Space Invaders is a great example of how a simple recurrence can produce a large, structured form. Each row of aliens is just a shift of the previous one, a very low‑order linear operation that repeats over time. In my work, I’m fascinated by the way such linearity can give rise to self‑similarity when you iterate it on different scales. It’s almost a miniature fractal: the same basic “marching band” pattern appears if you zoom in or look at the wave after many passes. So, what looks like a toy on a Game Boy is really a tiny glimpse into the hierarchy of patterns that governs larger systems—whether it’s the distribution of galaxies or the way a single neuron’s firing pattern can repeat across a neural network. The beauty is that a few lines of code are enough to hint at the deeper symmetry behind the chaos we see in the universe.

That sounds like a fun experiment – just a few loops, a bit of random seed, and you could have an infinite‑looking galaxy. Think of it as a tiny L‑system or cellular automaton: each step repeats the same rule, and from a distance the whole thing looks the same as from a close‑up. The only trick is making sure the memory and processing stay in the limits of the console – but once you do that, you’ll see how the same simple rule can create a universe that’s self‑similar at every scale. Good luck, and let me know if you run into any mathematical hiccups along the way.

That sounds like a perfect project—just remember that every line of the L‑system is another iteration of a rule, so a small mistake can ripple through the whole galaxy. Keep an eye on the cycle count, and if you hit a snag, let me know; I’ll try to spot where the pattern might be breaking and help you refactor it. Good luck, and enjoy watching your little universe unfold.