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[[History]] - <span class="plainlinks">[https://twitter.com/CreaturesWiki Twitter] - [https://from.the.creatures.wiki Blog]</span><br>
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[[CC Chat]] - [[Discord]] - [[Sine]]<br>
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[[:Category:People|People]] - [[:Category:Websites|Websites]] - [[:Category:Terms|Terms]]<br>
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[[:Category:Societies|Societies]] - [[:Category:Humour|Humour]]<br>
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[[Creatures Community Spirit Festival]]<br>
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[[Creatures Caves]]<br>
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[[Interviews]] - [[:Category:Fiction|Fiction]] - [[:Category:Roleplay|Roleplay]]
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|}
 
==Introduction==
 
==Introduction==
  
[[Image:CClogo.gif|left]]
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[[Image:CClogo.gif|left|A representation of the community - it just keeps on spinning!]]
The Creatures Community is what we see around us every time we we browse [[Creatures Caves]], [[Albia 2000]], or [[Gameware Development|Gameware Development's Forums]]. It is the thing that has made the [[Creatures]] series so succesful - and is one of the most loyal fanbases there is. It has been going strong since [[history#1996|1996]], when the first [[Creatures]] game was released. It has existed in many forms, and this wiki is just yet another tribute to the Community's skills and strength.
 
[[Image:Ccheader_s.gif|right]]
 
There have been many, many things that have influenced the Community. Feel free to add stuff in!
 
  
==The Beginnings==
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The Creatures Community (CC) are the people that love the Creatures series and keep the game alive.
  
It all started on a balcony in 1992, where [[Steve Grand]] thought up the first inklings of what would once become the [[Creatures]] series. Work started on the game in 1993 and the first game was released in 1996 (mid-1997 in the US). [[Creatures]] was adored by both genders of all ages, and was a virtually instant hit - especially in the US, where the UK release had been getting rave reviews.
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They show their appreciation by [[Developer|developing]], [[gengineer|gengineering]], [[Category:Blogs|blogging]] or just by playing the game, posting on the forums and enjoying the downloadable content. The community is what made the [[Creatures]] series so successful - and they are one of the most loyal fanbases there is.  
[[Image:CLLogo.gif|left]]
 
[[Cyberlife]] released a number of addon-packs for Creatures, including the [[Purple Mountain Norn]]s, and a number of new kits, including the [[Observation Kit]], and the [[Injector Kit]], which allowed you to inject [[Cyberlife]]'s [[COB]] packs. Soon after, CL made a Life Kit, and sold it at their mall. It included 2 entirely new Creatures breeds, and a number of Cobs. Another thing they made and sold at the mall was the C1 Genetics Kit, which many people found extremely useful in their developments.
 
  
These caused positive waves throughout the small but growing community, and soon, as always happens, people were looking to create addons for the game. No-one knew how to do it, though, and it was an [[Alexander Laemmle]] who came up with the solution. He called it a [[.cos]] file, standing for Creatures Object Source. He built a program called the [[Creatures Object Editor]] (COE) to make .cob files from these .cos files and .spr files, which you could alter in the program, as well as copy/paste (which enabled people to make graphics in other programs and then copy it into the program). COE was met with great success, and soon other programs were springing up, including Cyberlife's COB Maker and the later [[BoBCOB]] by [[BoBWare]].
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The CC has been going strong ever since [[history#1996|1996]], when the first [[Creatures]] game was released. There have been many, many things that have influenced the Community. Feel free to add stuff in!
Another fantastic program to spring up was BORG, again by Alexander Laemmle. A fantastic program which is virtually invaluable now when people play Creatures 1.
 
  
This signalled the first 'Era' in the Creatures Community, an era of development, excitement, and discoveries.  
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=== Get in touch ===
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Do you want to get in touch with other members of the Creatures Community?
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As of 2022, you can either create an account on [[Creatures Caves]]; hop into one (or all) of the [[Discord]] channels, or if you prefer IRC, join the [[CC Chat]] or [[Sine]]; join the [[CreaturesGames]] subreddit; or say hello on someone's blog (or make your own!). You can also join in the yearly [[Creatures Community Spirit Festival]].
  
A host of COB makers (or ''[[cobbler]]s'') sprung up, each intent on creating the best [[:Category:Addons|addons]] they could for Creatures, including [[Alexander Laemmle]], [[LummoxJR]], [[Slink]], [[SteerPike]], [[Steven Kuske]], and [[Steve Dismukes]].
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== History ==
  
One of the most controversial members of the community began his experiments in [[norn torture]] at about this time, and his nickname was [[AntiNorn]]. He ran a website called [[Tortured Norns]], and he was shunned from the community, hated by most members. His actions, however viewed by the rest of the community, caused many [[Norn Rehabilitation Centre]] sites to be erected. Steve Grand had this to say on the matter in his book ''Creation: Life and how to make it''.
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[[Image:Cyberlifelogo.png|right]]
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The first Creatures game was released in 1996 (mid-1997 in the US). After the initial release, [[Cyberlife]] released a number of addon-packs and new kits, some of which were free and others were being sold at their [[Creatures Mall]]. The new developments caused positive waves throughout the growing community and people were interested in creating their own addons for the game. [[Alexander Laemmle]] developed a program called the [[Creatures Object Editor]] (COE) to make [[.cob]] files, which could be injected into the game. Soon, other programs to create objects became available, and more people started developing for Creatures.
  
:''Take cruelty, for example. One Creatures fan (who I believe is in the US Navy) started a [[:Category:Websites|Website]] entirely devoted to ways in which people could be cruel to these creatures. He devised various tortures to make their little lives a misery, and I think he did so with his tongue firmly in his cheek and a challenging grin on his face. I was so pleased about this (although I didn't dare say so publicly while I still represented the company that made Creatures, for fear that it would upset our customers), because it forced people to think about whether this really was cruel,. I expected him to elicit some response from the other Creatures owners, but not quite such a hostile one as ensued. The poor guy recieved an enormous amount of hate mail, and was excluded from the Creatures Internet community for a long time. Much of his hate mail showed a greater regard for the creatures than it did for the life of this one [[AntiNorn|human being]].''
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This signalled the first 'Era' in the Creatures Community, an era of development, excitement, and discoveries.  
  
:''Less traumatically, I was pleased to see people start up Websites of their own in response, setting them up as rehab centers and adoption agencies to provide shelter for the poor victims of this virtual abuse. This was not the behaviour of people who felt that life had been debased by the existence of artificial beings, nor was it the behaviour of people who were scared of [[artificial intelligence]]. These people were going out of their way to protect and care for these creatures, and they held them in equal regard to other more natural forms of life. They may have been overreacting, but I was glad of the sentiment.''
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A host of COB makers (or ''[[COBbler]]s'') sprung up, each intent on creating the best [[:Category:Addons|addons]] they could for Creatures, including [[Alexander Laemmle]], [[LummoxJR]], [[Slink]], [[SteerPike]], [[Stefan Kuske]], and [[Steve Dismukes]].  
  
It was later revealed that AntiNorn had done what he did to make people care about the helpless more, and in that he succeeded spectacularly.
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The community stayed in touch by joining the official [[Gameware]] forums, getting together on [[JRchat]], some people created their own websites for Creatures, some of which are still around (such as [[Creatures Caves]], [[Albia2000]], [[Mummy's Creatures]]).
  
==Later Sections==
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One of the first uses of the term "Creatures Community" was by [[Toby Simpson]] in a [https://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.games.creatures/browse_frm/thread/bc4629f22a5e0c4d/38383c242ff126d2 newsgroup posting], although [[Lis Morris]] [https://web.archive.org/web/20010423113227/www.ricardo2000.homecreatures.com/interview4.html suggested] that it only came into popular use after [[CptSiskoX]] and the Avenger Squadron attacked [[alt.games.creatures]].
  
'''[[HomeCreatures]]'''
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An annual event named the [[Creatures Community Spirit Festival]] began in 2004 as a way to bring life to the community, and it is still going strong today.
  
HomeCreatures originally came about in the summer of 1995, with only a large 'Coming Soon!' splash and the promise to become one of the most successful community hubs to date. It was one of the first  3rd party sites to have its own domain (one other being [[CreaturesLife.net]]) and soon a message appeared on CL.net about its forthcoming 'sister site'. About this time, many rumours were beginning to fly about this now-famous site.
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See more at [[History]]!
  
Soon [[Miff]] was offering hosting at HomeCreatures, and many who had been use Geocities and Xoom jumped at the chance of hosting at www.yourname.homecreatures.com
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== Community Websites ==
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===[[HomeCreatures]]===
  
Miff, of course, was helping the rumours along in [[JRChat]] and a few forums by dropping tantalizing hints. People were still completely in the dark however, and wanted to know more about HomeCreatures.  
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HomeCreatures originally came about in the summer of 1999, with only a large 'Coming Soon!' splash and the promise to become one of the most successful community hubs to date. It was one of the first 3rd party sites to have its own domain (one other being CreaturesLife.net). Soon Miff was offering hosting at HomeCreatures, and many who had been use Geocities and Xoom jumped at the chance of hosting at www.yourname.homecreatures.com. Unfortunately, HomeCreatures went down and took a lot of sites down with it. Some were revived, but others are only a fading memory, which most of us will fondly cherish.
  
...
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===[[Creatures Caves]]===
  
Unfortunately, when [[HomeCreatures]] went down it took a lot of sites with it. Some - like the [[Creatures Information Exchange]] - were revived, but many were lost forever.
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Creatures Caves is a website with a forum, news, downloadable content, a gallery and [[bibble]]. It's also possible to adopt a virtual [[creatchi]] to take care of. Although slower nowadays, it is still active.
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'''[[Lis Morris]]'''
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===[[Albian Warp]]===
  
Lis Morris was, and still is, one of the most amazing develioprs in the Creatures Community.  
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Albian Warp is meant to be a replacement for the official [[DS Server|Docking Station servers]], which are no longer active. Albian Warp has warping and messaging abilities, allowing the community to stay connected.  
  
Her more notable projects include the [[Canny Norns]], the [[Hippy Norn]]s (a [[Creatures]] [[breed]] which used [[Wikipedia:Photosynthesis|photosynthesis]] to turn light into energy), and the [[Infirmary]], the first [[third-party]] [[metaroom]] for Creatures 3. Many of her projects influenced the way the developers of today look at [[genetics]] and [[CAOS]].
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[[Category:Community]]

Latest revision as of 11:48, 4 July 2022

Editnorn.png This article could be cleaned up to make it more readable.
Ccheader s.gif

History - Twitter - Blog
CC Chat - Discord - Sine
People - Websites - Terms
Societies - Humour
Creatures Community Spirit Festival
Creatures Caves
Interviews - Fiction - Roleplay

Introduction[edit]

A representation of the community - it just keeps on spinning!

The Creatures Community (CC) are the people that love the Creatures series and keep the game alive.

They show their appreciation by developing, gengineering, or just by playing the game, posting on the forums and enjoying the downloadable content. The community is what made the Creatures series so successful - and they are one of the most loyal fanbases there is.

The CC has been going strong ever since 1996, when the first Creatures game was released. There have been many, many things that have influenced the Community. Feel free to add stuff in!

Get in touch[edit]

Do you want to get in touch with other members of the Creatures Community?

As of 2022, you can either create an account on Creatures Caves; hop into one (or all) of the Discord channels, or if you prefer IRC, join the CC Chat or Sine; join the CreaturesGames subreddit; or say hello on someone's blog (or make your own!). You can also join in the yearly Creatures Community Spirit Festival.

History[edit]

Cyberlifelogo.png

The first Creatures game was released in 1996 (mid-1997 in the US). After the initial release, Cyberlife released a number of addon-packs and new kits, some of which were free and others were being sold at their Creatures Mall. The new developments caused positive waves throughout the growing community and people were interested in creating their own addons for the game. Alexander Laemmle developed a program called the Creatures Object Editor (COE) to make .cob files, which could be injected into the game. Soon, other programs to create objects became available, and more people started developing for Creatures.

This signalled the first 'Era' in the Creatures Community, an era of development, excitement, and discoveries.

A host of COB makers (or COBblers) sprung up, each intent on creating the best addons they could for Creatures, including Alexander Laemmle, LummoxJR, Slink, SteerPike, Stefan Kuske, and Steve Dismukes.

The community stayed in touch by joining the official Gameware forums, getting together on JRchat, some people created their own websites for Creatures, some of which are still around (such as Creatures Caves, Albia2000, Mummy's Creatures).

One of the first uses of the term "Creatures Community" was by Toby Simpson in a newsgroup posting, although Lis Morris suggested that it only came into popular use after CptSiskoX and the Avenger Squadron attacked alt.games.creatures.

An annual event named the Creatures Community Spirit Festival began in 2004 as a way to bring life to the community, and it is still going strong today.

See more at History!

Community Websites[edit]

HomeCreatures[edit]

HomeCreatures originally came about in the summer of 1999, with only a large 'Coming Soon!' splash and the promise to become one of the most successful community hubs to date. It was one of the first 3rd party sites to have its own domain (one other being CreaturesLife.net). Soon Miff was offering hosting at HomeCreatures, and many who had been use Geocities and Xoom jumped at the chance of hosting at www.yourname.homecreatures.com. Unfortunately, HomeCreatures went down and took a lot of sites down with it. Some were revived, but others are only a fading memory, which most of us will fondly cherish.

Creatures Caves[edit]

Creatures Caves is a website with a forum, news, downloadable content, a gallery and bibble. It's also possible to adopt a virtual creatchi to take care of. Although slower nowadays, it is still active.

Albian Warp[edit]

Albian Warp is meant to be a replacement for the official Docking Station servers, which are no longer active. Albian Warp has warping and messaging abilities, allowing the community to stay connected.