Artificial Life Environment
A downloadable simulator for Windows
Artificial LIfe ENvironment (ALIEN) is an artificial life simulation tool based on a specialized 2D particle engine in CUDA for soft bodies and fluids. Each simulated body consists of a network of particles that can be upgraded with higher-level functions, ranging from pure information processing capabilities to physical equipment (such as sensors, muscles, weapons, constructors, etc.) whose executions are orchestrated by neural networks. The bodies can be thought of as agents or digital organisms operating in a common environment. Their blueprints can be stored in genomes and passed on to offspring.
The simulation code is written entirely in CUDA and optimized for large-scale real-time simulations with millions of particles. The development is driven by the desire to better understand the conditions for (pre-)biotic evolution and the growing complexity of biological systems. An important goal is to make the simulator user-friendly through a modern user interface, visually appealing rendering and a playful approach.
The simulator is open-source and also available at https://github.com/chrxh/alien.
Status | Released |
Platforms | Windows |
Author | chrxh |
Genre | Simulation |
Tags | artificial-life, Life Simulation, Physics, simulator |
Code license | GNU General Public License v3.0 (GPL) |
Download
Install instructions
An Nvidia graphics card with compute capability 6.0 or higher is needed. Please check https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CUDA#GPUs_supported.
Development log
- Minor update v4.10: Improved sensors for evolution simulations83 days ago
- Minor update v4.9: External energy extensionsApr 22, 2024
- Minor update v4.8: UI and parameter window improvementsFeb 25, 2024
- Minor update v4.7: Simulation browser overhaul, part 2Jan 04, 2024
- Minor update v4.6: Simulation browser redesignedDec 29, 2023
- Minor update v4.5: Statistics window revisedDec 10, 2023
- Minor update v4.4: Genome model extensionsNov 08, 2023
- Minor update v4.3: Genome browserSep 23, 2023