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[[Image:Dockingstation.png|right]]
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| colspan="2" align="center" |'''Docking Station'''
'''Docking Station (DS)''' 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]]).
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[[Image:DockingStationHQ.png|Docking Station Logo]]
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|-
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!Developer(s)
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| [[Creature Labs]]
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|-
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! Publisher(s)
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| [[Gameware Europe]] (Original)
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[[Critter Consortium]] (Steam)
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|-
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!Composer(s)
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| [[Peter Chilvers]]
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|-
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! Platform(s)
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| [[Linux]], [[Windows]]
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|-
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! Release
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| March 27, 2001 (Original)
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December 7, 2021 (Steam)
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|-
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|}
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'''Docking Station (DS)''' is a game in the Creatures series, set on the [[Lone Shee]]'s spaceship named the [[Capillata]]. The game is recognised for its online networking capability, which was a first for the [[Creatures series]] (see [[DS Server]]). Docking Station was launched in [[History#2001|March 2001]].
  
Docking Station is available to '''[[Docking Station#External links|download for ''free'']]''' on [[Windows]] and [[Linux]], or can be purchased as part of [[Creatures Exodus]] for the [[Macintosh|Mac OS X]]. To play the game online you will need to register for a free [[Docking Station id|Docking Station ID]], though this is not currently possible as the servers are down. To play the game offline, you will need a login disabler such as the [[DS Offline Option]].  The default [[wikipedia:shortcut (computing)|file shortcut]] for Docking Station redirects through a defunct [[InstallBlast]] updating service.  Docking Station must be run from engine.exe to run without errors.
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Docking Station can be ''[[Docking Station#External links|be downloaded for ''free'']]'' on [[Windows]] and [[Linux]], or purchased as part of [[Creatures Exodus ]]for [[Macintosh|Mac OS X]]. To play the game online, registration for a free [[Docking Station id|Docking Station ID]] is required, but this is not currently possible due to the server being offline. However, the online features of Docking Station can be reactivated by using a third-party server, such as [[Natsue Warp]]. To play the game offline, you will need a login disabler such as the [[DS Offline Option]].  
  
 
Creatures Docking Station gets its name from the fact it can be [[docked]] with the retail [[Creatures 3]] to make the [[world]] even larger. In addition, [[third-party]] [[metaroom]]s are available for download, along with many new [[:Category:C3/DS Breeds|breeds]], both officially and fan designed. Each of the official [[breed]]s has an entry in the [[Docking Station Story]].
 
Creatures Docking Station gets its name from the fact it can be [[docked]] with the retail [[Creatures 3]] to make the [[world]] even larger. In addition, [[third-party]] [[metaroom]]s are available for download, along with many new [[:Category:C3/DS Breeds|breeds]], both officially and fan designed. Each of the official [[breed]]s has an entry in the [[Docking Station Story]].
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''Want to know who was involved in making Docking Station? Read the [[Docking Station Credits|credits]]!''
 
''Want to know who was involved in making Docking Station? Read the [[Docking Station Credits|credits]]!''
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==Gameplay==
 
==Gameplay==
The player, which is being represented as the [[Hand]], has to create a new world or pick a previously saved world. When making a new world, you are being asked to log in to the [[DS Server|servers]]. The official servers are down, so to be able to play the game a [[DS Offline Option|login disabler]] is needed. Once logged in, the hand appears in the Norn Meso, close to [[muco]] the egg layer. Another dialog pops up, asking you to choose between receiving a pre-trained adult Chichi norn couple, having the game lay two random eggs via Muco or just let you enter the game.  
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Players, represented by the [[Hand]], can either create a new world or select one from previously saved worlds. Creating a new world prompts a login to the [[DS Server|servers]]. Although the official servers are down, the [[Eem.foo Warp (Natsue)|Natsue Warp]] replaces the original warp servers, re-enabling online features within Docking Station  (An instructional tutorial is available [https://eem.foo/eem-foo-warp-natsue/ here]). Creating an offline world requires a [[DS Offline Option|login disabler]]. After logging in, the [[Hand]] will appear in the Norn Meso region, next to the [[muco]] egg layer. Subsequently, another dialogue box will emerge, offering choices such as receiving a pre-trained adult Chichi norn couple, laying two random eggs through [[Muco]], or directly proceeding into the game.  
  
Once a choice has been made, the player and their creatures can freely explore the Capillata which consists of four metarooms. The creatures have to learn how to care for their basic needs, so the Hand can talk to the creatures, teaching them [[vocabulary]] and try to communicate with them. You can also teach them vocabulary with some help of the [[Holistic Learning Machine]]. The Hand can reward or punish creatures by petting or slapping the creature, right-clicking allows the Hand to lead a creature around, while shift-right-clicking picks them up. You could also just leave the creatures entirely on their own, watching them and finding out which creatures are smart enough to survive by themselves, which is also called a [[wolfling run]]. The creatures can mate with each other, laying eggs and creating offspring which inherit a mixture of the [[genomes]] from the parents.
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After making a selection, the player and their creatures are free to explore the Capillata, which comprises of four metarooms. The creatures must learn to cater to their fundamental needs. The Hand can communicate with the creatures, teaching them new [[vocabulary]] and striving to interact with them. In addition, vocabulary can be taught by using the [[Holistic Learning Machine]]. The Hand has the ability to reward or punish a creature by either petting or slapping it. The Hand can lead a creature around by using the right-click, while shift-right-click picks the creature up. The creatures can be left entirely on their own, and the process of finding out which creatures are smart enough to survive by themselves is known as a '[[wolfling run]]'. The creatures have the capacity to mate with each other, resulting in offspring that inherit a combination of their parents' genomes.
The player can enjoy watching and interacting with their creatures in just the base game, or download some of the numerous [[metaroom|metarooms]], [[agent|agents]] and [[breed|breeds]] in existence which have been developed by the [[Creatures Community]]. The Docking Station server also allowed you to chat with other players and [[warp]] creatures out to these players.
 
  
An open source project, [[Albian Warp]] is being developed to possibly bring back the online functionality to Docking Station.
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Players can watch and interact with their creatures in the base game, or they can opt to download additional metarooms, agents, and breeds developed by the Creatures Community. Through the Docking Station server, players can chat with other players and warp creatures out to them.
  
 
==Rooms==
 
==Rooms==
 
[[Image:dsmesoss.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The Norn Meso]]
 
[[Image:dsmesoss.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The Norn Meso]]
The game is quite small, and docking with [[Creatures 3]] or adding [[third-party]] [[metaroom]]s is a must in order to make a reasonably-sized world to play in. [[metaroom|Metarooms]] included are:
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The game is quite small, and docking with [[Creatures 3]] or adding [[third-party]] [[metaroom]]s is a must in order to create a reasonably large world to play in. Included [[metaroom|Metarooms]] are:
  
*[[Norn Meso]] - the main area of Docking Station containing the [[egg layer]] and [[learning machine]], allowing you to play with and look after your norns.
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*[[Norn Meso]] - The main area of Docking Station, where you can play with and care for your norns. Contains [[Muco]] (the egg layer) and the [[Holistic learning machine]], along with many food sources.
*[[Comms Room]] - a metaroom which allows you to communicate with other online players, inject new agents, and tweak several different aspects of the current world.
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*[[Comms Room]] - A metaroom where it is possible to communicate with other online players, add new agents and tweak various aspects of the current world.
*[[Workshop]] - the entry point for the [[warp]], the location of the [[Containment Chamber]], and where [[Warp Portal]]s can be configured to be put around the ship.
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*[[Workshop]] - The entry point for the [[warp]] via the [[Containment Chamber]], and where [[Warp Portal]]s can be created and/or configured. The lower level also contains a teleporter, allowing easy access to other areas of the ship.
*[[Hub]] - a central room that connects the other three, allowing travel between them. It also provides a way to the Creatures 3 ship in docked worlds.
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*[[Hub]] - A central room that connects the other three, allowing travel between them. This room also houses the [[Electro-Lift]] to the Creatures 3 ship in docked worlds.
  
 
''To see [[third-party]] metarooms, check out [[:Category:Unofficial_Metarooms]]!''
 
''To see [[third-party]] metarooms, check out [[:Category:Unofficial_Metarooms]]!''
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==Breeds==
 
==Breeds==
 
[[Image:Chichi.png|right|frame|The Chichi Norn is included in Docking Station.]]
 
[[Image:Chichi.png|right|frame|The Chichi Norn is included in Docking Station.]]
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:
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The original version of Docking Station included only the [[ChiChi Norn]] Norn Breed. The installation of [[Creatures 3]] provides the player access to three additional norn breeds, as well as [[Ettins]] and [[Grendels]]. Except for those listed under 'Free DLC' and 'Creatures 3 breeds', all breeds are included with the release of Docking Station on [[Steam]]. You can download the DLC breeds from [https://store.steampowered.com/app/1813080/Creatures_Docking_Station__Breed_Packs/ here].
  
===Included===
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===Free Breeds===
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*[[Astro Norn]]
 
*[[ChiChi Norn]]
 
*[[ChiChi Norn]]
===Free Official Addons===
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*[[Fallow Norn]]
*[[File:wm.png|frameless|x13px|available on Wayback Machine]] [[Magma Norn]]
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*[[Harlequin Norn]]
*[[File:wm.png|frameless|x13px|available on Wayback Machine]] [[Astro Norn]]
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*[[Magma Norn]]
*[[File:wm.png|frameless|x13px|available on Wayback Machine]] [[Fallow Norn]]
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*[[Siamese Norn]]
*[[File:wm.png|frameless|x13px|available on Wayback Machine]] [[Harlequin Norn]]
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*[[Zebra Norn]]
*[[File:wm.png|frameless|x13px|available on Wayback Machine]] [[Siamese Norn]]
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*[[File:wm.png|frameless|x13px|available on Wayback Machine]] [[Zebra Norn]]
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===Free DLC===
===In Creatures 3===
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*[[Banshee Grendel]]
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*[[Bondi Norn]]
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*[[Hardman Norn]]
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*[[Toxic Norn]]
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*[[Treehugger Norn]]
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===Creatures 3 Breeds===
 
*[[Bengal Norn]]
 
*[[Bengal Norn]]
 
*[[Bruin Norn]]
 
*[[Bruin Norn]]
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*[[Jungle Grendel]]
 
*[[Jungle Grendel]]
 
*[[Desert Ettin]]
 
*[[Desert Ettin]]
===Breed Packs===
 
*[[Bondi Norn]]
 
*[[Hardman Norn]]
 
*[[Treehugger Norn]]
 
*[[Toxic Norn]]
 
*[[Banshee Grendel]]
 
  
 
There are also many [[third-party]] breeds available for free download.<br />
 
There are also many [[third-party]] breeds available for free download.<br />
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*[[Creatures Exodus]]
 
*[[Creatures Exodus]]
 
*[[Creatures 3 & Docking Station Community Recommended Fixes and Addons]]
 
*[[Creatures 3 & Docking Station Community Recommended Fixes and Addons]]
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*[[C3DS Community Edition]]
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
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* [https://store.steampowered.com/app/1659050/Creatures_Docking_Station/ Creatures Docking Station] at [[Steam]]
 
* [http://www.creaturesdockingstation.com Unofficial download location]
 
* [http://www.creaturesdockingstation.com Unofficial download location]
* [http://www.gamewareeurope.com/GWDev/ds/ds_index.php Docking Station Central] where you can register or view your DS profile (offline)
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* [http://www.creaturesvillage.com/alfl/manual.html Docking Station Manual] - an online version of the Docking Station manual at [[Artificial Life for Linux]]
* [http://www.gamewareeurope.com/GWDev/downloads.php?id=C0_25_8 The online Creatures Manuals] from [[Gameware Development|Gameware]](offline)
 
* [http://www.creaturesvillage.com/alfl/manual.html Docking Station Manual] - an online version of the manual at [[Artificial Life for Linux]]
 
  
 
__NOTOC__
 
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Latest revision as of 00:06, 24 March 2024

Docking Station

Docking Station Logo

Developer(s) Creature Labs
Publisher(s) Gameware Europe (Original)

Critter Consortium (Steam)

Composer(s) Peter Chilvers
Platform(s) Linux, Windows
Release March 27, 2001 (Original)

December 7, 2021 (Steam)

Docking Station (DS) is a game in the Creatures series, set on the Lone Shee's spaceship named the Capillata. The game is recognised for its online networking capability, which was a first for the Creatures series (see DS Server). Docking Station was launched in March 2001.

Docking Station can be be downloaded for free on Windows and Linux, or purchased as part of Creatures Exodus for Mac OS X. To play the game online, registration for a free Docking Station ID is required, but this is not currently possible due to the server being offline. However, the online features of Docking Station can be reactivated by using a third-party server, such as Natsue Warp. To play the game offline, you will need a login disabler such as the DS Offline Option.

Creatures Docking Station gets its name from the fact it can be docked with the retail Creatures 3 to make the world even larger. In addition, third-party metarooms are available for download, along with many new breeds, both officially and fan designed. Each of the official breeds has an entry in the Docking Station Story.

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. Some agents are specifically designed to work only with DS, while others require Creatures 3 to be installed if they use scripts or sprites from it.

Want to know who was involved in making Docking Station? Read the credits!












Gameplay

Players, represented by the Hand, can either create a new world or select one from previously saved worlds. Creating a new world prompts a login to the servers. Although the official servers are down, the Natsue Warp replaces the original warp servers, re-enabling online features within Docking Station (An instructional tutorial is available here). Creating an offline world requires a login disabler. After logging in, the Hand will appear in the Norn Meso region, next to the muco egg layer. Subsequently, another dialogue box will emerge, offering choices such as receiving a pre-trained adult Chichi norn couple, laying two random eggs through Muco, or directly proceeding into the game.

After making a selection, the player and their creatures are free to explore the Capillata, which comprises of four metarooms. The creatures must learn to cater to their fundamental needs. The Hand can communicate with the creatures, teaching them new vocabulary and striving to interact with them. In addition, vocabulary can be taught by using the Holistic Learning Machine. The Hand has the ability to reward or punish a creature by either petting or slapping it. The Hand can lead a creature around by using the right-click, while shift-right-click picks the creature up. The creatures can be left entirely on their own, and the process of finding out which creatures are smart enough to survive by themselves is known as a 'wolfling run'. The creatures have the capacity to mate with each other, resulting in offspring that inherit a combination of their parents' genomes.

Players can watch and interact with their creatures in the base game, or they can opt to download additional metarooms, agents, and breeds developed by the Creatures Community. Through the Docking Station server, players can chat with other players and warp creatures out to them.

Rooms

The Norn Meso

The game is quite small, and docking with Creatures 3 or adding third-party metarooms is a must in order to create a reasonably large world to play in. Included Metarooms are:

  • Norn Meso - The main area of Docking Station, where you can play with and care for your norns. Contains Muco (the egg layer) and the Holistic learning machine, along with many food sources.
  • Comms Room - A metaroom where it is possible to communicate with other online players, add new agents and tweak various aspects of the current world.
  • Workshop - The entry point for the warp via the Containment Chamber, and where Warp Portals can be created and/or configured. The lower level also contains a teleporter, allowing easy access to other areas of the ship.
  • Hub - A central room that connects the other three, allowing travel between them. This room also houses the Electro-Lift to the Creatures 3 ship in docked worlds.

To see third-party metarooms, check out Category:Unofficial_Metarooms!

Agents

Agents of note include:

To see more, including free addon agents made by fans, check out Category:DS Agents!

Breeds

The Chichi Norn is included in Docking Station.

The original version of Docking Station included only the ChiChi Norn Norn Breed. The installation of Creatures 3 provides the player access to three additional norn breeds, as well as Ettins and Grendels. Except for those listed under 'Free DLC' and 'Creatures 3 breeds', all breeds are included with the release of Docking Station on Steam. You can download the DLC breeds from here.

Free Breeds

Free DLC

Creatures 3 Breeds

There are also many third-party breeds available for free download.
See Category:C3/DS Breeds for a listing of breeds for DS!

Key characters in the DS storyline

Game information

Related links

External links