List of games using procedural generation


Procedural generation is a common technique in computer programming to automate the creation of certain data according to guidelines set by the programmer. Many games generate aspects of the environment or non-player characters procedurally during the development process in order to save time on asset creation. For example, SpeedTree is a middleware package that procedurally generates trees which can be used to quickly populate a forest. Whereas most games use this technique to create a static environment for the final product, some employ procedural generation as a game mechanic, such as to create new environments for the player to explore. The levels in Spelunky are procedurally generated by rearranging premade tiles of geometry into a level with an entrance, exit, a solvable path between the two, and obstacles to that path. Other games procedurally generate other aspects of gameplay, such as the weapons in Borderlands which have randomized stats and configurations.
This is a list of video games that use procedural generation as a core aspect of gameplay. Games that use procedural generation solely during development as part of asset creation are not included.

List

Roguelike games

Games in the roguelike genre all have at least procedurally generated levels.

Other

TitleYearDeveloperProcedural content
.kkrieger2004FarbrauschMost of the meshes and textures are procedurally generated, and the music is procedurally generated during runtime.
7 Days to Die2013The Fun PimpsMaps can be generated, either randomly, using a seed, or via third party tools.
The distribution of POIs and loot is also generative.
Anarchy Online2001FuncomMission rewards, loot, dungeon layout, and location on the world map can be generated based on selections made at mission terminals.
Astroneer2019System Era SoftworksProcedural planet terrain.
Banished2014Shining Rock SoftwareTerrain map.
Borderlands series2009–2019Gearbox Software, 2K AustraliaWeapons.
Civilization series1991–2018MicroProse, Activision, Firaxis GamesCustomizable world map.
Core Keeper2022PugstormExplorable underground world
Crypt of the NecroDancer2015Brace Yourself Games2D grid-based top-down dungeons with halls and rooms with randomly placed enemies and items.
Cubic Odyssey2025Atypical GamesVoxel-based 3D planets, star systems.
Deep Rock Galactic2018Ghost Ship GamesCave systems separated into rooms and tunnels by walls of dirt.
Descenders2018RageSquid3D downhill courses on relatively dirt trails.
Don't Starve2013Klei EntertainmentFlat 2D world. Later expanded with cavern systems and oceans.
Dwarf Fortress2006Tarn AdamsAlmost entirety of game content based in a layered 3D world with elements like its history, creatures and narrative, religion, etc.
Elite1984David Braben, Ian BellEight 3D wireframe galaxies consisting of 256 procedurally generated star systems each
Enter the Gungeon2016Dodge Roll2D flat dungeon levels made of room "chunks".
Factorio2016Wube Software2D terrain map generation.
Fractal Block World2021Dan HathawayRecursive 3D landscapes made of cube blocks.
Fuel2009Asobo Studio3D terrain, uses a fixed map seed.
Islanders2019Grizzly Games3D terrain generation of islands.
Left 4 Dead 22009ValveGameplay changes to match player's performance, such as enemies, paths, or weather.
Minecraft2011Mojang StudiosVoxel-based 3D world. Effectively infinite.
Minecraft Dungeons2020Mojang StudiosRandomly-generated 3D dungeons filled with monsters, traps and puzzles, and treasures.
Mini Metro2015Dinosaur Polo ClubAbstract 2D levels and audio system.
No Man's Sky2016Hello Games3D galaxies with planets and their flora and fauna.
Pixel Piracy2015Quadro Delta2D world, including islands, towns and shops, as well as ship's crew.
RimWorld2013 Ludeon StudiosCustomization 3D spherical world map and flat 2D gameplay map, as well as many elements, notably narrative and events.
Rogue Legacy2011Cellar Door GamesSide-scrolling castle, made up of interconnected rooms.
The Sentinel1986Firebird3D terrain generation for all 10,000 levels.
Sir, You Are Being Hunted2014Big RobotAn open world island landscape.
Spelunky2008MossmouthSide-scrolling underground rectangular levels made up of tiles.
Spore2008Maxis3D creatures, tribes, civilizations, planets and terrain, spaceships and galaxies, music, award-winning animation system.
Starbound2016Chucklefish2D side-scrolling planets and content on them, such as dungeons and bosses.
Stardew Valley2016ConcernedApeCave areas of increasing difficulty and loot.
Starfield2023Bethesda Softworks3D planet terrain and structures, with the exception of hand-crafted cities; events.
Super Meat Boy Forever2020Team Meat2D levels made of procedurally connected level parts.
Terraria2011Re-LogicSide-scrolling rectangular 2D world.
The Binding of Isaac2011Edmund McMillenBird eye view 2D levels made up of interconnected rectangular rooms with random monsters and loot.
Valheim2021Irongate StudiosA procedurally-generated circular map of an archipelago of islands in an ocean; with the player starting the game in the center.
Vintage Story2016Anego StudiosA procedurally-generated voxel-based open world of up to 64 million square kilometres with an emphasis on realism. A 2023 update includes "upgraded world generation with various new land forms, a geologic activity system, and large scale mountain regions"
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands2020Blizzard EntertainmentTorghast, a dungeon with procedurally-generated enemy spawns.
Microsoft Minesweeper1990MicrosoftRectangular grid of hidden mines.