Retail Radar: Spore spawns add-on

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.