An estimated 2.8 billion unique worlds are possible with the Minecraft world generator. The worlds are essentially infinite and each game generates a completely different world map. But how does Minecraft generate these incredible worlds?
If you want to know the answer, you have come to the right place. This article will explain how to generate worlds in Minecraft.
Start with a seed
Minecraft world generation is not truly random, because each generated world starts with a starting number. When you create a world, you have the option of entering a seed or letting Minecraft choose a seed for you. These numbers are put into a “pseudo-random number generator.” This is an algorithm that generates lists of numbers that approximate random numbers.
These pseudo-random numbers are the basis of Minecraft’s world generation. They are used to calculate numbers for a process called “procedure generation.” This process creates data algorithmically to create large-scale 3D computer graphics and textures. This is the case with many computer games, including Minecraft.
In summary:
- A seed number is entered.
- This seed is input into a pseudo-random number generator.
- Math data is created from the seed to be used as coordinates and locations.
- Since all data comes from the seed number, an identical seed will produce an identical world.
Procedural generation of Minecraft worlds
As you may have guessed, the procedural generation of terrain and world elements follows a specific set of steps or procedures. Every step contributes to the fully developed Minecraft worlds that entertain players so well. This process is specifically based on “Perlin noise” calculations.
For Minecraft, the process has four main steps.
- noise maps
- Terrain elements
- Caves and minerals
- Decorations of the world
noise maps
It is common for the creation of computer games to begin with a “noise map” and Minecraft is no exception. The first step in creating the world is generating a terrain noise map, which is basically a representation of the terrain in points and shadows that will then be fully developed. This terrain noise generator creates a topographic map from stone and water.
As it generates, you start with a stack of island biomes and continue through the rest of the biomes, adding details accordingly. The topography of each biome is still pseudo-randomly generated, but is appropriate for each biome.
Other noise maps are then placed on top of the first to smooth out the terrain and add biome detail. If you watch closely, you will witness this process as your world is generated. The result is a complete topography made of stone, water and air. Minecraft generates 16×16 chunks as you explore.
Here are some more essential facts about a noise map:
- The topography is constructed from a noise map.
- Everything below y=63 is not stone but water.
- Everything else is air, with the rule that air is always above water.
- The topography expands and smoothes based on different biomes.
- There are still no caves in the stone topography.
This gives the basic world that is ready to be enhanced by the rest of the creative process. At this point, the only materials used are stone, water and air.
Terrain elements
The next step in the progression is to add blocks like grass, dirt, and sand. These are not built on the stone, but rather overwrite the already existing stone landscape. These continue to be placed “pseudo-randomly” based on the numbers generated by the seed and build algorithm.
- Grass, sand, dirt, etc. They replace stone in topography.
- No caves have been created yet.
- Minerals do not exist yet.
- No decorations have yet been generated on the surface of the land.
Microsoft’s algorithm takes into account that the desert will need more sand, the oceans more gravel, etc. Each biome is filled with the appropriate combinations of earth materials.
Caves and minerals
Now that we have a world built with stone, dirt and such, it’s time to add caves to the mountains and ravines to the valleys. This is a two-step process:
- Caves and ravines are generated.
- Minerals are created immediately within stone elements.
It is then that copper, coal, gold, etc. are added to the world. These are governed by the Minecraft rules and layouts established in each version.
Decorations of the world
The final cornerstone to completing world generation is adding decorations to the world. This includes anything else a world might contain. Structures are populated first, followed by flora and fauna.
- Trees and foliage
- tall grass and flowers
- Hives, bees and other insects.
- Towns
- Shipwrecks and fortresses
- Jungle temples and desert pyramids
- lower doors
These details vary in each world and add to the wonderful variety of Minecraft. Each element will be generated according to its particular distribution rules. For example, some worlds may be full of oceans and shipwrecks, while others have oceans few and far between. Every world is different.
How do biomes influence?
When the initial terrain noise map is created, it is based on the Minecraft biome rules. The numbers to determine the biome areas also come from the algorithm that processes the seed number. As with everything in the world, the seed number dictates how the numbers fall.
Pseudo-random temperature numbers are assigned to all areas, and these determine which biome will develop in a given region. Other adjustment processes are executed, such as combining biome borders. Generation details like these are part of Microsoft’s proprietary algorithm.
Frequently asked questions
What about the Outlands?
The Outlands were created when the generation algorithm became so overwhelmed that it stopped working. Users estimate that this happened about 12 million blocks from the generation point in any direction. Many players have set out to try to find the Outlands. Far Lands is rumored to be gone with later updates and a brand new terrain generator.
How do mineral distributions work?
For each version of Minecraft, you can find detailed information. distributions online. These govern the spawn locations and frequency of each mineral based on height or y value. For example, in version 1.20, coal can spawn from y=0 to y=320 and is most common in layers 44, 95, and 136. Searching for them can help speed up your search for minerals and precious materials.
Why will a seed generate the same world every time?
Why will a seed generate the same world every time?
Worlds generated by Minecraft
The generation of such infinite game worlds is fascinating. Any seed number will generate its own unique world, but only with that specific input. The complicated nature of the algorithm explains the game’s unlimited playability. In fact, each world is so large that it would be impossible to fully explore and fill one world, much less multiple worlds. Some of the worlds in Minecraft are built specifically for a seed that has a numerical meaning. As you experiment, you may find some creatively hidden world seed correlations.
What do you think of the worlds generated by Minecraft? Do you enjoy the variety they offer? Tell us in the comments p below.
