BugSim

Name: BugSim
Rating: 4 (1 reviews)
Author: Mike Wesemann

Education

Free · Designed for iPad

1 Rating
Ages

4+
Years
Category

Education
Developer

Mike Wesemann
Language

EN
English
Size

1.5
MB

iPad

Bugs is a simulation game for Darwinian evolution, specifically through survival of the fittest. This program based on an idea presented in the May 1989 issue of Scientific American in an article titled Simulated Evolution: wherein bugs learn to hunt bacteria, by A. K. Dewdney.

Ratings & Reviews

4.0

out of 5

1 Ratings

Really great, simple sim
06/23/2010

Zingbot
I love sims like this, and this one is especially fun. It's just an evolution simulation, but just occupied me for an half an hour. I'd love to see the ability to test individual colors and drop food precisely. But seeing as it's a remake of sorts, I'm not sure if that can work.Kids who like science will love this.
Really great, simple sim
06/23/2010

Zingbot

I love sims like this, and this one is especially fun. It's just an evolution simulation, but just occupied me for an half an hour. I'd love to see the ability to test individual colors and drop food precisely. But seeing as it's a remake of sorts, I'm not sure if that can work.Kids who like science will love this.
Interesting, but Lacks Complexity
07/25/2012

BlueEagleClaw
This is a very interesting app, and it is well done. The interface is simple and easy to understand, yet allows you to change all of the necessary properties of the environment.The reason I am only getting three stars however, is because there are only ever going to be three situations that you will end up with. These situations are:One) not enough food for the bugs to survive. In this situation the bugs are obviously going to die off.Two) enough food evenly distributed. In this situation the bugs will evolve to move quickly without changing direction in order to cover the most grounds in the least amount of time.Three) enough food concentrated in a single area. in the situation the bugs evolve to move slowly and change direction often so that they do not move far from their initial location.It is possible to get other situations, but these are very unlikely and still only change the previously mentioned aspects of the behaviors.To improve the game, predators needs be added. The bugs also need to be able to sense their surroundings in some way.
Interesting, but Lacks Complexity
07/25/2012

BlueEagleClaw

This is a very interesting app, and it is well done. The interface is simple and easy to understand, yet allows you to change all of the necessary properties of the environment.The reason I am only getting three stars however, is because there are only ever going to be three situations that you will end up with. These situations are:One) not enough food for the bugs to survive. In this situation the bugs are obviously going to die off.Two) enough food evenly distributed. In this situation the bugs will evolve to move quickly without changing direction in order to cover the most grounds in the least amount of time.Three) enough food concentrated in a single area. in the situation the bugs evolve to move slowly and change direction often so that they do not move far from their initial location.It is possible to get other situations, but these are very unlikely and still only change the previously mentioned aspects of the behaviors.To improve the game, predators needs be added. The bugs also need to be able to sense their surroundings in some way.
Exactly what you expect
12/28/2012

Monkewiecz
The description correctly describes this app. Sure, it's not the best app on the market, but Mike (the app's creator) gives you a full disclaimer of what your getting. The app itself is excellent for demonstrating Darwinian evolution. Thanks!
Exactly what you expect
12/28/2012

Monkewiecz

The description correctly describes this app. Sure, it's not the best app on the market, but Mike (the app's creator) gives you a full disclaimer of what your getting. The app itself is excellent for demonstrating Darwinian evolution. Thanks!