I'm in the process of setting up a new evolution simulation using the insights from the last long run. The initial creatures will be placed in a challenging environment where survival requires behaviors with non-trivial sensory inputs. github.com/chrxh/alien has already been upgraded to fulfill my needs. This particular environment reminds me of hydrothermal vents. That sounds like a good starting point! The new optional glow is not just eye candy, because it can be used to color-code additional information. Here in the video, the cell states (under construction, ready, dying) are used for the glow.