Langton's Ant by Paranoia


Author & File Information

Paranoia

Author

Eddy Larkin (Paranoia)

Contact Visit Artist's Site

Submitted: 09/17/2009 | 01:25PM EST

File Info: Game | 18.9 KB | Add Game to Favorites

Genre: Gadgets - Other

Current Score: 2.70 / 5.00

228 votes | 790 views

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Author Comments

Explaination - every iteration each ant moves forward. Coming across an unfilled square will cause the ant to turn right and set the square to its colour, and coming to a filled square will cause it to turn left and set the square back to black.

You can change the speed and number of ants, and reaching the edge of the screen will simply cause an ant to appear on the opposite side. Enjoy the apparent chaos!

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The people have spoken

Average Score: 6.0 / 10

Score: 5
milchreis

"thanks"

date: September 18, 2009

wow that's been while (some years, or even a decade?) since I've seen these patterns and since then I was wondering what the name of that algorithm is.
The implementation is simple. That's good.

I give 5/10 because there's nothing added.
I think some BitmapData fun would add a lot, like BlendModes and stuff.

Thanks for this amusing sketch and the name.

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Score: 3
zaphodb1

"bad"

date: September 17, 2009

if you look t it its not actually random just the starting pints. they travel in a predefined pattern which takes away most of the fun of something like this. that and the lack of music make this just plain old bad. also this is an old concept. and while it is public domain at this point its not exactly your own work either.

September 18, 2009

Author's Response:

It's almost as if the lack of randomness beyond starting variables was the entire point :/ Also, I think saving massive sets of predefined patterns would be MORE impressive than just setting up some random variables, especially given the filesize.

By 'old concept', I take it you mean the Chris Langton concept that this submission is EXPLICITLY NAMED AFTER. I can't help but feel that your powers of deduction are somewhat wasted in Flash reviews - the world of crime fighting needs you!

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Score: 8
LavaWave

"Not bad, not exactly a game either"

date: September 17, 2009

It reminds me of Life game where you leave a thing does it's work, this game feels similar to that, it's quite nice watching tough.

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Score: 8
Psycho666

"A rustic charm....well...rustic like an apple II"

date: September 17, 2009

I enjoy things with a retro feel to them. I also enjoy programs like "mushroom life" and other mathematically based "creation" games with little interaction past the go button. Thumbs up :)

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