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LittleBigPlanet Contraption Challenges compiled into mind-blowing video
Okay, if you're not that familiar with the level designing mechanics of LittleBigPlanet, your domepiece might not explode at the sight of the video above. However, if you have first-hand knowledge of how difficult it is to make creative, functional engineering marvels in Media Molecule's platformer, you'll certainly appreciate the Contraption Challenge entrants' efforts. You can even catch a glimpse of the last Challenge's winner, the "Rusty ol' Bridge Builder," at the 3:27 mark. Keep an eye out for future Contraption Challenges -- Media Molecule promises the next one will be announced soon.
White Knight Chronicles costumes coming to LittleBigPlanet
Further expanding on LittleBigPlanet's catalog of costumes portraying PS3-exclusive game protagonists, Media Molecule has revealed that the next set of in-game duds will come from White Knight Chronicles on February 25. According to the PlayStation.Blog post announcing the new content, the costume pack will include the garbs of four of the RPG's legendary heroes: The White Knight, Black Knight, Dragon Knight, and ... Leonard. One of these things is significantly less awesome than the others.
European PSN releases for January 28
After two relatively dry weeks, the PSN update has finally delivered a few savory morsels. There's Thexder Neo (joined by a free trial version of the game), a demo for Uncharted 2, some new DLC for the PSP version of LittleBigPlanet, and a Creedence Clearwater Revival track pack on Guitar Hero 5. We know! Finally. Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
LittleBigPlanet getting 3D support, makes for easier platforming
Eurogamer recently got its eyes on a few "PS3D" tech demos at a Sony preview event held at Motorstorm developer Evolution Studios' offices yesterday. While most of the titles demoed there had been shown to press before, one new 3D-enabled game popped out: LittleBigPlanet. Media Molecule's D.I.Y. platformer was panned by some critics for the three planes of depth players could navigate, which led to a lot of missed jumps and, well, death. However, Eurogamer's Richard Ledbetter claims that "stereoscopic 3D puts an end to that, ensuring each of the parallax elements occupies its own distinct area within the 3D space." While we're not fluent in Tron-speak, we're pretty sure that means "3D makes the game better." That's wonderful news!
LittleBigPlanet Contraption Challenge finalists clear gaps in style
Providing further proof that LittleBigPlanet is more than just an engine for the creation of rocket-propelled genitalia, Media Molecule [Update: We've been informed by Sony that this is a completely community run event, which makes it all the more cool, in our opinion. More info is available here.] has released a video showing off the finalists for its latest Contraption Challenge. This time around, entrants had to build the most convoluted machines they could think up in order to cross hazardous gaps. The developer's favorite bridgebuilders can be seen in the video above. Check out the video after the jump, and think about how much more interesting your morning commute would be if these people were real-life civil engineers.
Game Changers: Teach kids with LittleBigPlanet, earn $50K
A super team of foundations has assembled with one goal in mind: Giving you fat stacks of loot. OK, it's not entirely about that, but you could win $50,000, just from creating levels in LittleBigPlanet. Basically, Sony (in cooperation with the MacArthur Foundation, the ESA and the good ole US of A) is holding the "Game Changers" competition, a contest that charges players with creating levels that teach America's youth about science, technology, engineering and math -- you know, the STEM initiative. Basically: Edu-gaming. Now, before you start having flashbacks of horrible dance routines and long division space battles, know you're on the clock right now! The official submission page will start accepting applicants' levels on January 15, so you better start coming up with ideas. For more info, hit up the "Game Changer" page here and best of luck! [Via PlayStation Blog]
Media Molecule awards LittleBigPlanet community with 'Sackies'
It's rare that creator curators in the LittleBigPlanet community are rewarded for their homebrewed platforming projects -- a policy Media Molecule seems to want to reverse. Over the past few weeks, the developer has been handing out awards in various categories to the game's wide base of level designers. In a recent PlayStation.Blog post, the studio wrapped these awards up into a single presentation, cheekily titled the "2009 Sackies." Check out the PlayStation.Blog post to see the full list of winners, including "Roll Over Beethoven," which we think we can all agree is just the coolest thing ever.
LittleBigPlanet Sackboy plushies go on sale
Just missing the opportunity to become the ideal -- and stuffed -- stocking stuffer, the first official line of LittleBigPlanet plushies is now available on Amazon.com. This two-pack bundle from Senario includes one naked Sackboy and one white Sackgirl for $20. Unfortunately, the online retailer won't have these dolls in stock until the December 30th, so you'll have to take Amazon's prohibitively pricey "One Week Ago" time-travel shipping option. [Via PlayStation.Blog]
European PSN releases for December 22
Merry Christmas Eve, everyone! Wait, it is Christmas Eve, right? These PSN updates always come on Thursdays, and Christmas is on Friday so ... wait, it's Tuesday? Well, it looks like someone at Sony Europe pressed the "Release Stuff onto the PSN" button a bit too early. Either that, or they didn't want to work on the 24th. No, Europeans usually have an unflappable work ethic -- this must be some kind of mistake. Regardless, there's a whole bunch of savory morsels in this week's update, including the LittleBigPlanet Pirates of the Caribbean pack, Vagrant Story and the Adhoc Party application. Check them all out after the jump! Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
PSP-4000 accidentally leaked in print ad over the weekend?
What's this, then? MCV, a British games industry publication, has run an ad for Little Big Planet game accessories that boasts among its many compelling features compatibility with the PSP-4000. Of course, there is no PSP-4000, but you have to admit -- this is more than a simple typo. When asked what the dilly was, a rep from Accessories 4 Gamers told Negative Gamer that it was merely a simple "mistake." Sure, but the questions still remain: was it a mistake because the PSP-4000 doesn't yet exist? You see, we've definitely heard otherwise. Or was this a mistake because you accidentally spilled the beans on some top secret new handheld game console? If that's the case, you might want to contact us with the details. We won't tell anyone -- promise.
LittleBigPlanet accessory bundle ad references PSP-4000
Alas, we've gone yet another decade without a single jetpack, hovercar, hoverpack or jetcar. We've got high hopes for unimaginable technological advancement in the 2010s -- for instance, if a recent advertisement for a bundle of LittleBigPlanet-branded PSP accessories that ran in MCV's latest "Digital Edition" is any indication, we're thinking that a new model of the old-school, UMD-equipped handheld might not be out of the question. Proudly printed on the ad is a lineup of PSP models the accessories are compatible with -- including the PSP-4000. Now, this could just be a mistake on the ad designer's part, or it could be an accidental hint of things to come. Maybe not things as awesome as sky-based personal transportation, but hey -- we'll take what we can get. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Pirates of the Caribbean, Water coming to LittleBigPlanet Dec. 22
As rumored last week, LittleBigPlanet will receive a massive chunk of DLC just before Christmas -- the "Pirates of the Caribbean Premium Level Kit." This pack includes the highly anticipated Water update, along with the tools Sackboy will need to navigate said fluids (scuba tanks, air ducts and the like). In addition, the pack includes five pre-made Pirates-themed levels, four new audio tracks, a new background, a free "Cannibal" costume, and a whole mess of decorations, stickers and materials to collect. The pack will land on the PSN alongside a six-pack of Pirates costumes, which include Jack Sparrow, Davy Jones, Will Turner and other characters from the movie, on December 22 for $5.99 each. Check out the pack's aquatic, buccaneering offerings in the trailer above. [Thanks, Casder.]
Report: LittleBigPlanet getting Pirates, Water expansions before Christmas
According to CVG, the recently teased Pirates of the Caribbean content pack for LittleBigPlanet was not only recently confirmed by Sony, but also given a tentative launch window: "We're expecting it to launch just before Xmas," an unnamed Sony rep explained. If the prospect of platforming as a dreadlock'ed Sack Sparrow isn't exciting enough for you, CVG is also reporting that, as you probably assumed, the Water expansion will be arriving simultaneously with the Pirates pack. Well, of course it would. Can you imagine how much shorter those movies would have been if they didn't have any water? We reached out to Sony and Media Molecule to get confirmation of the two packs' imminence first-hand, but only received a "we don't comment on rumors and speculation" from the former. We'll let you know when we hear more!
Pirates of the Caribbean arrr coming to LittleBigPlanet
[LittleBigPlanet Central] It's been nearly a year since Media Molecule created the Metal Gear Solid level pack for LittleBigPlanet. A recent Trophy leak shows that the PS3 platformer is finally getting an official MM-developed playable add-on -- this time, inspired by the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. This partnership was first teased at E3. We presumed the partnership would result in nothing more than a downloadable costume, and we were wrong. The open seas should provide a fitting setting for the impending addition of water to the LBP universe. The various playable challenges Media Molecule have created should provide inspiration for LBP authors, thirsty to have their water-filled creations hit the PlayStation Network. See the new Trophies after the break. [Thanks, Stargateheaven!]
Assassin's Creed II costumes go on sale in LittleBigPlanet, Home
You may be nearing the end of your assassinating adventures with Ezio in Assassin's Creed II. But, what are you supposed to do as you agonizingly wait for the upcoming DLC? Make your own AC2 adventures in PlayStation Home and LittleBigPlanet, of course! The LBP Ezio costume will be available today on the PlayStation Store worldwide for £1.59 / €1.99 / US $1.99 / AUS $ 3.45 / NZD $3.90. Unfortunately, this costume set doesn't include any hidden wrist blades, so you'll have to make do with slapping your friends silly. PlayStation Home's offering is a little less adventurous. The virtual Mall will feature "Renaissance costumes pulled straight from 15th Century Italy." In other words, you can dress like a courtesan (essentially, a fancy way for saying "prostitute"). Once again, no lethal weapons will be included, so instead of killing, you'll have to make do with ... um, dancing. Source - Assassin's Creed II Costume - LittleBigPlanet Source - This Week in PlayStation Home - PlayStation.Blog
European PSN releases for December 3
The wait to try out Sega/Platinum Games' over-the-top, demon/angel-slaying action title Bayonetta is finally over. The demo for the title is the highlight of this week's European PSN update, joined by a whole bunch of DLC for Fight Night Round 4, an Ezio Auditore costume for LittleBigPlanet and roughly 17,000 Rock Band tracks. That's just a quick estimate, but we think it should be pretty accurate. Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
Europe gets more incentive to purchase PSP Go with new bundle
Alright, Europe. We're not sure what you did to get into Sony's good graces, but we wish you'd share that information with your pals in the States. Not only do you guys have access to the PSP Go incentive program, which grants owners of UMDs three free game downloads through March 31, but Sony Europe just went ahead and threw another complimentary game on the pile. Anyone living in Europe who owns a PSP Go is eligible to receive a free copy of Gran Turismo, MotorStorm: Arctic Edge or Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines (or, in Germany, LittleBigPlanet) until January 10. For more details on the promotion, visit Sony Europe's official site. We've contacted Sony America to find out if we'll be getting a similar offer stateside.
LittleBigPlanet wins big at the little BAFTAs
Unsatisfied with simply winning the "Artistic Achievement" category of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards earlier this year, Media Molecule and its charming, customizable platforme, LittleBigPlanet, took the BAFTA's Children's Awards show by storm last night. The title took top honors during the ceremony, beating out Boom Blox Bash Party, de Blob and Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise for the coveted "Best Videogame" award. Media Molecule's Mark Healey teased GamesIndustry about the future of the infinitely award-winning title, saying, "LittleBigPlanet has a lot more room to absorb a lot more things before we say goodbye to that one. I think every year from now on should be a big year for LittleBigPlanet, hopefully." With the Online Create mode patch out today and the Water Update coming soon, we think the studio's got plenty of big ideas to keep the Planet turning for a long, long time.
LittleBigPlanet getting online create mode on Nov. 30
Since the game's launch, LittleBigPlanet fans have only been able to create new levels offline. Over a year after initially promising a patch, Media Molecule is finally ready to unveil its online Create mode. Coming in the 1.21 "Leerdammer" patch, online Create works exactly as expected: you'll be able to invite friends to your Pod and work collaboratively on new levels. The most important improvement over the offline Create mode is the camera: each player gets his or her own camera, allowing them to work on different parts of the level simultaneously. For veteran creators, this should speed up the process quite significantly.In addition to the online Create mode, "Leerdammer" also rewrites LBP''s network code for improved performance and smarter matchmaking. The LBP save system has also been revamped, allowing players to store more community items than ever before. Finally, a slew of minor tweaks are also included in the patch, which you can read about after the break.[Thanks, Pumapayam!]
LittleBigPlanet PSP accessory pack on sale at Best Buy
Just in time for the release of LittleBigPlanet on PSP, Best Buy is selling a $20 accessory pack that includes an LBP-themed case, cleaning cloth, screen protector and a sticker sheet with various Sackboys and Sackgirls. It also includes an elusive Sackboy plushy -- albeit one with slightly deformed proportions. NAYIN wrote a very exciting review for the bundle on the Best Buy website, which we've helpfully reprinted for you here: "WELL, I REALLY LIKE LBP BECAUSE ITS AN EXCELLENT GAME FOR THE PS3 AND I REALLY THING I AM GOING TO ENJOY IT NOW WHERE EVER I TAKE IT. SO TO KEEP THE FUN WHY NOT DEMONSTRATED WITH THIS PARTICULAR DESIGNED CASE THAT LIKE I SAID THE CAFE-BROWN COLOR IS SUPER IN FOR THIS SEASON." So not only will you be showing your dedication to LBP with this accessory pack, you'll be SUPER FASHIONABLE. Thanks, NAYIN!
