creature

Creator Spotlight: Slartibartfast38

Meet Creator Slartibartfast38

Meet Slartibartfast38. He's been a mainstay on the most popular new Sporepedia pages, and even won a prize in our 2008 Holiday contest. His geometrically designed UFOs have inspired many creators to think outside the box and play with abstract shapes and colors when imagining up new creations.

Slartibartfast38
Slartibartfast38 Name: Randy Cyr aka Slartibartfast38


Location: The city of Winnipeg, in the province of Manitoba, Canada


Age: 38 yrs old


Do you find any particular inspiration for your work?


I find inspiration in just about everything life has to offer. My 2 sons inspire me daily. They are fine young men, and I couldn't be more proud. I tend to get alot of ideas for the names of my spaceships from the music I was listenting to at the time I was creating. Some of my ideas have even come from the lyrics themselves. Images I may see on TV that day tend to have the same effect.


Also, it is a constant pleasure to see the daily new creations from the community in general. Each and every creation has a great deal of effort and thought put into it. Knowing how much effort each person put into their creation is an inspiration.


To be perfectly honest, this is the first game I've ever purchased for a PC, and it has been a mind opening experience. I enjoy every aspect of it, and the freedom of expression is amazing. So the game 'Spore' itself has been a creative inspiration for me.


Have you met anyone during your experience playing spore?


Slartibartfast38

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for giving me those ratings and making those comments. I have met so many fantastic people since starting this game. It's hard to imagine what life was like before 'Spore'. To name a few: Dirtymeat, Hydro_Glyph, LordVarmint, Didzo, Enderhenne, Lazywnch, Hilight, Narado, Mootacoo, Gryphon57, SharnaSanveech, ERrnesST, SlivaStari, Sakiara, calculatrice, Zonagirl, Spooradit, Thawed, Heistercrabb, Himmeslaub, rodham, akilahanahid, aquijybo, codyr2391, dragonkohan, Manifestation, Hermit_Blake, Alephred, RissaAngel, exinferios, OldRygel, Sushi Star, Binny, BellaBlim, Exploraziode, sensimelio, hattrickster, Drubinsky, blyon90, JDofPivot, XOTLY, Andeavor, Breakfall87, Torraan, NicMacc, quantamania, PielsYummy, and now you, MaxisCactus.


I literally could go on for another four pages. I am terribly sorry to anyone I may have left out.


What's the favorite creation you've made-and what's your favorite by someone else?


That's a tough one. If I had to choose, I'd have to say 'The Wright House' for my own creations, just based on the responses it has recieved. But most recently, I made one called 'The Terminator MKII,' and it just might be my best looking creation.


My favorite creation by another person is 'Spode' by Dirtymeat. When I first started playing this game and checking out all the amazing designs, 'Spode' was the first one that made my jaw literally drop, and it still does. Whenever I wonder what the limits of this game might be, I look up 'Spode' to remind myself that there aren't any limits. Amazing in design, creativity, and execution.


Which editor is your favorite to create in? Why?


Slartibartfast38

I'd have to say I have grown to love the building editors. I am still relatively new to them, and I learn something new about them each time I use them. I also feel I can be somewhat more imaginative in the building editor as the boundaries feel a little more broad. The bulk of my work is in spaceships, however. But I now feel comfortable in both. I look forward to moving on to the creature editor one day.


Did it take you a long time to find your signature style?


I guess it was about six weeks after I started creating that I stumbled upon a certain look that I liked. I asked my 15-year-old son what he thought of the geometric shape I had made. and he said, "Pretty cool, Dad." If anyone has ever had a teenage son, or one day will have a teenage son, doing something they deem as 'cool' is HUGE. LOL.


Then it became a personal test to see how far I could take those shapes. The more intricate they became the more fun they were to paint. I've released a few blank creations of those geometric shapes for others to paint themselves, and the responses have been fantastic.


Lately I've been making a lot of 'people' in the building editor, and those have been no end of fun.


What is your main motivation for making new creations?


Slartibartfast38

Knowing that I may have, in some small way, inspired someone somewhere with one of my creations is a powerful feeling and probably the main reason I keep uploading them. But to be honest, I just can't imagine NOT making something new. On a bad day, I know I can come home and escape a little on 'Spore' in the editors. On good days, I just like to make something for fun.


Is there anything you'd like to shout-out to everyone reading the Spore Newsletter?


Slartibartfast38

Let's see... Stay in school.


Get active in the community. There are many different ways you can do so. Check out the forums, join the clubs, participate in any of the 'challenges' and 'contests' that are always being held. Keep making stuff, practice makes perfect.


Also, I feel the need to have the name 'Elvis' at least once somewhere in this interview, so there it is.


Recommend this game to anyone you know. Even the people without imaginations. This game might help. LOL. I like cookies, chocolate chip cookies in particular. My 15-year-old son wants everyone to know he is 'gnarly.' I met an Astronaut once, and he told me, "The sky is NOT the limit!" and I'd have to agree. Aim high, dream big. Anything is possible.


Thank you all very much for this game and for this interview. This has been a pleasure since I opened it when I brought it home from the store.


View all of Slartibartfast38's Creations