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'''[http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.games.creatures alt.games.creatures]''' (or '''AGC''', '''a.g.c''') is a [[Wikipedia:Newsgroup|newsgroup]] devoted to the [[Creatures series]] of games.  
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{{lowercase title}}
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'''[https://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.games.creatures alt.games.creatures]''' (or '''AGC''', '''a.g.c''') is a [[Wikipedia:Newsgroup|newsgroup]] devoted to the [[Creatures series]] of games.  
  
Although a.g.c is a part of the [[Creatures Community]] and its [[history]], it nevertheless has a very definite subculture of its own. At the time of writing (Janurary 2005) it contained approximately 151,000 posts.
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Although a.g.c is a part of the [[Creatures Community]] and its [[history]], it nevertheless has a very definite subculture of its own. At the time of writing (February 2005) it contained approximately 152,000 posts.
  
 
==Oddities==
 
==Oddities==
Line 7: Line 8:
  
 
===InSaNiTy!!!1===
 
===InSaNiTy!!!1===
a.g.c is recognized as a haven of '''InSaNiTy'''. Newbies must traditionally be "welcomed to InSaNiTy!!!" by at least one a.g.c regular. Extra sanity can be dumped in the ''Sane Bin''.
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a.g.c is recognized as a haven of '''InSaNiTy'''. Newbies must traditionally be "welcomed to InSaNiTy!!!" by at least one a.g.c regular. Extra sanity can be dumped in the ''Sanity Bin''.  At one point, [[Emy]] handed out strait/straight jackets to every newcomer to the newsgroup.
  
 
===Cheese Points===
 
===Cheese Points===
Line 13: Line 14:
  
 
===JNCOBOY===
 
===JNCOBOY===
There is a thread in a.g.c that has over 7000 replies. It was started on 2 Janurary 1999 by this post from [[JncoBoy]] (now '''WhoLetDaPimpOut'''): [http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=19990102222856.12510.00006630%40ng23.aol.com [JNCOBOY] EVERYONE READ!!!!]
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There is a thread in a.g.c that has over 7000 replies. It was started on 2 January 1999 by this post from [[JncoBoy]] (now '''WhoLetDaPimpOut'''): [https://groups.google.com/groups?selm=19990102222856.12510.00006630%40ng23.aol.com [JNCOBOY] EVERYONE READ!!!!]
  
:[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]: As of Janurary 2005, keeping this thread alive seems to be the main purpose of the few remaining a.g.c regulars . . .
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The thread grew and prospered in those turbulent times, even spawning several [[songs#JNCOBOY|songs]].
  
Another recurrent thread was ''AGLAMI and AGC'', commemorating the long-time link between a.g.c and [http://groups.google.co.uk/groups?group=alt.games.lucas-arts.monkey-island alt.games.lucas-arts.monkey-island]:
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:[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]: As of <s>January</s> April 2005, keeping this thread alive seems to be the main purpose of the few remaining a.g.c regulars . . .
 +
 
 +
Another recurrent thread was ''AGLAMI and AGC'', commemorating the long-time link between a.g.c and [https://groups.google.co.uk/groups?group=alt.games.lucas-arts.monkey-island alt.games.lucas-arts.monkey-island]:
  
 
:''Our sane newsgroup about Monkey Island was peaceful, quiet and secluded before AGC started invading us. You lot are nuts beyond belef. You are nuttier than.. ..a very nutty thing. Now stop crossposting.''
 
:''Our sane newsgroup about Monkey Island was peaceful, quiet and secluded before AGC started invading us. You lot are nuts beyond belef. You are nuttier than.. ..a very nutty thing. Now stop crossposting.''
  
 
===Insanely Long Signatures===
 
===Insanely Long Signatures===
This is not unique to a.g.c, but it should be noted that 4-line signatures are ''not'' the rule; however, cutting them appropriately out of your replies '''is'''.
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This is not unique to a.g.c, but it should be noted that 4-line signatures are [https://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.games.creatures/msg/c965148ff8aa8ea0?dmode=source ''not'' the rule]; however, [https://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.games.creatures/msg/14edae024b3d3259?dmode=source cutting them appropriately] out of your replies '''is'''.
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===eem, the a.g.c Mascot===
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[https://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.games.creatures/browse_frm/thread/76f06de8e381b89b First posting] on 13 June 1998, [[eem]] was popularly voted the a.g.c mascot, and [https://groups-beta.google.com/groups?num=20&scoring=r&as_ugroup=alt.games.creatures&as_usubject=&as_uauthors=eem made several appearances in person].
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
  
 
===Origin of a.g.c===
 
===Origin of a.g.c===
Some discussion of [[Creatures]] took place on [http://groups-beta.google.com/group/comp.ai.games comp.ai.games] prior to its release in late 1996, and traffic increased significantly afterwards. After a while it became apparent that this [http://groups.google.co.uk/groups?threadm=58h7q8%24sop%40prometheus.acsu.buffalo.edu was irritating] the regulars of that group, who regarded it as being outside of the group's charter - the specified topic of conversation being the AI ''in'' games, not breeding websites or technical support:
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Some discussion of [[Creatures]] took place on [https://groups-beta.google.com/group/comp.ai.games comp.ai.games] prior to its release in late 1996, and traffic increased significantly afterwards. After a while it became apparent that this [https://groups.google.co.uk/groups?threadm=58h7q8%24sop%40prometheus.acsu.buffalo.edu was irritating] the regulars of that group, who regarded it as being outside of the group's charter - the specified topic of conversation being the AI ''in'' games, not breeding websites or technical support:
 
:''"And remember, if you have an [[egg disk]] problem, maybe you should talk to [[Millennium]].  Just a suggestion.  No pressure."''
 
:''"And remember, if you have an [[egg disk]] problem, maybe you should talk to [[Millennium]].  Just a suggestion.  No pressure."''
  
''alt.games.creatures'' was created by Douglas Setser on or around 24 March 1997, having been [http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.config/browse_frm/thread/4ab0420b5d3ddf81/36d8ec12aa98ff94 proposed] [http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.config/browse_frm/thread/901d8e5f3299222c/d532fcedf87c08d1 by] [http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.config/browse_frm/thread/b17e9a05357aaee9/5ee4e2f2463e5c8c many] [http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.config/browse_frm/thread/dddb7502a7cdf83d/e6b479875028ae3b people]. The actual name was [http://groups.google.co.uk/groups?threadm=32a0c34e.245698091%40la-news1.digilink.net suggested by Christer Ericson] on 30 November 1996. The most popular alternate suggestion was ''rec.games.[computer.]creatures'', but as this would have been in the "Big 8" (rather than the [[Wikipedia:Alt hierarchy|alt.* hierarchy]]) it was easier to make the former. Well-known early posters included [[Toby Simpson]], [[slink]], [[Alexander Laemmle]] and [[LummoxJR]].
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''alt.games.creatures'' was created by Douglas Setser on or around 24 March 1997, having been [https://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.config/browse_frm/thread/4ab0420b5d3ddf81/36d8ec12aa98ff94 proposed] [https://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.config/browse_frm/thread/901d8e5f3299222c/d532fcedf87c08d1 by] [https://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.config/browse_frm/thread/b17e9a05357aaee9/5ee4e2f2463e5c8c many] [https://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.config/browse_frm/thread/dddb7502a7cdf83d/e6b479875028ae3b people]. The actual name was [https://groups.google.co.uk/groups?threadm=32a0c34e.245698091%40la-news1.digilink.net suggested by Christer Ericson] on 30 November 1996. The most popular alternate suggestion was ''rec.games.[computer.]creatures'', but as this would have been in the "Big 8" (rather than the [[Wikipedia:Alt hierarchy|alt.* hierarchy]]) it was easier to make the former. Well-known early posters included [[Toby Simpson]], [[slink]], [[Alexander Laemmle]] and [[LummoxJR]].
  
In a heavy dose of irony, ''alt.games.creatures'' was deluged with what many considered to be off-topic posts from Petz players when this game was released. The first attempt to solve this was badly implemented, leading to the creation of ''alt.petz'' - this was rectified by [[RedWordSmith]], who [http://groups.google.co.uk/groups?threadm=36AA3AAA.37241A00%40nic.dreamhost.com proposed] ''alt.games.petz'' in Janurary 1999.
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In a heavy dose of irony, ''alt.games.creatures'' was deluged with what many considered to be off-topic posts from Petz players when this game was released. The first attempt to solve this was badly implemented, leading to the creation of ''alt.petz'' - this was rectified by [[RedWordSmith]], who [https://groups.google.co.uk/groups?threadm=36AA3AAA.37241A00%40nic.dreamhost.com proposed] ''alt.games.petz'' in January 1999.
  
 
===Secret Adventure Mode===
 
===Secret Adventure Mode===
Line 41: Line 47:
  
 
===Forking Attempts===
 
===Forking Attempts===
As is common on newsgroups, there is often discussion on whether creating a new group to discuss a specific subset of the topic or to exclude some posts would be appropriate. In general the community has been strongly against such attempts - there is even a [http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.games.creatures/msg/a4be553ea8991564 FAQ about it].
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As is common on newsgroups, there is often discussion on whether creating a new group to discuss a specific subset of the topic or to exclude some posts would be appropriate. In general the community has been strongly against such attempts - there is even a [https://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.games.creatures/msg/a4be553ea8991564 FAQ about it].
  
In Feburary 1999 [[Dillon]] attempted to create a moderated subgroup, [[alt.games.creatures.moderated]]. It was not created succesfully as a moderated group and attracted no significant traffic, although it [http://groups.google.co.uk/groups?q=alt.games.creatures.moderated still exists] on several servers. Other unsuccessful attempts/suggestions to fork a.g.c include:
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In Feburary 1999 [[Dillon]] attempted to create a moderated subgroup, [[alt.games.creatures.moderated]]. It was not created successfully as a moderated group and attracted no significant traffic, although it [https://groups.google.co.uk/groups?q=alt.games.creatures.moderated still exists] on several servers. Other unsuccessful attempts/suggestions to fork a.g.c include:
  
* [http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.config/browse_frm/thread/51ff2bbd3069d4c9/41e7b7cebc921e5d alt.games.creatures.trade] (Sep 27 1997) - a suggestion that trading [[creature]]s and [[COB]]s might be better accomplished on a subgroup  
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* [https://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.config/browse_frm/thread/51ff2bbd3069d4c9/41e7b7cebc921e5d alt.games.creatures.trade] (27 September 1997) - a suggestion that trading [[creature]]s and [[COB]]s might be better accomplished on a subgroup  
* [http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.config/browse_frm/thread/0488206949e224d0/4a07696a4ee23ef5 alt.games.creatures.two] (August 12 1998) - a [[Creatures 2]]-specific newsgroup request by [[Dayon]]
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* [https://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.config/browse_frm/thread/0488206949e224d0/4a07696a4ee23ef5 alt.games.creatures.two] (12 August 1998) - a [[Creatures 2]]-specific newsgroup request by [[Dayon]]
* alt.games.creatures.tech (Mid-September - October 1998) - initially [http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.config/browse_frm/thread/fbed8282c0b82a16/ee3b85a03c2ded0e proposed as alt.tech.games.creatures] by [[Doc Shan]] - this was greeted with surprise by most regulars, who had never heard mention of it on the main roup
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* alt.games.creatures.tech (Mid-September - October 1998) - initially [https://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.config/browse_frm/thread/fbed8282c0b82a16/ee3b85a03c2ded0e proposed as alt.tech.games.creatures] by [[Doc Shan]] - this was greeted with surprise by most regulars, who had never heard mention of it on the main group
*[http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.config/browse_frm/thread/50166e350a1f694c/b802f05dcb1fca46 alt.games.creatures.fans] (August 11 1999) - another attempt (this time by [[Dave Dennis]]) to exclude a.g.c regulars:
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*[https://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.config/browse_frm/thread/50166e350a1f694c/b802f05dcb1fca46 alt.games.creatures.fans] (11 August 1999) - another attempt (this time by [[Dave Dennis]]) to exclude a.g.c regulars:
 
:''"There is an existing newsgroup which gets 10-20 posts a day, everyday. The problem with this group is that there are a few regulars who like to show that they know best and put other visitors down."
 
:''"There is an existing newsgroup which gets 10-20 posts a day, everyday. The problem with this group is that there are a few regulars who like to show that they know best and put other visitors down."
  
 
According to [[Ping]], anyone posting to one of these groups will turn into a zombie.
 
According to [[Ping]], anyone posting to one of these groups will turn into a zombie.
  
The only Creatures newsgroup to be created and have a significant level of uptake on [[Wikipedia:Usenet|Usenet]] was '''alt.binaries.games.creatures''', which was [http://groups.google.co.uk/groups?threadm=6m93su%24nub%241%40owl.slip.net proposed] on 17 June 1998 by [[Bibble (person)|Bibble]] and [http://groups.google.co.uk/groups?threadm=6ng08a%24qhu%241%40supernews.com created] on 1 July by [[Jason Westman]].
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The only Creatures newsgroup to be created and have a significant level of uptake on [[Wikipedia:Usenet|Usenet]] was '''alt.binaries.games.creatures''', which was [https://groups.google.co.uk/groups?threadm=6m93su%24nub%241%40owl.slip.net proposed] on 17 June 1998 by [[Bibble (person)|Bibble]] and [https://groups.google.co.uk/groups?threadm=6ng08a%24qhu%241%40supernews.com created] on 1 July by [[Jason Westman]].
 +
 
 +
==The Current State of AGC== 
 +
Although AGC has suffered low usage for the last few years it had been hanging on; getting up to 30 posts a day. But as of Februrary 2006, Triad, one of the group's last four regular posters, has left the newsgroup, and the JNCOBOY thread is only getting 2-3 posts per day. It now seems inevitable to some that AGC has turned into yet another newsgroup only inhabited by spammers.
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 +
==External Links==
 +
[https://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.games.creatures Google Groups page for AGC]
 +
[[Category:Community]]

Latest revision as of 08:14, 3 July 2017

alt.games.creatures (or AGC, a.g.c) is a newsgroup devoted to the Creatures series of games.

Although a.g.c is a part of the Creatures Community and its history, it nevertheless has a very definite subculture of its own. At the time of writing (February 2005) it contained approximately 152,000 posts.

Oddities[edit]

Like most newsgroups, a.g.c has its fair share of local oddities, although it has to be said that the demographics of the Creatures Community has had some part to play in that.

InSaNiTy!!!1[edit]

a.g.c is recognized as a haven of InSaNiTy. Newbies must traditionally be "welcomed to InSaNiTy!!!" by at least one a.g.c regular. Extra sanity can be dumped in the Sanity Bin. At one point, Emy handed out strait/straight jackets to every newcomer to the newsgroup.

Cheese Points[edit]

Cheese Points were awarded by Kylie and Anubis for demonstrating a requisite level of InSaNiTy (although everyone starts out with one cheese point). Attempts by some to use cheese points as a currency proved fruitless due to hyperinflation. The power of cheese points is rumoured to have been the subject of some fan-fiction.

JNCOBOY[edit]

There is a thread in a.g.c that has over 7000 replies. It was started on 2 January 1999 by this post from JncoBoy (now WhoLetDaPimpOut): [JNCOBOY] EVERYONE READ!!!!

The thread grew and prospered in those turbulent times, even spawning several songs.

GreenReaper: As of January April 2005, keeping this thread alive seems to be the main purpose of the few remaining a.g.c regulars . . .

Another recurrent thread was AGLAMI and AGC, commemorating the long-time link between a.g.c and alt.games.lucas-arts.monkey-island:

Our sane newsgroup about Monkey Island was peaceful, quiet and secluded before AGC started invading us. You lot are nuts beyond belef. You are nuttier than.. ..a very nutty thing. Now stop crossposting.

Insanely Long Signatures[edit]

This is not unique to a.g.c, but it should be noted that 4-line signatures are not the rule; however, cutting them appropriately out of your replies is.

eem, the a.g.c Mascot[edit]

First posting on 13 June 1998, eem was popularly voted the a.g.c mascot, and made several appearances in person.

History[edit]

Origin of a.g.c[edit]

Some discussion of Creatures took place on comp.ai.games prior to its release in late 1996, and traffic increased significantly afterwards. After a while it became apparent that this was irritating the regulars of that group, who regarded it as being outside of the group's charter - the specified topic of conversation being the AI in games, not breeding websites or technical support:

"And remember, if you have an egg disk problem, maybe you should talk to Millennium. Just a suggestion. No pressure."

alt.games.creatures was created by Douglas Setser on or around 24 March 1997, having been proposed by many people. The actual name was suggested by Christer Ericson on 30 November 1996. The most popular alternate suggestion was rec.games.[computer.]creatures, but as this would have been in the "Big 8" (rather than the alt.* hierarchy) it was easier to make the former. Well-known early posters included Toby Simpson, slink, Alexander Laemmle and LummoxJR.

In a heavy dose of irony, alt.games.creatures was deluged with what many considered to be off-topic posts from Petz players when this game was released. The first attempt to solve this was badly implemented, leading to the creation of alt.petz - this was rectified by RedWordSmith, who proposed alt.games.petz in January 1999.

Secret Adventure Mode[edit]

The Secret Adventure Mode for Creatures was first reported on a.g.c on 25 February 1998. It quickly became part of the newsgroup lore, confusing countless new users of the game who sought to enable it after reading about it.

CptSiskoX and the Avenger Squadron[edit]

This takes a whole page to explain. :-)

Forking Attempts[edit]

As is common on newsgroups, there is often discussion on whether creating a new group to discuss a specific subset of the topic or to exclude some posts would be appropriate. In general the community has been strongly against such attempts - there is even a FAQ about it.

In Feburary 1999 Dillon attempted to create a moderated subgroup, alt.games.creatures.moderated. It was not created successfully as a moderated group and attracted no significant traffic, although it still exists on several servers. Other unsuccessful attempts/suggestions to fork a.g.c include:

"There is an existing newsgroup which gets 10-20 posts a day, everyday. The problem with this group is that there are a few regulars who like to show that they know best and put other visitors down."

According to Ping, anyone posting to one of these groups will turn into a zombie.

The only Creatures newsgroup to be created and have a significant level of uptake on Usenet was alt.binaries.games.creatures, which was proposed on 17 June 1998 by Bibble and created on 1 July by Jason Westman.

The Current State of AGC[edit]

Although AGC has suffered low usage for the last few years it had been hanging on; getting up to 30 posts a day. But as of Februrary 2006, Triad, one of the group's last four regular posters, has left the newsgroup, and the JNCOBOY thread is only getting 2-3 posts per day. It now seems inevitable to some that AGC has turned into yet another newsgroup only inhabited by spammers.

External Links[edit]

Google Groups page for AGC