
Species: Artificial Life, Real Evolution
Play with evolution! Species: ALRE is a scientifically-grounded, emergent simulation of natural selection. Creatures evolve and speciate in response to in-game mutation and selection forces, allowing you to experience and tinker with evolution in real-time.
Developer
Publisher
Release
September 28, 2018
7 years and 310 days ago
Steam Reviews
Mostly Positive1,002 reviews74.0%
Does this feel indie?
Vote based on whether this game feels indie to you. You can change your vote at any time. Results earn an IGF score after 10 accepted votes.No votes yet
Game contextLatest: IGF Team
| ContextThe evidence factors used to assess whether this game belongs on IndieGame.Fan. | Status | Notes Latest Contributor: IGF TeamEdit notes |
|---|---|---|
Updated: Jul 10, 2026Developer scaleThe operating scale of the game's developer. | ||
Updated: Jul 15, 2026Publisher scaleThe operating scale of the game's publisher. | ||
Updated: Jul 15, 2026Publisher statusHow the game's publishing relationship is classified. | ||
Updated: Jul 15, 2026FundingThe known source of funding behind the game. | ||
Updated: Jul 10, 2026Release statusWhether and how the game has been released. |
Media
7 itemsAbout the Game
Species: Artificial Life Real Evolution is an evolution simulator that allows you to create, destroy, observe and tinker with life on it's never ending, harsh march of refinement! Simulated from the very first principles of evolutionary science:


Variation
- Every creature is uniquely defined by its genes.
Mutation
- Child creatures are slightly randomly modified versions of their parent(s).
Natural Selection
- The environment affects every creature in their struggle to survive.
Observe or Guide
Whether you just want to observe, watch and study as the tree of life constructs itself from a single species, or you want to be an active influence on the development of the species in the game, the choice is up to you! Take a hands-on approach by using the nursery, an isolated area where you can tinker with the gene pool to your heart’s content. Use rovers to decide which creatures get to eat today and which ones starve! Create global catastrophes like an ice-age or a world-spanning flood to weed out the most vulnerable species. Or simply sit back and watch the life-and-death saga unfold!
Tell Your Story
However you treat your evolutionary sandbox, we give you the tools to tell it’s story! View every single evolutionary step in detail using the clade diagram, see where each species are living using the satellite map, get a better picture of how varied your gene pool actually is with the web of life, and view every possible detail on each creature using the creature inspection tools.