Mike Cook6d ago

I've written a book! Next Level: Making Games That Make Themselves is the story of procedural generation - the tech behind games like Minecraft and Dwarf Fortress. It's about how it works, the games that use it, and the art and magic behind it.

Out May 7th, in bookshops: https://linktr.ee/next_level 🎲🔮

Show threadMike Cook6d ago
There are chapters on Minecraft, Rogue, Elite, Spelunky, Caves of Qud, as well as noise functions, machine learning, academia and more - but you don't need to be a programmer, a game developer or a hardcore gamer. If you've ever rolled some dice or shuffled a deck of cards, you'll enjoy reading it!
Show threadMike Cook6d ago
This is a celebration of a creative field that stretches back decades, before videogames even. It's my tribute to the best people I know and the beautiful things they've made. If you want to know why procedural generation matters today - and why it isn't generative AI - this is the book for you.
Show threadMike Cook
I'm eager to talk more about the book - please invite me to your universities, events, podcasts, family dinners so I can talk about the book, about the magic of procedural generation, or about the cursed nature of 'generative' tech! (Or tell your favourite podcasters/lecturers/family members)
Mar 16 at 7:35pmWeb
Show threadClaus6d ago

@mtrc I'll talk to the guys organizing IEEE-COG to reserve you a spot :)

Also what about an online talk?

Show threadMike Cook6d ago
@wrench I'd love to do online talks! i saw also the pico-pico cafe allows for an online speaker, i was thinking of asking to talk about magpie there sometime haha
Show threadClaus6d ago

@mtrc Lets make it happen!
For picopico cafe, I'll let you know when the next one happens, I can help host the online part.

Also for the more academic one, maybe we can organize one for Tsukuba on the second half of April, to catch the new students? How is your calendar looking like?

Show threadMike Cook6d ago
@wrench I'd love that! For both things! Second half of April might be doable - might need to delay a bit more but we can chat via email or something. Thank you so much Claus :)
Show threadClaus5d ago
@mtrc I'll send you an e-mail later today! (lemme know if you prefer to organize over mail, or here, or discord or something)