We propose to implement a simple graphical multiplayer game in a purely functional programming paradigm, using Haskell. The following synopsis assumes some familiarity with Conway's Game Of Life, upon which the game is based.
The basic logic of Conway's cellular automaton will remain intact, but there is an added competitive aspect: each player will initially deploy a limited number of cells (identified by colour or some other graphical element). The game will then run for a fixed number of iterations in a modified version of the classic Game Of Life rules. After this, if a player's cells have not been completely eliminated, they will have an opportunity to deploy reinforcements and try to survive another set of game iterations. The iterations stage may become longer as the game goes on, requiring greater foresight and planning to survive. The winner is the last primitive civilization standing. If time permits, we would like to include optional AI opponents.
Possible working titles include "Conway's Game Of Death", "Conway's Fight For Survival", "Conway's Primordial Rage in the Cage", and "Conway's Horrible Darwinian Nightmare".
The purpose of this project is to investigate the feasibility of a real-time, graphical, multiplayer game implemented entirely in Haskell, using simultaneous, persistent IO and somewhat sophisticated graphics.