GDC 2025 Session Viewer
Evolving Worlds from the Crumbling Chaos: The Art-Led Approach of 'Darkest Dungeon 2's' Procedural Generation System
Marielle Fox (Lead Environment Artist, Red Hook Studios)
Colin Towle (Founder / Programmer, 2Blocks)
Location: Room 2005, West Hall
Date: Wednesday, March 19
Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Pass Type: All Access Pass, Core Pass - Get your pass now!
Track: Visual Arts
Format: Lecture
Vault Recording: Video
Audience Level: All
In an industry where procedural generation systems are historically programmer-led, Red Hook Studios took an unconventional approach and crafted a system that prioritized the game's art direction instead. In this presentation, Marielle Fox, artist, and Colin Towle, programmer, will discuss what it took to create the system that generates Darkest Dungeon 2's crumbling, post-apocalyptic world.
They'll explain how the symbiotic relationship between a technically-minded artist and creatively-inclined programmer allowed them to solve the difficult problems presented by the creation of a highly immersive and visually stunning world for the player to navigate through.
This presentation will go over the iterative approach that Colin and Marielle took to construct a feature that not only helped to compose the world art of the game, but also met the high bar set by Darkest Dungeon's iconic visual style. They will also show and discuss the tools created that empowered artists to use the system to its fullest potential.
Takeaway
Attendees will learn about the art direction-lead approach of Darkest Dungeon 2's procedural generation system, and what made it so unique. They will also receive an in-depth look into the various other proc gen systems that were constructed before arriving at the game's current iteration. The audience will bear witness to how this treacherous journey forged a powerful cross-discipline relationship that enabled an incredible procedural system and an even better game.
Intended Audience
This is for game developers of all experience levels, particularly artists and programmers who are interested in cross-department skills and relationships. This session will also appeal to fans of Darkest Dungeon, who would like a behind the scenes look at the development of the sequel. No prior knowledge is required.
