Asset Duplication in Video Games: A Staggering Number of Unique Toilets
A Surprising Source of Inspiration
I think it was a restroom that first made me notice asset duplication in video games. I remember playing the Final Fight arcade game and walking past multiple bust-up toilet stalls with identical damage and graffiti. Today, repetition is still used to save time and memory, particularly in large open-world games. But repeated toilets won’t be an issue for one indie dev working in Unreal Engine.
Procedural Magic in Unreal Engine
I don’t know much about the gameplay or story of Damp Squid’s unnamed work-in-progress. But thanks to some procedural magic in Unreal Engine, I know it boasts a quite staggering number of possible toilets. Over 17 quadrillion, of them.
Creating a Toilet Generator
Damp Squid has created an Unreal Engine 5-powered toilet generator to ensure players will never find a duplicated latrine in the game. And work is progressing fast. A few days ago, he reported that he had created a toilet asset that could randomize itself into 1,728 possible combinations. Now he’s gone further, adding… contents.
The System Generates Random Combinations
The system generates random combinations using parameters such as visibility, seat position, decal, tint, and, yes, latrine contents for 17.23 quadrillion combinations in total. Each one is the same can, so the color and general design is the same: the variation comes in their age, how much is left of them, and their contents. The dev says the lid can be 1 of 24 shades of black/grey to show fading over time, or general ware and grime.
The Odds of Duplication
"If I put 100 of them in my level, there’s a 0.0000000000287% chance two of them will be the same," Damp Squid writes on Reddit. "That’s about 100,000 times less likely than winning the Powerball jackpot 10 times in a row. And about 250 billion times less likely than an asteroid impact ending civilization!"
Conclusion
It’s impossible not to admire the dedication to the craft. Damp Squid’s work is a testament to the power of procedural generation and the attention to detail that can go into creating a unique gaming experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does the toilet generator work?
A: The system generates random combinations using parameters such as visibility, seat position, decal, tint, and latrine contents.
Q: How many possible toilet combinations are there?
A: Over 17 quadrillion combinations.
Q: What is the likelihood of finding a duplicated toilet?
A: The odds are extremely low, with a 0.0000000000287% chance of finding a duplicated toilet.
Q: Is this a realistic representation of toilets in real life?
A: While the generator creates unique combinations, the focus is on creating a unique gaming experience rather than a realistic representation of toilets in real life.
