tech
February 24, 2026
Anlife: what does an unusual evolution simulator have to say about AI?
We explore the strange food-obsessed world of a new game whose tech was once called ‘an insult to life itself’ by Hayao Miyazaki, the film-maker behind Spirited Away

TL;DR
- Anlife is an evolution simulator on Steam featuring AI-driven creatures.
- The game's creators were previously criticized by Hayao Miyazaki for their AI animation technology.
- Anlife's gameplay involves placing creatures in an environment and observing their AI-driven movement and evolution.
- The visual and audio style of the game is described as soothing and reminiscent of early 2000s aesthetics.
- The game's simplicity and focus on minor variations lead to a potential 'oatmeal problem,' where changes are not always significant.
- Anlife is intended to be a game that is 'about AI,' highlighting its capacity for otherness.
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