"USIM" - Artificial Life Simulation
Description:
"Usim" simulates the evolutionary development of twodimensional lifeforms, which move in a liquid environment.
At the beginning of the simulation there are random-generated individuals and a number of "food-squares",
which are also distributed at random. The number of food-squares results from the number of existing individuals,
this means that the bio-mass of the whole system is constant. Each individual has a (tree-)structure, which is
defined by a simple genetic code. The ability of periodic movements results in a movement inside the liquid environment.
Whenever an individual encounters a food-square it "eats" the square, which leads to a positive change
of the indivduals life-energy.
When an individual reaches a certain age, the statistical probability of reproduction increases with its life-energy.
The (non-sexual) reproduction is managed by laying "eggs", which are symbolized by yellow squares. Each
egg reduces the life-energy of an individual which has to be recharged by consuming additional food-squares.
Every new individual inherits the genetic code from its parent, whereby some minor mutations may occur.
An individual dies when it reaches a certain age or its life-energy has decreased to zero.