Generate and revise production-oriented 2D game maps with built-in image generation as the default visual asset source, choosing a visual model, runtime object model, collision model, art direction, and engine/export target. Use when Codex needs to create or integrate RPG maps, monster-taming maps, tactical arenas, battle backgrounds, side-scroller/parallax scenes, tilemaps, layered raster maps, clean HD hand-painted maps, pixel-inspired maps, prop packs, collision zones, walkable areas, or map previews.
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Generate and revise production-oriented 2D game maps with built-in image generation as the default visual asset source, choosing a visual model, runtime object model, collision model, art direction, and engine/export target. Use when Codex needs to create or integrate RPG maps, monster-taming maps, tactical arenas, battle backgrounds, side-scroller/parallax scenes, tilemaps, layered raster maps, clean HD hand-painted maps, pixel-inspired maps, prop packs, collision zones, walkable areas, or map previews.
Generate2dmap
Overview
Build the smallest playable map bundle that satisfies the game. Start by choosing a user-facing map_mode, then map it to the lower-level pipeline axes. Do not treat a map as only one image unless the user explicitly asks for a flat visual background.
Use user-specified parameters when present. When the user does not specify them, infer the lightest playable pipeline from the existing game, camera, collision needs, map scale, and editing needs.
For requests that imply a playable game map, level, stage, room, prototype, or engine scene, do not ship a single baked image as the runtime map unless the user explicitly asks for a flat background only. A baked image may be a background, reference, or preview artifact, but the playable deliverable must expose gameplay geometry and objects as separate layers, props, tile/object data, collision, zones, or engine-native scene nodes.
This skill is for scenes and maps. Do not generate character, enemy, boss, projectile, NPC, player, or animation sprite assets as map deliverables. The map may include scene hooks such as player spawns, actor spawn marker metadata, patrol/encounter zones, arena entrances, gates, exits, and camera triggers, but actor artwork, projectiles, and animations belong in $generate2dsprite.
grid_mode: rule-heavy grid scenes for tactical RPGs, factory/automation games, board/card battlers, build grids, and terrain-cost maps. Default axes: layered_tilemap or tilemap + interactive_scene_objects + scene_hooks + tile_collision or grid metadata.
room_chunk_mode: modular rooms/chunks for roguelikes, Metroidvania rooms, dungeon rooms, and procedural level assembly. Default axes: layered_tilemap or parallax_layers or layered_raster + object layers + exits/connection metadata + collision.
baked_scene_mode: fixed battle backgrounds, title/menu screens, boss-room concept art, visual novel scenes, point-and-click backgrounds, or other explicitly flat/non-editable scenes. Default axes: baked_raster + none or coarse_shapes.
When the mode and lower-level axes disagree, the mode's playable/editable contract wins. For example, side_scroll_mode always needs separate collision and platform/object data even if it also produces a beautiful full-width preview image.
Genre Routing
When the user gives a genre instead of a technical map mode, choose the mode conservatively:
Pokemon-like / monster-taming RPG / top-down RPG town or route -> tile_mode with optional separate props, encounter zones, exits, NPC spawn markers, and collision.
Tower defense / Kingdom Rush-like -> scene_mode with path metadata, build slots, props, collision/blockers, spawn/exit hooks, and optional engine scene scaffold.
Survivors-like / arena survival -> scene_mode or tile_mode depending on map scale; keep obstacles sparse, define spawn rings/zones, camera bounds, and collision separately.
Mega Man-like / side-view action platformer / runner / Metroidvania side room -> side_scroll_mode.
Beat-em-up / brawler -> side_scroll_mode with a walkable belt polygon instead of jump-platform geometry; use parallax/background depth plus props, enemy wave zones, and camera bounds.
Visual novel, title screen, point-and-click, boss arena concept, or non-playable showcase -> baked_scene_mode unless gameplay/editability is requested.
Image Generation First
This skill is image-generation-first for visual assets. Use built-in image_gen as the default creative art source for base maps, in-world reference mockups, dressed references, stage references, prop sheets, prop sprites, tileset art, parallax layers, battle backgrounds, and other visible map assets.
The agent must write the creative image prompts itself. Do not use scripts to generate creative prompts or to procedurally draw final visual art. Scripts may assemble, slice, chroma-key, crop, validate, compose previews, emit JSON metadata, and wire image-generated assets into engine-native files such as Godot .tscn scenes.
Save every manually written image-generation prompt next to the generated asset as <asset>.prompt.txt or in an explicit manifest field. Do not leave accepted generated assets with empty prompt metadata when the run creates new visual assets.
Only use procedural drawing or scripted placeholder art when the user explicitly asks for placeholders, test fixtures, debug maps, or engine scaffolding without final art. If using an engine target such as Godot_TileMap, generate or reuse the visual tileset art first, then use scripts/code only to build tile layers, collision, zones, and scene wiring.
Visual Reference Handoff
When generating an in-world reference mockup from an existing generated base/background, the prior image must be treated as an active visual reference, not just a file path or loose style hint:
Save the base/background image first.
Immediately before the next image_gen call, make that exact image visible in conversation context. If it is a local file, call view_image on the saved file.
In the next image_gen prompt, explicitly say to use the visible image immediately above as the visual reference.
Describe concrete features from the viewed image that must be preserved, such as camera framing, horizon, road or water shapes, terrain boundaries, entrance/exit direction, major silhouettes, empty pads, and landmark positions.
Generate an in-world reference mockup, not an annotated diagram. Do not draw circles, arrows, outlines, labels, numbers, UI callouts, text, captions, legends, highlighted boxes, highlighted zones, measurement lines, or explanatory overlays.
Render proposed visible gameplay objects as natural game-world objects or subtle in-world blockout geometry. Do not draw non-visual metadata such as spawn points, triggers, camera bounds, or patrol hints; write those later as structured scene-hook metadata.
Keep reference mockups sparse enough to drive final asset production. Unless the user explicitly asks for a dense concept sheet, include at most 9 distinct visible runtime prop/object candidates in the mockup. Repeated instances of the same platform, lamp, crate, hazard, pickup, or gate count as one candidate and can be repeated later in placement metadata.
Do not rely on a path string, filename, or generic wording like "based on the map" as the reference handoff. If the base/background is not visible in context, stop and make it visible before generating the dressed reference or stage reference.
Layer Separation Contract
For any playable or editable layered map, the first generated base/background/foundation image must not bake in objects that the runtime should control separately. This applies across perspectives and styles: top-down RPG maps, monster-taming maps, tactical arenas, tower-defense lanes, side-view platformers, parallax stages, tile/editor workflows, clean HD, pixel-inspired, and retro pixel art.
The base/background/foundation layer may contain only stable non-interactive foundation art:
top-down or 3/4 maps: ground material, paths, roads, water, cliffs, low terrain markings, floor patterns, and terrain boundaries
tactical or tower-defense maps: ground, lanes, roads, build pads, lane markings, terrain zones, and non-interactive floor detail
tilemaps: tileset art and tile layers arranged as editable engine data, not a flattened full-scene background
The base/background/foundation layer must not contain runtime-controlled objects unless the user explicitly asked for a single baked image:
tall props, buildings, trees, rocks, crates, signs, doors, gates, pickups, chests, checkpoints, hazards, traps, turrets, tower objects, ladders, foreground occluders, destructibles, actors, enemies, NPCs, bosses, player characters, UI, labels, or any object that needs collision, interaction, replacement, reuse, y-sorting, animation, engine editing, or independent render order
If a generated base/background already contains those runtime objects, do not use it as the runtime base. Regenerate a cleaner foundation-only base or demote that image to a concept/reference artifact. The next in-world reference mockup is where proposed objects may appear, and the final runtime must still use separate generated props, platform objects, object layers, tile layers, collision, zones, and scene-hook metadata as appropriate.
Parameter Contract
User-facing parameters may be stated in natural language:
output_format: PNG only | layered preview | manifest JSON | engine-native map data
When unspecified:
Use image_gen as the visual asset source.
Infer map_mode from genre and editing needs before selecting lower-level axes.
Use tile_mode for Pokemon-like, top-down RPG, monster-taming, editor/grid-perfect, or tilemap requests.
Use scene_mode for tower defense, survivors-like, cozy/top-down showcase maps, and base-map-plus-props requests.
Use side_scroll_mode for side-scrollers, platformers, runners, side-view action, brawlers, Metroidvania side rooms, Mega Man-like, Castlevania-like, Contra-like, and parallax background requests.
For side_scroll_mode, choose a canonical stage_canvas before image generation. Use the project camera/viewport aspect when available; otherwise default to a 16:9 side-scroller canvas such as 1536x864. All primary parallax plates, stage references, and previews must preserve this same size/aspect.
For playable side_scroll_mode, choose stage_segment_count before image generation. Default to 2 camera-width segments for a normal playable scrolling level. Use 1 only for explicit one-screen rooms, boss arenas, title-like scenes, or fixed battle rooms; use 3 or more only when the user asks for a longer stage or the existing game already has that scope.
For playable side_scroll_mode, default platform_strategy to platform_rects_with_shared_tiles: write platform rectangles or engine-native platform objects as the gameplay source of truth, then skin them with a shared generated platform tile/strip library. Do not rely on a generated background or generic prop pack for platform shape.
Use grid_mode for tactical RPGs, factory/automation maps, board/card battlers, build grids, and terrain-cost maps.
Use room_chunk_mode for modular rooms, roguelike rooms, procedural room assembly, or Metroidvania room-chunk planning.
Use baked_scene_mode only for non-playable visual scenes or explicitly flat images.
Use baked_raster + coarse_shapes only for battle backgrounds, title/menu scenes, cutscenes, decorative backdrops, non-playable previews, or when the user explicitly asks for a single flat image.
Use layered_raster + y_sorted_props + precise_shapes for top-down RPG exploration with tall props, occlusion, interactables, or reusable props; the base must be foundation-only and the props/interactables must remain separate.
Use tilemap or layered_tilemap only when the engine/editor already uses tiles or the user asks for editable tiles; do not flatten gameplay objects into one background image.
Use parallax_layers + platform_objects + interactive_scene_objects + scene_hooks + precise_shapes for playable side-view scrolling stages, platformers, runners, shooters, and horizontal action scenes; the parallax/background image is scenery-only and is not the runtime map by itself.
Use square prop packs only when 4 or more compact small/medium static props share one style and fit comfortably inside equal square cells.
Use one-by-one, platform strips, tile/object layers, or custom wide packs for hero props, buildings, gates, irregular large props, wide/tall props, platforms, terrain chunks, bridges, walls, ladders, long hazards, animated props, or props needing strong identity or collision alignment.
For side-scroll platformers, treat platforms, floors, ledges, bridges, walls, slopes, ladders, long hazards, doors, gates, checkpoints, and exits as structural stage objects, not decorative props. Compact prop packs are for optional dressing and pickups only.
Use clean_hd for generated exploration maps unless the project or user asks for pixel art. This means clean hand-painted top-down 2D RPG game map, HD game asset style, sharp readable terrain shapes, low texture noise, and no chunky pixels.
Use pixel_inspired only when the user wants a pixel-adjacent look without retro chunkiness.
Use retro_pixel only when the user explicitly asks for 16-bit, retro JRPG, or classic pixel-art maps.
Workflow
Inspect the target game.
Find camera size, map dimensions, coordinate system, render order, asset loading, collision support, zone data, and existing map formats.
Preserve the engine's existing style and data contracts.
Choose the pipeline axes.
Choose map_mode first. Use the genre routing table when the user describes a game type instead of a technical map format.
Select visual_model, runtime_object_model, collision_model, and engine_target.
If the request is for a playable map, stage, level, room, prototype, or game scene, choose a pipeline with explicit runtime objects. Do not downgrade to baked_raster unless the user asked for a background-only image.
If the request implies a playable side-view scrolling/action stage, such as a side-scroller, platformer, runner, shooter, brawler, scrolling combat stage, Megaman-like stage, Castlevania-like stage, or Contra-like stage, lock the map pipeline to parallax_layers + platform_objects + interactive_scene_objects + scene_hooks + precise_shapes unless the engine already requires a tilemap.
Select art_style. Prefer readable gameplay shapes over decorative texture density.
Select visual_asset_source. Default to image_gen; use existing_assets only when the project already has suitable art; use procedural_placeholder only when explicitly requested.
Treat hybrid as a result of combining axes, not as a primary category.
Produce assets.
Write the creative prompts manually and use built-in image_gen for visible map art unless the user explicitly chose existing assets or procedural placeholders.
For baked raster maps, generate one background with built-in image_gen, or edit/use an existing image when supplied, then add optional collision/zones metadata.
For playable or editable layered maps, generate a foundation-only base/background first. The base must not contain runtime-controlled props, interactables, hazards, doors, gates, pickups, actors, or foreground occluders. If it does, regenerate or demote it to a reference artifact.
For layered raster maps, generate a ground-only/foundation-only base map first. Then perform the visual reference handoff and generate an in-world dressed reference mockup from the visible base before making final props and placements.
For tilemaps, generate or reuse tileset art first, then follow the engine/editor format for layers, objects, collision, and scene files. Do not script-draw the tileset as the final art source, and do not flatten object layers into a single runtime image.
For grid_mode, generate or reuse grid/tileset visual art first, then write cell metadata such as walkable/buildable flags, move cost, terrain effects, resource nodes, and object layers.
For room_chunk_mode, define chunk dimensions, exits, connection sockets, collision contract, and spawn/trigger metadata before final art assembly. Chunks must be reusable and validated at their seams.
For playable side-view scrolling/action stages, define the canonical stage_canvas, stage_segment_count, stage_length, and platform_strategy before generating art. Do not ask image generation for one ultra-wide full level. Generate per-segment or loopable scenery-only parallax plates first: sky, far_bg, mid_bg, near_bg, and optional foreground_overlay. Every primary parallax layer must use the same pixel dimensions, aspect ratio, camera framing, horizon line, and top-left anchor as the stage_canvas; do not accept mismatched image sizes that require guesswork to stack. Do not treat one full-width background image as a complete side_scroll_mode background stack unless the user explicitly asks for a flat/non-parallax background. These parallax passes must not contain playable foreground platforms, walkable floors, terrain chunks, hazards, pickups, doors, gates, checkpoints, crates, fences, spikes, or other runtime objects. Then perform the visual reference handoff and generate an in-world stage reference mockup that visually places up to 9 distinct intended platform/object candidates before generating final separate scene objects and metadata.
If a side-view background already contains collidable-looking foreground geometry, walkable floors, or reusable gameplay props, reject it as a runtime background and regenerate a cleaner scenery-only background before continuing.
Treat the reference mockup as a checkpoint, not a deliverable. Do not stop after generating it. After the relevant dressed-reference or stage-reference exists, inspect it and continue into the post-reference object production gate.
Do not present a rerunnable script that creates the whole art pack as the main solution unless the user asked for procedural placeholder art.
Build metadata.
Store prop placement, player spawns, actor spawn marker metadata, interactable scene objects, blockers, walk bounds, encounter zones, exits, camera bounds, and triggers as structured data.
For walkable cells or actor lanes with visible dressing, classify prop occlusion as low, tall, or foreground; record an actor-safe area and an occupant policy such as none, rear_shift, fade, rear_shift_and_fade, or hide. Do not rely on render priority alone to keep actors readable.
For grid_mode, store grid dimensions, cell size, tile ids, terrain types, walkable/buildable flags, movement cost, collision, resource nodes, and object/entity slots.
For room_chunk_mode, store chunk id, size, entrances/exits, connection sockets, collision, spawn markers, camera bounds, and validation hints for seam alignment.
For side_scroll_mode, store stage_canvas, stage_segment_count, stage_length, segment ids, parallax layer source size, display size, anchor, render order, scroll factors, loop/repeat policy, shared platform/object library ids, camera bounds, platform collision, hazards, exits, checkpoints, and actor spawn marker metadata.
Keep collision independent from pixels unless the target engine explicitly uses tile collision.
Validate and preview.
Compose a flattened preview for layered maps.
Validate image sizes, alpha channels, prop pack extraction metadata, JSON parseability, and critical walkability points when collision matters.
For any playable map with tall props on walkable space, produce or inspect an actor-in-place preview at the real gameplay camera. The actor's head, torso, weapon/action silhouette, selection state, and destination/path cues must remain readable. Slight foot overlap is acceptable; losing the actionable silhouette is not.
For side_scroll_mode, reject or normalize mismatched primary parallax layer sizes before runtime integration. The stage reference and QA preview must match stage_canvas exactly. Deterministic resizing/cropping/padding is allowed only as a normalization step on generated art, not as a way to invent missing art.
Terrain Tile Bundles
For a fixed grid, tactical board, card-board arena, or project-native 2.5D tile mesh, prefer tile_generation=terrain_tile_bundle when each cell needs one of several opaque surface textures. Keep tile mesh/collision separate from the generated surface art.
Generate an atlas with one terrain family per row and 2-4 variants per row. Use a geometry layout guide when exact cells matter.
Require full-bleed top-down orthographic surfaces with no gutters, labels, borders, perspective, tile thickness, actors, tall props, or UI.
Use edge_policy=isolated when visible gaps or individual tile meshes separate cells. Use seamless only when adjacent tiles must visually join.
Preserve one surface scale, lighting direction, grain density, and palette relationship across every terrain family.
Extract and validate the atlas with scripts/extract_terrain_tiles.py. The script writes portable relative paths, per-variant luminance/contrast metrics, variant-difference QC, material hints, and a Godot mesh-top runtime contract.
Keep animated terrain states such as flame tongues, smoke, frost glints, corruption pulses, and void wisps separate from the opaque surface atlas. Generate them as transparent body/FX sheets with $generate2dsprite, preserve a fixed ground-contact anchor and shared silhouette envelope, and reference the generated runtime animation contract from the terrain metadata.
For a 2.5D Sprite3D status overlay on a horizontal tile mesh, record and validate ground_lift, depth_policy, render_priority, and occupantPolicy. A correct pixel-size/offset contract alone does not prove that the vertical card will survive intersection with the horizontal surface.
The safe default for a walkable animated status is: render above the tile surface, behind unit sprites, and apply rear_shift_and_fade while occupied. Do not solve tile clipping by drawing the FX over every actor.
Treat a low-contrast or near-duplicate variant failure as an art regeneration signal. Do not invent final terrain texture detail procedurally. Runtime tint, roughness, emission, highlighting, mesh depth, and destruction animation may remain engine-native layers.
Prop Generation Rules
Use $generate2dsprite for reusable transparent props and visible scene objects, but the agent must write the prop prompt itself using the selected map art_style. Do not use a script to generate the creative prompt. For clean_hd maps, explicitly request clean hand-painted HD 2D game assets and explicitly forbid pixel art. For pixel_inspired, request clean modern pixel-art-inspired props without retro chunkiness. For retro_pixel, request 16-bit or retro JRPG pixel art.
Before any prop/object image generation, classify each visible runtime object from the reference mockup:
compact_prop: small/medium, roughly square or vertical, decorative or simple blocker, no exact alignment requirement
wide_or_long_object: expected aspect ratio wider than about 1.6:1, such as platforms, floor pieces, bridges, wall runs, fence rows, long traps, long signs, pipes, rails, ledges, or roads
tall_or_large_object: expected aspect ratio taller than about 1.6:1 or visually dominant, such as large trees, gates, towers, buildings, banners, doors, statues, or boss-room props
collision_bearing_object: must line up with collision, walkable edges, build pads, doors, checkpoints, gates, hazards, or engine editor handles
tileset_or_strip_piece: should repeat seamlessly or assemble from left/middle/right caps, corners, slopes, tops, sides, or tile pieces
Generation strategy is determined by that classification:
Only compact_prop objects may use square prop_pack_2x2, prop_pack_3x3, or prop_pack_4x4.
Do not put wide_or_long_object, tall_or_large_object, collision_bearing_object, or tileset_or_strip_piece into square prop packs.
Use one_by_one for important, large, tall, irregular, identity-sensitive, or collision-aligned objects.
Use platform_strip_1x3 or platform_strip_1x4 for repeatable floors/platforms: left cap, middle repeat, right cap, plus optional corner/slope/end variant.
Use custom_wide_pack only for several similar wide objects that share one category and can use wide cells such as 768x256, 1024x384, or another explicit non-square cell size.
Never mix compact decorative props with platforms, terrain chunks, gates, doors, hazards, or other collision-critical objects in the same generated sheet.
If a square pack fails because a wide/tall object touches an edge, do not retry the same square pack with looser QC. Reclassify that object and regenerate it one-by-one, as a platform strip, as a custom wide pack, or as tile/object-layer art.
Choose the generation shape deliberately:
one_by_one: safest for large, important, animated, or irregular props.
prop_pack_2x2: 4 related compact props, safest square batch size.
prop_pack_3x3: 9 compact small/medium props, good quality/time tradeoff.
prop_pack_4x4: 16 very simple compact small props; fastest but most likely to drift or touch edges.
platform_strip_1x3: repeatable non-actor platform/floor strip with left cap, middle repeat, and right cap.
platform_strip_1x4: repeatable non-actor platform/floor strip with left cap, middle repeat, right cap, and one extra slope/corner/end variant. This is not an animation-frame format and must not be used for characters, enemies, creatures, NPCs, summons, or animated body assets.
custom_wide_pack: several related wide objects using explicit wide cells, not square cells.
Prop packs save image-generation calls and prompt overhead, but reduce per-prop control. Use square prop packs for rocks, shrubs, barrels, small signs, lamps, crates, floor ornaments, plants, and repeated compact environmental props. Do not use square prop packs for buildings, gates, trees with wide canopies, bridges, platforms, floors, walls, ladders, long fences, long hazards, character-like statues, hero objects, or anything that must be pixel-perfect or collision-aligned.
When a compact shrub, grass cluster, rubble pile, or similar prop will share a walkable tile with an actor, classify it separately from blockers. Prefer a low silhouette or a rear-biased cluster that leaves the tile's actor-safe center clear. Tall walkable dressing must ship with an occupant policy; rear_shift_and_fade is the safe default for fixed isometric boards. Preserve the ground texture while fading only the tall decoration.
For layered maps with generated props, prefer this in-world reference mockup pipeline:
Generate assets/map/<name>-base.png as ground-only terrain.
Make the base image visible in conversation context. If the base is a local file, use view_image immediately before calling built-in image_gen; do not rely on a path string as the reference.
In the dressed-reference prompt, explicitly say: use the visible base image immediately above as the visual reference, preserve its camera/framing/dimensions/terrain/road/water/boundaries, and generate an in-world dressed reference mockup.
The dressed reference must show proposed props as natural game-world objects placed on the base. It must not contain circles, arrows, outlines, labels, text, callouts, legends, highlighted boxes, or other annotation graphics.
The dressed reference should contain at most 9 distinct visible prop/object candidates unless the user explicitly asks for more. Prefer the objects that will become final generated props, collision blockers, interactables, or occluders.
Generate assets/map/<name>-dressed-reference.png from the visible base. Treat this as a reference mockup, not the final runtime map.
Generate one-by-one props or a prop pack based on the dressed reference.
Place extracted props over the original base and compose a flattened preview.
Validate that base, dressed reference, and preview dimensions match.
Use scripts/extract_prop_pack.py after generating a solid-magenta prop sheet. If the sheet has antialiased magenta fringe, run the imagegen chroma-key helper with soft matte and despill before extraction, then extract from the alpha-cleaned sheet. Use scripts/compose_layered_preview.py to verify placement over the base map.
Post-Reference Object Production Gate
An in-world reference mockup is never the final deliverable by itself. After generating dressed-reference or stage-reference, continue with:
Make both images visible in conversation context before any object/prop generation:
the original base or background
the generated dressed-reference or stage-reference mockup
If either image is a local file, call view_image on it immediately before writing object lists or object/prop image prompts. Do not rely on file paths alone.
Create a concrete object list from the visible reference mockup while cross-checking the original base/background: object id, type, approximate position, approximate size, render layer, collision role, and asset strategy.
If the reference contains more than 9 distinct visible runtime object candidates, reduce the generated asset list to the 9 most gameplay-relevant candidates first, then represent extra repeats or low-value decorations through placement metadata or a later asset pass.
Classify every object before generation. Compact decorative props may be batched; wide/long, tall/large, collision-bearing, and tileset/strip objects must use one-by-one, strip, custom wide pack, tile/object-layer, or engine-native strategies.
For each visible runtime object, choose exactly one asset strategy:
generate a separate transparent asset with $generate2dsprite or direct image_gen
extract it from a generated prop/object pack
represent it as a tile/object layer if the engine/editor pipeline is tile-based
For every object/prop image prompt, explicitly state that the visible original base/background and visible reference mockup above are the visual context. The generated asset must match the original map style and correspond to an object visible in the reference mockup.
Generate or define the final platforms, terrain chunks, props, hazards, pickups, doors, gates, checkpoints, exits, foreground occluders, and other visible scene objects. Do not skip this step just because the reference mockup already contains them visually.
Write placement metadata such as data/<name>-props.json, data/<name>-objects.json, engine-native object layers, or tile/object data.
Write collision, zones, scene hooks, camera bounds, and exits as structured metadata.
Compose a QA preview from the original base/background plus final runtime objects.
Reference-only output is incomplete for any playable map, layered map with props, side-view stage, engine scene, or request that asks for separate props/editable objects. Only stop at a reference mockup if the user explicitly asks for a reference-only concept image.
For prop packs or object packs generated after a reference mockup, the prompt must be derived from the visible reference mockup and original base/background, not from memory or filenames. It should list the exact objects being generated and preserve the art style, lighting, perspective, and scale cues from the original base/background.
Side-Scroll Stage Segments
Playable side-scroll stages should be planned as camera-width segments, not as one huge generated map image. This keeps image generation readable while allowing the runtime level to be longer than a single picture.
Default contract:
Use one stage_canvas for every segment, primary parallax plate, stage reference, stage preview, and normalization target.
Use stage_segment_count: 2 by default for a normal playable platformer or action side-scroller. Use 1 only for explicit one-screen rooms, boss arenas, fixed battle rooms, or background-only requests.
Compute stage_length from the engine camera width and segment count, or from the existing project coordinate system when available.
Name segment files predictably, such as segment-01, segment-02, and keep each segment aligned to the same top-left camera frame.
Generate either per-segment parallax plates or loopable parallax plates, but record the choice in metadata. Do not mix image sizes or aspect ratios across segments.
Create one shared platform/object art library for the full stage. Do not generate a fresh unrelated prop pack for every segment unless the user explicitly asks for biome changes.
Compose a per-segment QA preview and, when practical, a stitched stage overview preview from the same shared object metadata.
For platformer-style side-scroll stages, the runtime geometry must come from explicit platform/object metadata or engine-native nodes:
terrain_chunks: optional large reusable solid pieces when rectangles are not enough.
hazards: spikes, lasers, lava strips, pits, saws, traps, and other collision-critical objects.
interactives: doors, gates, terminals, switches, checkpoints, pickups, exits, and destructibles.
scene_hooks: player spawn, actor spawn markers, camera bounds, lock zones, arena triggers, exit links, and checkpoint ids.
The art for structural geometry should skin the metadata, not define it. A good platformer stage can use simple collision rectangles with repeated platform cap/middle sprites, just like a classic tile or strip workflow. This is preferable to asking image generation to produce a complete foreground platform layout in one baked image.
Side-Scroll Shared Platform Library
For side_scroll_mode, generate or select a shared structural platform library before decorative props:
platform_strip_1x3: left cap, seamless middle repeat, right cap.
platform_strip_1x4: left cap, seamless middle repeat, right cap, plus one slope/corner/broken/end variant.
platform_tile_set: square or rectangular tiles for top edge, underside, wall face, corner, and optional slope when the target engine/editor is tile-based.
custom_terrain_chunk: one-by-one or custom wide assets for important unique terrain chunks.
Use the platform library across all stage segments. Platform objects in metadata should reference the shared library by id and declare display width, display height, anchor, repeat policy, collision rectangle, and render layer.
Do not put platform strips, floors, ledges, bridges, ladders, walls, slopes, long spike rows, or terrain chunks into ordinary square prop packs. Square prop packs are for compact decorative props and simple pickups. Structural objects need strips, tiles, custom wide cells, one-by-one assets, or engine-native tile/object layers.
Playable Stage Reference Rules
For playable side-view scrolling/action maps, an in-world stage reference mockup is mandatory before generating final scene objects or scene metadata. This applies across art styles and game styles, including pixel art, clean HD, side-scrollers, platformers, runners, shooters, brawlers, scrolling combat stages, and Megaman-like or Castlevania-like stages:
Choose and record one stage_canvas, for example 1536x864 for a default 16:9 HD side-scroller when the project has no explicit camera size. Choose and record stage_segment_count before art generation. All primary parallax layers, stage references, and stage previews must share this exact size unless a layer is explicitly marked as a repeatable strip.
For normal playable platformer/action stages, default to stage_segment_count: 2. This means at least two camera-width segments that share one platform/object art library.
Use stage_segment_count: 1 only for explicit one-screen rooms, boss arenas, fixed battle rooms, or background-only requests.
Do not make a longer level by asking for one ultra-wide generated painting. Keep each generated segment at stage_canvas size and assemble the runtime stage from segments plus object metadata.
Generate named parallax scenery layers as separate runtime images: assets/map/<name>-sky.png, assets/map/<name>-far-bg.png, assets/map/<name>-mid-bg.png, assets/map/<name>-near-bg.png, and optional assets/map/<name>-foreground-overlay.png.
These layers are scenery only, not playable foreground. They may contain sky, clouds, mountains, distant buildings, distant castle walls, silhouettes, atmosphere, and non-colliding far depth.
Do not collapse these layers into only assets/map/<name>-background.png for a playable side_scroll_mode stage. A single scenery background is allowed only when the user explicitly requests a flat/non-parallax background; in that case still continue with stage reference, separate objects, collision, camera bounds, and QA preview.
Each primary layer prompt must specify the same target canvas size/aspect ratio, same camera framing, same horizon height, and same top-left aligned composition. If image generation returns different sizes, regenerate or normalize them to stage_canvas before using them together.
Repeatable strips and foreground/object sprites may have different source dimensions, but they must declare display size, anchor point, repeat axis, and scale in metadata. They are not substitutes for the primary parallax plates.
It must not contain walkable floors, platform tops, terrain chunks, spike traps, pickups, crates, doors, gates, checkpoints, ladders, near fences, near stone walls, enemies, player characters, UI, labels, or any object that should later be edited, collided with, reused, or layered independently.
Keep the playable foreground lane visually open or neutral so separate platform/object layers can stack clearly over it.
Make the background visible in conversation context. If it is a local file, use view_image immediately before calling built-in image_gen; do not rely on a path string as the reference.
In the stage-reference prompt, explicitly say: use the visible background image immediately above as the visual reference, preserve exact camera/framing/dimensions/horizon/depth/entrances/exit direction, and generate an in-world stage reference mockup.
Generate assets/map/<name>-stage-reference.png from the visible background.
In the stage reference, visually place the intended scene layout as natural game-world objects or subtle blockout geometry: platforms or walkable lanes, terrain chunks, foreground occluders, hazards, pickups, doors, checkpoints, gates, and exits.
Use at most 9 distinct visible runtime object candidates in the stage reference unless the user explicitly asks for a larger object pass. Repeated placements of the same platform, terrain chunk, hazard, pickup, checkpoint, door, gate, or occluder count as one candidate and should be repeated later in metadata.
Prioritize objects that the final game must render or collide with separately. Avoid filling the mockup with many small decorative foreground props that will not become reusable assets.
For multi-segment stages, each segment may have its own stage reference, but all references must reuse the same structural platform/object library and camera frame. If time or cost requires only one reference, make it the style/layout reference for the shared object library and write separate segment placement metadata.
Do not draw spawn markers, actor markers, arena trigger zones, camera bounds, arrows, labels, circles, outlines, numbered callouts, text, legends, or UI overlays in the reference image. Record player spawn, actor spawn markers, arena triggers, camera bounds, and exit links later as scene-hook metadata.
Use the stage reference to decide object identities, sizes, coordinates, render order, collision shapes, and camera bounds.
Continue through the post-reference object production gate: generate or define final platforms, terrain chunks, hazards, pickups, doors, checkpoints, foreground occluders, and other visible scene objects as separate assets, tile layers, or object layers. Create segment placement metadata that reuses the shared platform/object library across the full stage_length. Compose the final runtime preview from the original background plus these separate runtime objects.
The stage reference is an in-world reference mockup. Do not ship it as the runtime map, do not infer collision from its pixels, and do not cut platform objects out of the baked reference image. If a platform must be reusable or collidable, generate it as a separate platform object, terrain chunk, tile, or engine-native object.
If the generated background already has obvious foreground gameplay pieces baked into it, do not use it as background in runtime data. Regenerate the scenery-only background or demote that image to a concept/reference artifact.
Scene hooks are metadata only. Do not generate enemy, boss, NPC, player, projectile, or animation sprites inside generate2dmap; call $generate2dsprite separately when the game needs those assets.
If a playable side-view scrolling/action run has already generated a background but has not generated assets/map/<name>-stage-reference.png, pause the platform/props pipeline and generate the stage reference next. Background plus props is not enough evidence that the level layout is coherent.
Expected Deliverables
For a baked raster map:
assets/map/<name>.png
optional <name>.prompt.txt
optional data/<name>-collision.json or data/<name>-zones.json
code changes that load/use the image
Use this deliverable only for non-playable backgrounds or explicitly requested flat images. If actors must move through the scene, collide with level geometry, jump on platforms, collect items, trigger doors, or edit the level later, upgrade to a layered, parallax-stage, tilemap, or engine-native deliverable.
For a layered raster map:
assets/map/<name>-base.png
assets/map/<name>-base.prompt.txt
optional assets/map/<name>-dressed-reference.png for prop planning
assets/props/<prop>/prop.png folders, from one-by-one props or extracted prop packs
data/<name>-props.json placement metadata
data/<name>-collision.json and/or data/<name>-zones.json when gameplay needs them
assets/map/<name>-layered-preview.png
code changes that load the base, props, y-sorted renderables, collision, and zones
For a tilemap or layered tilemap:
image-generated or user-supplied assets/tilesets/<name>.png
optional tile slicing/atlas metadata
engine-native tile layer data such as Tiled JSON, LDtk data, Godot TileMap scene data, Unity tile placement data, or project-native JSON
object layers for spawns, exits, interactables, blockers, and zones
a flattened preview assembled from the visual tileset and layer data
no script-drawn final tileset art unless the user explicitly asked for procedural placeholders
For a playable side-view scrolling/action stage:
image-generated parallax scenery layers such as assets/map/<name>-sky.png, assets/map/<name>-far-bg.png, assets/map/<name>-mid-bg.png, assets/map/<name>-near-bg.png, and optional assets/map/<name>-foreground-overlay.png
one recorded stage_canvas shared by the primary parallax layers, stage-reference, and stage-preview
one recorded stage_segment_count and stage_length; default to at least 2 camera-width segments for a normal playable scrolling level
per-segment parallax layer metadata or loopable parallax metadata, with consistent dimensions and anchors
assets/map/<name>-background.prompt.txt and prompt files/manifests for other generated visual assets
assets/map/<name>-stage-reference.png as an in-world reference mockup for platform/object placement
a shared platform/object art library, such as platform strips, platform tiles, terrain chunks, hazards, doors, pickups, checkpoints, gates, and exits
separate image-generated platform, terrain-chunk, foreground-occluder, hazard, door, pickup, checkpoint, gate, and exit sprites when these are visible scene objects
data/<name>-objects.json or engine-native object layers for platforms, terrain chunks, hazards, pickups, doors, checkpoints, gates, exits, and foreground occluders, grouped by segment when the stage has more than one segment
data/<name>-scene-hooks.json or engine-native metadata for player spawns, actor spawn marker metadata, encounter/arena triggers, camera bounds, and exit links
data/<name>-collision.json with explicit platform/solid geometry independent from the background pixels
assets/map/<name>-stage-preview.png composed from the background plus objects for QA only
code or scene changes that load the background, render object layers, and use the collision/object data as runtime gameplay data
Do not accept a single generated side-view action/platformer stage image plus collision rectangles as the final playable map. Do not accept a single camera-width scenery image as a complete scrolling level unless the user explicitly asked for a one-screen room. The stage must expose platforms or walkable lanes, hazards, doors, pickups, checkpoints, gates, exits, scene hooks, and camera bounds as separate runtime objects, tile/object layers, or metadata. Runtime background fields must point to the scenery-only background or parallax layer, never to stage-reference or stage-preview; previews are QA artifacts only.
For grid_mode:
image-generated or user-supplied tileset/grid art
optional generate2dmap.terrain_tile_bundle.v1 manifests with terrain variants, material hints, world footprint, surface height, prompt provenance, and QC
grid dimensions, cell size, and map data in project-native JSON, Tiled JSON, LDtk, Godot TileMap, Unity Tilemap, or equivalent
cell metadata for walkable/buildable, movement cost, terrain effects, resources, collision, and placement rules
object layers for units, buildings, machines, cards/board slots, exits, spawns, and triggers
a QA preview that can show optional debug grid/collision overlays
for decorated walkable cells, prop occlusion metadata plus an actor-in-place preview using a representative runtime actor and the real gameplay camera
For room_chunk_mode:
reusable chunk art or tile/object layers
chunk metadata with chunk_id, size, entrances/exits, connection sockets, spawn markers, blockers, hazards, and camera bounds
collision and seam validation metadata
a chunk preview and, when multiple chunks exist, an assembled layout preview
For scene_mode:
foundation-only assets/map/<name>-base.png
in-world assets/map/<name>-dressed-reference.png
separate props/interactables/blockers from one-by-one assets or compact prop packs
placement, collision, zones, exits, camera bounds, and scene-hook metadata
a QA preview composed from the base plus final runtime objects
For a prop pack:
raw generated sheet with solid #FF00FF background
extracted assets/props/<prop>/prop.png files
prop-pack.json extraction manifest
no edge_touch entries for accepted props
Validation
Always validate what the chosen pipeline requires:
map files exist and have expected dimensions
prompt files or prompt manifest fields exist for generated visible assets
transparent props contain alpha
prop pack manifests parse and accepted props do not touch cell edges
placement JSON parses and referenced prop files exist
walkable tall props declare occlusionClass, actorSafeArea, and occupantPolicy; runtime integration applies that policy when an actor occupies or selects the cell
collision/zones JSON parses when present
critical spawn, path, entrance, blocker, and zone points behave as expected
playable/editable layered maps use a foundation-only base/background and do not bake runtime-controlled props, interactables, hazards, doors, gates, pickups, actors, foreground occluders, or reusable scene objects into the base
playable stages have explicit runtime objects or metadata for every gameplay-relevant platform or walkable lane, blocker, hazard, door, pickup, checkpoint, gate, exit, player spawn, actor spawn marker, encounter/arena trigger, and camera bound
playable side-view backgrounds are scenery-only and do not contain baked-in foreground gameplay platforms, hazards, pickups, doors, gates, checkpoints, or other reusable runtime objects
side_scroll_mode primary parallax layers, stage references, and stage previews match the recorded stage_canvas; any repeatable strips or differently sized foreground sprites declare display size, anchor, scale, and repeat policy
side_scroll_mode records stage_segment_count, stage_length, segment ids, and whether parallax plates are per-segment or loopable
normal playable side_scroll_mode levels have at least 2 camera-width segments unless the user requested a one-screen room, boss arena, fixed battle room, or background-only asset
side_scroll_mode parallax layers have explicit render order, scroll factors, dimensions, loop/repeat policy, and are not used as collision sources
side_scroll_mode platforms and terrain use explicit platform/object metadata plus a shared platform strip, tile, or terrain-chunk library; they are not taken from a generic square prop pack
grid_mode outputs include grid dimensions, cell size, cell metadata, object layers, and validation of critical walkable/buildable cells
terrain tile bundles use portable paths, cover every declared atlas row exactly once, contain the expected number of variants, and pass contrast/variant-difference QC
animated terrain overlays pass both standalone FX QC and an engine-level Hybrid preview: visible above the tile, not depth-clipped, behind actors, readable at gameplay zoom, and safe while a representative actor occupies the cell
room_chunk_mode outputs include chunk dimensions, exits/connection sockets, seam validation, collision, and at least one assembled or per-chunk preview
stage-reference maps preserve the background dimensions and their object plan matches the final object/collision metadata
stage-reference and dressed-reference mockups contain no more than 9 distinct visible runtime prop/object candidates unless the user explicitly requested a larger pass
reference mockups are followed by final props/objects, placement metadata, collision/scene-hook metadata, and a QA preview unless the user explicitly requested reference-only output
flattened preview looks coherent at the game's camera size
actor-in-place previews prove that tall walkable dressing does not hide the actor's actionable silhouette or path/selection cues
