Revolutionizing Tower Defense: Automating Game Level Design with Rogue-lite Integration

This paper introduces "Deferent," a proof-of-concept game designed to showcase the application of Procedural Content Generation (PCG) in enhancing gameplay dynamics and player engagement. By employing PCG techniques such as automated level design, resource allocation, wave generation, and evolutionary mechanics, "Deferent" offers a unique gameplay experience that fosters high replayability. A usability study involving 15 players revealed positive reception regarding the ease of navigation and upgrade systems, while identifying areas for improvement, particularly in resource management and game balancing. The findings indicate that with further optimization, "Deferent" can effectively demonstrate the potential of PCG in advancing modern game design practices.