Patchlings 2

brew install opam                 # Install OCaml itself
opam install . --deps-only -y     # Install project dependencies
dune build                        # Build the project

Then install Rust and then

cd controller
cargo build --release

Then run the game with

dune exec patchlings -- -p 3

The -- -p 3 sets the number of players in the simulation to be 3. This must match the number of assembly programs in the ./asm directory.

To see command-line options, use

dune exec patchlings -- --help

---

A simulation framework for studying agent behaviors on grid-based environments.

Overview

Patchlings 2 is a multi-agent simulation where players with different behaviors navigate a grid world. The simulation tracks player survival, movement patterns, and generates statistical plots to analyze behavioral differences.

Features

• Multiple Player Behaviors:
  • RandomWalk: Moves randomly in cardinal directions
  • CautiousWalk: Avoids dangerous (fire) tiles when possible
  • Stationary: Stays in place
• Dynamic Environment: Grid world with safe (grass) and dangerous (fire) tiles
• Real-time Visualization: Emoji-based display with player positions
• Statistical Analysis: Automatic generation of survival and exploration plots
• Wrapping World: Players can move through map edges

Usage

Run the simulation:

dune exec patchlings

The simulation will:

1. Display the grid world with emoji representation
2. Show players moving with their respective behaviors
3. Generate plots when the simulation completes (after 10 iterations or all players die)

Output Files

• player_ages_over_time.png: Line plot showing player survival over time
• player_unique_tiles.png: Bar chart showing exploration patterns
• scripts/plot_line.py and scripts/plot_bar.py: Generated Python plotting scripts

Game Mechanics

• Grid World: 32x32 grid with 80% safe (🌱) and 20% dangerous (🔥) tiles
• Player Display:
  • 🧍 for single player
  • 👥 for multiple players on same tile
• Movement: Cardinal directions (North, South, East, West) plus staying in place
• Survival: Players die when stepping on fire tiles
• Statistics: Age (survival time) and unique tiles visited are tracked

Development

The project is structured as:

• lib/: Core simulation logic
  • board.ml: Grid world management
  • player.ml: Player behaviors and state
  • game_state.ml: Simulation state and coordination
  • intent.ml: Movement direction definitions
  • plotting.ml: Statistical analysis and plot generation
• bin/: Executable entry point
• scripts/: Generated Python plotting scripts
• test/: Unit tests

Customization

You can modify:

• Grid size and danger ratio in board.ml
• Player behaviors in player.ml
• Simulation length in main.ml (currently 10 iterations)
• Number of test players and their starting positions

License

This project is open source. See the license file for details.