Spore
GamesRadar reviews Spore Galactic Adventures
Jul 22nd
Unfortunately though, Galactic Adventures fails honkingly on every level. The manual claims you’ll encounter player-made missions in the Space phase, but this never happened to us. Every one of the dozens we played were Maxis-made. These missions are few, short and bad. Player-made adventures are confined to the Sporepedia browser – which is still malfunctioning, awkward and slow. Thousands of missions have been made at the time of writing, but even the most popular are glitchy, ugly and dull.
You’ll love
- Creating missions is almost fun
- Some good missions will be made eventually
- Gives Spore-addicts more to do
You’ll hate
- New missions are short and bad
- Mission creation cripples creativity
- Exorbitant cost for nothing worthy of play
I can’t believe this, but GamesRadar gave Spore Galactic Adventures a score of 4 (flawed). Care to continue reading their other complaints? Click here.
Rendered Spore Creatures in Maya thanks to Spore Patch #5
Jul 22nd
Spore’s art director, Ocean Quigley, posted a few demonstrations of the exporter feature that came with Spore Patch #5 (exporting your creatures to the Collada format for use in Maya or any 3D Software that supports that filetype).
According to him, the exported creations include normal, diffuse and specular maps, and are fully rigged and weighted – allowing you to pose them! Now I want to go render my creations! LOL :P
Spore Patch 1.05 Troubleshooting
Jul 22nd
Did you download Patch #5 (version 1.05) and experienced some issues? You may want to check out this thread posted at the Sporum, as SporeMasterKaliena is currently gathering solutions to the common problems with the patch. Here is what she has posted so far, keep checking back in the thread as information could always be added!
This thread will focus on Patch 1.05 troubleshooting. Please only post about Patch 1.05 here. For Patch 1.04 post here: http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/list/31242.page For Patch 1.02 or 1.03 please post here: http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/list/9026.page
Temporary direct download link for Patch 1.05
I have a Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library Runtime Error run time error when trying to launch Spore after installing this patch. What can I do?
Delete or rename your preferences.prop and login.prop files in your Application Data folder, then try launching the game again. Click here to find out how to get to your preferences folder and for more detail http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/list/31720.page#987420Bad_Data appearing for new Planets and Star Systems after patching
Please refer to this thread: http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/list/31841.page#992430Updating Content Database Screen Appears Frozen, no Spinning Logo
This screen may take several minutes or more to process depending on your computer. Please do not use ctrl-alt-del to end the Spore game while this process is running, just allow it to run for as long as it may take. This is a one time process and will not happen when you launch Spore the next time if it is allowed to complete.How can I download the patch using EA Download Manager EADM?
The EADM client is needed to download and install the patch, however you won’t see the patch listed within EADM’s menu. Instead, simply have EADM installed on your computer and launch Spore. Spore automatically launches EADM and while both are running the game will ask if you want to proceed with downloading and installing the patch. If you don’t have EADM currently you can download it from http://www.spore.com/patchMy EA Download Manager is installed and yet I have not been prompted to patch to 1.05
Check to ensure your Firewall is not preventing EADM from functioning. Turning it off for a short time while downloading the patch may be helpful. Also you can reinstall EA Download Manager to ensure you have the latest version by visiting http://www.spore.com/patchThe patches tab in EADM doesn’t show the Spore patch listed.
The patches tab in EADM is not updated to list the Spore patch. This is a known issue and will be resolved in the future. This has no effect on the availability of the patch.I’m having trouble downloading the Patch, can I download it directly from a website?
The patch is usually available for direct download from third party websites within a few days of being released to the public, this page will be updated soon with direct download links.General trouble installing the patch
You can try right clicking and Run as Administrator once it has downloaded, even if you are using EA Download Manager. The patch is located in C:\ProgramData\Electronic Arts\EADM\cache\{ Anonymous }
Filename spore_dd_patch_all_v5.exe Right click the patch file and select to Run As Administrator.Patch Download Process Failed Error
Possible work around as follows:
Go to C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\EADM\ and create a cache folder.
Go into the options in EADM and change the download path to: C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\EADM\cache\
Start the download again to this new locationUnable to open new file
This can be cause by insufficient disk space. You may need to free up as much as 6 GB of space to ensure that the patch can install.Invalid Patch File
You can try downloading the patch again from a website instead of using EADM to ensure the file is not corrupted. If that fails, the patch does not seem to work if you did not originally install SPORE to the default location. I don’t know of a workaround other than uninstalling and reinstalling to the default location.An update directory does not exist
This error usually affects Vista users. Please right click and Run As Administrator the patch so that it can install correctly. If you used EADM the patch is located in C:\ProgramData\Electronic Arts\EADM\cache\{ Anonymous }
Filename spore_dd_patch_all_v5.exeThe setup has detected that No version of SPORE is installed.
The patch does not seem to work if you did not originally install SPORE to the default location. I don’t know of a workaround other than uninstalling and reinstalling to the default location.IMM32.DLL Error
Some users of Windows 2000 have reported receiving an IMM32.dll error when trying to launch Spore after patching. Unfortunately Windows 2000 is not a supported O/S for Spore and it may not work correctly. Please post here if you have Windows XP or Winddows Vista and receive this error.Login Failure After Patch
First try logging in with the colon format as follows:
email@email.com: userid
example:
myemail@yahoo.com: kaliena
If that doesn’t help try deleting the login.prop file, this will force Spore to have you retype your Spore userid and password, after which you can set it to save that information again.
Go to the Spore directory:
In Windows XP \Documents and Settings\(Username)\Application Data\SPORE\Preferences\
In Vista \Users\(Username)\AppData\Roaming\SPORE\Preferences\
The Application Data directory may be hidden. To display hidden files:
In the menu Tools->Folder Options->View
check “Show Hidden Files and Folders”
Mac: Users\User Name\Library\Preferences\SPORE Preferences\p_drive\User\Application Data\Spore\Preferences\If you have tried the above fixes and are still unable to install the patch you may need to uninstall Spore and reinstall and then try patching again.
Back up your game data and the My Spore Creations Folder before Uninstalling.
How do I back up saved games?
http://help.spore.com/cgi-bin/easpore.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=20401If you have tried to fix your problem with the above steps and have not had success please post in this thread, including a list of all steps you have already taken to resolve your problem and the exact error message you are receiving.
Thanks!
Spore Patch #5 – Asymmetry is now possible!
Jul 21st
Spore fanatics are celebrating today as Maxis has released Spore Patch #5 which finally includes an official fix to allow asymmetry for Creatures and Vehicles! Not only that, but many other fixes and issues have been corrected – for both Spore and Spore Galactic Adventures. Read the details below and then install – but keep in mind, with any patch comes the possibility of your game not working, so be warned!
To get the patch, simply launch Spore. PC players will need to have EADM installed.
If you didn’t install the EADM when you installed Spore, you can download it here. This patch is available for PC. Mac users should check back soon.
Spore Improvements:
- Asymmetry is now available for creatures! Details on new Asymmetry features for Creatures and Vehicles can be found here.
- This patch fixes several crashes in Space Game.
- Many tuning improvements to Space Game, including reduced disaster rates at all levels of difficulty, adjustments to Hard Mode, increased limits on concurrent trade routes, as well as changes to tool unlocks for the Knights.
- Creator Lineage appears correctly for all creation types shared after this patch is installed.
- Cheat is included that permits Creators to export creatures in Collada format for use in Maya. Creators must acknowledge and accept a Tools EULA to perform this operation. An additional cheat has been provided to enable highest quality textures to appear on vehicles, where it is supported by user hardware.
- Fixed a problem where creations would go missing if a user quits the game in any way while downloads are in progress.
- Fixed a bug where achievements were disappearing.
- Fixed a bug where some Sporepedia cards had corrupted backgrounds.
- Fixed a problem in Space where some Grox planets were unreachable.
- YouTube movies now publish as public
Galactic Adventures Improvements:
- This patch must be installed again after installing Galactic Adventures, even if you have installed this patch previously.
- You can now place the avatar, NPCs, and handheld objects on top of air, land, and sea vehicles in the Adventure Creator. Get more info here.
- Improvements are made to the Adventure Creator, including right-click camera behavior, and User Interface enhancements.
- Fixed a problem with gates where open gates were getting the incorrect physics hull.
- Some customer-reported crashes in Galactic Adventures have been fixed.
Spore Contest – Apollo 11 Adventure Challenge
Jul 21st
“One small step for one, one giant leap for Spore-kind.”
Yesterday was a huge day for NASA as well as mankind in general – it was the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moonlanding. Maxis wants to celebrate the occasion with a new Spore Contest they kicked off, the Apollo 11 Adventure Challenge! Read on what MaxisCactus has to say:
On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first humans to set foot on the moon. Millions tuned in to watch the historic event on TV as the new frontier was first explored by people. Find out more about the famous voyage here.
40 years later, to celebrate that momentous occasion, we’re opening the Apollo 11 Adventure Challenge! Create an adventure from our lunar template creation: The Moon.
Make it realistic, with goals such as planting scientific equipment on the surface and collecting samples, or create an entirely new version of the events, such as encountering alien life, or trekking to the dark side of the moon.
To edit the template, save this png and drag it into your Sporepedia, or view the adventure on Spore.com and click “Download Adventure”.
We’ll post our favorite adventures here for you to vote on a winner.
What will the challenge winner get?
Glory of course… and a chance to be featured on Spore.com!
Your adventure:
- must be an edited version of this template adventure
- must not contain other authors (aside from MaxisSpore) in the lineage
- must not have any links or references to other sites in the submission’s tags, name, or description
Submissions that do not meet the above criteria will not be considered for a feature
Additional Requirements:
- To submit an adventure: publish it with the tag mcapollochallenge.
- You can submit as many adventures as you’d like
- All submissions must be in by 11:00 AM PST Tuesday (08/07/09)
Optional:
- Post a link to your adventure
- Post screenshots from your adventure
- Post YouTube movies of your adventure
Challenge FAQ
How was the moon template created?
The USGS Astrogeology research program has published various topographic maps of the lunar surface. Spore’s Kate Compton used bump maps created by artist Robert Johnston from the USGS data to recreate a planet that looks like the Earth’s moon! She added a couple extra craters to make the surface more interesting, so you may want to think of this as “the moon, but after an especially heavy Leonid shower”.Is contact from Earth required, or can we just use the template to create a moon-based adventure? Does the landing need to occur in the adventure?
You do not need to contact earth. Please keep in mind that the spirit of this challenge is to remember Apollo 11, but that is widely open to your interpretation. You don’t need to include the landing in your adventure.Does the captain have to be the astronaut? Can we use him/her in the adventure?
You can change the captain, and make it locked or unlocked. The template uses a locked astronaught captain, but you’re welcome to change this aspect of the adventure.Will there be a Sporecast of the entry creations?
If you make one there will be!
Spore Galactic Adventures User Upload Challenge 3 – Video Game tribute
Jul 17th
Maxis is kicking off their YouTube User Upload Challenge #3 – this time fans can create adventures based on their favorite video game and upload their movies to YouTube for a chance to win!
User Video Challenge Instructions:
Galactic Adventures allow you to create any game imaginable and even those that have been imagined.
For this challenge, create an adventure as a tribute to your favorite video game of all time. Have the adventure either mimic the game or feature elements from it (plot, props, objectives etc).
Once you have created your adventure, make a trailer for the mission and post it as a video response to show everyone what a cool adventure you’ve made. Make sure to note the name of the mission in your video so people can find it in Sporepedia!
And dont forget to check out last weeks best user challenge video FlyingPigBoys Spore Road Trip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_Xb5X…Stay tuned for next weeks YouTube video challenge….
Helpful Technical Information:
To participate in our challenge enter your video as a video response to this one. Here’s how to create a video file to upload manually:
-To capture video in Spore Galactic Adventures, click V to begin video capture and V to end video capture
- Your video will be posted in the “Movies” folder which is located in your “My Spore Creations” directory
- Post your finished video as a video response to this video by clicking “Post a Video Response” in the video response section to the left
7/15/09 – Presenting 3 new Spore Apps!
Jul 15th
Browsing the Sporums, I noticed that there were 3 new programs available for Spore created using the Spore API: Spore Tournament, Creator Clash and Spore Ladder!
Spore Tournament
Source: The Sporums
Copyright: Nightgunner5
Users are given 16 random creations: creatures, vehicles, UFOs, buildings, or a combination. Then, to play the game, they click on the better of two creations. For example, there are 16 in the first round, then 8 in the second, 4 in the semifinals, and 2 in the finals. The winner of a tournament gets two points, and the creation in second place gets 1 point. For each creation that receives points, the user receives one point. At most, each creation can recieve 2 points from each user, so getting second place and then first will only give the creation a single additional point.
Creator Clash
Source: The Sporum
Copyright: Awesim
I’ve (Awesim) been making a simple creature creation game designed to inspire creators who are ready for a challenge. The idea is to force you to make a creature using a specific list of parts. After you upload your creation, you get to see what others have made with the exact same parts list. Just unzip the file into any folder and run the CreatorClash.exe
(I’ve had some issues getting this to work on Vista – something to do with a re-distributable software update.)
Spore Ladder
Source: SporeMania
Copyright: SporeMania
As you know, it’s really hard to make a Ladder with Spore :
- No possibility of making a save to be easy played by players in a given time, and which would be “secure” (where the player can’t use cheats or modify the settings).
- No possibility to play against each other online.
So, we have to innovate and do with what MAXIS and E.A. want to give us. What MAXIS and E.A. want to give us are :
- The Sporepoints (You win points each time you play a game, rate a creation, etc…)
- The Achievements
- The Gold, Silver and Bronze Trophies.
Therefore the ranking calculation of Sporemania’s Ladder will be very simple:
Each Achievement reached give 50 points to the player, to that are added the number of Sporepoints he has, 10 points for each Gold Trophy, 5 for each Silver Trophy, and 3 for each Bronze Trophy.
The formula is :
$Points_Ladder = ( $Nb_SporePoints );
$Points_Ladder += ( $Nb_Succes * 50 );
$Points_Ladder += ( $Nb_Gold_Trophy * 10 );
$Points_Ladder += ( $Nb_Silver_Trophy * 5 );
$Points_Ladder += ( $Nb_Bronze_Trophy * 3 );But to be ranked on the SporeMania Ladder, you will have to fulfill some requirements :
- Having his Spore Account area completed in the profile with the exact name of your Spore Account (if there are any capital letters, then you have to place them too).
- Have been logged on SporeMania at least once in the past 30 days.
(This to only keep the active members, ’cause it would be useless to let someone be in the Top10 if he doesn’t come anymore for months or years.)
Your points will be updated when you’ll log on the website (limited to each 4 hours). To update your points more quickly (limited to each 10 minutes) click on “update my ranking” accessible in - Menu -> Ladder -> Update my ranking. (You’ll be returned on the website’s home page and your points will be updated at this time)
The Ladder’s ranking can be accessed here : http://forums.sporemania.com/?action=ladder. Or simply in Menu -> Ladder. Or else by clicking in the module “Ladder” which is displayed to the right of the forum.
What are the Ladders available? There are 5 rankings :
- The General Spore Ladder ranking, where all the players who have been logged in less than 30 days ago are listed.
- The Daily’s Ladder Top 10 ranking, where those who have earned the biggest amount of points today are listed.
- The Achievement Ladder Top 10 ranking, where those who have earned the biggest amount of Achievements today are listed.
- The Trophy’s Ladder Top 10 ranking, where those who have earned the biggest amount of Trophy points today are listed.
- The Sporepoints Ladder Top 10 ranking, where those who have earned the biggest amount of Sporepoints are listed.
( * For those who don’t know what a Ladder is, The Ladder is a ranking of the players according to their number of points, victories and such.)
7/15/09 – 2 Spore Hero / 5 Spore Hero Arena screens
Jul 15th
EA released a handful of new (as well as a few existing) screens from Spore Hero Wii and Spore Hero Arena for the DS. Attached are the new screens.
Nintendo Wii
Nintendo DS
Spore Contest – Arthropod Adventure: Team Challenge
Jul 15th
Another contest for Spore players – hope you have Spore Galactic Adventures, as you’ll need it for this one 
From MaxisCactus posted in the Sporums:
Challenge Details
Organize into a teams of 3 players. With your team, create an adventure that uses at least 3 insects, arachnids, or crustaceans!
Your Submission Post should include the following information:
Adventure Title:
Team Name:
Lead Artist: Must create 5 original creations used in adventure. Creations tagged with team name.
Lead Collector: Must create Sporecast with at least 10 creations used in adventure. Sporecast tagged mcarthropodchallenge.
Lead Adventure Designer: Must publish adventure. Adventure tagged mcarthropod challenge
Adventure Link: Example: http://www.spore.com/sporepedia#qry=sast-XXXXXXXXXXXX
Sporecast Link: Example: http://www.spore.com/sporepedia#qry=ssc-XXXXXXXXXXXX
Arachnid References
Not sure what to make? Get inspired by arthropods from the following references:
- Wikipedia on arthropods
- SPYDR’s -=ARTHROPODS=- Sporecast
- Daikaze’s Insects and Arachnids Sporecast
- PyroBeast958′s Ultimate Insects of the Galaxy Sporecast
What will the winning team get?
A chance to be featured on Spore.com!
- The Adventure Designer will have the adventure featured.
- The Lead Artist will have one of their creations featured.
- The Lead Collector will have their Sporecast featured.
We’ll post our favorite submissions here, then YOU get to vote for which one is your top pick! The winner may be featured if it meets our criteria for featured creations.
Adventure, creation and Sporecast Requirements:
- must not contain any text with any links or references to other sites in the submission’s tags, name, or description
- must not contain content based on copyrighted material
Submissions that do not meet the above criteria will not be considered for the poll
Rules:
- Your team can submit as many entries as you like. Each entry should have its own post including the required info.
- Your adventure must be published by the Lead Adventure Designer
- Your Sporecast must be created by the Lead Collector (minimum 10 creations)
- Your Adventure must include at least 5 original creations by the Lead Artist
- All submissions must be in by 11:00am PDT August 20th 2009
Optional
- Post screenshots of the adventure and creations you’ve created here!
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