Ripples On Water

Tools

Used

• Pico-8
• Visual Studio Code

Focus

Systems

• Ripple simulation
• Interference patterns
• Palette-driven shading

What:

An interactive simulation exploring the motion and interaction of ripples to visualize patterns created by pebbles as they interact with the creatures and environment.

Why:

To experiment in fluid-like motion within Pico-8’s tight limitations and capture the quiet, hypnotic effect of ripples on a still surface.

How:

• Ripple Generation: Each interaction creates a circular wave that expands outward over time.
• Amplitude Decay: Ripples fade gradually using easing functions, blending into the background.
• Interference Patterns: When multiple ripples overlap, additive calculations create believable interference and distortion.
• Color and Shading: Brightness and palette cycling simulate reflection and depth without transparency.
• Optimization: The system limits active ripples, deleting older ones to maintain stable performance.