Genesis is a real-time evolution simulator built with Godot Engine that demonstrates how traits evolve through natural selection across generations. Watch digital organisms compete for resources, reproduce, and pass traits to offspring with mutations.

Visit GitHub for source project

Genesis standalone is a Windows only tool at the moment. You can build it manually using Godot Engine for your OS/ specific needs.

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Genesis simulates a population of digital organisms (units) competing for limited resources (food) within a bounded environment. Through reproduction, trait inheritance, mutation, and natural selection pressures, you can observe how populations evolve over time and how certain characteristics become more or less prevalent.

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🚀 Quick Start

For Users (Executables)

1. Download Genesis.zip from itch.io
2. Extract and run the executable
3. Click START to begin your first evolution experiment

For Developers (Godot Project)

1. Requirements: Godot 4.4+, Windows 10/11 (optimized), 4GB+ RAM
2. Clone this repository
3. Open scenes/main.tscn in Godot Engine
4. Press F5 to run

Your First Experiment

• Set population: 50–100 organisms
• Enable trait tradeoffs
• Set food supply: 30–50 items
• Adjust speed: 2–3x for faster results
• Click START and watch evolution happen!

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🎯 What Makes Genesis Unique

• Real-time Evolution: Watch traits change across generations
• Five Interconnected Traits: Size, Energy, Speed, Sense Range, Predatory Behavior
• Trait Tradeoffs: Biologically-inspired relationships between traits
• Advanced Analytics: Real-time graphing with data export
• Educational Focus: Perfect for understanding evolutionary principles
• Full Customization: Control every aspect of the simulation

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🧬 The Five-Trait Evolution System

Size

• Visual scale and predation capability
• Larger units can consume smaller ones
• Affects energy capacity and movement speed

Energy

• Fuel for survival and reproduction
• Gained by consuming food or prey

Speed

• Faster units find food efficiently but consume more energy

Sense Range

• Detection radius for locating food or prey

Predatory Threshold

• Carnivorous behavior control (0–100%)
• Determines hunting ability and prey preference

Trait Interactions

Genesis implements realistic biological tradeoffs:

• Size ↔ Energy: Larger = higher capacity
• Size ↔ Speed: Larger = slower movement
• Size ↔ Sense: Larger = reduced sensing

Configurable intensity (0–100%)

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⚙️ Core Simulation Features

Evolution Mechanics

• Energy-based reproduction system
• Trait inheritance and mutations
• Natural selection based on environmental pressure

Dynamic Environment

• Adjustable food supply
• Teleport-based boundary handling
• Population growth and limits

Advanced Controls

• Simulation speed: 0.1x to 10x
• Real-time parameter changes
• Generation tracking

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📊 Analytics & Data Export

Real-Time Visualization

• Population graphs and trait changes
• Radar charts for population distribution

Data Management

• Console logging and search
• Data export and screenshots
• Auto-save mode for persistent tracking

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🎮 User Interface

Main Controls

• START / PAUSE / STOP
• RESET simulation
• Speed slider control

Configuration Panels

• Population: count and trait values
• Reproduction: energy/mutation settings
• Food Supply: amount and frequency
• Tradeoffs: enable/disable trait relationships

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📈 Educational Applications

• Natural selection and trait inheritance
• Population dynamics and adaptation
• Predator-prey interactions
• Mutation effects on population

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🛠️ Technical Details

Built With

• Godot Engine 4.4 (GDScript)
• GodPlot & RadarGraph Addons
• Signal-based architecture
• AI Assistant: Cursor (Claude-4.0)

Project Structure

genesis/
├── scenes/main.tscn          # Main simulation interface
├── scenes/units/             # Organism behaviors
├── scenes/scripts/           # Core simulation logic
├── addons/                   # Graphing and visualization
└── assets/                   # Visual resources

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⚠️ Important Notes

Educational Tool

• Genesis is designed for education, not scientific research
• Best for learning core evolutionary concepts

Performance Tips

• Keep populations under 500
• High speed = potential instability
• Export important data before closing
• Run multiple simulations for better insights

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📄 License & Credits

MIT License - Free for educational, research, and commercial use

Developer: Jude Janitha Niroshan (@Bukkbeek)
M.Sc. Biology (Reading) - Western University, Canada
B.Sc. (Hons) Zoology - University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
Portfolio: bukkbeek.github.io

Third-party: GodPlot, RadarGraph, Godot Engine, Cursor (Claude)

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🤝 Contributing

• Bug reports: Use GitHub issues
• Feature requests: Suggest improvements
• Development: Fork and submit pull requests
• Documentation: Help improve this guide

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Experience evolution through interactive simulation