After a lot of frustration I have finally found a workaround to get this game to work!!!
it looks like the game is no longer supported On the EA app... the game is trying to update but cant as the correct files for are not being downloaded from EA App servers (seems to be a problem since it changed over from origin) so unfortunately nothing we can do will change this for now as it forces you to run it through there terrible program.
However discovering this I tried running it through the Spore ModAPI Launcher AND IT WORKED!
all you need to do is download the mod launcher - install it - then just run the Spore ModAPI Launcher shortcut, instead of the normal shortcut and the game funs perfectly.
this completely bypasses the Terrible EA app and actually lets you play the game.
this also proves that all the necessary files are already all there on your computer so is completely stupid that the APP will not launch the game due to a missing update.
Hopefully EA actually fix this officially as they are selling a game on there store that you cant even play through the platform you buy it on!! but in the meantime this workaround seems to work.
this is a link to the mod loader I used - https://davoonline.com/sporemodder/rob55rod/ModAPI/Public/
I hope this can help some people 🙂
