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Sony accepting claims on 2011 PSN data breach settlement
If you were a PSN, Qriocity or Sony Online Entertainment user at the time of the April 2011 Sony hack that disrupted the PlayStation Network for nearly a month and compromised 70 million user accounts, now's your chance to get a piece of the class action settlement levied against Sony last year. To qualify, you must have held a PSN, Qriocity or Sony Online Entertainment account on or before May 14, 2011. Each service is eligible to receive different claims, but PSN users are able to receive either one or two games - if you already received a free game in Sony's 2011 "Welcome Back" promotion, you're only eligible for one; if not, you're eligible to choose two - from a list that includes standouts like LittleBigPlanet and God of War HD. Notably, none of the games on offer are for the PlayStation 4. If none of the games tickle your fancy, you can instead choose free dynamic themes for your PlayStation 3 or free PlayStation Plus subscription time. After wading through multiple pages of bureaucratic legalese, you'll find everything you need to make your claim at the PSN-SOE settlement website. [Image: Sony]
LittleBigPlanet celebrates July 4 with free DLC costume
America celebrates its independence on July 4, and to properly ring in the holiday, LittleBigPlanet will offer a free DLC costume dubbed the "Sacktue of Liberty." In what has become sporadic tradition, come July 3, players of LittleBigPlanet, LittleBigPlanet 2 and LittleBigPlanet Vita will be able to download the burlap Lady Liberty from the PlayStation Network at no charge. This offer is only available for a week, however, so those hoping to flesh out their collection of Sackboy duds should grab the Sacktue of Liberty as soon as possible. Alongside the announcement of the gratis costume, Media Molecule notes that new levels have been added to the LittleBigNetwork's Team Picks section, including a pair of levels created for the recent SackQuest design competition. As with all community-crafted content, you can download these additional stages at no charge by visiting the LittleBigNetwork. [Image: Sony]
Ellen Page, Willem Dafoe join LittleBigPlanet in Beyond: Two Souls DLC
Those hoping to one day dress an inexplicably adorable lump of burlap as Willem Dafoe will see their bizarrely specific fantasies come to life later this week, when LittleBigPlanet adds costumes based on Quantic Dream's Beyond: Two Souls. Included in the pack are costumes based on protagonist Jodie Holmes, Nathan Dawkins, Cole Freeman and Ryan Clayton. Those first two are the most notable inclusions, as they're characters portrayed by and modeled after Ellen Page and Willem Dafoe, respectively. While our review of Beyond: Two Souls was middling, the PlayStation.blog claims that "[t]hese costumes will allow any Sackboy or Sackgirl to portray these wonderful characters in their very own adventures." No price point is mentioned for this DLC, but these new costumes will join the LittleBigPlanet DLC roster once the PlayStation Network Store undergoes its weekly update. That should occur at some point on Tuesday, March 25, though the past few weeks have seen Sony miss its usual mark by as much as 24 hours. [Image: Sony]
Sackboy meets Batman in latest LittleBigPlanet DLC
Following a LittleBigPlanet appearance by Marvel Comics' most famous characters, DC is getting into the act with the DC Comics Premium Level Pack, a DLC addition that grants Sackboy new abilities, offers new missions, and finally answers the age-old question, "Who would win in a fight: Superman or an ambulatory burlap creature?"
LittleBigPlanet Karting gets player tested
Sony's San Diego Studio recently held a game jam to do some hardcore testing on the Create tools for the upcoming LittleBigPlanet Karting, and apparently it went pretty well because the studio has announced the game's going into beta soon. The beta test for the title will start next Tuesday, July 10, and then go through the end of the month.You can read some impressions from the game jam over on the forums, including some breathless (we imagine) excitement from the game's fans and players on how the title worked and what they made. Codes will go out soon to selected players, and the game itself is due out later on this year.
Alice in Wonderland DLC makes a very important date with LittleBigPlanet
LittleBigPlanet's sackboys lead very busy lives in an extremely large world, meaning they don't always have time to watch the latest movies as they're released in theaters. This is one explanation for the Alice in Wonderland costume pack coming to LittleBigPlanet this week, featuring accessories based on the 2010 Tim Burton film.The pack will include costumes for Alice, the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat and the Red Queen, all in their full Burtonized glory. Each costume is available individually, but buying the entire pack gives players Alice in Wonderland stickers as well.
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%
EEDAR: PSN Welcome Back program spurred download sales
According to a new report from analytics firm EEDAR, Sony's PlayStation Network Welcome Back program did more than boost user morale: it actually boosted purchases of downloadable titles. Using data gathered from IGN GamerMetrics, ownership of downloadable titles jumped from 13 percent in March, before the PSN first went down, up to 17 percent in June. The jump isn't surprising, given the free titles Sony made available. Even taking those out of the equation, though, downloadable ownership was still up to 15 percent in June. The firm also noted that interest in sequels to the free games, notably LittleBigPlanet and Dead Nation, rose significantly. Specifically, LittleBigPlanet 2 trailer views were up 69 percent on GameTrailers, while Google Insights data indicated a greatly increased number of searches for the term "Dead Nation 2." Based on the increased interest in sequels to the free titles in the Welcome Back program, EEDAR suggests a possible new model for sequel releases. Essentially, in order to drum up interest for upcoming sequels, publishers could release their respective predecessors for free for a limited time. The report acknowledges that this is a risky maneuver, though it notes that the free titles would only have to boost sales of their sequels by a small margin for the practice to be profitable.
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.
PSP Go '3-Game Digital Pack' going for $150 'while supplies last'
Taking to the US PlayStation blog, Sony director of hardware marketing John Koller revealed the PSP Go "3-Game Digital Pack" -- a $150 PSP Go bundle that includes three full (downloadable) games being sold at "retailers nationwide." In addition to a $50 savings from the recently lowered PSP Go asking price, it packs in LittleBigPlanet, SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3, and Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters. Interested parties should head to their nearest brick-and-mortar ASAP, as the bundle is only available in "limited quantities," and "at most retailers" the deals are "one day events and are while supplies last." If digital games aren't your style, the PS blog also revealed Sam's Club's 160GB PS3 Slim bundle -- the console itself, a copy of ModNation Racers, an extra black Dualshock 3, a Blu-ray remote control, and a copy of (the adorable) How to Train Your Dragon for $399.
LittleBigPlanet's original concept sketches and showreel are disturbing
Prepare yourselves to be genuinely unsettled, dear readers. Media Molecule released a batch of truly revealing concept art and an animation test, revealing the true reason for LittleBigPlanet's protagonist's plushy composition. Now, we're just guessing, but by the media seen below, we think Sackboy is made of ... well, sack, because it makes him all the more entertaining to squish, crush, immolate and eviscerate. We may never look at him (or his creators) the same way again. Check out the disturbing concept art in the gallery below, and the even disturbing-er animation reel after the jump. %Gallery-106989%
Media Molecule toyed with full 3D level design in first LittleBigPlanet
The original LittleBigPlanet was billed as a platform for platformers -- but what about those gamers whose favorite entries into that particular genre include Kazooies, Ratchets and Bandicoots? Media Molecule co-founder Alex Evans recently revealed to Joystiq at Gamescom that an early build of the original LittleBigPlanet allowed for that kind of 3D gameplay, explaining, "LBP 1 had free depth and completely moving cameras, and the gameplay engine wasn't layered fundamentally." Evans added that while the developer "used to make levels that could travel into the screen," this feature was ultimately removed from the game. "It's really unconstrained in 3D. It's really hard -- I mean creatively unconstrained, it's really difficult to have something to push off," Evans explained. "We found our level designers wasted tons of time in 3D land, so we iteratively reduced it, first of all we reduced the scope, then we added the layers, and with each restriction we did, it improved the quality." According to Evans, the lack of 3D platforming wasn't due to a technical snafu, but rather, "entirely a game design decision." He added, "so when we go 3D, and I'm assuming at some point we will go 3D, the challenge we will have, and any other user-generated content company -- you know, I want to be one-upped, I'd love to see a fully-3D creation game. I'm not saying it's impossible, I'm saying we haven't cracked it yet." Keep an eye out for our full interview with Evans in the coming days.
Get an early glimpse at LittleBigPlanet's Marvel Costume Pack 4
On August 17, Marvel Costume Pack 4 -- the final Marvel costume pack for LittleBigPlanet -- will be available for download. Included in this pack are an eclectic mixture of Marvel's best and worst, including The Hulk, Storm, The Punisher, Green Goblin and, as you can see above this text, the master of magnetism himself, Magneto. Feel free to smash into our gallery below and check out each new Super Sackboy. %Gallery-99423%
LittleBigPlanet's Sackboy gets stuck in Limbo
Can't be bothered to pony up the $15 entry fee for Limbo? Don't fret, miser -- just check out PSN user bra2008's take on the Summer of Arcade title in the PS3 platformer platform, LittleBigPlanet. As seen in the video below, the level does a nice job of capturing the aesthetic of its inspiration.
LittleBigPlanet gets more Marvel heroes, bananas
Both iterations of LittleBigPlanet recently had their future DLC plans outlined, and ... well, we're sensing a bit of inequality. Next Tuesday, PS3 players get Marvel Character Pack #2, which includes Elektra, Human Torch, Ghost Rider, Spider-Man and Thor. Meanwhile, PSP players get ... a banana.
Marvel costumes (finally) coming to LittleBigPlanet July 7
Media Molecule knows you've been waiting in agony for those Marvel-themed LittleBigPlanet costumes revealed at Comic-Con last year, but the studio has come up with a solid way of making amends: Starting the week of July 7 and then on every other following week, the game will receive four Marvel costume packs, each of which include the outfits of five different characters from the Marvel universe. Click past the jump for all of the heroes and villains you can expect. In addition, Media Molecule announced the Marvel Level Kit, which includes a pre-made adventure that has you battling against Magneto, who has virtually zero power over sackcloth. While toppling Magneto's reign, players will be able to collect "Marvel-themed music, objects, materials, stickers, and a special 'Rooftop' background." This is all great news -- now, about those Final Fantasy VII costumes ...
European PlayStation Plus subscribers get free LittleBigPlanet [update]
If you live in Europe and were intrigued by the deals, trial games and complimentary downloads offered by the recently announced PlayStation Plus subscription plan, you might want to sign up with a quickness.
The Incredibles powering their way into LittleBigPlanet
How adorable is this? Just when you thought you might be done Sackboying around, they find a way to suck you right back in. This time it's a Disney/Pixar inspired Incredibles costume and level packs coming on April 8th. According to the PlayStation blog, "This huge pack features NINE costumes: all of The Incredibles family (including a "Retro" Mr. Incredible sporting his classic blue costume), their allies Frozone and Edna Mode, and their arch nemesis, Syndrome." You'll be able to purchase individual costumes as well, and download the Incredibles Level Kit that includes locations from the movie, and all the materials used to make it. Pixar may not have given us a sequel to The Incredibles yet, but now you can make your own. We can't wait to see what Syndrome looks like. Is Disney going to move their entire universe into LBP some day? Pirates of the Caribbean vs. The Incredibles, here we come. Dibs on Dash. [Thanks, Conor]
Sony Benelux brand manager casually mentions 'LittleBigPlanet 2'
In a video interview posted by Game-Vid and reported by Dutch tech site Tweakers, a kind of nervous-sounding Folkert Langeveld, PlayStation marketing manager for Sony Benelux, appears to have outed LittleBigPlanet 2. His Dutch-language speech about the PlayStation Move hits all the familiar bullet points: support for downloadable games like Hustle Kings, new games like The Shoot, and major releases like SOCOM 4. The thing is, he also name-drops a "LittleBigPlanet Twee" -- or, in English, "LittleBigPlanet Two." (See the video interview after the break.) While it makes sense on a base level for Sony to release a sequel to one of its flagship games, we're leaving the possibility open that Langeveld simply misspoke, for a couple of reasons: First, Sony has made repeated reference to Move support for the original LittleBigPlanet, something that Langeveld didn't mention; and second, Media Molecule level designer Danny Leaver once said that a sequel would be "the most counterproductive thing you could do I think." Of course, Leaver may have been overruled by Media Molecule's Alex Evans, who said last year that he would "love there to be a sequel" -- and overruled by Sony, which owns the studio now.
