Behaviour of 2D array

[buran]

what I mean:

import random

def create_torus(max_vert, max_horz, density):
    torus = []
    for x in range(max_vert):
        torus.append([])
        for y in range(max_horz):
            torus[-1].append(int(random.randint(1, 100) < density))
    return torus

def pprint_torus(torus):
    for row in torus:
        print(row)


MAXHORZ = 15
MAXVERT = 10
DENSITY = 50
torus = create_torus(MAXVERT, MAXHORZ, DENSITY)
pprint_torus(torus)

create_torus can be one-lier using list comprehension

def create_torus(max_vert, max_horz, density):
    return [[int(random.randint(1, 100) < density) for y in range(max_horz)] for x in range(max_vert)]

Now, because you say it's [variation of] Conway's Game of Life, I think it will be better to move to OOP/class structure sooner than later.

e.g.

import random

class Torus:
    def __init__(self, max_vert, max_horz, density):
        self._torus = [[int(random.randint(1, 100) < density) for y in range(max_horz)] for x in range(max_vert)]

    @property
    def rows(self):
        return len(self._torus)

    @property
    def columns(self):
        return len(self._torus[0])

    def __repr__(self):
        return f"Torus({self.rows} rows x {self.columns} columns: {', '.join(str(row) for row in self._torus)})"

    def __str__(self):
        return '\n'.join(str(row) for row in self._torus)

if __name__ == '__main__':
    MAXHORZ = 15
    MAXVERT = 10
    DENSITY = 50
    torus = Torus(MAXVERT, MAXHORZ, DENSITY)
    print(torus)
    print(repr(torus))

Note, I am using regular lists, not array.array, but you get the idea. You can use whatever you want. However note that you also don't use array.array (despite what you may think):

torus = array('b') # here torus is array.array
torus = [[0] * MAXHORZ] * MAXVERT # here you bind name torus to different object - list of lists, it is no longer array.array

Also note that star imports lile from array import * are generally considered bad practice and discouraged.