A probabilistic model mimicking Conway’s Game of Life

Abstract

A cellular automaton that approaches a similar end state distribution as the Game of Life is presented. As with the Game of Life, the mechanisms of reproduction, death by underpopulation, and death by overpopulation are present, although implemented in a different way. It lacks the predictability which made the classic game stand out, but it is better able to survive extreme initial densities and it presents two ways of maintaining a stable population: long-lived slow reproducers and short-lived quick reproducers. Its probabilistic nature leads to low unit production at low densities, leading to viable death by under-population, and the rules of the game disregard crowded cells, naturally punishing overpopulation.