LittleBigPlanet from the Creators of Ragdoll Kungfu

[Zenien]

http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/9841

 

[Zenien]

One Part Gary's Mod
One Part Lost Vikings
One Part You Tube

Seriously check it out, it's hard to describe.

This audio track talks about it I recommend listening to it.

http://zdmedia.vo.llnwd.net/o1/Podcasts/030707.mp3

It's not often you see the words "community based game" in a press release for a platformer. But as a central part of its push to create games that incorporate user creations, Sony today announced LittleBigPlanet, a four-player cooperative platformer from Media Molecule (Rag Doll Kung Fu) that is as much about creating as it is platforming.

At its core, the game seems to be a 3D platformer where you and three friends run from left to right and have to work together to make progress. Need to reach a higher platform? One of your friends can pull on a lever to get it to drop. Need to get a skateboard started down a ramp? Three of you can sit on top, and a fourth can pull it forward. It's a series of of platforming puzzles -- many of them physics-based -- that can be solved with teamwork, basically.

[size]

SCREENS: As you can see here, the character design is somewhat carried over from Rag Doll Kung Fu, and somewhat original. [Click the image above to check out all LittleBigPlanet screens.][/center]

But to hear Sony explain it, that's just the start, as the customization and community aspects are huge parts of this game. Players will be able to create their own levels and share them online, using what looks to be a pretty extensive level editor. Thanks to the game's physics system, you'll be able to drop items in and play with them easily -- in an example shown by Sony, you can create a wooden wall, place a steering wheel on it, then jump up and start running on the steering wheel like some kind of odd hamster.

Of course, the basic abilities to jump, push and pull are just the start your character's skills -- we witnessed flying in jetpacks, characters hitting each other and taking a bow with the motion sensor support in the PS3 controller, and tons of objects that you can interact with in the environments. Mix all that with the ability to paint and decorate your environments and you've got a lot of potential for creating fun levels. Here's hoping the variety keeps up beyond what Sony is showing at GDC.

SCREENS: As one of the many props in the environment you can play with, the skateboard does a great job of moving really fast once it gets going. [Click the image above to check out all LittleBigPlanet screens.]​

The goal with the game is to have users creating tons of new content that will continue to keep the game active long after release. Sony has confirmed that there will be a group of set levels ready to play out of the box -- and even a single-player offline mode for those who don't want to experiment with the community ideas and simply want to play it like they would a traditional platformer.

There are plenty of questions remaining about LittleBigPlanet -- such as how involved the single-player/story experience will be, if there will be more to the gameplay than presenting levels for players to get from the beginning to the end, and just how far the game's community elements will go -- but it's clear from the reaction to the game so far that it has already won over many fans.

According to Sony, a demo of LittleBigPlanet will be available this fall, with the game shipping in "early 2008." Be sure to check out the video for this one -- this could be something very special.

 

[Zenien]

Little Big Planet DLC demo this Fall
Little Big Planet full game in early 2008

 

[sandwraith]

Looks great. I like the concept of a co-op platformer. It has a less Gregorian Ico/Shadow of the Colossus feel. And customisable characters? Nice.

 

[Havok83]

People are raving that this is the game that will sell PS3s but I just dont get it and dont see whats so special about it

 

[JM0087]

Is going to be a great game. You can make you'r own level, and play with friends in the PS Home. How awesome is that.t:

 

[Mr. Credible]

i have an immediate love for this game.

 

[The Guardian]

I DOWNLOADED THE ENTIRE SONY KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY PHILL, AND HOME LOOKS AMAZINGLY COOL, AS DOES THIS LITTLE JEM, LOOK AT THOSE LITTLE FACES, THEY ARE SO CUTE, I JUST FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS GAME, I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE DEMO!!!

 

[The Guardian]

I'M YOUR TIPICAL MACHO GUY, BUT TELL ME THIS ISN'T CUTE AS HELL, THE LITTLE DUDE ON THE LEFT DRESSED UP AS EVIL KENIVEL, THAT IS FREAKING AWESOME, LOL

P.S. OH, AND JUST AS A SIDE NOTE, PHILL HARRISON WAS CONTROLING THE LITTLE GIRL ONE NEXT TO EVIL KENIVEL, LOL!!!

 

[sandwraith]

I can tell the last guy on the right is an angry brother, maybe cause the guy next to him looks like one of the Chinese Lion-Dancers in that get-up of his

 

[GyLocke]

I've considered the PS3 an abortion till I watched the keynote speech.
LittleBig seems like the most fun you can have with electricity.

Those physics... damn. Home looks interesting too.

Better start saving up some money, so I can buy a ps3 somewhere around 2009.

 

[Avalanche]

Finally got around to taking a look at this game. It looks pretty damned kickass.

 

[Mr. Credible]

i wonder if the whole game is a side-scroller... either way, it looks amazing. any idea on a release date?

 

[Mr. Credible]

nevermind... just saw that it comes out in early 2008.

 

[Deleted User]

The games' physics and the level of detail is very, very good. But I personally don't see what's going to be so fun about this game once it's out and you've played through it a couple times. I mean, is the whole focus of this game just side-scrolling through random stages and finding ways to solve puzzles? Because if so, I think it's replayability will plummet somewhat due to the "seeing the same thing over and over again" syndrome. .

 

[BatMatt]

The games' physics and the level of detail is very, very good. But I personally don't see what's going to be so fun about this game once it's out and you've played through it a couple times. I mean, is the whole focus of this game just side-scrolling through random stages and finding ways to solve puzzles? Because if so, I think it's replayability will plummet somewhat due to the "seeing the same thing over and over again" syndrome. .

Users create the level and challenge their friends, so there should be tons of variety

 

[Deleted User]

Sure, the levels will have a bit of variety.. but I doubt they'll be able to come up with enough puzzles that you won't see the same thing over again. And mostly what I'm talking about is gameplay. I mean, puzzles are fun and all but that being the focus, and ultimately the end-all of gameplay just doesn't sound like it would spell lasting enjoyment.

 

[TheBat812]

of course it wouldnt... because all that is sony is evil.

 

[Deleted User]

No, I'm actually interested in this game. It's just that it is resting most of it's gameplay and focus on a central gimmick. Physics-based puzzles. I don't know, maybe it'll be deeper than I think it might turn out as, but to me it doesn't seem like it'll hold more than average replayability. I'm not saying the game's going to be bad, quite the contrary, but I'm saying that the enjoyment might not necessarily last for a long time.

 

[TheBat812]

I find it interesting that for games you like you refer to things as great ideas, whereas for this it's a "gimmick."

 

[Deleted User]

Where exactly are these mythical posts that you're talking about? I already said I'm interested in this game, I just think the physics-based puzzles are a gimmick and am skeptical if they can carry a game.

Christ, just shut the hell up already.