Game coding

/frog/, I'm writing a 3D game and I need help with the logic.  I'm trying to model the ability to walk around anywhere on earth.  In order to do this (& keep it interesting), I need a map generator.  I have the temptation to model it after minecraft's block generator, but I don't want to have a blockly terrain.  It should be regular terrain, like Elder Scrolls or Halo.  Does anyone have an idea about how I would do this?

tl;dr: how do I make a normal map generator?

>>1

you will want to consider your constraints.


* Will the map be generated on the fly?
-- Yes
   * Will the client have lots of processing power?
     -- Yes
        * Will the map need to be deterministic?
          -- Yes
             * Be creative  
          -- No
             * Be creative
     -- No
        * Be creative
-- No
   * Be creative