In an article about the next big thing in video gaming Spore is mentioned as one of the contenders for that next blockbuster title.

That’s not to say there aren’t any massive games coming soon. Chief amongst them is Spore, the much delayed but just-announced title from Sims creator Will Wright, in which players control a shepherd over a species from the amoebic to the galactic.

Popular Mechanics mentions the risk the industry could face with going back to producing sequel after sequel instead of being innovative, if Spore would fail.

Watch Will Wright talk about his first computer experiences and his love for Care Bears.

In two interviews over at IGN Maxis’ Lucy Bradshaw, Morgan Roarty and Will Wright answered numerous questions regarding many different topics, including the release date and the ongoing fine-tuning of Spore.

IGN: We’ve seen a lot of pseudo-release dates pop up here and there, was the game ever seriously going to release before this September?

Lucy Bradshaw: This is really our first real public announcement about release dates, this is our formal, this is when we’re definitely going public with it. This is a lot. So September 7th, 2008.

Oh, and you can actually do your own national anthem. How cool is that!

We’ve returned after exploring the galaxy. Someone had to do it.

And boy are we glad to see a final release date for Spore! September 7 is the date when your social life will end and the fun begins!

Will Wright: The wait is almost over. We’re in our final stages of testing and polish with Spore, and the team at Maxis can’t wait to see the cosmos of content created by the community later this year.

Spore will be simultaneously released for PC, Macintosh, Nintendo DS, and mobile phones.