SPORE evolves onto handheld platforms
by Christopher Grant 
{ Mar 1st 2006 at 2:30PM }
An
internet job posting reveals that EA is
looking for "an experienced designer that will be responsible for designing, creating and maintaining game systems
and content for SPORE Handheld titles." Will Wright's
"Sim Everything" wowed
developers at last year's Game Developer's Conference. Responsibilities include delivering "AAA quality and
unique play experiences on multiple Handheld platforms."The job posting doesn't specify what handhelds they'll be developing for, but we're willing to bet this here magical unicorn that this is the big break the Gizmondo and NGage platforms have been waiting for.
[Via CVG]
UPDATE: Ginko biloba-infused reader Aaron correctly recalled Will Wright mentioning that he wanted to bring SPORE to handhelds. Dan Choi found the Joystiq coverage from last May: "Wright also lets on that he plans to bring a version of Spore to handheld gaming systems."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Gonzo @ Mar 1st 2006 3:20PM
I don't know.
As cool as Spores sounds, the handheld versions of the sims games were never anything to write home about. I'm not going to keep my hopes up but it would be cool if a well made port of spores made it to the DS.
Either way I can't wait to try this game in general. The sims games are so open ended and fresh, this thing should be epically so. Is that a word: epically? Is it just me or is Will Wright a total pothead. He just reminds me of one of those college professors who always showed up to class with a hint of skunk on his clothes.
Aaron Styles @ Mar 1st 2006 3:37PM
It might be my over active imagination, but I seem to remember when Will Wright first announced it, that it was his plan to release it on the handhelds.
Sense @ Mar 1st 2006 3:59PM
Awww...poor Gizmondo. That's cold, man. Really cold...
Jenga @ Mar 1st 2006 4:45PM
As much as I love my DS this game sounds more suited to the PSP. But then again...if Age of Empires can see a good run at the DS, why can't spore?
Dan Choi @ Mar 1st 2006 5:50PM
Aaron, you have a good memory: "Wright also lets on that he plans to bring a version of Spore to handheld gaming systems."
http://www.joystiq.com/2005/05/20/wired-exclusive-interview-with-will-wright-on-spore/
Consider this post more confirmation. ;)
Anton @ Mar 1st 2006 6:35PM
The thing about spore is that it will be a detalided game that not only requires a good screen (monitor or TV), but also good input controls. It's going to be an RTS and I don't care who you are but RTS games are best played with a mouse. Now the DS could pull it off control wise but I can't imagine running spore on the low rez screen (I do own a DS and love every second I spend on it)
Nmaster @ Mar 1st 2006 7:21PM
That just screams DS. It'd be a crime against humanity to try to put it on anything else...
...these are the kind of things the DS and Revolution were made for...
Lazy American @ Mar 3rd 2006 12:00AM
First off this would not be an RTS (real time strategy) it will be a real time simulator... but not a strategy. 2nd off this exact article has announced the doom of any possible handheld Spore title being any good. They are looking for a designer... a what? Um didnt Wright already design it? This is exactly why the handheld sims games sucked so much balls, wright didnt make them. EA needs to get out its wallet and pay the master to make the game correctly
toliman @ Mar 7th 2006 7:31PM
after seeing the promo for spore, it is well suited for the new handhelds that are online enabled, can run a real 3D engine, and can run the 'procedural' language that allows for the breeds of each owner to be transferred to the central spore 'universe'. unfortunately, it has the same feel of an online tamagotchi / pokemon collaboration, not that it is an especially bad thing.
at the moment, spore looks like a very shiny collection of mini-games based on evolution & a few hundred standard animations tied into each attribute. ie if you add a tail, you get tail animations, if you have single legged animals, they will hop & sway in the same way as each event occurs.
this kind of building of genetics is very easy to adopt to the handheld, especially the DS with its dual screens allowing for local/social/global contexts to make the game more interesting. with the addition of online content from the spore universe, objectives, characters & their unusual models, even mini-games can become textures that can add to and appeal to fans of the idea. since it can be updated on a regular basis when the player chooses to update, or not, it will allow for a similar dynamic and relative experience to the PC.
oodles of possibility