Ok im ready for my first metaverse game. So how do i actually start one?

I went to metaverse, saw all the boxes with the starbase in the background, but i couldnot find something that said "START GAME", or something like that. oh and i needed to create some characters too, but i can figure that out for myself.

another question, how does your characters / empire translate to your galciv name? if i have 3 characters will all thier combinded games/stats/race be listed under my name? well i guess that too, ill find out later, first i gotta get started.