Murmuration — a starling flock you can steer

Murmuration runs a small boids simulation: each bird follows three local rules — separate from neighbors, align direction with neighbors, head toward the center of nearby neighbors. Out of these three rules emerges the iconic shapeshifting cloud you see at dusk over reed beds.

How to play

Move the cursor anywhere on screen. The flock will bend toward it, fold in on itself, swirl back. There's no goal — just drive a sky.

Why it's satisfying

Real starling murmurations look choreographed but have no leader. Boids (Craig Reynolds, 1986) was the first program to show that. Watching the flock react to your hand is a small awe at how complexity arises from rules.

About

Murmuration is part of Alcy, thirty free contemplative micro-games in your browser. Other emergent simulations: Fireflies, Wind, Orbit.