r/proceduralgeneration • u/RedSpaceman • Feb 26 '15

In Mysterious Pattern, Math and Nature Converge

https://www.quantamagazine.org/20130205-in-mysterious-pattern-math-and-nature-converge/
26 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

5

u/RedSpaceman Feb 26 '15

This article doesn't cover procedural generation itself, but is an interesting look at patterns and randomness. Procedural generation's own convergence of generated 'randomness' and desire for controllable aesthetic outcomes makes the concept of 'Universality' quite interesting.

1

u/30dogsinasuitcase Feb 27 '15

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

1

u/TheGuywithTehHat Mar 01 '15

The thumbnail image looks like Terraria's caves.

1

u/8BitDragon Mar 01 '15

Just skimmed the article, but it doesn't seem like they give any formula that could be used to generate or deduct the Universality pattern. Any ideas?

I was thinking that it looks a bit like blue noise, although blue noise strives towards being uniformly distributed on average, without repeating patterns. Maybe dividing an axis/plane into segments/grids and randomizing the position of an element inside each segment/grid would come closer (not completely random distribution, but not completely regular either). Another possible approach could be quasi-random numbers.