I’ve been fascinated with Craig Reynolds’ boids algorithm for 20+ years. This weekend I finally sat down and built a real-time flocking simulator, and started experimenting with gameplay on top of it.
Flocking Simulator (Boids) - Interactive Swarm Behavior & AI Movement Demo
Based on the original Boids simulator by Craig Reynolds, this interactive demo allows you to experiment with flocking behavior and predator-prey interactions. Build formations, test behaviors, and explore emergent AI movement in real time. A info · S bounded · D debug · Space reset world. Three flocks: red / green / blue boids (flock with same color only). Hold 1, 2, or 3 while adding with Z to pick species. Ctrl+click (or drag) places an obstacle at the pointer (up to 50). Z/X/C + click: add boid / predator / object. Same + right click: remove first. No keys + mouse: arrival / departure (boids). Predators must hold contact within catchRadius for catchStruggleMs (grapple) before the prey goes limp and falls; breaking away resets the timer. Initial obstacles: vertical wall down the canvas center, circles edge-to-edge, with a small gap at mid-height for queueing tests (raise Object Num for a taller wall).
