moultanoCreator of ns_shiva.Join Date: 2002-12-14Member: 10806Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Gold, NS2 Community Developer, Pistachionauts
edited September 2008
<!--quoteo(post=1687957:date=Sep 12 2008, 04:02 AM:name=X_Stickman)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(X_Stickman @ Sep 12 2008, 04:02 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1687957"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The entire game is retarded from the evolutionary perspective. Spore is not evolutionary. It's a game.
You can't really criticise it for that.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Hence why I said it was retarded from a gameplay perspective.
However, given that this game is getting tons of press for being "about evolution" and is even featured on NPR's "science friday" today for that, I think it should have tried a little harder to represent it.
X_StickmanNot good enough for a custom title.Join Date: 2003-04-15Member: 15533Members, Constellation
<!--quoteo(post=1687983:date=Sep 12 2008, 03:11 PM:name=moultano)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(moultano @ Sep 12 2008, 03:11 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1687983"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Hence why I said it was retarded from a gameplay perspective.
However, given that this game is getting tons of press for being "about evolution" and is even featured on NPR's "science friday" today for that, I think it should have tried a little harder to represent it.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It shouldn't really be promoted so strongly as being about evolution. That has annoyed me since the day I heard of it.
It's just going to confirm misconceptions about evolution in some people's minds <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad-fix.gif" />
<!--quoteo(post=1687987:date=Sep 12 2008, 10:03 AM:name=X_Stickman)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(X_Stickman @ Sep 12 2008, 10:03 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1687987"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->It shouldn't really be promoted so strongly as being about evolution. That has annoyed me since the day I heard of it.
It's just going to confirm misconceptions about evolution in some people's minds <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad-fix.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Yeah, I hate to think of all the people who play Spore and get the wrong idea about evolution. If only they had never played Spore, they might have been fine, knowledgable citizens, but then they played the game and got it wrong.
Face it, if anyone learns something wrong from Spore, they were dumb enough in the first place that getting it right was not in the cards.
X_StickmanNot good enough for a custom title.Join Date: 2003-04-15Member: 15533Members, Constellation
<!--quoteo(post=1687991:date=Sep 12 2008, 04:56 PM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Sep 12 2008, 04:56 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1687991"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Yeah, I hate to think of all the people who play Spore and get the wrong idea about evolution. If only they had never played Spore, they might have been fine, knowledgable citizens, but then they played the game and got it wrong.
Face it, if anyone learns something wrong from Spore, they were dumb enough in the first place that getting it right was not in the cards.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Please note the phrase "confirm misconceptions" in my comment, rather than the phrase "generate entirely new ideas".
<!--quoteo(post=1688003:date=Sep 12 2008, 12:40 PM:name=X_Stickman)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(X_Stickman @ Sep 12 2008, 12:40 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1688003"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Please note the phrase "confirm misconceptions" in my comment, rather than the phrase "generate entirely new ideas".<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Please not the phrase "they were dumb enough in the first place" rather than "Spore made them spontaneously dumb."
Kouji_SanSr. Hινε UÏкεεÏεг - EUPT DeputyThe NetherlandsJoin Date: 2003-05-13Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
Heh Evolution, I never really thought of Spore like that as you're totally in control with the godmode perspective on how your creatures look and what they do. It's it completely Intelligent Deisign, I mean you are playing god the designer...
If they really wanted to go the evolution direction with this game, it should be a game where you can play as one of you cell lifeforms, but the game has to decide on how you're going to actually evolve. But instead we get loads upon loads of editors where we can design our creatures...
Where the hell did the idea of evolution come into play here. Spore is the complete opposite <img src="http://members.home.nl/m.borgman/ns-forum/smileys/wtf.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" />
moultanoCreator of ns_shiva.Join Date: 2002-12-14Member: 10806Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Gold, NS2 Community Developer, Pistachionauts
I'm absolutely horrible at fighting in space. I get my ass kicked within seconds every time, and for some reason my neighbors insist on attacking me. Is there any way to make peace with an empire that is already attacking you?
X_StickmanNot good enough for a custom title.Join Date: 2003-04-15Member: 15533Members, Constellation
edited September 2008
<!--quoteo(post=1688071:date=Sep 13 2008, 11:14 PM:name=moultano)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(moultano @ Sep 13 2008, 11:14 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1688071"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I'm absolutely horrible at fighting in space. I get my ass kicked within seconds every time, and for some reason my neighbors insist on attacking me. Is there any way to make peace with an empire that is already attacking you?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The only way I've found is pay them off, but that involves flying to a planet of theirs and contacting them (which means you're going to get attacked in space and you can't fight back unless you've got allies with you or a turret on your ship). And it costs a fortune.
Best way to fight I've found is to equip your missles, agro some ships, then fly backwards just out of their range while spamming missles. You can fly faster backwards than they can forwards most of the time. Missles work better for this because it's hard to keep aiming with the laser while everything is moving around.
Kouji_SanSr. Hινε UÏкεεÏεг - EUPT DeputyThe NetherlandsJoin Date: 2003-05-13Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
edited September 2008
Attacking homeworlds of enemies that are mad at you is fun with a cloudsucker! You just need some energy packs with you...
Also zoom in very close onto your ship before jumping towards an enemy system, then you can zoom in very fast to enter their system without to much damage, after that just zoom in as fast as you can to enter the planets atmosphere. (have energypacks and repairs packs if things get dangerous) "zooming sucks"
I do find it stupid as hell to use these moronic tactis to be able to enter a planetary system. LET ME DEFEND FFS. Also flying backwards in a straight line, the super laser is a perfect super easy mode option (super damage <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />). Super programming of the AI there <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />
Another stupid thing is the attacks on your colonies --> I defeated the pinkspaceyoghurt bottle empire on on of my colonies. Then I exited the system and soon after I was in the main space view again, the same frikking colony got attack. I did not see any ships comming for that colony, WTF is up with that...
Come to think of it I haven't played spore in a few days now... Doesn't bode well for me not uninstalling the game in a few days...
I don't get it why people pirate the game, you can't go online as far as I've heard so none of the global creations will be available to your universe which is kind of like missing the biggest part of the game.
A creature is an accumulation of stats. Two creatures can look wildly different but perform perfectly identically. This doesn't quite render online content pointless, but does somewhat diminish the importance. It comes down to how much you care about seeing what other people have made.
X_StickmanNot good enough for a custom title.Join Date: 2003-04-15Member: 15533Members, Constellation
<!--quoteo(post=1688098:date=Sep 14 2008, 04:22 PM:name=Svenpa)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Svenpa @ Sep 14 2008, 04:22 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1688098"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I don't get it why people pirate the game, you can't go online as far as I've heard so none of the global creations will be available to your universe which is kind of like missing the biggest part of the game.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
From what I've heard, it's more of a "I want the game without the DRM" thing.
An amazing amount of people were looking forward to spore, and an amazing amount of people absolutely hate securerom. Since the online content is kinda cool, but not necessary for the game, people decided they hate securerom more than they like the content.
Not that I think that every single download represents someone who would've bought the game anyway, far from it. But the DRM has definitely turned some buyers into pirates, maybe even in significant numbers.
<!--quoteo(post=1688100:date=Sep 14 2008, 11:10 AM:name=X_Stickman)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(X_Stickman @ Sep 14 2008, 11:10 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1688100"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->From what I've heard, it's more of a "I want the game without the DRM" thing.
An amazing amount of people were looking forward to spore, and an amazing amount of people absolutely hate securerom. Since the online content is kinda cool, but not necessary for the game, people decided they hate securerom more than they like the content.
Not that I think that every single download represents someone who would've bought the game anyway, far from it. But the DRM has definitely turned some buyers into pirates, maybe even in significant numbers.
Which is *hilarious*.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> I don't understand what the problem with SecuROM is. It's never hurt me before.
moultanoCreator of ns_shiva.Join Date: 2002-12-14Member: 10806Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Gold, NS2 Community Developer, Pistachionauts
<!--quoteo(post=1688087:date=Sep 14 2008, 05:03 AM:name=Align)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Align @ Sep 14 2008, 05:03 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1688087"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Where? Oh. You have a blog. That's nice, I guess.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> whoops. In the middle of the night it is easy to do things like not posting the link. <a href="http://moultano.blogspot.com/2008/09/next-time-you-feeling-cynical-about.html" target="_blank">http://moultano.blogspot.com/2008/09/next-...ical-about.html</a>
Argh. I just played for ~6 hours straight, from mid-tribal to mid-space phase. The space phase was going really crappy, and after a good hour of "civilization under attack" messages and being blown to bits by superior foes due to having crappy weapons, I quit in desperation to restart the space phase. That's when I realized I hadn't saved once since I started playing. The worst thing is that I haven't got anything but my own stupid self to blame.
Ah well, back to tribal. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/mad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":angry:" border="0" alt="mad-fix.gif" />
[Edit] Spore is apparently nice enough to keep track of achievements and phase completions even if you rage-quit. Thank you Spore! [/Edit]
NeonSpyder"Das est NTLDR?"Join Date: 2003-07-03Member: 17913Members
edited September 2008
Hmm, I just re-installed Fallout 2 for the third time and enjoyed a vigorous 30 hour romp completing the game from end to end as a 'good' character, using small guns and high speech-craft to fuddle my way through it.
I had way more fun then when I played Spore.
I'm about to start a new Fallout 2 game using an unarmed character, wish me luck! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />
(this is gonna be *so* much fun!)
In addition, I should note that I've probably enjoyed about 100+ hours of Fallout 2 enjoyment, and I still don't get bored of that game years later. Spore I am already uninstalling and wishing I could get my money back.
<!--quoteo(post=1688124:date=Sep 15 2008, 01:06 AM:name=NeonSpyder)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NeonSpyder @ Sep 15 2008, 01:06 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1688124"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Hmm, I just re-installed Fallout 2 for the third time and enjoyed a vigorous 30 hour romp completing the game from end to end as a 'good' character, using small guns and high speech-craft to fuddle my way through it.
I had way more fun then when I played Spore.
I'm about to start a new Fallout 2 game using an unarmed character, wish me luck! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I can't remember, are any weapons for use when unarmed? (power fist being the best example) Or do they count as melee? Kind of ridiculous to have them separated in the first place. The boxing ring turned ugly when neither of us could harm each other, I tried kicking him instead of punching with the lower-damage-then-unarmed boxing gloves, big mistake. My manager Stuart Little wasn't happy with Spinning Jenny.
<!--quoteo(post=1688101:date=Sep 14 2008, 04:23 PM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Sep 14 2008, 04:23 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1688101"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I don't understand what the problem with SecuROM is. It's never hurt me before.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
rootkit. that tracks what you do.
Let's face it, some people have serious paranoia. Also, STOP SCREWING WITH MY COMPUTER'S LOW LEVEL STUFF!
Fun fact, EA was planning on implementing a call into central server every 10 minutes system because they didn't think SecuROM wasn't bad enough. =[
I happen to know a good many people who would have bought it if it didn't have the annoying DRM. Also, SecuROM stinks and is easy to disable. Not sure why they keep trying to use such an invasive program that people bypass every time it comes out.
moultanoCreator of ns_shiva.Join Date: 2002-12-14Member: 10806Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Gold, NS2 Community Developer, Pistachionauts
<!--quoteo(post=1688123:date=Sep 14 2008, 06:00 PM:name=ZupiCo)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ZupiCo @ Sep 14 2008, 06:00 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1688123"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Argh. I just played for ~6 hours straight, from mid-tribal to mid-space phase. The space phase was going really crappy, and after a good hour of "civilization under attack" messages and being blown to bits by superior foes due to having crappy weapons, I quit in desperation to restart the space phase. That's when I realized I hadn't saved once since I started playing. The worst thing is that I haven't got anything but my own stupid self to blame.
Ah well, back to tribal. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/mad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":angry:" border="0" alt="mad-fix.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> I wouldn't be so hard on yourself. We've come to expect games to save automatically at major turning points. It's a real design flaw that they don't do that in spore.
back to the subject of the game being more about 'intelligent design' than evolution - so how exactly would you design a game about evolution, then? a big button that says 'go' and you press it and then just watch things evolve for hours without you doing anything? or maybe a button would make it intelligent design too, because pressing a button would kind of be like god creating the world in 7 days... =p watching things evolve on their own wouldn't make for much of a game... I think Will Wright did come a little closer 20 years ago with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SimEarth" target="_blank">SimEarth</a>, though. At least in that game, for the most part, what you tweaked were levels of atmospheric chemicals and temperatures and volcanism and such.
at any rate, no game will ever surpass the ultimate evolution game:
Kouji_SanSr. Hινε UÏкεεÏεг - EUPT DeputyThe NetherlandsJoin Date: 2003-05-13Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
edited September 2008
The whole point of Spore was to have the users create their content and creature, which is 100% intelligent design (ID)
My view on how I would've liked to see Spore and a view on how it could be more about evo while keeping essential game elements intact (that people want <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />) 80% EVO 20% ID?
I would've liked spore to start in the cell phase with a default cell and without the editors for creatures and have the game design your creature along the path to intelligence (stay with me here as I do want some control in <!--coloro:#FF8C00--><span style="color:#FF8C00"><!--/coloro-->this*<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->). These choices would be made on how you play, what you eat, enemies, environment etc... This way you'd have the creature you're playing making all the choices for survival tactics and have the game evolve you creature on environmental parameters and your responses to it... And please leave the spawnpoint nest crap and introduce roaming animal herds/packs!
I <b>would</b> give the player a few choices in the beginning to give some control on your further gameplay like <b>carni/omni/herb, prefered color, small/medium or large and maybe air or ground unit</b> <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />. But other then those initial choices (which are indeed ID) I'd leave the rest up to the game as mentioned above. Keeping the evolving naturalselection (evolution) part intact and actually have your creature evolve.
<!--coloro:#FF8C00--><span style="color:#FF8C00"><!--/coloro-->And*<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> maybe adding one more thing like providing the player with 5 choices of changes to your creature based on your performance and stuff I said above (game decides). These choices would be shown when a player is allowed to spawn a next generation (or wants to wait, it's a game! Maybe they don't want to evolve just yet <img src="http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/style_images/1/folder_post_icons/icon5.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" />). I know this is ID, but it is still a game and can also teach something about evolution by explaining why these 5 options were made available. Besides you make the choice (gameplay+gamefun+gamecontrol that a game should have) But the game makes these choices available on your natural selection/evolution process (evolution FTW, ah you get the point)
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->For example (2 choices I didn't feel like making more <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />) - You seem to run quite a lot from bigger dangerous creatures
Longer/faster legs to help you escape
or
- You seem to be attacking a lot of dangerous creatures larger then you
Stronger legs to help you leap while you attack<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> These parts would of course be modable to some extent to make the player happy about the look, but the stats would not be modable.
<b>Once you get past the creature stage and into the self awareness phase</b> (final phase of creature? or tribal++) you get editors to modify you creatures gear/weapons/cookiecookers and such...
With all of the above you'd still have a good game (imho better), while keeping as close as possible a game can be to evolution. And of course a few initial gameplay choices. It is in the first place a game and people want some form of control, with these initial choices they keep control of what they want, but have their creature choices and enviroment decide how they evolve. (gamers happy, game happy)
And on hard mode, make death actually count for something. If your nest is under attack and you can not get the upper hand. You need to evacuate to save your species from extinctions (unless you have more nests on the planet). You can respawn if you die with a minimap system at a nest you prefer. And allies should be made by impressing other creatures with your actions like saving them from a big carnivor or diverting it's attention to you so you can lure it away (saving the other creatures). There need to be more ways other then scaring away preds, I know <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />. Perhaps bring them food (to ally bigger creatures?, throw stuff? I dunno look in our animal kingdom what do they do to faction other creatures, Hang around like the zebra's and such do with the bisons?.
Anyway after you impress them (lots of ways not mentioned above <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />) You then gain faction with them and they start tolerating you in their area and if you impress them enough they will even help you if you're in trouble (healing at their nest is ok) Getting them to join for a pack with you also acceptable if you're at a required intel level. Heh maybe put some of that dancing stuff in there, I think there are people that do like it. I'd prefer it to be a simple command (verbal like the raptors do in Jurassic park to call in more raptors)
That is the spore I wanted to see! And better space combat with something similar to freespace or homeworld with planetary landings, probes into unexplored space, first contact with unknown space ships and a pre-deepspace civilisation etc...
Spore has SIMS game play like this:
Oh so I have bad feet for dancing... no prob I just pop on some other feet and make friends with monkeythingy. Or oh wait that species sings better then me, heh what about this mouth, now I've got that harmonicaturle beat...
Ugh! Just ... Ugh!
TLDR;?
I don't mind, just putting my 2€ct's out there on the Spore that could've <i>and should've</i> been
Comments
I decided to skip it after learning about the 3 install limit.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
###### that DRM bull######, weren't they trying to Starforce this or something as ######ty?
Reviews on Amazon are unforgiving.
1> The time I don't have to play it
2> The underwhelming response
3> The unnecessary DRM
</thread>
Edit: Stop ignoring my /thread <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad-fix.gif" />
<a href="http://img353.imageshack.us/my.php?image=20050527hmm6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/4235/20050527hmm6.th.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
You can't really criticise it for that.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Hence why I said it was retarded from a gameplay perspective.
However, given that this game is getting tons of press for being "about evolution" and is even featured on NPR's "science friday" today for that, I think it should have tried a little harder to represent it.
However, given that this game is getting tons of press for being "about evolution" and is even featured on NPR's "science friday" today for that, I think it should have tried a little harder to represent it.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It shouldn't really be promoted so strongly as being about evolution. That has annoyed me since the day I heard of it.
It's just going to confirm misconceptions about evolution in some people's minds <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad-fix.gif" />
It's just going to confirm misconceptions about evolution in some people's minds <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad-fix.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yeah, I hate to think of all the people who play Spore and get the wrong idea about evolution. If only they had never played Spore, they might have been fine, knowledgable citizens, but then they played the game and got it wrong.
Face it, if anyone learns something wrong from Spore, they were dumb enough in the first place that getting it right was not in the cards.
Face it, if anyone learns something wrong from Spore, they were dumb enough in the first place that getting it right was not in the cards.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Please note the phrase "confirm misconceptions" in my comment, rather than the phrase "generate entirely new ideas".
Please not the phrase "they were dumb enough in the first place" rather than "Spore made them spontaneously dumb."
If they really wanted to go the evolution direction with this game, it should be a game where you can play as one of you cell lifeforms, but the game has to decide on how you're going to actually evolve. But instead we get loads upon loads of editors where we can design our creatures...
Where the hell did the idea of evolution come into play here. Spore is the complete opposite <img src="http://members.home.nl/m.borgman/ns-forum/smileys/wtf.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" />
The only way I've found is pay them off, but that involves flying to a planet of theirs and contacting them (which means you're going to get attacked in space and you can't fight back unless you've got allies with you or a turret on your ship). And it costs a fortune.
Best way to fight I've found is to equip your missles, agro some ships, then fly backwards just out of their range while spamming missles. You can fly faster backwards than they can forwards most of the time. Missles work better for this because it's hard to keep aiming with the laser while everything is moving around.
Also;
<a href="http://torrentfreak.com/spore-most-pirated-game-ever-thanks-to-drm-080913/" target="_blank">http://torrentfreak.com/spore-most-pirated...-to-drm-080913/</a>
<a href="http://torrentfreak.com/spore-most-pirated-game-ever-thanks-to-drm-080913/" target="_blank">http://torrentfreak.com/spore-most-pirated...-to-drm-080913/</a><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Hah! HAH!
Todays <a href="http://www.userfriendly.org/" target="_blank">User Friendly</a>:
<img src="http://www.userfriendly.org/cartoons/archives/08sep/uf011914.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" />
<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />
Oh. You have a blog. That's nice, I guess.
Also zoom in very close onto your ship before jumping towards an enemy system, then you can zoom in very fast to enter their system without to much damage, after that just zoom in as fast as you can to enter the planets atmosphere. (have energypacks and repairs packs if things get dangerous) "zooming sucks"
I do find it stupid as hell to use these moronic tactis to be able to enter a planetary system. LET ME DEFEND FFS. Also flying backwards in a straight line, the super laser is a perfect super easy mode option (super damage <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />). Super programming of the AI there <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />
Another stupid thing is the attacks on your colonies --> I defeated the pinkspaceyoghurt bottle empire on on of my colonies. Then I exited the system and soon after I was in the main space view again, the same frikking colony got attack. I did not see any ships comming for that colony, WTF is up with that...
Come to think of it I haven't played spore in a few days now... Doesn't bode well for me not uninstalling the game in a few days...
From what I've heard, it's more of a "I want the game without the DRM" thing.
An amazing amount of people were looking forward to spore, and an amazing amount of people absolutely hate securerom. Since the online content is kinda cool, but not necessary for the game, people decided they hate securerom more than they like the content.
Not that I think that every single download represents someone who would've bought the game anyway, far from it. But the DRM has definitely turned some buyers into pirates, maybe even in significant numbers.
Which is *hilarious*.
An amazing amount of people were looking forward to spore, and an amazing amount of people absolutely hate securerom. Since the online content is kinda cool, but not necessary for the game, people decided they hate securerom more than they like the content.
Not that I think that every single download represents someone who would've bought the game anyway, far from it. But the DRM has definitely turned some buyers into pirates, maybe even in significant numbers.
Which is *hilarious*.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I don't understand what the problem with SecuROM is. It's never hurt me before.
theres a 2000-creature-pack on piratebay, unless it's grown to 3000 or more by now
Oh. You have a blog. That's nice, I guess.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
whoops. In the middle of the night it is easy to do things like not posting the link. <a href="http://moultano.blogspot.com/2008/09/next-time-you-feeling-cynical-about.html" target="_blank">http://moultano.blogspot.com/2008/09/next-...ical-about.html</a>
Ah well, back to tribal. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/mad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":angry:" border="0" alt="mad-fix.gif" />
[Edit] Spore is apparently nice enough to keep track of achievements and phase completions even if you rage-quit. Thank you Spore! [/Edit]
I had way more fun then when I played Spore.
I'm about to start a new Fallout 2 game using an unarmed character, wish me luck! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />
(this is gonna be *so* much fun!)
In addition, I should note that I've probably enjoyed about 100+ hours of Fallout 2 enjoyment, and I still don't get bored of that game years later. Spore I am already uninstalling and wishing I could get my money back.
Such is life!
I had way more fun then when I played Spore.
I'm about to start a new Fallout 2 game using an unarmed character, wish me luck! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I can't remember, are any weapons for use when unarmed? (power fist being the best example) Or do they count as melee? Kind of ridiculous to have them separated in the first place. The boxing ring turned ugly when neither of us could harm each other, I tried kicking him instead of punching with the lower-damage-then-unarmed boxing gloves, big mistake. My manager Stuart Little wasn't happy with Spinning Jenny.
rootkit. that tracks what you do.
Let's face it, some people have serious paranoia. Also, STOP SCREWING WITH MY COMPUTER'S LOW LEVEL STUFF!
Fun fact, EA was planning on implementing a call into central server every 10 minutes system because they didn't think SecuROM wasn't bad enough. =[
I happen to know a good many people who would have bought it if it didn't have the annoying DRM. Also, SecuROM stinks and is easy to disable. Not sure why they keep trying to use such an invasive program that people bypass every time it comes out.
Going to search for my Homeworld(1/2) CD's...
Ah well, back to tribal. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/mad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":angry:" border="0" alt="mad-fix.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I wouldn't be so hard on yourself. We've come to expect games to save automatically at major turning points. It's a real design flaw that they don't do that in spore.
at any rate, no game will ever surpass the ultimate evolution game:
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E.V.O.:_Search_for_Eden" target="_blank"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bc/Evo_search_eden_box.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>
My view on how I would've liked to see Spore and a view on how it could be more about evo while keeping essential game elements intact (that people want <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />) 80% EVO 20% ID?
I would've liked spore to start in the cell phase with a default cell and without the editors for creatures and have the game design your creature along the path to intelligence (stay with me here as I do want some control in <!--coloro:#FF8C00--><span style="color:#FF8C00"><!--/coloro-->this*<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->). These choices would be made on how you play, what you eat, enemies, environment etc... This way you'd have the creature you're playing making all the choices for survival tactics and have the game evolve you creature on environmental parameters and your responses to it... And please leave the spawnpoint nest crap and introduce roaming animal herds/packs!
I <b>would</b> give the player a few choices in the beginning to give some control on your further gameplay like <b>carni/omni/herb, prefered color, small/medium or large and maybe air or ground unit</b> <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />. But other then those initial choices (which are indeed ID) I'd leave the rest up to the game as mentioned above. Keeping the evolving naturalselection (evolution) part intact and actually have your creature evolve.
<!--coloro:#FF8C00--><span style="color:#FF8C00"><!--/coloro-->And*<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> maybe adding one more thing like providing the player with 5 choices of changes to your creature based on your performance and stuff I said above (game decides). These choices would be shown when a player is allowed to spawn a next generation (or wants to wait, it's a game! Maybe they don't want to evolve just yet <img src="http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/style_images/1/folder_post_icons/icon5.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" />). I know this is ID, but it is still a game and can also teach something about evolution by explaining why these 5 options were made available. Besides you make the choice (gameplay+gamefun+gamecontrol that a game should have) But the game makes these choices available on your natural selection/evolution process (evolution FTW, ah you get the point)
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->For example (2 choices I didn't feel like making more <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />)
- You seem to run quite a lot from bigger dangerous creatures
Longer/faster legs to help you escape
or
- You seem to be attacking a lot of dangerous creatures larger then you
Stronger legs to help you leap while you attack<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
These parts would of course be modable to some extent to make the player happy about the look, but the stats would not be modable.
<b>Once you get past the creature stage and into the self awareness phase</b> (final phase of creature? or tribal++) you get editors to modify you creatures gear/weapons/cookiecookers and such...
With all of the above you'd still have a good game (imho better), while keeping as close as possible a game can be to evolution. And of course a few initial gameplay choices. It is in the first place a game and people want some form of control, with these initial choices they keep control of what they want, but have their creature choices and enviroment decide how they evolve. (gamers happy, game happy)
And on hard mode, make death actually count for something. If your nest is under attack and you can not get the upper hand. You need to evacuate to save your species from extinctions (unless you have more nests on the planet). You can respawn if you die with a minimap system at a nest you prefer. And allies should be made by impressing other creatures with your actions like saving them from a big carnivor or diverting it's attention to you so you can lure it away (saving the other creatures). There need to be more ways other then scaring away preds, I know <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />. Perhaps bring them food (to ally bigger creatures?, throw stuff? I dunno look in our animal kingdom what do they do to faction other creatures, Hang around like the zebra's and such do with the bisons?.
Anyway after you impress them (lots of ways not mentioned above <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />) You then gain faction with them and they start tolerating you in their area and if you impress them enough they will even help you if you're in trouble (healing at their nest is ok) Getting them to join for a pack with you also acceptable if you're at a required intel level. Heh maybe put some of that dancing stuff in there, I think there are people that do like it. I'd prefer it to be a simple command (verbal like the raptors do in Jurassic park to call in more raptors)
That is the spore I wanted to see! And better space combat with something similar to freespace or homeworld with planetary landings, probes into unexplored space, first contact with unknown space ships and a pre-deepspace civilisation etc...
Spore has SIMS game play like this:
Oh so I have bad feet for dancing... no prob I just pop on some other feet and make friends with monkeythingy. Or oh wait that species sings better then me, heh what about this mouth, now I've got that harmonicaturle beat...
Ugh! Just ... Ugh!
TLDR;?
I don't mind, just putting my 2€ct's out there on the Spore that could've <i>and should've</i> been