Ever wonder which game was the trailblazer, daring to harness the power of Houdini first? This software, born from the procedural generation tool PRISMS, has been around for an impressive 29 years. It's a powerhouse for artists and game developers, enabling the creation of breathtaking terrains, stunning visual effects, and dynamic assets. Houdini's magic lies in its ability to slash production time while offering unparalleled flexibility. Many games now proudly boast Houdini's influence, but which one broke the mold?
Technical Director John Walther dug deep and unearthed a fascinating answer: the 2012 installment of the snowboarding series, published by EA Sports, likely holds the title. This game ingeniously used Houdini to import heightfields and meticulously place trees along the courses. They followed the terrain-masking rules we see as standard today. And get this – they even incorporated real-world topography data from NASA to shape the game's landscapes!
John highlighted an important point: "The level designers could even control the output in Houdini before exporting it, so I don't know where the myth that procedural 'doesn't give you control' comes from because it has never been true. Procedural added a lot to the game. It let the designers make a variety of challenges with handcrafted precision and procedural flexibility. The previous game had 12 tracks, whereas this one had over 150."
And this is the part most people miss... Did players even realize SSX 2012 was a procedural game? Probably not, because the game feels meticulously crafted. That's the secret: when you thoughtfully integrate procedural generation, you create an engaging game that captivates players without them even realizing the magic behind it.
But here's where it gets controversial... While SSX 2012 is a strong contender, the search for the absolute first is ongoing. In the comments section of John's post, Ben Schrijvers and Julián Rojas Millán offered their own insights. Julián pointed to evidence of Houdini's use in the canceled mid-2000s game Roman Race 6004 A.D.
What are your thoughts? Do you think SSX 2012 deserves the crown, or do you have other contenders in mind? Share your opinions in the comments!
