Abstractia

What is Abstractia?

Abstractia is a symbolic cellular automaton where symbols evolve on a grid through endlessly unique, randomized rules. Patterns emerge, shift, and dissolve as you watch — or intervene.

 How to Play:

• Press a letter key (A–Z) to select a symbol.

• Click or drag on the grid to place symbols like a brush.

• Spacebar pauses/unpauses the simulation.

• Keys 1–4 adjust simulation speed.

• Key 0 generates a new set of unique rules.

• Key 5 toggles rule behavior (stable vs. chaotic). 

• Key 7 randomizes the grid.

• Key 8 clears the board to a blank state (A).

• Key 9 toggles rule behavior (swallow vs. coexist).

• Up Arrow toggles color mode. (Version 1.2)  ***FLASHING LIGHTS WARNING***
  

• Down Arrow Random background color with black symbols

• Left Arrow  Random background color with white symbols

• Right Arrow Random background with the opposite color for symbols

 Features:

• Infinite symbolic evolution.

• Procedurally generated rule sets — never the same twice.

• 26 unique symbol types

• Pause, paint, and observe how rules unfold.