POSTED BY

Brandon Boyer

AT 10:22 AM
Friday February 27, 2009

PC

Data-mashers at the ready: Maxis opens the Spore API

sporeapi.jpg

Fantastic news over at Maxis, where they've just opened the Spore API to let developers create their own Flash / php / Python / Processing / Mathematica / anything apps utilizing their database of creature creations:

Here at Maxis, we're working on some features to help the community create their own Spore applications. We're collecting these features into a web-based Spore API. Using simple web services, you can access our huge database of creations and creators. Check out the gallery to see apps made with the Spore API. The documentation section has reference sheets and samples to get you started.

Currently on display: a creature aquarium, friend activity monitor, Google gadget and Kittenwar-esque Creature Battle for cute supremacy. They've also just opened the first API contest to win Nvidia cards and copies of the game and its forthcoming Galactic Adventures expansion.

Keep us abreast of what you build!

Spore API [Maxis, via Cnet]

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2 Comments

EH

#1 – 12:17 PM February 27, 2009

Perhaps good things will come of EA's desperation to make Spore 1/10th as good as it was touted.

AirPillo

#2 – 4:34 PM February 27, 2009

Perhaps good things will come of EA's desperation to make Spore 1/10th as good as it was touted.

I haven't sensed any desperation.

If they were desperate to improve the product they wouldn't be pretending they never promised to release the editors that were missing at launch, something which people want which is easy to finish working on and release. That would be a really easy way to satisfy demands and improve the product. The problem is they can't get away with charging for it.

If they are desperate, they're desperate to use the title to churn out further profit with as little effort as possible. This means walking a tightrope, balancing willful exploitation and deception against awareness of customers of being exploited and deceived, as well as maintaining positive press.

If their "desperation" is to do anything to improve an apect of Spore, it is the public image. They're trying to generate publicity to lay a more favorable veneer over the memories of their customers of having the game deliberately misrepresented to them.

When Spore hit I swear EA turned Maxis into Uncle Ho... a ruthless conniving bastard who tries to forth a smile and a benevolent, innocent image.

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