Spore: Gaming Evolved

Spore is the new genre-bending computer game from developer Maxis and designer Will Wright, of The Sims fame. The game takes players on a trip through the evolution of creatures from their single-cell beginnings to their rise as advanced space explorers. Described as a ‘massively single-player online game’, Spore is an intriguing open-ended game sure to keep many Wright fans happy.

The game itself focuses on creatures’ evolution as players progress through five separate phases of gameplay, each with their own specific goals and stages. First is the cell phase, then the creature phase, followed by the tribal and civilization phases, and ending with the space phase.

One of the most unique aspects of the game is Spore’s level of customization.The developers have included several editors for each phase, with each serving different functions according to the phase they are in. Some allow players to make their own creature (called the ‘Creature Creator’), build buildings and homes, choose their tribal logo, or even design spaceships.

Spore’s main attraction is its user-based online community. Content is easily uploaded and shared with fellow players. Other players can then download any of this and add the content to their own Spore universe. A neat in-game feature called ‘My Sporepage’ gives players statistics on any of their downloaded creatures and how they are doing in another player’s Spore game (kind of like an alternate Spore universe for your creatures).

Maxis has made it as easy as can be to upload videos and content to their online community. The Spore YouTube community has been created to host and showcase new and interesting player-made videos. And now players can even subscribe to RSS feeds of other players’ online accounts, so they can have up-to-date information on any of their uploaded content.

Another channel of uploadable information is through the in-game Sporepedia. This nifty feature keeps a log of virtually every in-game experience. These entries can be uploaded to the online Sporepedia for others to view.

Maxis and Wright have truly tried to make a progressive game. It is a real-time strategy game, for sure, but it also a god game, a role-playing game, and life simulator. The different phases of the game hold the potential for vastly different gameplay and objections, making the overall experience far from boring.

In short, the game is fun, interesting, and interactive. The game’s developers have hit a home run by allowing players to make their own creations and customize their game, as well as by encouraging them to download and interact with their fellow Spore-community members. This interactive aspect will truly keep the game fresh for years.