Spore heading to Wii

By Tom Bramwell Published 29 October, 2007

Wright tells Guardian.

Tucked into a brief chat with Will Wright on The Guardian website is confirmation that Maxis is going to make Spore for the Wii.

"We're doing Spore on the Wii," Wright told the newspaper. Doesn't get much clearer than that.

Wright also talks about his reaction to the current crop of gaming formats. He says he still loves the PC ("to me the mouse is the best input device ever"), but he also champions Spore's next destination, describing the Wii as "the only next gen system I've seen" on the basis that "PS3 and the Xbox 360 feel like better versions of the last, but pretty much the same game with incremental improvements".

Elsewhere, he tells us what he plays for his own amusement. "I try to play innovative games that are coming out - I really love Guitar Hero, I play my Nintendo DS a lot, check out things on the Wii," he says.

"With the exception of Advance Wars on my DS, there's no one game that I spend a huge amount of time playing."

The interview comes after Wright popped over to London to pick up his Fellowship BAFTA and deliver an interesting speech, which is also worth reading.

During the course of his visit, he also told BBC Radio 5 Live that Spore will be "roughly available in six months' time".

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (31) Latest comment 4 years ago

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

  • Xerx3s #1 4 years ago

    Oh the irony of incremental updates.

  • jonsaan #2 4 years ago

    Yeah sure Will. We'll expect it soon shall we?

  • Xerx3s #3 4 years ago

    When is the pc version slated anyway?

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #4 4 years ago

    Not dissing the PC i have one and i play a lot of games on it but sureley it is the ultimate platform for incremental updates.

  • redneon Verified Programmer, SUMO Digital #5 4 years ago

    What a surprise, considering Will's recent comments.

  • Triggerhappytel #6 4 years ago

    Will Wright in endorsing Guitar Hero shocker!

    And I do love it when someone who works for EA bitches about incremental updates.
    Edited by 1 at 29/10/07 @ 12:44

  • Les #7 4 years ago

    "describing the Wii as "the only next gen system I've seen" on the basis that "PS3 and the Xbox 360 feel like better versions of the last, but pretty much the same game with incremental improvements"."

    My sentiments exactly.

  • bushwod #8 4 years ago

    Will the game be the same as the PC version (but with cut-down graphics) or will it need to be modifed to run on the wii? Will it use wiiconnect 24 to upload your creatures to other users?

    /discuss

  • YourMessageHere #9 4 years ago

    Probably sensible to get it onto the wii. Much more pointer-friendly, and while I like the idea of it, the fact that graphically it looks like ass, er, I mean is chunky and cute and designed to appeal to the mass-market, will probably make it easy to translate to wii-spec graphics.

    I like "roughly available". Like, leaked, cracked and up on pirate sites a week before release rough? Or inadequate first pressing and everywhere's sold out rough? Or maybe mugged for your midnight release copy rough?

  • bushwod #10 4 years ago

    What? A developer of some of the biggest selling games of all time decides to support the most popular console, just sound like good business to me.

  • smelly #11 4 years ago

    @JSPOOLE:

    You're Sooo right. Will hasn't a CLUE about making games has he? He doesn't know ANYTHING about what he's talking about. And you know OOH so much more dont you?

    The fact he's made some of the best selling games EVER and you've made how many?

  • smelly #12 4 years ago

    He also said:

    ""Every generation it's like 'the PC's dead! The PC's dead!' But it carries on growing when consoles are flat for five years. At the moment I can get better graphics on my PC than I can on the PS3.""


    So yeah.. lol.. the 360 and ps3 have SHIT graphics! (or something)

  • Krun #13 4 years ago

    Anyone else find the term "noob" is only ever used by people like JSPOOLE, as an attempt to insult.
    Yet casual gamers(the so called noobs) as we all know, have lives outside game playing. They have girlfriends/wives/jobs and any number of interests that fill their time, they don't fixate on just one game type and are not actually insulted by being called a "noob".

    The games Will Wright makes are aimed directly at the wider audience. He really does try to make games that do something new and reach people that other games do not. His core games so far could not ever be accused of being "dumbed" down and I'm sure using the Wiimote is at least as complex as pushing buttons and sitting on your backside.

    But then from JSPOOLE selections of games, he mostly just plays FPS. Why does he waste his time playing all of them when he could just concentrate one? That way no one could accuse him of being a noob(apparently the worst thing in the world)?

  • abdallah #14 4 years ago

    "the wii is for casual noobs who couldn't figure out the buttons to bioshock, or understand the complexity of the storyline."

    Wohohahaa! Bioshock sucks cock. I hate the damned game, and it's not because of the "complex" storyline. That part is shit. It's the gameplay, fucking repetitive and it takes a whole clip to take an enemy down. And all the fetch quests. Booooring! Crysis however that's sweet so far. And Team Fortress 2. Etc.
    I have tons of fun with my Wii games, since I don't buy the mini games collections but go for good games. As far as I'm concerned, if a game is good it's good no matter what platform it runs on. If you think the Wii is so casual, why don't try to beat me at Gottlieb pinball? Pinball is such a noobish game after all.

    By the way, Halo is a pretty damned "noob"-y and casual game unless you knew.

  • smelly #15 4 years ago

    "(this would go on for quite a while, so you get the point yeah?). "

    Yeah.. the point being that you like any game where you walk down corridors shooting stuff ad-infinitum?

  • smelly #16 4 years ago

    @JSPOOLE: I take it "noob"s like all types of games and enjoy to be entertained by various different game play mechanics, etc etc.

    Whereas "cool" gamers just enjoy endless shooting games then?

    In which case, put me in the noob category please (despite playing games for probably longer than you've even been alive)


    The fact is, that game playing as gone WAY past being the past time of geeky teenage nerds playing on themselves inbetween bouts of masturbating over their latest game (Which they got bored of within 10 minutes of buying it). Gaming went mainstream with the ps1 and ps2 - and now with the wii.

    Mainstream gamers dont want games they can masturbate over while telling themselves how great their console purchase was because the other machines dont have as many pretty pixels (while forgetting the game should be.. you know.. fun).

    Mainstream gamers want fun different gaming experiences (and i classify myself in that market).

    So while you're wanking over your latest pixel pushing story experience which you've completed and are bored of within days. The rest of us "noobs" will be too busy having FUN to notice.


    (wonders whether your attitude will change when it inevitably gets announced for 360/ps3)

  • abdallah #17 4 years ago

    Try to lecture me about what's hardcore? I've played and created games since before you were born, kid. Couldn't be arsed to read what you wrote, but I bet it's about as interesting as listening to kids fighting over what gum flavor is the best.

    Oh the wonders of the ignore button :)
    Edited by 1 at 29/10/07 @ 20:50

  • smelly #18 4 years ago

    @JSPOOLE : If i wanted to play those types of games - i'd play them on the pc - with better graphics, and higher definition.

    "Many of the titles you don't so much as play but interact with in minimal ways"

    Like, say.. An fps game? Moving cursor on screen, press fire button is fairly minimal interation imho.


    "Wii so for dumbed down gamers, ie the mainstream. T"

    Imho, the "dumbed" down games are the type where you run down endless corridors shooting things. Thats why - after years of playing games i'm bored of them (just like i was bored of 2d platformers in the 16 bit era).

    I can only presume you are a "noob" who hasnt become bored of shooting games yet.


    "Oh and anyone who hated Bioshock is a retard. "

    If you havent completed it and gotten bored of it yet.. Then you're the retarded one. But then, we know that's not the case - because if you were having fun with it still - you'd be still playing it.

  • Krun #19 4 years ago

    And I don't even own a Wii.

    Yet somehow I'm defending it? Why because it's teenage jerks like JSPOOLS, who ruin playing games like Halo 2/3 online. They take it all way too seriously, and end up on my ignore list, avoided player (thanks for that option MS).

    Oh and Bioshock, I own that too. But here's a surprise "hardcore gamers"* can't get their head round; I've actually been too busy playing my old copy of Roller coaster tycoon 3, I haven't even taken Bioshock out the wrapper yet.

    Easy to use does not equal dumbed down. If you don't like ease of use I hope your surfing the web in DOS 1.0 or maybe your working entirly in machine code on an old UNIX machine? Oh and which would you prefer on your kettle, one button or an LCD panel PC interface and 5000 different ways to boil the water? Or are you happy using your dumbed down kettle?

    *(Hardcock Gaymers)

  • smelly #20 4 years ago

    I find it quite funny that you keep quoting the words "bioshock" and "dumbed down"

    After all, bioshock is a near carbon copy rip off of "system shock 2" but dumbed down for people like you to enjoy.

  • AZA #21 4 years ago

    At the risk of this getting me flamed I'll go ahead and say it.

    But it strikes me that releasing spore on Wii is a business move more than anything else, granted it could probably play on a conventional console (PS3, 360) pretty easy but maybe its a better fit for the Wii and is a niche title that could help the console.

    As for all the Wii games being "Dumbed down" I don't agree the games can be in depth if the Developers see fit, and so what if they are? If you don't want play on them then don't simple as that.

    Oh IMHO I found Bioshock dumbed down especially in its RPG element's I mean no inventory whats the crack there? I've played Deus Ex and System shock 1 and 2 so yea Bioshock in comparison there is Dumbed down.

    Oh and I'll just say I own a PS3, PC, 360 and a Wii so no fan boy accusations please.

    Just my thoughts



  • Katsumoto #22 4 years ago

    Wow, JSPOOLE rivals even Kyron & Co with these excellent posts.

    He's got to be being ironic, yeah? Surely?

    Two fun arguments used by xbots btw, i) Omg the wiimote is such a gimmick I cant get it to work properly god I dont want to have to learn new stuff for every game I want a normal joypad god ii) lol the wiimote is dumbed down for people who can't learn proper games

    God. Even If I did agree with your frankly moronic stance, i'd advise you to go and play on a "pc". Then you'd notice that the 360 is just a dumbed down version of one of them! LOL etc "noob" "suxxx" and so on

  • Harmonica #23 4 years ago

    What a clusterfuck of a comments thread.

    Katsumoto: the Wii-mote is a piece of arse in all honesty. Sure it's fun for things like Warioware when you're drunk with your mates sitting round a TV, but in terms of being a device for gamers.. it's not.

    Spore is a gamers game. It might look cuddly and cute but it's got a pretty neat narrative going on about games then and now, which is why its best suited to the PC, and this is purely a gimmick move to push copies.

  • AZA #24 4 years ago

    @Harmonica

    Calling the Wii mote a piece of arse is a bit harsh isn't it? Granted it has its niggles but this is the first time something like this has been tried as a focal point of a system, I think Nintendo should get SOME credit for trying something new at least, I'm not going argue theres many of times I've played a Wii game (Scarface etc) and wished i had a pad lol.

    Spore is most suited to PC no doubt, lets face it Spore being released on Wii as well is nothing more than a business move that could stand to make a lot of money. And given the idea in this business like all others is to make money then its a good move.

  • Les #25 4 years ago

    "It's cool, I'm better than you both and I know it."

    Like there's people that 'know' leprechauns or unicorns exist...

  • Les #26 4 years ago

    "They take it all way too seriously"

    What would you do if it was the only interesting thing happening in your life... ;)

  • bionutz #27 4 years ago

    @JSPOOLE>way to go man. you made me laugh. nice to see that there are still hotheads who are proud of it!

    Have in mind though, some of the people here play since the 80's. In 20 years we have seen pretty much everything in gaming. After playing 10-20 games that were very similar, in each genre, you kinda long for something new.

  • bushwod #28 4 years ago

    @JSPOOLE

    Wow. You do seem to spend a lot of time posting on Nintendo comments about how much you hate the Wii and DS. Makes me wonder why you bother as you clearly have no interest in Ninty consoles or games, ... unless...., your a flamming troll of a fucktard of course.

    Regardless, I have no desire to hear you badly constructed 'aguments' anymore.

    /hits the lovely ignore button

  • Schwabing #29 4 years ago

    Can't get more hardcore than the virtual console

  • smelly #30 4 years ago

    I like to compare metroid 3 to halo and ask which one has the "dumbed down" gameplay :-)

  • megadaisy #31 4 years ago

    So JSPOOLE is it not possible for anyone to have the mental faculty to enjoy both Bioshock AND Mario? Clearly you don't think so but you shouldn't judge others by your own standards.