https://creatures.wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&user=80.189.233.57&feedformat=atomCreatures Wiki - User contributions [en]2024-03-28T23:45:24ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.33.1https://creatures.wiki/index.php?title=History&diff=6608History2005-12-24T13:35:03Z<p>80.189.233.57: /* 2005 */</p>
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<div>The [[Creatures series]] of games has had a long and convoluted history. This page is dedicated to it, in particular the events surrounding the companies involved in their creation: [[Millennium]], [[Cyberlife]], [[Creature Labs]], [[Entraline]] and [[Gameware]].<br />
<br />
A good overview from Development Director [[Ian Saunter]] is provided in:<br />
* [http://www.gamewaredevelopment.co.uk/creatures_more.php?id=17_0_6_0_M8 A potted history of Creature Labs and Gameware Development (the official story)]<br />
<br />
More on the relationship between the various companies can be found in:<br />
* ''[http://www.gamewaredevelopment.co.uk/diary_more.php?id=100_0_9_20_M A step back in time]''<br />
<br />
Large amounts of this timeline were derived from [http://fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/creaturesarchive/creatures_history.htm Steve Grand's notes]. Many thanks to [[Steve Grand|Steve]] for providing this resource to the community! If, however, you're more interested in the ''timeline'' of the [[Creatures series]], click [http://www.gamewaredevelopment.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=3123&postcount=3 here].<br />
<br />
[[Image:Creaturesandegg.jpg|right|frame|''Creatures'': Their Life Is In Your Hands]]<br />
==Timeline of Events==<br />
''Don't hesitate to fill stuff in - and don't feel you have to restrict yourself to official doings, anything that has interest to the community is fine :-)''<br />
<br />
===Pre-1992===<br />
*'''Late 1986/Early 1987''': [[Steve Grand]] is inspired by his reading of ''The Planiverse: Computer Contact With a Two-Dimensional World'' ([http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0387989161/ Amazon UK], [http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0387989161/ Amazon US]; at time of writing, probably a lot cheaper to buy from the US!) and suggests [[Creatures]] to his employers as an educational game - but there is no interest<br />
*'''1988''': [[Millennium]] is founded by [[Michael Hayward]], [[Tony Beckwith]], [[Ian Saunter]] and one other - they remain for a few months in Michael's house before moving to a local science park; [[Steve Grand]] remembers suggesting [[Creatures]] again (although Ian has no memory of this, so perhaps this was to his old employers)<br />
*'''1990''': [[Millennium]] release Hoverforce, Horror Zombies from the Crypt and Thunderstrike<br />
*'''1991''': [[Millennium]] release Virtual Reality, Volume 2, Stormball, The Adventures of Robin Hood and James Pond 2: Codename: RoboCod (which makes a return 12 years later as [[James Pond: RoboCod]])<br />
<br />
===1992===<br />
*'''1992''': [[Millennium]] release Cyber Empires, The Aquatic Games, Daughter of Serpents, Global Effect and Rome AD 92<br />
:''[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]: I remember Global Effect! Great game!<br />
*'''September 1992''': [[Creatures]] is 'officially' conceived, although it will take years to develop fully into the game we know today. From [[Tips.txt]]:<br />
:''The initial ideas for this project were conceived on a motel balcony in Winthrop, WA, USA in September 1992.''<br />
*'''4 November 1992''': [[Steve Grand]] writes [http://fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/creaturesarchive/initialpitch.htm A Mouse for Windows]<br />
*'''16 November 1992''': [[Steve Grand]] writes [http://fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/creaturesarchive/ewokspitch.htm Little Computer Ewoks]<br />
*'''23 December 1992''': [[Steve Grand]] writes [http://fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/creaturesarchive/techproposal.htm Ewoks techie bit for proposal]<br />
<br />
===1993===<br />
*'''1993''': [[Millennium]] release James Pond 3: Operation Starfish<br />
*'''8 March 1993''': [[Steve Grand]] writes [http://fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/creaturesarchive/mythography.htm Small Furry Creatures: A Mythography] (first use of [[Small Furry Creatures]] as title), which contains the first details of the [[Journey]], [[Grendel]]s (although not as we know them today), [[Ettin]]s (even dumber than they turned out) and the [[Shee]] (Siðe)<br />
*'''1 June 1993''': First available notes from [[Steve Grand|Steve Grand's]] [http://fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/creaturesarchive/progdiary.htm programming diary] - very interesting reading<br />
*'''18 July 1993''': [[Steve Grand]] writes the first fragments of a [[Creatures]]-themed novella, [[Wulf's Journey]], creating the first Creatures [[:Category:Fiction|fan-fiction]] over three years before the game was actually released<br />
*'''12 December 1993''': [[Steve Grand]] explains that the mythology is [http://fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/creaturesarchive/rationale.htm intended for background purposes], not as an actual plot line:<br />
:''I never intended Creatures to be an adventure game or have a fixed plot at all - the idea was that you would create your own stories . . . But everyone had interpreted my mythography stuff far too literally, and people were trying to make Creatures into some kind of Norse adventure game . . .''<br />
:''[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper's]] thought: '''"Viking Creatures: Norns with Horns!"'''''<br />
<br />
===1994===<br />
*'''3 May - 10 May 1994''' A prototype [[Secret Adventure Mode]] is documented in [[Steve Grand]]'s programming diary. [http://fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/creaturesarchive/progdiary.htm] <br />
*'''6 July 1994''': [[Michael Hayward]] decides that the game needs more time to mature and that [[Steve Grand]] should "take the game out of the schedule" (see the [http://fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/creaturesarchive/progdiary.htm diary entry])<br />
:''[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]: I think this was a very important decision - without the extra time for correct positioning and reworking, [[Creatures]] would never have been the game it turned out to be. Heck, it was still for DOS back then, and [[bibble]] hadn't even been conceived! :-)''<br />
:It is also interesting to note the features described as possible for the rewrite, many of which would not be fully realized until [[Creatures 3]] or [[Docking Station]]: ''Decided to add 5 months to schedule; more gratuitous graphics; more facial expressions; new norns (monkeylike); everybody’s norn is unique; complete rethink and rewrite of code; add hooks for extensions; allow norns to travel from one person’s system to another, via disc or modem; buy new norns; possible speech in/out.''<br />
*'''1 August 1994''': The [[Cheat]] menu is added<br />
*'''10 October 1994''': Plans for DDE support are finalized, laying the foundations for [[:Category:C1 Tools|external tools]] to communicate with [[Creatures]]<br />
*'''14 November 1994''': [[Michael Hayward]] first demonstrates the [[Creatures]] prototype to '''Warner Interactive''', who liken its breadth of appeal to that of the first spreadsheet, Visicalc<br />
*'''20 November 1994''': [[Cyberlife]] is set up to develop and exploit [[Steve Grand|Steve Grand's]] ideas<br />
<br />
===1995===<br />
*'''23 January 1995''': [[Steve Grand]] has the idea of making a [[background model]] of the [[Creatures]] environment and digitising it; [[Mark Rafter]] agrees a few days later, and begins work on the model<br />
*'''Mid-1995''': [[Cyberlife]] agrees a publishing deal with '''Warner Interactive''' and a advance of £1m is paid representing an estimated 200,000 units of sales; in fact, over half a million copies of the [[Creatures]] will eventually be sold, a large proportion overseas<br />
*'''19 July 1995''': [[Creatures]] finally has a complete [http://fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/creaturesarchive/designdef.htm design definition] - as with most software development projects, it required actually building most of the program to fully define it . . .<br />
===1996===<br />
*'''10:50 am, 21 March 1996''': The first [[norn]] ever bred in captivity was born. He was called [[Cain]], son of [[Ron]] and [[Eve]].<br />
*'''22 April 1996''': The twin spectres of [[disease]] and [[bacteria]] are introduced to [[Creatures]]<br />
*'''November 1996''' The [[Cyberlife]] department has 10 people in it<br />
*'''11 November 1996''': [[Creatures]] is released, selling 100,000 copies in the first month; its publishers - '''Warner Interactive''' - are quickly acquired by '''GT Interactive''', who become the new distributors<br />
*'''December 1996''': [[Christmas Pack|Christmas Pack 1]] for [[Creatures]] is released - it has over 4000 downloads in the first week. The [[Object Injector Kit]] is included with the Christmas Pack. [http://web.archive.org/web/19970110042052/www.cyberlife.co.uk/creatures_shop_christmas_pack.htm]<br />
*'''18 December 1996''': The "[[Norn]] 6-pack" is released: Buffy, Dion, Jarvis, Melvin, Sharla, and Teesha ([http://www.zen9361.zen.co.uk/keep/creatureswiki/sixpack.zip download])<br />
<br />
===1997===<br />
*'''1997''': [[Steve Grand]], [[Dave Cliff]], and [[Anil Malhotra]] write ''[http://fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/articles/agents_'97_paper.htm Creatures: Artificial Life Autonomous Software Agents] <br />
*'''March 1997''': [[alt.games.creatures]] is founded<br />
*'''May 1997''': The term "[[wolfling run]]" is coined.<br />
*'''2 May 1997''': Margot Adler of NPR reports on [[Creatures]] : [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1039605 listen to it here]<br />
*'''July 1997''': The PS1 division of [[Cyberlife]] is sold to Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, along with 60 of the 80 jobs at the company.<br />
*'''15 July 1997''': [[Creatures]] is released in the USA by [[Mindscape]]<br />
*'''August 1997''': [[Object Pack|Object Pack 1]] for [[Creatures]] is released, along with the [[Observation Kit]] and [[Preview Kit]]<br />
*'''5 August 1997''': [[Creatures]] is awarded Best Strategy Game at Macworld Expo<br />
*'''1 September 1997''':The term "[[feral run]]" is coined.<br />
*'''7 September 1997''': The [[NORN Collective]] is [http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.games.creatures/browse_frm/thread/1635a9226de7d6e0/b9eb0601eba0bd4d conceived]<br />
*'''October 1997''': [[Object Pack|Object Pack 2]] for [[Creatures]] is released<br />
*'''22 October 1997''': The [[Naven]] is "discovered" by [[NitGold]], and is reported to [[A.G.C.]]. <br />
*'''December 1997''': [[Christmas Pack|Christmas Pack 2]] for [[Creatures]] is released<br />
*'''17 December 1997''': The [[Genetics Kit]] for [[Creatures]] is released.<br />
*'''28 December 1997''': The [[Bacchus]] [[mutation]] is reported to [[A.G.C.]]<br />
*'''29 December 1997''': [[Flame]] [http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.games.creatures/browse_frm/thread/3108bfe5253867c6 forms] the [[Norn Doll Wanters A Lotters]]<br />
<br />
===1998===<br />
*'''1998''': [[Steve Grand]] and [[Dave Cliff]] write ''[http://www.hpl.hp.com/personal/dave_cliff/papers_online.htm Creatures: Entertainment Software Agents with Artificial Life]''<br />
*'''11 February 1998''': [[Mindscape]] announce that they will be publishing the sequel to [[Creatures]], which is currently approaching 400,000 units sold; their CEO says that:<br />
:''"Anyone who has ever played with Creatures will be pleased with the surprises the sequel has to offer."''<br />
*'''28 February 1998''': The [[Secret Adventure Mode]] in [[Creatures 1]] is reported [[A.G.C.]] by [[David Wood]]<br />
*'''17 March 1998''': [[Cyberlife|Cyberlife's]] [[Applied Research]] department wins a Ministry of Defence contract to research unmanned airborne vehicles<br />
*'''29 April 1998''': [[AntiNorn]] launches [[Tortured Norns]], instantly becoming the most hated person in the [[Creatures Community]]<br />
*'''May 1998''': [[Lisa de Araujo]] joins as internet marketing manager <br />
*'''8 May 1998''': [[David Ball]], formerly of Nortel, is appointed as Chairman of [[Cyberlife]], and Professor [[Chris Winter]] takes over as Development Director <br />
*'''9 May 1998''' New Scientist magazine writes [[Agents from Albia]].<br />
*'''22 May 1998''': [[Toby Simpson]] states that [[Creatures 2]] will be released "early Q3 this year" in [http://www.gamasutra.com/features/game_design/19980522/simpson_toby_01.htm From Creatures to Androids: An Interview with Toby Simpson of CyberLife]<br />
*'''23 May 1998''': [[Norn and Grendel Day]]<br />
*'''28-31 May 1998''': [[Blueberry]] the [[norndoll]] is stolen while [[Cyberlife]] are attending the E3 games conference - a £1000 reward is posted, but will remain unclaimed for almost a year<br />
*'''13 June 1998''': [[Bean]] posts the first of her [[HoloDeck series]] of [[:Category:Fiction|stories]] on [[alt.games.creatures]]<br />
*'''29 June 1998''': The [[Creatures series]] becomes the only computer game to be [http://www.freewebs.com/alimaggs/creaturescouk/Creaturescouk/www.creatures.co.uk/Newstand/mediabox/ns_media_dome.htm awarded Millennium Products status] - over 500,000 units have been sold, and from this ''[http://www.hpl.hp.com/personal/dave_cliff/creatures.pdf The Creatures Global Digital Ecosystem]'' later estimates a global [[norn]] population of around 5 million<br />
*'''July 1998''': [[Cyberlife]] does a [http://www.freewebs.com/alimaggs/creaturescouk/Creaturescouk/www.creatures.co.uk/newstand/survey/ns_survey_web.htm survey] of the [[Creatures Community]] - the demographics have remained relatively the same ever since the previous survey. <br />
*'''August 1998''': At this time the [[Cyberlife]] team is about 40 people<br />
*'''27 August 1998''': [[Creatures 2]] is released by [[Mindscape]]; members of the [[Early Adoption Program]] receive their copies some days later. <br />
*'''10-13 September 1998''': [[Cyberlife]] host ''[http://www.cyberbiology.org/ Digital Biota 2]'' in Cambridge - among the participants are [[Steve Grand]], [[Chris Winter]], '''Richard Dawkins''' and '''Douglas Adams''' ([http://www.biota.org/people/douglasadams/ his talk])<br />
*'''Mid-September 1998''': The [[Creatures 2]] [[Object Pack|Object Pack 1]] is released<br />
*'''22 September 1998''': [[Cyberlife]] release their updated [[Creatures 2 genome]].<br />
*'''October 1998''': The [[Creatures 2]] [[Object Pack|Object Pack 2]] is released<br />
*'''13 October 1998''': [[CptSiskoX]] is arrested for copyright and trademark violations<br />
*'''December 1998''': The [[Creatures 2]] [[Christmas Pack]] is released<br />
*'''7 December 1998''': Mattel [http://news.com.com/2100-1001-219053.html?legacy=cnet purchases] The Learning Company (which owns Mindscape, producer of the [[Creatures series]]) for $3.8 billion in stock - they soon realise they've made a mistake and resond by slashing costs like marketing budgets<br />
*'''12 December 1998''': [[Frimlin's Kiwi Creatures]] wins the [[Golden Shee Awards]], being voted the Most Popular Creatures Site; [[Ping]] and [[Ali]] come joint second with [[CreaturesLife.net]] and [[Albia 2000]]<br />
<br />
===1999===<br />
*'''1 January 1999''': [[Mike Raiford]] [http://groups.google.co.uk/groups?threadm=O3ij2.816%24d01.5550%40typhoon01.swbell.net releases] the first version of [[GEL]]<br />
*'''2 January 1999''': The [[alt.games.creatures#JNCOBOY|&#91;JNCOBOY&#93; EVERYONE READ!!!!]] thread starts on [[alt.games.creatures]] - it subsequently receives over '''7000''' replies spanning 6 years<br />
:[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]: The above is a current (Jan 2005) estimate - the thread has not yet stopped!<br />
*'''11 January 1999''': [[Francis Irving]] joins [[Creature Labs]]<br />
*'''3 February 1999''': [[Dillon]] creates [[alt.games.creatures.moderated]]<br />
*'''5 February 1999''': [[Cyberlife]] launches the [[Creatures Development Network]]<br />
*'''1 March 1999''': [[Cyberlife]] release the [[Sprite Workshop]], [[COB Compiler]], [[Attachment Editor]], [[Egg Maker]], [[Genetics Mapper]] and [[RGB Converter]] onto the [[CDN]]<br />
*'''9 March 1999''': After raising £1 million in equity from '''Foresight Technology''' and appointing [[Howard Newmark]] as Publishing Director, [[Ian Saunter]] as Development Director and [[Toby Simpson]] as Creative Director, [[Cyberlife]] officially splits into three departments - [[Applied Research]] (defense projects), the [[Cyberlife Institute]] (research and development) and [[Creature Labs]] (entertainment); of the three, only [[Creature Labs]] lasts more than a year<br />
*'''1 April 1999''': [[jcarrcwalk]] releases [[Dragon Nornior]]<br />
*'''25 April 1999''': [[Creature Labs]] begins selling the [[Room Editor]] and the [[Pose and Gait Editor]] (PAGE)<br />
*'''20 May 1999''': [[Ashley Harman|Ash Harman (Frimlin)]] joins [[Creatures Labs]]<br />
*'''June 1999''': [[Ben Gonshaw]] joines [[Creatures Labs]]<br />
*'''June 1999''': [[Wayne Stallwood]] joins [[Creature Labs]]<br />
*'''16 June 1999''': [[Moca]] creates the first issue of [[We be Creatures!]]<br />
*'''18 June 1999''': [[SETI@home|Creatures SETI@home team]] founded<br />
*'''28 June 1999''': [[Creature Labs]] becomes the first computer game developer to be awarded the ISO 9001 TickIT certification<br />
*'''13 July 1999''': [[Chris Chat]] is founded by [[Chris Der]]<br />
*'''16 July 1999''': [[Bean]] posts her last chapter in the [[HoloDeck series]] on [[alt.games.creatures]]<br />
*'''7 October 1999''': [[Creatures Adventures]] is released by [[Mindscape]]<br />
*'''29 October 1999''': [[HomeCreatures]] goes live<br />
*'''November 1999''': The [[Applied Research]] department is closed, including the [[Origin]] project and [[Steve Grand]] leaves [[Cyberlife]]; the [[Cyberlife Institute]] closes with his departure<br />
*'''1 November 1999''': [[Creatures 3]] is released in the USA by [[Mindscape]] - as a result of problems at the company it is barely promoted and sales are dismal<br />
*'''20 November 1999''': First patch for [[Creatures 3]] is released<br />
*'''12 December 1999''': [[CreaturesLife.net]] notes that an add-on to [[Creatures 3]] is in the works - ''"Currently named '[[Docking Station|docker]]' it allows you to dock to C3 spaceships."''<br />
*'''Late 1999''': [[Dave Cliff]] and [[Steve Grand]] write ''[http://www.hpl.hp.com/personal/dave_cliff/creatures.pdf The Creatures Global Digital Ecosystem]'' [PDF]<br />
<br />
===2000===<br />
*'''January 2000''': PC Gamer (Feb edition) confirms that there is likely to be a "Creatures 3.5 - Docking station", scheduled for Q3 2000<br />
*'''12 January 2000''': [[Cyberlife]] officially begins calling itself [[Creature Labs]],<br />
:''". . . and moves into the entertainment sector and returns with a new direction and new focus."''<br />
*'''15 January 2000''': [[SteerPike]] dies; much of the [[Creatures Community]] mourns his loss<br />
*'''18 January 2000''': [[Creature Labs]] appoints a new CEO, [[Chris McKee]]; his previous job was at '''Interleaf''':<br />
:''"[a company providing] enterprise-wide software solutions for XML-based Internet content management"''<br />
*'''17 February 2000''': Update 2 for [[Creatures 3]] is released by [[Creature Labs]]; it includes a newer, more expressive [[genome]]<br />
*'''23 February 2000''': [[Creature Labs]] announces the development of [[Beasts]]:<br />
:''"Beasts" is an exciting new game from Creature Labs based on the mysterious wilderness monster known as the Abominable Snowman or Yeti, tracks of which have been discovered in the Himalayan regions of India, Nepal, and Tibet. According to locals, the Yeti is but one of several unidentified creatures that occupy the highlands of southern Asia. Accounts of another giant known as Sasquatch or Bigfoot have persisted among some American Indians whose tribes inhabited the forests of the Pacific Northwest."''<br />
*'''March 2000''': [[Mark Stamps]] is appointed Director of IT at [[Creature Labs]]<br />
*'''10 March 2000''': The [[Creatures 3]] [[Genetics Kit]] is released<br />
*'''6 April 2000''': [[Creature Labs]] announce the development of ''Sea-Monkey Marina'' (subsequently entitled "The [[Amazing Virtual Sea-Monkeys]]") - CL Publishing Director [[Howard Newmark]] states that:<br />
:''"As long-time fans and admirers of the Sea-Monkey phenomenon, we have always felt that a Sea-Monkey title based on our CyberLife technology would be a great success. We're very pleased to be associated with such a huge brand and we're looking forward to doing it justice with a superb product."''<br />
*'''25 April 2000''': The first episode of ''The Last Shee in Albia'' is published, introducing the [[Lone Shee]]<br />
*'''28 April 2000''': [[Daniel Silverstone]] (Kinnison) leaves [[Creature Labs]]<br />
*'''26 May 2000''': [[Creatures Labs]] license the original [[Creatures]] on '''Freeloader''', an online game distribution service<br />
*'''2 June 2000''': The [[Creatures 2]] [[World Switcher]], previously only available in the [[Life Kit]], is released as a free download<br />
*'''9 June 2000''': [[Creature Labs]] and [[Chaos Development]] announce the imminent release of [[Montu]]<br />
*'''27 June 2000''': [[Creature Labs]] [http://web.archive.org/web/20020329035112/http://www.creatures.co.uk/Newstand/mediabox/ns_media_genomemap.htm announce the complete mapping of the Norn genome] (archived copy)<br />
*'''July 2000''': The [[C12DS]] project is started<br />
*'''6 July 2000''': Prior head of '''Our Price''' and '''Waterstones''' [[David Clipsham]] joins [[Creature Labs]] as chairman<br />
*'''25 July 2000''': A new [[newsletter]] is announced, entitled ''Much Ado About Norns''<br />
*'''August 2000''': Issue 2 of ''Much Ado About Norns'' asks whether [[norn]]s are alive - [http://www.gamewaredevelopment.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=31092&postcount=30 47% say they are], 20% that they aren't; the rest don't know<br />
*'''15 September 2000''': [[Creature Labs]] sign deals for the [[Snowman Interactive Storybook]] with UK publisher '''FastTrak''' and French distributor '''Emme''' and with '''SWING! Entertainment''' for [[Creatures GBA]] and the GameCube<br />
*'''October 2000''': Venture captial specialists '''3i Group''' and '''Foresight Technology VCT''' invest £2.5m in [[Creature Labs]] in convertible loan stock, almost all of which will subsequently be writen off<br />
*'''20 October 2000''': [[Aktion Millennium]] starts at [[Mummy's Creatures]]<br />
*'''2 November 2000''': [[Creatures Trilogy]] is released by '''Encore Software''' in the US, and [[Creatures Adventures]] wins an EMMA<br />
*'''3 November 2000''': [[Les Edgar]] - co-founder of '''Bullfrog''' - is appointed to the board of directors for [[Creature Labs]]<br />
*'''7 November 2000''': [[NeoDecatur]] releases the [[Americana Pack]] for [[Creatures 3]]<br />
*'''11 November 2000''': [[Creatures Playground]] is released by '''Havas Interactive''' in Europe, '''Encore Software''' in the US and Canada<br />
*'''17 November 2000''': [[Graeme Williams]] joins [[Creature Labs]]<br />
*'''4 December 2000''': [[Andrea Ciolini]] and [[Dominique Whitman]] join [[Creature Labs]]<br />
*'''26 December 2000''': [[Thaddaeus Frogley]] and [[Gavin Buttimore]] win the 15th International Obfuscated C Code Contest with [http://thad.notagoth.org/thadgavin/ THADGAVIN]<br />
<br />
===2001===<br />
*'''24 January 2001''': [[Ian Konrath]] joins [[Creature Labs]] as CFO - [[Chris McKee]] says that:<br />
:''"Ian has the right background - first-hand experience of guiding a company through an IPO, successfully negotiating venture capital and credit lines, and actively working with analysts and the financial community. His proven track record in strategic planning and financial management make him ideally suited to support our growth and corporate development"''<br />
*'''29 January 2001''': [[Jewels]] suffers a fatal stroke; the CC mourns<br />
*'''13 February 2001''': [[Toby Simpson]] and [[Ben Simpson]] leave [[Creature Labs]] to form [[Nicely Crafted]]; they will be joined by [[Mark Ashton]] and [[Robert Dickson]] in late 2002. On the same date, the [[Valentine Norn]]s for [[C2]] are released. <br />
*'''17 February 2001''': [[Millennium Creatures]] relaunches at www.millenniumcreatures.net<br />
*'''1 March 2001''': [[Creature Labs]] ''re''-announce the development of [[Beasts]] as a real-time strategy game<br />
*'''March 2001''': [[Mummy]] launches [[Aktion Farbtopf]]<br />
*'''27 March 2001''': [[Creature Labs]] announce the release of [[Docking Station]]<br />
*'''May 2001''': [[Creatures Labs]] and subsiduaries have 70 employees<br />
*'''2 May 2001''': The [[Bondi Norn]]s are released for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]] - DS beta testers get them free<br />
*'''June 2001''': [[User:Sent|Sent]]: This is a little bit of information that other community members might not know about. [[HomeCreatures]] was eventually closed down as it was inactive. There was originally a merge that was meant to take place between [[Creature Creations]] and [[HomeCreatures]]. The merge started going underway with [[Tim]], myself and other Creations staff members having access to the HC databases, although with there being a few problems (I believe it was with the MGON staff, although I can't be sure) the merge never really took place.<br />
*'''4 July 2001''': [[David Worlock]] is appointed a non-executive director of [[Creature Labs]]<br />
*'''5 July 2001''': The [[Turtle Norn]]s are relased<br />
*'''7 July 2001''': The [[Hardman Norn]]s are released for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]<br />
*'''25 July 2001''': ''Friedeger'' becomes the 100,000th [[norn]] to travel through the [[Warp]]; despite [[Apollo|Apollo's]] attempt to clinch the record by flooding it with many norns ([[Apollo|Apollo's]] computer couldn't handle hundreds) that he copied with the help of [[Clucky|Clucky's]] [[Mini-Copier]], [[KDC]] takes the prize.<br />
*'''August 2001''': Directors at [[Creatures Labs]] realise they are running low on money again and begin searching for new funding options<br />
*'''13 August 2001''': [[Creatures Internet Edition]] (including the [[Magma Norn]]s) is released<br />
*'''20 August 2001''': The [[Treehugger Norn]]s are released for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]<br />
*'''31 August 2001''': The multi-site [[Creatures Forum]] is released by [[Uttar]], [[Helen]] and [[Dan]]<br />
*'''October 2001''': [[Creatures Labs]] release [[Ms. Pac Man: Quest for the Golden Maze]] and [[DIG DUG Deeper]] about now<br />
*'''16 October 2001''': [[Creature Labs]] release The [[Amazing Virtual Sea-Monkeys]]<br />
*'''25 October 2001''': The [[classifier]] reservation system is launched at the [[CDN]]<br />
*'''November 2001''': [[Ben Gonshaw]] leaves [[Creature Labs]]<br />
*'''12 November 2001''': [[Creatures Internet Edition]] for Linux is announced<br />
*'''22 November 2001''': The C3/DS [[Map Editor]] is released at the [[Creatures Mall]]<br />
*'''27 November 2001''': [[SwixSnow]]'s ''Atari'' becomes the 200,000th [[norn]] to pass through the [[Warp]]<br />
*'''30 November 2001''': The [[Toxic Norn]]s are released for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]<br />
*'''7 December 2001''': [[Creatures PS1]] is released in Europe by Swing! Entertainment Media AG<br />
<br />
===2002===<br />
*'''January 2002''': [[Origin of the Digital Species]], a 30-minute documentary produced by the Discovery Channel and filmed by Penninsula Films, released.<br />
*'''11 January 2002''': [[Creatures GBA]] is released in Europe by Swing! Entertainment Media AG<br />
*'''24 January 2002''': The [[Zebra Norn]]s are relased for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]<br />
*'''February 2002''': Work on [[Beasts]] (by now called [[Yeren]]) stops; [[Thaddaeus Frogley]] leaves [[Creature Labs]]<br />
*'''8 February 2002''': [[Creatures GBA]] is released in the US by [[Conspiracy Entertainment]]<br />
*'''14 February 2002''': [[NeoDecatur]] releases an updated [[Valentine's Day Pack]] for [[Docking Station]], while [[Alien]] and [[tomtschek]] release the [[Pink Poodle Ettin]]s<br />
*'''15 February 2002''': The [[Astro Norn]]s are relased for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]<br />
*'''March 2002''': [[HomeCreatures]] finally shuts its doors.<br />
*'''6 March 2002''': Members of [[Wikipedia:H2G2|h2g2]] write an [http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A663491 article] on the [[Creatures series]].<br />
*'''25 March 2002''': The [[Harlequin Norn]]s are relased for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]<br />
*'''April 2002''': [[Creature Labs]] steps up talks with '''3i''' to secure further funding in order to avoid a cashflow crisis. Previous funding from this and other sources has raised £7m.<br />
*'''16 April 2002''': [[BioLabs]] release the [[Borg Norn]]s for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]<br />
*'''20 April 2002''': [[Aktion Pentatypus]] starts at [[Mummy's Creatures]]<br />
*'''24 April 2002''': The [[Lone Shee|Lone Shee's]] [[Fallow Norn]]s are released for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]<br />
*'''25 April 2002''': [[Creature Labs]] non-executive director [[Les Edgar]] is rumoured to be interested in purchasing [[Creature Labs]], 3i having pulled out after conducting further due-dilligence on current management<br />
*'''May 2002''': ''3i'' is not willing to accept the executive board's recomendation that [[Creature Labs]] be sold to board memebers for £75,000 when it had invested £2.5m just 18 months ago, and new options are demanded<br />
*'''14 May 2002''': [[Creatures - Raised in Space|Creatures: Raised in Space]] is released for the PS1 by [[Conspiracy Entertainment]]<br />
*'''27 May 2002''': An extraordinary general meeting is held, presided over by [[Creature Labs]] chief executive [[Chris McKee]] in which options to save the jobs at the company (numbering somewhere between 50 and 43) are discussed; a new holding company is subsequently formed with an infusion of £400,000 in addition to the £75,000 previously offered, but shareholders who fought hard to preserve their interest in the company predict that with a prior "burn rate" of £2m in 15 months:<br />
:''"if the management doesn’t improve and the business made more commercial it could be back in trouble very soon"''<br />
::It's been suggested that this was just one grumpy investor, and that Business Weekly were being overly negative. --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]<br />
:In other news, Creatures Labs released the [[Magma Norn]]s (previously only available in [[Creatures Internet Edition]])<br />
*'''June 2002''': [[Creature Labs]] officially changes its name to '''[[Entraline]] Limited''' - Cyberlife Technology Ltd remains its operating subsidiary<br />
*'''1 July 2002''': [[GreenReaper]] releases his C3/DS [[logon skin|logon screen skins]] for Windows XP<br />
*'''2 July 2002''': The [[Siamese Norn]]s are relased for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]<br />
*'''12 July 2002''': The adapted Atari game [[Warlords]] is released<br />
*'''16 July 2002''': [[Wayne Stallwood]] leaves Creature Labs to start his own business venture; he is bought a Gamecube as a leaving gift and continues to work at CL as an external consultant from time to time<br />
*'''September 2002''': '''Hasbro''' release the [[R2-D2|R2-D2 Interactive Astromech Droid]] with programming provided by [[Creature Labs]]<br />
*'''13 September 2002''': [[Francis Irving]] leaves [[Cyberlife]]; his friends buy him a digital camera as a going-away present<br />
*'''20 September 2002''': [[Creatures Gold]] is released by Focus Software<br />
*'''16 October 2002''': The [[Banshee Grendel]]s are relased for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]<br />
*'''December 2002''': [[Weihnachtsaktion Secret Santa]] 2002 begins<br />
*'''1 December 2002''': [[DClick]] creates the ''[[What Creature are you (quiz)|What Creature are you?]]'' quiz<br />
*'''5 December 2002''': [[Creature Labs]] finishes the PC conversion of [[Silent Hill 2: Restless Dreams]]<br />
<br />
===2003===<br />
*'''4 February 2003''': The [[Creatures Mall|Creature Labs Mall]] is closed.<br />
*'''10 February 2003''': [[Ladybird Norn]]s for [[C2]] released. <br />
*'''24 February 2003''': [[Cognition Games]] buys the rights to the [[Macintosh]] version of [[Creatures 3]].<br />
*'''28 February 2003''': [[Ashley Harman]] (aka '''Frimlin''') leaves [[Cyberlife]] - as he packs up on the 20th he has this to say:<br />
:''It was a bit odd to be standing in the centre of the Creature Labs office, packing away the cute stuffed toy Norns and Grendels I've accumulated from fellow Creatures fans. As I looked around the office, there were no other Norns to be seen. But it's been steadily more and more like that over the last couple of years -- I should have been used to it. But the moment spoke to me, all the same.''<br />
*'''March 2003''': [[Entraline]] directors [[Chris McKee]], [[Ian Konrath]], [[Howard Newmark]] and [[Ian Saunter]] decided liquidation is inevitable after all hopes for major new contracts fail<br />
*'''19 March 2003''': [[DockingStation Aftermath]] forum opened by [[Mark Stamps]] to keep the community apprised of the situation, and what was to come<br />
*'''20 March 2003''': [[Creature Labs]] closes - many [[CC]] members say goodbye on [[Lisa de Araujo]]'s [http://web.archive.org/web/20040116122341/http://nicelytoasted.net/burnt/archives/002207.shtml weblog] [http://web.archive.org/web/20040116131016/http://nicelytoasted.net/burnt/archives/002235.shtml posts]<br />
*'''21 March 2003''': [[Hippi Norn]]s for [[C2]] released.<br />
*'''3 April 2003''': [[Docking Station]] servers are turned off<br />
*'''15 April 2003''': [[Entraline]]/[[Cyberlife]] is liquidated subsequent to its final extraordinary general meeting - reasons cited include insolvency of their German publishing partners and a poor outlook in the general gaming industry; shareholders tack on "poor management"<br />
*'''16 April 2003''': [[Ian Saunter]] gets a call from ''Mark Bevan'', who had worked on [[FightBox]] and was now with the BBC, asking about [[Evo Warriors]] - although CL/Entraline is now dead, Ian convinces a friend who is tired of consulting ([[Jeremy Cooke]]) to fund development of a reduced version of the game, which will end up being [[BAMZOOKi]]<br />
*'''28 April 2003''': Business Weekly states that in addition to sums owed to investors 3i, NW Brown, Hermann Hauser and Peter Dawe, the former [[Entraline]] owed £75,000 to its administrators plus £200,000 to the Inland Revenue, and that the [[:Category:Employees|employees]] had been working for the last three months without pay; the same investor as before said:<br />
:'''"We have heard the management team may try to make a case for buying the assets. If this does turn out to be the case, messing up a business, trashing all the debts and keeping the assets does not seem right. This company collapsed because of the management’s lack of management and sales skills. One hopes they will emerge from this debacle empty-handed."''<br />
<br />
*'''7 May 2003''': [[Gameware Development]] is incorporated<br />
*'''7 June 2003''': [[Mark Stamps]] gets the first core [[Docking Station]] server back online.<br />
*'''18 June 2003''': [[Docking Station]] user registration re-opens; ''[[Survivor]]'' begins at [[Creatures Caves]]<br />
*'''Mid 2003''': The ''Albia region'' is founded on [[NationStates]]<br />
*'''2 July 2003''': [[Crazy Creatures Captures]] opens at [[TreeSprite's Creatures Grove]]<br />
*'''3 July 2003''': [[Gameware Europe]] is formally announced as the purchaser of assets and intellectual property rights of [[Cyberlife]] after rumours from former CL staff - CEO Jeremy Cooke claims to be ''"dedicated, not only to the continuing development of the innovative [[Creatures series]], but also toward the ongoing creation of these uniquely entertaining A.I. concepts for television and mobile-phones"'' and notes that there were ''"many excellent UK studios hit hard by the present market conditions" - our first priority is to get the Internet-based offering, Creatures [[Docking Station]], back on-line and assure the loyal fan-base of our intention to continue to provide them with entertaining Creatures concepts''<br />
:The [[Creatures Community]] felt this was terrific news as the [[norn]]s had been saved from liquidation.<br />
*'''4 July 2003''': [[Gremlin Norn]]s released by [[West Winds]]<br />
*'''18 July 2003''': [[edash]] conceives the [[Creatures Community Project]]<br />
*'''5 August 2003''': [[C12DS]] website comes online<br />
*'''25 August 2003''': [[Mummy]] launches [[Aktion Limited Edition]]<br />
*'''5 September 2003''': [[Survivor]] finishes, with [[Gryph]] victorious<br />
*'''27 September 2003''': [[Kunterbunt Norn]]s are released<br />
*'''31 October 2003''': Official [[Gameware]] websites begin to come online<br />
*'''14 November 2003''': [[Gameware]] announces the use of its toolkit in the upcoming CBBC show [[BAMZOOKi]], which is scheduled for release in March 2004<br />
*'''December 2003''': [[Gameware]] release [[James Pond: RoboCod]], and also opens up various [[Creatures]] [[:Category:Official Tools|tools]] and [[Life Kit]]s, once sold at the [[Creatures Mall]], for free download to show their support for the [[Creatures Community|Community]]; [[Weihnachtsaktion Secret Santa]] 2003 begins<br />
*'''26 December 2003''': The public beta of the [[C12DS]] [[metaroom]] is released by [[lacota]]<br />
<br />
===2004===<br />
*'''28 February 2004''': [[Aktion Breed Detective]] begins<br />
*'''3 April 2004''': [[Sarah]] and [[Tafgana]] win [[Aktion Breed Detective]]<br />
*'''May 2004''': [[Metacore]] development team formed<br />
*'''30 May 2004''': [[Norn]]s are featured alongside such British gaming icons as [[Wikipedia:Lara Croft|Lara Croft]] and [[Wikipedia:Donkey Kong|Donkey Kong]] at E3. [[Gameware]] is chuffed. <br />
*'''24 June 2004''': [[k9norn]] is reported to the Australian Police<br />
*'''25-31 July 2004''' The first [[CCSF]] is held, with a Christmas in July theme.<br />
*'''August 2004''': [[Gameware]] releases [[Creatures - The Albian Years|Creatures: The Albian Years]] (published by [[Fusion Labs]]), and announce that they have licensed all games in the [[Creatures series]] to '''Infinium Labs''' for use on their ''Phantom'' gaming system, as well as having acquired [[SceneMachines]] with a view to using their mobile technologies in future games; CEO [[Jeremy Cooke]] says:<br />
:''"SceneMachines takes us closer to our vision for simultaneous cross-platform, non-violent game applications."''<br />
*'''October 2004''': [[Gameware]] releases [[Creatures Exodus]] and [[Creatures Village]], again published by [[Fusion Labs]]<br />
*'''14 October 2004''': The [[Corona]] Development Team is announced<br />
*'''15 October 2004''': [[Corona]]'s first metaroom, The [[Garbage Dump]], is released<br />
*'''15 December 2004''': [[Gameware|Gameware's]] [[Ian Saunter]] reports:<br />
:''"Creatures-wise, we’ve been continuing our quest to find partners with the right level of commitment needed to take forward the [[Creatures series|series]]. It’s bound to come as something of a disappointment to the many devoted Creatures fans that regularly check here for better news on this front, to hear that, so far, we have not secured such a partner. True, we have re-released all the older titles now in Europe, and these remain available to purchase from our Shop. We are also continuing to host and support the Docking Station Hub, which, I hope, does demonstrate our ongoing commitment to reviving the game and bringing along new offerings based on the Shee-universe. Still, I’m afraid we will have to wait yet a while for this to become a reality. And, to be frank, we have to face the prospect that it might never happen!"''<br />
*'''24 December 2004''': [[Aquatilis Caverna]] room 1 beta is released.<br />
*'''30 December 2004''': The [[Creatures Wiki]] is launched; within one week, 500 pages have been written<br />
<br />
===2005===<br />
*'''16 January 2005''': [[Bahama Norn]]s released<br />
*'''26 January 2005''': [[Gargoyle Norn (C2)|Gargoyle Norns for Creatures 2]] released<br />
*'''5 February 2005''': The first [[Get Online Day]] is held - the [[Docking Station]] server crashes hours into the event<br />
*'''9 February 2005''': The [[Creatures Wiki]] contains 100,000 words on over 800 topics<br />
*'''10 February 2005''': [[Amanora's Creatures]] redesigned<br />
*'''21 February 2005''': [[Konnichiwa Norn]]s released<br />
*'''2 March 2005''': [[Gameware]] [http://www.gamewaredevelopment.co.uk/diary.php mentions the Creatures Wiki]<br />
*'''5 March 2005''': The second [[Get Online Day]] is held<br />
*'''20 March 2005''': [[El Dorado Norn]]s released for [[C2]]<br />
*'''25 March 2005''': [[Alien]] and [[Tafgana]] release an improved version of the [[Easter Norn]]s<br />
*'''28 March 2005''': The Wall Street Journal [http://online.wsj.com/public/article/0,,SB111196673261990485,00.html mentions the Creatures Wiki], [[Steve Grand]] also mentions the Creatures Wiki in his weblog.<br />
*'''2 April 2005''': 3rd [[Get Online Day]] is held - [[DS server]]s '''don't''' [[crash]]<br />
*'''May 2005''': Russian versions of [[Creatures Exodus]] and [[Creatures Village]] are released<br />
*'''18 May 2005''': [[Kutoka Interactive]] announces that it plans to release [[Creatures Exodus]] and [[Creatures Village]] in a 'hybrid' format, for both [[Windows]] and [[Macintosh|Mac OS X]]; [[Reptile Norn]]s released<br />
*'''20 May 2005''': [[Survivor]] is slated to begin, however, [[Creatures Caves]] goes offline<br />
*'''21 May 2005''': [[NornenMeister]] releases the [[Calypso Norn]]s; [[Survivor]] actually begins<br />
*'''30 May 2005''': [[Element Norn]]s released<br />
*'''24 July 2005''': [[Spike Norn]]s released by [[Kari]]<br />
*'''26 July 2005''': The [[C12DS]] team is testing 'the final release candidate'<br />
*'''31 July 2005''': The [[Creatures Community Spirit Festival]] 2005 is declared<br />
*'''8 August 2005''': The [[Snow Norn]]s for [[C1]] are released<br />
*'''14 August 2005''': [[C12DS]] is released!!<br />
*'''21 August 2005''': The [[Creatures Wiki]] reaches a total of 2000 articles.<br />
*'''30 September 2005''': [[Kutoka Interactive]] released [[Creatures Exodus]] and [[Creatures Village]] for [[Windows]] and [[Macintosh|Mac OS X]]<br />
*'''15 October 2005''': [[Alien]] releases the [[Fluffy Norn]]s<br />
*'''18 October 2005''': [[clohse]] releases [[Ron's House]]<br />
*'''24 November 2005''': [[Amanora]] releases the [[Flora Norn]]s version 2.<br />
*'''27 November 2005''': [[Christmasnorn]] 2005 begins<br />
*'''23 December 2005''': [[Magnanorn]] launches his huge warship, [[Warzone]], to send revenge ettins to all docking station players to destroy their colonies.<br />
<br />
:''Got stuff that should go here? Click the [http://creatures.wikicities.com/index.php?title=History&action=edit&section=16 Edit] link and add it! -- [[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]<br />
<br />
[[Category:Community]]</div>80.189.233.57https://creatures.wiki/index.php?title=Docking_Station&diff=2071Docking Station2005-12-23T22:10:38Z<p>80.189.233.57: /* Key players */</p>
<hr />
<div>[[Image:Dockingstation.png|frame|left|The DS logo]]<br />
'''Docking Station''' is a game in the [[Creatures series]], set on the [[Lone Shee]]'s spaceship, the ''[[Capillata]]''. It is known for being the first [[Creatures series|Creatures]] game with online networking capability, see [[DS Server]].<br />
<br />
The title is available to '''[[Docking Station#External links|download for ''free'']]''' for [[Windows]] and [[Linux]], or it can be purchased as part of [[Creatures Exodus]] for the [[Macintosh|Mac OS X]].<br />
<br />
Creatures Docking Station can be [[docked]] with the retail [[Creatures 3]] to make an even larger [[world]], hence its name. In addition, several [[:Category:C3/DS Breeds|breeds]] are available to add to the game, some [[official]], some [[third-party]]. Each of the official [[breed]]s has an entry in the [[Docking Station Story]]. To play the game online you will need register for a free [[Docking Station id]].<br />
<br />
Docking Station features an improved version of the [[Creatures Evolution Engine]] (Including the [[NetBabel]] protocol which is responsible for internet-based things such as the [[warp]]), and some [[agent]]s are designed to work only with it. Conversely, others require [[Creatures 3]] to be installed if they use [[script]]s or [[sprite]]s from it.<br />
<br />
''Want to know who was involved in making Docking Station? Read the [[Docking Station Credits|credits]]!''<br />
<br />
==Rooms==<br />
The game is small - meaning that docking with [[Creatures 3]] or adding [[third-party]] [[metaroom]]s is a requirement in order to make a reasonably-sized world to play in - but still comes with several [[metaroom]]s:<br />
<br />
*[[Norn Meso]] - the main metaroom of Docking Station, with the [[egg layer]] and [[learning machine]], allowing you to play with and look after your norns<br />
*[[Comms Room]] - a metaroom which allows you to communicate with other online players<br />
*[[Workshop]] - the entry point for the [[warp]], including the [[Containment Chamber]]<br />
*[[Hub]] - connects all three metarooms together, allowing travel between them.<br />
<br />
''To see [[third-party]] metarooms, check out [[:Category:Unofficial_Metarooms]]!''<br />
<br />
==Agents==<br />
[[Agent]]s of note include:<br />
*The [[HoverDoc]]<br />
*The [[Containment Chamber]]<br />
<br />
==Breeds==<br />
Docking Station includes the [[ChiChi Norn]] but there are many other [[official]] breeds that come as part of [[Creatures 3]] or can be bought from the [[Creatures Mall]] to be used with it:<br />
<br />
===Included===<br />
*[[ChiChi Norn]]<br />
===Free Official Addons===<br />
*[[Magma Norn]]<br />
===In Creatures 3===<br />
*[[Bengal Norn]]<br />
*[[Bruin Norn]]<br />
*[[Civet Norn]]<br />
*[[Jungle Grendel]]<br />
*[[Desert Ettin]]<br />
===Breed Packs===<br />
*[[Astro Norn]]<br />
*[[Bondi Norn]]<br />
*[[Fallow Norn]]<br />
*[[Hardman Norn]]<br />
*[[Harlequin Norn]]<br />
*[[Siamese Norn]]<br />
*[[Treehugger Norn]]<br />
*[[Toxic Norn]]<br />
*[[Zebra Norn]]<br />
*[[Banshee Grendel]]<br />
<br />
There are also many [[third-party]] breeds available for free download. <br><br />
''See [[:Category:C3/DS Breeds]] for a listing of breeds for DS!''<br />
<br />
==Key players==<br />
*[[Banshee]]<br />
*[[Capillata]]<br />
*[[Lone Shee]]<br />
*[[Magnanorn]]<br />
*[[Shee]]<br />
<br />
==Game information==<br />
*[[C3/DS CAOS Codes]]<br />
<br />
==Related links==<br />
*[[:Category: Docking Station|'''Docking Station category''']]<br />
*[[DS Server|Docking Station online server]].<br />
*[[Creatures Internet Edition]]<br />
*[[Creatures Exodus]]<br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
* [http://www.gamewaredevelopment.co.uk/downloads_more.php?id=22_0_8_0_M13 Download Docking Station (PC)]<br />
* [http://www.gamewaredevelopment.co.uk/downloads_more.php?id=448_0_8_0_M13 Download Docking Station (Linux)]<br />
* [http://www.gamewaredevelopment.co.uk/ds/ds_index.php Docking Station Central] where you can register or view your DS profile<br />
* [http://www.gamewaredevelopment.co.uk/downloads.php?id=C0_25_8 The online Creatures Manuals] from [[Gameware Development|Gameware]]<br />
* [[Games:Creatures 3|Creatures 3]] in the [[Games:Main Page|gameinfo wiki]], including a detailed guide<br />
* [http://www.simons-rock.edu/~rlovison/dsmanual/index.htm Docking Station Manual] - an online version of the manual at [[Artificial Life for Linux]]<br />
__NOTOC__<br />
[[Category: Creatures games]][[Category:Linux Creatures games]]<br />
[[Category: Docking Station]]</div>80.189.233.57https://creatures.wiki/index.php?title=Docking_Station&diff=2070Docking Station2005-12-23T22:09:51Z<p>80.189.233.57: /* Key players */</p>
<hr />
<div>[[Image:Dockingstation.png|frame|left|The DS logo]]<br />
'''Docking Station''' is a game in the [[Creatures series]], set on the [[Lone Shee]]'s spaceship, the ''[[Capillata]]''. It is known for being the first [[Creatures series|Creatures]] game with online networking capability, see [[DS Server]].<br />
<br />
The title is available to '''[[Docking Station#External links|download for ''free'']]''' for [[Windows]] and [[Linux]], or it can be purchased as part of [[Creatures Exodus]] for the [[Macintosh|Mac OS X]].<br />
<br />
Creatures Docking Station can be [[docked]] with the retail [[Creatures 3]] to make an even larger [[world]], hence its name. In addition, several [[:Category:C3/DS Breeds|breeds]] are available to add to the game, some [[official]], some [[third-party]]. Each of the official [[breed]]s has an entry in the [[Docking Station Story]]. To play the game online you will need register for a free [[Docking Station id]].<br />
<br />
Docking Station features an improved version of the [[Creatures Evolution Engine]] (Including the [[NetBabel]] protocol which is responsible for internet-based things such as the [[warp]]), and some [[agent]]s are designed to work only with it. Conversely, others require [[Creatures 3]] to be installed if they use [[script]]s or [[sprite]]s from it.<br />
<br />
''Want to know who was involved in making Docking Station? Read the [[Docking Station Credits|credits]]!''<br />
<br />
==Rooms==<br />
The game is small - meaning that docking with [[Creatures 3]] or adding [[third-party]] [[metaroom]]s is a requirement in order to make a reasonably-sized world to play in - but still comes with several [[metaroom]]s:<br />
<br />
*[[Norn Meso]] - the main metaroom of Docking Station, with the [[egg layer]] and [[learning machine]], allowing you to play with and look after your norns<br />
*[[Comms Room]] - a metaroom which allows you to communicate with other online players<br />
*[[Workshop]] - the entry point for the [[warp]], including the [[Containment Chamber]]<br />
*[[Hub]] - connects all three metarooms together, allowing travel between them.<br />
<br />
''To see [[third-party]] metarooms, check out [[:Category:Unofficial_Metarooms]]!''<br />
<br />
==Agents==<br />
[[Agent]]s of note include:<br />
*The [[HoverDoc]]<br />
*The [[Containment Chamber]]<br />
<br />
==Breeds==<br />
Docking Station includes the [[ChiChi Norn]] but there are many other [[official]] breeds that come as part of [[Creatures 3]] or can be bought from the [[Creatures Mall]] to be used with it:<br />
<br />
===Included===<br />
*[[ChiChi Norn]]<br />
===Free Official Addons===<br />
*[[Magma Norn]]<br />
===In Creatures 3===<br />
*[[Bengal Norn]]<br />
*[[Bruin Norn]]<br />
*[[Civet Norn]]<br />
*[[Jungle Grendel]]<br />
*[[Desert Ettin]]<br />
===Breed Packs===<br />
*[[Astro Norn]]<br />
*[[Bondi Norn]]<br />
*[[Fallow Norn]]<br />
*[[Hardman Norn]]<br />
*[[Harlequin Norn]]<br />
*[[Siamese Norn]]<br />
*[[Treehugger Norn]]<br />
*[[Toxic Norn]]<br />
*[[Zebra Norn]]<br />
*[[Banshee Grendel]]<br />
<br />
There are also many [[third-party]] breeds available for free download. <br><br />
''See [[:Category:C3/DS Breeds]] for a listing of breeds for DS!''<br />
<br />
==Key players==<br />
*[[Banshee]]<br />
*[[Capillata]]<br />
*[[Lone Shee]]<br />
*[[Shee]]<br />
*[[Magnanorn]]<br />
<br />
==Game information==<br />
*[[C3/DS CAOS Codes]]<br />
<br />
==Related links==<br />
*[[:Category: Docking Station|'''Docking Station category''']]<br />
*[[DS Server|Docking Station online server]].<br />
*[[Creatures Internet Edition]]<br />
*[[Creatures Exodus]]<br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
* [http://www.gamewaredevelopment.co.uk/downloads_more.php?id=22_0_8_0_M13 Download Docking Station (PC)]<br />
* [http://www.gamewaredevelopment.co.uk/downloads_more.php?id=448_0_8_0_M13 Download Docking Station (Linux)]<br />
* [http://www.gamewaredevelopment.co.uk/ds/ds_index.php Docking Station Central] where you can register or view your DS profile<br />
* [http://www.gamewaredevelopment.co.uk/downloads.php?id=C0_25_8 The online Creatures Manuals] from [[Gameware Development|Gameware]]<br />
* [[Games:Creatures 3|Creatures 3]] in the [[Games:Main Page|gameinfo wiki]], including a detailed guide<br />
* [http://www.simons-rock.edu/~rlovison/dsmanual/index.htm Docking Station Manual] - an online version of the manual at [[Artificial Life for Linux]]<br />
__NOTOC__<br />
[[Category: Creatures games]][[Category:Linux Creatures games]]<br />
[[Category: Docking Station]]</div>80.189.233.57https://creatures.wiki/index.php?title=Category:People&diff=3029Category:People2005-12-23T22:07:07Z<p>80.189.233.57: /* People to add */</p>
<hr />
<div>[[Image:Nornandgrendel.jpg|right|Remember, grendels are people too . . .]]<br />
The [[Creatures Community]] is based on people. Without people, there would be no community. So here is a section all about the people that make up this corner of the Internet of ours, past and present.<br />
<br />
If someone has made a difference in the CC (including you!), then it is worth remembering who they are, so here is your chance to do so - just create a page about them, and then add:<br />
<nowiki>[[Category:People]]</nowiki> to the end (if they're an employee, put <nowiki>[[Category:Employees]]</nowiki> too - same for fiction writer, developer, etc). If you have a photo or user picture/icon for them, upload it and put it in [[:Category:Photos of people]] or [[:Category:User pictures]] respectively, then link to it from the page you write.<br />
<br />
'''Scroll down to see people already added'''. You might also find the [http://creatures.wikicities.com/index.php?title=Special%3AAllpages&from=&namespace=2 list of Creatures Wiki user pages] useful.<br />
<br />
==People to add==<br />
''If anyone wants to, add the following people and then remove them from this list, or add someone you think should be here, and then write an article about them! Feel free to write about yourself (preferably in third-person :-):''<br />
<table valign="top"><br />
<tr><td>A-D</td><td>E-L</td><td>N-P</td><td>R-Z</td><br />
<tr valign="top"><td><br />
*[[Anduin]]<br />
*[[Amanita]]<br />
*[[Ant (person)|Ant]]<br />
*[[Bio Storm]]<br />
*[[Cmaza]]<br />
*[[Daniel Smallman]]<br />
*[[Das]]<br />
*[[Dave Cliff]]<br />
*[[Denise Voskuil]]<br />
*[[Dillon]]<br />
*[[DragonGirl]]<br />
*[[Donutking]]<br />
</td><td><br />
*[[emmel]]<br />
*[[Eme]]<br />
*[[Esse]]<br />
*[[Foster Mum]]<br />
*[[General Lafayette]]<br />
*[[Guflor]]<br />
*[[Hans]]<br />
*[[Island Norn]]<br />
*[[Jan Martin]]<br />
*[[Jason Westerman]]<br />
*[[jimbo]]<br />
*[[Kari]]<br />
*[[Kathira]]<br />
*[[Kithugi]]<br />
</td><td><br />
*[[Mae Tang]]<br />
*[[Magnanorn]]<br />
*[[Malveka]]<br />
*[[Mannkind]]<br />
*[[Mark Boehler]]<br />
*[[Max]]<br />
*[[Miranda]]<br />
*[[Monika]]<br />
*[[mumblebox]]<br />
*[[Muppetboy]]<br />
*[[Nimue]]<br />
*[[Nornavis]]<br />
*[[NORNGod]]<br />
*[[nornfreaky]]<br />
*[[Pandora]]<br />
*[[Patrick Harvey]]<br />
*[[PMNBreeder]]<br />
*[[Pool Shark]]<br />
</td><td><br />
*[[RudeDog]]<br />
*[[Samstar]]<br />
*[[SaxGirl]]<br />
*[[Silence]]<br />
*[[Slaterbait]]<br />
*[[Snapdragon]]<br />
*[[SnowFox]]<br />
*[[SnornL]]<br />
*[[Sparrow]]<br />
*[[Stefan Kuske]]<br />
*[[Studz]]<br />
*[[TraxDJ]]<br />
*[[Uecasm]]<br />
*[[Uttar]]<br />
*[[ZimIsSoCool]] (a.k.a. robomonkeyfan)<br />
</td></tr></table><br />
[[Category:Community]][[Category:Old root]][[Category:Root]]</div>80.189.233.57https://creatures.wiki/index.php?title=Magnanorn&diff=29357Magnanorn2005-12-23T22:05:30Z<p>80.189.233.57: </p>
<hr />
<div>Magnanorn is a docking station player who, up until the 23 of december, 2005 was not well known, now, however, he is known as the tyrant of docking station as he has since invaded people's worlds with revenge ettins.</div>80.189.233.57https://creatures.wiki/index.php?title=History&diff=6607History2005-12-23T22:03:14Z<p>80.189.233.57: /* 2005 */</p>
<hr />
<div>The [[Creatures series]] of games has had a long and convoluted history. This page is dedicated to it, in particular the events surrounding the companies involved in their creation: [[Millennium]], [[Cyberlife]], [[Creature Labs]], [[Entraline]] and [[Gameware]].<br />
<br />
A good overview from Development Director [[Ian Saunter]] is provided in:<br />
* [http://www.gamewaredevelopment.co.uk/creatures_more.php?id=17_0_6_0_M8 A potted history of Creature Labs and Gameware Development (the official story)]<br />
<br />
More on the relationship between the various companies can be found in:<br />
* ''[http://www.gamewaredevelopment.co.uk/diary_more.php?id=100_0_9_20_M A step back in time]''<br />
<br />
Large amounts of this timeline were derived from [http://fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/creaturesarchive/creatures_history.htm Steve Grand's notes]. Many thanks to [[Steve Grand|Steve]] for providing this resource to the community! If, however, you're more interested in the ''timeline'' of the [[Creatures series]], click [http://www.gamewaredevelopment.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=3123&postcount=3 here].<br />
<br />
[[Image:Creaturesandegg.jpg|right|frame|''Creatures'': Their Life Is In Your Hands]]<br />
==Timeline of Events==<br />
''Don't hesitate to fill stuff in - and don't feel you have to restrict yourself to official doings, anything that has interest to the community is fine :-)''<br />
<br />
===Pre-1992===<br />
*'''Late 1986/Early 1987''': [[Steve Grand]] is inspired by his reading of ''The Planiverse: Computer Contact With a Two-Dimensional World'' ([http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0387989161/ Amazon UK], [http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0387989161/ Amazon US]; at time of writing, probably a lot cheaper to buy from the US!) and suggests [[Creatures]] to his employers as an educational game - but there is no interest<br />
*'''1988''': [[Millennium]] is founded by [[Michael Hayward]], [[Tony Beckwith]], [[Ian Saunter]] and one other - they remain for a few months in Michael's house before moving to a local science park; [[Steve Grand]] remembers suggesting [[Creatures]] again (although Ian has no memory of this, so perhaps this was to his old employers)<br />
*'''1990''': [[Millennium]] release Hoverforce, Horror Zombies from the Crypt and Thunderstrike<br />
*'''1991''': [[Millennium]] release Virtual Reality, Volume 2, Stormball, The Adventures of Robin Hood and James Pond 2: Codename: RoboCod (which makes a return 12 years later as [[James Pond: RoboCod]])<br />
<br />
===1992===<br />
*'''1992''': [[Millennium]] release Cyber Empires, The Aquatic Games, Daughter of Serpents, Global Effect and Rome AD 92<br />
:''[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]: I remember Global Effect! Great game!<br />
*'''September 1992''': [[Creatures]] is 'officially' conceived, although it will take years to develop fully into the game we know today. From [[Tips.txt]]:<br />
:''The initial ideas for this project were conceived on a motel balcony in Winthrop, WA, USA in September 1992.''<br />
*'''4 November 1992''': [[Steve Grand]] writes [http://fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/creaturesarchive/initialpitch.htm A Mouse for Windows]<br />
*'''16 November 1992''': [[Steve Grand]] writes [http://fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/creaturesarchive/ewokspitch.htm Little Computer Ewoks]<br />
*'''23 December 1992''': [[Steve Grand]] writes [http://fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/creaturesarchive/techproposal.htm Ewoks techie bit for proposal]<br />
<br />
===1993===<br />
*'''1993''': [[Millennium]] release James Pond 3: Operation Starfish<br />
*'''8 March 1993''': [[Steve Grand]] writes [http://fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/creaturesarchive/mythography.htm Small Furry Creatures: A Mythography] (first use of [[Small Furry Creatures]] as title), which contains the first details of the [[Journey]], [[Grendel]]s (although not as we know them today), [[Ettin]]s (even dumber than they turned out) and the [[Shee]] (Siðe)<br />
*'''1 June 1993''': First available notes from [[Steve Grand|Steve Grand's]] [http://fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/creaturesarchive/progdiary.htm programming diary] - very interesting reading<br />
*'''18 July 1993''': [[Steve Grand]] writes the first fragments of a [[Creatures]]-themed novella, [[Wulf's Journey]], creating the first Creatures [[:Category:Fiction|fan-fiction]] over three years before the game was actually released<br />
*'''12 December 1993''': [[Steve Grand]] explains that the mythology is [http://fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/creaturesarchive/rationale.htm intended for background purposes], not as an actual plot line:<br />
:''I never intended Creatures to be an adventure game or have a fixed plot at all - the idea was that you would create your own stories . . . But everyone had interpreted my mythography stuff far too literally, and people were trying to make Creatures into some kind of Norse adventure game . . .''<br />
:''[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper's]] thought: '''"Viking Creatures: Norns with Horns!"'''''<br />
<br />
===1994===<br />
*'''3 May - 10 May 1994''' A prototype [[Secret Adventure Mode]] is documented in [[Steve Grand]]'s programming diary. [http://fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/creaturesarchive/progdiary.htm] <br />
*'''6 July 1994''': [[Michael Hayward]] decides that the game needs more time to mature and that [[Steve Grand]] should "take the game out of the schedule" (see the [http://fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/creaturesarchive/progdiary.htm diary entry])<br />
:''[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]: I think this was a very important decision - without the extra time for correct positioning and reworking, [[Creatures]] would never have been the game it turned out to be. Heck, it was still for DOS back then, and [[bibble]] hadn't even been conceived! :-)''<br />
:It is also interesting to note the features described as possible for the rewrite, many of which would not be fully realized until [[Creatures 3]] or [[Docking Station]]: ''Decided to add 5 months to schedule; more gratuitous graphics; more facial expressions; new norns (monkeylike); everybody’s norn is unique; complete rethink and rewrite of code; add hooks for extensions; allow norns to travel from one person’s system to another, via disc or modem; buy new norns; possible speech in/out.''<br />
*'''1 August 1994''': The [[Cheat]] menu is added<br />
*'''10 October 1994''': Plans for DDE support are finalized, laying the foundations for [[:Category:C1 Tools|external tools]] to communicate with [[Creatures]]<br />
*'''14 November 1994''': [[Michael Hayward]] first demonstrates the [[Creatures]] prototype to '''Warner Interactive''', who liken its breadth of appeal to that of the first spreadsheet, Visicalc<br />
*'''20 November 1994''': [[Cyberlife]] is set up to develop and exploit [[Steve Grand|Steve Grand's]] ideas<br />
<br />
===1995===<br />
*'''23 January 1995''': [[Steve Grand]] has the idea of making a [[background model]] of the [[Creatures]] environment and digitising it; [[Mark Rafter]] agrees a few days later, and begins work on the model<br />
*'''Mid-1995''': [[Cyberlife]] agrees a publishing deal with '''Warner Interactive''' and a advance of £1m is paid representing an estimated 200,000 units of sales; in fact, over half a million copies of the [[Creatures]] will eventually be sold, a large proportion overseas<br />
*'''19 July 1995''': [[Creatures]] finally has a complete [http://fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/creaturesarchive/designdef.htm design definition] - as with most software development projects, it required actually building most of the program to fully define it . . .<br />
===1996===<br />
*'''10:50 am, 21 March 1996''': The first [[norn]] ever bred in captivity was born. He was called [[Cain]], son of [[Ron]] and [[Eve]].<br />
*'''22 April 1996''': The twin spectres of [[disease]] and [[bacteria]] are introduced to [[Creatures]]<br />
*'''November 1996''' The [[Cyberlife]] department has 10 people in it<br />
*'''11 November 1996''': [[Creatures]] is released, selling 100,000 copies in the first month; its publishers - '''Warner Interactive''' - are quickly acquired by '''GT Interactive''', who become the new distributors<br />
*'''December 1996''': [[Christmas Pack|Christmas Pack 1]] for [[Creatures]] is released - it has over 4000 downloads in the first week. The [[Object Injector Kit]] is included with the Christmas Pack. [http://web.archive.org/web/19970110042052/www.cyberlife.co.uk/creatures_shop_christmas_pack.htm]<br />
*'''18 December 1996''': The "[[Norn]] 6-pack" is released: Buffy, Dion, Jarvis, Melvin, Sharla, and Teesha ([http://www.zen9361.zen.co.uk/keep/creatureswiki/sixpack.zip download])<br />
<br />
===1997===<br />
*'''1997''': [[Steve Grand]], [[Dave Cliff]], and [[Anil Malhotra]] write ''[http://fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/articles/agents_'97_paper.htm Creatures: Artificial Life Autonomous Software Agents] <br />
*'''March 1997''': [[alt.games.creatures]] is founded<br />
*'''May 1997''': The term "[[wolfling run]]" is coined.<br />
*'''2 May 1997''': Margot Adler of NPR reports on [[Creatures]] : [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1039605 listen to it here]<br />
*'''July 1997''': The PS1 division of [[Cyberlife]] is sold to Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, along with 60 of the 80 jobs at the company.<br />
*'''15 July 1997''': [[Creatures]] is released in the USA by [[Mindscape]]<br />
*'''August 1997''': [[Object Pack|Object Pack 1]] for [[Creatures]] is released, along with the [[Observation Kit]] and [[Preview Kit]]<br />
*'''5 August 1997''': [[Creatures]] is awarded Best Strategy Game at Macworld Expo<br />
*'''1 September 1997''':The term "[[feral run]]" is coined.<br />
*'''7 September 1997''': The [[NORN Collective]] is [http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.games.creatures/browse_frm/thread/1635a9226de7d6e0/b9eb0601eba0bd4d conceived]<br />
*'''October 1997''': [[Object Pack|Object Pack 2]] for [[Creatures]] is released<br />
*'''22 October 1997''': The [[Naven]] is "discovered" by [[NitGold]], and is reported to [[A.G.C.]]. <br />
*'''December 1997''': [[Christmas Pack|Christmas Pack 2]] for [[Creatures]] is released<br />
*'''17 December 1997''': The [[Genetics Kit]] for [[Creatures]] is released.<br />
*'''28 December 1997''': The [[Bacchus]] [[mutation]] is reported to [[A.G.C.]]<br />
*'''29 December 1997''': [[Flame]] [http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.games.creatures/browse_frm/thread/3108bfe5253867c6 forms] the [[Norn Doll Wanters A Lotters]]<br />
<br />
===1998===<br />
*'''1998''': [[Steve Grand]] and [[Dave Cliff]] write ''[http://www.hpl.hp.com/personal/dave_cliff/papers_online.htm Creatures: Entertainment Software Agents with Artificial Life]''<br />
*'''11 February 1998''': [[Mindscape]] announce that they will be publishing the sequel to [[Creatures]], which is currently approaching 400,000 units sold; their CEO says that:<br />
:''"Anyone who has ever played with Creatures will be pleased with the surprises the sequel has to offer."''<br />
*'''28 February 1998''': The [[Secret Adventure Mode]] in [[Creatures 1]] is reported [[A.G.C.]] by [[David Wood]]<br />
*'''17 March 1998''': [[Cyberlife|Cyberlife's]] [[Applied Research]] department wins a Ministry of Defence contract to research unmanned airborne vehicles<br />
*'''29 April 1998''': [[AntiNorn]] launches [[Tortured Norns]], instantly becoming the most hated person in the [[Creatures Community]]<br />
*'''May 1998''': [[Lisa de Araujo]] joins as internet marketing manager <br />
*'''8 May 1998''': [[David Ball]], formerly of Nortel, is appointed as Chairman of [[Cyberlife]], and Professor [[Chris Winter]] takes over as Development Director <br />
*'''9 May 1998''' New Scientist magazine writes [[Agents from Albia]].<br />
*'''22 May 1998''': [[Toby Simpson]] states that [[Creatures 2]] will be released "early Q3 this year" in [http://www.gamasutra.com/features/game_design/19980522/simpson_toby_01.htm From Creatures to Androids: An Interview with Toby Simpson of CyberLife]<br />
*'''23 May 1998''': [[Norn and Grendel Day]]<br />
*'''28-31 May 1998''': [[Blueberry]] the [[norndoll]] is stolen while [[Cyberlife]] are attending the E3 games conference - a £1000 reward is posted, but will remain unclaimed for almost a year<br />
*'''13 June 1998''': [[Bean]] posts the first of her [[HoloDeck series]] of [[:Category:Fiction|stories]] on [[alt.games.creatures]]<br />
*'''29 June 1998''': The [[Creatures series]] becomes the only computer game to be [http://www.freewebs.com/alimaggs/creaturescouk/Creaturescouk/www.creatures.co.uk/Newstand/mediabox/ns_media_dome.htm awarded Millennium Products status] - over 500,000 units have been sold, and from this ''[http://www.hpl.hp.com/personal/dave_cliff/creatures.pdf The Creatures Global Digital Ecosystem]'' later estimates a global [[norn]] population of around 5 million<br />
*'''July 1998''': [[Cyberlife]] does a [http://www.freewebs.com/alimaggs/creaturescouk/Creaturescouk/www.creatures.co.uk/newstand/survey/ns_survey_web.htm survey] of the [[Creatures Community]] - the demographics have remained relatively the same ever since the previous survey. <br />
*'''August 1998''': At this time the [[Cyberlife]] team is about 40 people<br />
*'''27 August 1998''': [[Creatures 2]] is released by [[Mindscape]]; members of the [[Early Adoption Program]] receive their copies some days later. <br />
*'''10-13 September 1998''': [[Cyberlife]] host ''[http://www.cyberbiology.org/ Digital Biota 2]'' in Cambridge - among the participants are [[Steve Grand]], [[Chris Winter]], '''Richard Dawkins''' and '''Douglas Adams''' ([http://www.biota.org/people/douglasadams/ his talk])<br />
*'''Mid-September 1998''': The [[Creatures 2]] [[Object Pack|Object Pack 1]] is released<br />
*'''22 September 1998''': [[Cyberlife]] release their updated [[Creatures 2 genome]].<br />
*'''October 1998''': The [[Creatures 2]] [[Object Pack|Object Pack 2]] is released<br />
*'''13 October 1998''': [[CptSiskoX]] is arrested for copyright and trademark violations<br />
*'''December 1998''': The [[Creatures 2]] [[Christmas Pack]] is released<br />
*'''7 December 1998''': Mattel [http://news.com.com/2100-1001-219053.html?legacy=cnet purchases] The Learning Company (which owns Mindscape, producer of the [[Creatures series]]) for $3.8 billion in stock - they soon realise they've made a mistake and resond by slashing costs like marketing budgets<br />
*'''12 December 1998''': [[Frimlin's Kiwi Creatures]] wins the [[Golden Shee Awards]], being voted the Most Popular Creatures Site; [[Ping]] and [[Ali]] come joint second with [[CreaturesLife.net]] and [[Albia 2000]]<br />
<br />
===1999===<br />
*'''1 January 1999''': [[Mike Raiford]] [http://groups.google.co.uk/groups?threadm=O3ij2.816%24d01.5550%40typhoon01.swbell.net releases] the first version of [[GEL]]<br />
*'''2 January 1999''': The [[alt.games.creatures#JNCOBOY|&#91;JNCOBOY&#93; EVERYONE READ!!!!]] thread starts on [[alt.games.creatures]] - it subsequently receives over '''7000''' replies spanning 6 years<br />
:[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]: The above is a current (Jan 2005) estimate - the thread has not yet stopped!<br />
*'''11 January 1999''': [[Francis Irving]] joins [[Creature Labs]]<br />
*'''3 February 1999''': [[Dillon]] creates [[alt.games.creatures.moderated]]<br />
*'''5 February 1999''': [[Cyberlife]] launches the [[Creatures Development Network]]<br />
*'''1 March 1999''': [[Cyberlife]] release the [[Sprite Workshop]], [[COB Compiler]], [[Attachment Editor]], [[Egg Maker]], [[Genetics Mapper]] and [[RGB Converter]] onto the [[CDN]]<br />
*'''9 March 1999''': After raising £1 million in equity from '''Foresight Technology''' and appointing [[Howard Newmark]] as Publishing Director, [[Ian Saunter]] as Development Director and [[Toby Simpson]] as Creative Director, [[Cyberlife]] officially splits into three departments - [[Applied Research]] (defense projects), the [[Cyberlife Institute]] (research and development) and [[Creature Labs]] (entertainment); of the three, only [[Creature Labs]] lasts more than a year<br />
*'''1 April 1999''': [[jcarrcwalk]] releases [[Dragon Nornior]]<br />
*'''25 April 1999''': [[Creature Labs]] begins selling the [[Room Editor]] and the [[Pose and Gait Editor]] (PAGE)<br />
*'''20 May 1999''': [[Ashley Harman|Ash Harman (Frimlin)]] joins [[Creatures Labs]]<br />
*'''June 1999''': [[Ben Gonshaw]] joines [[Creatures Labs]]<br />
*'''June 1999''': [[Wayne Stallwood]] joins [[Creature Labs]]<br />
*'''16 June 1999''': [[Moca]] creates the first issue of [[We be Creatures!]]<br />
*'''18 June 1999''': [[SETI@home|Creatures SETI@home team]] founded<br />
*'''28 June 1999''': [[Creature Labs]] becomes the first computer game developer to be awarded the ISO 9001 TickIT certification<br />
*'''13 July 1999''': [[Chris Chat]] is founded by [[Chris Der]]<br />
*'''16 July 1999''': [[Bean]] posts her last chapter in the [[HoloDeck series]] on [[alt.games.creatures]]<br />
*'''7 October 1999''': [[Creatures Adventures]] is released by [[Mindscape]]<br />
*'''29 October 1999''': [[HomeCreatures]] goes live<br />
*'''November 1999''': The [[Applied Research]] department is closed, including the [[Origin]] project and [[Steve Grand]] leaves [[Cyberlife]]; the [[Cyberlife Institute]] closes with his departure<br />
*'''1 November 1999''': [[Creatures 3]] is released in the USA by [[Mindscape]] - as a result of problems at the company it is barely promoted and sales are dismal<br />
*'''20 November 1999''': First patch for [[Creatures 3]] is released<br />
*'''12 December 1999''': [[CreaturesLife.net]] notes that an add-on to [[Creatures 3]] is in the works - ''"Currently named '[[Docking Station|docker]]' it allows you to dock to C3 spaceships."''<br />
*'''Late 1999''': [[Dave Cliff]] and [[Steve Grand]] write ''[http://www.hpl.hp.com/personal/dave_cliff/creatures.pdf The Creatures Global Digital Ecosystem]'' [PDF]<br />
<br />
===2000===<br />
*'''January 2000''': PC Gamer (Feb edition) confirms that there is likely to be a "Creatures 3.5 - Docking station", scheduled for Q3 2000<br />
*'''12 January 2000''': [[Cyberlife]] officially begins calling itself [[Creature Labs]],<br />
:''". . . and moves into the entertainment sector and returns with a new direction and new focus."''<br />
*'''15 January 2000''': [[SteerPike]] dies; much of the [[Creatures Community]] mourns his loss<br />
*'''18 January 2000''': [[Creature Labs]] appoints a new CEO, [[Chris McKee]]; his previous job was at '''Interleaf''':<br />
:''"[a company providing] enterprise-wide software solutions for XML-based Internet content management"''<br />
*'''17 February 2000''': Update 2 for [[Creatures 3]] is released by [[Creature Labs]]; it includes a newer, more expressive [[genome]]<br />
*'''23 February 2000''': [[Creature Labs]] announces the development of [[Beasts]]:<br />
:''"Beasts" is an exciting new game from Creature Labs based on the mysterious wilderness monster known as the Abominable Snowman or Yeti, tracks of which have been discovered in the Himalayan regions of India, Nepal, and Tibet. According to locals, the Yeti is but one of several unidentified creatures that occupy the highlands of southern Asia. Accounts of another giant known as Sasquatch or Bigfoot have persisted among some American Indians whose tribes inhabited the forests of the Pacific Northwest."''<br />
*'''March 2000''': [[Mark Stamps]] is appointed Director of IT at [[Creature Labs]]<br />
*'''10 March 2000''': The [[Creatures 3]] [[Genetics Kit]] is released<br />
*'''6 April 2000''': [[Creature Labs]] announce the development of ''Sea-Monkey Marina'' (subsequently entitled "The [[Amazing Virtual Sea-Monkeys]]") - CL Publishing Director [[Howard Newmark]] states that:<br />
:''"As long-time fans and admirers of the Sea-Monkey phenomenon, we have always felt that a Sea-Monkey title based on our CyberLife technology would be a great success. We're very pleased to be associated with such a huge brand and we're looking forward to doing it justice with a superb product."''<br />
*'''25 April 2000''': The first episode of ''The Last Shee in Albia'' is published, introducing the [[Lone Shee]]<br />
*'''28 April 2000''': [[Daniel Silverstone]] (Kinnison) leaves [[Creature Labs]]<br />
*'''26 May 2000''': [[Creatures Labs]] license the original [[Creatures]] on '''Freeloader''', an online game distribution service<br />
*'''2 June 2000''': The [[Creatures 2]] [[World Switcher]], previously only available in the [[Life Kit]], is released as a free download<br />
*'''9 June 2000''': [[Creature Labs]] and [[Chaos Development]] announce the imminent release of [[Montu]]<br />
*'''27 June 2000''': [[Creature Labs]] [http://web.archive.org/web/20020329035112/http://www.creatures.co.uk/Newstand/mediabox/ns_media_genomemap.htm announce the complete mapping of the Norn genome] (archived copy)<br />
*'''July 2000''': The [[C12DS]] project is started<br />
*'''6 July 2000''': Prior head of '''Our Price''' and '''Waterstones''' [[David Clipsham]] joins [[Creature Labs]] as chairman<br />
*'''25 July 2000''': A new [[newsletter]] is announced, entitled ''Much Ado About Norns''<br />
*'''August 2000''': Issue 2 of ''Much Ado About Norns'' asks whether [[norn]]s are alive - [http://www.gamewaredevelopment.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=31092&postcount=30 47% say they are], 20% that they aren't; the rest don't know<br />
*'''15 September 2000''': [[Creature Labs]] sign deals for the [[Snowman Interactive Storybook]] with UK publisher '''FastTrak''' and French distributor '''Emme''' and with '''SWING! Entertainment''' for [[Creatures GBA]] and the GameCube<br />
*'''October 2000''': Venture captial specialists '''3i Group''' and '''Foresight Technology VCT''' invest £2.5m in [[Creature Labs]] in convertible loan stock, almost all of which will subsequently be writen off<br />
*'''20 October 2000''': [[Aktion Millennium]] starts at [[Mummy's Creatures]]<br />
*'''2 November 2000''': [[Creatures Trilogy]] is released by '''Encore Software''' in the US, and [[Creatures Adventures]] wins an EMMA<br />
*'''3 November 2000''': [[Les Edgar]] - co-founder of '''Bullfrog''' - is appointed to the board of directors for [[Creature Labs]]<br />
*'''7 November 2000''': [[NeoDecatur]] releases the [[Americana Pack]] for [[Creatures 3]]<br />
*'''11 November 2000''': [[Creatures Playground]] is released by '''Havas Interactive''' in Europe, '''Encore Software''' in the US and Canada<br />
*'''17 November 2000''': [[Graeme Williams]] joins [[Creature Labs]]<br />
*'''4 December 2000''': [[Andrea Ciolini]] and [[Dominique Whitman]] join [[Creature Labs]]<br />
*'''26 December 2000''': [[Thaddaeus Frogley]] and [[Gavin Buttimore]] win the 15th International Obfuscated C Code Contest with [http://thad.notagoth.org/thadgavin/ THADGAVIN]<br />
<br />
===2001===<br />
*'''24 January 2001''': [[Ian Konrath]] joins [[Creature Labs]] as CFO - [[Chris McKee]] says that:<br />
:''"Ian has the right background - first-hand experience of guiding a company through an IPO, successfully negotiating venture capital and credit lines, and actively working with analysts and the financial community. His proven track record in strategic planning and financial management make him ideally suited to support our growth and corporate development"''<br />
*'''29 January 2001''': [[Jewels]] suffers a fatal stroke; the CC mourns<br />
*'''13 February 2001''': [[Toby Simpson]] and [[Ben Simpson]] leave [[Creature Labs]] to form [[Nicely Crafted]]; they will be joined by [[Mark Ashton]] and [[Robert Dickson]] in late 2002. On the same date, the [[Valentine Norn]]s for [[C2]] are released. <br />
*'''17 February 2001''': [[Millennium Creatures]] relaunches at www.millenniumcreatures.net<br />
*'''1 March 2001''': [[Creature Labs]] ''re''-announce the development of [[Beasts]] as a real-time strategy game<br />
*'''March 2001''': [[Mummy]] launches [[Aktion Farbtopf]]<br />
*'''27 March 2001''': [[Creature Labs]] announce the release of [[Docking Station]]<br />
*'''May 2001''': [[Creatures Labs]] and subsiduaries have 70 employees<br />
*'''2 May 2001''': The [[Bondi Norn]]s are released for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]] - DS beta testers get them free<br />
*'''June 2001''': [[User:Sent|Sent]]: This is a little bit of information that other community members might not know about. [[HomeCreatures]] was eventually closed down as it was inactive. There was originally a merge that was meant to take place between [[Creature Creations]] and [[HomeCreatures]]. The merge started going underway with [[Tim]], myself and other Creations staff members having access to the HC databases, although with there being a few problems (I believe it was with the MGON staff, although I can't be sure) the merge never really took place.<br />
*'''4 July 2001''': [[David Worlock]] is appointed a non-executive director of [[Creature Labs]]<br />
*'''5 July 2001''': The [[Turtle Norn]]s are relased<br />
*'''7 July 2001''': The [[Hardman Norn]]s are released for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]<br />
*'''25 July 2001''': ''Friedeger'' becomes the 100,000th [[norn]] to travel through the [[Warp]]; despite [[Apollo|Apollo's]] attempt to clinch the record by flooding it with many norns ([[Apollo|Apollo's]] computer couldn't handle hundreds) that he copied with the help of [[Clucky|Clucky's]] [[Mini-Copier]], [[KDC]] takes the prize.<br />
*'''August 2001''': Directors at [[Creatures Labs]] realise they are running low on money again and begin searching for new funding options<br />
*'''13 August 2001''': [[Creatures Internet Edition]] (including the [[Magma Norn]]s) is released<br />
*'''20 August 2001''': The [[Treehugger Norn]]s are released for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]<br />
*'''31 August 2001''': The multi-site [[Creatures Forum]] is released by [[Uttar]], [[Helen]] and [[Dan]]<br />
*'''October 2001''': [[Creatures Labs]] release [[Ms. Pac Man: Quest for the Golden Maze]] and [[DIG DUG Deeper]] about now<br />
*'''16 October 2001''': [[Creature Labs]] release The [[Amazing Virtual Sea-Monkeys]]<br />
*'''25 October 2001''': The [[classifier]] reservation system is launched at the [[CDN]]<br />
*'''November 2001''': [[Ben Gonshaw]] leaves [[Creature Labs]]<br />
*'''12 November 2001''': [[Creatures Internet Edition]] for Linux is announced<br />
*'''22 November 2001''': The C3/DS [[Map Editor]] is released at the [[Creatures Mall]]<br />
*'''27 November 2001''': [[SwixSnow]]'s ''Atari'' becomes the 200,000th [[norn]] to pass through the [[Warp]]<br />
*'''30 November 2001''': The [[Toxic Norn]]s are released for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]<br />
*'''7 December 2001''': [[Creatures PS1]] is released in Europe by Swing! Entertainment Media AG<br />
<br />
===2002===<br />
*'''January 2002''': [[Origin of the Digital Species]], a 30-minute documentary produced by the Discovery Channel and filmed by Penninsula Films, released.<br />
*'''11 January 2002''': [[Creatures GBA]] is released in Europe by Swing! Entertainment Media AG<br />
*'''24 January 2002''': The [[Zebra Norn]]s are relased for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]<br />
*'''February 2002''': Work on [[Beasts]] (by now called [[Yeren]]) stops; [[Thaddaeus Frogley]] leaves [[Creature Labs]]<br />
*'''8 February 2002''': [[Creatures GBA]] is released in the US by [[Conspiracy Entertainment]]<br />
*'''14 February 2002''': [[NeoDecatur]] releases an updated [[Valentine's Day Pack]] for [[Docking Station]], while [[Alien]] and [[tomtschek]] release the [[Pink Poodle Ettin]]s<br />
*'''15 February 2002''': The [[Astro Norn]]s are relased for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]<br />
*'''March 2002''': [[HomeCreatures]] finally shuts its doors.<br />
*'''6 March 2002''': Members of [[Wikipedia:H2G2|h2g2]] write an [http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A663491 article] on the [[Creatures series]].<br />
*'''25 March 2002''': The [[Harlequin Norn]]s are relased for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]<br />
*'''April 2002''': [[Creature Labs]] steps up talks with '''3i''' to secure further funding in order to avoid a cashflow crisis. Previous funding from this and other sources has raised £7m.<br />
*'''16 April 2002''': [[BioLabs]] release the [[Borg Norn]]s for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]<br />
*'''20 April 2002''': [[Aktion Pentatypus]] starts at [[Mummy's Creatures]]<br />
*'''24 April 2002''': The [[Lone Shee|Lone Shee's]] [[Fallow Norn]]s are released for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]<br />
*'''25 April 2002''': [[Creature Labs]] non-executive director [[Les Edgar]] is rumoured to be interested in purchasing [[Creature Labs]], 3i having pulled out after conducting further due-dilligence on current management<br />
*'''May 2002''': ''3i'' is not willing to accept the executive board's recomendation that [[Creature Labs]] be sold to board memebers for £75,000 when it had invested £2.5m just 18 months ago, and new options are demanded<br />
*'''14 May 2002''': [[Creatures - Raised in Space|Creatures: Raised in Space]] is released for the PS1 by [[Conspiracy Entertainment]]<br />
*'''27 May 2002''': An extraordinary general meeting is held, presided over by [[Creature Labs]] chief executive [[Chris McKee]] in which options to save the jobs at the company (numbering somewhere between 50 and 43) are discussed; a new holding company is subsequently formed with an infusion of £400,000 in addition to the £75,000 previously offered, but shareholders who fought hard to preserve their interest in the company predict that with a prior "burn rate" of £2m in 15 months:<br />
:''"if the management doesn’t improve and the business made more commercial it could be back in trouble very soon"''<br />
::It's been suggested that this was just one grumpy investor, and that Business Weekly were being overly negative. --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]<br />
:In other news, Creatures Labs released the [[Magma Norn]]s (previously only available in [[Creatures Internet Edition]])<br />
*'''June 2002''': [[Creature Labs]] officially changes its name to '''[[Entraline]] Limited''' - Cyberlife Technology Ltd remains its operating subsidiary<br />
*'''1 July 2002''': [[GreenReaper]] releases his C3/DS [[logon skin|logon screen skins]] for Windows XP<br />
*'''2 July 2002''': The [[Siamese Norn]]s are relased for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]<br />
*'''12 July 2002''': The adapted Atari game [[Warlords]] is released<br />
*'''16 July 2002''': [[Wayne Stallwood]] leaves Creature Labs to start his own business venture; he is bought a Gamecube as a leaving gift and continues to work at CL as an external consultant from time to time<br />
*'''September 2002''': '''Hasbro''' release the [[R2-D2|R2-D2 Interactive Astromech Droid]] with programming provided by [[Creature Labs]]<br />
*'''13 September 2002''': [[Francis Irving]] leaves [[Cyberlife]]; his friends buy him a digital camera as a going-away present<br />
*'''20 September 2002''': [[Creatures Gold]] is released by Focus Software<br />
*'''16 October 2002''': The [[Banshee Grendel]]s are relased for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]<br />
*'''December 2002''': [[Weihnachtsaktion Secret Santa]] 2002 begins<br />
*'''1 December 2002''': [[DClick]] creates the ''[[What Creature are you (quiz)|What Creature are you?]]'' quiz<br />
*'''5 December 2002''': [[Creature Labs]] finishes the PC conversion of [[Silent Hill 2: Restless Dreams]]<br />
<br />
===2003===<br />
*'''4 February 2003''': The [[Creatures Mall|Creature Labs Mall]] is closed.<br />
*'''10 February 2003''': [[Ladybird Norn]]s for [[C2]] released. <br />
*'''24 February 2003''': [[Cognition Games]] buys the rights to the [[Macintosh]] version of [[Creatures 3]].<br />
*'''28 February 2003''': [[Ashley Harman]] (aka '''Frimlin''') leaves [[Cyberlife]] - as he packs up on the 20th he has this to say:<br />
:''It was a bit odd to be standing in the centre of the Creature Labs office, packing away the cute stuffed toy Norns and Grendels I've accumulated from fellow Creatures fans. As I looked around the office, there were no other Norns to be seen. But it's been steadily more and more like that over the last couple of years -- I should have been used to it. But the moment spoke to me, all the same.''<br />
*'''March 2003''': [[Entraline]] directors [[Chris McKee]], [[Ian Konrath]], [[Howard Newmark]] and [[Ian Saunter]] decided liquidation is inevitable after all hopes for major new contracts fail<br />
*'''19 March 2003''': [[DockingStation Aftermath]] forum opened by [[Mark Stamps]] to keep the community apprised of the situation, and what was to come<br />
*'''20 March 2003''': [[Creature Labs]] closes - many [[CC]] members say goodbye on [[Lisa de Araujo]]'s [http://web.archive.org/web/20040116122341/http://nicelytoasted.net/burnt/archives/002207.shtml weblog] [http://web.archive.org/web/20040116131016/http://nicelytoasted.net/burnt/archives/002235.shtml posts]<br />
*'''21 March 2003''': [[Hippi Norn]]s for [[C2]] released.<br />
*'''3 April 2003''': [[Docking Station]] servers are turned off<br />
*'''15 April 2003''': [[Entraline]]/[[Cyberlife]] is liquidated subsequent to its final extraordinary general meeting - reasons cited include insolvency of their German publishing partners and a poor outlook in the general gaming industry; shareholders tack on "poor management"<br />
*'''16 April 2003''': [[Ian Saunter]] gets a call from ''Mark Bevan'', who had worked on [[FightBox]] and was now with the BBC, asking about [[Evo Warriors]] - although CL/Entraline is now dead, Ian convinces a friend who is tired of consulting ([[Jeremy Cooke]]) to fund development of a reduced version of the game, which will end up being [[BAMZOOKi]]<br />
*'''28 April 2003''': Business Weekly states that in addition to sums owed to investors 3i, NW Brown, Hermann Hauser and Peter Dawe, the former [[Entraline]] owed £75,000 to its administrators plus £200,000 to the Inland Revenue, and that the [[:Category:Employees|employees]] had been working for the last three months without pay; the same investor as before said:<br />
:'''"We have heard the management team may try to make a case for buying the assets. If this does turn out to be the case, messing up a business, trashing all the debts and keeping the assets does not seem right. This company collapsed because of the management’s lack of management and sales skills. One hopes they will emerge from this debacle empty-handed."''<br />
<br />
*'''7 May 2003''': [[Gameware Development]] is incorporated<br />
*'''7 June 2003''': [[Mark Stamps]] gets the first core [[Docking Station]] server back online.<br />
*'''18 June 2003''': [[Docking Station]] user registration re-opens; ''[[Survivor]]'' begins at [[Creatures Caves]]<br />
*'''Mid 2003''': The ''Albia region'' is founded on [[NationStates]]<br />
*'''2 July 2003''': [[Crazy Creatures Captures]] opens at [[TreeSprite's Creatures Grove]]<br />
*'''3 July 2003''': [[Gameware Europe]] is formally announced as the purchaser of assets and intellectual property rights of [[Cyberlife]] after rumours from former CL staff - CEO Jeremy Cooke claims to be ''"dedicated, not only to the continuing development of the innovative [[Creatures series]], but also toward the ongoing creation of these uniquely entertaining A.I. concepts for television and mobile-phones"'' and notes that there were ''"many excellent UK studios hit hard by the present market conditions" - our first priority is to get the Internet-based offering, Creatures [[Docking Station]], back on-line and assure the loyal fan-base of our intention to continue to provide them with entertaining Creatures concepts''<br />
:The [[Creatures Community]] felt this was terrific news as the [[norn]]s had been saved from liquidation.<br />
*'''4 July 2003''': [[Gremlin Norn]]s released by [[West Winds]]<br />
*'''18 July 2003''': [[edash]] conceives the [[Creatures Community Project]]<br />
*'''5 August 2003''': [[C12DS]] website comes online<br />
*'''25 August 2003''': [[Mummy]] launches [[Aktion Limited Edition]]<br />
*'''5 September 2003''': [[Survivor]] finishes, with [[Gryph]] victorious<br />
*'''27 September 2003''': [[Kunterbunt Norn]]s are released<br />
*'''31 October 2003''': Official [[Gameware]] websites begin to come online<br />
*'''14 November 2003''': [[Gameware]] announces the use of its toolkit in the upcoming CBBC show [[BAMZOOKi]], which is scheduled for release in March 2004<br />
*'''December 2003''': [[Gameware]] release [[James Pond: RoboCod]], and also opens up various [[Creatures]] [[:Category:Official Tools|tools]] and [[Life Kit]]s, once sold at the [[Creatures Mall]], for free download to show their support for the [[Creatures Community|Community]]; [[Weihnachtsaktion Secret Santa]] 2003 begins<br />
*'''26 December 2003''': The public beta of the [[C12DS]] [[metaroom]] is released by [[lacota]]<br />
<br />
===2004===<br />
*'''28 February 2004''': [[Aktion Breed Detective]] begins<br />
*'''3 April 2004''': [[Sarah]] and [[Tafgana]] win [[Aktion Breed Detective]]<br />
*'''May 2004''': [[Metacore]] development team formed<br />
*'''30 May 2004''': [[Norn]]s are featured alongside such British gaming icons as [[Wikipedia:Lara Croft|Lara Croft]] and [[Wikipedia:Donkey Kong|Donkey Kong]] at E3. [[Gameware]] is chuffed. <br />
*'''24 June 2004''': [[k9norn]] is reported to the Australian Police<br />
*'''25-31 July 2004''' The first [[CCSF]] is held, with a Christmas in July theme.<br />
*'''August 2004''': [[Gameware]] releases [[Creatures - The Albian Years|Creatures: The Albian Years]] (published by [[Fusion Labs]]), and announce that they have licensed all games in the [[Creatures series]] to '''Infinium Labs''' for use on their ''Phantom'' gaming system, as well as having acquired [[SceneMachines]] with a view to using their mobile technologies in future games; CEO [[Jeremy Cooke]] says:<br />
:''"SceneMachines takes us closer to our vision for simultaneous cross-platform, non-violent game applications."''<br />
*'''October 2004''': [[Gameware]] releases [[Creatures Exodus]] and [[Creatures Village]], again published by [[Fusion Labs]]<br />
*'''14 October 2004''': The [[Corona]] Development Team is announced<br />
*'''15 October 2004''': [[Corona]]'s first metaroom, The [[Garbage Dump]], is released<br />
*'''15 December 2004''': [[Gameware|Gameware's]] [[Ian Saunter]] reports:<br />
:''"Creatures-wise, we’ve been continuing our quest to find partners with the right level of commitment needed to take forward the [[Creatures series|series]]. It’s bound to come as something of a disappointment to the many devoted Creatures fans that regularly check here for better news on this front, to hear that, so far, we have not secured such a partner. True, we have re-released all the older titles now in Europe, and these remain available to purchase from our Shop. We are also continuing to host and support the Docking Station Hub, which, I hope, does demonstrate our ongoing commitment to reviving the game and bringing along new offerings based on the Shee-universe. Still, I’m afraid we will have to wait yet a while for this to become a reality. And, to be frank, we have to face the prospect that it might never happen!"''<br />
*'''24 December 2004''': [[Aquatilis Caverna]] room 1 beta is released.<br />
*'''30 December 2004''': The [[Creatures Wiki]] is launched; within one week, 500 pages have been written<br />
<br />
===2005===<br />
*'''16 January 2005''': [[Bahama Norn]]s released<br />
*'''26 January 2005''': [[Gargoyle Norn (C2)|Gargoyle Norns for Creatures 2]] released<br />
*'''5 February 2005''': The first [[Get Online Day]] is held - the [[Docking Station]] server crashes hours into the event<br />
*'''9 February 2005''': The [[Creatures Wiki]] contains 100,000 words on over 800 topics<br />
*'''10 February 2005''': [[Amanora's Creatures]] redesigned<br />
*'''21 February 2005''': [[Konnichiwa Norn]]s released<br />
*'''2 March 2005''': [[Gameware]] [http://www.gamewaredevelopment.co.uk/diary.php mentions the Creatures Wiki]<br />
*'''5 March 2005''': The second [[Get Online Day]] is held<br />
*'''20 March 2005''': [[El Dorado Norn]]s released for [[C2]]<br />
*'''25 March 2005''': [[Alien]] and [[Tafgana]] release an improved version of the [[Easter Norn]]s<br />
*'''28 March 2005''': The Wall Street Journal [http://online.wsj.com/public/article/0,,SB111196673261990485,00.html mentions the Creatures Wiki], [[Steve Grand]] also mentions the Creatures Wiki in his weblog.<br />
*'''2 April 2005''': 3rd [[Get Online Day]] is held - [[DS server]]s '''don't''' [[crash]]<br />
*'''May 2005''': Russian versions of [[Creatures Exodus]] and [[Creatures Village]] are released<br />
*'''18 May 2005''': [[Kutoka Interactive]] announces that it plans to release [[Creatures Exodus]] and [[Creatures Village]] in a 'hybrid' format, for both [[Windows]] and [[Macintosh|Mac OS X]]; [[Reptile Norn]]s released<br />
*'''20 May 2005''': [[Survivor]] is slated to begin, however, [[Creatures Caves]] goes offline<br />
*'''21 May 2005''': [[NornenMeister]] releases the [[Calypso Norn]]s; [[Survivor]] actually begins<br />
*'''30 May 2005''': [[Element Norn]]s released<br />
*'''24 July 2005''': [[Spike Norn]]s released by [[Kari]]<br />
*'''26 July 2005''': The [[C12DS]] team is testing 'the final release candidate'<br />
*'''31 July 2005''': The [[Creatures Community Spirit Festival]] 2005 is declared<br />
*'''8 August 2005''': The [[Snow Norn]]s for [[C1]] are released<br />
*'''14 August 2005''': [[C12DS]] is released!!<br />
*'''21 August 2005''': The [[Creatures Wiki]] reaches a total of 2000 articles.<br />
*'''30 September 2005''': [[Kutoka Interactive]] released [[Creatures Exodus]] and [[Creatures Village]] for [[Windows]] and [[Macintosh|Mac OS X]]<br />
*'''15 October 2005''': [[Alien]] releases the [[Fluffy Norn]]s<br />
*'''18 October 2005''': [[clohse]] releases [[Ron's House]]<br />
*'''24 November 2005''': [[Amanora]] releases the [[Flora Norn]]s version 2.<br />
*'''27 November 2005''': [[Christmasnorn]] 2005 begins<br />
*'''23 December 2005''': [[Magnanorn]] launches his huge warship to send revenge ettins to all docking station players to destroy their colonies.<br />
<br />
:''Got stuff that should go here? Click the [http://creatures.wikicities.com/index.php?title=History&action=edit&section=16 Edit] link and add it! -- [[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]<br />
<br />
[[Category:Community]]</div>80.189.233.57