In 1970, John Conway, a professor of finite mathematics at Princeton University invented the game of life to simulate colonies of living organisms. It is not a game in the normal sense, but fascinating to watch. The board consists of an array of cells. If a cell is occupied it is said to be live, and if not, it is dead

With each generation, the pattern changes according to these rules.

1. A dead cell with exactly three neighbors becomes live (birth).

2. A live cell with two or three live neighbors stays alive (survival)

3. In all other cases, a cell dies or remains dead (overcrowding or loneliness).

This Life applet provides four well-known starting patterns, and the ability to create custom one. To create a custom pattern, select "Custom pattern" from the list and click on the cells you want to be alive. Then press start.

The cells start out yellow and get gradually darker as they age.

Here is another interesting pattern to try:



Game copyright © Jerle