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Evaluating Mixed-Initiative Procedural Level Design Tools Using a Triple-Blind Mixed-Method User Study

Sean Walton Orcid Logo, Alma Rahat Orcid Logo, James Stovold

IEEE Transactions on Games, Volume: 14, Issue: 3, Pages: 413 - 422

Swansea University Authors: Sean Walton Orcid Logo, Alma Rahat Orcid Logo

Abstract

Results from a triple-blind mixed-method user study into the effectiveness of mixed-initiative tools for the procedural generation of game levels are presented. A tool which generates levels using interactive evolutionary optimisation was designed for this study which (a) is focused on supporting th...

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Published in: IEEE Transactions on Games
ISSN: 2475-1502 2475-1510
Published: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 2022
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa57073
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Abstract: Results from a triple-blind mixed-method user study into the effectiveness of mixed-initiative tools for the procedural generation of game levels are presented. A tool which generates levels using interactive evolutionary optimisation was designed for this study 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 interactive optimisation algorithm. A rigorous user study was designed which compared the experiences of designers using the mixed-initiative tool to designers who were given a tool which provided completely random level suggestions. The designers using the mixed-initiative tool showed an increased engagement in the level design task, reporting that it 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.
College: Faculty of Science and Engineering
Issue: 3
Start Page: 413
End Page: 422