Quote Originally Posted by Nektulos-Tuor View Post
Well, it sounds like a really good idea. However, whats easier to create? A completely random dungeon or one with set passages and lore attached to it and different keys you have to find?
Clearly a procedurally generated dungeon using existing tile sets and assets is potentially easier to create, but to ensure that the dungeon generated makes a modicum of sense, it's necessary to apply some level of programming to the procedural generation as well as do some play testing to ensure that what results is playable.

A more complex version of an existing map with gates/doors, keys, puzzles, switches, etc.. can be more planned in execution and possibly requires less programming and testing/balance effort to create. I guess what I am saying is that it depends on the actual content which is easier to implement.

Remember, this is only one dungeon. If you follow a completely randomized formula I only need to make one dungeon, then I can just put different building blocks and textures in it to appear in different areas and change mob placements. Just like Diablo III does with its rifts.

Rather then make a dungeon, they made a system that "creates dungeons" for them so they don't have to.
WKC sort of did this with it's own rift space, but the basic layout of spaces within those quests remained largely unchanged, which was a missed opportunity because you have no lavish backgrounds to keep consistent and the ground is the ground is the ground, so you are much more free to randomize things. On the other hand, such consistency and uniformity leads to boring levels and grinds which may in the end counter balance the random layout and enemy.