Brad Nicholson of Destructoid writes: "Today, the NPD Group released the sales data for all US PC software sold before June 21. EA and Maxis' penis-monster invention tool, Spore Creature Creator, came out on top of the list. Also according to gameindustry.biz, the game hit number six on the "All Categories" list among other popular titles such as Windows Vista and Microsoft Office.
The list is as follows:
1. Spore Creature Creator (EA)
2. The Sims 2 Double Deluxe (EA)
3. Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures (Eidos)
4. World Of Warcraft: Burning Crusade Expansion Pack (Vivendi)
5. World Of Warcraft (Vivendi)
6. World Of Warcraft: Battle Chest (Vivendi)
7. The Sims 2 FreeTime Expansion Pack (EA)
8. The Sims 2 Kitchen & Bath Interior Design Stuff Expansion Pack (EA)
9. Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Activision)
10. Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures (LucasArts)
I daresay that it looks like EA and Activision/Blizzard/Vivendi are the publishers to check out when pondering the future of PC gaming. Look at that diversification! If only every publisher knew how to create a portfolio as wonderfully unique as Electronic Arts'. It must be hard, to be so big, and have so many innovative ideas. Not to mention that new game called World of Warcraft. Anyone get a chance to play that yet? I heard through the wire that it was decent, but wouldn't stay fresh for long."
Bored at work? Why not make a creature with a penis-shaped head? EA has released a new web-based version of their Spore Creature Creator.
Eurogamer writes: "SHODAN may have been scary, but she's got nothing on Lucy. The fun-size pocket robot orangutan may now be consigned to Cyberlife Research vault, but the artificial intelligence comprising her virtual brain - which her creators hoped would see her through real-life kindergarten - is of a level of sophistication that makes Looking Glass' amalgam of clever scripting, voice-acting, and cut-scenes look utterly prehistoric. And while she certainly wasn't blessed with SHODAN's looks, either - in all honesty, she looks like a cross between Estelle Getty and Chucky the Lakeshore Strangler - there's little doubt Lucy's probably the better dinner party guest."
GameSpot writes: "EA and Maxis' Spore generated a good deal of buzz from the moment it was announced at the 2005 Game Developers Conference. On the commercial-gaming side, the game represented the latest effort from celebrity game designer Will Wright, one that was backed by the substantial resources of publishing powerhouse Electronic Arts."
Buying mine Friday. Can't wait for the full game.