Life Simulation Game - Rules

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The world consists of a grid of cells - 10 by 10 at present. The edges of the world wrap around, so the top cells are next to the bottom cells, and the right-hand cells are next to the left-hand cells.

Each cell may contain 0 or 1 lifeforms, but not more than one. In addition, each cell contains a certain amount of "grass" on a scale of 0 to 5, indicating the amount of natural vegetation available for herbivorous lifeforms. Since the grass value may be fractional, some parts of the game refer to the number of tenths of units of grass.

The game takes place in a series of steps. In each step, all current lifeforms are asked to give their next action, and then these actions are processed (in an undefined order) to determine the state of the world after the step. At each step, every cell of the world increases its grass level by 0.2 units. If the grass level is already 5 (the maximum), it remains at 5.

Each lifeform has an energy level, which is an integer value of 1 or more (initially 1). If the energy level falls to 0, the lifeform dies. At each step, all lifeforms lose 0.4 units of energy in addition to any other energy loss or gain as a result of their actions. Again, the energy level is sometimes shown in tenths.

At each step, the lifeforms must return one of the following 5 responses: These actions are defined in more detail below.

Sit Still

The lifeform grazes on the grass in the current cell (if any), and increases its energy level by one unit.

Eat

The lifeform attempts to eat a lifeform in an adjacent cell (north, south, east or west of it, but not diagonally). The attempted eating either totally succeeds or fails; it succeeds if:
1. There is a lifeform in the specified cell (note: a lifeform may have moved off the cell before the "eat" action is processed)
2. The prey has an energy level less than half that of the predator
3. The prey is not defending - exception: a random 20% of all "defend" actions will fail and the prey will be eaten.

An attempt to eat costs 1 energy unit (unless there is no lifeform in the target cell). If successful, the predator receives half the energy of the dead prey (rounded down).

Defend

Defends the lifeform from attack, costing one unit, but this action fails a random 20% of the time. A lifeform must have an energy >= 2 in order to defend.

Move

Move to a specified adjacent cell (not diagonally), costing at least one unit of energy. If the energy level is less than 2, or the target cell is not free, the move fails. If the lifeform's energy level is E, then the energy lost in the move is E/40, rounded down, with a minimum of 1.

Reproduce

Produce offspring in an adjacent cell (not diagonally), provided that:
1. Energy level is at least 6
2. Target cell is empty

This action costs 5 energy units, and the offspring start life with an energy level of 1.

Miscellaneous notes

Lifeform actions are processed in an undefined order, which is currently left to right, top to bottom. Moves are processed before other actions.
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