Evan Kormos

Here are two brief samples of loading random content in XNA

1) Loading a random texture
2) Loading a random object

Random Texture

Using the XNA content pipeline in GSE 1.0, it is simple to generate random textures.  In my first game, I only require one background image per game.  The following code sample randomly selects the "background0" or "background1" asset names with the same path.

// Load random background texture
Random random = new Random();
int randomNum = random.Next(1,3);
string randomBackgroundAssetName = string.Concat("Content\\background", randomNum.ToString());
Texture2D background = _content.Load<Texture2D>(randomBackgroundAssetName) as Texture2D;

This sample demonstrates how to randomly select a texture within a set of pre-loaded textures, again, using the content pipeline.  Using an array of Texture2D values we can store all the textures and access them randomly.

// Load all textures
int numberOfBackgrounds = 2;
Texture2D[] textures = new Texture2D[numberOfBackgrounds];
for (int i = 0; i < numberOfBackgrounds; i++)
{
    string randomBackgroundAssetName = string.Concat("Content\\background", i);
    textures[i] = _content.Load<Texture2D>(randomBackgroundAssetName) as Texture2D;
}

// Randomly select texture
Random random = new Random();
int randomNum = random.Next(1, 3);
Texture2D randomTexture = textures[randomNum];

Creating random objects

In my Tetris sample game I have a method called GetRandomShape().  It returns a randomized Shape base object.  Formally this would fall into a Factory pattern but you get the idea.

/// <summary>
/// This method returns a random shape
/// </summary>
/// <param name="position">Position of the new shape</param>
/// <returns>A base shape object</returns>
private Shape GetRandomShape(Vector2 position)
{
   Shape myShape = null;
   Random random = new Random();
   int randomNum = random.Next(0, _numberOfShapes);
   switch (System.Enum.GetName(typeof(Shapes), randomNum))
   {
         case "Bar":
            myShape = new Bar(position);
            break;
         case "Square":
            myShape = new Square(position);
            break;
         case "ThreeOne":
            myShape = new ThreeOne(position);
            break;
         case "OneThree":
            myShape = new OneThree(position);
            break;
         case "TwoUpTwoDown":
            myShape = new TwoUpTwoDown(position);
            break;
        case "TwoDownTwoUp":
            myShape = new TwoDownTwoUp(position);
            break;
        case "OneTwoOne":
            myShape = new OneTwoOne(position);
            break;
    }
    return myShape;
}

Hopefully this resource will help you add dynamic content to your XNA game.

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