The Art of Realistic Biome Creation
In our very first Meet The Team post, we introduced Carlos, our senior environment artist. Carlos has had a glittering career, working on films like The Little Mermaid, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron and Infinity War, at companies like London’s Framestore.
He is currently immersed in the complex task of procedural generation for Neolyfe’s biomes. Biomes are defined in the Neolyfe White Paper as:
Distinct environmental zones with specific terrain, vegetation, resources etc. to explore and farm.
Biomes will be hugely important areas in Neolyfe as they’ll enable players to gather and nurture the elements they need to create a richer gaming experience. Think Minecraft, but with outcomes that can be monetised by the creator and enjoyed by the entire community.
‘The Coconut Conundrum’: A Lesson in Environmental Authenticity
While we’re leveraging procedural tools to create our vast and diverse landscapes, it’s important to note that this is far from a simple “set and forget” process. It requires meticulous planning and programming to achieve the level of realism required.
To illustrate the depth of detail we’re incorporating, let’s look at a specific example Carlos is working on: the distribution of coconut palms in tropical biomes. In nature, coconut palms often grow in clusters. This isn’t random — it’s a result of how coconuts propagate. The heavy fruits typically fall close to the parent tree, or if they end up in the water, they float and are carried by ocean currents to nearby shores.
Carlos is working on replicating these clusters where certain plant species grow alongside others, mirroring real-world ecological relationships. It’s a small detail, but this kind of attention to natural patterns will make Neolyfe’s world feel alive and authentic.
Community Input: Your Ideal Neolyfe Environment
As we continue refining our procedural generation systems, community involvement is crucial. We’d love to hear from you! Let us know:
- What other small environmental details you’d love to see in Neolyfe
- Any specific ecosystems you’re particularly excited to explore
- How important this level of environmental authenticity is to your gaming experience
Participate in our Discussion:
- Share your thoughts in the Discord channel #Suggestions-and-Ideas by 7–29 (July 29), 12am UTC
- Engage with fellow Neolyfers and provide feedback on their ideas
- The top three most insightful or innovative suggestions will receive our weekly recognition
