🌱 ecosystem-simulation

An interactive ecosystem simulation built with LÖVE2D (Lua) where creatures evolve, reproduce, and survive in a dynamic environment with changing seasons.

About

This is a small personal project I'm developing to practice learning Lua and to explore algorithms related to simulation.

Game overview

• Mobs (colored circle) that search for foods and reproduce but grow old
• Predators (red square) that search for mobs and can't reproduce but grow old update soon
• Foods (small green circle) that spawn according to seasons
• Seasonal system with timer and generation of resources more or less important in relation to the season

Features Entity

Mobs

    size = 20,
    x = x or math.random(50, baseWidth - 50),
    y = y or math.random(50, baseHeight - 50),
    speed = 0,
    dirX = 0,
    dirY = 0,
    energy = 15,
    health = 10,
    foodsEaten = 0,
    detectionRadius = math.random(100, 180),
    color = {math.random(), math.random(), math.random()},
    timerLife = 0,
    maxTimeLive = math.random(100, 180)

Predators

    size = 15,
    x = x or math.random(50, baseWidth - 50),
    y = y or math.random(50, baseHeight - 50),
    speed = 0,
    dirX = 0,
    dirY = 0,
    energy = 15,
    health = 10,
    detectionRadius = math.random(100, 120),
    color = {1, 0.2, 0.2},
    timerLife = 0,
    maxTimeLive = math.random(200, 260)

Foods

    size = 10,
    x = x or math.random(20, baseWidth - 20),
    y = y or math.random(20, baseHeight - 20),

Simulation mechanics

• Energy and health system for all entities
• Genetic reproduction (parental color mixing)
• Aging and natural death
• Basic artificial intelligence (food seeking, predator avoidance)
• Season system (Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring)

Interface

At the top-left corner of the window, we display key simulation information such as real-time data, seasonal changes, and a timer that starts when the simulation begins.
In the top-right corner, users can find controls for managing the simulation, including a list of available keyboard shortcuts to interact with the environment.

Controls

Main Controls

Keys	Action
P	Pause / Play simulation
ESC	Exit simulation
F11	Fullscreen

Entity Spawning

Keys	Action
SPACE	Spawn a mob
F	Spawn food
M	Spawn a predator

Simulation Management

Keys	Action
V	Adjust simulation speed
C	Clear all entities

Installation

Prerequisites

• LÖVE2D (version 11.0 or newer)

Quick Start

1. Download and install LÖVE2D
2. Clone this repository:

git clone https://github.com/KodeSeishin/ecosystem-simulation.git
cd ecosystem-simulation

3. Run the simulation

love .

How to Play

1. Press P to start the simulation
2. Watch creatures search for food and reproduce
3. Observe how seasons affect food availability
4. Use controls to spawn entities and manage simulation

Known Issues

• Predators cannot reproduce yet (planned feature)
• Performance may drop with 100+ entities

Future Updates

• Predator reproduction system
• Save/load functionality
• Virus / infection
• Death particle
• Change the background

🤝 Contributing

This project is constantly evolving, and any help is warmly welcome!
Whether you're a developer, designer, or simply passionate, feel free to suggest ideas, report bugs, or contribute directly to the code.

⭐ If you like the project, consider leaving a star to support and spread the word!