Once Upon The Universe

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.