Free

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • August 28, 2012
  • September 17, 2024

Features

Golly screenshot #1 for iPad
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About

Explore Conway's Game of Life and various cellular automata with this open-source application. It supports diverse universe types, multiple algorithms, and a wide array of cellular automata rules. Users can import patterns, download from online archives, and utilize unlimited undo/redo functionality.

Supports bounded and unbounded universes
Multiple algorithms including hashlife
Variety of cellular automata types included
Reads multiple file formats (RLE, macrocell, etc.)
Extracts patterns and rules from zip files
Downloads patterns and rules from online archives
Unlimited undo/redo
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What's New in Golly

1.5

September 17, 2024

Fixed a number of bugs that caused the app to freeze. Rule files are displayed alphabetically. Auto-correction when editing text has been disabled. The app always runs in Light mode.

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User reviews

A masterpiece

Einfach nur geil…

BRING BACK DARK MODE

My eyes 😭

its ok but tiamat is better

i like how theres different engines & how u can run it super fast but pookies ima be honest im not using it bc it doesnt support continuous automata (like Lenia for example) and it also doesnt support multi layer automata like Widelife which is my ruleset and the whole reason i got this... i get that continuous automata is rlly hard to run but like multi layer is not so it would be nice to have that yk... til then ill use tiamat for most stuff but i like how the universe is gigantic yet u can do millions of cycles per second
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+++++

Very good app or game :)

Best Game of Life for iPad

I looked at every Conway’s Game of Life app, and this is by far the best. Not only does it allow a huge field that’s very easy to zoom in to draw, but you can switch between Draw and Move modes so you don’t accidentally draw while you’re trying to zoom in or out. Of course it comes with all the other features you’d expect but a lot of GOL don’t have.

A pretty large library of patterns comes with it, and as a bonus there’s documentation on each pattern.

And best of all, you can even change the ruleset to explore other interesting universes.
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FAQ

What is Golly?

Golly is an open-source application designed for exploring Conway's Game of Life and a wide range of other cellular automata. It allows users to create, simulate, and analyze complex patterns and rules within these computational systems.

What are the key features of Golly?

Key features include support for bounded and unbounded universes with up to 256 states, multiple algorithms like hashlife, various cellular automata types (e.g., von Neumann's CA, Wolfram's 1D rules), and the ability to read and extract patterns from multiple file formats. It also offers unlimited undo/redo and an integrated Life Lexicon.

Is Golly free to use?

Yes, Golly is an open-source application and is completely free to download and use. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements associated with its use.

What kind of patterns can I explore with Golly?

Golly supports a vast array of patterns and rules for cellular automata. This includes standard Conway's Game of Life patterns, John von Neumann's 29-state CA, Wolfram's 1D rules, WireWorld, Generations, Langton's Loops, and Larger than Life, among many others.

Can I import my own patterns into Golly?

Yes, Golly supports importing patterns from various file formats, including RLE, macrocell, Life 1.05/1.06, dblife, and MCell files. You can also extract patterns and rules directly from zip files.