http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/list/2.page JForum - http://www.jforum.net
[size=18]Winners Announced![/size]

Of the entries recieved we had a very hard time chosing the final winners, but these three apps stood out as incredible, innovative uses of the Spore API.

Congratulations to their creators, and we hope you enjoy playing with them!

[b]Grand Prize Winner: Spore Skeletons by Aaron Meyers[/b]
[url=http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/list/26879.page][b]Spore Skeletons Discussion[/b][/url]
Spore Skeletons generates 3D stick figures out of Spore creatures using the creature's XML recipe which is available via the Spore API.

It's beautiful and stylishly presented. The cutting edge augmented reality mode superimposes virtual creatures over the real world! We awarded first prize to this entry for its creative representation of Spore creatures and its wonderful use of ground breaking technology.


[b]Second Place: Quality Spore by SniperMOnkey[/b]
[url=http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/list/23306.page][b]Quality Spore Discussion[/b][/url]
QualitySpore is just breathtakingly pretty. What an elegantly designed Sporepedia viewer!

The stats visualization mode for creatures is also excellent. We couldn't have done it better ourselves.


[b]Third Place: Sporenament by JoeyBagOfDonuts [/b]
[url=http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/list/26878.page#732947][b]Sporenament Discussion[/b][/url]
Sporenament appears to be a fairly simple game on first look but is in fact a really clever way of bubbling up cool Spore content.

While we were testing Sporenament at the Maxis office, we saw the winning creatures from the first round played on one player's machine show up as competitors in the second round on another player's machine!

So, if you are playing rounds 2 and beyond in the Sporenament, you are playing with handpicked crowd-sourced Spore content! We are very excited about future developments in this direction.


Check out the winning apps here:

http://www.spore.com/comm/contests#API


We'll be posting several more entries worthy of honorable mention in our API gallery soon. Don't forget to check back so see if your entry made it in.

http://www.spore.com/comm/developer/gallery






[size=18]Contest Details[/size]

The Spore API is up and running, and we're calling on you to kick the tires!

Show off your development skills by entering the Spore API Contest 09. We want you to come up with the most exciting and original visualization or app and share it with us!

[size=16][b]Prizes[/b][/size]
• [b]Grand Prize:[/b] NVIDIA graphics card
• [b]First runner up:[/b] Copy of Spore game and Galactic Adventures
• [b]Second runner up:[/b] Copy of Galactic Adventures


[url=http://www.spore.com/comm/contests][img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3411/3312469614_f93b42f30e_o.png[/img][/url]

[b]Questions about making an app?[/b]

You can check out apps other players have made in our [url=http://www.spore.com/comm/developer/gallery]App Gallery[/url], or chat about how to make your app in the [url=http://forum.spore.com/jforum/forums/show/29.page]Developer Corner[/url] forum section.

[url=http://www.spore.com/comm/developer/gallery][img]http://www.spore.com/static/war/images/community/Typist_thumb.png[/img][/url]




]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/507703.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/507703.page GMT

Too bad I cant develop apps]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/508206.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/508206.page GMT http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/508212.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/508212.page GMT That's not true. You have to know how to program. If you do not know how to program, it won't even matter if you have software developed for making programs.

Basically, look at it is this way. Program languages are called languages for a reason. If you do not understand how to "speak and write" the language how can you do something that requires you to write in that language? The point is, it's basically like asking everybody to write a 4 page essay, but it has to been in French. Everybody pretty much has access to a word processing program that can make those special French characters, but it doesn't mean they could do it unless they understand and write in French.

However, I am not against this contest, even though I do no know any programming languages needed for it. But I do sympathies with people that would like to have a 2D art contest as well.]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/508243.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/508243.page GMT http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/508364.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/508364.page GMT http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/508500.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/508500.page GMT
I use gimp, its free ]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/508674.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/508674.page GMT
Also, hopefully this contest will motivate people who've never programmed before to try it out. The Spore Aquarium was my first app, made specifically so I could find out what this contest would require of people.

I've never programmed before, but I used a sample app as a template, then worked from there.

Don't count yourself out of this one before checking out the samples. You can get all the source coded needed, then just tweak it to add your own personal touch.

http://www.spore.com/comm/developer

-MC
]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/508871.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/508871.page GMT
Now, what sample type to use...]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/508890.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/508890.page GMT
Also, hopefully this contest will motivate people who've never programmed before to try it out. The Spore Aquarium was my first app, made specifically so I could find out what this contest would require of people.

I've never programmed before, but I used a sample app as a template, then worked from there.

Don't count yourself out of this one before checking out the samples. You can get all the source coded needed, then just tweak it to add your own personal touch.

http://www.spore.com/comm/developer

-MC
[/quote]

Catus this has been bugging me for awile. If you hadn't programed alot what do you do at EAxis?]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/509745.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/509745.page GMT http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/509775.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/509775.page GMT http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/509779.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/509779.page GMT http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/509789.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/509789.page GMT http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/510105.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/510105.page GMT http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/510170.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/510170.page GMT
[color=red][b]The headline says "all developers", while the rules just allow developers within the borders of the USA.[/b][/color]]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/510383.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/510383.page GMT
Oh, and they eliminate 90% of the World by saying US only. Typical "we don't give a crap about anyone else" attitude. ]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/510779.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/510779.page GMT
2.Oh, and they eliminate 90% of the World by saying US only. Typical "we don't give a crap about anyone else" attitude. [/quote]

1. Ummmm, no you don't, how would you?

2. I'm going to enter and learn how to program basic stuff with something that would NEVER win.]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/510783.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/510783.page GMT
2: This is definitely a problem.]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/510790.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/510790.page GMT http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/513203.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/513203.page GMT
I might get cracking on something for this regardless but...anything i submit is automatically disqualified ]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/515634.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/515634.page GMT http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/515668.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/515668.page GMT http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/517854.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/517854.page GMT
Maybe, the prizes of this contest could be sent to international winners, too. Nowadays we got there something called [i]P-O-S-T-A-L S-E-R-V-I-C-E[/i], and if I can have contests on my website, I might use this versatile, hi-end feature to have every participant being able to win and the international winners to receive some prize, it wouldn't kill me financially, and I am not afraid of international competition nor mean nor nationalistic...]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/518647.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/518647.page GMT ]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/520292.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/520292.page GMT http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/521438.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/521438.page GMT

I know how to and where to download the samples and I have tried to modify it when my Flash CS4 came up with all of the words and all, but how do I know if it works or not?

Do I have to open in Action Script 3.0 or 2.0; AIR, Mobile, ActionScript File, ActionScript Communication File, or Flash Project? There is also Open Recent Items, from Template (advertising) and Extend (Flash Exchange).

Then what do I do?

How do I test it?

How do I submit it (by attached file )?

Please help!

And please (if possible) send a vid or a detailed step-by-step description!

e-mail is:

tobiisadwarf@gmail.com

Thank you!

~Bugraptor]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/527447.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/527447.page GMT http://forum.spore.com/jforum/forums/show/29.page
]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/527516.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/527516.page GMT
That is unfortunate and it is because of legal reasons that are above our head

But you should not let that stop you from participating. If you make a great app, you can still win the grandest prize of all which is - getting featured in our app gallery here: http://www.spore.com/comm/developer/gallery/

So, start building!]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/527592.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/527592.page GMT
That is unfortunate and it is because of legal reasons that are above our head

But you should not let that stop you from participating. If you make a great app, you can still win the grandest prize of all which is - getting featured in our app gallery here: http://www.spore.com/comm/developer/gallery/

So, start building![/quote]But I don't know how to make an APP! ]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/528747.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/528747.page GMT http://forum.spore.com/jforum/forums/show/29.page
]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/530821.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/530821.page GMT http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/531661.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/531661.page GMT Since apps published prior to the contest aren't eligible, what about additions to existing ones? For example, I'm working on more scripts for Spore Badges to show latest creations and profile statistics, and these will work completely independently of the existing achievements badge script.
[/quote]

From our legal team:
"If the “additions” to an existing application would significantly change the application so that it can be considered a new application, then that is acceptable.”"

Also, a few of you have wondered about the following text from the rules:

“All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned.”

I know the wording is a little odd, but this is standard language used in EA contests to make it clear that we own all submissions, and we are not obligated to return submissions. This is generally needed for contests with hard copy submissions. Obviously, we won't need to return a link to a website, in this case.

-MC



]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/533735.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/533735.page GMT http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/534160.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/534160.page GMT
We have provided samples for some of the languages that some of our folks are familiar with.

If you have nice samples of your own that show how to use the Spore API in another language, definitely send us the link!]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/535071.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/535071.page GMT http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/535703.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/535703.page GMT
If you think your thread should be stickied, PM MaxisCactus with a well thought-out argument.

]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/535720.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/535720.page GMT http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/535742.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/535742.page GMT
Why'd you put a dot????
]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/616783.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/616783.page GMT http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/632155.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/632155.page GMT That's the 100 Millionth Creation contest. The API contest (this thread) is to program an app that uses the Spore API to do cool things with the creations on the Sporepedia.]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/638419.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/638419.page GMT
Please don't forget to include the following in your submission:

Your age
Country of residence
A link to your app
The required text "Download your own copy of the Spore Creature Creator now!" and a link to Spore.com

-MC]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/664600.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/664600.page GMT
Check out the first place winner's app demo movie here:
[wmv]http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4064584&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1[/wmv]

Check back to our gallery page soon for links to other notable entries!]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/730527.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/730527.page GMT

Thank you to MaxisDangerousYams, MaxisCactus, SMLightning, and others for your help and encouragement. Maxis also deserves a lot of credit for choosing to reveal the Spore APIs to the community. But most of all, thank you to the community of Spore artists that inspired me and make [url=http://www.qualityspore.com]qualityspore.com[/url] such a beautiful place to visit!

I am not done adding features to qualityspore.com. If you have suggestions, or want to follow my progress, visit this thread: [url]http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/list/23306.page[/url]

Thanks again,
SniperMonkey
]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/731523.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/731523.page GMT
I have a question about the Sporenament app... is it up and running in real life? It seems like it is currently recycling the same creations, and it's crashing when I try to "bye" in something. The website it refers you to seems to be incomplete at the moment, as well. I'm hoping this goes live -- I could see something like this replacing the MPN...]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/732713.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/732713.page GMT
I was really, really surprised to see the tally of votes on some creations in real numbers. It raises one question for me: What purpose does downrating serve, other than an outlet for malicious behaviour? It's a topic for another thread, I realise that, but I'd like thank SniperMonkey for making an api that actually made me conscious of the issue. Why are creations not set a default figure of zero? It seems perfectly absurb that so many [u]good[/u] creations currently hold ratings in negative numbers, while genuinely bad creations get the treatment they deserve - no rating up or down at all.

Anyway, sorry to detract. Thank you again SniperMonkey, you api is brilliant. I will use it regularly. Congrats all!]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/732917.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/732917.page GMT
I have a question about the Sporenament app... is it up and running in real life? It seems like it is currently recycling the same creations, and it's crashing when I try to "bye" in something. The website it refers you to seems to be incomplete at the moment, as well. I'm hoping this goes live -- I could see something like this replacing the MPN...[/quote]

Hi markiem32. To answer your questions;
I would consider Sporenament to be in Beta, so I am not surprised that you have found some defects... I've been super busy at work lately, but plan on getting back to Sporenament soon.

The website is incomplete at the moment... Right now, the stuff you see there is just a placeholder for what will eventaully be replaced with Sporenament content.

When you say that it is recycling the same creations... Which level of Sporenament were you playing? (Level 1, 2 or 3?) I have noticed that sometimes in Level 1, the same creation is used more than once, but it is only one out of 16, and only occasionally shows up again.

If it is crashing when you Bye your character in, I need to have a look at that... I have not experienced that problem but Bying in your creations is a major feature, and I want to get it right. Please feel free to detail what you are doing when that happens.

Thanks for the reports... I think I'll start a thread of my own so as not to clog this one up.
http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/list/0/26878.page#732947]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/732951.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/732951.page GMT
I cannot wait for the more online aspect of the Sporenament to take off, as this has many future possibilities. Quality Spore is now more visited then the sporepedia (sorry Maxis ), it shows many creations in an easier to see many, and loads much quicker, and can easily go to sporepedia pages. And lastly Spore skeletons... This just uses the API xml code so well, creating a fantastic and unique Augmented Reality.

Thanks to all the amazing creators, and i can't wait to see what comes in the future!
http://www.spore.com/comm/developer/gallery

-SMLightning]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/733050.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/733050.page GMT
[i]-MaxisEditorDan[/i]]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/733561.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/733561.page GMT
I was really, really surprised to see the tally of votes on some creations in real numbers. It raises one question for me: What purpose does downrating serve, other than an outlet for malicious behaviour? It's a topic for another thread, I realise that, but I'd like thank SniperMonkey for making an api that actually made me conscious of the issue. Why are creations not set a default figure of zero? It seems perfectly absurb that so many [u]good[/u] creations currently hold ratings in negative numbers, while genuinely bad creations get the treatment they deserve - no rating up or down at all.

Anyway, sorry to detract. Thank you again SniperMonkey, you api is brilliant. I will use it regularly. Congrats all![/quote]

In the process of creating [url=http://www.qualityspore.com/]qualityspore.com[/url] I have noticed the rating system acting oddly. I have started a new thread with a full explanation. You can find it here:

[url]http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/list/26905.page[/url]]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/734474.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/734474.page GMT
Since we also have ratings decay, it’s very possible that when a user rates a subject up, the recalculation will create a score that is lower than the current rating (again, because of decay).

We are discussing the frequency we refresh ratings vs. performance and we may readdress how often ratings are recalculated to improve the user experience.

-MC
]]> http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/736935.page http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/preList/21992/736935.page GMT