Horizon GPU procedural placement

World Machine does that, but that is using heightmaps internally for that, so no overhangs etc., if that is what you mean by 3D.

 

YEah, that. I remember playing Gothic I and it was one of the game with poly modeled landscapes. So, overhangs, tunnels, hidden paths, mountain roads spiraling around in unpredictable ways, etc.

I think back when "walking with dinosaurs" was released someone bragged that they had software that could simulate landscape erosion, except it was obviously doing it in 3 dimensions. Not sure what program that was.

 

For most indies making 2D terrain game with models cliffs on top is already and have the game interesting and good is already huge challenge, why already complicating even more lol

 

Because we can? ^_^

Seriously though, heightmapped terrain has fairly distinct look and is often easy to spot. While I understand that painting stuff with a brush on a flat plane is easier, modeled terrains and maps usually have higher visual quality. IMO.

 

Zelda for example.

 

I'm waiting for that game/system that won't use the processor at all, except shuffling data to the gfx card, hehe.
Putting Intel out of business, replacing the CPU with a cheap-o memory controller? Funny thought.

 

Well, here you go:
https://www.shadertoy.com/view/MddGzf

I believe this one runs off the GPU.

 

Yeah, who the hell needs a processor?

 

Anyone who wants to, you know, load their fancy shaders.