Game of life - Vic20 +3k

Title: John Conway's Game of Life
Platform: 3k expanded Commodore VIC-20
Video: PAL/NTSC
Interface: Joystick only
Game type: Zero player cellular automata simulation
Written by: W E de Villiers
Copyright: 2021 eXimietas Software

In 1970 mathematician John Conway devised a game called Life. The game uses four simple rules which are applied individually in turn to a grid square of "cells" which allows them to live procreate and die. The players job is to set up the initial conditions of the simulation. Originally Conway used a pen and paper to simulate the game and soon afterwards the first computer simulation was programmed to run on an IBM System/360 mainframe. In the 1980s there were many versions available for every personal computer type in existence. This particular version was programmed in tribute to Professor Conway as it was reported in the media that he had passed away in 2020 from complications due to a Covid-19 viral infection.

Notes: The game of Life is Turing complete, which means that one could theoretically simulate the logical internal workings of a Commodore VIC20 on a large enough grid. The creator of the famous program Mathematica, Stephen Wolfram has devoted much time and energy to the study and promotion of cellular automata. He believes that many of humanity's toughest prediction problems could be solved with these types of algorithm. Today there is still ongoing research using this particular algorithm. Since 2010 multiple examples of self-replicating patterns have been demonstrated, in other words patterns that can make copies of themselves. This is therefore analogous to DNA.

This particular simulation on the VIC20 uses a block grid of 22 x 21 = 462. The grid can be thought of as some sort of 3d object in that cell growth will spill over from top to bottom and from left to right on the grid (also vice versa). The song in the program is called Dreamcube (This is only mentioned for archaeological purposes :-) Oh yes, for the rules of the game see: automata rules in the computer program itself. Tip: For a truly annoying cacophonic experience enable audio fx in combination with the randomizer.

Loading: for disk use: load "*",8,1
For tape use: load "*",1,1

Greetings

Huffelduff (User handle on the VIC-20 Denial forum)

Notice: This software is distributed as is without any warranty given or implied. You can copy the software for personal use. The source code remains the copyright of W E de Villiers and eXimietas software and all rights are reserved.