Automata Quest: NCAs as a Video Game Life Mechanic

TL;DR

This paper explores using Neural Cellular Automata as a novel game mechanic to simulate life, inspired by the history of life representation in video games and automata like Conway's Game of Life.

Contribution

It introduces Neural Cellular Automata as a new method for expressing life in video games, bridging automata theory and game design innovation.

Findings

Neural Cellular Automata can effectively simulate life-like behaviors in games.

Most video game life mechanics historically converge to similar representations.

Automata like Conway's Game of Life have influenced game development.

Abstract

We study life over the course of video game history as represented by their mechanics. While there have been some variations depending on genre or "character type", we find that most games converge to a similar representation. We also examine the development of Conway's Game of Life (one of the first zero player games) and related automata that have developed over the years. With this history in mind, we investigate the viability of one popular form of automata, namely Neural Cellular Automata, as a way to more fully express life within video game settings and innovate new game mechanics or gameplay loops.