious game

• Grant number: 24/21106-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Computer Science - Computer Systems
• Principal Investigator: Leonardo Tórtoro Pereira
• Grantee: Kaio Henrique Gava Kiel
• Host Institution: Instituto de Geociências e Ciências Exatas (IGCE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/10195-0 - Contribution of payment for ecosystem services on multi-dimensions within Atlantic Forest, AP.TEM

Abstract

This Scientific Initiation project proposes the development of a technique capable of procedurally generating terrain in a context of different islands, each representing a real Brazilian biome. The algorithm will be based on the implementation of a dungeon generator using the existing MAP-Elites strategy, from which certain functionalities will be adapted, and others will be produced. It is also intended to implement the resulting algorithm as part of an educational game, developed during the research with the help of other researchers. In this SI, the focus is only on generating the game terrain and helping to implement the educational game, with the other points being the responsibility of the other two researches. The game will aim to introduce the user to ecological concepts, such as sustainability and human impact on the environment, with the player himself having responsibility for the survival of ecosystems. In the end, the aim is to have a satisfactory generation of biomes, presenting success in terms of effectiveness, diversity, adaptation to the demand of end users and also in the dissemination of the planned contents.