The player views the planet from a map-based, zoomable overhead perspective and influences global systems through menus, tools, and adjustable variables. The main objective is to create or maintain a viable living world, but the game also supports experimentation with radically different planetary conditions.

Players alter atmosphere, temperature, sea levels, continents, radiation, and other environmental factors. Life evolves through geological eras, while intelligent species may develop civilization and technology. Scenarios and planet templates provide different starting conditions; there is no standard character campaign or fixed sequence of levels.

Begin with moderate atmospheric and temperature settings, then make small changes while observing their effects. Large adjustments can destabilize climate and cause extinctions before ecosystems have time to adapt.

• Preserve several forms of plant and animal life rather than relying on one species.
• Monitor population, climate, and atmospheric indicators after each major intervention.
• Allow geological and biological processes time to develop before applying another change.
• Treat civilization as one part of the ecosystem: technological growth can increase environmental pressure.