The eagerly anticipated strategy game Spore is moving closer to its public release.

Electronic Arts announced that the game had gone 'gold', meaning that the final build has been approved for release.

The company plans to release the game for Mac and PC on 5 September in Europe and 7 September in North America and Asia.

Nintendo DS and mobile phone versions of the game will also be released worldwide on 7 September.

Spore allows users to design and manage an alien life form as it evolves from the amoeba stage to a sophisticated civilisation and then expands to other planets.

The game was created by noted game developer and Maxis founder Will Wright. Other games designed by Wright include Sim City and The Sims game series.

"We are so excited to finally get Spore into the hands of fans and players," said executive producer Lucy Bradshaw.

"The most engaging stories are truly the ones people create themselves, and we can't wait to see how players not only craft and explore the Spore universe, but hear what stories they have to tell as a result."