Spore Creature Creator

Last I checked, we don't document game utilities and demos here. Do we make exceptions for hyped big-studio releases?

It's as much of a demo as Gran Turismo 5: Prologue is.

Then why did we throw out that poor little tech-demo?

True. Too bad for Sicarius, this game shoudn't be documented. I have a couple of AD&D game editors that still can't be added :p

[edit] Wha...? We accept demo's now?

[edit] Pseudo, send in your Monkey Island demo, dude!

Too bad for Sicarius, this game shoudn't be documented.

On the contrary, I think we should use it as the foot in the door to document similar software for less-known games 8)

It's a commercial release offering an environment where players can create creatures and can "play" with them. Why wouldn't it be a game?

Does this mean I can send in my AD&D construction set kit.

Nevermind the little letters in front of the manual saying "This is not a game."

*cough* :(

There's all sorts of programs one can "play" with that aren't necessarily considered games... entertainment software or software toys (the old Wright term for his own SimCity, the objectiveless game-simulation). I've snuck some in here and would invoke them as precedents but I wouldn't want to put them on slippery grounds 8)

While I haven't played this, uh, game, the description does not fill me with excitement at its gameplay prospects:

* modify the blob's form and size.
* choose decorative objects to apply to the blob to form a living creature, limited in complexity, which modify stats which are not used here.
* paint and name the creature.

okay, so we've got some character generation... a good start for a game!

* test the creature's activity animations
* spawn variations on the creature
* make screenshots and videos
* catalogue your creature on the Sporepedia website

Are we playing the game yet? I mean, I suppose it passes the very low bar set by Conway's Game of Life 8)

Are you aware of the Sporn? (NSFW!) Can a Newtonian clockmaker god do that?

I agree that the common term "Game" may be very much streteched when applied to the Creature Creator but still I consider it a valid entry because, as Sciere already stated, technically you can play with the creature created - as limited as the possibilities may be. And it is a small simulation in itself.

I don't know the AD&D Consturction Kit but I picture it something like the Neverwinter Nights Editor and that's just a plain editor. You can't do shit in there besides placing stuff which makes it a utility.

A better comparison would be the The Sims 2 Character Creator. It was the same situation as now with the Spore Creature Creator. But the difference is, that AFAIK you couldn't do anything in there with the character created (not even upload it to a fancy website).

Oh and although the entry may be debateable, it can't be debated on the grounds "it's just a demo" as it is not. It's a full commercial release as e.g. GT5P is.

And on that note I rest my case. I'll accept any decision that will be reached here and won't open up a "Bring Spore CC back!"-thread if the entry is removed ;).

My final suggestion is to download the demo of the CC (it's only 190mb and has 25% of the components available from the full release) and base the judgement on that.

Since when was 190 MB "only"? I've had smaller hard drives.

That is just plain stupid.

Uhm... May I post my creature here? Thank you. You've been a wonderful audience!



It's a pity poor fellow closed his eye!

Great utility, though! Even if it's not really a game, I had a lot of good time with it!

Game. Not a utility. *F*U*N*!

To me it isn't really a demo if you have to pay for it.

Good point, actually!

I think the term you're looking for is "fooled".

No, I don't think so.

There is a free demo which allows to have a great time with it, and they are offering lots of additional content for a price. I don't see why not, since this game's character creation system is enjoyable much more than the majority of full price games.