Unexplored - Dungeon Crawler on Greenlight

Unexplored started out as a proof of concept, to see if automatic generated levels can be done as good as a designer would make them. By means of a new technology, the answer to this is still 'no', but it is getting close.

One simple trick makes machines better level designers

At its core, the theory is very simple to explain. Usually, programs tasked with creating levels typically think in straight lines. Which makes sense, the player needs to get from A to B. However, a human level designer typically does not think in straight lines. Intentionally or not, they design levels thinking in circles, in loops. Intuitively adding a shortcut back to the main path just after a key, adding a secondary path to the same goal with a different type of challenge, those kind of touches.

And that’s the simple but far reaching and fundamental change coming to computer generated levels in the near future: cyclic structures instead of just branching paths. One of the first games to fully embrace this theory is the upcoming dungeon crawler Unexplored (now on Steam Greenlight).

Being the brainchild of game researcher and developer Joris Dormans, Unexplored provides some great examples of cyclic level generation. See for yourself:

A level like this would be impossible to generate using the existing methods of branching paths creation. However, “The biggest and main advantage of a system like this”, says Dormans, “is the fact it makes games with computer generated levels just so much more compelling and fun to play.”

Although Unexplored, which started as a proof of concept but evolved into a fully fledged dungeon crawler, may be one of the first of its kind, it definitely won’t be the last. Dormans: “Every time I play the game myself, I’m surprised about the complexity and hand crafted feel of the levels. After release we will share everything we’ve learned about the cyclic creation process. We fully expect, and hope, other developers will take advantage of this.”

UNEXPLORED
Easy to play, easy to die!
Unexplored creates dungeons so challenging and fun, you can't stop playing! 
Beat hundreds of monsters, slay the dragon and find the amulet of Yendor!

• 'Easy to learn, easy to die'-gameplay 
• Brand new dungeon generator tech, the first of its kind! 
• Hundreds upon hundreds of hours of pure fun 
• Intense dual wielding melee combat 
• Clever puzzles and challenging dragons 
• An epic soundtrack!

 
The next step in roguelikes
Unexplored is a funny but dangerous dungeon crawler. Expect danger, a ‘live fast & die young’-attitude and a brand new dungeon every time your hero fails. It’s really easy to learn how to play, butUnexplored isn’t a forgiving game. It rewards only the survivors. When you die, you can’t go back to a saved game. 
Never dull, never repetitive. The game rewards skill and cunning and lots of practise! Unexplored uses the latest in game design and level-generation, while committing to a vintage look and feel of the classic 80’s RPG storyline. True to the classics, you will enter the dungeon only after you’ve met the old geezer in the tavern who knows a lot about it….