Not all trademarks are smoke screens, as EA has just proven. Darkspore is indeed the sci-fi action RPG described by a San Diego Comic Con listing and it's hitting the Mac and PC at some point in February, 2011.

Described as an action RPG similar to Diablo, Maxis Software's Darkspore will have its users battling across a galaxy in an attempt to save it from the "mutated forces of Darkspore." You'll be the hero, and considering this is a Spore spin-off, you'll have some options when it comes to character creation.
 
EA is boasting that the game will support five unique hero types, each of which will be supported by three character classes. Regardless of what you choose, you'll be customizable the hero with a "limitless" crop of upgrades and abilities. Interestingly, what you'll be able to customize with will be gathered from the game's environment. Also, you won't just be upgrading yourself--one of the sub-goals of the game is to, ultimately, create a team of "living weapons," each of which is customizable. 
 

Gallery

Not all trademarks are smoke screens, as EA has just proven. Darkspore is indeed the sci-fi action RPG described by a San Diego Comic Con listing and it's hitting the Mac and PC at some point in February, 2011.

Described as an action RPG similar to Diablo, Maxis Software's Darkspore will have its users battling across a galaxy in an attempt to save it from the "mutated forces of Darkspore." You'll be the hero, and considering this is a Spore spin-off, you'll have some options when it comes to character creation.
 
EA is boasting that the game will support five unique hero types, each of which will be supported by three character classes. Regardless of what you choose, you'll be customizable the hero with a "limitless" crop of upgrades and abilities. Interestingly, what you'll be able to customize with will be gathered from the game's environment. Also, you won't just be upgrading yourself--one of the sub-goals of the game is to, ultimately, create a team of "living weapons," each of which is customizable. 
 

Gallery

So its a spore RPG..like...that expansion? 

Spore featuring darth vader. calling it right now.

Bioware + Spore?

Spore spin off anyone?

co op you say?

Calling it, Darkspore is the game title of the year.

" So its a spore RPG..like...that expansion?  "

I'll keep an eye on this.

Hmm this might be.... 
oh wait, it has Spore in the title. 
 Oh well....

" @The_Laughing_Man said:

" So its a spore RPG..like...that expansion?  "

Right, except now its fashionably gritty and maybe you hide behind boxes and shoot so people like it. "

now I'm waiting for someone to replace all the darkspawn with spore monsters or something.

What? A "dynamic, fast-paced action" online squad-based game? What does that mean? It sounds like this might be a cool game.  Wonder if it's colourful and happy like Spore or dark like the name implies? 
 
EDIT: Hmm you added a picture.  It looks like it could be a Diablo style game... interesting

looks like shit

Seems like Marvel Ultimate Alliance but with a character creator.  It doesn't look particularly animaly either.  And it's only been announced for PC?
 
They're going to sit there and tell me this will be better / sell better than Sim City 5 with Sporesque content creation and sharing?  I don't think they know what they're doing.
 
edit:  OIC, well if the 'traditional campaign' is Diabloy (as in, you control one character), and the loot is body parts... that could be ok I guess.

This could be a better game than the original Spore, but I am always wary when a publisher unveils a new 'Edgy' version of an existing franchise. It tends to end up being a negative to the whole experience. This also seems like the type of game that would happen now that Will Wright is out of the picture, could be good though we will just have to wait and see. 

The reminds me a lot of the old third person game Evolva:

  But that likely wasn't successful enough for people to remember though it might just have been an inspiration.

I can't help but get the feeling Spore didn't make EA enough money so now they're desperately trying to find a use for all the (admittedly excellent) creation tools they spent so much money making for Spore. 
 
I think this is a good thing, since it was these tools that were the best part of what was an otherwise crummy game, but I may be alone in this...

sounds cool! I could only play so much of the Original Sport before I got bored of this it so maybe this will bring me back to that universe.

" I can't help but get the feeling Spore didn't make EA enough money so now they're desperately trying to find a use for all the (admittedly excellent) creation tools they spent so much money making for Spore.   I think this is a good thing, since it was these tools that were the best part of what was an otherwise crummy game, but I may be alone in this... "

Sim Tower was the sweetest game. This though...I'll reserve judgment until more details come out.

I'm intriguied...tell me more.

"Darkspore will feature a four-player co-op campaign"
 
Just don't Too Human this down to 2 players and I will maintain interest.

Maybe, probably not

"come to the dark side of the spore... luke skypenismonster."  
 
seriously though did spore need expansions? lol