Kotaku
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the sims
Pirated Copies Of Sims 3 Are A "Demo Program"
Prior to the retail release of The Sims 3, the game leaked onto popular torrent sites. Hundreds of thousands of people then illegally downloaded the game. Which you'd think would make publishers EA really cranky. More »
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164
Comment by TheHeeyyy: But how does this deter people from just pirating the full version when it hits the torrents? 17 Responses | Other threads
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review
The Sims 3 Review: Delayed Gratification
After a more than three month delay—and more than four years on from the release of The Sims 2—The Sims 3 is finally here. So let's get down to reviewing it.
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45,003
By AJ GlasserComment by SanjiX: I loved how he didn't mention that the game was pirated and put up online a few weeks ago, meaning... 22 Responses | Other threads
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clips
When Robot Chicken And Spore Collide
Witness the Robot Chicken creative team using the Spore Galactic Adventures editor to create their own fanciful tales of poo-flinging. More »
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By Mike FaheyComment by SigmundTheSeaMonster: And that is WHY you are writers and don't belong in front of the lens. (Breckin is like, what, 5... 1 Responses | Other threads
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Downloadables
Robot Chicken Invades Spore Galactic Adventures
The secret behind the mysterious Spore WTF website is revealed, as Maxis announces day one downloadable content for the Spore Galactic Adventures expansion from the deranged minds behind Robot Chicken. More » -
humor
30 Rock Offers Parenting Tips From The Sims
30 Rock is a fantastic television show. But 30 Rock's Liz Lemon is a developmentally stunted mess of a person, in some respects. Take, for example, her knowledge of child-rearing, as learned from The Sims. More »
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Comment by killah101: And 30 rock just expanded their audience by 24% 26 Responses | Other threads
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art
Maybe One Day Everyone's Spore Creatures Will Look This Good
Maxis senior art director Ocean Quigley has shown us the future. A future where Spore creations are not bulbous, simple game characters, but realistic-looking creatures. More »
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Comment by Rovient: Incredible rendering. Actually thought it was a photo of a toy. 5 Responses | Other threads
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clips
Robot Chicken + Spore = New Series About Giant Robots [Update]
EA Maxis and the creators of Robot Chicken are teasing a new joint venture in this clip, showing that the comedy boys are using Spore to design...something. More »
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Comment by markcocjin: Are these the same guys who made Family Guy? Because they were thought to be better than the Simpsons.... 6 Responses | Other threads
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clips
Spore: Galactic Adventures Trailer
While we're appreciative of the new weapons, how different can "protecting the oracle" and "defending the priest" really be? More »
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Comment by Staggy: I'm a sucker for that cheesy, over the top style. Think Captain Quark from Ratchet and Clank. I mean, I'm... 3 Responses | Other threads
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pc
There Are Now Over 100,000,000 Spore Creatures
Earlier this week, EA's life creator Spore passed a hefty milestone, with the game's Sporepedia registering its one hundred millionth creation. More » -
screens
The Sims 3 Screenshots
You should be keeping tabs on The Sims 3, if only because it'll be cluttering up the PC sales charts for the next five years once it's released this June. More »
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Comment by GiantEnemyCrab: After Spore, I'm afraid to get excited for this. If it turns into a casual flick, I'm just going to... 12 Responses | Other threads
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well played
Spore Creator Wants to Make Toys Fun Again
Will Wright, the man who launched a million sims, is broadening his horizons.
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Comment by NeVeRMoRe666: Don't worry some adults still play with toys.... Butt plugs anyone? /NOT from personal experience 9 Responses | Other threads
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screens
Oh, Captain, My Captain - New Spore Screens
Spore: Galactic Adventures is introducing a lot of new stuff – planet editor, new segment of space exploration, etc. – but a nifty new thing we haven't seen a lot is the effects tool. More »
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By AJ GlasserComment by Leonharfs: Wonder how many planets will be pulsating, having valcanoes of... white lava... 6 Responses | Other threads
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preview
Preview: Spore Galactic Adventures – The Cake Is a Portal
Spore's first expansion pack focuses almost entirely on the space exploration segment of the game, adding a layer of adventure gaming to spice space up. More »
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By AJ GlasserComment by Gengar91: Was Spore a success then? I kinda thought it was built up to be this amazing game and yet failed... 7 Responses | Other threads
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clips
Oh Captain My Spore Space Captain
What does it take for your creature to become a space captain in Spore: Galactic Adventures? A dynamic trailer with dramatic voice overs, that's what. More »
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By Mike FaheyComment by Wii Biznitch loves Halo:CE: Also, what is with the spore haterade, from what I played of it from before my computer crashed, it was... 6 Responses | Other threads
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the sims 3
This Valentine's Day, Say It With Sims
It wouldn't be Valentine's Day without half a dozen games celebrating the number two Hallmark holiday of the year. The Sims 3 jumps on the bandwagon with two new screens of sweet, sweet love. More »
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By AJ GlasserComment by garytek: ...Girls hate me... No seriously. They do. And I'm not even douched out in any way, shape or form 4 Responses | Other threads
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the sims 3
The Sims 3 Lets You Tap Into Your Inner Undead
Fire up the Ministry, because every day will be Halloween in The Sims 3. Electronic Arts and Maxis are reaching out to the "black ocean" market with new vampire looks for the upcoming life simulation. More »
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Comment by gessyca: Actually in the sims 2, you could become a vampire from a specific NPC found at the gothic bookstore. While you... 4 Responses | Other threads
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clips
Spore Galactic Adventures: Behind the Scenes
Spore was an interesting experiment, one that didn't totally live up to the absurdly high expectations, but that I still enjoyed. More »
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Comment by Gyaruson: Is there supposed to be an accompanying video? There's nothing showing up? I'd like to know more... 7 Responses | Other threads
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make stuff with those things
Spore Honcho: We Toats Pwn LBP for User Content
It was recently suggested to Maxis producer Morgan Roarty that LittleBigPlanet has horned in, maybe even stolen the user-created content crown away from Spore. Pish-tosh, said Roarty. More »
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By Owen GoodComment by rianfrost: really, if we are talking about who wins, then spore's sales numbers have pretty much destroyed lbp's. But id say... 10 Responses | Other threads
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impressions
Three Things That Stand Out About the Spore Expansion
EA announced a bunch of new stuff at last night’s semi-swank reveal event – but the main draw was Galactic Adventures, the first real Spore expansion. More »
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By AJ GlasserComment by CarnageAce: Sounds quite good, although I fail to see why this wasn't in the game in the first place. 22 Responses | Other threads
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news
Four New Spore Titles Unveiled for DS, Wii, PC
EA has officially announced several new titles, two for the DS and one for the Wii, and an expansion to the Spore lineup that will launch this year.
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By AJ GlasserComment by missusagi: EA is really pulling at straws it seems. If, you know, they were being more cost effective, they'd stop making... 4 Responses | Other threads
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spore
First Spore Expansion, "Galactic Adventures" Due In Spring
Super sim Spore will get its first expansion pack in the form of Galactic Adventures this Spring, according to an invite from Electronic Arts. And, no, the Spore Creepy and Cute Parts Pack doesn't count! More »
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Comment by uppitycracker: i wonder if the expansion will be as shallow and unsatisfying as the game itself was. 12 Responses | Other threads
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valve
Spore Ready To Spawn On Steam?
Electronic Arts may be evolving its digital distribution plans, as the super-publisher looks to be bringing one of its biggest titles to Valve's Steam platform, despite having its own "solution," the EA Store. More »
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Comment by Entegy: If the track record is any indication, Spore will still have fuckROM and activation limits in the Steam version. 26 Responses | Other threads
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game design
The 2D/3D Quandary
GameSetWatch and Gamasutra have reprinted a really interesting article from Game Developer, where Soren Johnson of EA Maxis takes up the issue of 2D versus 3D in game design. Johnson maintains that while 2D is frequently seen as a relic of antiquated technology, there are plenty of places where it can make sense to utilize 2D over 3D. And, as Johnson points out, 3D graphics don't necessarily equal 3D gameplay, and 3D gameplay comes with its own challenges. 2D graphics also have their less obvious advantages: More »
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Comment by dowingba: Whenever I see someone discount a game based on it being 2D I chalk it up to them being in... 13 Responses | Other threads
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god games
Playing With Ants, the Original God Game
The latest issue of the Escapist deals with god games, most of which are quite grand in scale. John Carr, however, looks at the micro god game — in this case, SimAnt, Will Wright's first foray into games decidedly small in scale — and declares its inspiration (childhood games of playing god with hapless insect) the 'original god game.' SimAnt is certainly one of the weirder little titles in Wright's repertoire, but certainly an important title when looking at later games: More »
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Comment by Mister Jack is Stalking Konata: Oh man, I used to play the SHIT out of Simant. The only reason I stopped was because PCs reached... 5 Responses | Other threads
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rumor
Retailers Listing Spore "Expansion"
Listings have turned up on both GameStop and Amazon's store pages for a Spore expansion. Sorry, "expansion". Called Spore Cute & Creepy Parts Pack, it's got a shipping date of November 18, and is currently listed at $20. Going by the name - and really, that's all we've got to go off at the moment - we're subtly led to believe it's a new box of spare parts than anything that'll add any new meat to the mechanics of the game. And for $20, there'd want to be a hell of a lot of spare parts in there. More »
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Comment by Hamsfork: This expansion pack is coming out slightly over a month after Spore came out. This means that it's either terrible... 10 Responses | Other threads
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corporate gloating
Spore Spawns A Million Sales, 25 Million Creations
After just two weeks and change on the market, EA and Maxis' Spore has sold through over a million copies. The company announced today that Will Wright and team's sim-everything game is, officially, "a hit." That million-plus figure counts sales of the Windows, Mac and Nintendo DS versions of Spore, but not the mobile and iPhone versions. More »
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Comment by poisonedsodapop: So I guess it'll look happy on the surface even though there's a ton turmoil underneath. Is the game worth... 3 Responses | Other threads
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ea
EA Responds To Spore Forum Banning Concerns
When Spore owners were silenced by forum moderation staff for posting one too many SecuROM/DRM complaints on the game's official message boards, the internet-going masses were worked up into a lather. "Censorship!" they cried. "Business practices to which I don't agree with!" they shouted. A vague warning about your Spore user account being banned in conjunction with your forum account likely didn't help matters, giving the impression that loose talk about copy protection could render your game useless. More »
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Comment by Maldron: Nicely written. I like how you spend half the article writing up EA's forum moderation as monstrous, two sentences rescinding... 10 Responses | Other threads
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ea
Spore Fans Threatened With Banhammer Over DRM Talk
Following the locking of a thread on the official Spore forums, one questioning the moderation policies regarding SecuROM and DRM discussion, along with a rather threatening sounding warning, the EA hate machine booted up. Yes, the admonition from Spore forum mods was scary stuff, warning that "If you want to talk about DRM SecuROM then please use another fansite forum." More » -
spore
Spore Loosens Up, Allows Multiple Account Registrations
And EA's DRM back-tracking continues! First it was the number of times you could install Spore, now they've announced that they're loosening the ridiculous restrictions on the number of Spore accounts you could have on a single PC. Initially this was restricted to a single account, meaning families/friends/loved ones would have to share the same account. This has now been changed. While each installation can still only have one online account, each of those now has five "screen name accounts", which you can log in to every time you boot the game up. One for you, one for the missus, one for little Susie, etc etc. More »
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Comment by mva5580: Shame on EA for giving in to pissy little bitches who can't handle rules. It's amazing how I have... 7 Responses | Other threads
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spore
DRM Haters Take Spore Protests To The Home Front
We know that Amazon users do not take kindly to Spore's DRM measures. Seems Spore users don't either. GameCulture have dug up a number of anti-SecuROM creatures/vehicles people have seeded in the game's creation galleries, which range from the absurd to the surprisingly clever. Our pick's probably the Veroflraptor, a hideous creature that "is known to spray excessive DRM and overhype on its attackers". More »
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Comment by Strangelove: Instead of wasting my time protesting something that's been in at least a half-dozen other games I've owned, I'm actually... 4 Responses | Other threads
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spore
Amazon Deletes All Spore Customer Reviews, Blames Site Glitch
Despite receiving generally favorable reviews from game critics everywhere, the Amazon shopping populace didn't take so kindly to EA's PC release of Spore. Slapped with a one-star rating out of five, the majority of complaints weren't directed at the game's quality — though some did take issue with the core gameplay mechanics, venting how underwhelming the game felt after years of hype. No, it was Electronic Arts' implementation of digital rights management via Sony's SecuROM copy protection scheme that angered the masses.
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Comment by BallPtPenTheif: I still don't understand how the consumer is "getting punished". 13 Responses | Other threads
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spore
Spore Review: Evolutionary Creationism
In the beginning Will Wright created the idea, but not the name. Now the game was formless and empty, darkness was over the deep concepts, and Wright was hovering over his small group of developers. And Wright said, "Let there be five stages in the game," and there were. And Wright said "Let the waters teem with living creatures, let birds fly above the planets, and let gamers produce them all." Wright saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was real-time strategy, and there was procedural animation and perhaps even firmament, though I'm not quite sure what that word means. It was the sixth year.
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Comment by Krooeenya: Spore is really an intelligent design simulator more than an evolution simulator. PZ Myers, an eminent biologist, recently reviewed the game... 8 Responses | Other threads
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spore
Frankenreview: Spore
Game industry legend Will Wright is no stranger to creating life, but Spore marks his first attempt to create it from the ground up. One of the most highly anticipated PC games of the past decade, Spore's ambitions don't stop at expanding what a life simulation can be. The game also seeks to expand the PC gamer audience beyond the hardcore, perhaps acting as a stepping stone for the ever-growing numbers of casual PC players. With a scope this large and ambitions this great, you just know the game critics are paying extra-close attention. Let's see what they saw when the put Spore under their critical microscope. More »
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By Mike FaheyComment by DugDawg: I imagine I'll eventually pick this up, but I'm just not excited about playing games on the computer anymore. I built... 6 Responses | Other threads
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spore
Bizarre Anti-Spore Website Takes Issue WIth Stance On Creationism
Sooo.. The Kotaku bullshit alarm has been flashing a code amber since we got a tip about Antispore.com, but.. well, we just don't know. More »
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Comment by RtFusion: Wow, I just re-read the comments on these boards, and some of them are just downright insulting towards the religious... 37 Responses | Other threads
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ea
Spore Gets World's Tiniest Billboard, Requires Telescope To See
Go tiny or go home. That's the Spore marketing philosophy apparently, as the folks from EA have installed what is probably the world's daintiest billboard in San Francisco's Union Square. At just 14" by 6", the Spore billboard requires a telescope to see. More »
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Comment by sixonedoesitall: Too bad the game's not this clever. 18 Responses | Other threads
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spore
Spore Kinda Broken In Europe
It's the Yin and the Yang. The black and the white, the good and the bad. So it is with all things in life, and so it is with Spore in Europe, as although the game's finally been released (yay!) it's kinda broken (boooo). Specifically, the game's online modes are broken, with countless scores of Europeans unable to login and access them. If that's you, EA are aware of it, and are looking into it. That's the good. The bad is there's no timeline given, nor explanation, so a fix could come tomorrow, it could not come tomorrow. More »
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Comment by Comeback209: Do what you want because a P----- is free! You are a P-----! 2 Responses | Other threads
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spore
New Spore Screens
Finally, Spore is coming out on Sunday! Soon you can upload some of the hundreds ofabominationscreatures you made in the Creature Creator. To celebrate this momentous occasion here are some purdy new screenshots for you guys.
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Comment by lordofsword: If this had been released however many years ago it was supposed to have been, I would've bought it. Over... 6 Responses | Other threads
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spore
Spore Cracked And Torrented, Already
Well, it had to happen - Spore has hit the intertorrents. Pirates are downloading spores through the intricate series of tubes we call the internet. More »
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Comment by manocheese: I can't be bothered to read all the comments, they'll all be one of two any way. I'm on the side... 21 Responses | Other threads
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spore
First Spore Reviews Are In (There Are Pros, There Are Cons)
While the online press wait patiently at the starting line, hobbled by a reviews embargo, there's no stopping magazines from getting their Spore reviews out amongst the public. And the first three are in! Two are from German mags - PC Games and Gamestar - while one's from the British edition of PC Gamer. PC Gamer, they're on-board, giving the game 91%. But the Germans, well, the Germans think it's nicht so gut. Gamestar give it 79/100, while PC Games gave it 73/100, saying that while stuff like the creature creator is great, the early stages of the game lack depth and that there's an "uneasy mix of simulation and strategy". Those Germans...tough crowd! More »
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Comment by oldtaku: Ugh. I really want this to be a lot of fun, but I wouldn't trust PC Gamer at all. They're... 7 Responses | Other threads
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spore
New SPORE Civilization Trailer
For those of you eagerly awaiting SPORE, you don't have to wait much longer to make your own (NSFW) creature abominations. In this new trailer Producer Kip Katsarelis and Software Engineer Soren Johnsen both take us through what it's like to build and destroy civilizations in the game.
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Comment by robinhood_0: Spore is somewhat of a curiosity for me but I can't see it lasting long on my hard drive. Every since... 1 Responses | Other threads
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