Tribal Phase

The tribal phase is the most overlooked stage of the game, and one where, up until recently, little details were known. The Tribal Phase video preview gave us more insight into the actual gameplay of this unique stage. This stage is probably where you'll bond the most with your creatures. As of now developing them physically is no longer possible, so it is advised not to move to this stage until you're sure on your creature's physical appearance. After this stage, the game becomes a whole lot bigger and the micromanagement decreases.

The tribal phase has a number of huge differences to the creature phase. The main change is that you now directly control an entire group of creatures as opposed to just one. The game moves towards a more RTS style of play, and principles of RTS games still apply. The goal is to increase in size and power, become larger and a more significant presence on the planet than other tribes and, ultimately, become the dominant species of the planet.

You begin with a handful of adult versions of your creatures, a single hut and a mini-map of the entire world, complete with locations of neighbouring tribes (if they've been discovered). DNA points are no longer a factor; now you must gather food. Groups of creatures can be selected to gather, hunt or perform other roles (see lower down) from specific locations on the map. The food is used to purchase items such as campfires, weapons, instruments and clothing, as well as the ability to upgrade the hut and create new structures.

This stage is where you develop your creature's general behaviour. You need to take over neighbouring tribes and that is possible through two different paths: hostile or social. Hostile takeovers include attacking and wiping out the tribes as much as possible, whilst social takeovers are accomplished via singing, dancing, talking and musical instruments. Spore's game engine really begins to shine here as your creatures begin to exhibit different behaviours depending on your play style. A tribe which often takes the hostile path will be seen play-fighting with each other, grunting and stomping around the village in a menacing manner. On the other hand, friendly tribes will talk, throw parties, play music and sing and dance with each other.

Within the tribe creatures have specific roles, and their clothing reflects each role. Warriors will carry weapons and armour plating. Farmers take care of the livestock (which is available by taming non-intelligent creatures; that is, any creature not part of another tribe), and wear farming clothes. The most unknown but intruiging aspect of the tribal phase is that the creatures begin to develop a language and it is depending on the type of mouth they have. In a reference to The Sims series, primate mouths result in Simlish.

So, once you've managed to either befriend or wipe out the other tribes on the planet, or in the general area at least, you probably have a rather large village and quite a few creatures. A statue will be built and from there your first city will spawn...on to the Civilization Phase!

(Shamelessly stolen from: Planet Spore)