Jesper Juul (the Ludologist) has some screenshots of Spore up (hurry up and see them before EA Legal has a hissy fit).

Dave Rickey’s commentary on the matter is here, and can be summed up as ‘I’d like some of whatever that gentleman is having’.

As for my own fanboyism, it’s not that I think the game will definitely rock. This design is risky enough that there’s very clearly a chance of suckitude. It’s not that I don’t think that Will Wright can do no wrong. He certainly has in the past. But what’s breathtaking about it is the sheer ambition of the game, the willingness he has to take enormous chances. And the fact that he’s such a good designer that EA lets him.

Given that this E3 looks to be another year awash with Vietnam shooters and GTA clones (that all seem to miss the point of why GTA is fun — but that’s another story), seeing something that orthagonal and daring IS exciting. It captures the imagination, and won’t let go.