100x100 (XxY) grid creating a vector field
Or maybe a hexagonal/triangular grid?
Or maybe free floating particles representing the water
Some start event, or randomly initialize direction and magnitude
Each point takes in force from it's neighbors
Create a gradient from white to black representing the direction and magnitude of force
Affected by the waves that are right around it
Also user can push in some direction
Opportunity to experiment with procedural generation
Clouds get dark and stormy as the waters become more chaotic
Cycle from dawn to dusk
As night falls, little spotlights on the boat come on & shine out at the waves
Pool/Lake
- enclosed boat of water, closed system, easier inputs
Harbor
- mostly enclosed, one entry point for external forces to push and pull
Ocean
- totally open sides, forces coming from mostly one direction, but no point-source
Maybe a game where the player has to figure out sailing mechanics, like angling the ship and sails relative to the wind?
Each stall of grass is like a vector that gets pushed around by waves of energy or particles flowing past it