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Spore Islands launches on Facebook, prepare to drown in invites
You likely spend a great deal of your time on Facebook informing your so-called "friends" that, no, you don't want to see their farm, or join their mafia, or become a vampire, or fight their superhero, and so on. We're afraid you'll be adding a new form of denial to your repertoire: "No, I don't want to birth a species from the loam, and force it to fight against your species in an adorable Flash-based display of survival of the fittest." It's a tad verbose -- but if you're not interested in EA's Spore Islands Facebook app, you're going to be saying it a lot in the coming weeks. If genetic engineering is your bag, Spore Islands sounds like a fairly robust offering -- well, as robust as games built into social networking sites get, anyways. Players can create a species, plunk them down on an island, watch them fight for territorial dominance, improve their stats through evolution, then move them to a friend's island to attempt a hostile takeover. You can check out the game for free on EA's Facebook page -- just go easy on the invites, okay?
Spore Creature Creator builder creates iPhone game about destroying
Chaim Gingold spent the past few years creating ways to create things in Spore, most notably the game's Creature Creator. Now the former Maxis design lead has decided to take a different path, making an iPhone game that's all about destroying things ... as a creature. Titled Earth Dragon, Gingold's debut effort on the App Store puts players in control of a dragon with some very simple needs: Laying waste to castles and enemies, and abducting princesses. It relies on simple tilt and tap controls to fly, smash and breathe fire. In an interview with Gamasutra, Gingold spoke of his philosophy on iPhone development, saying, "My mantra while developing Earth Dragon has been 'Make Donkey Kong, not Super Mario Bros.' Think small! If people like it, you still care, you can pile in the other million ideas you have later." As for what he'll do next, it seems that iPhone will again be his platform of choice. "I have a ton of ideas sitting in my personal prototype vault that I've never been able to figure out what to do with, but I think many of them would work nicely on the iPhone, which is exciting to me." If you're keen on playing the game -- which, in Gingold's words, contains "the most intense level of cartoon violence Apple allows" -- hit this link to the iTunes App Store. Just want to see it in action? Check out the video after the break.
Fox making animated Spore movie; Ice Age director onboard; procedural generation, probably not
EA is on a movie-making tear thanks to that deal with UTA; it's got The Sims, Dante's Inferno, Army of Two, Dead Space, and Mass Effect. And now, Variety reports that Twentieth Century Fox is signed on to create a CG-animated movie based on EA's make-anything-you-want sim Spore, with Ice Age's Chris Wedge signed on to direct. To put it another way, they're turning the infinite-possibility space of Spore (read: the whole point of the game!) into a distinctly finite feature film. Procedural generation: out the window. Players as creators: nope! In their place, we'll have a script by the duo of Greg Erb and Jason Oremland, who've written the upcoming films The Princess and the Frog and The Return of King Doug. Blue Sky Studios -- the team behind Ice Age and Robots -- will handle the whole CG-animation part. Keeping watch over their golden goose, EA's Patrick O'Brien and Maxis' Lucy Bradshaw are billed as executive producers. Of the source material, Wedge said, "From every perspective -- visually, thematically and comedically -- the world of Spore provides the potential to put something truly original on the screen." Bradshaw misses the mark even further saying, "With more than 100 million unique creatures uploaded to our website, it's clear that people are passionate about the game, and it will be exciting to offer a powerful medium like film in order to expand their experience with Spore."
Spore Creature Creator 2-D set free in your browser
Now here's some ... creative marketing. Maxis has launched a Flash-based browser version of the Spore Creature Creator that mimics the customization found in the retail game fairly closely. Only, y'know, in 2D. All 250 parts found in the 3D creator are available and there's even the option to import creatures from millions found in the Sporepedia (although we found many are "not supported" at this time).The app is promoting the impending October 6 release of Spore Hero on Wii (and Spore Hero Arena for DS), but, even if you're not juiced about either game, it's great for creating loving, extremely flattering versions of your friends, family and co-workers -- which must then be placed on their Facebook feeds, of course.
Former Maxis employee working on new project, SpyParty
If you enjoyed the bioengineering action of Spore, you owe Chris Hecker a debt of gratitude. He was a contributing developer for the title, and is a six-year employee at Maxis -- rather, he was an employee, until he was let go from the company during Maxis' recent round of layoffs. However, he's not recovering from the downsizing by crying into his ice cream -- instead, he's using his newly found free time to develop one of the most interesting-sounding independent games we've heard of in a while. Hecker's project, SpyParty, pits two players against each other in two different roles -- one plays the eponymous Spy, who must move around a party, discreetly completing objectives and blending in with the other guests. The other player is a Sniper who must identify the Spy's movements, and, well, snipe them. The game was received fairly well when demoed at GDC earlier this year -- now, we hope Hecker will have the time he needs to crank out a finished product. Best of luck, Chris! [Via Big Download]
EA confirms Maxis layoffs, publisher still committed to Spore
Joystiq has learned that at least a couple dozen employees of EA's Maxis studio were laid off today. EA confirmed that the publisher had reduced the workforce, telling Joystiq in a prepared statement, "EA has taken action to reduce the workforce at Maxis as we focus the business and focus Maxis."The publisher stated it remains committed to Spore and other Maxis IPs. All eligible employees will receive severance and outplacement assistance. If you have more details or anything to add to this story, please feel free to contact us.
Spore spinoffs for Wii and DS arrive in October
Ready to make some more bulbous, off-putting creatures? EA has announced the official release dates for the latest Spore universe games, Spore Hero for Wii and Spore Hero Arena for DS: October 6 in North America, and October 9 "internationally" (which means PAL regions). Spore Hero is an action game in which your gross-looking critter searches for creature parts and attempts to save its home from destruction. Spore Hero Arena is a fighting game, in which you fight! It features four-player local multiplayer and one-on-one online play. Perhaps the most encouraging thing about this announcement is that October is nowhere near Spring 2010. Look at that, two whole games coming out this year. %Gallery-63231% %Gallery-63232%
Spore Galactic Adventures now has over 100k user-created levels
(click to Galaxy-size) After Spore Galactic Adventures launched in late June, we expected a similar torrent of user-created content that arrived with the original game's release. Though not quite the same in terms of exponential upward curves, the expansion has just surpassed the 100,000 mark of user-created adventures. For those of you who haven't been spending countless hours with the Robot Chicken-created DLC, there's clearly plenty of other stuff to keep you occupied. EA Maxis suggests you check out "The Silent Beacon," "Valley of a Thousand Deaths" and "The Fog," but we know better. How about the only good version of Sonic in twenty years? Sold! %Gallery-42902%
Dave Perry gives first video tour of Gaikai
Between OnLive and Gaikai, we're not sure who to trust less. Both systems are clearly operating under some form of unknown dark magic, allowing the mysterious services to stream high-def gaming directly into your television and computer browser. Both services though -- luckily and necessarily -- have representatives willing to happily test our skepticism in OnLive's Steve Perlman and Gaikai's Dave Perry.The video (found after the break) has the latter demoing Gaikai, streaming games from Mario Kart 64 to Spore to EVE Online, all from his Vista-powered PC running Firefox on an 800-mile trip between the server and his home. He claims in the video to be streaming all of the games demoed from sub 1-megabit internet speeds and says that "even a NetBook" could run Gaikai with no problems. From what we can see, things are running smoothly, though unlike OnLive, we've yet to get our hands on the equipment. Perry says we'll see more at this month's Develop Conference, so for those of you itching for more Gaikai, you've got a two-week wait on your hands. Perhaps you should play some of those old, less magic-filled gaming consoles you have. [Via Edge Online]
Robot Chicken's downloadable Spore adventures are totally tasteful, just watch
When we first heard that the creators and writers of adult swim's stop-motion comedy goldmine, Robot Chicken, were going to be creating DLC adventures for Spore: Galactic Adventures, we knew the results would be ... unique. Now EA has released a short video showing Seth Green, Tom Root and the rest of the show's writing staff "at work" on the content, followed by a run-through of what they came up with. "Unique" doesn't describe it; in fact, we're not sure any word could. "Nutshit," maybe.So thanks, Robot Chicken. You've managed to make us want to re-install the game, if only to find out whether Whiney rhino actually obeys the evil clown and shovels the poo he fears so much. Spore, June 23 is your day to shine.
Robot Chicken creators making DLC for Spore: Galactic Adventures
The Robot Chicken writing team is designing a free downloadable campaign pack for Spore Galactic Adventures, set to be available at launch on June 23. The campaign was conceptualized by Seth Green and Matt Senreich, then presumably executed by their underlings. The DLC includes "exploding poo, angry yetis, ruler yielding librarians and more," of course. The team's exploits (in creating the DLC, we hope) will be tracked at the Spore WTF site. At least getting the Robot Chicken crew involved might get "the targeted demographic" talking about Spore again.
EA officially details Spore Hero, Spore Hero Arena
Electronic Arts has elaborated on what playing Spore will be like once the primordial goo takes shape on the Wii and DS later this year. The Wii's motion-sensitive Spore Hero will play out as a story-based action game, as players save their planet from being blown to bits while collecting more than 250 creature parts. EA also notes that this take on 2008's evolutionary experiment will feature a new version of Spore Creature Creator, one that's been "enhanced" for the Wii. We expect minigames are somehow involved.For would-be gods on the go, Spore Hero Arena instead will focus more on combat. Here, creatures travel between planets to slug it out to become the champ and collect spoils, which, in this case, are special abilities to give a creature enough of an added boost and inflated ego to take on the next rival evolutionary misfit. Spore Hero Arena will also support local multiplayer battles for up to three players, or allow two players' creations to go up against each other over Wi-Fi. Neither Spore Hero nor Spore Hero Arena have been given an exact release date yet, with both expected to evolve onto store shelves sometime this fall.%Gallery-63231%%Gallery-63232%
Robot Chicken and Spore to be combined ... somehow
There are few things that aren't better when you mix them with adult swim's 15-minute comedy series Robot Chicken. Mario was better, GTA was better and, we're hoping, that Spore will be improved whenever Maxis shows what it's working on with the show's creators.A teaser site has been launched at www.spore.com/wtf, promising some combination of the IPs to be revealed on May 19. You can also find a teaser video after the jump that features Du Jour's Breckin Meyer discussing exploding raindrops. Consider us intrigued.[Via BD]
Over 100 million creatures made in Spore
Since the release of Spore -- in fact, before the release of Spore, thanks to the Creature Creator -- players have brought new life into the fake world over 100 million times. According to Spore Illustrated, the Spore community crossed the 100-million threshold on April 29. "There was a massive flood of entries right at the 100 million mark," SI said. "An estimated 90,000 creatures were uploaded just after 2pm in an attempt to make a mark in Spore game history. EA will reveal the history-making 100 millionth monster soon. [Update: And it has!]Of course, that number doesn't include banned products of the massive worldwide Spore penis monster team (otherwise known as every teenager with a copy of Spore), but presumably does include the millions of monsters who look just different enough from wangs to avoid notice.[Via Kotaku]
Will Wright involved in the future of Spore, consoles a possibility
Ex-EA employee and enormously popular developer Will Wright is apparently only halfway out of EA's doors. Talking with GameDaily, Wright confirmed his intention to stay on as a consultant for EA Maxis (the development team behind Spore). Saying, "I'm spending a certain amount of time every month actually working with the Spore team on future versions of Spore and expansions," Wright (seemingly for the first time) announced his plans beyond his work with upcoming venture, the Stupid Fun Club. Additionally, Wright commented on the possibility of console iterations of Spore, frankly stating, "For us it's really an opportunity/cost issue ... we either do that [consoles] or we continue creating new applications on the PC or we kind of go into the handheld arena." Guess he forgot about that upcoming Wii title, Spore Hero! While we're looking forward to what Wright's next move is with SFC, it's good to hear the man behind Spore is still helping to develop the game moving forward. The money problem doesn't hurt either, eh?
Maxis designer on college lecture tour
Electronic Arts has announced that Stone Librande, lead designer at Maxis, is now embarking on a lecture tour through some of the United States' game design colleges. On the tour, Librande will be teaching students the art of "designing playfully," while also giving students a first look at the upcoming Spore expansion, Galactic Adventures. That's right kids, they're luring you to class with video games! Librande will be showing students how to use the game's Adventure Creator and also "inspiring and teaching them how to make game concepts come to life." Sounds like a heckuva guy.The tour already rolled through the Georgia Institute of Technology last week, with the next stop being the University of Southern California on April 16, followed by the final stop at Carnegie Mellon on May 1.
GDC09: Paper prototype of Aperture Science + Left 4 Dead
Game designer Stone Librande works at EA/Maxis as a game designer, and we mean he designs games quite literally. Whenever developers run into problems, they'll bring Stone in to create paper versions of the project in order to solutioneer a fix. He worked on Spore in the early days of the Cell Stage development, and had so much stuff rattling around in his head that he created a cell level game on the side of his refrigerator. For free.He said they might not always turn out to be fun, but they do aid as a tool in the development process, especially since it's hard to get everyone to gather around a computer screen to check a problem out... but they'll actually come out of hiding to check out paper gaming pieces. We want to design a board game to fix issues at Joystiq, and then fight over who controls the pewter Justin McElroy gamepiece. Check out his "Aperture Science meets Left 4 Dead" board game above, and a gallery of more of his creations below. Just imagine what his board game collection must look like.%Gallery-48716%
Spore Galactic Adventures coming June 23rd, bringing gameplay
Spore publisher EA has dropped a new trailer and a handful of new screens for the game's upcoming expansion, titled "Galactic Adventures," and with them, a release date finally. According to the EA press site (and confirmed by EA Maxis rep. Amanda Taggart), the gameplay-heavy DLC hits the cyber autobahn as well as brick-and-mortar stores on June 23rd, though the pricing is still "TBA." The trailer above shows off a variety of new end-game content that, to be perfectly honest, looks to be a lot of fun. Commanding fleets of space-faring creatures across the galaxy, subjugating everyone along the way? Where do we sign up?! And remember, Spore Galactic Adventures is just the first of four Spore titles coming to various platforms (Wii/DS/PC/Mac) this year, so keep those pocketbooks open.%Gallery-48456%
Overheard@GDC09: TTP = Time To Penis
During the "Spore's Wake: What Seriously Happened?" panel at GDC, we learned a fantastic new meme that we have to share with you. "Time To Penis" (or just "TTP" in the streetz) is defined as the amount of time it will take children to make something rude out of a set of tools they've been given -- typically, that object is a penis. Apparently, TTP can be measured down to the near-second. In Spore's case, TTP was actually a negative factor since "children" were making penis monsters before the Creature Creator was even officially released!Did you know? That little guy on the right is generally considered to be Spore's first penis creature. Don't stare, though -- he's shy.
SXSW 2009: That Doesn't Suck! Inspiring Creativity With Spore
Although Spore's ship date has come and gone, many people are still fervent about creating new creatures, vehicles, buildings, and more for the game, and they've chalked up over 86 million users creations and counting so far. This panel was about the the wealth user created content out there, and also served as a springboard for talking about the first full Spore expansion pack: Galactic Adventures. Caryl Shaw is a producer at Maxis, and she showed off the new expansion pack, and talked about the tools that Maxis and EA strive to give users so that they can create their own open-ended adventures, which is what Galactic Adventures promises to do. She tooled around inside the game for a bit, showing off the planet terraforming features and a combat-focused user created adventure. But what caught our eye most of all was the sheer amount of extremely creative user creations that just stagger the imagination.While Spore might have come out and disappointed some, this panel was enough to make us want to bust it out again when we get home and either get busy creating, or get busy exploring some of the jaw-dropping user content. Check out the highlights after the break.
