Loading repository data…
Loading repository data…
connor-brooks / repository
An interactive ecosystem and evolution simulator written in C and OpenGL, for GNU/Linux.
Install dependencies
$ sudo apt-get install libglfw3 libglew2.0 libglfw3-dev libglew-dev ffmpeg
Grab the code:
$ git clone https://github.com/connor-brooks/ecosim.git
Enter source directory:
$ cd ecosim/src
Build:
$ make
Run the simulation:
$ ./ecosim
ctrl + scroll wheelscroll wheelspaceqleft clickleft click (hold)Agents within the simulation constantly loose energy over time, as moving around in the environment causes energy to be burned. The only way energy levels can be increased is via consumption.
Dietary preferences of agents vary, but fall into two main categories:
If an agents energy drops below a threshold, death occurs. In contrast, passing above a another threshold causes the agent to split into two copies of itself (asexual reproduction).
When an agent splits, it doesn't always make an exact copy of itself. Sometimes mutation occurs. This means that the genetic code (DNA) that dictates the agents behaviours is slightly modified.
These genetic traits are as follows:
Over time, only the most successful agents are able to pass on their DNA, causing the population of agents to slowly evolve.
However, it is important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all perfect agent. For a well functioning ecosystem to exist, balance is essential. For example: the existence of carnivores is essential to the existence of the herbivores in order to prevent overpopulation, which would result in mass-starvation and extinction of the herbivores.
The metabolic rate is the rate which an agent transforms stored energy into kinetic energy. This has both pros and cons. Being able to move around the environment faster allows agents to consume food faster, but also causes the agent to eat more frequently.
This trait dictates how far an agent can sense other entities. A larger vision range is generally beneficial. However, this trait has some minor downfalls, especially for herbivorous agents. For example: hypersensitivity to other agents causes fleeing from non-dangerous situations, which in turn results in reduced ability to consume.
Rebirth rate controls how much energy is stored within an agent before splitting (asexual reproduction) occurs. This is especially useful for agents with low metabolism, as it allows them to navigate the environment for a longer time without depleting their energy.
Agent's dietary preference influences what food source an agent will pursue and consume: living or non-living. For an ecosystem to be stable, the need for agents of both these groups is required.
Flocking is a behaviour in which agents form groups, or clusters, whilst navigating the map, forming "multicellular life". Paradoxically this offers both safety and vulnerability. By sharing information whilst flocking, a group increases it's members knowledge of other potential dangers or food. In contrast, if the group fails to avoid a potential danger the whole group suffers.
Whilst moving around the screen, agents speed up and down in a sinusoidal pattern, creating a "crawling" effect. The frequency of this movement is dictated by the wobble trait. Wobbling has both advantages and disadvantages, with a lower frequency resulting in longer periods of increased speed but also longer resting periods.
Ecosim provides a way to configure the mechanics of the simulation via editing the config.h file. The process of doing so is as follows:
src directoryconfig.h file with the text editor of your choicemake cleanmakeThis is entirely down to personal preference, however, most people will only be concerned with two sections of the configuration: The general agent settings, and the agent DNA settings.
In order to use the population/trait logger, change the LOGGER_ENABLE setting to 1, recompile, and run:
./ecosim_with_log.sh
Note, python3 and matplotlib is required in order to plot logged data.
DEV_AGENT_COUNT - The amount of agents to spawn when the simulation runsDEV_GAME_FPS - Frames per second (FPS) of the simulationDEV_GAME_FOOD_SPAWN_FREQ - How often (in seconds) to spawn foodDEV_GAME_FOOD_SPAWN_INIT - How many items of food to spawn when the simulation runsDEV_GAME_FOOD_SPAWN_MAX/DEV_GAME_FOOD_SPAWN_MIN - The maximum and minimum amount of food that is spawned each food spawnDEV_GAME_FOOD_ENERGY - The amount of energy a piece of food provides when consumedAGENT_RGB_ALPHA - Transparency of agent's inner cellAGENT_VIS_ALPHA - Transparaney of agent's vision fieldAGENT_MAX_VELOCITY/AGENT_MIN_VELOCITY - Agent velocity maximum / minimumAGENT_ENERGY_DEFAULT - Default energy of agents spawned at startupAGENT_METAB_ENERGY_SCALE(x) - The rate of which energy is burned over time, with respect to the metabolic rate of an agent (where x is metabolism)AGENT_ENERGY_SIZE_SCALE(x) - How large an agent is, with respect to their energy (where x is energy)AGENT_MAX_SPEED - The maximum speed any agent can moveAGENT_ENERGY_DEAD - The energy level which an agent diesAGENT_TIME_FACTOR - How fast the process of ageing occursAGENT_DIET_BOUNDARY - Herbivore / Carnivore boundaryAGENT_DNA_MUTATE_RATE - The maximum amount a trait can change if mutation occursAGENT_METAB_MAX/AGENT_METAB_MIN - The maximum and minimum metabolic rates allowedAGENT_VISION_MAX/AGENT_VISION_MIN - The maximum and minimum vision field sizes allowedAGENT_REBIRTH_MAX/AGENT_REBIRTH_MIN - The maximum and minimum amount of energy stored in an agent before splitting occursAGENT_DIET_MAX/AGENT_DIET_MIN - The maximum and minimum diet values allowedAGENT_FLOCK_MAX/AGENT_FLOCK_MIN - The maximum and minimum influence flocking has on agentsAGENT_WOBBLE_MAX/AGENT_WOBBLE_MIN - The maximum and minimum amount an agent can wobble per secondINPUT_SPAWN_DELAY - How often to respawn agents when the mouse is held downINPUT_SCROLL_AMT - Input sensitivity (Effects scroll and zoom)LOGGER_ENABLE - Enable / disable loggingLOGGER_FILE - Filename to log toLOGGER_FREQ - Logging sample rate