I’ve been working on an update for Life Saver TV, which hasn’t gotten an update since 1.1 around 6 years ago.
It’s got a lot of changes, the main being that there are configuration options that get you a much clearer view of the Game of Life simulation. This video also shows off the new “Ken Burns” moving camera option.
The menu system has also been reworked to put settings presets in the main menu, and then it allows you to go into an advanced mode to change settings in a more bespoke way.
I’ve been having an issue where if I leave the simulation running long enough, the ‘stasis check’ which ensures you don’t end up with a static tank on screen stops firing, so I built in some debugging so I can leave it running a long time to see what is causing the stasis check to fail…
This is the only thing standing in the way of getting this released on the App Store, aside from the general avoidance of having to take new screenshots and make new videos for the app. But this should be a good update, maybe I will try to get Apple to promote it on the TV App Store, if they even do such a thing.
1.2 has been submitted to app review. I also submitted a “nomination” to be featured on the App Store, not that I think Apple really features apps on the App Store.
Here’s the new demo video for the App Store.
And the nomination content…
Life Saver TV 1.2: Custom Colors, New Modes, Ken Burns Cam
Life Saver transforms Conway’s Game of Life into living visual art for Apple TV, built entirely with SpriteKit. It turns any television into a beautiful, ever-changing ambient display.
Version 1.2 is the biggest update since launch, adding deep customization:
Custom Color Picker: A new HSB editor lets users craft exact colors beyond the 20 built-in presets.
Ken Burns Camera: Cinematic zoom-and-pan adds depth and visual interest.
Grid Modes: Toroidal (wrapping) or infinite grid fundamentally change how patterns evolve.
Starting Patterns: Gosper Gun, R-pentomino, Acorn, Pulsar, and Puffer Train bring iconic Game of Life patterns to the screen.
Respawn Modes: “Fresh Start” clears the board while “Add Life” layers new cells for endless variety.
Performance Optimizations: Lower CPU usage for smoother, cooler operation.
Life Saver is a showcase for SpriteKit on Apple TV, perfect for living rooms, offices, and creative spaces.
Helpful Details
Life Saver is fully open source, created as a love letter to both Conway’s Game of Life and Apple’s native frameworks. It uses no external dependencies - just pure SpriteKit. The entire simulation, toroidal matrix math, and rendering pipeline are built from scratch. I originally built it as a macOS screensaver for my own desk, then brought it to Apple TV so anyone could enjoy it. This update reflects years of community feedback and a passion for generative art.
Very strange, 1.2 has been “In Review” at Apple for over 24 hours now. I don’t think I’ve seen this happen before. Usually at least by the end of the day there is an approval or rejection.
No idea why it took 48 hours but today Life Saver TV 1.2 was approved for release on the App Store. I’m just waiting to see if Apple does anything with the “Nominations” thing to feature it on the App Store… I doubt it… and I doubt they will even say whether they appreciate it or reject it.
