Ideas for Spore Expansion Packs

[HCantu99]

I just thought of an idea for a possible Spore expansion pack. It would be about maps.

With such a large play area, it might be useful to have maps, if, say you created civilizations on various worlds or solar systems, went off to explore the universe and then later wanted to remember where you left that one civilization populated with dinosaur-like creatures.

There could be different kinds of maps, maps of the universe, then maps of planets, etc. Maybe you could even print them out!

Wow! The game's not even here yet, and I'm thinking of expansion packs!

HCantu99 :D

[OverlordBill]

Spore won't have expansion packs. It's based around custom content. If anything's updated, it will most likely be treated as an update and will be included with bug fixes. There's not really anything you can do to update a game that doesn't have any premade content.

And how would you use a map in space? It's three dimensions, you'd have to have a model. And that wouldn't make things any clearer, and on a universal scale it would either have to be immense or the points would have to be very very tiny.

At the point you would need a map on the planet, it seems to be possible to zoom out enough to see half of it at once. So again, no need for a map.

And if they do come out with an expansion pack that features mapping, I'll eat my foot.

[HCantu99]

I have another expansion pack idea.

A place (planet, solar system, or galaxy) that is a multi-user space, where you could ineract with other users on the internet - I guess a real-time shared-space kind of place, for either team-built civilizations or city-vs-city challenges, or anything else.

You'd travel in your game to this special place in the universe and be able to interact with others online. Maybe it could even have chat built into it or something.

HCantu99 :D

[HCantu99]

Spore won't have expansion packs. It's based around custom content. If anything's updated, it will most likely be treated as an update and will be included with bug fixes. There's not really anything you can do to update a game that doesn't have any premade content.
I'm not so sure, but you could be right.


And how would you use a map in space? It's three dimensions, you'd have to have a model. And that wouldn't make things any clearer, and on a universal scale it would either have to be immense or the points would have to be very very tiny.
A glowing overlay directly on the game.

For example, at the universe scale, perhaps a blue glowing dot shows the general location of Dinosaur-world.
Zoom in, in that general direction, and you'd see another very similar glowing blue dot representing the solar system containing Dinosaur-world.
Zoom in again, in that more specific direction and you'd see maybe several planets, with only one of them glowing blue - that's the one!

Press a button and the glowing overlay dissapears leaving only vivid awesome space imagery. Maybe you could do searches by planet name or scroll through some list of named planets.
Pick one to go to and a new glowing overlay would show up - showing the way.

I don't know. That's just a thought off the top of my head. There's probably better ways to do it - but I think it's possible - just a navigation aide.



At the point you would need a map on the planet, it seems to be possible to zoom out enough to see half of it at once. So again, no need for a map.


A map wouldn't be needed, but just fun to have... for some. Maybe little translucent name-signs for cities, bodies of water, landmarks, etc. could be similarly overlaid on the world or turned off. Maybe they could be a story-telling tool.

But true, maybe no actual need for a map - hence only an expansion pack idea.



And if they do come out with an expansion pack that features mapping, I'll eat my foot.

Well, I'm sure there's much better expansion pack ideas than my own humble and silly ones - but still... please don't eat your foot. It's just not worth it. :laughing2:

HCantu99

[Nightshade]

I doubt we should consider exp. packs. For all we know Spore could end up being an over-hyped peice of crap. Sorry to say, but thats probably where its headed. (Prove me wrong Maxis, I'll bake you brownies!)

[HCantu99]

Another Spore Expansion Pack idea.

I've read that some parts of Spore are going to be mini-versions of, or very similar to, other existing games. I suppose this is to allow for the scale and scope of the game. It doesn't need so much focus in any one phase of the game because you move from one phase to another and have such a range of phases to play.

But an expansion pack could have more tools for greater depth of play, specifically for your favorite phase, and greater customization of all objects/surfaces/etc.

But I'll concede that the game might only get periodic patches or upgrades instead.

HCantu99 :D

[HCantu99]

What about a time-travel expansion pack?

[HCantu99]

An expansion pack about living off-world.

I know you can live in cities on land, and possibly underwater domed cities - when colonizing new worlds. But what about space stations orbiting a planet? Or space stations traveling the cosmos? I guess similar to the UFO, but carrying a population.

[HCantu99]

An expansion pack to include robotic (non-organic) creatures - maybe even progammable. "Build me a base on the planet... Attack my enemies..." Oh no! My robot was destroyed! I'll just press this button and twenty more!

[Mr.Heat]

Spore won't have expansion packs.

Please don't make rash conclusions, no one can know what will happen in 2 years, there will be always place to improve..


Heat ;)

[HCantu99]

An expansion pack about planet-sized creatures. Maybe they drift around in space, looking for asteroid fields for some mysterious reason and could be a potential hazard to colonists trying to mine the asteroid fields for metals or other resources (if that's possible) - or maybe the giant creatures could be domesticated and used for labor. Or maybe they're sentient!

Maybe they go around seeding life throughout the universe.

HCantu99

[HCantu99]

An expansion pack that introduces living planets - where maybe the plants on the planet respond to the activity on the planet's surface to protect the planet. It could host other sentient life forms, even space visitors, if it suits its own needs.

Unfortunately, a UFO could just go blow it up.

But maybe the sentient planet could find some method of defense against an such attacker, such as being hidden deep in some cloudy space nebula, or maybe somehow influencing its own poulation to develop sufficient technology to defend against such a potential aggressor.

Maybe it could use sentient plants.

HCantu99

[HCantu99]

An expansion pack that allows you to move your favorite Spore object to a Sims game.

[SporeSite]

I wonder if there is going to be Expansion Packs...? I hope there are but realy what eles could they add...Maybe this...Sims2 Spore EP, where when you are playing Spore you go to a planet and see sims, and you could kill them, live with them mate with them, just think about all the money they could make by combing both of them. :shocked:

[Aphid]

Spore: University. Seriously, I hope they just make the one, and perhaps Spore 2 and Spore Online (providing it's a one off purchase).

[MrErops]

I think there is going to be so much in the game that we wont need an Ep. But I hope they have a Spore 2 as well with better graphics and more stuff to do, after like 4 years. :D

[OverlordBill]

If Spore launches well, we'll be seeing a lot more games like it in a few years. And knowing Maxis, definitely a Spore 2.

[MrErops]

I hate how they do that. Someone makes a great game and then another company makes something just like it. :grumpy: But I bet they won't be able to beat Maxis's games, there usally the best and the first. Thats why I think Will Wright won't take that much time to release it, I bet it will be out soon so that no companies can mock the game. :D

[Night Angel]

Kind of like those 2 anime's from warner brothers, Yugioh! and Duel Masters. I personally like Yugioh better.

[Dumdadum]

Or Pokémon and Digimon.. or Sims 2 and singles.. or McVitie's Digestive Biscuits and Tesco value digestives.

[Mr.Heat]

I think it's more for discussion than questions, isn't it? Moved ;)




Heat

Well don't count expansion packs out altogether. In most games expansion packs add content...However that won't be necessary with Spore. I think if Spore adds anything in expansion packs it will be features. More features for the game. Underground animals, all sorts of stuff you've already talked about. Say a new level of the game after tribal where you have to live in the city (Sims type gameplay "Eat your roasted snarf, Paco."), before SimCity type gameplay, but after Tribal gameplay. Stuff like that, features, that would give the game more depth or the player more options.

[suomalainen]

I have idea of making freaks in civilization, like twoheaded thing. Example, you have maded blue bird who has two beaks. And that freaked, Bird who has two heads and in other one two beaks, and in other one, one beak. And "normal" blue birds send it out of the city in poor hut. What about this?

[strillor]

I love the idea about expansion packs with more features... Like I think all of us, will reach the highest evolving status sooner or later, so Willy-Boy is going to think about finding something AFTER that.. what's bigger than emperior of the universe? what's higher than that? :confused: I'm gonna let Will Wright think about that :laughing2: it IS his game, and I guess he has tons of ideas for features that just couldn't fit into the first game :smile:

[OverlordBill]

what's bigger than emperior of the universe?

John Titorize me Captain!

[10-Neon]

All this expansion talk seriously makes me sick. A game should ship at the peak of its quality, and only extremely important, massive changes should justify an expansion, since smaller ones could easilly work in patch form. Talking about expansions only implies that the game will ship as a steaming pile of crap.

[Jeskim]

Talking about expansions only implies that the game will ship as a steaming pile of crap.


EWWWWW. I DONT WANNA BUY A PILE OF STEAMING CRAP! DONT TALK LIKE THAT OR ITLL COME TRUE!!!!!! *talks to a ghost and puts aluminum foil on his head*

[strillor]

Do you then think The Sims is a pile of crap, too???

expansion packs is made for us, to give us the opportunity to decide/suggest some ideas to what could come into the game... ...!

[OverlordBill]

Yes. Yes I do.

And no. No they're not. Expansion packs come out for one reason and one reason only. To make money.

[strillor]

well.... yeah.. :laughing2:

but they like the sound of what I said before :laughing2:

[chocolatemax]

i do not think there will be an expansion pack, its just not that sort of game, more of a one off great in-depth game.
I don't understand how you can be discussing ideas for new expansion packs, the actual game isn't out yet! and talking about sequals! lol

[Jeskim]

you kno, somebody already yelled at us for ideas for expansions. little.....

[Mr.Heat]

i do not think there will be an expansion pack, its just not that sort of game, more of a one off great in-depth game.
I don't understand how you can be discussing ideas for new expansion packs, the actual game isn't out yet! and talking about sequals! lol

Let the people imagine, let the people dream, what's wrong with discussing EPs, even after the game isn't out?

That's the fun, making speculations and anticipating ;)



Heat

[OverlordBill]

Not when what you're anticipating is useless, much like the Segway. Do you want another Segway Heat? Do you really?

[Mr.Heat]

Not when what you're anticipating is useless, much like the Segway. Do you want another Segway Heat? Do you really?


One thing is sure, you can't tell people not to talk, not to dream...let them do it, and if you don't like it, don't read this thread, it won't harm you...



Heat

[suomalainen]

I have idea of making freaks in civilization, like twoheaded thing. Example, you have maded blue bird who has two beaks. And that freaked, Bird who has two heads and in other one two beaks, and in other one, one beak. And "normal" blue birds send it out of the city in poor hut. What about this?
OMG! That mutating-thing is in! But They can't put any out of the city.

[Kazatan]

i wonder why you are mentioning Expansion Packs, when you could still be wondering about stuff that will be in the game upon release!

i wonder if mutations is one of WW's ideas, he said he hasn't decided on all the things he's going to put in / take out.

I just hope that once we get to the final space stages i can still zoom into a completely new planet and start building some new creature there, then when they are big enough fight them against my original species!


As for a map, i'd hope they would include something like that in the game upon release. I'd guess at a minimum they'd include shortcut keys like f1-f10 being 10 planets you'd assigned them to, so you could quickly look at them without getting completely lost in the universe ;P

Although i really hope they give us the option to name the individual planets like you can cities in civilisation, then have a screen with all know planets names and you can click to navigate to the one you want.

It would be much easier to remember planets by user assigned names than by remembering coordinates :shocked:. Worlds could be "dinosaur world", "four legged spider world" whatever you put on there, it would be a lot easier to remember!


EDIT: Id guess that if the game sells well, then the first expansion pack would include some sort of multiplayer...

[suomalainen]

I heard somewhere that you can use all editors when you are in space-level. And multiplayer is impossible, beckause if some-one gets superfast in ufo-stage, he/she would be able to defeat all other players in evolution-stage. People would get angry and game/x-pack wouldn't sell well. `^^´

[Kazatan]

someone else mentioned having multiplayer areas... i think this model would work well.

ie you have certain space systems that are multiplayer enabled, so if you want to fly into them you can

and certain planets that many people start building creatures on that say cant be destroyed like the other planets.

but keeping areas that are non-combat areas, so you could go there to see other peoples creatures but you could only interact socially and not aggressively.

if you had areas to suit each persons taastes i think it would work well, and people could host their own areas on their computers to their own specs and other could bring their single player creatures along to these areas...

[strillor]

my multiplayer idea would be kinda like Sims Online, (without the monthly payment of course) :angry:

It'll work with a kinda "chat", and then it's just up to you if you want to FIGHT the other ones or make alliances and trade-connections :spin: depends on how your creatures have evolved!! :smile:

[K.Kraden]

Kind of like those 2 anime's from warner brothers, Yugioh! and Duel Masters. I personally like Yugioh better.

You mean to tell me, that those two anime's are from separate sources? Wow. That is just plain sad. The universe they use... I mean, they are practically carbon copies of each other! What kind of a world do we live in where creativity is so stifled that companies will not only steal general ideas, but the whole product? I am glad Wright and Molyneux are finally starting to break this trend with Spore and The Room (Sadly though, Molyneux said The Room probably won't be sold. Ever.).

Oh, and I dont really care for Yu-gi-oh OR Duel Masters. Or any of those Pokemon clones, excepting digimon. Hey, I'm 18, but that doesn't mean I cant enjoy an entertaining show, :D.

[master genesis]

i think it would be cool if Will created a race to test race in combat and survival. Like if Will created an uber race that had armadas and wants to conquer galaxies by destroying races and collecting planets. And if the uber race became to powerful all the races could band together and make a fellowship to overth...sorry they could band together and fight off the invasion. That would be cool.

[Astrodog]

race that had armadas and wants to conquer galaxies by destroying races and collecting planets

You're thinking of the IRKens from Invader ZIM. Hell,maybe I'd make them.

[leech10]

And if the uber race became to powerful all the races could band together and make a fellowship to overth...sorry they could band together and fight off the invasion. That would be cool.

Unless you are the one they are fighting off, in that case you would have to find a different strategy. Either way, it would still be cool that the other civilizations can interact with each other instead of just with you.

[K.Kraden]

I just seriously hope that it's possible to get in way over your head. I don't want to be battling a bunch of stinking pushovers, I want my victories to MEAN something. I want massive campaigns that have the potential to turn into long drawn out conflicts spanning several worlds, both of us fighting tooth and nail to win.

[master genesis]

Also i do not just want one ufo I WANT 100s I Want deadly armadas giant battle crusiers, small fighters, and maybe even mechs. Wait What about MECHS! Just think about it giant exoskeletons dropping from the sky then flying in and ripping a city apart. What about mechs, feel free to talk about it i want to here your appinion. :bouncy:

[Astrodog]

That would cost a lot.

[K.Kraden]

Mechs are already in. Well, not mechs per se, but robots are. You can build giant robots of death.

[master genesis]

very cool, you replied pretty fast. :spin:

[K.Kraden]

I don't really look at the time and dates, I just post. According to Bill I'm a postcount whore.


...postcount +1.

[master genesis]

yeah i come on alot, usually i the only one on.

[Astrodog]

Me too.

[leech10]

I come on a lot, and I am also usually all alone

I want to be able to drop a whole lot of tanks or death robots on an enemy planet, then go off and explore the rest of the solar system, and then come back to find all of the enemies destroyed by the stuff I put on their planet.

[Astrodog]

Or maybe raise a ton a volcanoes on their planet to destroy them.

[Hazath]

i'd be curious as to weather there are differnt types of atmospheres. So you have to teraform the planet so that your creatures can populate it; even though there might already be life on it.

[Astrodog]

If there's life,keep some speciemens and kill them all,then adapt my own species to their planet. If there isn't,terraform it.

[shock]

An expansion pack that introduces living planets - where maybe the plants on the planet respond to the activity on the planet's surface to protect the planet. It could host other sentient life forms, even space visitors, if it suits its own needs.

Unfortunately, a UFO could just go blow it up.

But maybe the sentient planet could find some method of defense against an such attacker, such as being hidden deep in some cloudy space nebula, or maybe somehow influencing its own poulation to develop sufficient technology to defend against such a potential aggressor.

Maybe it could use sentient plants.

HCantu99

this reminds me of Sid Meier's alpha centira story- bunch of people go to planet to conlonize it, the ship they were on blew up and now there are trying to build citys and such. you find out later that the planet is alive and does not like having humans on it so it tries to kill all of the humans.

i could go on and on but it's easyer if you just look at it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sid_Meier%27s_Alpha_Centauri[/i]

[strillor]

An expansion pack that introduces living planets - where maybe the plants on the planet respond to the activity on the planet's surface to protect the planet. It could host other sentient life forms, even space visitors, if it suits its own needs.

Unfortunately, a UFO could just go blow it up.

But maybe the sentient planet could find some method of defense against an such attacker, such as being hidden deep in some cloudy space nebula, or maybe somehow influencing its own poulation to develop sufficient technology to defend against such a potential aggressor.

Maybe it could use sentient plants.

HCantu99

this reminds me of Sid Meier's alpha centira story- bunch of people go to planet to conlonize it, the ship they were on blew up and now there are trying to build citys and such. you find out later that the planet is alive and does not like having humans on it so it tries to kill all of the humans.

i could go on and on but it's easyer if you just look at it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sid_Meier%27s_Alpha_Centauri[/i]

somehow that sounds startrek-ish :bouncy: