Do I lose mass faster as one big cell, or multiple small ones?

Solution 1:

After reading the source code here, the formula for decay is:

mass = mass * (1 - playerRate * gameRateModifier)

By default, playerRate is .002, and gameRateModifier is 1.

Because of the distributive property of multiplication, the decay rate is the same. Using your example, the first total mass post decay for the single hundred mass cell is:

100 (1 - (.002 * 1)) = 99.8

And the total for two cells of mass fifty:

2 * 50 (1 - (.002 * 1)) = 99.8

As you can see, the masses are the same. So to answer your question: No, there is no difference in the rate of decay based on distribution of mass across cells.

Solution 2:

From the tests I have just done (I have tested being one big cell over a long period of time and tested being the same mass altogether but being divided into many smaller cells), it looks like there is no difference to the amount of mass lost dependent on the number of cells.

Solution 3:

While your rate of loss is the same regardless of splitting, your rate of GAIN from eating points is increased greatly by splitting, because both your speed and your width are increased. This is most notable in a game that is down to only a few players; splitting into 16 and "sweeping" dense starfields can gain you a lot of mass quickly. Of course, if anyone else is nearby, better not!