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Can anybody help me develop a multiplayer version of Conway's Game of Life?

2
2006-08-06 18:28:40, Category: Programming & Design
My idea so far is to allow each player a certain number of live cells to be placed, and the last person with any cells left wins. In the case of a draw (all are eliminated at the same time, or a stable condition is made) the options could be either to let the person with the most cells win, or allow each person to place one or more cells, and let the game continue. I don't know how I would make the cells interact though, how it would be chosen what type a new cell is (who it belongs too) I also don't know what program(s) I would need to make this...

Answers

  1. mypannga

    On 2006-08-06 18:36:55


    http://www.pctoolmag.com/180/entertainment-software.html

  2. Chris

    On 2006-08-06 18:50:48


    What I would suggest as a springboard for your project, is to look at what others have done. I have played with many implementations of Conway's Life Game. My personal favourite implementation is an expanded implementation called "The Phantom Fishtank" that runs under Logo on an Apple II computer (yes -- I know that may not sound too helpful but keep on reading). Here's how to take a look at it. Search the Internet for an Apple II emulator (several exist, and almost any will work, as the version of Logo that was used to implement The Phantom Fishtank was a very technically basic one) and install this on your PC. Next, contact Logo Computer Systems (the manufacturer) at 1-800-321-5646 and ask about getting The Phantom Fishtank (it was fairly inexpensive -- $30, if I remember correctly). If they cannot help you, ask them to put you in touch with Brian Silverman, the author -- he will be more than happy to help you, and I know for a fact that he has a copy kicking around somewhere. In fact, he would even be able to recommend an appropriate Apple II emulator (I believe his current favourite is Java-based). It is well worth your time to pursue this option, as it is pretty much the best implementation I have ever seen, and provides for much deeper exploration of cellular automata than just Conway's Life Game. By the way, if you're wondering how I know all this -- I used to work for Logo Computer Systems. If you do get to speak with Brian, tell him Chris says hello.