M.E.S - Mini Ecosystem Simulator by Itskdog

[raw]
made by Itskdog for Ludum Dare 56 (JAM)

A mini ecosystem.

Web Version : https://loudngaming.itch.io/mes-mini-ecosystem-simulator

Bug Fix 10-8-24 : Mandibles for carnivores now work. They give carnivores a bonus for attacking. This was accidently given to the a defender as a bonus. Also add a slider for attack bonus for carnivores. Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o3U43lS15M85gPM4LMGiaKoE2NUB4M38/view?usp=sharing

Video explaining the simulator.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMARFpPlEtA

Ratings

Overall 368th 3.717⭐ 25🧑‍⚖️
Fun 797th 3.091⭐ 24🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 268th 3.63⭐ 25🧑‍⚖️
Theme 111th 4.217⭐ 25🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 468th 3.761⭐ 25🧑‍⚖️
Audio 503th 3.2⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Mood 383th 3.705⭐ 24🧑‍⚖️
Given 16🗳️ 20🗨️

Feedback

The Floating Brain
08. Oct 2024 · 00:02 UTC
Super cool! Really like the idea (a little like our submission), and I like that I can customize creatures and add them in dynamically! Thanks for sharing.
Matt Swieboda
08. Oct 2024 · 00:34 UTC
wow this is really cool, i was messing with the settings and cross breeding to see the effects. one thing i noticed is that the carnivores are dying a lot from bigger herbivores, I feel like they should survive a little bit more. Amazing simulation, I could tell you poured a ton of work into this, great job! A much deserved nap is in order :)
icxon
09. Oct 2024 · 06:18 UTC
That is a cool experiment! I love simulations simulation with a clear visual design; I wish there were some simple goals or challenges, e.g. reach amount of traits or certain species or travel a specific distance; But I like it the way it is right now as well; On my second attempt I created a new world with large slow-dying high-energy creatures and the screen was colored like a bright rainbow, awesome!

This is my first attempt:

https://youtu.be/aot-9DU1R2M
🎤 Itskdog
09. Oct 2024 · 10:41 UTC
@matt-swieboda I've added a slider to add a modifier to the carnivores attacking. Attacking is affected by the size of the creature.
🎤 Itskdog
09. Oct 2024 · 10:44 UTC
@icxon Thanks for playing. I'm really glad I changed how the graphics and it makes the different colors. Here's a video I uploaded to my channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpjWGiwkeW0
Matt Swieboda
09. Oct 2024 · 19:53 UTC
cool, i think that would be a good update @itskdog i'll have to check it out
Suchista
10. Oct 2024 · 15:42 UTC
I see fellow simulation creator :) Very relaxing, I like the visuals.
Bulba
10. Oct 2024 · 20:32 UTC
Funny simulator. But hard
Mars
12. Oct 2024 · 17:08 UTC
Always love a good simulator, there's something so fascinating about sitting there and just watching the results of your parameters. Spent quite some time looking at this simulation, very engaging!
LDJam user 245648
12. Oct 2024 · 17:19 UTC
I really liked the feel of this sim. Always been a big fan of that kind of "glowing" look in games. Really creative way of using the theme.
🎤 Itskdog
12. Oct 2024 · 19:03 UTC
@mars It's really fun just to watch to see what happens. I'm always surprised and like coming up with stories for the creatures

@zype I'm really happen how the graphics came out. I tried one style and did like it. The glow effects really adds to the atmosphere of the game.
ProstoCupOfTea
20. Oct 2024 · 07:23 UTC
i looove myself a good sim, really like the colors and glowing effect on this one! kinda entranced me for my playtime, liked playing around with dna creation, looking will my creatures survive and all that

Cool stuff
Geckoo1337
20. Oct 2024 · 10:09 UTC
Interesting and meditative project. I like cellular systems - and their derivations. This one is well done ++
multiplexor
20. Oct 2024 · 14:04 UTC
Very interesting project!

I would love it if the pieces of the ecosystem would be introduced one by one, this way it would have been easier to understand, but overall it was an interesting meditative experience.

Keep up the hard work!
J0ye
20. Oct 2024 · 17:19 UTC
This is something I can spend a lot of time with. Just fiddling with the different numbers and see what does what and what does what well. I think, what the game is missing, to work well for many people, is more communication, button feedback and numbers, that let one understand what is happening. I think the underling construct is very well, and I love this idea for the jam.
🎤 Itskdog
20. Oct 2024 · 19:37 UTC
@j0ye Thanks for playing. It does need to give more feedback to the player. I need to add maybe different animations for eating and fighting. Of course as I work on it the simulation will change and include more.
LelulaGames
20. Oct 2024 · 19:41 UTC
I'm not going to lie, I'm not sure where the creatures I spawned are starting, or how I'm effecting it, but I love watching all the creatures moving across the map, eating, growing, and expanding. Its mesmerizing.
🎤 Itskdog
20. Oct 2024 · 20:00 UTC
@lelulagames The creatures just spawn in a random position if you haven't meet the creature cap. This is more a simulation then a game. What you could do is start a simulation with no creatures and and some through the creature creator.
TheSmellofOxygen
21. Oct 2024 · 20:24 UTC
Entrancing. Nice glow effects and minimal, but effective overall visuals. Lots of values to play with. Wish you could inject your custom cretures in a specific location somehow.
🎤 Itskdog
21. Oct 2024 · 22:44 UTC
@thesmellofoxygen Thanks for playing. It definitely needs that just didn't have enough time for it.
LDJam user 246128
23. Oct 2024 · 22:29 UTC
Wow, a lot of things to fiddle around, very cool! As already said above, a bit of feedback on user actions would be great.
LDJam user 397099
25. Oct 2024 · 17:19 UTC
At first I thought "It's not my type of game" and it still is not, but I liked to quickly break my ecosystem and try to fix it x) Thanks, it was interesting, and it feels quite complete! I just always get lost in this kind of game.
🎤 Itskdog
25. Oct 2024 · 21:29 UTC
@cortez Thanks so much for playing. I'm glad you still tried it even though it's not your style. M.E.S is just a simulator and you more just watch to see what happens.