The LittleBigPlanet pre-release Saga

[wco81]

I hope LBP does really well.

But I really don't see the Wii party-games crowd getting into creating levels.

They want to pick up and play and it's like the contemporary version of charades -- something people do because they're together, not something which people spend a lot of time on, which is what the create part of the game seems to indicate.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

But I really don't see the Wii party-games crowd getting into creating levels.

They want to pick up and play and it's like the contemporary version of charades -- something people do because they're together, not something which people spend a lot of time on, which is what the create part of the game seems to indicate.

Well 1), four player messing-about-coop where you can slap each other satisfies the play dynamic, and 2), creating isn't solely about creating entire levels. It can be as little as customizing your character, which people do seem to love, or building one element in a level, maybe making yourself a 'car' to have a race with other players. The upper limit is spending hundreds of hours creating complex levels, but that doesn't set the minimum limit!

and the announcement that you can't import your own .mp3s is saddening, so I was looking to alternative options to tell a story.

that comes as a surprise to me. Which announcement is that? The only thing I've heard about audio is the supposed ease it can be added, and a rhythm game is possible. It'd be a bit stupid to allow the creation of rhythm levels and yet not allow players to import audio! The only thing I've heard about not allowing imports is an interview where they said you couldn't add your own Sackboy materials, and they were going to keep tabs on content but hadn't worked out the specifics of that yet. I appreciate they don't want copyright infringement, which, let's be honest, would be rife! Nicked soundtracks, samples, characters, it's a minefield. But YouTube seems to have gotten away with it, so I don't see why LBP should be adversely impacted.

I do wish they were more open explaining future development systems, as some people do want to start planning things out already, and that's important to get a rapidly growing community from Day 1.

 

[deepbrown]

I hope they add URL support to the game. It can sidestep the import issue and have an LBP level play a YouTube video, or a sound file somewhere on the net.

http://apiblog.youtube.com/2008/05/let-games-begin.html

We are happy to announce that PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3TM) has integrated the YouTube APIs to allow game developers to create games that enable direct upload of in-game video captures to YouTube. This YouTube upload functionality can be incorporated not only into new PS3 game titles, but also existing PS3 titles that have the ability to receive network updates. Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. has added YouTube functionality to Mainichi Issho, a popular game with PS3 users in Japan. Gamers will now be able to upload their in-game video captures to YouTube. We're excited at the opportunity this presents and look forward to more and more games to be enhanced with YouTube.

 

[patsu]

Yeah... but I want LBP specific support, not just a general youtube API.
It should support sound files/URLs too !

 

[deepbrown]

Yeah... but I want LBP specific support, not just a general youtube API.
It should support sound files/URLs too !

That is about adding support for individual games...developers can add it in if they want...if you read it

 

[patsu]

Yes, we already know about the new capability http://forum.beyond3d.com/showpost.php?p=1162166&postcount=8.
The real question is whether LBP supports it and to what extent (e.g., Can we embed Youtube video in a LBP level ?).

 

[Tisan]

that comes as a surprise to me. Which announcement is that? The only thing I've heard about audio is the supposed ease it can be added, and a rhythm game is possible. It'd be a bit stupid to allow the creation of rhythm levels and yet not allow players to import audio!

Sorry it wasn't an announcement, but was in an article I read recently.
Here you are:

In your own levels you can place these jukeboxes wherever you want, but you won't be able to import your own music, you'll have to use the music included in the game (you'll be able to import your own Photoshop created images or PlayStation Eye pictures and use them as stickers though).

I notice I missed the paragraph about the speech bubbles in that same article though, heheh whoops.

I do wish they were more open explaining future development systems, as some people do want to start planning things out already, and that's important to get a rapidly growing community from Day 1.

What I find bizarre is that www.playcreateshare.com isn't even owned by Sony.
Linking an overall community website with youtube videos could very well be the best thing they could do to create a community.

 

[deepbrown]

Yes, we already know about the new capability http://forum.beyond3d.com/showpost.php?p=1162166&postcount=8.
The real question is whether LBP supports it and to what extent (e.g., Can we embed Youtube video in a LBP level ?).

They better !

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Sorry it wasn't an announcement, but was in an article I read recently.

Well, I can understand why, but that is an unwelcome limit. Will we not be able to add our own sound effects? Or maybe it's a filesize cap that prevents wholesale music track rips, but will allow audio?

What I find bizarre is that www.playcreateshare.com isn't even owned by Sony.

Looks like someone's snatched it up to sell it on for silly money if Sony are fool enough to buy it. Which they won't be. They can use a LittleBigPlanet address. And al the content sharing is handled over the game too. The community aspect would be handled either with existing MySpace etc. communities, or Home. A separate website will just get lost in the mix, I'm sure.

 

[Cornsnake]

http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/06/19/littlebigplanet-dev-chats-about-story-mode-adult-content-and-s/ LittleBigPlanet interview.

 

[Terarrim]

Big marketing potential for LBP plushy sackboy's imo. I want to buy one for my wife, honest!!!

 

[Cornsnake]

I always wondered why Sony didn't do merchandising. LittleBigPlanet seems perfect for it. And games like Spyro, Crash Bandicoot Ratched & Clank and Jak before it.

 

[upnorthsox]

I always wondered why Sony didn't do merchandising. LittleBigPlanet seems perfect for it. And games like Spyro, Crash Bandicoot Ratched & Clank and Jak before it.

Forget in-game xmb, I want a Clank combo lamp/alarm clock/nightlight damm it!!!!!!!!!!

 

[holsty101]

Slightly OT ...

MM (Mark Healey/Alex Evans) interviewing Ralph Baer

 

[tirminyl]

Everytime I hear more about this game, the more and more I love it! I am pretty sure if they released plush dolls, I would buy the store out Ok, maybe I will get 2 or purchase 1 that came with a limited edition bundle.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

The dolls idea is one of the best merchandising options in gaming since Pokemon. Because the main character can be dressed as anything, you can create dolls and ornaments to appeal to all and sundry, and be very collectable. The characters themselves are adorable enough to get interest just for being dolls, which then promotes the computer game. Sony need only combine LBP with Dress to have designer costumes and made-to-order Sackboy plushies, and they'd do a roaring trade!

 

[Npl]

actually they have no choice but to sell plush-toys. If Sony themself doesnt do it, then there will be ten others to jump at the opportunity

 

[Cheezdoodles]

actually they have no choice but to sell plush-toys. If Sony themself doesnt do it, then there will be ten others to jump at the opportunity

They cannot make official toys thought, without paying sony.... So the toys would be look-a-likes (but looks far enough apart not to be sued).

 

[rounin]

How can you sue someone over a toy as generic as SackBoy... just call it BoyOfSack and you're set.

 

[JPT]

Paris GDC stuff from Media Molecule

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=19135