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LittleBigPlanet 3 also threading its way to PS3
Though initially announced during a decidedly PlayStation 4-focused press conference at E3, LittleBigPlanet 3 will also grace the last generation of Sony's home consoles. Following the debut of the suitably adorable trailer seen above, fans asked LittleBigPlanet community manager Steven Isbell if the game might appear on the PlayStation 3. "Yes, it will be available on PS3 too," Isbell replied, before adding that he would have "many more exciting details" to share at some unknown point in the future. As we reported during Sony's press conference, LittleBigPlanet 3 is slated to hit the PlayStation 4 in November, but Isbell offers no timeframe for when the cuddly, roll your own platforming adventure might reach the PlayStation 3. In the meantime, take a look at our hands-on preview of the game. If nothing else, there's an adorable burlap bird you really should get acquainted with. [Image: Sony]
Play as Sackboy and Tearaway's heroes in Joe Danger 2 for Vita
Hello Games revealed plans to bring Joe Danger and Joe Danger 2: The Movie to PS Vita in August, and now it is offering more details on the games' portable versions. Namely, Joe Danger 2 will include cameos in the form of three playable characters courtesy of Media Molecule. Sometime this year, players will be able to perform tricks on Joe's motorcycle using Sackboy from the LittleBigPlanet series as well as Atoi and Iota from Media Molecule's latest game, Tearaway. Joe Danger 2 will include the 15 levels originally added to the game's PS3 version in the Undead Movie Pack DLC in October 2013. Additionally, both games will include online leaderboards and will automatically download ghost racer data for players to compete with asynchronously. Joe Danger first arrived on PSN in June 2010 and both games landed on Steam in June 2013. [Image: Hello Games]
Tearaway DLC adds LittleBigPlanet themed decorations
Media Molecule has rolled out the inaugural DLC pack for its PS Vita adventure game Tearaway, expanding its creativity-driven gameplay with new LittleBigPlanet-themed customization options. Originally released as pre-order DLC in Europe, the LittleBigPaper Pack adds 14 new in-game decoration items, letting players dress up their characters as Sackboy and Sackgirl from the LittleBigPlanet series. The pack made its North American debut last month, and is now available worldwide via the PlayStation Network. [Image: Media Molecule]
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]
Tearaway soundtrack has folk-dubstep mash-ups and more for $8
The soundtrack for Vita's charming papercraft-themed platformer, Tearaway, is now available on the PlayStation Store for $7.99. The soundtrack features 44 tracks of original music by Kenneth Young and Brian D'Oliveira, which ranges in style from folksy chants and sea shanties to dubstep. There's also folk-dubstep mash-ups, which - calling it now - is bound to become the next big thing to happen in music. Young states in the "Music of Tearaway" trailer that this is the first officially-released soundtrack from Tearaway developer Media Molecule, as well as their first soundtrack comprised entirely of original tracks - no licensed music to be found here. But seriously, folk-dubstep. 'Nuff said.
Tearaway review: Not quite a love letter
The charming platformer Tearaway gets so many tiny details exactly right. It fully commits to its papercraft aesthetic, putting everyday elements like glue and confetti to ingenious use. The way it makes you – starring as You – a driving element in the game is both clever and engaging, and don't even get me started on how cute the damn squirrels are. If only Tearaway hadn't relied so much on a clumsy Vita control scheme, it might have been an enchanting bit of portable escapism, but instead it's a lot of sighs boxed in an adorable wrapper.
Tearaway and Vita bundles are Europe market-bound
Tearaway, the Vita-exclusive game about a papercraft postman/postwoman that we called "emblematic of 'awww,'" will be getting bundle options in European markets, according to the PlayStation Blog. Sony and developer Media Molecule are offering three bundles, all of which will package the game with a PlayStation Vita system. The most basic package stops there, with a phsyical copy of the game and a WiFi-only Vita. The next step up includes the WiFi-only Vita, a 4 GB memory card and a download voucher for Tearaway. Lastly, a UK-exclusive bundle will include a WiFi-only Vita, a 16 GB memory card and voucher codes for both Tearaway and LittleBigPlanet Vita. To celebrate the announcement, Media Molecule have released a new trailer that shows off and explains how the Vita's unique features have been utilized in constructing the game. Don't worry; unlike your papier mache projects from junior high, there's a lack of glue and plaster to make a mess.
What's this? What's this? The Nightmare Before Christmas invades LittleBigPlanet's dreams
Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas will become a nightmare before Halloween, thanks to an upcoming costume pack and level kit for LittleBigPlanet 2 and LittleBigPlanet Vita. Neither piece of DLC has a confirmed release date, but the PlayStation Blog and LittleBigPlanet website both claim we'll see Sack Skellington (haa) and friends sometime "next week." The costume pack includes everything you need to transform your Sackboy or Sackgirl into Jack Skellington, Sally, Dr. Finkelstein or Oogie Boogie. Meanwhile, the level kit will contain stickers, objects, a background and an interactive music track. We know it's probably "This is Halloween," and that "Oogie Boogie's Song" will forever be an underappreciated masterpiece, but what're you gonna do?
Tearaway tears away from release date, delayed until November
You might want to tear away a few tissues, because Media Molecule's next whimsical adventure, Tearaway, has been delayed. Originally slated to arrive in October, the game will now hit shelves on November 22. The delay has been announced by both the American and European PS Blog, so it appears to be worldwide. Tearaway takes place in a papercraft universe, allowing players to interact with the world using the PlayStation Vita's unique hardware features, including the touch screen and rear touch pad.
Tearaway hogs all of the pre-order perks in the US
Forget everything you know about Tearaway and focus on this one fact: It has an in-game, rideable pig. This little piggy is only accessible through pre-orders at participating retailers, Media Molecule Community Manager James Spafford writes on the PlayStation Blog. Pre-orders in the US get a slew of swine-related and assorted goodies: the Tearaway soundtrack with a bonus song, iota and atoi costumes for LittleBigPlanet, a Vita wallpaper, iota and atoi avatars for use on PSN, and a skin for a rideable pig and matching, real-life printable papercraft. These pre-order perks sound suspiciously similar to those announced for Europe, but those were split into two packs; one with the soundtrack but without the pig, and the other with the pig but no tunes.
Tearaway breaks off two EU pre-order bonuses: Soundtrack or pig
Tearaway, the Vita game coming from LittleBigPlanet developer Media Molecule, has split itself into two pre-order bonuses in Europe, both available at participating retailers. The first pre-order bonus – the Jukebox Pack – includes avatars, a background for the Vita and the game's soundtrack, complete with a bonus song. The second bonus pack, Special Delivery, includes in-game costumes and an exclusive skin for a rideable pig (yes, in-game), with printable papercraft plans (out-of-game, obviously). Tearaway hits retail and PSN on October 23 in Europe. And, once again, your choices for pre-orders in that region are soundtrack or rideable pig. We think you'll make the right decision.
Tearaway cuts loose on PS Vita October 22
Media Molecule's next game, Tearaway, will launch on PS Vita October 22 in North America, October 25 in the UK. Media Molecule's last game was 2011's LittleBigPlanet 2.Tearaway is an adventure game utilizing several hardware aspects of the PS Vita – such as the camera and rear touch-pad – to interact with the paper world. At the outset, players may choose the male messenger Iota or his female counterpart, Atoi.
See results of Media Molecule's game jam in Austin on March 7
When Media Molecule makes a game for real, it's about leading burlap heroes through infinite player-created levels, or interacting with a virtual paper world. The company's PS4 concept was about shaping virtual clay with a Move. So when freed from practical or commercial concerns, we imagine the results are fairly interesting.Austin residents will find out March 7 at 7 p.m., when Media Molecule will attend the monthly Juegos Rancheros game collective meetup to reveal the results of its first game jam. The team will talk about running an internal jam and how it relates to the company's work, such as the coming Tearaway.In non-MM news, Deep Sea creator and Antichamber sound designer Robin Arnott will show off SoundSelf, a game that "combines your own voice with evolving fractal graphics and mind-altering auditory feedback."
PlayStation Move compatible with PS4, Media Molecule shows
During today's PlayStation Event in NYC, Media Molecule's Alex Evans revealed the studio has married the PlayStation Move controller with the PS Move, Sony's motion peripheral originally designed for the PS3. The Move was demonstrated as a sculpting tool with the PS4, among other things.Really, the entire demo was an artistic suite, showing the Move being used as a paint brush and to control two dancing avatars. The sequence eventually culminated in a full rock show where players used Move to control individual instruments. While not Media Molecule's next game, per se, the demo was designed to showcase the creative power of the PS4.
Rumor: LittleBigPlanet 3 is in development at Sonic All-Stars dev Sumo Digital
LittleBigPlanet 3 is rumored to be in development at British studio and Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed dev Sumo Digital. VG247 is reporting that, according to sources, Sony and former series developer Media Molecule approached Sumo Digital to make LBP 3, and that the game, which has yet to be announced, has already been in development for "well over a year." Upon inquiry, a Sony representative told the site that it "doesn't comment on rumor or speculation."When approached on the matter, a Sumo Digital representative told Joystiq, "No comment."LittleBigPlanet 2's Cross-Controller Pack, released in December 2012, was outsourced to Sumo Digital, so the developer has hands-on experience with the property. Also, as spotted by superannuation last April, motion graphics artist Naomi Summerscales' LinkedIn profile noted the developer is working on a PS3 exclusive to be released this year.Media Molecule is now working on Vita papercraft game Tearaway, having announced it was stepping away from LittleBigPlanet back in July 2011.
Media Molecule's Tearaway is an adorable arts and crafts adventure
Developer Media Molecule has standardized adorable in the high-def console generation, introducing gamers to Sackboy and friends with the creation-focused LittleBigPlanet. The UK-based studio's newest concoction follows a similar strand of cuteness, commanding "awwwwwws" throughout the demo of Tearaway – Media Molecule's first foray onto the PlayStation Vita.Tearaway follows 'The Messenger' – played by the lovable and customizable male cutout, Iota, or his female paper counterpart, Atoi – on a quest to deliver a message to the player. As either of the two characters, you'll explore a wondrous world crafted from colorful paper and propped up with globs of glue, gusts of wind, and strategic folds.At its heart, Tearaway is a 3D platformer. You won't be developing your own levels or actions in Tearaway, but navigate through the imagination of the small, roughly fifteen-person team handling the studio's handheld debut.%Gallery-177721%
LittleBigPlanet 2: Extras Edition coming to Europe in February
LittleBigPlanet 2: Extras Edition was recently announced for Europe, and is due to release in February. Extras Edition will include the original game along with three bonus level packs and a number of costumes for Sackboy to wear.Of the packed-in level kits, the previously-released Cross-Controller Pack is included, which has players using their Vita systems to control Sackboy in the game. The other level packs bundled on the disc are the Move Pack: Rise of the Cakeling, which features PlayStation Move controls, and The Muppets Premium Level Kit. Click past the break to check out the full box art of the Extras Edition.
LittleBigPlanet 2 gets Vita cross-control DLC next week
LittleBigPlanet 2 will finally get its PlayStation Vita cross-control DLC next week. Starting Tuesday, players will be able to nab the Cross-Controller Pack, which not only allows the Vita to control LittleBigPlanet 2, but also opens up lots of oh-so-trendy two-screen experiences.Levels can be designed specifically with the Vita in mind, letting players use the touch screen, move Sackboy from the TV screen to the Vita, and more. Most important of all, as we discovered earlier this year, it adds the potential for incredible griefing opportunities (seen in the video above).For the less creative, the Cross-Controller Pack also includes new pre-designed levels that utilize the new cross-control features. The Cross-Controller Pack will be available on December 18 for $5.
LittleBigPlanet Karting review: Making tracks
I've never been a huge fan of the LittleBigPlanet series, but I've always respected it. I'm rendered powerless by its peerless charm, and the depth of its creation tools and the resulting masterworks churned out by its playrs never cease to amaze. My one gripe, shared by many others, is that the actual gameplay of LittleBigPlanet never seems to live up to most platformers. The floaty jumps, chancy landings, and overall soupy feel to the controls always let me down.In LittleBigPlanet Karting, at least, my one gripe has been wiped away, with developer United Front adopting a playbook long ago established by the Mario Kart series, including its simple, precise controls. The difference, and this is important, is that unlike Mario Kart, LittleBigPlanet Karting potentially has as many tracks as its players can dream up.%Gallery-170603%
LittleBigPlanet Karting totally has a story
You may think a bunch of puppets in go karts doesn't have any narrative significance but this LittleBigPlanet Karting trailer proves there's a real conflict fueling this racing game.
