Interactive Game of Life

Conway’s Game of Life is a cellular automaton devised by mathematician John Conway. It consists of a grid of cells that evolve through generations according to a set of simple rules. This interactive demo lets you experiment with the Game of Life directly in your browser!

How to use

• Click cells to toggle them alive or dead.
• Press Start to run the simulation.
• Press Stop to pause.
• Use Clear to reset the grid.
• Use Randomize to fill the grid with a random pattern.

Features

Pattern Library

Explore classic Game of Life patterns that demonstrate different behaviors:

Spaceships (Moving Patterns)

• Glider - The simplest pattern that moves diagonally across the grid indefinitely
• It was one of the first patterns discovered and is often used to create more complex patterns

Oscillators (Repeating Patterns)

• Blinker - The smallest oscillator, alternating between horizontal and vertical states
• Pulsar - A large, symmetrical pattern that cycles through three states
• Watch how these patterns create mesmerizing rhythmic displays

Still Lifes (Stable Patterns)

• Block - A 2x2 square that remains unchanged
• These patterns are stable and commonly emerge during evolution

Interactive Controls

Basic Controls

• Click individual cells to toggle them alive/dead
• Start/Stop the simulation at any time
• Clear the grid to start fresh
• Randomize cells to discover new patterns

Advanced Features

• Adjust simulation speed with the slider
• Track generation count as patterns evolve
• Choose from multiple grid sizes:
  • 25x40 (Default) - Perfect for basic patterns
  • 30x50 (Large) - More room for complex interactions
  • 40x60 (Extra Large) - Create expansive pattern combinations

Customization

• Personalize your simulation:
  • Speed Control: Choose from three preset speeds
    • Slow: For careful observation of patterns
    • Medium: Balanced evolution rate
    • Fast: Rapid pattern development
  • Cell Colors: Select from multiple options
    • Black (Classic)
    • Blue
    • Green
    • Red
    • Purple
  • Grid Sizes: Choose your simulation space
    • 25x40 (Default)
    • 30x50 (Large)
    • 40x60 (Extra Large)
• Press Start to run the simulation
• Press Stop to pause
• Use Clear to reset the grid
• Use Randomize to fill the grid with a random pattern

Rules and Emergence

Conway’s Game of Life operates on four elegant rules that lead to complex emergent behavior:

1. Underpopulation: A live cell with fewer than two live neighbors dies from isolation
2. Survival: A live cell with two or three live neighbors continues living
3. Overpopulation: A live cell with more than three live neighbors dies from overcrowding
4. Reproduction: A dead cell with exactly three live neighbors springs to life

These simple rules create fascinating emergent behaviors:

• Stable patterns that maintain their shape
• Oscillating patterns that cycle through states
• Moving patterns that traverse the grid
• Complex interactions when patterns collide
• Evolutionary processes from random initial states

Experiment and Discover

Experiments to Try

1. Start with a random grid and observe how patterns emerge naturally
2. Use slow speed to study complex pattern interactions
3. Place multiple gliders and watch their collisions at medium speed
4. Switch to fast speed to quickly see how random patterns evolve
5. Try different grid sizes to explore pattern behavior in various spaces
6. Create symmetrical patterns and observe their evolution
7. Combine different preset patterns to create new behaviors
8. Experiment with your own pattern designs

Each run of the simulation can produce unique and surprising results. The Game of Life demonstrates how complex systems can arise from simple rules - a principle found throughout nature and computation.