diff --git a/assets/dorf.png b/assets/dorf.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bd3070e
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/dorf.png differ
diff --git a/assets/empty.png b/assets/empty.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bf3830a
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/empty.png differ
diff --git a/assets/natural walls/rock/corner_full.png b/assets/natural walls/rock/corner_full.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4258059
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/natural walls/rock/corner_full.png differ
diff --git a/src/citizen.rs b/src/citizen.rs
index b9aac5f..5ea70fc 100644
--- a/src/citizen.rs
+++ b/src/citizen.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
-use crate::constants::*;
+use crate::{
+    constants::{self, *},
+    tilemap,
+};
 use bevy::prelude::*;
 use rand::prelude::*;
 
@@ -10,7 +13,7 @@ pub struct Ambulatory {
 
 #[derive(Bundle)]
 pub struct Citizen {
-    walker: Ambulatory,
+    walkness: Ambulatory,
     sprite: Sprite,
     transform: Transform,
 }
@@ -18,9 +21,9 @@ pub struct Citizen {
 impl Citizen {
     pub fn new(asset_server: &Res<AssetServer>, position: Vec3) -> Self {
         Citizen {
-            walker: Ambulatory { speed: TILE_SIZE },
+            walkness: Ambulatory { speed: TILE_SIZE },
             sprite: Sprite {
-                image: asset_server.load("character.png"),
+                image: asset_server.load("dorf.png"),
                 ..Default::default()
             },
             transform: Transform::from_translation(position).with_scale(Vec3::splat(PIXEL_RATIO)),
@@ -30,29 +33,66 @@ impl Citizen {
 
 pub fn citizen_movement(mut query: Query<(&Ambulatory, &mut Transform), With<Ambulatory>>) {
     for (citizen, mut transform) in query.iter_mut() {
-        if random::<f32>() < 0.66666 {
+        // Skip processing if the random check fails
+        if rand::random::<f32>() >= 0.66666 {
             continue;
         }
-        let mut direction = Vec2::ZERO;
 
-        direction.y += rand::random::<f32>();
-        direction.y -= rand::random::<f32>();
-        direction.x -= rand::random::<f32>();
-        direction.x += rand::random::<f32>();
+        // Generate random directions
+        let direction_x = (rand::random::<f32>() - rand::random::<f32>()).round();
+        let direction_y = (rand::random::<f32>() - rand::random::<f32>()).round();
 
-        if direction.length() > 0.0 {
-            direction.x = direction.x.round();
-            direction.y = direction.y.round();
+        // Skip if there's no movement
+        if direction_x == 0.0 && direction_y == 0.0 {
+            continue;
+        }
 
-            let movement = direction * citizen.speed;
-            transform.translation.x += movement.x;
-            transform.translation.y += movement.y;
+        // Calculate movement only once
+        let speed = citizen.speed;
+        transform.translation.x += direction_x * speed;
+        transform.translation.y += direction_y * speed;
 
-            if direction.x > 0.0 {
-                transform.scale.x = PIXEL_RATIO;
-            } else if direction.x < 0.0 {
-                transform.scale.x = -PIXEL_RATIO;
-            }
+        // Adjust scale for x direction
+        if direction_x != 0.0 {
+            transform.scale.x = PIXEL_RATIO * direction_x.signum();
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+pub fn spawn_citizens(mut commands: Commands, asset_server: Res<AssetServer>) {
+    let mut rng = rand::thread_rng();
+
+    // Spawn a handful of citizens
+    for _ in 0..10 {
+        let x = rng.gen_range(-10.0..10.0);
+        let y = rng.gen_range(-10.0..10.0);
+        let position = Vec3::new(x, y, 0.0) * PIXEL_RATIO;
+
+        commands.spawn(Citizen::new(&asset_server, position));
+    }
+}
+
+pub fn check_citizen_positions_for_chunks(
+    query: Query<&Transform, With<Ambulatory>>,
+    chunk_map: Res<tilemap::ChunkMap>,
+    mut event_writer: EventWriter<tilemap::LoadChunkEvent>,
+) {
+    for transform in query.iter() {
+        let position = transform.translation;
+
+        // Convert citizen position to chunk coordinates
+        let chunk_x =
+            (position.x / (tilemap::CHUNK_SIZE as f32 * constants::TILE_SIZE)).floor() as i32;
+        let chunk_y =
+            (position.y / (tilemap::CHUNK_SIZE as f32 * constants::TILE_SIZE)).floor() as i32;
+
+        let chunk_pos = IVec2::new(chunk_x, chunk_y);
+
+        // Load chunk if not already loaded
+        if !chunk_map.loaded_chunks.contains_key(&chunk_pos) {
+            event_writer.send(tilemap::LoadChunkEvent {
+                chunk_position: chunk_pos,
+            });
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/constants.rs b/src/constants.rs
index cba30c1..51c6b13 100644
--- a/src/constants.rs
+++ b/src/constants.rs
@@ -1,2 +1,2 @@
-pub const PIXEL_RATIO: f32 = 3.;
+pub const PIXEL_RATIO: f32 = 1.;
 pub const TILE_SIZE: f32 = 16.0 * PIXEL_RATIO;
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index 9ec4ce6..8ca0eb7 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
+use std::process::exit;
+
 use bevy::prelude::*;
+use camera::PanningCamera;
 
 mod camera;
 mod citizen;
@@ -7,6 +10,7 @@ mod cursor;
 mod game;
 mod item;
 mod tile;
+mod tilemap;
 mod tiles;
 
 fn main() {
@@ -24,12 +28,14 @@ fn main() {
                 .set(ImagePlugin::default_nearest()),
         )
         .insert_resource(ClearColor(Color::srgb(0.0, 0.0, 0.0)))
+        .add_plugins(tilemap::TilemapPlugin)
         .add_systems(
             Startup,
             (
-                game::setup_level,
+                setup_initial_chunks,
                 camera::spawn_panning_camera,
                 cursor::setup_cursor,
+                citizen::spawn_citizens, // New citizen spawning system
             ),
         )
         .add_systems(
@@ -47,6 +53,8 @@ fn main() {
                 camera::camera_movement,
                 citizen::citizen_movement,
                 cursor::move_cursor,
+                check_camera_position_for_chunks,
+                citizen::check_citizen_positions_for_chunks, // New citizen-based chunk loading system
             ),
         )
         .init_resource::<tile::CameraMoved>()
@@ -60,3 +68,45 @@ fn main() {
         )
         .run();
 }
+
+fn setup_initial_chunks(mut event_writer: EventWriter<tilemap::LoadChunkEvent>) {
+    // Spawn a 3x3 grid of chunks around the origin
+    for x in -1..=1 {
+        for y in -1..=1 {
+            println!("setup_initial_chunks: x = {}, y = {}", x, y);
+            event_writer.send(tilemap::LoadChunkEvent {
+                chunk_position: IVec2::new(x, y),
+            });
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+// New system to check camera position and load nearby chunks
+fn check_camera_position_for_chunks(
+    camera_query: Query<&Transform, With<Camera>>,
+    chunk_map: Res<tilemap::ChunkMap>,
+    mut event_writer: EventWriter<tilemap::LoadChunkEvent>,
+) {
+    let camera_transform = camera_query.single();
+    let camera_pos = camera_transform.translation;
+
+    // Convert camera position to chunk coordinates
+    let chunk_x =
+        (camera_pos.x / (tilemap::CHUNK_SIZE as f32 * constants::TILE_SIZE)).floor() as i32;
+    let chunk_y =
+        (camera_pos.y / (tilemap::CHUNK_SIZE as f32 * constants::TILE_SIZE)).floor() as i32;
+
+    // Check a 3x3 area around the camera's current chunk
+    for x in (chunk_x - 1)..=(chunk_x + 1) {
+        for y in (chunk_y - 1)..=(chunk_y + 1) {
+            let chunk_pos = IVec2::new(x, y);
+
+            // Only spawn new chunks if they haven't been loaded yet
+            if !chunk_map.loaded_chunks.contains_key(&chunk_pos) {
+                event_writer.send(tilemap::LoadChunkEvent {
+                    chunk_position: chunk_pos,
+                });
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/tile.rs b/src/tile.rs
index f6523f7..efa1ecc 100644
--- a/src/tile.rs
+++ b/src/tile.rs
@@ -1,11 +1,8 @@
 use crate::constants::TILE_SIZE;
 use crate::game;
-use crate::item::Item;
 use bevy::ecs::system::ParamSet;
-use bevy::math::ivec3;
 use bevy::prelude::*;
 use std::collections::HashMap;
-use std::process::exit;
 
 #[derive(Component, Clone)]
 #[require(Sprite)]
@@ -46,9 +43,6 @@ impl Default for FixtureTile {
     }
 }
 
-#[derive(Component, Clone)]
-pub struct ConnectedTexture {}
-
 #[derive(Resource, Default)]
 pub struct CameraMoved(pub bool);
 
@@ -211,24 +205,6 @@ pub fn tile_sprite_generate_occlusion_map(
             let pos = transform.translation.as_ivec3() - IVec3::new(0, 0, 1);
             fixture.visible_range = calculate_visibility(pos, &tilemap);
         });
-
-    use std::time::Instant;
-    let total: Instant = Instant::now();
-
-    for i in 0..1000000 {
-        let now: Instant = Instant::now();
-        for x in -1..=1 {
-            for y in -1..=1 {
-                for z in 0..=1 {
-                    tilemap.floors.get(&IVec3::new(x, y, z));
-                }
-            }
-        }
-        let elapsed = now.elapsed();
-    }
-    let elapsed = total.elapsed();
-    print!("{:.4?}, ", elapsed / 1000000);
-    exit(0);
 }
 
 pub fn update_tile_visibility(
@@ -270,79 +246,6 @@ pub fn update_tile_visibility(
         });
 }
 
-fn calculate_connected_texture(floor_tiles: &HashMap<(i32, i32, i32), (bool, u32)>) -> Vec<String> {
-    let mut textures = vec![];
-
-    for ((x, y, z), (is_floor, tile_id)) in floor_tiles.iter() {
-        let mut is_wall = false;
-
-        for x_offset in -1..=1 {
-            for y_offset in -1..=1 {
-                for z_offset in 0..=1 {
-                    if x_offset == 0 && y_offset == 0 && z_offset == 0 {
-                        continue;
-                    }
-
-                    let neighbor_pos = (x + x_offset, y + y_offset, z + z_offset);
-
-                    if let Some((_, neighbor_id)) = floor_tiles.get(&neighbor_pos) {
-                        if *neighbor_id > 0 {
-                            // assuming wall IDs are greater than 0
-                            is_wall = true;
-                            break;
-                        }
-                    }
-                }
-            }
-        }
-
-        match (is_floor, is_wall) {
-            (true, false) => textures.push("floor".to_string()), // or some other floor texture
-            (false, true) => textures.push("wall".to_string()),  // or some other wall texture
-            _ => panic!("Unexpected tile state"),
-        }
-    }
-
-    textures
-}
-
-pub fn tile_item_sprite_update(
-    time: Res<Time>,
-    mut query_tile: Query<(Entity, &Children, &mut TileState)>,
-    mut query_item: Query<(&mut Visibility, &Item)>,
-) {
-    for (_, children, mut state) in query_tile.iter_mut() {
-        state.timer.tick(time.delta());
-        if !state.timer.finished() {
-            continue;
-        }
-
-        let mut visible_index: Option<usize> = None;
-
-        for (i, &child) in children.iter().enumerate() {
-            if let Ok((mut visibility, _)) = query_item.get_mut(child) {
-                if matches!(*visibility, Visibility::Visible) {
-                    visible_index = Some(i);
-                    *visibility = Visibility::Hidden;
-                    break;
-                }
-            }
-        }
-
-        let next_index = if let Some(current_index) = visible_index {
-            (current_index + 1) % children.len()
-        } else {
-            0
-        };
-
-        if let Some(&next_child) = children.get(next_index) {
-            if let Ok((mut visibility, _)) = query_item.get_mut(next_child) {
-                *visibility = Visibility::Visible;
-            }
-        }
-    }
-}
-
 #[derive(Component)]
 pub struct TileState {
     pub timer: Timer,
diff --git a/src/tilemap.rs b/src/tilemap.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..51252ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/tilemap.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,192 @@
+use crate::constants::TILE_SIZE;
+use crate::tiles::{FixtureTilePrefab, FloorTilePrefab};
+use bevy::prelude::*;
+use noise::{NoiseFn, Perlin};
+use std::collections::HashMap;
+use std::process::exit;
+
+pub const CHUNK_SIZE: i32 = 8;
+pub const CHUNK_HEIGHT: i32 = 200;
+
+#[derive(Resource)]
+pub struct ChunkMap {
+    pub loaded_chunks: HashMap<IVec2, bool>,
+}
+
+impl Default for ChunkMap {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self {
+            loaded_chunks: HashMap::new(),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Event)]
+pub struct LoadChunkEvent {
+    pub chunk_position: IVec2,
+}
+
+fn setup_chunk_system(mut commands: Commands) {
+    commands.insert_resource(ChunkMap::default());
+}
+
+fn handle_chunk_loading(
+    mut commands: Commands,
+    asset_server: Res<AssetServer>,
+    mut events: EventReader<LoadChunkEvent>,
+    mut chunk_map: ResMut<ChunkMap>,
+) {
+    let noise = Perlin::new(0);
+
+    for event in events.read() {
+        let chunk_pos = event.chunk_position;
+        // Skip if chunk is already loaded
+        if chunk_map.loaded_chunks.contains_key(&chunk_pos) {
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        // Mark chunk as loaded
+        chunk_map.loaded_chunks.insert(chunk_pos, true);
+
+        // Calculate world space coordinates for chunk
+        let start_x = chunk_pos.x * CHUNK_SIZE;
+        let start_y = chunk_pos.y * CHUNK_SIZE;
+
+        let mut floor_positions = Vec::new();
+
+        // Generate tiles for this chunk
+        for local_y in 0..CHUNK_SIZE {
+            for local_x in 0..CHUNK_SIZE {
+                let world_x = start_x + local_x;
+                let world_y = start_y + local_y;
+
+                let noise_value_a =
+                    noise.get([world_x as f64 * 0.01, world_y as f64 * 0.01]) * 1.25;
+                let noise_value_b =
+                    noise.get([world_x as f64 * 0.05, world_y as f64 * 0.05]) * 0.25;
+                let combined_noise_value = noise_value_a + noise_value_b;
+
+                let noise_position = Vec3::new(
+                    (world_x as f32 * TILE_SIZE).round(),
+                    (world_y as f32 * TILE_SIZE).round(),
+                    (combined_noise_value * 4.).round() as f32 * TILE_SIZE,
+                );
+                generate_vertical_slice(
+                    &mut commands,
+                    &asset_server,
+                    world_x,
+                    world_y,
+                    &noise,
+                    noise_position,
+                    &mut floor_positions,
+                );
+            }
+        }
+
+        // Generate fixtures after floor tiles
+        generate_fixtures_for_chunk(&mut commands, &asset_server, &floor_positions);
+    }
+}
+
+fn generate_vertical_slice(
+    commands: &mut Commands,
+    asset_server: &Res<AssetServer>,
+    x: i32,
+    y: i32,
+    noise: &Perlin,
+    noise_position: Vec3,
+    floor_positions: &mut Vec<(Vec3, &'static str)>,
+) {
+    for z in -150..50 {
+        let position = Vec3::new(
+            (x as f32 * TILE_SIZE).round(),
+            (y as f32 * TILE_SIZE).round(),
+            (z as f32 * TILE_SIZE).round(),
+        );
+
+        let floor_type = if noise_position.z > position.z {
+            if z < -15 {
+                let noise_value = noise.get([x as f64 * 0.05, y as f64 * 0.05, z as f64 * 0.05]);
+                if noise_value < -0.5 {
+                    spawn_tile(commands, FloorTilePrefab::air(position, asset_server));
+                    Some("air")
+                } else if noise_value < 0.8 {
+                    spawn_tile(commands, FloorTilePrefab::rock(position, asset_server));
+                    Some("rock")
+                } else {
+                    spawn_tile(commands, FloorTilePrefab::dirt(position, asset_server));
+                    Some("dirt")
+                }
+            } else {
+                spawn_tile(commands, FloorTilePrefab::dirt(position, asset_server));
+                Some("dirt")
+            }
+        } else if noise_position.z < position.z {
+            spawn_tile(commands, FloorTilePrefab::air(position, asset_server));
+            Some("air")
+        } else {
+            spawn_tile(commands, FloorTilePrefab::dirt(position, asset_server));
+            Some("dirt")
+        };
+
+        if let Some(floor_type) = floor_type {
+            floor_positions.push((position, floor_type));
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn spawn_tile(commands: &mut Commands, bundle: impl Bundle) -> Entity {
+    commands.spawn(bundle).id()
+}
+
+fn generate_fixtures_for_chunk(
+    commands: &mut Commands,
+    asset_server: &Res<AssetServer>,
+    floor_positions: &[(Vec3, &str)],
+) {
+    let floor_map: HashMap<(i32, i32, i32), &str> = floor_positions
+        .iter()
+        .map(|(pos, floor_type)| ((pos.x as i32, pos.y as i32, pos.z as i32), *floor_type))
+        .collect();
+
+    for (position, _) in floor_positions {
+        let x = position.x as i32;
+        let y = position.y as i32;
+        let z = position.z as i32;
+
+        if let Some(&above_floor_type) = floor_map.get(&(x, y, z + TILE_SIZE as i32)) {
+            if above_floor_type == "air" {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            let fixture_position = Vec3::new(position.x, position.y, position.z + 1.);
+
+            match above_floor_type {
+                "dirt" => {
+                    commands.spawn(FixtureTilePrefab::dirt_wall(fixture_position, asset_server));
+                }
+                "rock" => {
+                    commands.spawn(FixtureTilePrefab::rock_wall(fixture_position, asset_server));
+                }
+                "bedrock" => {
+                    commands.spawn(FixtureTilePrefab::bedrock_wall(
+                        fixture_position,
+                        asset_server,
+                    ));
+                }
+                _ => {}
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+pub struct TilemapPlugin;
+
+impl Plugin for TilemapPlugin {
+    fn build(&self, app: &mut App) {
+        app.init_resource::<ChunkMap>()
+            .add_event::<LoadChunkEvent>()
+            .add_systems(Startup, setup_chunk_system)
+            .add_systems(Update, handle_chunk_loading);
+    }
+}