Software Architecture Requirements for Procedural Content Generation in Digital Games: A Systematic Mapping
Resumo
Introduction: Procedural Content Generation (PCG) has become essential in game development to support designers and manage growing system complexity. However, there is a lack of dedicated software architectures for PCG-based systems. Objective: In this study, we aim to identify and analyze software architectures and frameworks used in games that employ PCG techniques. Methodology: A systematic mapping study reviewed 121 publications. From these, we selected nine studies—four through database search, three via snowballing, and two from manual search. Results: Most architectures support multi-content generation and integrate user experience metrics. Standard components include data storage, multi-source inputs, and modular generators. The selected studies highlight trends toward modular, scalable, and user-centered architectures for PCG, offering a foundation for future research and development in this domain.
Palavras-chave:
procedural content generation, software architecture, systematic mapping, software requirements
Referências
Amiri-Chimeh, S., Haghighi, H., e Vahidi-Asl, M. (2024). Jahan: A framework for procedural generation of game maps from design specifications. Entertainment Computing, 50:100644.
Carpenter, E. D. (2011). Procedural generation of large scale gameworlds. Master’s thesis, University of Dublin, Trinity College.
Fernandes, P. M., Jørgensen, J., e Poldervaart, N. N. T. G. (2021). Adapting procedural content generation to player personas through evolution. In 2021 IEEE Symposium Series on Computational Intelligence (SSCI), pages 01–09.
Garlan, D. (2000). Software architecture: a roadmap. In Proceedings of the Conference on The Future of Software Engineering, ICSE ’00, page 91–101, New York, NY, USA. Association for Computing Machinery.
Kitchenham, B. e Charters, S. (2007). Guidelines for performing systematic literature reviews in software engineering. Technical Report EBSE 2007-001, Keele University and Durham University Joint Report, UK. Version 2.3.
López Ibáñez, M., Álvarez, N., e Peinado, F. (2018). Towards an emotion-driven adaptive system for video game music. In Cheok, A. D., Inami, M., e Romão, T., editors, Advances in Computer Entertainment Technology, pages 360–367, Cham. Springer International Publishing.
Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., e Saldana, J. (2014). Qualitative Data Analysis: An Expanded Sourcebook. SAGE Publications Inc, 3rd edition.
Morelli, L. B. e Nakagawa, E. Y. (2011). A panorama of software architectures in game development. In International Conference on Software Engineering and Knowledge Engineering.
Mourão, E., Pimentel, J. F., Murta, L., Kalinowski, M., Mendes, E., e Wohlin, C. (2020). On the performance of hybrid search strategies for systematic literature reviews in software engineering. Information and Software Technology, 123:106294.
Nystrom, R. (2014). Game Programming Patterns. Self-published.
Olsen Peter (2014). Modular pcg. Master’s thesis, Aalborg University Copenhagen.
Pereira, L. T., Viana, B. M. F., e Toledo, C. F. M. (2022). A system for orchestrating multiple procedurally generated content for different player profiles. IEEE Transactions on Games, pages 1–11.
Röpke, R., Drury, V., Schroeder, U., e Meyer, U. (2021). A modular architecture for personalized learning content in anti-phishing learning games. In Software Engineering.
Shaw, M. e Clements, P. (2006). The golden age of software architecture. IEEE Software, 23(2):31–39.
Shu, T., Liu, J., e Yannakakis, G. N. (2021). Experience-driven pcg via reinforcement learning: A super mario bros study.
Teoi, T., Pereira, L., e Toledo, C. (2024). Towards adapting a content orchestrator to a different game genre: Generating levels, rules, and narrative for diverse player profiles from a top-down adventure to a 2d platformer. In Proceedings of the 23rd Brazilian Symposium on Games and Digital Entertainment, pages 396–415, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. SBC.
Togelius, J., Champandard, A., Lanzi, P. L., Mateas, M., Paiva, A., Preuss, M., e Stanley, K. (2013). Procedural content generation: goals, challenges and actionable steps. Dagstuhl Follow-Ups, 6:61–75.
Wasserman, A. (1996). Toward a discipline of software engineering. Software, IEEE, 13:23 – 31.
Wohlin, C. (2014). Guidelines for snowballing in systematic literature studies and a replication in software engineering. In Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Evaluation and Assessment in Software Engineering, EASE ’14, New York, NY, USA. Association for Computing Machinery.
Zhang, K., Bai, J., e Liu, J. (2022). Generating game levels of diverse behaviour engagement.
Carpenter, E. D. (2011). Procedural generation of large scale gameworlds. Master’s thesis, University of Dublin, Trinity College.
Fernandes, P. M., Jørgensen, J., e Poldervaart, N. N. T. G. (2021). Adapting procedural content generation to player personas through evolution. In 2021 IEEE Symposium Series on Computational Intelligence (SSCI), pages 01–09.
Garlan, D. (2000). Software architecture: a roadmap. In Proceedings of the Conference on The Future of Software Engineering, ICSE ’00, page 91–101, New York, NY, USA. Association for Computing Machinery.
Kitchenham, B. e Charters, S. (2007). Guidelines for performing systematic literature reviews in software engineering. Technical Report EBSE 2007-001, Keele University and Durham University Joint Report, UK. Version 2.3.
López Ibáñez, M., Álvarez, N., e Peinado, F. (2018). Towards an emotion-driven adaptive system for video game music. In Cheok, A. D., Inami, M., e Romão, T., editors, Advances in Computer Entertainment Technology, pages 360–367, Cham. Springer International Publishing.
Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., e Saldana, J. (2014). Qualitative Data Analysis: An Expanded Sourcebook. SAGE Publications Inc, 3rd edition.
Morelli, L. B. e Nakagawa, E. Y. (2011). A panorama of software architectures in game development. In International Conference on Software Engineering and Knowledge Engineering.
Mourão, E., Pimentel, J. F., Murta, L., Kalinowski, M., Mendes, E., e Wohlin, C. (2020). On the performance of hybrid search strategies for systematic literature reviews in software engineering. Information and Software Technology, 123:106294.
Nystrom, R. (2014). Game Programming Patterns. Self-published.
Olsen Peter (2014). Modular pcg. Master’s thesis, Aalborg University Copenhagen.
Pereira, L. T., Viana, B. M. F., e Toledo, C. F. M. (2022). A system for orchestrating multiple procedurally generated content for different player profiles. IEEE Transactions on Games, pages 1–11.
Röpke, R., Drury, V., Schroeder, U., e Meyer, U. (2021). A modular architecture for personalized learning content in anti-phishing learning games. In Software Engineering.
Shaw, M. e Clements, P. (2006). The golden age of software architecture. IEEE Software, 23(2):31–39.
Shu, T., Liu, J., e Yannakakis, G. N. (2021). Experience-driven pcg via reinforcement learning: A super mario bros study.
Teoi, T., Pereira, L., e Toledo, C. (2024). Towards adapting a content orchestrator to a different game genre: Generating levels, rules, and narrative for diverse player profiles from a top-down adventure to a 2d platformer. In Proceedings of the 23rd Brazilian Symposium on Games and Digital Entertainment, pages 396–415, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. SBC.
Togelius, J., Champandard, A., Lanzi, P. L., Mateas, M., Paiva, A., Preuss, M., e Stanley, K. (2013). Procedural content generation: goals, challenges and actionable steps. Dagstuhl Follow-Ups, 6:61–75.
Wasserman, A. (1996). Toward a discipline of software engineering. Software, IEEE, 13:23 – 31.
Wohlin, C. (2014). Guidelines for snowballing in systematic literature studies and a replication in software engineering. In Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Evaluation and Assessment in Software Engineering, EASE ’14, New York, NY, USA. Association for Computing Machinery.
Zhang, K., Bai, J., e Liu, J. (2022). Generating game levels of diverse behaviour engagement.
Publicado
30/09/2025
Como Citar
SO, Arthur R. Pinheiro; SOUZA, Francisco Carlos M.; SOUZA, Alinne C. Corrêa; FABRI, José Augusto.
Software Architecture Requirements for Procedural Content Generation in Digital Games: A Systematic Mapping. In: SIMPÓSIO BRASILEIRO DE JOGOS E ENTRETENIMENTO DIGITAL (SBGAMES), 24. , 2025, Salvador/BA.
Anais [...].
Porto Alegre: Sociedade Brasileira de Computação,
2025
.
p. 668-679.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5753/sbgames.2025.10290.
