So what is SPORE? Probably the most anticipated game of 2008.
As the Spore site states:
From the mind of Will Wright, the creator of The Sims, comes SPORE™, an epic journey that takes you from the origin and evolution of life through the development of civilization and technology and eventually all the way into the deepest reaches of outer space.
That pretty much sums it up. Start as a one-cell organism, add traits, go through the stages of evolution, and shoot for the stars. While the concept here is not new, the scope of the gameplay definitely is. Add in current technology and social gaming stuff, and this one looks to be a definite winner.
So what are the educational applications of SPORE? I'm not sure - yet. I'll be tracking this now that it's got a real delivery date. Stay tuned for updates.