simulation
Spore Creature Creation Preview
Posted by Michael McWhertor at 10:20 AM on February 14, 2008
EA is showing off a bit of the recently dated Spore today, with the PC and Mac versions getting special treatment in the creature creation preview department. In the clip above, you'll learn more about the process of building your own species from all manner of body parts—arms, legs, tails, custom torsos, even parts that are "social", including plumage that draws attention and mouths that are better at singing than others.
The preview also shows off Spore's content browser, a web app that lays out user and Maxis generated content. Highlighted here are a few interesting, holiday themed items like a building shaped like a Christmas tree and a UFO built in the shape of... well, I won't spoil it. Just watch.


Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
Klink258
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
At 00:56 there is a UFO shaped like Navi from Zelda.
Hey! Listen!
Klink258
tme2nsb
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
I hope my 2GB of Ram and my Raedon X1900 w/512mb of ram will be able to run this...hell, Doom 3 at max settings and Crysis at medium runs fine on my comp...so who knows. TPB will be hit hard when this game comes out :) Can't wait to buy it too.
tme2nsb
DevCo
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
I think this is moving in a more promising direction if I say so myself. I always wondered why they were not taking advantage of the social aspects of the asyncronous user content sharing more. Inclution of friends lists and being able to filter the user content in your world are perfect.
DevCo
Malyonsus
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
Evolution would be annoying anyway. Create creatures! Whether they survive or not is based on random mutations! Video games like this always have to be intelligent design based because otherwise there's no meaningful way for the player to "create."
Malyonsus
Atrius
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
@Waka in Japan: I think the "evolution" terminology is something created by the media. There are some (old at this point) interviews of Will Write where he plainly states that the game is actually "intelligent design" and not evolution.
I think people get stuck on the evolution thing because of the way you progress from a cell to a tribe and whatnot.
Atrius
Atrius
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
I don't know whether to be excited or turned off by the Web 2.0 stuff they've included. Is it going to be awesome having a facebook page attached to all of my created content or weird?
Atrius
Spiderbait
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
I am so getting a Santa UFO. Nothing more fun than santa destroying a civilization.
Spiderbait
Waka in Japan
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
@Brickd:
I agree there, calling it evolution when you can just change your creature completely doesn't sound right.
Still, call it whatever you want, i call it an awesome game.
"a rose by any other name still has a good fragance"
(I just saw this in a mall today lol)
Waka in Japan
hrabbit
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
I cant wait to make some kingdom hearts-themed stuff :D
hrabbit
Machete_Bear
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
Holy crap! The base creature creation is basically the primitive editing tools of Z-Brush!
Machete_Bear
MXs219
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
I soo lost i hear about spore but i have no idea what it is and the interface looks like SIMs 2. anyone willing to fill me in on the concept?
MXs219
cheeses
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
It may be innovative and fantastically brilliant but graphically it still looks like Croc: Legend of the Gobbos. Is that the point?
cheeses
mewlink64
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
Oh man, this can't come soon enough.
mewlink64
Malavin
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
The first PC game I've wanted in a long, long time. Release it, pl0x!
Malavin
Coldbrand
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
@robinhood_0:
Damn you, I was about to type the same thing. Bastard.
Coldbrand
robinhood_0
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
ve-he-cul
robinhood_0
BornToFlail
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
Thousands of walking penis societies are the inevitable result of this coupled with the user content sharing.
BornToFlail
okenny :)
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
@logicaldefense: That's humor... not a troll :D
...
It's only been announced for the PC and a special Wii version but it would be nice to see it on the other consoles. I would love to see it on Xbox 360 personally but I'm still skeptical about control in the creator without a mouse... I think it's possible but I don't think it would be too easy; judging from what I've seen in Forza, it should be possible. I think that Spores content network would allow you to basically create on any platform and move it to the platform of play so it may be an alternative.
Considering how much this game cost to make and EA being a platform agnostic company, I really don't see what the push back is.
okenny :)
trogam
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
The system reqs cannot be too high. Considering that Wright is targeting a large crowd of people with this game, so hopefully it'll be the case where, "Have you bought a computer in the last 3-4 years? If so, you can run this game."
trogam
PsycheDiver
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
I can't imagine getting bored of this game.
PsycheDiver
Brickd
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
It's more a creature buiding/management game than a game on evolution from what I've seen, maybe that's what Will Wright intended. But I'm not quite convinced, from what I've seen, that it's going to be quite as fun as the concept might be. I'll wait until it comes out.
Brickd
Brickd
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
@ArmyofJuan: 'Discovering' parts and applying them to your creature isn't evolution.
Brickd
bluestreak108
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
@ArmyofJuan:
That's not evolution, that's unlockables. Evolution would be your creature developing cool running legs because you run them away from fights, or developing armored plates because their getting attacked all the time. You would control what 'parts' your creature got dynamically through gameplay, not a menu.
bluestreak108
ArmyofJuan
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
For those of you saying theres no "evolution" in this game, you guys obviously didn't listen very clearly. The editor they had up in the video had all of the parts already so they can so you different things. But if you listen to the woman talk she says that when you play the game new parts become available as you discover them, so yes, there will be evolution.
And this game will be the greatest of all tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiime
ArmyofJuan
bluestreak108
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
@gaijira:
He needed to figure out a game to put his cool evolution toy into...
bluestreak108
Brickd
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
@jayntampa: Agreed
Brickd
MiliardoK
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
So I had about 5 friends say to me during the "hey guys September 7th" "LOL DAT GAME IS DUKE NUKEM FOREVER: 2"
Shame they don't believe me... Poor misguided souls...
Course if EA delays it again or Will him self, well after this content binge I'm sure riots will ensue.
MiliardoK
jayntampa
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
That's very cool, and it looks fun to play around with. However, I was hoping for a bit more organic generation of the creature, where it evolves simply through what it goes through ... a scavenger hunt to find parts doesn't sound as interesting to me.
jayntampa
Brickd
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
It's not really a game about evolution is it. When you can change your creature from one form to something completely different in a single edit session, it's not evolution, and that's something I found disappointing. It should be a steady process of growth and change like that 'ape to man' depiction of evolution. IMO.
Brickd
Jon-Claw
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
This game is a stat junkies dream.
I think I need new boxers...
Jon-Claw
argh
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
Man, this game is going to be HUGE. It's going to dominate the PC gaming world. I can't wait. Spore & Starcraft 2 = Motivation to blow $2k on a new computer.
argh
jarldg
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
don't know why this is so heralded.
jarldg
Scorpi
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
Haha, I loved the little Zelda Fairy ufo
Scorpi
rdj
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
Hmm, I can already see the submitted internet penises.
rdj
WiggyDee
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
Does anyone know if you can create slug based creatures in this game? Or generally forms of walking other than feet? E.G (dare I say it?) tentacles?
WiggyDee
wef
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
want want want want! I think I'll be happy just with the creature creator!
what the balls are the system requirements!!!?!
wef
Dopeski
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
What a smart idea to come out with the Creature Creation first. I know when I get a new game that involves a lot of play time on one character I take a loooooong time to choose hairstyle, name, etc.
Too bad Spore's going to be released right at the beginning of a new school term. Damn them!
Dopeski
DranzerKire
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
Zelda Fairy at 0:56!
I do wonder what some players would come up with, like inspired by others games.
DranzerKire
Aethyr
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
@MrFancyPants: Go awai, you disgrace the name of a good Flash game.
In other news: WHAT THE AWESOMEEEEE.
Aethyr
blackadvent
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
WANT NOW.
blackadvent
gaijira
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
@Deadeyereborn: Hey I understand it's HIS (majesty's?) game, and I'm completely willing to wait for a good game to be become great. I'm just saying that Spore looked much more than 'half done' at E3 May 2006. It might be nice to know the reasons why the extra couple of years were needed.
gaijira
TitillatedOcelot
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
Holy friggity snap, that shit is too hot. If I were a ton ton, I would let this crawl inside my intestines for warmth. Is that wrong?
TitillatedOcelot
liquid_kore
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
Anybody know if the Mac and PC versions draw from the same database? If not I definitely wont get it for the mac.
liquid_kore
2NinjasTapedTogether
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
I'll be even more excited when I know I'll be able to play it. If not... Well, I guess I can always play LittleBigPlanet as consolation.
Still Spore looks... AWESOME. Seriously. I'm about to shoot my load into the primordial ooze.
2NinjasTapedTogether
Trowble (XBL/PSN)
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
@Deadeyereborn: He did, September 2008. It's on Spores Official website.
Trowble (XBL/PSN)
Sparx88
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
They really need to get on the ball and announce what this is coming to. I know they said PC, 360, and DS but Will also wanted to put it on the PS3, PSP and Wii
If I can't get it on my PS3 at least I have my DS/PC to fall back on
Sparx88
Deadeyereborn
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
@gaijira: Excuse me but its HIS game he never gave a release date. Heres a question would you rather play a finished game or a half done shitty one? Mr. Wright can take his sweet time.
Deadeyereborn
rickyyo
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
That was the best suprise for a UFO I smiled when I saw it all they need now is a whale and yarn...
rickyyo
Sparx88
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
I could really get in to this
Sparx88
logicaldefense
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
@MrFancyPants: horrible attempt at trolling. :(
logicaldefense
gaijira
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
They should call this the "Feature Creep Editor". Really, this video makes it look even more like the designers are practically bored with their own creation; making alphabet letter creatures would be charming and exciting if the game wasn't still seven goddamn months away from release.
I think at this point the great and powerful Mr. Wright owes the world an explanation, if not an apology. I can't tell you how psyched I was to play this more than a year ago.
gaijira
MajorMcMuffin
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
@Trowble (XBL/PSN): Yeah, damn I want to play as much as I know I won't be running it.
MajorMcMuffin
Deadeyereborn
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
@AdamW:well what they are showing you right here is just the macro creature and building editor. The whole game will include a bacteria, tide pool, and ocean phase. Each of those Phases will have its own editor. If you want more info hit up the website. [www.spore.com]
Deadeyereborn
Trowble (XBL/PSN)
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
System Requirements are needed so my laptop can cry.
Trowble (XBL/PSN)
AdamW
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
She says something about "When you play the actual game..."
What is the actual game? Is there going to be a beginning, middle, and end?
AdamW
Deadeyereborn
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
@MrFancyPants: Congratulations! You win most un-informed rumor award 2008!
Deadeyereborn
sloth1991
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
so wait is it for xbox and pc/mac or did they say it was pc/mac only?
sloth1991
Deadeyereborn
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
@Del Deadeyes: thats my name you stole it! also if you get someone to kill you get them to kill me too cause I NEED this game.
Deadeyereborn
MrFancyPants
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
It s going to be xbox360 only
new random rumor
actually Super smashb brothers brawl might be 360 only also....
MrFancyPants
MasonL87
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
The amount of epic win contained in the video is too great! RELEASE THE EDITOR NOW, DAMMIT!!!
MasonL87
Del Deadeyes
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
Kill me now, I want this.
Del Deadeyes
whitey9
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
You know what they should do? Release this game and stop showing us previews. I think this is the first time I've become almost bored with a game without ever playing it.
whitey9
Deadeyereborn
Posted 5:07 PM 16/2/08
glee! I am going to love this game
Deadeyereborn