# SporeModder

> unofficial Spore modding software, succeeded by SporeModder FX

**Wikidata**: [Q133733739](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q133733739)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sporemodder

## Summary
SporeModder is an unofficial, free software application designed for modifying the video game *Spore*. Written in Java and utilizing the Swing framework, it serves as a modding tool that runs on Microsoft Windows. The software is considered obsolete and has been succeeded by SporeModder FX.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type:** Unofficial modding software / Free software.
- **License:** GNU General Public License, version 3.0.
- **Programming Language:** Java (using the Swing GUI framework).
- **Operating System:** Microsoft Windows.
- **Purpose:** Customization (modding) of the video game *Spore*.
- **Source Repository:** [github.com/emd4600/SporeModder](https://github.com/emd4600/SporeModder)
- **Status:** Obsolete; succeeded by SporeModder FX.
- **Initial Release:** Version 1.0.0 (Beta) released on October 2, 2016.
- **Final Cited Release:** Version 1.3.0 released on December 1, 2017.

## FAQs
### Q: Is SporeModder the current tool for creating Spore mods?
A: No, SporeModder is considered obsolete. It has been succeeded by a newer tool known as SporeModder FX.

### Q: What programming language is SporeModder written in?
A: The software is written in Java and utilizes the Swing widget toolkit for its graphical user interface.

### Q: Under what license is SporeModder distributed?
A: SporeModder is distributed as free software under the GNU General Public License, version 3.0, allowing users to study, change, and distribute it.

### Q: Where can the source code for SporeModder be found?
A: The source code and release history are hosted on GitHub at the repository `github.com/emd4600/SporeModder`.

## Why It Matters
SporeModder represents a significant community-driven effort to extend the functionality and lifespan of the video game *Spore*. By providing a specialized toolset for modding, it enabled users to move beyond the limitations of the base game, customizing content and mechanics to fit their preferences. This capability is vital for maintaining player engagement in older software titles.

Furthermore, the tool exemplifies the principles of free software. By licensing SporeModder under the GNU General Public License v3.0, the developers ensured that the community could freely run, study, and modify the tool itself. This transparency fostered a collaborative environment for technical development within the modding community. While it has been succeeded by SporeModder FX, the original SporeModder laid the groundwork for modern *Spore* modification, bridging the gap between the game's initial release and contemporary operating systems via the Java platform.

## Notable For
- **Predecessor Status:** Acting as the direct predecessor to the updated SporeModder FX.
- **Open Source Commitment:** Being distinctively licensed under GPL v3.0, ensuring user freedoms to modify the software.
- **Java Architecture:** Utilizing cross-platform Java technology, specifically the Swing framework, in a modding environment typically dominated by native code.
- **Rapid Iteration:** Releasing multiple updates (from 1.0.0 to 1.3.0) within a concentrated timeframe between 2016 and 2017.

## Body

### Software Classification and Use
SporeModder is an unofficial software application classified as free software. Its primary function is the modding (customization) of the video game *Spore*. The software is distributed via digital download, specifically hosted on GitHub. It requires the Microsoft Windows operating system to run.

### Technical Specifications
The application is built using the object-oriented programming language **Java**. For its user interface, it employs **Swing**, a GUI widget toolkit for Java. The software is protected under copyright but distributed freely under the **GNU General Public License, version 3.0**. This license grants users the freedom to run, study, change, and distribute both the original and modified versions of the software.

### Version History and Development
The development of SporeModder was active primarily between 2016 and 2017. The project evolved through several beta and stable releases before being marked as obsolete in favor of SporeModder FX.

**Key Release Timeline:**
*   **2016 (Beta Phase):** Development began with the release of v1.0.0-beta on October 2, 2016. This was quickly followed by patches v1.0.1-beta (Oct 15), v1.0.2-beta (Oct 17), and v1.0.3-beta (Nov 20).
*   **2017 (Stable and Obsolete Phase):** The project continued with beta versions v1.1.0-beta (April 25) and v1.1.2-beta (June 3). Stable releases included v1.2.0 (July 20) and v1.2.1 (July 24). The final version listed in the source material is **v1.3.0**, released on December 1, 2017, which is explicitly categorized as an "obsolete version."

## References

1. [GitHub](https://github.com/emd4600/SporeModder)
2. [GitHub](https://github.com/emd4600/SporeModder/blob/master/LICENSE)
3. [SporeModder. 2016](https://github.com/emd4600/SporeModder/releases/tag/v1.0.0-beta)
4. [SporeModder v1.0.1. 2016](https://github.com/emd4600/SporeModder/releases/tag/v1.0.1-beta)
5. [SporeModder v1.0.2. 2016](https://github.com/emd4600/SporeModder/releases/tag/v1.0.2-beta)
6. [SporeModder v1.0.3. 2016](https://github.com/emd4600/SporeModder/releases/tag/v1.0.3-beta)
7. [SporeModder v1.1.0. 2017](https://github.com/emd4600/SporeModder/releases/tag/v1.1.0-beta)
8. [SporeModder v1.1.1. 2017](https://github.com/emd4600/SporeModder/releases/tag/v1.1.1-beta)
9. [SporeModder v1.1.2. 2017](https://github.com/emd4600/SporeModder/releases/tag/v1.1.2-beta)
10. [SporeModder v1.2.0. 2017](https://github.com/emd4600/SporeModder/releases/tag/v1.2.0)
11. [SporeModder v1.2.1. 2017](https://github.com/emd4600/SporeModder/releases/tag/v1.2.1)
12. [SporeModder v1.3.0. 2017](https://github.com/emd4600/SporeModder/releases/tag/v1.3.0)
13. [SporeModder v1.3.1. 2017](https://github.com/emd4600/SporeModder/releases/tag/v1.3.1)
14. [SporeModder v1.3.2. 2017](https://github.com/emd4600/SporeModder/releases/tag/v1.3.2)
15. [SporeModder v1.3.3. 2017](https://github.com/emd4600/SporeModder/releases/tag/v1.3.3)
16. [SporeModder v1.4.0 - final release. 2020](https://github.com/emd4600/SporeModder/releases/tag/v1.4.0)
17. [Source](https://github.com/emd4600/SporeModder)
18. source code