Simulation · iPhone & iPad
Pixel Evolution Lab
Watch life emerge from a few simple rules.
A beautiful, fast simulator for cellular automata – the mathematical worlds made famous by Conway's Game of Life. Out of random noise, gliders take flight, oscillators pulse and whole cities of still lifes appear.
Pixel Evolution Lab in pictures
What is Pixel Evolution Lab?
Each cell only looks at its eight neighbours, yet order simply emerges – no plan, no script. The simulation fills the whole screen, the controls float above it and every change you make in the lab is visible instantly.
Explore 18 universes with different laws of nature – from Conway's Life and HighLife to Day & Night, Maze, Coral, Amoeba and Replicator – and a pattern library with gliders, spaceships, the pulsar, the Gosper glider gun and famous methuselahs.
Why you'll like Pixel Evolution Lab
Metal-powered simulation
Smooth even with hundreds of thousands of cells. Pinch to zoom, drag to explore, 1 to 60 generations per second plus Turbo.
Afterglow
Dying cells fade slowly and reveal motion and history.
Pattern library
Glider, spaceships, pulsar, pentadecathlon, Gosper glider gun, R-pentomino, Acorn and Diehard – with explanations.
18 universes, 9 colour worlds
Different rule sets and palettes, from phosphor green to amber, ice, magma and paper.
Create your own (Pro)
Draw cells with your finger or Apple Pencil, build rules in B/S notation, mix colours and save creations to your gallery.
Ambient mode
Hides all controls and starts a new world whenever the current one settles – a digital campfire for your desk.
Frequently asked questions
What is a cellular automaton?
A grid of cells that live or die by simple rules based on their neighbours. Conway's Game of Life is the most famous example; Pixel Evolution Lab lets you watch and play with 18 different rule sets.
What's included for free?
The full simulation with zoom, single step and Turbo, three universes, three colour worlds, afterglow and four classic patterns. Pro unlocks everything else with a single one-time purchase – no subscription.
Can I create my own rules?
Yes. With Pro you can draw cells, build your own rules in B/S notation, mix colours and save your creations.
Get Pixel Evolution Lab
Free · Pro via one-time purchase
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