Once Upon The Universe is a god-game that takes you to the VERY beginning of creation. You begin the game just after the big bang, with nothing but an empty space and a lot of super hot hydrogen in the entire universe. Fill the universe with life and watch it thrive - or destory it.

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Early Access Game

Get instant access and start playing; get involved with this game as it develops.

Note: Games in Early Access are not complete and may or may not change further. If you are not excited to play this game in its current state, then you should wait to see if the game progresses further in development. Learn more

What the developers have to say:

Why Early Access?

“Once Upon The Universe is a very ambitious game and currently I am developing it as a solo developer. Early Access allows me to build the game together with the community from an early stage instead of designing everything in isolation.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“The current plan is for the game to remain in Early Access for around 24 months.”

How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?

“The full version is planned to offer significantly more variety, depth and polish. This includes more objects, more ways to interact with the game world, more civilization behaviors, more events, more anomalies, improved balance, better visuals and many refinements based on community feedback.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“The current version contains the core foundation of the game: a simulated universe with cosmic progression, formation of stars and planets, the emergence of life and civilizations, Creator Influence and Creator Antagonism, divine Anomalies, civilization development, planetary conditions, resources, buildings, economy, basic diplomacy, trade, conflict, fleets. Victory condition is achievable.”

Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?

“The price may increase during Early Access or at the full release as more content, features, polish and overall depth are added to the game.”

How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?

“Community feedback will be a major part of development. I plan to stay in contact with players primarily through the Steam forums and the official Discord server. I want to build not only the game I personally dream of but also a game shaped by people who are excited by this kind of cosmic simulation.”
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CDN$ 17.99
 
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About This Game

Start at the beginning. The actual beginning.

Once Upon The Universe is a new take on a classic god-game formula, taking you to the very VERY beginning of creation. You begin the game just after the big bang, with nothing but empty space and a lot of super hot hydrogen in the entire universe. The little beings that might later occupy some of that space might not initially be aware of your presence - make sure they know who they owe all of that wonderous creation to.
Make the Universe yours:

  • Shape the universe from the very beginning

  • Use gravity and other "anomalies" to directly (and indirectly) form stellar objects from available matter

  • Stabilize and optimize orbit, raise water level and create biosphere to allow life to take its very first breath

  • Support and intervene in civilizations affairs, as they take their place among the stars

  • Make the civilizations aware of your presence - the Creator 

Build a universe, not a civilization

Life has a mind and a will of its own. Influence instead of control.

Affect planetary conditions, stabilize stars, manipulate matter. Support life and interfere with civilizations when you decide they need a little help. Or a warning.

Plants and animals can spread across different environments, compete for available space and form increasingly complex ecosystems.

Watch civilizations grow on their own

When intelligent life appears, they are capable of taking care of themselves. Given enough time and the right conditions, those societies can advance through several eras and eventually reach space.

They look to make their own mark on the universe. But are they alone? Once they encounter other civilizations, they will trade, compete, form agreements, and sometimes, go to war.

Not every civilization survives.

Population growth, shortages, war, social problems and other internal pressures can (and in many cases will) become a serious threat. A successful civilization can expand across several planets and still collapse later.

Their stars are not permanent either. Stars age and eventually die. Planetary orbits can destabilize. Worlds can lose the conditions that made life possible in the first place.

You may intervene and save the day, or let events unfold on their own. 

Make them notice you

If you decide to interfere with Civilizations affairs, they become aware of your presence.

Helping them, changing their environment or directly interfering can increase their awareness of you. More destructive and direct methods of increasing that awareness can work too, although civilizations may not exactly appreciate them.

You can act as a guardian, stepping in as their kind protector, or you may force your will through expression of raw force.

Or leave them entirely alone, watching from afar as they develop on their own.

From the first star to stellar engineering

Advanced civilizations will establish colonies, build fleets, wage wars and eventually work on projects on a stellar scale, such as Dyson Spheres or moving entire planets.

Meanwhile, the universe itself continues to age, drifts towards entropy. And the only thing that counters entropy, is life. Make it thrive.

You start with nothing but empty space and a whole lot of super hot hydrogen. The rest is up to you.

System Requirements

    Minimum:
    • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
    • OS: Windows 11
    • Processor: Core Duo 2
    • Memory: 4 GB RAM
    • Graphics: Nvidia 8600
    • DirectX: Version 11
    • Storage: 100 MB available space
    Recommended:
    • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
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