littlebigplanet 2
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Amazon discounts select PS3 peripherals, active games
We don't mean these games will make you start taking hikes or playing bocce ball in the park or something. These are games Amazon has classified as active -- they require more input from the player than simply mashing a button or d-pad. Sometimes you have to, like, stand up to play these games. Amazon's discounting Just Dance 3, the LittleBigPlanet 2 Move bundle, Zumba Fitness ... and Rocksmith? Rocking out counts as activity, we guess. There are also discounts on Kinect and the Wii Cyberbike. Oh, and PS3 accessories have been incongruously mixed into the list. You can pick up some 3D glasses, in case Santa dropped one of those 3D displays down your chimney this year.
Sony creates LittleBigPlanet 2 Move bundle, separate limited edition
Today, the PlayStation Blog confirmed earlier rumors of a re-release for LittleBigPlanet 2. We can't say we're surprised, since the previous LittleBigPlanet game had a Game of the Year Edition re-release, but here it is: both a limited edition title with all of the game's DLC thus far and a PlayStation Move hardware bundle are coming to select retailers on November 15. The LittleBigPlanet 2: Special Edition features the original game, PlayStation Move add-on content, the Toy Story level and costume pack, and the pets costume packs, all in one package. But if you're lacking in hardware and have got the requisite clearance for flailing in your domicile, then perhaps the PlayStation Move hardware bundle is for you. It includes the enhanced version of LBP 2, plus a PlayStation Move controller, a Nav controller and a PlayStation Eye camera. Sorry, no word on pricing, but we imagine the game will be $59.99 and the bundle will be somewhere around $149.99.
Rumor: Killzone 3 / Resistance 3 Move bundle, LBP2 'Special Edition' on the way
A "Mayhem Edition" Move bundle containing Killzone 3 and Resistance 3, along with a separate "Special Edition" of LittleBigPlanet 2, have apparently been revealed through some box factory snapshots. Slickdeals.net forum user "Scream777" posted several pics of the unannounced bundles from the box manufacturer he works at. The pictures include the aforementioned "Mayhem Edition," a splayed box of the previously announced GoldenEye 007: Reloaded PS Move bundle, a 160GB PS3 bundle with Ratchet and Clank: All 4 One and unannounced LittleBigPlanet 2 "Special Edition", and the Uncharted 3 320GB bundle. One of the few things that immediately jump out as suspect is the typo of "steroscopic" on the Ratchet and LBP 2 bundle. The forum poster says Sony, which designed the packaging, didn't notice the mistake until later and didn't want to pay for a new run of boxes. [Thanks, SwiftyMcQuick.]
LittleBigPlanet 2 Move Pack review: A brand new toy box
The LittleBigPlanet 2 Move Pack DLC (which is suitably, adorably subtitled Rise of the Cakeling) is the franchise's most gargantuan expansion, and could make a run for the most ambitious DLC release for any game ever released. Just as the core game sought to allow the use of a DualShock 3 for virtually any purpose, this expansion hopes to give players the same freedom with the PlayStation Move. Media Molecule was successful in achieving that initial, lofty goal -- and once again, the Guildford-based studio has created an engine of infinite possibility for the Move controller. Any function you could devise for the remote is within reach, provided you've got the patience and cleverness to figure out how to invent it. %Gallery-130809%
LittleBigPlanet 2 1.06 now live, Move support added
Though the majority of LittleBigPlanet 2's suite of PlayStation Move-enabled features won't go live until next week's release of the Move Pack, a handful of additions have arrived in the game as part of update 1.06. These include the integration of some new sensors for building, an option to limit the maximum number of players on your homebrewed level, and the ability to control the basic game with a Move controller. Don't get it twisted: If you want the new Move-centric story levels, the Brain Crane tool and the other features based around Sony's motion controller, you'll have to grab the Move Pack next week. Based on our E3 preview of the ambitious DLC, we're guessing it's going to be worth it.
Media Molecule designer kayaking around the UK for charity
The folks at LittleBigPlanet developer Media Molecule have proven time and time again that their brains don't work in quite the same way as everyone else's. Take, for example, John Beech: Though most normies would elect to bring their kayaking trip to a close after an hour or two, John has decided to row his plastic vessel around the entire circumference of the United Kingdom. It's a mind-searing 2,450-mile trip that will take him two months to complete; and he's doing it all for a good cause. (Naturally!) You can check Beech's progress on Media Molecule's site, and sponsor his attempt by donating money to GamesAid, a UK-based organization which distributes funds to other, smaller charities. We'd also suggest that you wish him luck on his sojourn, but we're not sure about the quality of the Wi-Fi on his tiny boat.
Pizza Planet invades LittleBigPlanet 2 with Toy Story costumes and level kit DLC
As if the Toy Story universe wasn't endearing and heartwarming enough, Pixar's plastic pals will be upping the adorable ante by donning sackboy skins and setting foot on LittleBigPlanet 2. Come August 8, Buzz Lightyear, Slinky Dog, Rex, and Hamm costumes will be available individually for $1.99, or as a toy-chest of memories for $5.99. Costumes aren't the only thing The Claw managed to grab however, as a Toy Story Level Kit will also be available for $5.99, featuring 9 new levels and 2 new music tracks, as well as materials, decorations, stickers, and an Alien costume exclusive to the pack. To quote a great philosopher: "OOOOOOOooooooo."%Gallery-129610%
Chu Chu Rocket made in LittleBigPlanet 2
Apart from an iOS port, ChuChu Rocket hasn't seen much love this generation -- until now, that is, thanks to a new ChuChu Rocket level for LittleBigPlanet 2. Created by someone calling themselves Hymanator, it's a pretty good recreation of Sega's classic puzzler (though perhaps not quite as cute).
European PSN releases for July 13
We're going to be straight with you guys: It's not the best week for European PSN releases. There's a trial version of Dead Nation and a demo for PixelJunk Shooter 2, while the poor PSP only gets a handful of Minis. The real highlight of the week is the long-awaited Final Fantasy VII costumes for LittleBigPlanet 2, which should provide you with adequate hours of enjoyment to last you until next week. Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
Long-awaited Final Fantasy VII costumes dated for LittleBigPlanet 2
A LittleBigPlanet Sackboy skin patterned after Final Fantasy VII's Sephiroth was first revealed at Tokyo Game Show in 2008. Three years and one LittleBigPlanet sequel (plus two spinoffs) later, a newly redesigned version of Sackiroth is finally on the way to LittleBigPlanet 2, and he's bringing some "friends." The PlayStation Blog revealed that a LittleBigPlanet 2 Final Fantasy VII costume pack will be released on July 13, containing Sackboy garments based on Sephiroth, Cloud, Tifa, and Aeris, who of course is doomed to lose her stuffing at the adorable hands of the vicious Sephiroth Sackboy. If you buy the $5.99 / €5.99 / £4.79 bundle, you'll get a bonus Vincent Valentine costume, allowing you to complete that long-in-progress LBP remake of Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII. Separately, each costume will run $1.99 each (though Vincent is only available in the bundle). Other Sackboy raiment due for release soon includes Infamous 2, Toy Story, and Killzone 3 packs.
Media Molecule taking a break from LBP to develop 'new ideas'
Having created two entries in a series that has spawned millions of levels, it seems Guildford-based developer Media Molecule is considering a vacation from LittleBigPlanet for its next project. During a talk at the Gamelab 2011 conference in Barcelona (attended by Edge), studio director Siobhan Reddy said, "We're stepping away from LittleBigPlanet to focus on some new ideas." That doesn't mean the team's leaving the franchise behind entirely. After all, they're still working on the beefy Move update for LittleBigPlanet 2. Frankly, we think that desire to move on is pretty reasonable, considering the game they created nearly counts as an infinite number of games. We've contacted the studio for more information about their Next Next Big Thing.
LittleBigPlanet 2 Move DLC preview: Infinity times two
LittleBigPlanet 2's upcoming, Move-integrated expansion can't really be classified as anything other than relentless. When Media Molecule launched the game this past January, the possibilities for prospective creator-curators were limitless -- as evidenced by the community's daily discoveries of new ways to use the core game's toolset. When the Move DLC launches this September, it's going to push the still-not-reached boundaries back even further. During a demo led by Media Molecule's James Spafford and Christophe Villedieu, I learned that the studio's ambitions for the expansion are as straightforward as they are lofty. By adding a suite of Move-based controls to the Create tools catalog, Media Molecule hopes to give players the opportunity and the inspiration to use the orb-tipped peripheral in ways that so-called "professional" developers haven't even considered yet.%Gallery-95497%
LittleBigPlanet 2 getting Move support this September
Creator curators, your wait for LittleBigPlanet 2's promised suite of PlayStation Move functionality is drawing to a close. Jack Tretton just announced at Sony's E3 press conference that an update scheduled for this September will allow users to fill their levels with the Move-based tools that were teased way back when the Move was first announced.
Media Molecule hosting its second annual LBP Game Jam (now with Move)
A year ago, Media Molecule brought in a handful of LittleBigPlanet's most skilled creators to see what they could create using LBP 2's theretofore unreleased toolset. Today, the developer is holding a second "Game Jam" event for 15 of the community's talented architects -- now that they actually know what they're doing with the tools, we can't imagine what kind of supercreations they can throw together. Like, self-aware artificial life using a series of binary logic switches really isn't out of the question here. These lucky Jammers will also have the opportunity to get their hands on the upcoming PlayStation Move compatibility pack. So, we guess they'll be able to make their self-aware artificial intelligence jiggle and dance around using a sphere-tipped wand. Yeah, that's certain to not make it angry.
LittleBigPlanet 2 hits four million levels, Contraption Challenge returns
We're pretty sure that if you added up all the levels of all the games ever released throughout the fullness of history, the total sum wouldn't measure up to LittleBigPlanet 2's latest achievement. Its combined number of user-contributed levels from LBP1 and LBP 2 has broken the four million mark.
Media Molecule auctioning original LittleBigPlanet art for Japan relief
Media Molecule is doing its part for the Play for Japan campaign, auctioning off a few rare pieces of original concept art for LittleBigPlanet, along with signed copies of its sequel. There are four sketches up for grabs on the auction block, each of which show the evolution and development of the franchise's floppy, stitched protagonist, Sackboy. Each piece comes with a copy of LBP2 with an extremely limited edition cover slip signed by the entire Media Molecule team. Bidders can also try to grab a super rare, in-game crown costume piece for their Sackperson -- a prize usually only distributed as prizes for Media Molecule contests. If you'd like to get involved and grab a piece of LittleBigPlanet history in the process, check out Media Molecule's eBay page.
LittleBigPlanet 2 teacher pack coming to UK PSN in May
Sackboy is grabbing his trusty Trapper Keeper and heading to Avalon Elementary next semester. The LittleBigPlanet 2 "Teacher Pack" is currently being developed by Media Molecule and it's said to be packed with "demonstrations of National Curriculum, based in game levels that other teachers have made." The pack will feature PlayStation Move functionality, SCEE senior VP Ray Maguire told MCV. "The pack will be a really useful way of starting to track and develop interest and involvement in games-based learning," Maguire noted. He also added that SCEE is aiming for a release "by the start of the summer term in May." In other news, schools in the UK have a summer term starting in May. We're so, so sorry, you guys.
Media Molecule hiring programmer for 'portable platform' [update]
Though the handful of promotional videos for Sony's NGP have featured footage of a handheld version of Media Molecule's latest, LittleBigPlanet 2, the game's developer and publisher have remained mum about the series' next on-the-go installment. However, a recent hiring notice on the studio's front page gives us hope: The Guildford-based outfit is currently looking for a graphics programmer to work on a new title, which will land "on a portable platform." It wouldn't be the first time the handcrafted platformer made its way to a handheld -- that would be SCE Cambridge Studio's LBP for PSP -- but the possibility of a totally in-house iteration of the franchise on Sony's next portable is enough to send shivers of excitment coursing through our entire body. We've contacted Media Molecule for a comment! Update: Media Molecule co-founder Alex Evans responded, saying,"Well spotted! However, at the moment I'm afraid we've got nothing to announce regarding any projects... sorry. We'll have to leave the world speculating a little longer..."
Plants vs. Zombots: a LittleBigPlanet 2 re-creation
Plants vs. Zombots might be the most faithful recreation of a game we've see in LittleBigPlanet 2 so far. The level, created by Foggles, replicates all the sunshine grabbing, sunflower planting and zombie shooting you'd expect from Plants vs. Zombies.
LittleBigPlanet 2 'Hansel & Gretelbot' pack out now, 1.01 patch detailed
Grab a caffeinated beverage and fire up your PlayStation 3, as the free LittleBigPlanet 2 community level pack is now available for queuing up on LBP.me. In case you missed our announcement post, we'd like to remind you that this "Hansel & Gretelbot" pack was hand-crafted by some of the LBP community's finest -- the levels promise "full story, cut scenes, voice acting, original score, and lots of prizes to collect." In addition to announcing the release of Hansel & Gretelbot, PlayStation Blog has detailed this past Monday's 1.01 patch for LBP 2. A mess of fixes were implemented in the update, most notably for some crashing problems and issues with LBP 1 DLC costumes. Check out the complete patch notes just after the break.
