Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Speculative biology is simultaneously a science and form of art in which one speculates on the possibilities of life and evolution. What could the world look like if dinosaurs had never gone extinct? What could alien lifeforms look like? What kinds of plants and animals might exist in the far future? These questions and more are tackled by speculative biologists, and the Speculative Evolution welcomes all relevant ideas, inquiries, and world-building projects alike. With a member base comprising users from across the world, our community is the largest and longest-running place of gathering for speculative biologists on the web.

While unregistered users are able to browse the forum on a basic level, registering an account provides additional forum access not visible to guests as well as the ability to join in discussions and contribute yourself! Registration is free and instantaneous.

Join our community today!

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
SPORE: Public Ecosystem; An Evolution Project
Topic Started: Apr 29 2009, 04:13 PM (2,625 Views)
KayKay
Adult
 *  *  *  *  *  *
This is a Spore project which will involve creations from fellow members of the forum.

Terrence of Chance and I both combined our project ideas together in order to make this. He too will be involved in running the project.

This post keeps track of the ecosystem in which the Spore creatures will evolve. The post will be updated by me in 'generations'. Between updates anyone can edit one creature from each lineage and post it for voting. You can choose from creatures in the first post only to edit.

Here are the constraints Terrence of Chance put forward when it comes to editing a creature:

1 Major change: The addition of an entirely new limb/part, or the subtraction of the same.
2 Medium changes: This includes the replacement of one like part with another *IE, eye for an eye,* and the repositioning of currently existing parts and limbs,
3 Minor changes: The resizing and morphing of currently existing parts, limbs, and the torso.
2 texture modifications: Includes either changing the color or the texture on any of the creature's paint settings.

Here are a few extra rules I have to add:

1) No mods - this is just to make it fair for people who choose not to use them.
2) Only modify creatures in the first post.
3) Explain your creature's niche in its description (what it eats, where it lives, its role).
4) We ask you not to use parts from cell stage, parts from cute and creepy or exoskeleton parts. This is so that people who only have creature creator can also participate.
5) When making a vote, if you can provide an explanation as to why you chose a certain creature that would be great.

If you already know how to save PNGs and open them in Spore, skip this part in italics. To edit a creature, Find the picture of the one your have chosen and right-click, then save image (or save as). Open Spore or Creature Creator in windowed mode, and open the creature creator moddeling stage. Drag the PNG file you saved into the stage. The creature should appear ready for editing.

Here is the ecosystem:

Posted Image

"A narrow river valley, that the species had stumbled into. Parts of the valley are flooded and marshy, but there is plenty of tall grasses, and a few low-lying berry bushes. The walls are steep and craggy, making it hard for creatures to climb out, but also difficult for other creatures to invade."

Creatures:



Medium Grassland Insectivore *

Garurroi - From Akairoi

Posted Image

This strain of the Akairoi has discovered that GrassSnippers make for good eats. Thought it will still eat seeds and grasses, the majority of it's diet is insectivorous, including Grass-kinds. It has developed smell-receiving feelers on it's head to track the chemical trails left behind by it's prey, back to their nest. When an individual finds a nest, it raises it's enlarged tail fin to signal the rest of it's pack to come and feed.
Prey: Insects and members of the Grass lineage



Medium Grassland Seed/Insectivore



Akairoi

Posted Image

A small herding creature that eats seeds, grasses, and when it can find them, insects of varying sorts. Despite it's odd frame, it's flexible spine allows for bursts of speed.



Medium Grassland/Shrubland Seed/Insectivore



Snatchage - From Akairoi

Posted Image

It is capable of quick, caterpillar-like movement but its main skill is patience. It waits around places where there are lots of arthropod prey, with its neck craning over. Its neck is so strong and flexible it can lash out at prey at lightning speed.



Medium Grassland Shrub Browser/Insectivore



Zinairoi - From Crimairoi

Posted Image

It has a more developed horn, and longer neck muscles to reach higher shrubs.



Small Grassland Herbivore



Grass Grazer - From Grass Snipper

Posted Image

The mouthparts have become more adept and efficient at cutting and consuming grass. Due to predation, they now leave behind less of a chemical trail, but still store plenty in their tail to spurt as a deterrent at predators. Antennae have become larger to compensate for smelling the reduced trails.



Small-Medium Grassland Herbivore



Grass Snapper - From Grass Snipper

Posted Image

They grow a little big bigger due to increased predatorism. Also, their scent gland has turned into a full-on acid spitter.



Small-Medium river Detrivore



Dreichub - From Chubri

Posted Image

A somewhat specialized detritus-feeder. The nozzles on it's undersides have been developed to not only to maneuver better in the streams, but also to blow detritus matter from the river bottom up into the water, where it can then feast at it's leisure. This strain no longer ambushes prey, and is content living on free-floating river matter.



Small-Medium River Ambusher/Detrivore



Chubri

Posted Image

They lurk in the rivers that runs through the valley, and eats detritus or ambush small prey from the riverside.
Probable Prey: Members of Grass Snipper, Akairoi and/or Crimairoi lineages



Small-Medium river herbivore/detrivore



Cupri - From Chubri

Posted Image

These creatures live in the rivers that run through the valley. They eat mostly detritus and water plants. Their belly feet help it stick to rocks in fast currents.



Small-Medium Swamp Ambusher/Detrivore



Byunchu - From Ganshu

Posted Image

Its body has grown more streamlined while still staying flat enough to avoid detection in the marshes. Fleshy things on the back have turned into a whiptail.
Probable Prey: Members of Grass Snipper, Akairoi and/or Crimairoi lineages



---------------------------------
---------------------------------

GENERATION 3

---------------------------------
---------------------------------

Post your entry in this topic with the description of its niche as the original PNG file. Once there have a been a few entries I will declare a deadline. Remember, you want to evolve something that will be able to survive in the current ecosystem. Have Fun! :D

Terrence of Chance also put together this really neat evolution tree! It's a bit big, so here's the link.
Edited by KayKay, Jun 3 2009, 03:29 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Replies:
CarrionTrooper
Member Avatar
I require more vespene gas?!?
 *  *  *  *  *
Grasssnipper and akairoi. I have an idea: those who receive no vote or the minimum vote goes extinct, those who receive the maximum vote is the most prolific, the one who received the next minimum vote goes endangered, the rest is normal population.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ATEK Azul
Member Avatar
Transhuman
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
i may not be making species but i would still like too participate by voting and my 2 votes are for the Akairoi and the Grassrunner for there opropriate niches i hope this is allowed thanks if you accpet these votes if not oh well.

i would also like to periodical submit ideas for you guys too make for me becuase i am unable too create them my self, if you could tell me if this is allowed it would be great.
I am dyslexic, please ignore the typo's!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
KayKay
Adult
 *  *  *  *  *  *
Carrion Trooper: I'm not so sure. It would result in a lot of clashes.

ATEK Azul: Anyone can vote, whether or not you participated. :) The more votes the better, less chance of a draw. I wouldn't mind doing that for you. Have you used creature creator before? Do you know all of the parts and paint styles? That would help if you do.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Terrence of Chance
Member Avatar
Infant
 *  *  *  *
Carrion Trooper: I agree with Kay, while that sounds like a good system in theory, it's a tad complicated for this forum test. Let's keep it in mind for larger future projects.

ATEK Azul: Did you know that the Spore webpage has a free Creature Creator download? It can at least help you get started. That aside, the standalone full creator doesn't cost too much...
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
KayKay
Adult
 *  *  *  *  *  *
I'm not going to be able to stay on until the 24 hours are up, I've got to get to bed. Is everyone ok with voting to end? I'll try to keep it up a bit longer.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
KayKay
Adult
 *  *  *  *  *  *
Voting results for generation 1:

Grass-Slicer: 1
Grass Snipper: 11 Survivor
Grasscutter:
Grassrunner: 1

Akairoi: 111 Survivor
Smirnoi: 1

The others are out-competed.

The OP has been updated and new creatures are ready for editing.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ATEK Azul
Member Avatar
Transhuman
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
sorry i actualy have the full game but the spore.com wont laod at all for me so thats whats stoping me mostly any way.

and i have not played in awile so i forgot the parts. maybe i can think of niches for creatures and you guys can make the creatures based on the niche i think up?
I am dyslexic, please ignore the typo's!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Terrence of Chance
Member Avatar
Infant
 *  *  *  *
ATEK Azul: You DO know that, even if you can't log onto the severs, you can STILL create and save creatures on your comp, right? I've had some times where my game couldn't log in, but I could access all creators and play the game just fine. You don't HAVE to upload the critters onto the Sporepedia. You can just take the saved PNGs of your critters and upload them elsewhere on the net, or just attach them to your posts on here, eh?

In the meantime, woohoo, Gen 2! Here are my submissions!

Garurroi
Posted Image
Ancestor: Akairoi
This strain of the Akairoi has discovered that GrassSnippers make for good eats. Thought it will still eat seeds and grasses, the majority of it's diet is insectivorous, including Grass-kinds. It has developed smell-receiving feelers on it's head to track the chemical trails left behind by it's prey, back to their nest. When an individual finds a nest, it raises it's enlarged tail fin to signal the rest of it's pack to come and feed.
Niche: Medium Grassland Insectivore, Prey: Insects and members of the Grass lineage

GrassGrazer
Posted Image
Ancestor: GrassSnipper
The mouthparts have become more adept and efficient at cutting and consuming grass. Due to predation, they now leave behind less of a chemical trail, but still store plenty in their tail to spurt as a deterrent at predators. Antennae have become larger to compensate for smelling the reduced trails.
Niche: Small Grassland Herbivore.

Dreichub
Posted Image
Ancestor: Chubri
A somewhat specialized detritus-feeder. The nozzles on it's undersides have been developed to not only to maneuver better in the streams, but also to blow detritus matter from the river bottom up into the water, where it can then feast at it's leisure. This strain no longer ambushes prey, and is content living on free-floating river matter.
Niche: Small/Medium river detrivore.

That be my three submissions. C'mon people, let's see some more critters!
Edited by Terrence of Chance, May 6 2009, 02:41 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
KayKay
Adult
 *  *  *  *  *  *
I was just thinking, it might become necessary to state which creature you evolved your submissions from.

ATEK Azul: Terrence of Chance is right. You can still participate. In case you don't know, here's how:

See the creatures posted on the OP? Choose which one you want to edit. Now, right-click the image and go to "Save Image As..." and save it on to your desktop. Now open Spore, and once it's loaded go into graphics settings and un-tick the full screen option, then open the creature creator. Now that it's running in a window, take the PNG file from your desktop and drag it into the creature creator modelling stage.

Then all you have to do is edit, change the name and description and save as you would any ordinary creature. Then close (or minimise) Spore, go into "My Documents" and there should be a folder titled "My Spore Creations". There you can find the creature you recently edited and saved. Then, simply upload the image in its original format to any image hosting website and you've got a URL for it to post here.

I've got a few more ready:

Cupri - from Chubri

Posted Image

These creatures live in the rivers that run through the valley. They eat mostly detritus and water plants. Their belly feet help it stick to rocks in fast currents.
Niche: Small-medium river herbivore/detritivore



Snatchage - from Akairoi

Posted Image

It is capable of quick, caterpillar-like movement but its main skill is patience. It waits around places where there are lots of arthropod prey, with its neck craning over. Its neck is so strong and flexible it can lash out at prey at lightning speed.
Niche: Medium grassland/shrub seed/insectivore



Grass Hand - from Grass Snipper

Posted Image

It uses its two pincers not only for feeding but also for building nests. Their diet spans a wide range of plants, from grasses, to herbs and shrubs.
Niche: Small-medium grassland generalist herbivore
Edited by KayKay, May 5 2009, 02:17 AM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ATEK Azul
Member Avatar
Transhuman
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
i don't have a hosting site and i know alot of them have virus and hacker problems so i would have too ask my parents if i decided i wanted too participate more but for right now i will just vote

thanks though
I am dyslexic, please ignore the typo's!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
KayKay
Adult
 *  *  *  *  *  *
I use photobucket, it seems pretty safe I've been using it for years. Then again I have good anti-virus and anti-malware software, but I've never had any alerts using it. It would be great if you could join in some time.

I ought to try to stick to more regular deadlines but can never be sure when people are going to be able to make it. We'll just make it about a day from now, since submissions have been open for a while now.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Terrence of Chance
Member Avatar
Infant
 *  *  *  *
Personally Kay, I think you ought to wait a couple more days still. As the stable of critters expands, it'll take some people longer to get their submissions in. Hopefully, Carriontrooper will having something soon.

Btw, I've gone and edited my post to include ancestors. Sorry for any confusion beforehand.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
KayKay
Adult
 *  *  *  *  *  *
Yeah, ok, we'll leave it a bit longer.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
CarrionTrooper
Member Avatar
I require more vespene gas?!?
 *  *  *  *  *
Here we go...

GrassSnapper (from GrassSnipper)
Posted Image
They grow a little big bigger due to increased predatorism. Also, their scent gland has turned into a full-on acid spitter.
Niche: small-medium grassland herbivore

Byunchu (from Ganchu)
Posted Image
Its body has grown more streamlined while still staying flat enough to avoid detection in the marshes. Fleshy things on the back have turned into a whiptail.
Niche: small-medium swamp ambusher/detrivore

Zinairoi (from Crimairoi; apparently that type of skin will go black in the preview images for me)
Posted Image
It has a more developed horn, and longer neck muscles to reach higher shrubs.
Niche: medium grassland shrub browser/insectivore
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
KayKay
Adult
 *  *  *  *  *  *
Just posting to say, Terrence of Chance put forward the idea that we provide an explanation for our vote choices. It would be interesting to see why the choices are shaping the creature's evolution. So I added a note in the rules about it.

So, for each niche you vote for, you can provide a reason (it doesn't have to be long) as to why you chose the creature you voted for.

Also, as for deadlines... it's a bit hard deciding when to set it. So, do you think it might be best to make it x number of days after votes close? And make votes run x number of days? Just for consistency. I was thinking maybe 3-4 days for submissions, and 2 days for votes. How does that sound?

Also, is everyone ok with votes starting today?
Edited by KayKay, May 8 2009, 05:00 AM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · The Habitable Zone · Next Topic »
Add Reply