# Alive or Dead: Game of Life — The Conway's Game of Life

> Conway's Game of Life cellular automaton simulation. (iPhone/iPad app by 金珂 杜.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alive-or-dead-game-of-life/id1498862402 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [金珂 杜](https://appshunter.io/developer/1409990633)
- Category: Developer Tools, Education
- Price: Free with in-app purchases (on sale, was $2.99)
- Rating: 3.60/5 from 14 App Store ratings · 16 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.0 · 28 MB
- Languages: American English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified, China), Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan)
- Released: 2020-02-13
- Data updated: 2026-09-02
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alive-or-dead-game-of-life/id1498862402/reviews.md

## What is Alive or Dead?

The Game of Life is a zero-player cellular automaton invented by mathematician John Horton Conway in 1970. Set an initial pattern of live cells on a grid, then watch it evolve on its own — no moves, no scores, just simple rules producing complex, sometimes beautiful behavior.

Each cell follows four rules based on its eight neighbors: a live cell with fewer than two neighbors dies of isolation, a live cell with two or three neighbors survives, a live cell with more than three neighbors dies of overcrowding, and a dead cell with exactly three neighbors comes to life. Repeat the process, and entire ecosystems of gliders, oscillators, and still lifes emerge from nothing.

Alive or Dead lets you draw or tap cells directly on an adaptive grid, switch between three grid densities, and control the simulation speed. Save any pattern as a photo, or turn it into a QR code to share with friends — then scan a friend's QR code to load their creation into your own grid. Build a personal archive of your favorite patterns and revisit them anytime.

A built-in guide walks you through the rules, and an alternate app icon lets you flip your home screen between "alive" and "dead."

## Key features

- Cellular automaton simulation
- Conway's Game of Life rules
- Interactive grid setup
- Observe emergent patterns
- Zero-player game mechanics
- Turing complete simulation

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited | $6.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (10 of 16)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alive-or-dead-game-of-life/id1498862402/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Why is it free?

*2026-06-15*

If I can download it for free, why can’t I start it without paying $7?

### 1/5 — 无语

*2025-08-22*

怎么玩完全没有说明白，是不是不给钱就不能玩？48元？怎么玩都搞不明白，还想让人购买？

### 5/5 — 看起来挺好玩的

*2025-08-13*

什么时候免费啊？想玩但没钱

### 4/5 — 还不错

*2025-05-08*

虽然要钱，但是是我找到的所有应用中录屏效果最好的，建议是增加随机生成开局以及区域复制的功能。另外，回溯应该回溯到上一次暂停的时间点，而不是上一次清场的时间点

### 4/5 — Help

*2024-10-09*

I somehow like this game but I need an explanation. What is the point? This is not a criticism, but a genuine question. Is there a goal?

### 1/5 — Ripoff

*2024-05-03*

Have to buy unlimited plan just to do the main thing in the game RIPOFF!!!!!!

### 5/5 — Very simple and clean

*2024-01-07*

It is very clean and simple

### 5/5 — its pperfection

*2023-12-02*

nothing more to say

### 5/5 — app的图标能换一个吗？打开平板就是个死字，怪难受的

*2022-09-22*

如题

**Developer response:** 感谢阁下的评价，阁下可以在 App 中点击「死」字按钮，将 App 图标切换为「生」字图标。

### 3/5 — 就这？

*2021-03-12*

我花了12块钱就买了这？连画布都不能调？还不如网页上免费的好用。求求你们收了钱认真点做吧！

## Frequently asked questions about Alive or Dead

### What is Alive or Dead: Game of Life?

Alive or Dead: Game of Life is a mobile application that simulates Conway's Game of Life, a famous cellular automaton. It allows users to create initial patterns and observe how they evolve based on a set of simple rules.

### How does Conway's Game of Life work?

The game operates on a grid of cells, each either alive or dead. Rules determine the state of cells in the next generation based on the number of live neighbors. Live cells with fewer than two or more than three live neighbors die, while those with two or three survive. Dead cells with exactly three live neighbors become alive.

### Can I play Alive or Dead: Game of Life offline?

The description does not specify offline play capabilities. However, as a simulation that evolves based on initial states, it is likely to function without an internet connection once the simulation is running.

### What devices support Alive or Dead: Game of Life?

Alive or Dead: Game of Life is supported on iPhones and iPads, as indicated by the 'supportedDevices' field.

### What is the age rating for Alive or Dead: Game of Life?

The app has an age rating of '4+', making it suitable for young children and older users alike.

### How often is Alive or Dead: Game of Life updated?

The app was last updated on September 16, 2025, indicating recent development activity. The version number is 3.4.6.

### What is the user rating for Alive or Dead: Game of Life?

The app has an average rating of 3.8 stars, based on 12 user ratings. This suggests a generally positive but mixed reception from its user base.

### Does Alive or Dead: Game of Life have ads?

No, the application does not contain advertisements. The 'hasAds' field is set to false.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.4.16 — 2026-07-15

Bringing you the latest and greatest updates.

Please let me know if there’s anything I can improve, I’m working so hard to make these apps better, but I need your help. If you have any feedback, ideas for features, or just wanna say hi, simply contact me through the「Contact」in the app.

### 3.4.14 — 2026-07-13

为阁下呈现最新和最棒的效果。

请告诉我是否有任何需要改进的地方，我正在努力让 App 变得更好，但我需要阁下的帮助。如果阁下有任何反馈、功能、想法或者只是想打个招呼，请通过 App 内的「联络」与我联络。

### 3.4.8 — 2026-07-11

为阁下呈现最新和最棒的效果。

请告诉我是否有任何需要改进的地方，我正在努力让 App 变得更好，但我需要阁下的帮助。如果阁下有任何反馈、功能、想法或者只是想打个招呼，请通过 App 内的「联络」与我联络。

### 3.4.6 — 2025-09-16

Presenting you with the latest and greatest effects.

Please let me know if there’s anything I can improve, I’m working so hard to make these apps better, but I need your help. If you have any feedback, ideas for features, or just wanna say hi, simply contact me through the「Contact」in the app.

### 3.4.4 — 2025-09-11

Presenting you with the latest and greatest effects.

Please let me know if there’s anything I can improve, I’m working so hard to make these apps better, but I need your help. If you have any feedback, ideas for features, or just wanna say hi, simply contact me through the「Contact」in the app.

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## More apps by 金珂 杜

- [Counter: Tally, Number Tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/counter-tally-number-tracker/id1533504378)
- [The 36 Questions: Lead to Love](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-36-questions-lead-to-love/id1541439969)
- [The One: Kanji Puzzle, JA & ZH](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-one-kanji-puzzle-ja-and-zh/id1606194420)
- [Eiary: Emoji Diary & Journal](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/eiary-emoji-diary-and-journal/id1619616706)
- [Good Weather: Past & Forecast](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/good-weather-past-and-forecast/id1658473170)

All apps by 金珂 杜: https://appshunter.io/developer/1409990633

## Related topics

[game of life cellular automata](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/game-of-life-cellular-automata)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-02.*