Boids

What Boids actually is

Ben Eater's page runs Craig Reynolds's flocking model, in which every bird obeys three local rules only: steer away from crowding, match the heading of nearby birds, and move toward the centre of the group. Sliders let you weaken each rule and watch the flock come apart.

Why it is worth your time

Setting separation to zero and watching the flock collapse into a single point proves the behaviour lived in the rules and never in any leader.

Common questions

Is Boids free?

Yes. Boids is free and does not ask you to register or hand over an email address before you can use it.

How long does Boids take?

Good within five seconds of loading. We file it under "Instant" — three rules are all a flock of birds needs.

Does Boids work on a phone?

Yes. Boids works on a phone as well as it does on a laptop.

What kind of site is Boids?

We list it under Sandboxes & Simulators — small worlds that keep running without you. Setting separation to zero and watching the flock collapse into a single point proves the behaviour lived in the rules and never in any leader.