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LittleBigPlanet servers are live
The guys at Media Molecule have just announced that the servers for LittleBigPlanet have gone live. You can now begin to access all of the online features of the game -- make friends, publish levels, heart levels and more. Those of you got their hands on an "early" copy of the game from GameStop, why are you still reading this?! Finally, make sure to play the PS3 Fanboy-made level (pictured) created by Majed. Have fun!
TGS 08: Old Snake and Sephiroth flip out and kill ninjas
As cute as Old Sack and Sackiroth may be in digital form (despite being gun-toting, sword-wielding mass murderers), they're nothing in comparison to their real life counterparts. These costumed SackBoy plush dolls appeared during the public days in the LittleBigPlanet section of the Sony booth. Media Molecule continues to tease us with physical SackBoys that we just can't have.On nearby screens a trailer showed the two newest members of the LittleBigPlanet family running and jumping through various levels of the game. Adorable and ecstatic? Yes, but also ruthless Ninja killers. Check some of it out in the video after the break.
LittleBigPlanet's 'launch' freebie: SackAstronaut
As if yesterday's announcement of an entire God of War level theme for LittleBigPlanet wasn't enough to entice you to snap up the game day one, today Sony delivered the icing astronaut on the cake. Anyone who plays Media Molecule's platforming concoction during its first week of release will be able to download a space suit costume for SackBoy, free of charge, from within the game. Sony says the suit will be a way for players to proclaim, "I was there for Launch!" Get it – launch? Like blast-off. Like what astronauts do. Hence, a space suit. Clever, eh?
LittleBigPlanet creator hints at controls patch, backflips
Media Molecule boss Mark Healey admits that LittleBigPlanet's controls can be frustrating. "The Z [axis] movement is an incredibly hard thing for us to get right. There's times when it annoys me actually," Healey told Eurogamer, echoing sentiments shared by other PlayStation 3 developers that have struggled to put games in motion. [Update: Oops! Healey's actually talking about moving between the foreground and background planes (thanks Colin!) -- the motion controls still are wonky though ... ]Media Molecule seems confident a software patch could do the trick. "There's definitely room for improvement and we've got the channel to be able to do that as well. I'd really love to be able to do backflips and all kinds of things with my SackBoy, and there's no reason why we can't add that and refine that." LittleTombRaider? NinjaBigGaiden? Yes please.
GameStop LBP pre-order adds more God of War sackness
We had previously learned that a Kratos SackBoy would be available with a GameStop pre-order, but what we didn't know was all the extras that would also be included with the reservation. The GameStop website and a new commercial (found after the break) reveal the pre-order will also include Minotaur and Medusa costumes, along with stickers and level pack.The details on getting the redemption code vary between online and in-store reservation, with online codes being sent out a week before the game ships and store codes available at time of reservation -- while supplies last (call ahead). No word yet if the Heavenly Sword Best Buy exclusive Nariko SackGirl will come with levels, extra characters and a dose of a "twing-twang."[Via PS3 Fanboy]
See Mario's World 1-1 in LittleBigPlanet
You had to know this sort of thing was coming: As you can see right after the break, Super Mario Bros.' World 1-1 has been replicated in the make-your-own-fun platformer, LittleBigPlanet. It's not exact (in fact, we wouldn't be surprised to see players trying to immediately trump it) but it's still adorable.What's surprising, though, is that it appears to lose a bit in the fun department during translation. Of course, maybe this is more about the actual achievement. We should really stop looking a gift Sackboy in the mouth.
LittleBigPlanet could get you that industry job
And not like how we have a "job" in the industry. This one might actually bring joy into the lives of others! "I think this game can definitely help people get jobs in the industry," Media Molecule's co-founder and LittleBigPlanet's art director, Kareem Ettouney, recently told VentureBeat."Imagine a guy going into a job with five levels of LittleBigPlanet and you get to play his creation." Having been "blown away" by the varied creations that flooded out of Parsons New School of Design earlier this week, Ettouney explained that LittleBigPlanet's shared level building could provide a way for upcoming game designers to become known and appreciated -- or feared, in our case. "People know his levels and know his name," he said, suggesting that aspiring designers would walk into a job interview, already known. "We hope LittleBigPlanet plays a part in getting new game developers jobs and also making them stars."You hear that, Dad? This guy says we can get a job by playing a game! And you said it was just a waste of time.
LittleBigPlanet officially arriving Oct. 21 in North America, other regions confirmed
Now, it's official: LittleBigPlanet will launch in North America on October 21. During launch week, those who purchase the game will be able to download a free "limited edition Spacesuit costume" from the PSN store (picture after the break).Sony also confirmed other regional dates: Europe, Australia & New Zealand Oct. 22; UK & Ireland Oct. 24 and Japan Oct. 30. Meanwhile, the 80GB LBP PS3 bundle will release Oct. 29 in Europe and Oct. 31 in the UK and Ireland. And those are LittleBigPlanet's OfficialReleasePlans.[Via PS3 Fanboy]%Gallery-1943%
LittleBigPlanet's Sackboy (will be) in PAIN
Word just crashed through the window, bounced off the couch, and flew into the wood chipper (don't ask) that LittleBigPlanet "mascot," Sackboy, will be offered as a downloadable character for Sony's PSN title, PAIN. According to 1UP, the latest issue of Game Informer contains the news, but, sadly, little other info ... like, y'know, when this will actually happen. As much as it would pain us to hurt the darling fabric fellow, we hope that the eventual answer to the query we've submitted to SCEA will be "very soon."[Game Informer via 1UP]
Getting sick of Sackboy? Throw him around in PAIN soon
Even before PAIN first came out there were mentions of bringing other Sony characters into the game, but we didn't expect the first one to be poor naive Sackboy. If Game Informer (via 1UP) is to believed, however, we'll be flinging him out of a giant slingshot "at some point in the future." That's pretty much all the info that's available on the subject. Could this be the first downloadable character for PAIN that's worth the money? Or would you rather Sackboy was a little more choosey about the games he visits? We've been conditioned to think that he's no bigger than a plush toy, so seeing him all human-sized is going to be a little weird.
Nature documentary explains life of a Sackboy
As members of the preeminent species on Planet Earth, we don't care too much for nature documentaries. What could it possibly matter to us how the lesser works of God (whose image we're created in, remember) spend their time?We are, however, willing to make an exception for LittleBigPlanet's Sackboy, which is just close enough to human to merit our attention. You'll find a fascinating look into his daily life just after the break.
Read the LittleBigPlanet manual ... because you won't later
Considering you know you aren't actually going to look at it after buying the game, why not read the LittleBigPlanet manual now? Might actually learn something.The 25-page manual covers all the things that it should, hopefully answering any outlying questions people might have left in the massive amounts of information released about the ambitious title. LittleBigPlanet will be available in Europe on Oct. 29 and we're still waiting for the official North American release date, but we've been told it's "October" as well.[Via PS3 Fanboy]
First LittleBigPlanet billboard on eBay
Well, Sony told us eBay it. And it looks like jonnoj04 is the first one to answer the calling -- the seller has put up number 99/1000 of the limited edition LittleBigPlanet signs up for sale on the online auction site. He/she didn't even have to resort to stealing to obtain it -- this individual was told by the landscapers of the area where it was planted the sign would be removed soon and allowed him/her to take it. The auction begin yesterday at $0.99 but it is already up to $21.50 with the auction ending this Friday. The shipping costs range from a little under $10 to a little under $15. Will you be spending your cold-hard cash bidding on this? Or will you be keeping your own eye out for one of these limited edition babies? Decide after you take a look at the auction right here.[Thanks, James!]
LittleBigChallenge: Design a SackBoy costume DLC
Click here to download the template Sick of using papercraft to show off your artistic side? Here's a contest for you LittleBigPlanet fanatics: design a costume for either SackBoy or SackGirl, and if your costume is chosen, it will become free DLC in the future. Three winners will be chosen: one from Europe, one from the US (sorry Canada and Mexico) and one from Japan. Just use the above template and use an image editor of your choice to create your costume design. Apparently the judges are looking more for a great concept than a great Photoshop expert, so don't worry if your image editing skills aren't top-notch. Another warning is to avoid smaller details that will be hard to see in-game.When your design is ready, just send an e-mail with your design attached to playstation_community_support@playstation.sony.com with "My Sackboy Costume" as the subject line by 11:59 PM PST on September 30th. Include your full name, date of birth and PSN Online ID in the e-mail. Additional contest rules are after the jump. Good luck!
Design a Sackboy or Sackgirl for LittleBigPlanet DLC
Have you fired many a condescending moan at the lead characters of most chart-topping blockbusters over the past few years, commenting on how the protagonist of your homebrew first-person shooter, Hellkiller, is so much more original and marketable? Perhaps it's time you put your unsung character design skills to work -- we suggest entering a contest recently posted by LittleBigPlanet creator Media Molecule to create a clever outfit for the game's texturized heroes, Sackboy and Sackgirl.One winner from America, Japan and Europe will be chosen from the entries, and the winning designs will be posted as free DLC for the title "in the near future". Applicants, who must be 13 years or older to enter, simply need to draw a costume over a Sackboy template on the LittleBigPlanet site, and email it to Media Molecule. They don't mention this in the rules, but we imagine equipping the mascot-worthy protagonist with intricately drawn reproductive organs is grounds for immediate disqualification.[Via Kotaku]
It's a wrap: LittleBigBox
click to make little ... BIG! Life at Joystiq HQ used to feel a lot like Mount Crumpit. It was cold and lonely and it just seemed like our hearts were, in the words of Dr. Seuss, "two sizes too small." (That, and Ludwig refused to take his damned antler ears off.) But then LittleBigPlanet rolled along and slapped the cynical smirk clean off our faces. And -- wouldn't you know it? -- our hearts grew three sizes that day.%Gallery-1943%
LittleBigPlanet Kratos sackboy costume can be shared
Thanks to a poster on NeoGAF, we have some details regarding the popular Kratos sackboy costume for LittleBigPlanet. First of all, the card is given to you immediately when you preorder in-store. According the GameStop website, if you preordered online or you arranged for in-store pickup, your code will be e-mailed to you one week before the game ships. The code must also be redeemed by January 8th, 2009. Lastly, like PSN games, each code will be associated with a PSN account -- which "allows download of the LittleBigPlanet in-game costume on 5 PS3 systems per account." Too bad you don't get five pouches to share with your friends, huh? Reverse side of the above LBP code card, after the jump:
Nariko Sackgirl is Play.com's LittleBigPlanet preorder bonus
Europe, rejoice! You're not being left out in the cold. Those amazing LittleBigPlanet preorder bonuses will be available on both sides of the Atlantic. So far, we've spotted Nariko hanging out over at Play.com, but there's no sign of any of the others. At least, not yet. The Nariko Sackgirl (who is actually a Sackboy playing dress up, but don't let that put you off) is downloadable via the PlayStation Network. Instructions will be sent out during the week of release, according to Play.com, so don't expect to be playing with your new heavenly pal on launch day. Now, where's that Kratos Sackboy got to? We're sure he's hiding around here somewhere.
Sony sees LittleBigPlanet's Sackboy as potential mascot material
Long gone are the days when Mario, Sonic, and Crash battled each other in hastily constructed plywood arenas in the dimly lit back corners of edge-of-town warehouses. Now, we've got Sonic and Mario sharing box covers while Crash ... well, at least he's still around.But don't think the marketing mavens at Sony haven't taken notice of LittleBigPlanet's lovable Sackboy who, as luck would have it, is exclusive to the PS3. "We want LittleBigPlanet to lead the charge into a new genre of gaming and turn Sackboy into the next emblematic character for the PS3," says SCEA's LBP marketing maven Mark Valledor. There are plans that include tiny billboards, exclusive pre-order Sackboys and girls (Kratos and Nariko), plushies and, one can only hope, pajamas with feet. [Eurogamer via PS3 Fanboy]
LittleBigPlanet's Sackboy is PS3's 'next emblematic character'
In an interview with Advertising Age, SCEA's product marketing manager for LittleBigPlanet Mark Valledor echoes the sentiments of associate producer Eric Fong: LittleBigPlanet will move PS3s. The marketing team aims to "increase visibility with the consumers early and gain credibility with retailers to help prolong the marketing push well into the holidays." Ultimately, Sony's goal is to "turn Sackboy into the next emblematic character for the PS3." Is the adorable little guy above Sony's answer to Mario and Master Chief?One of the ways they are advertising the game is with "LittleBig billboards" that are the size of a typical yard sign, but "will feature working lights and ladders and other high-end art and design." They'll be placed in major cities like New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Sony knows the size of these boards will likely make them the target of thieves -- a spokeswoman even said if these stolen signs end up on eBay, it might add to the hype.The article concludes by interviewing several people regarding their predictions of the success of LittleBigPlanet, including Massively's Michael Zenke. All of them having nothing but praise for the potential they see in the PS3 exclusive -- Anita Frazier of NPD calls it "family-friendly" and Zenke thinks it will be "accessible to casual gamers and even non-gamers." With the hype train in full force from now to the next two months, do you think they'll be a backlash? Or will Sackboy live up to the hopes and dreams of Sony fanboys eveywhere? [Via Eurogamer]
