Will Wright, one of the game industry’s most fertile minds and the creator of the groundbreaking SimCity and The Sims, said Tuesday that his biggest project yet will be released worldwide Sept. 7.

Wired.com got an extensive first look at the latest version of Spore, a grandiose simulation of every stage of life, from the primordial soup to space exploration.

Gallery: Will Wright Walks Us Through ‘Spore’