Planetary Automata

From Wiki.q.c

"Planetary Automata" is a program, written in processing, that takes user input from the keyboard and converts it into motion and shape generation. The user plays the part of a semi-competent god, scattering planets around the universe, some of which have life. The problem is, of course, that without having looked at the source code to the universe the artist can only get a loose sense of how she is affecting the world. You can play online.

Initial Idea(s)

We knew that we wanted to repurpose the keyboard and mouse for this project, but all three of us had different ideas for what that repurposing should be. We had three different initial implementations: a shape-generation program, a keyboard-as-trackpad program, and a draw-some-cellular-automata program. We spent a while trying to figure out what had the most to say, but ended up going with what produced the best-looking results, which was also the most fun to play around with. We successfully combined all three ideas into one application.

The user, playing God, will use the keyboard to move a cursor around the screen, dropping planets along the way. The planets will take on different shapes depending upon the length of time that has passed between the current key press and the previous one. The previous key pressed also has a bearing on the cosmic entity produced, as pressing the same key twice in succession will produce a specific type of object also. The color of the stellar object is determined by the key that was pressed, as keys in the same line, such as 'q', 'a', 'z' all produce the same color (red). Interestingly, the messiah enjoys bright colors this Fall season.

The deity will mash the keyboard in the general direction of where he wishes the planets to drop; for example, if He wishes to put an object to the left of the universe, He will slide his other-worldly hand across the keyboard pressing keys from right to left. The length of time between each key press also dictates the speed in which the creator moves across the universe.

Occasionally, God will create life on a planet which takes the form of a cellular automata. This will breathe life into the galactic habitat for some time before inevitably becoming extinct. Certain planets will also rotate on their axis providing a night and day to creatures fortunate enough to live in this flamboyant creator's universe.