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*'''1992''': [[Millennium]] release Cyber Empires, The Aquatic Games, Daughter of Serpents, Global Effect and Rome AD 92
 
*'''1992''': [[Millennium]] release Cyber Empires, The Aquatic Games, Daughter of Serpents, Global Effect and Rome AD 92
:''[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]: I remember Global Effect! Great game!''
 
 
*'''September 1992''': [[Creatures]] is 'officially' conceived, although it will take years to develop fully into the game we know today. From [[Tips.txt]]:
 
*'''September 1992''': [[Creatures]] is 'officially' conceived, although it will take years to develop fully into the game we know today. From [[Tips.txt]]:
 
:''The initial ideas for this project were conceived on a motel balcony in Winthrop, WA, USA in September 1992.''
 
:''The initial ideas for this project were conceived on a motel balcony in Winthrop, WA, USA in September 1992.''
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*'''12 December 1993''': [[Steve Grand]] explains that the mythology is [https://web.archive.org/web/20050312012947/fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/creaturesarchive/rationale.htm intended for background purposes], not as an actual plot line:
 
*'''12 December 1993''': [[Steve Grand]] explains that the mythology is [https://web.archive.org/web/20050312012947/fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/creaturesarchive/rationale.htm intended for background purposes], not as an actual plot line:
 
:''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 . . .''
 
:''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 . . .''
:''[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper's]] thought: '''"Viking Creatures: Norns with Horns!"'''''
 
  
 
===1994===
 
===1994===
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*'''3 May - 10 May 1994''' A prototype [[Secret Adventure Mode]] is documented in [[Steve Grand]]'s programming diary. [https://web.archive.org/web/20050312012017/fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/creaturesarchive/progdiary.htm]
 
*'''3 May - 10 May 1994''' A prototype [[Secret Adventure Mode]] is documented in [[Steve Grand]]'s programming diary. [https://web.archive.org/web/20050312012017/fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/creaturesarchive/progdiary.htm]
 
*'''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 [https://web.archive.org/web/20050312012017/fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/creaturesarchive/progdiary.htm diary entry])
 
*'''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 [https://web.archive.org/web/20050312012017/fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/creaturesarchive/progdiary.htm diary entry])
:''[[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! :-)''
 
 
: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.''
 
: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.''
 
*'''1 August 1994''': The [[Cheat]] menu is added
 
*'''1 August 1994''': The [[Cheat]] menu is added
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*'''1997''': [[Steve Grand]], [[Dave Cliff]], and [[Anil Malhotra]] write ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20050311024312/http://fp.cyberlifersrch.plus.com/articles/agents_%2797_paper.htm Creatures: Artificial Life Autonomous Software Agents] ''
+
*'''February 1997''': [[Steve Grand]], [[Dave Cliff]], and [[Anil Malhotra]] publish ''[[Creatures: Artificial Life Autonomous Software Agents for Home Entertainment]]'' at the International Conference on Autonomous Agents
 
*'''March 1997''': [[alt.games.creatures]] is founded
 
*'''March 1997''': [[alt.games.creatures]] is founded
 +
*'''April 1997''': Cyberlife employees present both [[Autonomous Agents: A Matter of Life and Death]] and [[CyberLife: A biologically inspired architecture for complex gaming solutions]] at the 1997 Computer Game Developers Conference.
 
*'''May 1997''': The term "[[wolfling run]]" is coined.
 
*'''May 1997''': The term "[[wolfling run]]" is coined.
 
*'''2 May 1997''': Margot Adler of NPR reports on [[Creatures]], including interview segments with Toby Simpson and Steve Grand: [https://www.npr.org/1997/05/02/1039605/virtual-pets Virtual Pets on NPR.org]
 
*'''2 May 1997''': Margot Adler of NPR reports on [[Creatures]], including interview segments with Toby Simpson and Steve Grand: [https://www.npr.org/1997/05/02/1039605/virtual-pets Virtual Pets on NPR.org]
 
*'''6 May 1997''': "[https://archive.is/20130209095615/www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/1997/05/3639 Tamagotchi, Schmamagotchi: Here Come the Norns]" published on Wired.com
 
*'''6 May 1997''': "[https://archive.is/20130209095615/www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/1997/05/3639 Tamagotchi, Schmamagotchi: Here Come the Norns]" published on Wired.com
 +
*'''June 1997''': In "mid-June", Creatures version 1.0.1 is released, patching the game to support the new [[Observation Kit]].  It was available to download from the website.
 
*'''27 June 1997''': [[Creatures]] is released in Japan, costing 6,800 yen.[https://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/article/970425/june.htm]
 
*'''27 June 1997''': [[Creatures]] is released in Japan, costing 6,800 yen.[https://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/article/970425/june.htm]
 
*'''4 July 1997''': The PS1 division of [[Cyberlife]] is sold to Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, along with 60 of the 80 jobs at the company.
 
*'''4 July 1997''': The PS1 division of [[Cyberlife]] is sold to Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, along with 60 of the 80 jobs at the company.
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*'''August 1997''': [[Object Pack|Object Pack 1]] for [[Creatures]] is released, along with the [[Observation Kit]] and [[Preview Kit]]
 
*'''August 1997''': [[Object Pack|Object Pack 1]] for [[Creatures]] is released, along with the [[Observation Kit]] and [[Preview Kit]]
 
*'''5 August 1997''': [[Creatures]] is awarded Best Strategy Game at Macworld Expo
 
*'''5 August 1997''': [[Creatures]] is awarded Best Strategy Game at Macworld Expo
*'''15 August 1997''': Creatures 1.02 patch is released, [[Object Pack 2]] for C1 released. [https://web.archive.org/web/19971015234609/http://www.cyberlife.co.uk/creatures_frameset.htm]
+
*'''15 August 1997''': Creatures 1.0.2 patch is released, [[Object Pack 2]] for C1 released. [https://web.archive.org/web/19971015234609/http://www.cyberlife.co.uk/creatures_frameset.htm]
 
*'''1 September 1997''':The term "[[feral run]]" is coined.
 
*'''1 September 1997''':The term "[[feral run]]" is coined.
 
*'''7 September 1997''': The [[NORN Collective]] is [https://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.games.creatures/browse_frm/thread/1635a9226de7d6e0/b9eb0601eba0bd4d conceived]
 
*'''7 September 1997''': The [[NORN Collective]] is [https://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.games.creatures/browse_frm/thread/1635a9226de7d6e0/b9eb0601eba0bd4d conceived]
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===1998===
 
===1998===
  
 
*'''1998''': [[Steve Grand]] and [[Dave Cliff]] write ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20040328020451/http://www.hpl.hp.com/personal/dave_cliff/papers_online.htm Creatures: Entertainment Software Agents with Artificial Life]'' (archived page)
 
 
*'''14 January 1998''': [[Jack]] is born.
 
*'''14 January 1998''': [[Jack]] is born.
 
*'''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:
 
*'''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:
 
:''"Anyone who has ever played with Creatures will be pleased with the surprises the sequel has to offer."''
 
:''"Anyone who has ever played with Creatures will be pleased with the surprises the sequel has to offer."''
 
*'''28 February 1998''': The [[Secret Adventure Mode]] in [[Creatures 1]] is reported [[A.G.C.]] by [[David Wood]]
 
*'''28 February 1998''': The [[Secret Adventure Mode]] in [[Creatures 1]] is reported [[A.G.C.]] by [[David Wood]]
 +
*'''March 1998''': [[Steve Grand]] and [[Dave Cliff]] publish ''[[Creatures: Entertainment Software Agents with Artificial Life]]'' in ''Autonomous Agents and Multi-Agent Systems''
 
*'''17 March 1998''': [[Cyberlife|Cyberlife's]] [[Applied Research]] department wins a Ministry of Defence contract to research unmanned airborne vehicles
 
*'''17 March 1998''': [[Cyberlife|Cyberlife's]] [[Applied Research]] department wins a Ministry of Defence contract to research unmanned airborne vehicles
 
*'''21 April 1998''': [[Slave]] is born.
 
*'''21 April 1998''': [[Slave]] is born.
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*'''22 May 1998''': [[Toby Simpson]] states that [[Creatures 2]] will be released "early Q3 this year" in [https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/131679/from_creatures_to_androids.php From Creatures to Androids: An Interview with Toby Simpson of CyberLife]
 
*'''22 May 1998''': [[Toby Simpson]] states that [[Creatures 2]] will be released "early Q3 this year" in [https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/131679/from_creatures_to_androids.php From Creatures to Androids: An Interview with Toby Simpson of CyberLife]
 
*'''23 May 1998''': [[Norn and Grendel Day]]
 
*'''23 May 1998''': [[Norn and Grendel Day]]
*'''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
+
*'''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
 
*'''13 June 1998''': [[Bean]] posts the first of her [[HoloDeck series]] of [[:Category:Fiction|stories]] on [[alt.games.creatures]]
 
*'''13 June 1998''': [[Bean]] posts the first of her [[HoloDeck series]] of [[:Category:Fiction|stories]] on [[alt.games.creatures]]
 
*'''29 June 1998''': The [[Creatures series]] becomes the only computer game to be [https://web.archive.org/web/20010219021419/http://www.creatures.co.uk/Newstand/mediabox/ns_media_dome.htm awarded the Millennium Products marque] (archived page) - over 500,000 units have been sold, and from this ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20040820002256/http://www.hpl.hp.com/personal/dave_cliff/creatures.pdf The Creatures Global Digital Ecosystem]'' (archived page) later estimates a global [[norn]] population of around 5 million.
 
*'''29 June 1998''': The [[Creatures series]] becomes the only computer game to be [https://web.archive.org/web/20010219021419/http://www.creatures.co.uk/Newstand/mediabox/ns_media_dome.htm awarded the Millennium Products marque] (archived page) - over 500,000 units have been sold, and from this ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20040820002256/http://www.hpl.hp.com/personal/dave_cliff/creatures.pdf The Creatures Global Digital Ecosystem]'' (archived page) later estimates a global [[norn]] population of around 5 million.
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*'''1 January 1999''': [[Mike Raiford]] [https://groups.google.co.uk/groups?threadm=O3ij2.816%24d01.5550%40typhoon01.swbell.net releases] the first version of [[GEL]]
 
*'''1 January 1999''': [[Mike Raiford]] [https://groups.google.co.uk/groups?threadm=O3ij2.816%24d01.5550%40typhoon01.swbell.net releases] the first version of [[GEL]]
*'''2 January 1999''': The [[alt.games.creatures#JNCOBOY|[JNCOBOY] EVERYONE READ!!!!]] thread starts on [[alt.games.creatures]] - it subsequently receives over '''7000''' replies spanning 6 years
+
*'''2 January 1999''': The [[alt.games.creatures#JNCOBOY|[JNCOBOY] EVERYONE READ!!!!]] thread starts on [[alt.games.creatures]] - it subsequently receives over '''7000''' replies over the next 6 years
:[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]: The above is a current (Jan 2005) estimate - the thread has not yet stopped!
 
 
*'''11 January 1999''': [[Francis Irving]] joins [[Creature Labs]]
 
*'''11 January 1999''': [[Francis Irving]] joins [[Creature Labs]]
 
*'''3 February 1999''': [[Dillon]] creates [[alt.games.creatures.moderated]]
 
*'''3 February 1999''': [[Dillon]] creates [[alt.games.creatures.moderated]]
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*'''25 April 1999''': [[Creature Labs]] begins selling the [[Room Editor]] and the [[Pose and Gait Editor]] (PAGE)
 
*'''25 April 1999''': [[Creature Labs]] begins selling the [[Room Editor]] and the [[Pose and Gait Editor]] (PAGE)
 
*'''20 May 1999''': [[Ashley Harman|Ash Harman (Frimlin)]] joins [[Creatures Labs]]
 
*'''20 May 1999''': [[Ashley Harman|Ash Harman (Frimlin)]] joins [[Creatures Labs]]
*'''June 1999''': [[Ben Gonshaw]] joines [[Creatures Labs]]
+
*'''June 1999''': [[Ben Gonshaw]] joins [[Creatures Labs]]
 
*'''June 1999''': [[Wayne Stallwood]] joins [[Creature Labs]]
 
*'''June 1999''': [[Wayne Stallwood]] joins [[Creature Labs]]
 
*'''16 June 1999''': [[Moca]] creates the first issue of [[We be Creatures!]]
 
*'''16 June 1999''': [[Moca]] creates the first issue of [[We be Creatures!]]
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*'''August 2000''': Issue 2 of ''Much Ado About Norns'' asks whether [[norn]]s are alive - 47% say they are, 20% that they aren't; the rest don't know (original article no longer exists, formerly at www.gamewaredevelopment.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=31092&postcount=30)
 
*'''August 2000''': Issue 2 of ''Much Ado About Norns'' asks whether [[norn]]s are alive - 47% say they are, 20% that they aren't; the rest don't know (original article no longer exists, formerly at www.gamewaredevelopment.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=31092&postcount=30)
 
*'''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
 
*'''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
*'''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
+
*'''October 2000''': Venture capital specialists '''3i Group''' and '''Foresight Technology VCT''' invest £2.5m in [[Creature Labs]] in convertible loan stock, almost all of which will subsequently be written off
 
*'''4 October 2000''': [[Creatures Playground]] is nominated for a BAFTA award.
 
*'''4 October 2000''': [[Creatures Playground]] is nominated for a BAFTA award.
 
*'''20 October 2000''': [[Aktion Millennium]] starts at [[Mummy's Creatures]]
 
*'''20 October 2000''': [[Aktion Millennium]] starts at [[Mummy's Creatures]]
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*'''March 2001''': [[Mummy]] launches [[Aktion Farbtopf]]
 
*'''March 2001''': [[Mummy]] launches [[Aktion Farbtopf]]
 
*'''27 March 2001''': [[Creature Labs]] announce the release of [[Docking Station]]
 
*'''27 March 2001''': [[Creature Labs]] announce the release of [[Docking Station]]
*'''May 2001''': [[Creatures Labs]] and subsiduaries have 70 employees
+
*'''May 2001''': [[Creatures Labs]] and subsidiaries have 70 employees
 
*'''2 May 2001''': The [[Bondi Norn]]s are released for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]] - DS beta testers get them free
 
*'''2 May 2001''': The [[Bondi Norn]]s are released for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]] - DS beta testers get them free
 
*'''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.
 
*'''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.
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*'''January 2002''': [[Origin of the Digital Species]], a 30-minute documentary produced by the Discovery Channel and filmed by Penninsula Films, released.
 
*'''January 2002''': [[Origin of the Digital Species]], a 30-minute documentary produced by the Discovery Channel and filmed by Penninsula Films, released.
 
*'''11 January 2002''': [[Creatures GBA]] is released in Europe by Swing! Entertainment Media AG
 
*'''11 January 2002''': [[Creatures GBA]] is released in Europe by Swing! Entertainment Media AG
*'''24 January 2002''': The [[Zebra Norn]]s are relased for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]
+
*'''24 January 2002''': The [[Zebra Norn]]s are released for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]
 
*'''February 2002''': Work on [[Beasts]] (by now called [[Yeren]]) stops; [[Thaddaeus Frogley]] leaves [[Creature Labs]]
 
*'''February 2002''': Work on [[Beasts]] (by now called [[Yeren]]) stops; [[Thaddaeus Frogley]] leaves [[Creature Labs]]
 
*'''8 February 2002''': [[Creatures GBA]] is released in the US by [[Conspiracy Entertainment]]
 
*'''8 February 2002''': [[Creatures GBA]] is released in the US by [[Conspiracy Entertainment]]
 
*'''14 February 2002''': [[NeoDecatur]] releases an updated [[Valentine's Day Pack]] for [[Docking Station]], while [[Alien]] and [[tomtschek]] release the [[Pink Poodle Ettin]]s
 
*'''14 February 2002''': [[NeoDecatur]] releases an updated [[Valentine's Day Pack]] for [[Docking Station]], while [[Alien]] and [[tomtschek]] release the [[Pink Poodle Ettin]]s
*'''15 February 2002''': The [[Astro Norn]]s are relased for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]
+
*'''15 February 2002''': The [[Astro Norn]]s are released for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]
 
*'''March 2002''': [[HomeCreatures]] finally shuts its doors.
 
*'''March 2002''': [[HomeCreatures]] finally shuts its doors.
 
*'''6 March 2002''': Members of [[Wikipedia:H2G2|h2g2]] write an [https://h2g2.com/edited_entry/A663491 article] on the [[Creatures series]].
 
*'''6 March 2002''': Members of [[Wikipedia:H2G2|h2g2]] write an [https://h2g2.com/edited_entry/A663491 article] on the [[Creatures series]].
*'''25 March 2002''': The [[Harlequin Norn]]s are relased for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]
+
*'''25 March 2002''': The [[Harlequin Norn]]s are released for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]
 
*'''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.
 
*'''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.
 
*'''16 April 2002''': [[BioLabs]] release the [[Borg Norn]]s for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]
 
*'''16 April 2002''': [[BioLabs]] release the [[Borg Norn]]s for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]
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*'''24 April 2002''': The [[Lone Shee|Lone Shee's]] [[Fallow Norn]]s are released for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]
 
*'''24 April 2002''': The [[Lone Shee|Lone Shee's]] [[Fallow Norn]]s are released for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]
 
*'''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
 
*'''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
*'''May 2002''': ''3i'' is not willing to accept the executive board's recomendation that [[Creature Labs]] be sold to board members for £75,000 when it had invested £2.5m just 18 months ago, and new options are demanded
+
*'''May 2002''': ''3i'' is not willing to accept the executive board's recommendation that [[Creature Labs]] be sold to board members for £75,000 when it had invested £2.5m just 18 months ago, and new options are demanded
 
*'''14 May 2002''': [[Creatures - Raised in Space|Creatures: Raised in Space]] is released for the PS1 by [[Conspiracy Entertainment]]
 
*'''14 May 2002''': [[Creatures - Raised in Space|Creatures: Raised in Space]] is released for the PS1 by [[Conspiracy Entertainment]]
 
*'''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:
 
*'''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:
 
:''"if the management doesn’t improve and the business made more commercial it could be back in trouble very soon"''
 
:''"if the management doesn’t improve and the business made more commercial it could be back in trouble very soon"''
::It's been suggested that this was just one grumpy investor, and that Business Weekly were being overly negative. --[[User:GreenReaper|GreenReaper]]
 
 
:In other news, Creatures Labs released the [[Magma Norn]]s (previously only available in [[Creatures Internet Edition]])
 
:In other news, Creatures Labs released the [[Magma Norn]]s (previously only available in [[Creatures Internet Edition]])
 
*'''June 2002''': [[Creature Labs]] officially changes its name to '''[[Entraline]] Limited''' - Cyberlife Technology Ltd remains its operating subsidiary
 
*'''June 2002''': [[Creature Labs]] officially changes its name to '''[[Entraline]] Limited''' - Cyberlife Technology Ltd remains its operating subsidiary
 
*'''1 July 2002''': [[GreenReaper]] releases his C3/DS [[logon skin|logon screen skins]] for Windows XP
 
*'''1 July 2002''': [[GreenReaper]] releases his C3/DS [[logon skin|logon screen skins]] for Windows XP
*'''2 July 2002''': The [[Siamese Norn]]s are relased for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]
+
*'''2 July 2002''': The [[Siamese Norn]]s are released for [[Creatures 3]]/[[Docking Station]]
 
*'''12 July 2002''': The adapted Atari game [[Warlords]] is released
 
*'''12 July 2002''': The adapted Atari game [[Warlords]] is released
 
*'''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
 
*'''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
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**Silver Hand Awards: [[Don]], [[NornenMeister (person)| NornenMeister]] and [[Laura]] for notable contributions.
 
**Silver Hand Awards: [[Don]], [[NornenMeister (person)| NornenMeister]] and [[Laura]] for notable contributions.
 
*'''4 February, 2011''': C2toDS Release 2 from [[Liam]] and and [[Moe]] comes out.
 
*'''4 February, 2011''': C2toDS Release 2 from [[Liam]] and and [[Moe]] comes out.
*'''27 February, 2011''': [[Steve Grand]] announced his new project, an artifical life game for PC, [[Grandroids]] at [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1508284443/grandroids-real-artificial-life-on-your-pc/ kickstarter].
+
*'''27 February, 2011''': [[Steve Grand]] announced his new project, an artificial life game for PC, [[Grandroids]] at [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1508284443/grandroids-real-artificial-life-on-your-pc/ kickstarter].
 
*'''9 April, 2011''': [[Steve Grand]]'s project, [[Grandroids]] was founded at [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1508284443/grandroids-real-artificial-life-on-your-pc/ kickstarter].
 
*'''9 April, 2011''': [[Steve Grand]]'s project, [[Grandroids]] was founded at [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1508284443/grandroids-real-artificial-life-on-your-pc/ kickstarter].
 
*'''16 May 2011''': [[Creatures 4]] is [http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/72296/2011_The_Year_of_CREATURES_return.php announced].
 
*'''16 May 2011''': [[Creatures 4]] is [http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/72296/2011_The_Year_of_CREATURES_return.php announced].
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*'''6 July 2011''': [[C-Rex]] re-launches [[DS Galaxy|Docking Station Galaxy]] as a blog.
 
*'''6 July 2011''': [[C-Rex]] re-launches [[DS Galaxy|Docking Station Galaxy]] as a blog.
 
*'''19 July 2011''': Details of the CCSF 2011 are [https://creaturescaves.com/forum.php?view=2&thread=3376 released].
 
*'''19 July 2011''': Details of the CCSF 2011 are [https://creaturescaves.com/forum.php?view=2&thread=3376 released].
 +
*'''4 August 2011''': [[ToasterAtheism]] creates the [https://www.reddit.com/r/CreaturesNorns/ CreaturesNorns] [[Reddit| SubReddit]].
 
*'''11 August 2011''': Fishing Cactus [http://blog.fishingcactus.com/index.php/2011/08/11/creatures-4-1st-screenshot-creature-artwork/ reveal] a screenshot of Creatures 4 and the new Norn design.
 
*'''11 August 2011''': Fishing Cactus [http://blog.fishingcactus.com/index.php/2011/08/11/creatures-4-1st-screenshot-creature-artwork/ reveal] a screenshot of Creatures 4 and the new Norn design.
 
*'''16 August 2011''': Fishing Cactus exhibit a playable demo of Creatures 4 at Gamescom. [https://archive.is/aO3CR archive] (old link: www.gamescom-cologne.com/en/gamescom/home/index.php)
 
*'''16 August 2011''': Fishing Cactus exhibit a playable demo of Creatures 4 at Gamescom. [https://archive.is/aO3CR archive] (old link: www.gamescom-cologne.com/en/gamescom/home/index.php)
Line 676: Line 673:
 
*'''22 June 2016''': [[GirlySatan]] releases a beta of [[AlbiaSquared]].
 
*'''22 June 2016''': [[GirlySatan]] releases a beta of [[AlbiaSquared]].
 
*'''25 June 2016''': Docking Station Galaxy is renamed [[The Norn Nebula]].
 
*'''25 June 2016''': Docking Station Galaxy is renamed [[The Norn Nebula]].
 +
*'''6 August 2016''': A new [[Grandroids]] Demo released, mostly focusing on UI features and underlying 'gameplay' stuff.
 
*'''3 September 2016''' Mummy's Creatures Forum is redesigned with [http://toanuva.bplaced.net/spieletipps/ Toa-Nuva's Spieletipps] website layout.
 
*'''3 September 2016''' Mummy's Creatures Forum is redesigned with [http://toanuva.bplaced.net/spieletipps/ Toa-Nuva's Spieletipps] website layout.
 
*'''4 October 2016''' [[NornenMeister_(person)|NornenMeister]] retires as administrator of [[Mummy's Creatures Forum]].
 
*'''4 October 2016''' [[NornenMeister_(person)|NornenMeister]] retires as administrator of [[Mummy's Creatures Forum]].
Line 759: Line 757:
 
*'''22 November 2021''': [[Critter Consortium]] [https://www.facebook.com/CritterConsortium/posts/110753941432205 announces] that the Creatures series will be coming to [[Steam]] in December 2021.
 
*'''22 November 2021''': [[Critter Consortium]] [https://www.facebook.com/CritterConsortium/posts/110753941432205 announces] that the Creatures series will be coming to [[Steam]] in December 2021.
 
*'''5 December 2021''': The [[CCSF 2021]] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgomk8aU_Dg begins].
 
*'''5 December 2021''': The [[CCSF 2021]] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgomk8aU_Dg begins].
 +
*'''6 December 2021''': [[Discover Albia]] comes back online.
 
*'''7 December 2021''': [[Creatures 3]] and [[Docking Station]] are launched on the [[Steam]] service.
 
*'''7 December 2021''': [[Creatures 3]] and [[Docking Station]] are launched on the [[Steam]] service.
 
*'''7 December 2021''': The [[Creatures 0]] prototype is released to the community as part of the [[CCSF 2021]].
 
*'''7 December 2021''': The [[Creatures 0]] prototype is released to the community as part of the [[CCSF 2021]].
Line 773: Line 772:
 
*'''25 April 2022''': Voting for [[CCSF 2022]] coordinator and theme opens.
 
*'''25 April 2022''': Voting for [[CCSF 2022]] coordinator and theme opens.
 
*'''28 April 2022''': [[Albian Warp]] v 0.2.2 released - a bugfix.
 
*'''28 April 2022''': [[Albian Warp]] v 0.2.2 released - a bugfix.
*'''30 March 2022'''; [[Rascii]] alerted the community that a website upgrade was in the works for [[Creatures Caves]]
+
*'''30 March 2022''': [[Rascii]] alerted the community that a website upgrade was in the works for [[Creatures Caves]].
 
*'''2 May 2022''': [[Succulent Bridge]] metaroom revamp released.
 
*'''2 May 2022''': [[Succulent Bridge]] metaroom revamp released.
 
*'''23 May 2022''': Version 0.1 of [[Roomie]] released.
 
*'''23 May 2022''': Version 0.1 of [[Roomie]] released.
Line 782: Line 781:
 
*'''3 July 2022''': [[Pitz]] added to [[C2toDS Refresh]].
 
*'''3 July 2022''': [[Pitz]] added to [[C2toDS Refresh]].
 
*'''29 July 2022''': [[Creatures 3D]] documentation was released to the community.
 
*'''29 July 2022''': [[Creatures 3D]] documentation was released to the community.
 +
*'''30 August 2022''': [[Steve Grand]] posts an update about [[Grandroids]]. The creatures in the next build will no longer be [[Gloop]]s.
 +
*'''27 September 2022''': [[lacota]] introduces a new [[eemfoo.org]] beta warp, designed in Java from scratch by [[20kdc]].
 +
*'''20 November 2022''': [[CCSF 2022]] begins.
 +
*'''22 November 2022''': [[Steve Grand]] states that he is working on a Patreon for [[Grandroids]].
 +
*'''29 November 2022''': [[CCSF 2022]] ends.
 +
*'''25 December 2022''': [[RAL]] is released.
 +
*'''29 December 2022''': [[Chic Norn]]s are released.
 +
*'''30 December 2022''': [[Angler Grendel]]s are released.
 +
 +
===2023===
 +
*'''17 January 2023''': [[Ian Saunter]], Development Director at Millennium Interactive and Creature Labs and Creative Director at Gameware, dies aged 66.
 +
*'''12 February 2023''': [[Creatures: Color Craze]], a Creatures mini-game developed by [[Spil Games]], is discovered by [[C-Rex]].
 +
*'''25 February 2023''': [[Arnout]] releases the [[Mojo Norn|Mojo Norns]] for [[C3/DS]].
 +
*'''9 March 2023''': [[Freylaverse]] launches [[The Norn Swarm]], a spiritual successor to [[Live Nornish Action]].

Revision as of 20:07, 10 March 2023

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.

A good overview from Development Director Ian Saunter is provided in:

More on the relationship between the various companies can be found in:

Large amounts of this timeline were derived from Steve Grand's notes. Many thanks to Steve for providing this resource to the community!

Creatures: Their Life Is In Your Hands

Timeline of Events

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 :-)

Pre-1992

1992

  • 1992: Millennium release Cyber Empires, The Aquatic Games, Daughter of Serpents, Global Effect and Rome AD 92
  • September 1992: Creatures is 'officially' conceived, although it will take years to develop fully into the game we know today. From Tips.txt:
The initial ideas for this project were conceived on a motel balcony in Winthrop, WA, USA in September 1992.

1993

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 . . .

1994

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.
  • 1 August 1994: The Cheat menu is added
  • 10 October 1994: Plans for DDE support are finalized, laying the foundations for external tools to communicate with Creatures
  • 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
  • 20 November 1994: Cyberlife is set up to develop and exploit Steve Grand's ideas

1995

  • 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
  • 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
  • 19 July 1995: Creatures finally has a complete design definition - as with most software development projects, it required actually building most of the program to fully define it . . .

1996

  • 10:50 am, 21 March 1996: The first norn ever bred in captivity was born. He was called Cain, son of Ron and Eve.
  • 22 April 1996: The twin spectres of disease and bacteria are introduced to Creatures
  • October 1996: A grendel features on the front cover of Joystick.
  • October 1996: Creatures is previewed in PC Zone issue 43.
  • November 1996: The Cyberlife department has 10 people in it
  • 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
  • December 1996: 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. [2]
  • December 1996: PC Zone issue 45 reviews Creatures, giving it a score of 94.
  • 18 December 1996: The "Norn 6-pack" is released: Buffy, Dion, Jarvis, Melvin, Sharla, and Teesha (download)

1997

1998

  • 14 January 1998: Jack is born.
  • 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:
"Anyone who has ever played with Creatures will be pleased with the surprises the sequel has to offer."

1999

2000

". . . and moves into the entertainment sector and returns with a new direction and new focus."
"[a company providing] enterprise-wide software solutions for XML-based Internet content management"
"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."
"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."

2001

"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"

2002

"if the management doesn’t improve and the business made more commercial it could be back in trouble very soon"
In other news, Creatures Labs released the Magma Norns (previously only available in Creatures Internet Edition)

2003

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.
  • 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
  • 19 March 2003: DockingStation Aftermath forum opened by Mark Stamps to keep the community apprised of the situation, and what was to come
  • 20 March 2003: Creature Labs closes - many CC members say goodbye on Lisa de Araujo's weblog posts
  • 21 March 2003: Hippi Norns for C2 released.
  • April 2003: Alien life: how would we know? is published, which dismisses strong A-life (and Creatures) as a form of life.
  • 3 April 2003: Docking Station servers are turned off
  • 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"
  • 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
  • 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 employees had been working for the last three months without pay; the same investor as before said:
'"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."
  • 7 May 2003: Gameware Development is incorporated
  • 3 June 2003: Ask Laura opens for business, dispensing valuable advice to Norns, Ettins, Grendels and Hands alike!
  • 7 June 2003: Mark Stamps gets the first core Docking Station server back online.
  • 18 June 2003: Docking Station user registration re-opens; Survivor begins at Creatures Caves
  • Mid 2003: The Albia region is founded on NationStates
  • 2 July 2003: Crazy Creatures Captures opens at TreeSprite's Creatures Grove
  • 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
The Creatures Community felt this was terrific news as the norns had been saved from liquidation.

2004

"SceneMachines takes us closer to our vision for simultaneous cross-platform, non-violent game applications."
"Creatures-wise, we’ve been continuing our quest to find partners with the right level of commitment needed to take forward the 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!"

2005

2006

2007

2008

  • 27 January 2008 Gameware Forums close temporarily. A message that says "It will be back when people learn to play nice, stop being annoying and stop reporting every other post" is left. This is later changed to a more generic message. The forums return on the 4th of February. On the 7th, the off-topic, site announcements, and RP subforums are removed in an attempt to discourage spam.
  • 9 February 2008 Iggdrasil has been re-opened as Iggdrasil v2 with it's original content.
  • 12 February 2008 Creaturetopia is created, as a response to the Gameware forum strife. It has been growing steadily.
  • 13 February 2008 The Creature Repository reaches 1000 user-submitted creatures.
  • 19 February 2008 Vampess releases a beta test of the CFE norns.
  • 28 February 2008 Vampess releases another beta of the CFE.
  • 6 March 2008 Vampess releases the final version of the CFE and CFEm breeds, including Astro, Chichi, Fallow, Harlequin, Siamese, Zebra, Bengal, Bruin, Civet, Bondi, Hardman, Magma, Toxic, Treehugger, Banshee Grendel, Grendel, Ettin, and DuoCycle Ettin.
  • 12 March 2008 C-Rex releases his first genetic breed, the Pink Strawberry Norns, for C3/DS.
  • 14 April 2008 Alien released the Opera Ettins.
  • 17 April 2008 Gameware releases the Siamese Norns, Harlequin Norns, Fallow Norns, Zebra Norns and Astro Norns for free download.
  • 10 May 2008 Undine Norns are released.
  • 19 July 2008 The Gameware Forum is closed again, with a message saying "The forum is closed until further notice as there is no-one currently available to moderate. Should the situation change, a notification will be posted here."
  • 25 July 2008 Norngirl released the Neko Ettins for C3/DS.
  • 12 October 2008 The Creatures of Avalon closed.
  • 31 October 2008 NornenMeisters website goes down.
  • 24 November 2008 Norngirl open here new website Norngirl's temporary Storage place.
  • 25 December 2008 CCSF 2008 starts.

2009

2010

2011

  • 6 January, 2011: Start of the new Community Awards, which this time is not granted by Cyberlife, but is elected by the members of the Community.

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023