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News Forum Spil Games developing Creatures Family!   1 | 2 | 3 3kul   4/12/2016  1 Looks like the Creatures Online forums are back, although it seems that the thread Malkin linked to in the OP was accidentally deleted during a massive spam clean-up. Spil Games has created a new thread, which can be found here.   Rha   4/12/2016 I never saw the second page from those screenshots, somehow. Yeah uh... I don't much like the sound of it anymore ^^ ; Well, it sounds like they might produce something that at least looks good, IF they get way better artists than the ones they(seemingly) have. However their website is outdated as he states so who knows. Oh man a browser game..what..   Wrong Banshee Dragoler     4/12/2016  1 The lack of 3rd party support is really turning me off the idea. I understand why they need to do it but at the end of the day it's also what is keeping the community alive and active. Creator of the TWB/TCB genome base.   jcnorn   4/12/2016  1 It's pretty much what made a great game awesome imho. I'd never clung around with c2 as long as I did if there wasn't cobs and breeds made by the community to toy with   Bifrost   4/12/2016  2 In my opinion, we, as a the Creatures community, need to be on Spil's neck like a cluster of ticks, making sure that they know that without opening for third party content, they're losing the vast majority of the community's interest and support, quite possibly shooting themselves in the foot with their would-be innovative direction.   Peppery One Papriko   4/12/2016  1 When we are lucky it might work out, but it could also go horribly horribly wrong. Who says that they do not just change their plans when we get too annoying? If we nag too much, they could easily ditch the entire "faithful to the originals" idea and turn it into some generic mainstream pet game. Fuzzy little critters do not need third party content or complex genetics to sell like hotcakes. That is pretty much just to please us over here. When it does not work, we are simply left behind. Lets play plants! Photosynthesis... Photosynthesis... Photosynthesis...   jcnorn   4/12/2016 It's the mobile-thing that is making it impossible for third party content. So in a way, they would have to scrap the whole idea of making a mobile-game. Which I don't think they are too keen on as they seem to be specializing in mobile games as a studio?   Moe     4/12/2016  2 They're going to make a game that makes them millions on micro-transactions and builds a new fan-base that knows nothing of Creatures' history. They don't need our support, nor would the half-dozen of us left make a difference to them anyway. A silly cutesy pet simulation game with some "advanced AL" as a marketing tagline is all they need. It's a cash grab from an existing IP. That's all. If they were actually interested in being true to the Creatures series, they would be making it for PC as well. Never thought I'd see the day when I wished for Fishing Cactus to come back...   Lurhstaap     4/12/2016 Yeah, wow. No more interest in this project from me whatsoever. It's Creatures in name only without third party content and advanced genetics and such. If this ever actually comes out I'm going to go WAY out of my way to pitch the old games and point out that the new one is not really a Creatures game. God, what a disappointment. I was actually optimistic about this but if it's going to be SO wildly different then it's hardly a Creatures game anymore. The series' aesthetics, while nice, are literally the least important aspect and it seems like aesthetics are essentially all that CF will have in common with real Creatures. (To me things like the ability to tickle and slap are essentially aesthetic - those sorts of things may still exist but without the deeper genetics and neurology it's just a graphic representation of an interaction and not an actual interaction. Just like in every other pet game... ) At least we still have Grandroids... And on the plus side this means there's going to be a real need and niche for our own third-party "Creatures" game like we've been discussing in that other thread, I guess... Conclude with killer catchphrase. (Lurhstaap) "This is not knowledge - this is information!" New Model Army, "Courage"   jcnorn   4/12/2016 I feel like it's PF Magic's Petz all over again, the new petz-games are nothing like the old games. And Creatures is going down the same road. It makes me sad   Lurhstaap     4/12/2016 I just thought of something, too. Why should the mobile platform make third party content impossible? People make third party apps and suchlike all the time, many of which are extremely simple and took very little knowledge or skill to make. So if that's possible why exactly is it not possible to allow third party content within the actual game? A cell phone or tablet is really just a tiny computer. I see no good reason that you coudn't allow third party content in just the same way as in the normal Creatures games. You'd have to create it on an actual desktop or laptop, probably, but once the assets existed they could be uploaded to an official or personal server and then made accessible to the game. If official content is accessible then there has to be a way to make third party content accessible. IMO the problem isn't possibility, it's willingness to do the work required to make it happen. Unless someone here knows why that really is impossible, then do let me know. :p But it seems to me that if people are capable of making their own apps and adding them to the mobile stores, then people are capable of making assets for an app as well if the app were set up to allow for it and I see no good reason the app couldn't be set up to allow for it. An "app" is just a computer program. There's no fundamental difference that I am aware of. Conclude with killer catchphrase. (Lurhstaap) "This is not knowledge - this is information!" New Model Army, "Courage"   jcnorn   4/12/2016 I think it has to do with the EULA of the appstore/android-store (dunno what that is called). That is making it impossible. What apps have you seen/used where they managed to involve third party addons in that app?   Moe     4/12/2016 In order for an app or any program to be modifiable it must be able to access outside resources and interact with them. Spill games claims that Apple and Google Play stores have restrictions in this regard when it comes to games they distribute. I will take their word for it since it makes sense for security reasons, but I find the idea of a mod-less creatures game no less revolting.   Razgriz   4/12/2016 They explained exactly why third party content isn't feasible due to their focus on mobile. The two dominant app stores have a lot of rules and restrictions (more so Apple than the Play Store) along with the inherent closed-garden nature of iOS means that it's not going to happen. One comparison I could make is wanting the Long War mod for XCOM to work on the mobile port, it's unreasonable and incredibly silly to ask for. Anyways, their focus on mobile will probably bite them real hard unless they have insane budgeting skills since the mobile F2P market is pretty vicious. Anything that isn't one of the big names is probably not earning much revenue. The kids' side of things won't cut them much slack either because of the mobile version of Minecraft. So to be realistic here, I'm pretty much expecting their Creatures game to not really succeed.   Lurhstaap     4/12/2016 I overlooked that part, somehow. I miss chunks sometimes. x.x If it's a EULA problem then I'm correct that there's no real -technical- reason it can't happen. But I do understand why they'd feel limited by that sort of thing. But IMO I'd take that as a sign that this is a bad game to make mobile, but then what do I know... :p I also wasn't aware that iOS was so restrictive. I haven't used Macs since I was in film school. To tell the truth, I just feel like the whole concept is a bad idea the more I think about it. Creatures really isn't something that makes sense as a browser game or mobile app. Also I have not seen apps with third party content within them - what I was saying is that people make third party -apps-, just people working on their own computers to make an app rather than a company. A lot of the really basic games and such you'll see on any of the major app stores, especially the free ones, are made by private individuals. Stuff like the Flappy Bird knockoffs and other knockoffs of very simple games with very simple or low quality art. It seems to me that if it's possible for people to do that sort of thing, then it's possible for there to be third party content within an app as well. Though again I was thinking purely on a technical 'is it possible' level - other issues with the concept (such as the EULA or the limitations of operating systems I'm not familiar with, for example ;p) didn't occur to me. Conclude with killer catchphrase. (Lurhstaap) "This is not knowledge - this is information!" New Model Army, "Courage"   Lollipop Lord C-Rex     4/12/2016 Darn, the game isn't even out yet and people are already tearing it to pieces. I for one am glad they are breathing new life into the creatures franchise. Even if it does bomb, it will hopefully help new players discover the older games in the series.   Lurhstaap     4/12/2016 Your point is taken, but in this case, this is not something I have to see to know that I won't like it. The things I value most about the series won't be included at all or will be dumbed down, and we've been told as much. Now, if they change their mind about that sort of thing and go in a different direction, I may in turn change mine. But until then, unfortunately, it's a case of already knowing I don't like anchovies on my pizza and being told ahead of time that's what's being ordered. Conclude with killer catchphrase. (Lurhstaap) "This is not knowledge - this is information!" New Model Army, "Courage"   Bifrost   4/13/2016 They could receive and distribute third party content through their own portals, though, couldn't they?   Peppery One Papriko   4/13/2016 They could, but it would be a huge amount of work, as they'd need DLC moderators or something along these lines that just go through add-ons all the time, make sure they are not malicious, offensive, work in the first place and probably filter out crappy submissions. Also, it could become another cashgrab. They could take your e.g. breed, slap a 1.99 pricetag on it and credit you for the creation with impressive 0.2% per sale or a puny one time payment. You could not even stop it if they bury it somewhere in the depths of the EULA. Lets play plants! Photosynthesis... Photosynthesis... Photosynthesis...   Bifrost   4/13/2016 With microtransactions most likely being a part of it anyway, at least this way would open up for the community to continue to expand and improve the contents of the game. And crappy submissions wouldn't be more of a problem with this than it is today. Just let the players decide. The only screening needed would be for malicious content.   Lurhstaap     4/13/2016 TBH I've seen that sort of system used on website-based games and it usually works fine. It's not as big a deal as it sounds to have dedicated staff to review submissions; in a lot of the games I've played (which can have very large player bases by the way) most or all of the staff aren't even paid, they're just volunteers who do the work for sheer love of the game. Certainly, such things can go wrong, but I've seen plenty that worked very well. There are even entire sites revolving around the concept of a base game type (such as click-pets that grow from being views or clicked on) with entirely user-submitted art/assets. Granted, those are all art-based rather than using user-submitted code, but it's not that much more work to have the review mods test submitted agents and such briefly before approving them. Strictly speaking they could also just as legitimately use a 'let the public decide' system and not filter for quality beyond obscenity and other inappropriate things. Things that were low quality just wouldn't get used. And TBH I think if people got paid for making assets, even a token amount, it would encourage them to develop. If it worked on an ongoing percentage basis it would also motivate people to learn to develop -well- because the more downloads/sales they got the more money they'd earn. It's surprising how much even a small monetary reward can motivate people sometimes. Conclude with killer catchphrase. (Lurhstaap) "This is not knowledge - this is information!" New Model Army, "Courage"   Razgriz   4/13/2016 Assuming these ideas are being said with mobile platforms in mind, Apple simply isn't going to allow any of these solutions. When it comes to iOS, it's the Apple way or the highway. As an example; Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition is available for iOS/Android in addition to PC. Mods are openly supported for PC players and for Android users, it looks like it needs user workarounds. People who purchase the game on iOS will have to remain content with their unmodified game.   Lurhstaap     4/13/2016  1 Well, perhaps that's how it will have to be then - they can allow user content on Android, since there's apparently a way to make that work, and not on iOS. Better than nothing. Conclude with killer catchphrase. (Lurhstaap) "This is not knowledge - this is information!" New Model Army, "Courage"   Razgriz   4/13/2016 Why yes, leaving the users of the leading mobile platform with an officially inferior version of a game so that they feel like second-class citizens is a wonderful business decision. I apologize for the strong snark but saying something like that is absurd and is not how this works at all.   Lurhstaap     4/13/2016  3 If that's what Apple insists on, then that's how it is. It's not like other companies have much control over that. What are they supposed to do, deny a feature to other platforms just because Apple refuses to allow it? How is THAT fair? I'm sorry, but it's not non-Apple-users' fault that Apple chooses to impose such a restriction. If you feel like a second-class citizen because of it, then perhaps Apple products are not the best choice for you. It seems to me that if such things really upset people then you should vote with your wallet and choose a platform that supports the features you feel so bad for not getting. Maybe if enough people did that Apple would reconsider their policy. Conclude with killer catchphrase. (Lurhstaap) "This is not knowledge - this is information!" New Model Army, "Courage"   Malkin Manager     4/13/2016  1 At least it's not as bad as the earliest editions of the CDN. It does feel strange to have a 'god game' without the ability to develop for it... but walled gardens are all the rage these days. My TCR Norns   Rha   4/14/2016 Sorry but iPhone users that also regularly game seem to be a vast minority, you just don't get an iPhone if you plan on doing anything on it but just phone and text message. That said, it's more work to make this moddable, they are not going to do it. Google play is also very strict by the way, the company I worked at has a popular app called instant buttons, it's a soundboard thing. They've been thrown out of the market various times while clones of it still worked. They've been fighting it for months finally got back on Google play now and are still trying to get on Apple store.   jcnorn   4/14/2016  1 I have an iphone that I game on I guess me and my friends are a minority then? The only people I know with iphones that *don't* game on it are my parents. Everyone else I know with an iphone uses it to game on it, more so than phoning and texting. It's absolutely wonderful to game on, and to record things with and listen to music. Lots of things to use it for beside phoning and texting. And I would very much like to be able to mod my game if it comes to that being a possibility. I don't see how it would be a good business plan to exclude a whole platform like that, unless the other option was to have it moddable on the PC/Mac and not on phones(<- all phones). To me, it just sounds like someone shouting unfair when being treated equally to others on the bus.   Lollipop Lord C-Rex     4/14/2016 Didn't Spil Games say it would be playable within a browser?   jcnorn   4/14/2016 Yes, web browser and mobile was their announcement I believe   SplicerTheDicer   4/14/2016  3 I didn't really want to comment on this game because all it does is stress me out and make me sad, but I will say one thing: any game with nessesary micro transactions is a game I am not going to buy, creatures or not. I don't have money to waste on a crappy game that just exists to appeal to my nostalgia without being the least bit fulfilling. The more I learn about this game the more it sounds like a trap.   Razgriz   4/14/2016 So the funny thing is I voted with my wallet years ago in fact. The only mobile product I own is an Nvidia Shield handheld, though I've been looking at the Shield tablet given how cheap it is. It seems a bit weird I'm sure but I'm a firm believer in giving some consideration to every side of a discussion. I have to say though, those minigames are very likely going to be good indicators of the final product.   Ailiwen   4/14/2016 You know....they DO make emulators for mobile devices and ROMs for the games...I saw it happen with the new Marvel Avengers 2 (my boyfriend loves superheroes- its cute) - I wouldn't be surprised if someone in the community would do the same thing. Then I believe it would be more feasible to create 3rd party content for the game. However, it would take a lot of work....I honestly think they're just looking for money, not making those who have kept the Creatures series alive for so many years happy and content with a sequel that could compare to the originals. *sigh* Yes, Lurhstaap, at least there's Grandroids...and I AM very excited over the possibility of a fan made game by the community on the other thread- I've been following it for awhile. I'm awesome. 'Nuff said.   SpaceShipRat   4/16/2016 If it's a paid game, or server-based with microtransactions, an emulated version would certainly be illegal.   Lollipop Lord C-Rex     4/16/2016  1 Slightly off-topic, but wouldn't it be great if Will Wright, creator of The Sims, collaborated with Steve Grand?   prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | next

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