How do we make the jump from single cell to multi-cellular? How can it be done without cutscenes/level progression? (sorry if this is already posted somewhere)

Also there's the jump between one cell to two cells... that will be a large transition also... once a few hundred cells are created, there would be no need for single-cell manipulation, but a simple "organ blob" brush to form general organ centers. at about how large will it switch to 3d? (a millimeter maybe?

There are fairly complex organisms on the microscopic scale, if I'm not mistaken. I've got no exact statistics, but "bigger than a hundred cells" is still very small.

Also: will cells in Thrive be locked into a human-cell scale? There are organism concepts out there that involve much larger or smaller cells than we see on Earth, and even here there is a wide cell size range.

There are comparatively large cells, but it's true that cell size is capped by this problem. However, on other planets, alternate biochemistry systems may apply. Are we using only carbon-based biochemistries in this game, or are we entertaining alternatives?

Well, what if there was a universal currency, kinda like the DNA mechanic in spore. We'll call this energy for convenience's sake.

Cellular reproduction is a biologically tiring task, so perhaps we can provide players the option to self-replicate once they gain enough energy that hasn't been expended on other tasks (such as self defense). Not only does this eliminate the possibility of the dreaded grind, but also introduces completely unique thoughts for the player such as.

"Well, I REALLY need to replicate soon so that I can advance soon, but this cell over there is following me and might try to eat me..."

Just a thought.