Introducing the Safari Surfers generative algorithm: NeverEndgine

When we started the Safari Surfers project, we set out with the goal to push the boundaries of generative art, music and technology. We believe the potential that generative technology brings to the art and music industries cannot be understated. The Safari Surfers project is focused on creating something that is new and interesting — and just really cool — while also pushing the industry forward in a positive and compelling way.

As we evaluated the market in early 2022, we were fascinated by the potential of animation and music formed through generative technology as we felt those elements work very well with Jonas’s art. But we also felt that the current animated artworks, as well as those with music, quickly became boring due to the repetition.

We believe good art exists at the intersection of expectation and surprise. And today, the uniqueness of generative art largely starts and ends at mint. We set out to create a technology engine that would ensure the art would continue to be unique, interesting, and fun well beyond the mint to delight the original owner or any owner after that. Over the last 6 months we have been developing and testing our generative algorithm that we call the NeverEndgine.

Never ending, never repetitive, experiential pieces of art.

How the NeverEngine works is technically complex, but we like to think of it as simply a study in fun.

Once we have created the artwork — the main characters and the companion animals — we settle on primary and secondary animations. Through a series of frames, we animate the elements that will be moving in the artwork and, combined with all the static art layers, we run them through a custom generative art engine that creates an infinite number of completely unique artworks. The NeverEngine then uses random timers to play the animations at random times and intervals between actions.

The same concept is applied to the music. We have created an original music composition for each of the 12 animals. The musical sequences are generated in real time by randomly selecting audio from multiple source folders. Within each of these folders is a designated style of audio stems such as bass, drums, synths, melodies, layers, and details, all composed in the same key and tempo. Using customized rules coded into the NeverEndgine, the stems are refreshed at certain intervals, creating an infinite number of sequences with variations in instrumentation as well as reverb, filtering, and other audio effects. The NeverEngine plays the elements as tracks (mostly simultaneous but with silence as an option as well) which creates a unique soundtrack for every piece of art.

The result is thousands of fun, truly captivating pieces of art that bring a completely new dimension to the magic of the ocean and the wonder of animals that is the essence of Jonas’ artwork.

The possibilities of the NeverEndgine are endless.

With our first collection, Surf Buddies, we’re still in the early stages of a technology approach that has limitless potential. What gets us truly excited is its ability to create upgradable and adaptable art (meaning we will be able to change any of the variables within any or all pieces of art, at any time, to surprise and delight their owners). So new backgrounds, animations and music can all be triggered by season, weather and time of day. In the near future, we can see the characters raising an umbrella to protect from the rain if that’s the current weather in a particular location. Or backgrounds can change to celebrate holidays or special events. Or an owner could be rewarded with a 1/1 trait or animation based on participation or engagement. Musically, the NeverEndgine will allow us the ability to create and add new stems such as original melodies and vocals to the art and even the ability for holders to customize tracks in numerous ways.

Join us in our journey for never ending surprise and delight.

If you are interested in learning more about the NeverEndgine and its never ending possibilities, please reach out to us on Twitter. Our hope is to connect and collaborate with others who are also seeking to push the boundaries of art, music and technology.

To learn more about the Safari Surfers project, read Welcome to the Safari Surfers.