This version of the armadillo game implements genetics. Note that if you plan on simulating anything with more than 1000 turns, you should turn off world and event output. With just the population output a 10000 turn x 1000 size simulation can complete in 2-4 seconds on my home pc. With all outputs active I can generally produce a 700 turn x 1000 size simulation in about 3 minutes.
Rules of the game:
1: Daisies are randomly seeded in the world.
2: Armo's begin play with 3 energy.
3: Armo's jump randomly into the world at the cost of 1 energy.
4: if an armo's energy fall to 0 or less, it dies.
5: if an armo lands on a daisy, it eats it and gains 1 energy.
6: if an armo lands next to a daisy, it eats it and gains 1 energy. (he can do this twice, once to either side)
7: if an armo's energy reaches 6 or more, it becomes amorous. this means it is interested in breeding.
8: when two amorous armo's land next to each other, they produce an offspring. This offspring starts at 1 energy. However each parent uses 1 of its own energy to care for the child. this effectively starts the child at 3 energy.
9: The armo's jump in the air.
10: The diasies reproduce one space to either side.
11: repeat from 3 for as many turns as desired.
Any armadillo can have any combination of the 4 qualities or none at all. These genes are passed on genetically, if no parent has a gene, the offspring cant have it. If both have a gene, the offspring will have it. If the parents do not share the same genetic quality in common, the offspring has a 50/50 chance of inheriting that gene. Armo's with different genetic qualities behave slightly differently.
Vampire armo's are capable of feeding on and murdering thier fellows. When a Vampire enters the feeding cycle, any adjacent armadillos have 2 of thier life energy siphoned away, the vampire gains 1 energy from each armo it feeds on.
Glutonous armo's are capable of eating more daisies at a time, at the cost of higher energy requirements. When a Gluton jumps into the world he looses 2 energy rather than 1. When a gluton enters the feeding cycle he can consume any number of daisies up to 2 spaces away rather than 1 space.
More amorous armo's have a hightened romantic interest. They are capable of breeding with any armo up to 2 spaces away rather than one. However, the extra effort involved drains 2 energy from the parent for breeding rather than 1.
Mammalian armo's are more caring and nurturing to thier offspring than other armo's. When a mammalian armadillo breeds it donates 2 energy to its offspring rather than one.
Outputs:
Population output displays the population for daisies and all armo types every turn. If you dont check this option, only the final populatons will be displayed.
Events output displays a detailed sequence of events in the simulated world including births, deaths, feedings and daisy growth. This has a huge impact on run time and maximum size/turns. I recommend this option be kept off, except for size/turns below 500.
World output displays a map of the world as it changes from one turn to the next. This can have a significant impact on run time and maximum size/turns. I recommend this option be kept off except on size/turns less than 500.
Using all 3 is only suggested for size/turns below 200.