EA/Maxis Producing Darkspore

It might sound like a medical condition, but it's actually an "online, science-fiction action/RPG". There's a bunch of information on the Darkspore site, including a teaser trailer. Looks like an attempt to rework the Spore systems and make it a bit more palatable to mainstream gamers. Here's EA's blurb:

“Darkspore is inspired in part by the award-winning creature editor tech of Spore, but also in large part from the team’s own passion for gaming and prior experience,” said Lucy Bradshaw, General Manager of Maxis Studio. "The team has combined these inspirations to produce a unique take on the action RPG genre.”

Darkspore will feature dynamic, fast-paced action as players battle across alien worlds to save the galaxy from the mutated forces of Darkspore in a four-player co-operative and full single-player campaign, as well as intense multiplayer battles. In order to defeat the malicious Darkspore, players will need to collect an arsenal of living weapons - genetic heroes with different combat abilities - and upgrade them with tens of thousands of collectible body parts and armor.

Release set for February 2011.