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Spore Creature Creator builder creates iPhone game about destroying

Chaim Gingold spent the past few years creating ways to create things in Spore, most notably the game's Creature Creator. Now the former Maxis design lead has decided to take a different path, making an iPhone game that's all about destroying things ... as a creature. Titled Earth Dragon, Gingold's debut effort on the App Store puts players in control of a dragon with some very simple needs: Laying waste to castles and enemies, and abducting princesses. It relies on simple tilt and tap controls to fly, smash and breathe fire.
In an interview with Gamasutra, Gingold spoke of his philosophy on iPhone development, saying, "My mantra while developing Earth Dragon has been 'Make Donkey Kong, not Super Mario Bros.' Think small! If people like it, you still care, you can pile in the other million ideas you have later." As for what he'll do next, it seems that iPhone will again be his platform of choice. "I have a ton of ideas sitting in my personal prototype vault that I've never been able to figure out what to do with, but I think many of them would work nicely on the iPhone, which is exciting to me."
If you're keen on playing the game -- which, in Gingold's words, contains "the most intense level of cartoon violence Apple allows" -- hit this link to the iTunes App Store. Just want to see it in action? Check out the video after the break.
In an interview with Gamasutra, Gingold spoke of his philosophy on iPhone development, saying, "My mantra while developing Earth Dragon has been 'Make Donkey Kong, not Super Mario Bros.' Think small! If people like it, you still care, you can pile in the other million ideas you have later." As for what he'll do next, it seems that iPhone will again be his platform of choice. "I have a ton of ideas sitting in my personal prototype vault that I've never been able to figure out what to do with, but I think many of them would work nicely on the iPhone, which is exciting to me."
If you're keen on playing the game -- which, in Gingold's words, contains "the most intense level of cartoon violence Apple allows" -- hit this link to the iTunes App Store. Just want to see it in action? Check out the video after the break.
Spore Creature Creator 2-D set free in your browser

Now here's some ... creative marketing. Maxis has launched a Flash-based browser version of the Spore Creature Creator that mimics the customization found in the retail game fairly closely. Only, y'know, in 2D. All 250 parts found in the 3D creator are available and there's even the option to import creatures from millions found in the Sporepedia (although we found many are "not supported" at this time).
The app is promoting the impending October 6 release of Spore Hero on Wii (and Spore Hero Arena for DS), but, even if you're not juiced about either game, it's great for creating loving, extremely flattering versions of your friends, family and co-workers -- which must then be placed on their Facebook feeds, of course.
The app is promoting the impending October 6 release of Spore Hero on Wii (and Spore Hero Arena for DS), but, even if you're not juiced about either game, it's great for creating loving, extremely flattering versions of your friends, family and co-workers -- which must then be placed on their Facebook feeds, of course.
Over 100 million creatures made in Spore

Of course, that number doesn't include banned products of the massive worldwide Spore penis monster team (otherwise known as every teenager with a copy of Spore), but presumably does include the millions of monsters who look just different enough from wangs to avoid notice.
[Via Kotaku]
Gitcha SecuROM de-authorization tools! Git'em ova hur!
EA's perpetual joke -- on you -- comes to an ironic end on April Fools' Day with the release of de-authorization tools for each of its 19 PC games with SecuROM copy protection (full list and download links after the break). If you've been working on that class action lawsuit against EA for bundling SecuROM with The Sims 2: IKEA Home Stuff, you can drop it now -- your flat-pack furniture can finally be moved to a new machine.
In the spirit of generosity, EA's giving you two options for managing your authorizations:
In the spirit of generosity, EA's giving you two options for managing your authorizations:
Joystiq eyes-on: How to Build a Better Being, with Will Wright

We're starting to get a little sick from Spore fever, since we gamers have been hearing about it for what seems like eons. But once the title launches September 7 in North America (and September 5 in Europe and Asia), we'll have to ride the wave of hype again when the rest of the world hears about the title. Set your TiVos for one of the first (of potentially many) Spore tie-ins; the National Geographic Channel will air its HD special, How to Build a Better Being on Tuesday, September 9 at 10:00 PM. The production is also included in the $80 Spore Galactic Edition.
The show offers a primer in DNA and genetics beyond what we remember from high school, connecting science with Spore. It's less a look at the game directly and more of a handshake (sometimes literally) between Will Wright and genetic scientists.
How to Build a Better Being centers on the Creature Creator and the genetic basis for the game's evolution and multitude of parts. After watching a screener, we wish it also covered science behind other parts of the game. However, the hour-long show works as a companion to that fundamental Spore angle.
Will Wright doesn't blush at 'Sporn'
Speaking with the Associated Press, Spore creator and bona fide master game designer, Will Wright, seemed surprisingly ... okay with the various "Spore-nographic" organs creatures people have made using the Spore Creature Creator. "Some of it's really good for what they were shooting for. It's amazingly explicit, especially when those creations are animated," Wright said.
On the topic of giving creative power (and lots of it) to players, Wright explained, "When you give players creative control, you have to expect they're going to do the unexpected," but he was quick to add, "We just have to make sure those people aren't messing up the experience for others." To this end, Wright told the AP that there will be a system in place whereby players can "ban" content from ever appearing in their own Spore universe. Elsewhere, we fully expect there to be entire universes populated solely by undulating naughty bits.
On the topic of giving creative power (and lots of it) to players, Wright explained, "When you give players creative control, you have to expect they're going to do the unexpected," but he was quick to add, "We just have to make sure those people aren't messing up the experience for others." To this end, Wright told the AP that there will be a system in place whereby players can "ban" content from ever appearing in their own Spore universe. Elsewhere, we fully expect there to be entire universes populated solely by undulating naughty bits.
Will Wright's exemplar user-created Spore creatures

Fancy seeing a selection of the 1.589+ million Spore creatures created so far? This batch of crazy critters was hand picked by Will Wright himself as an example of how crazy, imaginative and realistic Spore's creatures can be, if the players are creative enough. Click the image above to begin the tour, which includes the following:
- Scarily realistic (or so Mr. Wright says) humans
- A set of walking teeth
- Living vehicles
- A Chocobo, from the Final Fantasy universe
- The Weighted Companion Cube, back from the dead with a slight weight problem
- Robots
Vote in Big Download's Spore creature contest
The Big Download folks need your help in choosing the best design out of the Top 10 contestant in their Spore Creature Creator contest. Check out the zoological diversity below and then vote on the Big Download site for the best one.
The grand prize winner gets a Wacom Intuos3 6x11 drawing tablet and there's great prizes for second and third place as well. Voting closes July 14, so rally the troops and make sure the best freak of nature wins.
The grand prize winner gets a Wacom Intuos3 6x11 drawing tablet and there's great prizes for second and third place as well. Voting closes July 14, so rally the troops and make sure the best freak of nature wins.
Will Wright talks Spore and defensive cows
1UP has a nice video interview with Will Wright where he discusses various elements of Spore. He covers the different stages of evolution in the game, the AI built into the creature creator and tells a good story about a really mad cow.
For Civ IV fans, Wright also briefly talks about Soren Johnson's contribution to the game. Johnson left Firaxis last year to go work on Spore and help the team streamline the title. The full interview can be found after the break.
For Civ IV fans, Wright also briefly talks about Soren Johnson's contribution to the game. Johnson left Firaxis last year to go work on Spore and help the team streamline the title. The full interview can be found after the break.
Gallery: Spore
Sporemon: Spore Creature Creator meets Pokemon
The Spore Creature Creator. PC enthusiasts have been enjoying the thing for a bit now, creating wild and imaginative creatures. Well, it's also been used to create other things, such as controllers and ... rabbids. We figured there must also be a vibrant Pokémon population thriving within the virtual walls of the editor, as well. And, sure enough, we found lots of fun and inspired Pokémon recreations. So click on the bottom-right button there to check out some of the Pokémon users have come up with!


Rabbid fact #76 -- Bunnies look good in Spore
While Joystiq was spending a week trying to create cool and clever things with the Spore Creature Creator, other folks were up to some interesting projects as well. Take, for instance, this rabbid made by YouTuber judhudson.
Sure, the little guy might look even more demented than your standard, already-crazying-looking rabbid, but it shares a pretty good resemblance. Between his appearance, the dancing, and the dubbed in screaming, he has "rabbid" written all over him.
Apparently, people are making all kinds of neat things with Spore. Have you ran into any particularly good character remakes in your travels?
[Via GoNintendo]
Sure, the little guy might look even more demented than your standard, already-crazying-looking rabbid, but it shares a pretty good resemblance. Between his appearance, the dancing, and the dubbed in screaming, he has "rabbid" written all over him.
Apparently, people are making all kinds of neat things with Spore. Have you ran into any particularly good character remakes in your travels?
[Via GoNintendo]
Reimagining the Zelda franchise's characters as Spore Creatures
The internet has been set on fire by the recent release of Spore Creature Creator, which has been used to create not only some really weird and interesting things, but also variations of characters found in other games. Above, you'll see 19 different characters from The Legend of Zelda games.
The full spectrum of characters is covered, from the incredibly annoying Navi, right down to the ferocious Beast Ganon. So check out the video above.
[Via Go Nintendo]
The Best Of Big Download: June 15-21, 2008
It's yet another huge week here at the Big Download news site. For a "game" that's not really a game, Maxis' Spore Creature Creator generated more buzz than most true PC game titles. But that's not all we had. Take a look at the highlights from the past week.
Exclusives
Exclusives
- Spore Creature Creator: Not only did we chat briefly with Spore's executive producer Lucy Bradshaw, we launched a Spore Creature Creator contest that will give the winners some cool prizes.
- Interview: Brad Wardell of Stardock: We chat with the CEO of Stardock about The Political Machine 2008, Sins of a Solar Empire, their new Impulse game delivery system and lots more.
- Interview: Randy Stude of The PC Gaming Alliance: We quiz the president of the non-profit organization on their plans to promote and improve PC gaming.
- Freeware Friday: Our latest free game spotlight goes to the sci-fi action strategy game Battleships Forever.
Spore Creature Creator spawns Wiimote and nunchuk
Much like the creature that resembles an Xbox 360 controller, someone has gone ahead and created the Wiimote and nunchuk-like combo you see above. While we haven't played any Spore Creature Creator ourselves, we do hear it's fun. Heck, if you can make the thing above there, it can't be all bad.
Any other gaming controllers or characters you've seen done up in the game?
[Thanks, Amiculi!]
Any other gaming controllers or characters you've seen done up in the game?
[Thanks, Amiculi!]
Big Daddy gets the Spore treatment
As PC gamers patiently wait to play Will Wright's latest creation, Spore, they've recently had a chance to tinker with the Spore Creature Creator to test the customization options of the game. As expected the first monsters created were intentionally NSFW but some gamers took the opportunity to get creative. Using the PC tool gamers have recreated the Big Daddy from 2007's critically and commercially acclaimed BioShock. Other game character homages made with the tool include Mass Effect and a very bubbly Master Chief.
Download the Spore Creature Creator from Big Download today!
Download the Spore Creature Creator from Big Download today!



















