Multi-Level Modeling for Interactive Scene Description and Content Creation

Abstract

Multi-level modeling (MLM) approaches and frameworks are reaching a stage where research and development of both conceptual frameworks and tooling would greatly benefit from feedback and experience from real-world use cases and industrial applications. MLM-based solutions could address the ongoing challenge of maintaining flexibility, full control, and semantic integrity throughout the development process of video games, as players expect increasingly vast, unique, and highly detailed environments. In this position paper, we propose the concept of a multi-level model-based framework: Multi-Layer Content Model (MLCM), that utilizes MLM concepts to describe, store, and transport Digital Content Creation (DCC) assets, serving as a universal interconnect between DCC tools, game engines, and other DCC-related tools. MLCM also has potential to serve as a data source for both traditional and AI-based Procedural Content Generation (PCG) tools. Using MLCM, structural, behavioral, and generative descriptions are integrated into a single model, supporting iterative development, modular extension, and long-term maintainability. Beyond serving as a compact representation of generative parameters and rules, MLCM facilitates verification of model elements and, potentially, the resulting content, while also serving as a prime case study for the industrial application of MLM.