I have seen the game of life! It's insane what some people have made in that simulation, including a giant simulator of the game of life itself!
I love the idea of giant creatures attracted to light/electricity, perhaps it even bothers them hence why they're trying to destroy you (the electric field gives it a headache?). It would give players an incentive not to get too big. I also like the idea that they get scared at first but get more confident and start to get more aggressive once they've checked you out from a distance.
I love the idea of having to destroy structures and recycle because you're low on resource, and that it could create weak points because of limited resource. Perhaps there's a second resource (metal) that has to be conserved.
I also love the metaphor of a cell, that's really interesting.
Do you have any other thoughts? Also your ideas are amazing, I would love your input throughout development.