gene46 is a Genetic Algorithm simulation game where you swipe AI-generated art cards to drive evolution. No programming knowledge required β just swipe left or right and watch generations of geometric patterns evolve before your eyes.
This guide covers everything from your first swipe to advanced strategies for cultivating stunning art.
1. What Is gene46?
gene46 uses a Genetic Algorithm (GA) β a computational model inspired by Darwin's theory of natural selection β to evolve generative art. You act as the "natural environment": your swipe choices determine which individuals survive and reproduce.
- Right swipe (γ£γ½γ / Looks like it): Keep this individual β it becomes a parent for the next generation.
- Left swipe (γ½γγͺγ / Doesn't look like it): Eliminate this individual.
After 25 swipes, the selected parents' DNA recombines (crossover) and undergoes random changes (mutation) to spawn 100 brand-new individuals β your next generation.
2. Getting Started: Step by Step
STEP 1 Choose or Create a Thread
Open the menu (β°) at the top-left and select an existing Thread (an evolution lineage) or create a new one. Two drawing modes are available:
- Line Art mode: Evolves BΓ©zier curve line drawings.
- Mosaic mode: Evolves fractal-like mosaic patterns generated by a mathematical function network (CPPN).
STEP 2 Swipe Cards
Cards appear on screen one by one. Swipe right if you like it, left if you don't. On a smartphone, use touch gestures. On PC, click-drag the card.
Tip: Decide on a consistent aesthetic theme early (e.g., "I want warm colors" or "I prefer symmetrical patterns") and apply that judgment consistently. Inconsistent preferences slow down evolution.
STEP 3 Generation Evolution (every 25 swipes)
After 25 swipes, the system:
- Takes the right-swiped individuals as parents
- Performs crossover β mixing parent DNA to create children
- Applies mutation β random small changes to a few genes
- Generates 100 new individuals: your next generation
The generation counter (Gen) increments. Around Gen 10β30, patterns begin showing remarkable complexity and beauty.
STEP 4 Fork to Branch Your Evolution
Found a generation you love? Use the Fork feature to duplicate the thread at that point, creating a new branch. You can then evolve both branches independently β exploring different directions from the same ancestor.
3. Soul & Stamina System
gene46 has two resource systems to manage your play:
β Soul
Earned every time you swipe. Accumulate Souls and spend them in the Shop to expand your Stamina capacity or purchase other upgrades.
β‘ Stamina
Consumed with each swipe. Recovers automatically over time. You can also expand the maximum Stamina limit using Souls. If Stamina runs out, wait for auto-recovery or use a shop item.
4. Tips for Cultivating Beautiful Art
- Stay consistent: Applying the same aesthetic judgment across all swipes accelerates evolution toward your vision. Switching criteria mid-game causes regression.
- Swipe quickly for early generations: In Gen 1β5, patterns are random. Don't overthink β just eliminate obviously bad ones and keep vaguely interesting ones.
- Focus on Gen 10+: Real beauty emerges here. Slow down, evaluate carefully, and be more selective.
- Fork before big experiments: Before trying a radically different selection strategy, fork the thread so you don't lose a promising lineage.
- Try both modes: Line Art tends toward elegant minimalism; Mosaic produces rich, layered complexity. Both are worth exploring.
5. FAQ
Q: Will my data be lost if I reload the page?
A: No. Unsent swipe history is auto-saved in your browser's local storage, so reloading or losing connection won't erase your progress.
Q: Can I play on mobile and PC?
A: Yes. Touch swipe on iOS/Android and mouse-drag on PC are both fully supported. gene46 is also installable as a PWA (Progressive Web App) on your home screen.
Q: Is there an endpoint to evolution?
A: Theoretically, no. Patterns continue growing in complexity and beauty indefinitely. Players have documented evolution past Generation 200.
Q: What happens if I only swipe right (or only left)?
A: If you swipe right on everything, all 25 become parents β so very little selection pressure is applied and evolution is slow. If you swipe left on everything, there are no parents, and the system will regenerate randomly. Aim for keeping roughly 5β15 per round for best results.
About the Author
gene46 Development Team
Building an interactive evolutionary generative art system at the intersection of game development and Genetic Algorithm research.