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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 (PS Vita) preview: Touched by a Sackboy
First, the bad news: Unlike ModNation Racers, the PS Vita version of LittleBigPlanet won't be able to make use of all the user content already created for its two big brother sequels on the PS3. There are two Blu-Ray discs of content to use in the LittleBigPlanet games on the PS3, and there was no way for Sony to carry all of that content over to the PS Vita. The good news, however, is that allowed the developers to really take advantage of all the Vita has to offer. "We wanted to make the game very original," the Sony representative told us while showing off the title after the E3 press event. And it certainly is -- while Sackboy moves and plays exactly like his PS3 counterpart (and in fact, all of the costumes did make the jump), the Vita's touchscreen is a literal game-changer here. In most of the other Vita games, the touchscreens are just a substitute for the traditional button controls. But in LittleBigPlanet, they give the game even more depth, tactility, and immersion.%Gallery-125609%
Let your eyeballs touch this LittleBigPlanet PlayStation Vita E3 trailer
On stage at Sony's E3 2011 press conference, LittleBigPlanet for PlayStation Vita was revealed. Sony Worldwide Studios VP Scott Rohde unveiled the newest handheld installment in the franchise, which will support touchscreen controls, tilt controls and rear touchscreen controls. He also promised an expanded toolbox for budding creators and mentioned the PlayStation Vita's duel cameras, though he didn't confirm to what extent the latter would be used. Hit the jump for the announcement trailer.
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.
LittleBigPlanet 2's 'Hansel & Gretelbot' project looks just delightful
Are you waiting to dip into LittleBigPlanet's Community-made levels until one clear-cut champion of creativity and artistry breaks through? Well, Mr. Hoity-Toity, you should get ready to play the heck out of "Hansel & Gretelbot," a seven-level LittleBigPlanet 2 adventure coming from a collaboration between 12 of the community's most celebrated creators. Check out a trailer for the fairy tale-centric project after the jump. It looks like it's got enough polish and charm to rival the quality of the game's pre-loaded levels. According to PlayStation Blog, the homebrewed adventure is "very nearly ready to launch" -- we'll let you know as soon as it does!
LittleBigPlanet custom shoes being auctioned for Child's Play
If you're in love with the LittleBigPlanet universe from your head to your feet, it's time you donned some apparel representative of your admiration: The shoe artists at KyozoKicks have transformed a pair of Vans into a sticker-stuck canvas, inspired by Media Molecule's customizable PS3 platformers.
LittleBigPlanet 2 used to create N-Dubz music video
Ready to be impressed? UK pop group N-Dubz chose the path of adorableness in its latest trailer, employing LittleBigPlanet 2's creation tools rather than a film crew. The results, we think, speak for themselves. Which is to say it's very, very impressive. The song? It speaks for itself too.
Peggle faithfully recreated in LittleBigPlanet 2
Having both Peggle and LittleBigPlanet 2 on the same plane of reality meant this had to happen sooner or later. With Peggle already on every platform known to man, and LBP2 molding itself T-1000 style into every game imaginable, why wouldn't we get the Plinko puzzler recreated in Sackboy's world?
Fully functional Zelda dungeon recreated in LittleBigPlanet 2
Still need more proof that LittleBigPlanet 2 is every game ever? Creator curator Bluetonberry has a new level which might just win you over: It's a stunningly accurate recreation of the first dungeon from the NES Legend of Zelda. Check out a video (and an LBP.me link!) after the jump!
LittleBigPlanet 2 recreated delightfully with cardboard, cloth, and paper
The latest episode of the Show About Games Show features one of the most adorable things our jaded, bitter eyes have ever seen: a recreation of a LittleBigPlanet level, done with Sackboy dolls and hand-made, LBP-ish crafts. Also, some human hands, though that sounds creepier than it actually is.
LittleBigPlanet 2 player base passes LBP 1 records
We still haven't heard any firm numbers as to the commercial reception of Media Molecule's even more customizable platformer, LittleBigPlanet 2 -- however, the developer was happy to share that the game's active user base has already surpassed the records posted by the original. Studio co-founder David Smith told Eurogamer, "The user count is actually quite crazy - we've already massively outstripped our LBP1 record for total users online at once. And that's just with North America and a few other territories." Hopefully, we'll hear some actual sales numbers once the game becomes available across Europe. More hopefully, those assumedly large sales numbers will translate over to large numbers of totally dope user-created levels for us to consume and enjoy.
LittleBigPlanet 2 online players report 'infinite loading' glitch
Much like its predecessor, LittleBigPlanet 2 is experiencing some technical difficulties during its first few days in the would-be capable hands of its creative community. Some players have reported that when they attempt to connect with other players online, they hit what's being colloquially referred to as the "Infinite Loading" glitch, which freezes the game on a neverending loading screen. (And that, as you might imagine, is kind of a bummer.) The exact cause of the issue is unknown, though there's a quick and dirty workaround (which worked for us, when we experienced the glitch): If you get stuck on the loading screen, turn your controller off, and the level should actually load. Once you're in the level, you can turn your controller back on and get back to whatever it was you had set out to do -- probably slapping around your fellow players and being generally unhelpful, you jerk. Media Molecule had not responded to our request for comment as of publishing, but a recent tweet from the developer seems to indicate that a freezing glitch has been cornered and a fix is in the works.
