SimpleLife 1.2 is now available in the App Store.
The main reason for this update is to clean up the #1 user complaint with the application: it is not obvious or easy to recover from clearing the grid. I have added a “reset” button which will allow the user to select from a number of starting patterns, including a blank grid.
In addition, I’ve cleaned up the cell graphics and added a dozen or so new starting patterns to choose from.
A small update to Neutron Capture (1.05) is out in the App Store. I found a bug that had the AI ignoring open goals in some corner cases, and took the opportunity to tweak the board evaluation heuristics.
I recommend it for all users as it makes the AI much “smarter.”
Neutron Capture is now available for download from the App Store.
Neutron Capture is a free fast-paced strategy game played on a 5×5 grid. Players take turns moving the neutral piece – the Neutron – and one of their own pieces.
The Neutron is captured by moving it to the player’s home row, or completely surrounding the Neutron so that it cannot be moved.
Neutron Capture supports single-player and two-player games. It is compatible with iPod Touch or iPhone running iOS 4.0+, and with iPad running iOS 3.2+.
Neutron Capture is an implementation of “Neutron,” invented by Robert A. Kraus. It includes art sourced from freeicons.eu, icons by Joseph Wain and music from incompetech.com. Many thanks to the folks who helped me test the game: Stuyvesant Parker, Robert and Jake Rock, Katherine Sartori, and Robert and Devin Waterman.
A few people have recognized Neutron Capture since it released. I’ve listed them here:
My new iOS project is an exploration of Combinatorial Game Theory for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. I wrote the code and text, and Amanda Sinasac of Dreams & Drifters provided art and design. Chocolate Chomp is now available for download in the iTunes App Store.
Chocolate Chomp is an implementation of the game Chomp, as described by mathematician David Gale.
Chomp is a two-player strategy game which takes place on a rectangular grid of squares.
Chocolate Chomp can be played against a friend, solo against the computer, or you can watch the computer play both sides of the game. By selecting different board dimensions you can explore the different properties and winning conditions of the game.
Chocolate Chomp includes a descriptive essay about Chomp and combinatorial game theory.
A screenshot of Chocolate Chomp running on the iPhone.
Chocolate Chomp on the iPad.
Chocolate Chomp includes toolbar icons made by Joseph Wain of glyphish.com.
SimpleLife 1.1 is now live on the App Store. I’ve made a few UI improvements and added a much-needed load / save feature, along with a “revert” button that allows you to return to the last grid state you loaded or saved. In addition I’ve added new starting patterns for the iPhone and iPad which should be a bit more interesting than a randomized grid.
I’m planning at least one more revision of SimpleLife. I’d like to improve the grid UI and iPad “playback” performance. If you’ve got suggestions for the next version, I’d love to hear it.
SimpleLife 1.1 iPhone Screenshot
The new toolbar icons are courtesy of the fine folks at app-bits.
In looking for nice patterns to use in screenshots of SimpleLife, I came across the life lexicon. I found this neat little “spaceship” that fits well into the iPad version:
OOOO.............. O...O.........O... O...........OO.... .O..O..OO.....OOO. ......OOO......OOO .O..O..OO.....OOO. O...........OO.... O...O.........O... OOOO..............
Here is the spaceship in flight in SimpleLife:
A spaceship in the iPad version of SimpleLife
Here are some examples of fuses in the iPad version of SimpleLife:
A fuse in the iPad version of SimpleLife.
A fuse that produces "blinkers"
Simple Life iPhone Screenshot
John Conway’s Game of Life is a well-known cellular automaton. In Life, “cells” live on a two-dimensional grid and survive, reproduce, and die based on four simple rules:
Start with a random configuration or input your own starting configuration with touch controls.
Wikipedia has a good introduction to the game, including several interesting patterns that you can try in SimpleLife.
SimpleLife supports iOS devices with iOS 3.0 or higher. It is available for free download on the iTunes Store.
Special thanks to Devin Waterman and his dad Rob for helping me out with testing on the iPod touch. Thanks, guys!