GC: Spore Preview

By Ellie Gibson Published 24 August, 2007

New details of Will Wright's latest.

Not long into our 30-minute demo of Spore, there's a knock on the door. A PR's head appears. "We need to limit the demos to 20 minutes," she says. There's a pause. One of the men demoing the game quietly replies, "Yeah. We can't do that."

Clearly, there's a lot to say about Spore. Some of which you'll already know: it's the brainchild of Sims creator Will Wright, it's about evolving single cell organisms into creatures and then civilisations, and it will let players populate each others' worlds with their creations.

You've probably also heard it's been delayed (release is now set for spring next year). And you might have wondered whether Spore would ever manage to fight its way past all the quantum physics and theories of game design in Will Wright's head to actually make it onto the shelves.

The answer is yes. We're being shown a full build of Spore, and told that right now, "You can play through the entire game from the very beginning to the very end." But seeing as we've only got 30 minutes, and even that's under threat, today's demo will focus on two sections.

On the make

First up is the Creature level, which would normally follow the single cell bit and begins with character creation. The interface for the Creature Editor looks simple and intuitive, and it's easy to see how you could spend hours playing with it.

'GC: Spore' Screenshot 1

Although you've got a finite selection of arms, legs, mouths and so on, there are plenty of choices to make. There are things like spines and horns to stick on, skin colours to choose from, patterns to add. You can manipulate your Creature's body as if it was a piece of clay, change the size of their hands, make their elbows stick out or increase the gap between their toes... So while it looks as easy as making a Mii, the end result will be essentially unique.

Once your Creature is complete you can plonk him into a 3D world. The one we're being shown today features rolling hills and giant mushrooms, but of course others will differ; volcanic and gaseous planets are mentioned, and there's confirmation you can terraform planets.

The environment is lush, bright and simple, with plenty of open space. It's populated by wild animals, which you can eat, and other Creatures with whom you can make friends, fight or mate. Or a combination, just like real life. If you're playing online these will include Creatures designed by other players, but there are also plenty of NPCs for people frightened of the Internet.

This part of the game has a simple Sims-style mechanic. You've got to make sure your Creature, or Creatures once the mating starts, has enough to eat and drink, for example. You can make them attack other species, earning an 'aggressive' rating, or sing and dance instead to be 'social'.

Tribal warfare

'GC: Spore' Screenshot 2

Apparently the Creature level will take you about an hour and a half to complete. It ends when your Creatures discover fire, at which point they become a Tribe. This level is described as a "light RTS style game". You can order your Creatures about as you would troops, getting them to forage for fruit or hunt wild animals.

This gets you food units which can be used as currency. Things to buy include fishing rods, clubs, axes and spears, plus basic buildings like a mating hut and healing tent. You'll also need a recruiting tool so you can attract new members to the Tribe. If it doesn't work, you can force other Creatures to join you by attacking their Tribe.

Once again, it all seems simple and intuitive. It's hard to tell just by watching someone else play the game, but it doesn't look like you'll be punished too hard for pursuing strategies that don't work. This isn't a fully-fledged RTS offering a serious challenge; it's more about letting you explore, play and experiment with the different options available to find out what works.

High concept

Which is also the idea of Spore as a whole. Will Wright has previously stated, "The most interesting stories I hear from gamers are the stories they tell me about what they did in the game. Where that comes in Spore is letting the players fully own the characters, because they created them."

It's a bit disappointing that today's demo hasn't really conveyed this concept. The Creature and Tribe levels look fun, and there's clearly huge scope for creativity with the Creature Editor. But it's the other elements which will make Spore really special.

'GC: Spore' Screenshot 3

We are given a tantalising glimpse of one. On screen is what you'll see when you've completed the Creature and Tribe levels and finished building your Civilisation. It's a galaxy of stars, hundreds of pinpricks of twinkling light. We're told that each star is actually a planet you can visit. Each of them is different. Each of them is home to different species. And each of them is populated by species created not only by game designers, but other players.

In all honesty, this single screen is the most exciting thing we've seen during the demo. Wright has talked about how Spore will involve exploring other worlds since the beginning, but looking at the stars gives you a real sense of the possibilities.

We can't help but wish we'd spent the last 30 minutes learning more about this part of the game. But at least what we did see of Spore looks good, and at least the finished game isn't too far, far away.

Picture of Ellie.

About Ellie Gibson

Since joining Eurogamer in the mid 2000s, Ellie has written about subjects as diverse as the fall of Gizmondo, the rise of Hollyoaks actresses in Red Alert games and the noise a bear makes under NSFW circumstances.

Read more articles from Ellie by visiting the Ellie Gibson archive page.

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Comments (42) Latest comment 5 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • WrongShui #1 5 years ago

    This looks great.

  • jonsaan #2 5 years ago

    This game will never come out. Stop dreaming.

  • Feet #3 5 years ago

    This looks rubbish.

    Just for completness. ¬_¬

  • Fitzmogwai #4 5 years ago

    I want this to be brilliant but I'm so afraid that it's going to simply be another iteration of The Sims which bored me to tears. Although not literally.

  • miiiguel #5 5 years ago

    Sims meet Viva Piñata ?

  • buzz #6 5 years ago

    Looks like lunatic dung.
    Edited by 1 at 24/08/07 @ 12:04

  • coastal #7 5 years ago

    bring back the petri desh. Fitzmogwai, i think you summed it up best.

    v. worried too.

  • space_ace #8 5 years ago

    vapourware

  • Orange #9 5 years ago

    Does seem rather too ambitious in scope and yet watered down in its gameplay elements as a result.

    One query I have about the galactic endgame - so you have the opportunity to see other creature civilisations, but what then?? Are you supposed to choose to fight them, breed new hybrid creatures with them or just stand there going "ooh that's interesting" as you click on random planets.

  • TonyCocaCola #10 5 years ago

    The game ends when your civilization becomes advanced enough to create their own sim game which you then play and thus linking you back to the beginning.

  • Fitzmogwai #11 5 years ago

    Re: endgame. I guess there would be plenty of options but I think it could go two ways: either visiting other planets, wandering around thinking "ooh, that's a nice civilisation you've built" or some unfortunate sods having to permanently defend their planet from hordes of griefing leet kiddies launching galactic invasions who otherwise would be kicking over sandcastles.

    Verging on the incoherent there, but I hope you get my drift.

  • Nikanoru #12 5 years ago

    I'm tired of hearing about this game. It bores me already. They never tell us anything new anyway beyond what we've seen in the very first presentation that they did.

    User-created content often sucks. I'm afraid that means this entire game is going to suck.

  • gieltjegitaar #13 5 years ago

    Finally a pc game I look forward to.

  • Les #14 5 years ago

    Looks very promising. Together with LBP definitely my most anticipated game.

  • BillyBrush #15 5 years ago

    zzzzzzzz

    seen more interesting games on 2 gamecubes sellotaped together to be honest...

    western creature design seems so dull, have these people looked at Pokemon ever? the geekier end of development should stick to building mini cities and leave games requiring art to proper artists...

  • w00t #16 5 years ago

    Cannot wait for this. It looks EXCELLENT.

  • Tomo #17 5 years ago

    Going solely on the screenshots, it looks pretty gash. I'm looking forward to it though and I'm sure the actual thing will look very naaaice in the flesh.

  • Les #18 5 years ago

    "western creature design seems so dull"

    You must love it then that in this game you can design your own... ;)

  • Nallen #19 5 years ago

    This is going to be the next Black and White. Boy did that game talk a good talk, sadly it walked with a limp.

  • MaxiSleep #20 5 years ago

    I cant help worrying that the distinct levels (cell/creature etc) seam a bit disjointed. Will they just be bits you rush through in the end to get to the end game?

  • AbyssUK #21 5 years ago

    I will make a race of sonic the hedgehogs!

  • Yeevle #22 5 years ago

    When I first heard about the game 50.000.000 years ago I was interested. Now though it looks like a series of watered down genres. Also, as somebody mentioned earlier what is the point of exploring the galaxy unless there is some sort of storyline? It is just one giant sandbox.

    I will however be buying it. :D
    Edited by 1 at 24/08/07 @ 18:08

  • MoFo #23 5 years ago

    There's a video on Eurogamer TV. I recall it shows the end game involving attacking rival planets with your space ship that comes handily equipped with a zap-a-tron laser beam thingy. Although I think you have the choice whether to zap the enemies or just say, "Cooeee". Let's face it though, most people are going to try and blast the crap out of any living creature they encounter. I suspect the challenge will be when you come across a rival civilization that actually has a bigger badder gun than yours and you shit yourself, beating a hasty retreat with your five tails firmly between your sixteen legs.

  • Scimarad #24 5 years ago

    Can't wait!

  • immateriaux #25 5 years ago

    This had me interested from the beginning and still does. It's the kind of game I'd gladly update system specs for - assuming that it does deliver on it's promise. But I'd have a lot more faith in Mr Wright to do that than in Mr Molyneaux, for one: I don't think this will be a Fable or Black and White, the fact that it is delayed even adds to the reassurances in that regard.
    Edited by 1 at 24/08/07 @ 19:54

  • CouldntResist #26 5 years ago

    Right from the start, i've had the feeling that this game would be big on ideas...but impossible to execute. So far i've not seen any evidence that changes my opinion. Peter Molyneux tbh. Where is that guy btw...i've not heard any "best game eva" claims from him for yonks.

    Oh, and the screenshots look...uninspired.
    Edited by 1 at 25/08/07 @ 02:12

  • urban #27 5 years ago

    still looks pish =]

  • Poorandugly #28 5 years ago

    Judging by the screenshots, it seems like every creature is more or less "cute", regardless of how you design it. So it will be a lot of cute creatures running around in space killing each other off in cute and cartoonish ways. If the art direction had allowed for broader designs and a less cartoonish look, it might have had a bigger appeal to me...

  • indotoonster #29 5 years ago

    Mehhhh... revolutionary? 25 year old gimmick, tbh.

  • ch3w84cc4 #30 5 years ago

    This is a game which gives people ownership over their own game as you directly influence the evolution of your species. It is very ambitious but WW is an inovator. I think he shows great forsight and will again chance the way a genre is approached.

  • SilasMalkav #31 5 years ago

    I just want to know if how the creature looks has an impact on the game.

  • UncleLou #32 5 years ago

    zzzzzzzz

    seen more interesting games on 2 gamecubes sellotaped together to be honest...

    western creature design seems so dull, have these people looked at Pokemon ever? the geekier end of development should stick to building mini cities and leave games requiring art to proper artists...

    This, ladies and gentleman, is what happens if you comment after just looking at screenshots. Say no to analphabetism. Learn to read now.

  • NegativeZero #33 5 years ago

    So the tide-pool game at the start is completely gone now? :(

  • Virvel #34 5 years ago

    Is it PC only or is it coming for PS3 as well?

    I hate PC gaming due to all the installing, booting, different hardware-setups, crashes, windows-problems, and all that dogshit.

    If it is released for PS3 I will definitely buy it.

  • TheUnionFrag #35 5 years ago

    "Is it PC only or is it coming for PS3 as well?

    I hate PC gaming due to all the installing, booting, different hardware-setups, crashes, windows-problems, and all that dogshit.

    If it is released for PS3 I will definitely buy it."

    That, my friend, is because you have a shite PC ;). It is coming to consoles, but not until after the PC version is released.

  • Zastai #36 5 years ago

    I was looking forward to this until it became clear that the interesting parts (cell->civilization) would only take 4-6 hours, and the remainder of the time would be spent cruising the galaxy.
    I'm afraid that's not my idea of a great time, so I'll pass on this (same with Heavenly Sword - it may be gorgeous, but waaaaay too short).

  • Gulag #37 5 years ago

    Something tells me they haven't shown the whole rope yet. My suspicion is that there is a Masters of Orion endgame with player to player interaction, which makes a hell of a lot more sense than just cruising around the galaxy.

  • AOFanboi #38 5 years ago

    <em>That, my friend, is because you have a shite PC ;)</em>

    Thanks for reminding me why I largely have given up on PC gaming: The span from "top of the line gaming rig" to "shite PC" is shorter than a Sony console lifespan. Or they change specs so that you cannot even upgrade an existing rig (my AGP-sporting motherboard cannot use modern PCI-E cards for instance).

    Now, if Sony could be bothered to release good titles on the PS3... my recent purchases were MSR and Soul Fighter for the Dreamcast, dammit!

    (They are classics, I didn't have them, and Game had a sale. No Virtua Tennis though.)

  • smelly #39 5 years ago

    I keep looking at this game.. i see impressive tech.. but i dont see anything..

    .. erm.. you know.. "fun"

  • Batman2100 #40 5 years ago

    I see dead people...

  • Stickman #41 5 years ago

    This has been top of my wanted list for ages now, but I'm getting a bit worried about it TBH. Maybe it's because I've seen the stock screenshots about a billion times already, but it looks like shit.

  • Zastai #42 5 years ago

    @Gulag: OK, if there's MOO-style planet-conquering, and tech tree etc then that would be interesting. But it's highly doubtful - plus in any case, the game is called "Spore", not "Evolved Galaxy Conquest" or something. It simply looks like they implemented cool stuff with procedural programming etc. but failed to come up with fully implemented gameplay. This leaves us with "Flow Lite" and "RTS Lite" - and that's not what I would buy this game for.