Like Chris, I’ve been very impressed with Google’s launch of Chrome but I also wanted to comment on Spore’s SporeVote – where another canny move was made, launch-wise.

SporeVote launched a week before the release of the widely anticipated game, giving people the opportunity to submit the characters they’ve made through the Creature Creator (released in June to give a glimpse at some of the characters you’ll be able to create in-game) and get extra buzz.

To celebrate the launch of the Spore Creature Creator, we found 75 of the most creative innovators from around the world and asked them to create a creature of their own. As you can see, it’s an interesting mix of writers, actors, musicians, athletes, thinkers and more—and each has now created an alter ego for you to check out. Have a look around, explore the creatures and vote for the ones you like the best. The winner will get $15,000 to donate to the charity of their choice

There are some interesting submissions from the celebrities – Tay Zonday’s Ten Hit Wonder and Flight of the Conchord’s BattleKiwi being two of my favourites, David Lynch’s seems surprisingly cute while Stan Lee’s is surprisingly not the most popular (it doesn’t really do it for me but neither does the current fav – Phil Defranco’s excitable, horned Red bi-ped:)

Defranco's & Lee's entries.

Unfortunately it’s a bit high spec for my machine (& I’m far to busy working to try it here, obviously) which means I haven’t been able to have a real play about with it but it looks like fun and with a real diversity of characters available.

Of course, the game is actually out now, does anyone have it yet? I’m not really a massive gamer (there is a place in my heart for old skool Sonic, my DS and Zoo Tycon on the PC but I’ve never really delved deeper..) but the idea of Spore does appeal. I shan’t be buying it though as last time I found a game I really got into I suddenly started being late/absent for absolutely everything and I’m not sure my social life could take that again!

Oh also, they had some lovely ads out in the US designed by Drew Marshall of Psilo Design Group:

I don’t think they were out here, I don’t remember seeing any…

On an entirely unrelated note, next Friday (19th) is International Talk Like a Pirate Day and apparently there will be an online event called ‘Blog Like a Pirate’, among other things to celebrate. There’s no description of the event but I would assume it’s a Ronseal deal…Anyone fancy blogging like a Pirate? How would you do it – lots of bad typing due to the hooks? Blogging about sea conditions, booty and rum? Something tells me the more traditional dress up and go ‘arrgh! Me hearties’, etc, at people will be more fun.

What do you think?