Roadmap & Changelog

Changelog

Phase 2 — model sharing, datasets, player preferences (2026-08-13)

1. Community model sharing — portable nv2-model-bundle export/import (/ai_export, /ai_import), NaN-sanitised and persisted on import.
2. Training-dataset import — /ai_dataset <path> [epochs] trains the vegetation head on validated JSON datasets.
3. Player-preference learning — per-class counters in the checkpoint (backward compatible), blended into training targets (30%).
4. NaN checkpoint hardening — gradient clipping, sanitise-on-save, tolerant load; fixed a real corruption bug.

Suite: 96 passed / 0 failed (97 total incl. ignored release benchmark).

AI Phase 1 — vegetation intelligence (v1.0.0, complete)

1. World height ceiling removed

• CHUNK_H raised from 256 → 512 blocks
• Taller mountains, deeper caves, prepared for unlimited-height streaming

2. 22 new vegetation block types (world/block.rs)

• Flowers: rose, dandelion, tulips (4 colors), cornflower, allium, azalea
• Water plants: lily pad, fern, fern plant, seagrass, tall seagrass, kelp
• Decorations: small sticks, pebbles (3 variants), mossy cobble, vine, moss carpet

3. AI generator module (world/ai_generator.rs, NEW, ~600 lines)

• TerrainAI MLP: 8→16→4, 320 parameters, ~1.2 KB
• AISystem with background training thread
• AIMessage channel for training progress / texture generation / vegetation decisions

4. AI integrated into world (world/mod.rs)

• World::new_with_settings() spawns the AI system
• ai_system + ai_receiver stored on World

5. Vegetation generation extended (world/vegetation.rs)

• New place_ai_vegetation(): 3×3 cells, 8 terrain features, confidence threshold 0.5, biome-aware probabilities

6. Dependencies added (Core/Cargo.toml)

• ndarray 0.15, rand 0.8, reqwest 0.11 (json), tokio 1 (full)

Behavior change (before → after)

Roadmap — Phase 2

Feature 1: Internet-based dataset integration — ✅ local part done

• ✅ Load + validate + train on JSON dataset files (/ai_dataset)
• ⬜ Cloud dataset repository / API endpoints
• ⬜ Live weather merge already runs (Open-Meteo, offline fallback)

Feature 2: Real-time AI texture generation

• ⬜ Generate textures procedurally with the network
• ⬜ Integrate with the renderer's dynamic atlas
• ⬜ Emit generated textures via AIMessage::TextureGenerated

Feature 3: Online learning from player actions — ✅ done (2026-08-13)

• ✅ Player choices tracked as preference counters in the checkpoint
• ✅ Training targets blended with learned preferences (30%)
• ✅ Privacy-safe: only local terrain features, no coordinates, no personal data

Feature 4: Cloud model sharing (multiplayer) — ✅ local part done

• ✅ Portable nv2-model-bundle export/import (/ai_export, /ai_import)
• ⬜ Cloud upload/download endpoints / model marketplace
• ✅ Versioned, self-describing checkpoint format

Feature 5: GPU acceleration

• ⬜ Parallelize training samples across GPU (batched forward/backward)
• ⬜ Larger models with no frame-time cost

Feature 6: World & gameplay depth

• ⬜ Seasonal vegetation changes
• ⬜ Multi-biome coordination
• ⬜ Unlimited-height chunk streaming
• ⬜ Dedicated gameplay audio system (movement-medium signals already tracked)
• ⬜ Networking / multiplayer
• ⬜ In-engine content editor

Known limitations (Phase 1)

1. No internet connectivity yet (Phase 2)
2. Synthetic training data only
3. Single-scale learning
4. No model persistence across sessions
5. Basic texture generation