Retail Radar: Spore spawns add-on

Cute & Creepy Parts Pack briefly appears in GameStop's online database, priced at $19.99 and due by November 18.

The Sims is big business for EA. Big enough, in fact, that it warranted its own label when CEO John Riccitiello reorganized the publisher's corporate structure last year. Aside from new games such as the upcoming Sims 3, the division is bolstered by regular releases of full expansion packs and add-on content.

As has been expected, EA will be applying a similar monetization model to Will Wright's latest best-selling title, Spore. Today, GameStop listed--and quickly pulled--the first of these add-on packs for the universe-in-a-box simulation, Spore Cute & Creepy Parts Pack for the PC. A $19.99 price tag was attached to the add-on pack, and GameStop pegged its street date as November 18.

GameStop's listing revealed no other information on the Cute & Creepy Parts Pack, and EA had not responded to requests for comment as of press time. However, the Parts Pack will likely integrate into the game's lauded Creature Creator component, which gives gamers an open template for designing custom life-forms and vehicles.

For more on Spore, check out GameSpot's full review.

118 Comments

  • DubYew

    Posted Oct 12, 2008 1:53 pm PT

    It's gonna take more than additional parts to get me to start playing Spore again

  • 1m2sm4rt4u

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 7:44 pm PT

    ha this cute & creepy parts pack, besides being a ripoff, better not have some secret type of DRM SecretROM thing LOL

    EA just cant resist ripping off loyal game players...sigh.
    YAHOO! IM GOING TO PAY 20 BUCKS TO ADD A CUTE LITTLE +1 CHARM FLOWER THING TO MY CREATURE! YAHOO!

  • Sephiroth36

    Posted Oct 9, 2008 9:59 am PT

    Now that maxis lost the right to Sim City and The Sims, dont know how, probably EA will get this one too sooner or later, even so they pulled another lie on people as they said we are not doing it for profit, which is bs. Electronic Arts encourages piracy i guess, hey look, we do nasty games and cheap so we can seel everything on it, 50 tp 75 bucks for it. And they say we dont care on quality once the money comes in, who cares! They deserve to be flamed. And the bad thing is Maxis don't stand up for what they believe or is right. They just sit in a corner and told to be shut.

  • OptimusMegatron

    Posted Oct 9, 2008 7:08 am PT

    20 bucks for a few parts..... Truly not worth..

  • joshy294

    Posted Oct 8, 2008 4:31 pm PT

    hmmm think they should spit and shine the game some more. needs to go into more depth and beter gamplay but itss a good game.

  • tOrchie

    Posted Oct 7, 2008 2:17 pm PT

    Oh and I would like to add that my game started crashing after I added the so-called patch. That was the last straw that made me stop playing, on top of all the other issues. They need to strengthen the core game. I believe they call this re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

  • Lindsay123456

    Posted Oct 7, 2008 11:04 am PT

    Cool pack!

    but i also wanted water creatures.........

  • brian_13un

    Posted Oct 7, 2008 3:00 am PT

    Ill just download that pack

  • Danielos2

    Posted Oct 6, 2008 12:51 pm PT

    I don´t mind expansion packs. As long as every new expansion significantly enhances and expands the core game I´m find with it. I mean, compare The Sims 2 with Sims 2+ 8 expansions. It´s an incredibly richer, bigger and more interesting game! That said, I hate the idea of releasing a bare bone "vanilla version" and purposely leave stuff out so you can add it in expansion packs later. The core game must stand as a good game by itself, and not be a skeleton waiting for flesh to be added later...

    I´ll wait for the Spore Complete Ultimate Deluxe Gold Edition coming out December 2014...

  • nappan

    Posted Oct 6, 2008 11:34 am PT

    Amen Lightz39... that pretty much says it all. Spore was a major dissapointment, but watch it rake in cash like the Sims.

  • slasher768

    Posted Oct 6, 2008 9:40 am PT

    Inever even got around to playing the space stage by that time i was to bored with the game.

  • Lightz39

    Posted Oct 6, 2008 8:54 am PT

    Trying to milk a bad game? Why didn't I think of that.

  • turkwhip

    Posted Oct 6, 2008 8:21 am PT

    Frankly, I'm surprised this game is getting the attention it has. This games is SO repetitive, predictable and boring. I will grant that the base creature creator aspect of the game is clever, but the game they attached to it is terrible and not worth playing through even once. By the time I got to the space age, I could see where it was going and had NO desire to 'rinse and repeat' my life away.

    This game is a failure, and I frankly can't imagine ANY expansion or parts pack helping it in any way.

  • Thebomb44

    Posted Oct 6, 2008 8:18 am PT

    The sad part is, as long as people keep buying these rip-offs, companies will keep making them. Unless people say NO to worthless and/or overpriced DLC (and that's a fine line) it'll keep coming.

  • Yuck_Too

    Posted Oct 6, 2008 6:37 am PT

    LOL...$20 for a add-on what 2-months after it ships...talk about holding back to stick it your consumers later.

    My bet is the add-on gets pirated even faster...talk about taking a great game and totally messing up it's success with corporate greed and ignorance.

  • F10yd

    Posted Oct 5, 2008 9:39 pm PT

    Looks like EA is gonna milk the series dry, just as it did with the Sims.

  • axelviiii

    Posted Oct 5, 2008 9:12 pm PT

    My friend metioned how much water there was on the Spore planet and how cool it would be to be able to make an underwater civilization.

    I can agree with that. Make a city like Rapture or somethin'.

  • Zoomer30

    Posted Oct 5, 2008 9:11 pm PT

    I personally like the game for what it is. And I think we all saw the add ons coming a light year away. I dont think I will buy it right away.

  • svaubel

    Posted Oct 5, 2008 7:57 pm PT

    *sigh* and here comes the first of twenty add-ons for Spore. It hasnt been out a month and the game is already getting milked. Well this is no surprise really, its EA we are talking about

  • bart723

    Posted Oct 5, 2008 3:19 pm PT

    i agree jazilla, the creature creator isnt the part that stops this game being great, its the depth in the different stages that needs improving... sadly, ea prefers making a quick buck than 'building a better game' to twist the spore saying.

  • datbush

    Posted Oct 5, 2008 2:59 pm PT

    is there anything ea wont milk to death?

  • jak2027

    Posted Oct 5, 2008 2:46 pm PT

    'This shouldn't be a surprise. From the beginning the creators of Spore were saying it was something they were designing to be easily expanded. I'm open to new parts, I accepted that I would be buying expansions when I bought the game.' = AKA hal I have ti agree. Wheb i bought this game i had exepted that there would be more things to come. I had also preparied to buy them. As for what they have show I am not surprised. More parts is exactally what i was expeting. As for the games balance you are right people. It seems ubbalanced but i still love the game. I find it fun tojust screw around with the teraian. Maybe in the future there will be game play epansions. If this expansion has some were around 20 parts i will be willing to pay a buck each. Beacause for each buck spent I know it will be a day wasted in the creatirs. And thats what I look for in buying my games. Somthing I know ill have fun with and then beable to come back later and still do somthing new. And i personally the game play may have more depth than you think. I hae spent days tring to use the doffrent stats for diffrent abilites to make a Kick butt empire! I find that I will be playing this game for mounths to come.

  • Dreamerdude26

    Posted Oct 5, 2008 2:44 pm PT

    Come on get it through your heads. We need a deeper game, not more parts for our potato heads.

  • jazilla

    Posted Oct 5, 2008 1:44 pm PT

    This game shouldn't be giving out parts, it should be upgrading the quest system to make this game a LOT deeper. This game had a chance to be a classic, but really botched a lot of the content. This game ended up being really shallow from a game play standpoint. The LAST thing it needs is more content added to the creator. That thing is already awesome.

  • sonynhater

    Posted Oct 5, 2008 10:56 am PT

    it better be alot of new parts for 20 bucks

  • CptAsbjoern

    Posted Oct 5, 2008 9:23 am PT

    Honestly... Why would anyone pay 20$for a few more parts... Geez...

  • Doomu

    Posted Oct 5, 2008 9:17 am PT

    I wish we would get a full fledged add on instead of just one of those damn 'Blank-blank-blank stuff' packs. Also, 20 bucks for a booster pack? Jesus. $20 would be okay if it was a full fledged expansion instead of just extra parts for your aliens. I actually think these 'packs' that come out for Spore/Sims 2 are ridiculous to charge ANYTHING for. They are just extra props. Adding extra props to a game should be a free add-on in a patch. If they want an example of a GOOD booster pack, look at the boosters for BF2/BF2142. They actually add more than just a few extra props. Maybe they don't add new game modes, but extra weapons, unlocks, maps, etc. is worth 9 bucks. Just a few extra parts though is a waste of money.

    I'll wait for a full fledged expansion.

  • zacho123456

    Posted Oct 5, 2008 12:39 am PT

    I toatally agree with the comments that they should have issued a patch for the gameplay issues instead of trying to make more money with an add-on. The space stage of Spore, even on easy (!!!) is the most aggravating and frustrating strategy game I have ever played, and I have played a lot. The game goes from way too simple and easy in the civilization stage to way too frustrating in the space stage. After all the waiting and hype, how could they release such an unbalanced game??? I am really sad and dissapointed. Maybe PC gameing in really done for.

  • zacho123456

    Posted Oct 5, 2008 12:39 am PT

    I toatally agree with the comments that they should have issued a patch for the gameplay issues instead of trying to make more money with an add-on. The space stage of Spore, even on easy (!!!) is the most aggravating and frustrating strategy game I have ever played, and I have played a lot. The game goes from way too simple and easy in the civilization stage to way too frustrating in the space stage. After all the waiting and hype, how could they release such an unbalanced game??? I am really sad and dissapointed. Maybe PC gameing in really done for.

  • DukeBriggs

    Posted Oct 4, 2008 11:45 pm PT

    Does this surprise any of you? Come on, I'd be surprised if there weren't another 14 add-ons for Spore, considering the creators of the Sims developed this game.

  • YEPEE00

    Posted Oct 4, 2008 11:24 pm PT

    i really agree

  • Richard7666

    Posted Oct 4, 2008 11:18 pm PT

    UGH. Shouldn't they be working on, you know, fixing the gameplay issues instead of churning out useless window dressing?

    I liked Spore, but simply cannot pick it up again until the space stage is less tedious.

  • lozvil

    Posted Oct 4, 2008 8:32 pm PT

    i have this game... i the sims and sims 2 series... but this game is kind of overrated though...

  • lozvil

    Posted Oct 4, 2008 8:32 pm PT

    i have this game... i the sims and sims 2 series... but this game is kind of overrated though...

  • VenomRitual

    Posted Oct 4, 2008 7:49 pm PT

    what about updates or patches for game balance in space?

  • VenomRitual

    Posted Oct 4, 2008 7:49 pm PT

    what about updates or patches for game balance in space?

  • Atrobasinnu

    Posted Oct 4, 2008 5:56 pm PT

    "Spore wasn't very good, I was amused for about 4-5 hours tops... the game needs more depth, instead of holding out and releasing a bunch of expansion packs, ea should have made a worthwhile and comprehensive game with depth and purpose to start building a franchise with a loyal following, and releasing an expansion next year... not releasing a cheap piece of @#$% that doesn't have enough put into it for one level of a quality title..."

    I have to both agree and disagree.
    I agree because what you said is true, Spore is pretty much RIGHT THERE and there isn't anything like an intricate story or independent, freethinking exciting characters.
    I have to disagree because that's exactly how you make a game like this. This game is NOT about the story, its about the creations. This is exactly what Will Wright has done and probably will keep doing with his games. Was there a story in the Sims? Did anyone actually play their character for more than 3 hours and not get bored as hell making them sit on the toilet every 15 minutes? You played the Sims to build the sweet house and sexy sim chicks your avatar could hook up with. This is essentially what Spore is going for, but with an evolution purpose instead.

  • jasonbarbour

    Posted Oct 4, 2008 4:49 pm PT

    Spore wasn't very good, I was amused for about 4-5 hours tops... the game needs more depth, instead of holding out and releasing a bunch of expansion packs, ea should have made a worthwhile and comprehensive game with depth and purpose to start building a franchise with a loyal following, and releasing an expansion next year... not releasing a cheap piece of @#$% that doesn't have enough put into it for one level of a quality title...

  • aka_hal

    Posted Oct 4, 2008 4:28 pm PT

    This shouldn't be a surprise. From the beginning the creators of Spore were saying it was something they were designing to be easily expanded. I'm open to new parts, I accepted that I would be buying expansions when I bought the game.

  • somberfox

    Posted Oct 4, 2008 4:26 pm PT

    Sims 2 has been getting like 2 expansions per year since it was released. Will Spore top that? They'll probably try.

  • earlthecannibal

    Posted Oct 4, 2008 3:11 pm PT

    A add on to remove DRM is the only add on i want.

  • Nakor

    Posted Oct 4, 2008 2:34 pm PT

    Lol I bash EA constantly forever and all I hear is people defending them, and then I see this. Why are you surprised? EA is the devil. This is what the devil does.

  • snake3rules

    Posted Oct 4, 2008 1:48 pm PT

    releases even dated this soon should have been in the game, those crazy greedy people over at ea.... maybe this is why I played spore for like an hour and havent touched it since -- it sucks... now just wait a couple years for all the pre-existing parts to be released and then maybe it'll be a worthwhile game!!

  • blueliquidplus

    Posted Oct 4, 2008 12:53 pm PT

    Lack of Information means there isn't a point to even get upset or excited... untill we see what this addon pack has in store for us.. but when they release a realism addon pack for things let me know, I play the game to kill things and create wicked buildings, not create teletubbies and other cute things.

  • ScarsOnBroadway

    Posted Oct 4, 2008 12:44 pm PT

    Maybe you guys should like I dont know...wait until actual details of this expansion are released? It *was* pulled right away so there could very well be more to this. And if not, don't buy it who cares?

  • Sparticus1013

    Posted Oct 4, 2008 11:35 am PT

    Not - A - Chance. $20 for a handful of parts? No. $10 sure, not $20. Unless this add-on pack also helped to fix some of the games shortcomings, I wouldn't spend $20 on this thing. Just another excuse to get a pirate copy of Spore.

  • Meluckycharms12

    Posted Oct 4, 2008 11:18 am PT

    Oh geez... here comes a myriad of expansions for Spore. My bet is that there are at least 15 what you could call "add-ons" or expansions for this game until a sequel is made!

  • racerx737

    Posted Oct 4, 2008 11:03 am PT

    I wouldn't pay $20 for new parts, I'd have to think long and hard about paying even $5 for that expansion. To be worth $20 it would have to have extra parts available at every level and new missions for the space stage. I don't see this selling well at all at a $20 price point.

  • gifflegerbpiss

    Posted Oct 4, 2008 10:57 am PT

    $20 for some new parts that could have been included in the full version of the game? What a rip-off.

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