function GetText(code) { txt = "Error. input code= "+code; if (code == '') { txt = "" } else if (code == 'gof_overview') { txt = "



Game of Floys - Content

  1. Floys are territorial Alife creatures
  2. Implementation in DHTML/VML
  3. System Requirements
  4. VML Support is Required
  5. Game Description
  6. User's Control
  7. Floys Attributes



Floys are territorial Alife creatures

Floys belong to the flocking Alife creatures variety, sharing with them the social tendency to stick together, and the lifelike emergent behavior which is based on a few simple, local rules. They differ from most other Alife flocking (Boids-type) implementations by being territorial animals that defend their territory against intruders.

Floys behavior is governed by two rules:

  1. A rule specifying how to relate to one's own kind.
  2. A rule specifying how to relate to strangers.

1. How to relate to one's own kind

2. How to relate to strangers



Implementation in DHTML/VML

Previous version of Floys were written as Java applets. Game of Floys is a purely browser implemented version of the Floys alife program. It is written in DHTML and VML and does not require either Java or ActiveX. However, it does require MSIE 5.01 or later with the VML option installed (see VML Support is Required below). This version is more user friendly than its Java predecessors, and enables easier interactivity and experimentation.



System Requirements

Game of Floys requires the following:



VML Support is Required

Game of Floys requires Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 or later with the VML option installed.

Vector Graphics Rendering (VML) has been a component of IE since version 5.01. However, it is only installed on a 'Typical' (Default) and a 'Full' install of IE. If you selected a 'Minimal' install of IE, or if you selected a 'Custom' install and did not select VML Rendering, VML was not installed.

When VML is not installed the system often prompts for this component installation when you first visit a page using VML functionality. Threrefore you might be prompted to add the VML component. In any case, you can add VML manually:

To install the VML component:
  1. Go to Add/Remove in the Control Panel and highlight 'Microsoft Internet Explorer and Internet Tools'
  2. Click on the Remove button and you will get a pop-up dialog box with three options. Check mark the option'Add Components'.
  3. When the Dialog box appears, scroll down to 'Multimedia' and put a check mark in 'VML Rendering'
  4. This will add the component to IE for you.
To check if VML is already installed:

Select the 'Add/Remove/Microsoft Internet Explorer and Internet Tools components' option from the Control Panel (see above), and check if the VML component is flaged as installed or not.



Game Description

The Game of Floys is played by the Floys themselves. The user role in the game is limited to controlling the environment and the genetic makeup of the Floys. Once their attributes are set, Floys play independently in their own world.

This is how it goes:
A school of (local) Floys is swimming in its own territory. If they spot an intruder (stranger) they go after it. When they are close enough, they bite. For each bite of an intruder a local Floy gets one unit of energy. The bitten intruder loses one unit of energy. Strangers can replenish their energy by touching the Point of Attraction that simulates strangers' food. The Point of Attraction is by default hidden and located at the center. When a stranger Floy loses all its energy it dies and disappears from the scene.



User's Control

Description of top menu tree

Description of Popup Windows

Clicking mouse right button when thr cursor is over the scene displays a context dependent popup window. If the right button is clicked over a Floy, the Floy popup window is displayed. If clicked over a free point in the scene, the general popup window is displayed:

Description of right panel buttons and toggles

Right panel forms

When user input is required a form is displayed in the right panel. The labels on the forms are self descriptive. Otherwise, play with various inputs and settings to understand the meanings.



Floys Attributes

Floys attributes define the genetic makeup of Floys. They can be modified and experimented with.
"} return txt; }