Spore Creature Creator Reviews

• Buyer Beware! The DRM system is BUGGY too - it won't run at all!

  
  By A1MGRPK092OIFR on 2008-07-07
  Buyer beware. I bought a perfectly legitimate version of this product to run on my Mac. I installed it, while my kids sat by my side anxiously waiting to play. Then I typed in the license code and it said that I had already installed it too many times. What the?!? I had just unwrapped the plastic - how can it be installed anywhere?! The game won't run, stubbornly saying that I've already installed the license somewhere else. Well, I haven't.
  
  I've been contacting EA's customer support for over a week and they tell me that obviously I've already installed it too many times. Their fabulous DRM system is BUGGY and they don't seem to know it. I can't get anyone on the phone from EA (no phone number exists), their support people take days to respond, and they're useless when they do. I had to resort to withholding credit card payment from them. It's ridiculous.
  I'd love to be able to tell you how the game is, but it won't run. Buyer Beware!
  
  

• Will not buy

  
  By A1NOUWW8UTENGP on 2008-07-23
  I was very much looking forward to this game, but when I discovered SecuROM, I decided that I cannot have EA invading my computer.
  
  Until media enterprises stop treating customers as enemies, they will see their sales plummet. For every pirate they block, they alienate a dozen legitimate customers.
  
  

• Requires Internet access

  
  By A2EKN8D70DEMZQ on 2008-07-31
  Nowhere on the purchase page does it state that you need internet access on the computer where you intend to install this game. My son doesn't have internet access at his home. At least I know now to cancel the Spore preorder.
  
  

• Fun, but gets old pretty quick

  
  By A1YULPSMPKWNFF on 2008-06-27
  I'd heard quite a bit about Spore, so I really looked forward to getting the Creature Creator when it came out. Amazon delivered with typical speediness. As for the CC, it's cool, don't get me wrong. What you can make in just a few minutes is mind boggling. Like anything though once the novelty wears off, there's really not much here. You'd be better off download the free CC, then waiting for the game to come out.
  
  

• Buyer Beware!

  
  By A2DZGSJ1WKHXWR on 2008-08-11
  EA can't manage even to produce a decent demo (that they make you pay for!). We bought the full demo to pass the time on a rainy vacation. My kids anxiously watched my try to install it. Emphasis on try. The thing didn't work. I tried 2 different operating systems on computers that met all the required specs. I scoured the net for advice. I followed all the advice and tips I found, changed files in the game, uninstalled the EA download manager... the game still freezes and crashes to desktop. All creatures lost, nothing saves. No way on earth will I buy the full version of this game until I can get some guarantee that it will actually run. I'm very disappointed in EA.
  
  
• Amazing...and just a preview of things to come...
  By A178TVVS8FPKU on 2008-06-18
  The Spore Creature Creator is a very interesting piece of software on a number of levels. It is a very entertaining program allowing the user to create a wide variety of creatures by dragging and dropping elements into a build screen. It is also a way to jump-start the online set of creatures that will populate the upcoming Spore game (which will be released in September). Finally, it is a very clever marketing tool that will build interest in the complete Spore game.
  
  The Creature Creator is priced ($10) as an impulse buy. Once installed, it is very easy to use and sports a well done and intuitive interface. Creatures are created by dragging and sizing body parts from a menu. The simplicity of the interface will make this a hit with kids.
  
  In addition, as you add body parts the Creature being built reacts (for example, when you add eyes it looks around and makes a happy sound and when you add legs it dances!). This kind of feedback adds to the fun.
  
  Once you have created your Creature you can put it through its paces by walking it around a limited area, having it do some simple tricks (sit, flip, etc.) and other things. You can also snap pictures and make movies of your creature and save these on your system.
  
  However, the real fun is registering your copy of Creature Creator online so your own Creatures can be shared. You can upload your own Creatures and download Creatures made by other people. (You can even automatically upload your Creature Movies to YouTube).
  
  The Creature Creator is not a complete game like the Sims, but it is only $10. Perhaps the most effective aspect to Creature Creature is engendering a desire to get the full Spore game.
  
  If this is just one part of the full game then I suspect Spore will be a massive hit. If Spore lives up to the promised feature list you will be able to create and share not only Creatures but entire Worlds.
  
  Make sure you don't get a copy of Creature Creator on a Monday or Tuesday because you will be tempted to blow off work for the rest of the week so you can play...
  
  
• Demo for sale
  By A353CS9CCHDZS4 on 2008-06-20
  While making creatures is fun, what you can do with your creature is quite limited. This is nothing more than a small demo of the game. I don't recommend people paying for this and I am kind of upset it is being sold in the first place.
  
  Download and try the free trial version off the official game site. It is stripped down so you have limited body parts and what not, but is essentially the same, and if you only spend 15 minutes messing around and feel like you've had enough you wont have wasted ten bucks.
  
  
• EA kinna kills it
  By A43WCF8W3GM8Z on 2008-08-13
  It is a fun tool and great toy for anyone who likes computer animation. The creatures created are a lot of fun and finding new ways to use parts and colors is a challenge to keep you busy for quite some time to come.
  
  That said, EA kinna kills it.
  
  There is as of today in game advertising. This is not mentioned on any box or information sheet. The AT&T advert even makes it difficult to see things in the Sporepedia. It also drops in doubleclick and atdmt scripts and tracking cookies on ya. Or it tries to if you let it. This was done after the product was demonstrated in the trade shows publicly.
  
  The game has bugs that have not been addressed since start and the forums are a barely moderated mess. Seems the main plan was to get adverts going less than a month away more than fixing bugs. Enough time to test the adverts but not enough time for most pre-order people to be notified.
  
  If folks were warned ahead of time of in game advertising, spyware loaded onto your system via part of the website, and the general lack of EA assistance. I doubt many would have purchased this or pre-ordered Spore. The fact they waited to show it off at trade shows then bait and switch is hard to swallow.
  
  There are Customer service issues abound. A number of mistaken bans, banning the person who reported a unsuitable item rather than the offender. Folks with DRM trouble having to wait over a week for a new code, and only after asking for it a few times. No real support with any bugs other than some user discovered workarounds.
  
  Generally a mess an a half. Nice program. Shame about any support except unwanted and unwarranted additions.
  
  
• It didn't work.
  By A2M30FT7TTYQJG on 2008-08-13
  I saw a video of this product that made it look easy and fun so I ordered it. It would never install and the support on the Spore site did not address the issue. So I had to return it.
  
  Too bad.
  
  
• The creature that ate my CPU
  By A1YA1GIVKT8OGW on 2008-07-13
  I would rate the playability if I could play it. Buyer beware. Do not buy this game until you are aware of ALL the minimum system requirements and have a machine that is double that. Also ensure your graphics card is supported. I installed this on two machines: It didn't run on my desktop at all due to graphics incompatibility and on my shiny new Vista laptop, Spore sucked up all my CPU (jumped to 100% on both core processors), RAM (1gb jump in usage), and my 256mb graphics card didn't carry the load.
  
  All in all I hate to see a $10 game with such a high demand in resources. I'm sure there will be a lot of disappointed buyers.
  
  
• Unless you have a really new computer, don't buy this!!!
  By A64SRZFLEK3UZ on 2008-07-15
  Unless you have a really new computer...I'd save your money. Won't run on my desktop or my laptop. Very picky re: video cards. So...might be nice if it would run...but it won't. Read carefully the requirements...and beware. I might as well have flushed $10 down the toilet.
  
  
• Trouble trouble trouble!
  By A2GD2LKTEGLMEG on 2008-09-07
  Installation required admin access so I installed it using "run as" from my son's limited account. It complained a couple times although it ran. He made a creature and liked it....I should have left well enough alone! I figured some configuration settings might not have been made correctly so I uninstalled it and reinstalled it from my admin account. Now it doesn't work at all! Double click the icon you get an hourglass...yea maybe it will work this time...but NO! Task manager shows it is running but its nowhere to be seen! Double click again and it complains that another instance is running. Uninstall and reinstall, over and over, no joy. No help on the web site either. This release is just not ready for prime time.
  
  
  
• DRM-Ridden Dogpile from Electronic Brother
  By A1A0TNVYZ9NYPC on 2008-09-04
  I should have known that I was in trouble with this item when I saw it was a part of Electronic Arts. This item wouldn't recognize my latest current version of DirectX. I'm sure if I would have wasted enough time with this problem I would have run into more DRM fiascos. This coupled with the need to have internet oversight by Electronic Brother will keep me away from further purchases of this company's substandard products. I skipped Mass Effect because of word of the buggy DRM and from this experience I won't buy the full version of Spore either. Don't waste your time with anything from Electronic Arts.
  
  
• Creature Creature is fun!!
  By A1HIGQ665KF5FB on 2008-06-18
  I run a blog site and got a full copy of the Creature Creation from EA games 5 days ago and I've been playing every day since. It's easy to use and hours of fun.
  
  You start with a blob that has a spine. You can manipulate it into different shapes and add arms.legs and other body parts to make it unique. Each body part can be made bigger and smaller and distorted. After your creation is done, you can paint it with choices in the paint section, either use a pre-selected paint pattern or make your own with the 3 layers of choices. You can test drive your creation with the emotions and actions plus take photos and video. The video can be uploaded directly into YouTube from inside the game. Send your friends some post cards!
  
  [...]
  One more thing, see the yellow creature with the arm on its back, half way down the page? That was my concept creature that Maxis liked and recreated in the game. :)
  
  
• The hours will waste away
  By A6DFECLURMWW0 on 2008-06-23
  I know that some people are troubled about paying $10 for the "prelude" to what is sure to be an amazing game. But even this little nugget of the real game can offer hours and hours of fun. So it's definitely worth the sticker price. The coolest thing though is knowing that the creatures you make are actually going to populate the final game... well as long as you don't make them look like genitals anyway.
  
  
• DRM and Security doesn't work
  By AJG877XPY8A5F on 2008-09-02
  I haven't got to try this I have to lower security settings so it can install I assume it is because of DRM since MASS Effect does the same thing. I think the game idea is great the graphics look awesome but it bothers me that the my security treats this like a virus and tells me to stop. Malware is not something I want to pay for a game that crashed a buddys computer is not something I want. A game that can get 5 stars and I cant read the reviews why the whole thing is very corrupt .
  
  
• DRM of this game treats honest people like theives
  By A1C1Q5IHGJDQ7B on 2008-09-08
  A game company like EA should know better. Honestly! There are several issues that have made this one of the most disappointing games I've played in a long time, and frankly I am not even sure where to begin.
  
  First of all, at the install... Anyone who buys this game has only 3 installs. Yes you heard me correctly. You can't install this game more then 3 times EVER before the game CD becomes invalid. So if your hard drive should crash or you upgrade your computer after installing this, Oh.. You will only be able to install it ONCE more before it invalidates. That is done on purpose by EA as a way of combating piracy. But it also treats honest people who buy the game like thieves.
  
  Ridiculous!
  
  Secondly, the game play. While the game has a very original concept, it takes FAR too long to get anywhere interesting. The first three hours of gameplay is less a game and more an exhibit at a museum. It's kinda interesting but its certainly NOT FUN.
  
  I'm not sure what I should, return this thing or burn it. SHAME on EA for this travesty.
  
  
• What a waste of money.
  By A33XZXZV866QSE on 2008-06-22
  After waiting for so long for Spore to come out (which, of course, is still months away), I was really excited to see that the Creature Creator was available. I was hoping to get a sense of how the game will work, as well as to get a head start on my creations.
  
  The Creature Creator is unbearably slow, which sucks all of the (potential) fun right out of it. Not only that, but when I tried to save my creature the first time, it froze up and I had to force a shut down without saving, so all of my work was for nothing.
  
  Not to be deterred, I gave it another shot. This time, when I tried to save my creature, my whole computer crashed.
  
  The problem is not my computer; it was fine before I used the Creature Creator, and it's fine now. The problem is this ridiculously slow, aggravating, useless waste of time.
  
  Save your money.
  
  I sure wish I had.
  
  
  
• Innovative, but buggy
  By A26Y3GDR2X0V6V on 2008-07-20
  It should be noted that this is basically a preview of the creature editor in Spore than a full game and is probably more suited to people eagerly awaiting the game than the general public.
  
  As far as functionality, the editor is intuitive, fun, very hands on, and immersive. It's definitely a good component and a sign of good things to come.
  
  My major complaint is that Creature Creator hangs every time I save a creature on my machine (a desktop I bought in December 2006 with components that were top of the line back then). This essentially makes creature creator good for messing around, but I can't store things for later use. I also think their components list could use more variety and I found the lack of tail components disturbing.
  
  The tool is nice, but the bug I experienced and the ones listed on various sites make me worried that EA may be putting so much pressure on finally releasing Spore that they are preventing an adequate number testing and bug-fix cycles. Hopefully, this will not be the case and EA will not need to release a patch for a long time.
  
  
  
• 'Intelligent Design' never looked less stupid.
  By A3PP3A2TC2AZOF on 2008-06-19
  This is not a full game as such, purely a part of the upcoming SPORE release.
  
  Others have commented on how much fun and how easy it is to create magnificently rendered monsters and creatures. What is particularly impressive is how the creature moves and reacts in quite a realistic manner based on the limbs and attachments that you give it.
  
  What is even more amazing is that all of the user content created and uploaded to the SPORE server can potentially be used to populate the worlds that your creatures will inhabit once you get started with the full game.
  
  If you are looking forward to the full SPORE release then you owe it to the SPOREverse to start creating and uploading now.
  
  If $10 is too much then download the free trial version, it's fully functional you just get 25% of the available body parts to play with.
  
  
  
  
• Not just another toy
  By A347DFDXSHWAIZ on 2008-06-20
  Spore Creature Creator
  
  Spore from EA is one of the most anticipated games of the last few years. To appease the fans, EA has released a great teaser application, the Spore Creature Creator.
  
  The creator isn't just another take on an electronic Mr. Potato HeadMR. POTATO HEAD. The application allows the player to select from a wealth of features to form their creation. There are choices in several categories: head, arms/legs, senses, hands, feet, weapons, and an adornment type category.
  
  Each body part brings it's own plusses to the creature. More legs = more speed. More weapons = more attacks and more power behind them. More sensory choices brings with it more charm.
  
  There's a built in complexity limit. This limit caps out what you can add to the creature, though it does allow for the oddest things. One creature I created had six sets of legs. Of course one can add just as many eyes, ears, legs, or tails. So the limit won't be likely to crimp even the craziest styles.
  
  Once built, you can take your creature out for a spin. You'll be able to watch a wide variety of animations, including dancing and punching. There's even a mating call action.
  
  So you've built your creature and that's it right? Wrong. The Spore Creature Creator allows you to upload and share your creatures. Still shots can be emailed to friends, movies uploaded to YouTube and creatures shared on the Spore sight. There other Spore users can vote and comment on them.
  
  I highly recommend this game, especially for $10.
  
  
• Not so great...
  By AUO36TYI5VB1L on 2008-06-22
  This game just isn't all that great!!!
  
  I say... just stick with Sims 2 or look forward to Sims 3.
  
  Spore might be fun for elementary school children but past that age it is BORING!!!
  
  Boring, boring boring...
  
  
• It's not a game; It's a creative tool!
  By A155APN1I8BYLE on 2008-07-08
  Despite being a tool to create the creatures that will inhabit the millions of planets on Spore's release day, it's actually rather entertaining in how far you can push the engine. Just when you think that you probably created a configuration that could break the game, it figures out a way to make it work. That doesn't mean it is without its flaws, most of which involve the website side of the game's bigger set up. Still, for those that like to create anything, even if you don't have an idea of what you want to create, its worth at least a look.
  
  Try the free downloadable demo before you commit to buying it, though. I bought it because the parts available in the demo didn't suit my creative and asthetic tastes.
  
  
• Just Wait
  By A1AYYCXEMY84I7 on 2008-07-05
  Creture Creator is fun at the beginnig, but you should really wait about a month before you plan on buying Spore. Creating all kinds of interesting creatures is fun, but it wears off after a day or two. There are many parts for your creature. You can also paint it whatever way you want, so let your creativity flow! One of the coolest parts of CC is being able to upload videos of your creature on Youtube. You can also share them on the Spore website. on Spore.com you can also veiw other people's creations. You'd be surprised at what other peopl can make! One major complaint I have is that there is so little to do with your creatures once you make them. I guess this appetizer is worth it for only ten bucks.
  
  
• Amazon supports censorship...
  By A25DASOA7VXIA0 on 2008-09-12
  Amazon wiped thousands of reviews because it didn't feel comfortable with how this product was being criticized for it's inclusion of DRM. This game was not good, and I had to call EA to install it after it failed to install properly after 3 attempts.
  
  
• Ignore the negative
  By A3J4V807GSONKL on 2008-07-15
  First this is only ONE part of an absolutely HUGE game. To everyone saying that it gets old, of course it gets old if you are looking for a full version! This is just to get familiar with the new creator function, which will not only be used for creatures, but ships, buildings, and everything else in the full game. We've made about 20 creatures so far and it hasn't been old yet. All of these creatures will be available in the game, so getting a head start is priceless. Plus you get $5 back from amazon towards the full version.
  
  My opinion: Great teaser for the full version. If you want a head start into a wonderful new game, buy it. If not, wait until september. It's that simple. There's no need to bash it.
  
  
• Fun but lacks in sme ways.
  By A3D0X9KCRNH712 on 2008-07-17
  This game is super fun all you really half to do is move the spine around a little and you get an idea for a creature! But it sometimes feels too limited because of the complexity meter. But beware and make SURE your computer meets the minimum requirements! I recommend going to canyourunit.com and scanning your PC to see if you can run the spore CC because it WILL NOT run with anything below th requirements. For Example: Before I got my new computer I needed to install a different graphics card! because the pixel and vertex shader in our old card weren't high enough but fortunately we got a new computer that can run it on high setttings :) okay so
  OVERALL:
  It's a Great buy if you have the proper reqs for it I recommend going to www.canyourunit.com and seeing if you meet minimum for he CC if so I recommend buying it RIGHT AWAY!
  
  
• So So, Wait for the Full Version Game of Spore
  By A9VSOAOY9NN51 on 2008-07-13
  I am a huge Spore fan and although the Spore Creature is cool, I would have been smarter to just use the free trial version and wait for the Full Spore game to be released. I purchased my Spore Creature from Amazon and ended up paying five bucks more than going to the store because of shipping. Spore Creature is fun but it just makes you want the full Spore Version.
  
  
• Letting Our Imagination Run Free
  By A2Z8A2XNL6YP3D on 2008-07-18
  This game is tons of fun, it allows us to build creatures we've always thought of, or others we imagine as we play with the tools given. The game is a little limited as to what body structures, parts, etc... can be used, but it's suppose to be "user friendly," it's not PhotoShop. This is a game that will never get boring. One of the best things about the game is that once you install it, no disk is needed, which means I can run the game from my MacBook Air, which by the way does a great job, despite it's lack of stand alone graphics and powerful CPU. This game runs a lot better on my MacBook Air and Pro, than my PC for some reason. On PC's it gives me some registration error. ...o well, it's nice to see a Mac can handle a game better than a PC for a change.
  
  
• If you plan on buying Spore, don't buy Creature Creator
  By A1S7XO0QCOBOQ8 on 2008-09-13
  My wife purchased both Creature Creator and Spore for me for my birthday. My assumption was that Creature Creator added features to Spore. That assumption was wrong. If you plan on buying Spore, do not buy Creature Creator. There is no need to. In fact, upon installing Spore, the first thing it tells you it is going to do is uninstall Creature Creator. Needless to say I was disappointed. Sure it is $10. But that is $10 dollars I could of spent else where.
  
  Finally, I see no real reason to buy Creature Creator. It is fun. You have access to all the body parts. However the trail version is free. What more do you really need?
  
  

• Spore
• Spore: Prima Official Game Guide (Prima Official Game Guides)
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