Abstract: The present specification describes systems and methods for dynamically modulating a resolution of shadows corresponding to lights in a frame of a video game scene. The shadows are generated by a module executed at least in part on a player's computing device in data communication with at least one host computer. A memory budget, also referred to as an allocated memory, is first defined. A size of each of the shadow maps corresponding to the lights is determined. An overall size of the shadow maps is also determined, along with a composite scaling factor for each of the lights. The composite scaling factor is applied across each of the shadows maps if the overall size exceeds a predefined threshold percentage of the memory budget.

Abstract: This specification discloses methods and systems for generating a biome within a virtual landscape of a video game. The biome has at least two layers. The system includes a computing device programmed to execute a plurality of programmatic instructions that, when executed create a first visual layer that is defined by a set of first rules having a first set of visual characteristics and adding one or more second visual layers, where the one or more second visual layers is programmatically distinct from the first visual layer, the one or more second visual layers automatically abides by each of the set of first rules, the one or more second visual layers automatically adopts each of the first set of visual characteristics, and the biome is made of a combination of the first layer and the one or more second visual layers.