Back Box Art for Spore

Courtesy of Gamestop!

Spore to hit the big screen?

No, I don’t mean playing the game on a huge projector screen…although that would be pretty rad.  What is in the talks is less than rad – a possibility of a Spore movie. 

Have a strange look on your face?  I did too.  I wouldn’t even know how it could be pulled off, but according to Will Wright in a recent interview:

“With Spore, we’re looking way outside the game space, such as TV, movies, etc. We’re basically planting the seeds to spread Spore out to a much wider group of people than would ever play a computer game.”

Scarier than the idea of George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt and others playing Spore creatures could be Wright’s other idea. A game that captures your ‘metrics’. Says Will, “The computer could observe each player and capture a lot of metrics, which could be used to change the game so that it becomes personalised for him – his game becomes a reflection of who he is internally”.

With MySims as a TV show, I could see a small chance of Spore working out for a 30-minute spot.  But a full-length featured movie?  We have enough of animated films already, leave them alone for Pixar or Dreamworks.

Source:  Spong

NPD PC Chart for the week ending on August 2, 2008: Sims are back at #1

Look like Nancy Drew is starting to lose stem.  Either that or The Sims 2 Deluxe sold more copies.   For this weeks NPD results, The Sims 2 Deluxe clocks in at the number 1 position.  #4 is Spore Creature Creator, #6 is The Sims 2 Ikea Home Stuff and #10 is The Sims 2 FreeTime.

1. The Sims 2 Double Deluxe
2. Nancy Drew: The Phantom of Venice
3. World of Warcraft: Battle Chest
4. Spore Creature Creator
5. World of Warcraft
6. The Sims 2 IKEA Home Stuff Expansion Pack
7. Diablo Battle Chest
8. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
9. World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade Expansion Pack
10. The Sims 2 FreeTime Expansion Pack

Source:  GamesIndustry

GamesRadar: Exclusive Spore videos

Wow…how’s this for a change?  Instead of GamesRadar putting out bad reviews or listing their Top # lists, they have a decent update.  You can find 6 new exclusive Spore videos.

Will Wright constructs a spaceship

Interview with Spore Producer Lucy Bradshaw

Tribal Outfitter Editor Demo

Interview with Spore Producer Caryl Shaw

Caryl demos the Spaceship Creator

Interview with Technical Artist Kate Compton

2 new Spore Prototypes: Space & SPUG

Whoa!  Among all of the prototypes released so far, the two for this week are the best!  The two Maxis put out are called Space and SPUG.

SPUG

SPUG is a tunable gameplay prototype for the Creature level of Spore.

The player controls an avatar creature on a simple planetary terrain where they may hunt prey, evade predators, eat, rest and level up their stats.

No limitations are placed on leveling up or cheating stats. This tool was intended to give designers the opportunity to explore different economies for the creature game, so limitations on power ups and level ups are self-imposed.

Space

‘Space’ is a gameplay prototype of the Space level of Spore.

The player explores a galaxy of stars with a spacecraft, discovering new worlds to terraform and colonize and encountering alien species to fight or befriend.

Successful colonies provide the player with resources and income which they can invest in technological research. Advanced technologies allow the player to terraform, colonize fight and explore more effectively.

These two great prototypes can be found at the official Spore site.

Spore Exclusive Hands-On – From Cell to Civilization – PC News at GameSpot

Thankfully some of the creatures are much less evolved than you, equipped with only legs and mouths and as easy to eat as an apple on the ground. Most species that you encounter, however, are more advanced than your own, and in these cases it’s not advisable to go in chomping. Instead, change your “stance” from aggressive to friendly, and you’ll open a new batch of diplomacy actions such as sing and dance. Some species are inherently aggressive and will attempt to eat you, forcing you back to the nest to wait for a hundred million years of evolution and growth before you’re strong enough to take them on. Others enjoy a good song and dance and will be impressed by your creatures’ performances. This little minigame is the base of all diplomacy for future generations.

Spore Exclusive Hands-On – From Cell to Civilization – PC News at GameSpot

Spore – Spanish Community Day

Listen up, Spain members!  If you run a fansite, try to get invited to the Spanish Spore Community Day!  On September 2nd, join Will Wright in Mandrid to demo and talk about Spore!  Head on over to Spore|AR for more details on this event.

Shoutout to Space Oddity for bringing this to my attention!

The Will Wright Minute – Episode 1: Russian Space Station

For those who cannot play videos from G4, I also uploaded the video to Youtube – The Will Wright Minute:  Russian Space Station.

Spore Creatures (DS) hands on with Eurogamer

Out in the world, you’re exploring simple, slightly stylised 3D islands with plain textures and geometry, but your little creature, his friends and some of the foliage are 2D sprites that rotate sweetly depending on the position of the third-person camera. Getting around is easy thanks to stylus controls, although if you prefer buttons you can fall back on those for a mixture. A map on the top-screen points out items of interest and mission objectives, while the ever-ready Sporepedia tops up your knowledge and alerts you to incomplete objectives.

Hands on with Spore Creatures for the DS

Why Will Wright’s name shouldn’t be on a game’s box

I know we live in a star-centric culture, but our business doesn’t work that way. There’s no doubt that the creative vision of Will Wright is vitally important to “Spore.” But I will tell you something: Lucy Bradshaw, the executive producer and the entire team around them, is every bit as responsible for that game as Will is. And Will wouldn’t tell you anything different.

I disagree with CEO John Riccitiello on a few things, but the above quote I do see his point.  In an article over at MTV Multiplayer, there is a discussion with Riccitiello on why aren’t game developers given credit on the box (much like how movies have credits on the DVD).

Well, as much as credit should be given when it is due, I don’t think placing all of the names on the box is a good idea.  Spore has around 90+ people on the team, and if they were to be covered, would take probably the whole back of the box.  I’d rather see pictures of the game in action to help determine if it is a good buy then to read who did what.  Stick it in the game’s manual!

MTV Multiplayer » EA: Why Will Wright’s Name Shouldn’t Be On A Game’s Box (How To Give Proper Credit)