TIGSource: Gene Pool

Gene Pool

Derek Yu — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 06:32:00 +0000

Man, artificial life gets me hot. Did I just say that out loud?

Gene Pool is a cute little a-life sim in which “swimbots” compete for mates and food. Each swimbot is made of small segments, which are used to propel it across the primordial soup. Swimbots which are more “attractive” (determined by a number of factors, including segment color), can swim faster, or develop independent video games get to propagate their genes over their uglier, slower neighbors.

Not really a game per se, but it’s fun. You can pick up swimbots and help/hurt them. Gene Pool also has a number of parameters you can set to change the way your swimbots evolve, such as attractiveness.

The developer, J.J. Ventrella, has some other interesting math and science experiments on his website. I particularly enjoyed Branchy Branch.

Pictured at left: two swimmers ‘bout to bump uglies (or, in this case, little pink arrows).

(Source: Alehkhs, via Puppy Buckets)

"Gene Pool" by David

Sun, 10 Feb 2008 15:12:12 +0000

HI!…is the 1st time i post something in your blog ( it’s great…i have the web page in my favorites ^^ ). The only thing i want to say is that if u liked the branchy brach game…u will love a game named SEED, it’s in newgrounds.com, look for it ^^

"Gene Pool" by OH GOD I AM NOT GOOD AT THIS GAME

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:00:59 +0000

http://i26.tinypic.com/14b22j4.png

"Gene Pool" by Nikica

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 06:50:28 +0000

It’s like DarwinBots yeah gets me hot too, thanks Derek for pointing this out !!!

"Gene Pool" by Tantan

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 05:37:39 +0000

I prefer DPond to this, but whatever floats your boat, I guess.

"Gene Pool" by Kemo

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 05:13:12 +0000

LOL

"Gene Pool" by haowan

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 03:12:51 +0000

“can swim faster, or develop independent video games get to propagate their genes over their uglier, slower neighbors.”

did… what… uh?

"Gene Pool" by Zeno

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:31:32 +0000

Biggest problem with this game: no predation :(

"Gene Pool" by Zeno

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 23:01:08 +0000

Old game is oooooooooooooold.

I used to play this all the time. I’d leave it running while I went to school every day.

"Gene Pool" by Xotes

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 21:05:49 +0000

It’s Darwin Pond with a graphics update.

I loved Darwin Pond though, so it’s cool.

"Gene Pool" by idiotmeat

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:52:06 +0000

I remember playing around with this in college. If I recall correctly, majority of the time, the “fittest” creatures that evolved for me were either snakes, or frog-like in appearance. The one gene I was rooting for (let’s call it the “lassie” gene) unfortunately could not dogpaddle around very efficiently :(

"Gene Pool" by FireSword

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:50:48 +0000

LOL at Sigvatr.. xD

"Gene Pool" by Alehkhs

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:44:51 +0000

Hey! Thanks for the nod. I was hoping you guys would notice Puppy Buckets.

Splinter of Chaos said… ”These life games, which you don’t really play so much as start and come back later, never really appeal to me cause it’s so hard to watch it actually happen, and that’s the part I like.”

Yea, I’ve gotta agree with you on that: these aren’t the most action-packed games, but they’re interesting to say the least. However, as for “watching it happen,” you might check out Mitozoos, which allows you to actually watch the DNA mix during the “mating.”

(Plus, evolving wireframe polygons with legs are pretty cool)

"Gene Pool" by Sigvatr

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:05:16 +0000

I rub my penis on peanuts.

"Gene Pool" by Deceth

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 19:22:04 +0000

Holy smokes, thanks for the link this looks like a very fun hot AI thingy to mess around with ;)

"Gene Pool" by Satsuz

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 19:02:35 +0000

Holy crap this is old. When I saw this here, I was hoping that the news was for an update to this program. I’ve been using this thing on and off for at least a year now. Anyways, I’m glad this is getting some attention. Maybe Mr. Ventrella will notice a spike in attention and grace us with an update. BTW, anyone willing to upload and share any of their “creations”?

"Gene Pool" by Splinter of Chaos

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 18:38:01 +0000

“Man, artificial life gets me hot. Did I just say that out loud?”

Don’t worry. I think this is an understanding community. Why, I get turned on by peanuts! Some guys are allergic, but I can’t keep my hands off them. Except then I eat them and I feel sad.

These life games, which you don’t really play so much as start and come back later, never really appeal to me cause it’s so hard to watch it actually happen, and that’s the part I like.