Art students make LittleBigColossus in 24 hours
by Justin McElroy 
{ Sep 23rd 2008 at 10:00AM }
We've got to admit that when we decided to write up this post on the 24-hour LittleBigPlanet Game Jam at Parsons New School of Design, it was because of a few misconceptions. First, we thought that, since this was Parsons, former chair of fashion design (and our personal favorite human) Tim Gunn would be there. He was not. Also, we thought that a "Game Jam" would be a lot more like "Space Jam." This, too, proved to be untrue.
If you're curious what a bunch of designers-in-training came up with for LBP, we have a truly stunning video of their "LittleBigColossus" after the jump. Just don't expect any slam-dunking bunnies or wizened fashionistas over their shoulders telling them to "Make it work™."
Gallery: Parsons LittleBigPlanet Design Jam
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jack of No Trades 85 @ Sep 23rd 2008 10:12AM
HOLY CRAP!!!!
Wesley @ Sep 23rd 2008 11:17AM
I know! I was just thinking the exact same thing! HOLY CRAP! Arts students gets attractive asian girls on their classes? What the heck am I doing studying sciences?
Killjebus @ Sep 23rd 2008 11:52AM
Hey Jack...looking forward to playing this AAA AAA AAA most original genre defining game EVAR created online with you.
After seeing what can be created in just 24hrs with some smart people...(begin sarcasm) I have come to the conclusion that Premiere Asshat was right...this game sucks and its crap.
I'm gonna sell my useless PS3 and get a 360 because PAH is soooooo smart and us Sony fanboys are dumb. (end sarcasm)
No matter how anti-Sony anyone or any site is....after seeing this ALL OF THEM are jealous and envious of what Sony has with this game.
Casuals, Hardcore, and Midcore will be beating down the doors of retailers to get their hands on this game once the advertising blitz hits and the word of mouth spreads.
Remember what I said back in early 2007, be patient with Sony...it takes about 2 years for the BIG GUNS to start showing themselves...it did with the PS1 and PS2...and now you are seeing the beginning of the BIG GUNS for the PS3.
Man o man....I am sooooo happy with my 60GB PS3 that I paid $600 for.
Thank you Sony and see you all online sooooooon.
Add me anyone if you wish.
Killjebus
juju187 @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:10PM
so jealous of a glorified level creator, w/e the case may be it's still a pretty game.
Maverick Saturn @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:34PM
Kill, sounds like you can predict the future or something ¬_¬
Maverick Saturn @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:36PM
While you're at it, can you tell me whether I will have a son or daugther in future, what thier name will be and what they will grow up to be like.
It's just so I can prepare early, can never be too careful.
Ubiqutous Oxymoron @ Sep 23rd 2008 1:23PM
eurogamer are currently giving away 5000 lbp online beta keys, realtime! sign in, click on link and voila!
got mine!
BananaBoat @ Sep 23rd 2008 4:28PM
@juju
The thing is, once people have created levels, it stops being a level editor and becomes the largest platformer game in history. If you can import textures via the eyesight camera, that means near infinite possibilities for how things can look (dong textures anyone?)
Also, eurogamer is DOWN under the weight of millions of angry gamers. I even had a euro PSN account ready to go in case they required it. I'm a sad banana right now.
t_m @ Sep 24th 2008 6:22AM
@killjebus:
It looks like a cool game.
er.. not sure what else to say.
Sorry, it sounds like its more important to you than it is to most people.
Maybe you should try sewing or something.. or tennis?
Jakka(A tribute to whose who fought and failed during the Epic Flamewar of L.A. Noir) @ Sep 23rd 2008 10:16AM
You know when I said, I wanted MM to make something that will truly blow me away because all the previous level demos were relatively easy and unimpressive?
Yeah well, consider me mind-blown.
el serpiente @ Sep 23rd 2008 11:44AM
Does this mean you will finally shut up now?
Metal_Gear @ Sep 23rd 2008 11:52AM
Best thing is it wasn't MM that made those levels, that was made by people who havent played that game before in just a day. Granted they were art students, but that would have only helped them make the textures really.
I love how you can add your own NPCs with text too, to give hints for the level. That means you could set up riddles to add a new dimension to your level.
Jakka(A tribute to whose who fought and failed during the Epic Flamewar of L.A. Noir) @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:28PM
@ el
No, thank you.I still consider it overhyped due to the reasons already mentioned here, but good game is good.
el serpiente @ Sep 23rd 2008 3:37PM
Oh, that's unfortunate...
Ubiqutous Oxymoron @ Sep 23rd 2008 10:16AM
wow, absoloutly amazing, really looking forward to playing this with my nieces and nephew.
Nitemare1 @ Sep 23rd 2008 10:29AM
Am I the only fool that actually clicked on the play button in the video when it popped up on the screen?
very cool though.
FSK405K @ Sep 23rd 2008 10:29AM
Cool construction but it still looks like LBP will suck. How have so many people been so excited over such a generic-looking platformer for so long? 'oh, but I can create my own levels' Ya, because 90% of user-created content is SO good. Playing LBP looks like a souped-up version of Tom & Jerry on NES, but without the marbles.
Jakka(A tribute to whose who fought and failed during the Epic Flamewar of L.A. Noir) @ Sep 23rd 2008 10:38AM
True.
Still CUC-based games are only as good as the file browser will get.Hopefully MM's browser as well as various credible fansites will be enough to not have to dig through piles of shit.
Vidikron @ Sep 23rd 2008 10:42AM
Sure, 90% of the user created content is going to suck, it's the other 10% that I'm interested in... stuff like this seen in the video. These guys created that in 24 hours. Imagine what equally, or even more talented, individuals will be able to do with weeks of time.
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread) @ Sep 23rd 2008 11:07AM
well i am excited for this game but i understand your point. user created content as a whole is generally crap. but you can always find some gem in there somewhere that someone put alot of time and effort into. the game has a level rating system so hopefully that will help decipher the good levels from the turds. plus you can always count on fan sites to keep track of it. seriously, there were how many rating sites for the SSBB level creator (which is paltry in comparison)?
as a person who can play platformers all day (seriously, i cant even count how many times ive beaten 2D Mario and the Crash Bandicoot games) i can see this game being right up my alley. and if it does happen to suck, ill be disappointed but at least Resistance 2 will be out 2 weeks after it.
Kizzle @ Sep 23rd 2008 11:21AM
The guy gets his comment downvoted, but he's right. This game is going to be a major letdown for the vast majority of those thinking they are going to pick it up and start designing ANYTHING worth playing. The fact that Sony is delaying co-op makes it even less worthwhile.
Disappointing.
Maverick Saturn @ Sep 23rd 2008 11:26AM
How can you can you call something generic if it has no competition, I was under the impression generic was used for those games that keep coming out with the same old style and gameplay mechanics, for example, traditional Platformers like Ratchet and clank, or nearly every fps in existance at the moment, or most racing games out today, lets just say 80% of games released.
You've used the term generic, but what can you put LBP against? And why on earth do you think your opinion matters more then the rest of us is beyond me. You wonder why we are excited for the game like as if because you don't like it we should all suddenly agree with you, tell me this, if you don't like it, why reply to it with a generic comment?
Vidikron @ Sep 23rd 2008 11:30AM
@Kizzle
I doubt many people are under some illusion that they are master level creators. I won't be the least bit surprised if the levels I attempt to create suck, but maybe they won't. And if they do, I'll at least be able to play brilliant creations from more talented users. I figure that either way I'll still enjoy attempting to create something, and maybe I'll surprise myself.
And be specific, co-op is in the game. You'll be able to play online from the start. What's being delayed is online co-op level creation.
borland502 (SDF Macross) @ Sep 23rd 2008 11:35AM
"The guy gets his comment downvoted, but he's right."
Perhaps, but you see the thing is I listen to podcasts where I trust the opinions of the hosts (Specifically the 1UP family). They have actually had quality time with the game and are pumped up to play more. Even outside that family I have heard good things from people that have played the game.
Contrast with the parent poster, and yourself, who only seem to have a vague opinion that it must suck. You might still be right, but I think the Vegas odds are against you right now.
Maverick Saturn @ Sep 23rd 2008 11:42AM
Nobody is being forced to download the crappy levels, obviously there will be nooby creations, but what about the creative people? You get them in all custom level creation games, there are the master class people who have a creative eye and can think of wonderfully original ideas worth downloading.
Those same people become popular on the game's network and make a name for themselves. The same way a person can spend ages in FPS games shooting at people and becoming famous in the game.
Whats the big issue all of a sudden like as if LBP is the first game in history to introduce custom content?
Vcize @ Sep 23rd 2008 11:54AM
Kornbread, you really need to play Braid to hold you over until the 21st. I think you'll dig it.
Vcize @ Sep 23rd 2008 11:57AM
"This game is going to be a major letdown for the vast majority of those thinking they are going to pick it up and start designing ANYTHING worth playing."
I don't know why this has to be repeated so many times to get it through to people, but for most of us it's not about our own delusions that the levels we build won't suck (hell, I may not even try to build a level at all), but rather about having the ability to download endless content made by people far more creative than ourselves.
N3TWORK BURN3R @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:08PM
Yea, i gotta agree here. I dont know why people are so hyped over this. Maybe cause the PS3 doesnt really have any games coming...so we gotta look forward to whatever is thrown our way?
Maverick Saturn @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:28PM
It begs the question, why can't people be hyped for something a bit different?
Would you all prefer another Gears clone? And why you say this, are you taking into account the none gamers and younger audience or thinking of yourselves?
Why does a game have to be violent and gory to be worth hyping, or a sequel to something else? Or another FPS?
Nobody is saying LBP will be the best thing since toast, but you can't help it if you get excited about something that tries out something new, we haven't had decent innovative games since the old PS1, N64, Sega days and before, there are the odd few like Braid and PSN titles like flOw that pop up from time to time, but where are all the colourful games played just for a laugh?
You don't have to buy LBP, theres Socom and other things to look forward to, but why can't people get excited about LBP? Whats the problem?
borland502 (SDF Macross) @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:33PM
"Maybe cause the PS3 doesnt really have any games coming"
Doesn't have many exclusive games, yes. But overall that statement hasn't been true for quite some time. Take a gander at the release list for any console; I think you will find it pretty damn full.
FSK405K @ Sep 23rd 2008 9:18PM
Responses:
1. So "something new" means "having a 1/2-done campaign mode so that users can create the other 1/2 of the game"?
2. So LBP is really just 2 & 1/2 dimensions? All this time, all this processing power, and it's the Excitebike version of Kirby 64 but without the ability to change your players' powers. You can jump and climb on things, and what else? Push buttons to change the level, if the level was so designed? Please tell me how this is supposed to be more interesting than your standard NES-era platformer. "It looks prettier" is not an answer. Can I program enemies in, and a sword or laser-gun or something for my guy?
Iridium @ Sep 23rd 2008 10:31AM
The impressive part is that you can create almost anything as this video shows. While the scale of the level is amazing the gameplay seems to be pretty poor. It really does look like it was made by a bunch of students with no real game making experience.
I'm sure within the first few weeks someone will make a complete recreation of Super Mario Bros.
ejamer @ Sep 23rd 2008 10:44AM
"I'm sure within the first few weeks someone will make a complete recreation of Super Mario Bros."
That won't help though -- Mario was a hit because the level design was well-matched to the controls. Every pit and ledge and enemy placed in the game was put there intentionally and spaced out to fit the control scheme.
Making good recreations of a classic platformer in LittleBigPlanet will require the level creators to be particularly clever... because they need to find a way to make those old game designs work well with the new Sackboy controls. This is possible, but it might be easier just to create new content to take advantage of what Sackboys can/can't do.
Maverick Saturn @ Sep 23rd 2008 11:50AM
No reason they can't give it a shot though, levels move as you go through them, so that would be possible.
Likely to see a god of war type thing or heavenly sword.
Mike @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:16PM
@ ejamer
Haha, of course! Mario was all the rage in the 80s because "the level design was well-matched to the controls." I'll be sure to never take anything you say seriously again.
ejamer @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:52PM
Um... sure Mike.
Looking forward to seeing your LBP levels if you don't think that level design needs to be tailored to match the available control scheme and character abilities.
Obviously little details like how a character runs and jumps doesn't matter when putting together new levels, so I'm sure you'll be making instant classics.
:rollseyes:
Mike @ Sep 23rd 2008 1:58PM
@ ejamer
You would have a point if I had been arguing with you about why it is important for control schemes and level design to work together. But I wasn't. I was commenting on your claim that Mario was a hit because "the level design was well-matched to the controls." It did have level design that was well-matched to its controls...but something tells me there were plenty of factors that contributed more to its popularity.
ejamer @ Sep 23rd 2008 4:33PM
Apparently you missed my point from the original post. Let me clarify it for you:
Level design and control schemes can't be separated in a good game. Those two factors need to co-exist and compliment each other.
That is why copying classic platformer levels into the LBP editor will be less effective than creating new content that is specifically designed to take advantage of the LBP world.
That said, if you want to change topics then go ahead and elaborate on why Mario was so successful if not for tight controls and impressive level design. Up to this point, you've failed to provide any actual content or argument beyond weak sarcasm.
ejamer @ Sep 23rd 2008 10:35AM
I'm of two minds on this video. The size and appearance of the Colossus was definitely impressive (given the 24-hour time limit) from a team of aspiring game designers... but am I the only one who missed where the fun was supposed to be? Controls and actual platforming looked pretty lame.
My fear with LittleBigPlanet is that it will have a lot of "pretty" junk created by users, but nothing particularly worth playing. This video did nothing to assauge that fear.
D_Average @ Sep 23rd 2008 1:20PM
I feel the same way. The environments of the game look amazing, but I'm just not sold on the core gameplay. The floaty mechanics remind me a lot of Lostwinds which grew stale after a couple hours. I fear I'll have the same experience as BlastWorks with this. Fun for a couple days, but not enough of an addictive core gameplay to keep me interested.
I'll wait on the reviews instead of picking it up day one.
Arnon @ Sep 23rd 2008 5:49PM
You are spot on ejamer.. I believe the creativity of this game will be fun as a mother.. but honestly? It looks like a boring game =/
dark_inchworm @ Sep 23rd 2008 10:35AM
Space Jam?
Fuck this Joystiq shit, I think I'm gonna play Shut Up and Jam Gaiden again. Thanks!
bm @ Sep 23rd 2008 10:36AM
To be honest, that looked kinda buggy, and not very fun to play.
Jack of No Trades 85 @ Sep 23rd 2008 10:39AM
Dude if this was on the Wii you retards would be hyping it up 1000x more than PS3 gamers.
riggs @ Sep 23rd 2008 10:52AM
ugh
tmacairjordan87 @ Sep 23rd 2008 10:54AM
You're 100% right Jack. Hell just look at how much they hyped up wario land wii.
ejamer @ Sep 23rd 2008 11:22AM
You guys are comparing apples to oranges.
Wario Land Wii is a solid game, but it's still just a short and simple platformer that has been polished and professionally designed. Great if you like that sort of thing, but nothing remarkable otherwise.
LBP will be perhaps the best toolset released to the public for creating their own unique content, but we're not sure quite sure how much fun *actually playing the game* will be yet. Much of that will depend on how much content is professionally designed and comes packed-in with the game, because relying on user-generated content is risky at best.
This isn't saying anything bad about LBP. The game is definitely groundbreaking (even if it is a niche game) and hopefully it will be awesome to play. The trick is that we just don't really know yet.
Mr Chain @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:49PM
Beating a dead horse tmacair?
*Cough* fanboy *Cough*
bm @ Sep 23rd 2008 11:02PM
"Dude", if this was on Wii you'd have trashed it over and over at every single newspost. ;)
It may turn out great, we'll know once it's out. But as it stands, this looks like it's gonna be a fun toolset to make something and go "oh, neat" while playing it once, then never touch your creation again. The physics-based running and jumping just look sluggish and fiddly.
Mike @ Sep 23rd 2008 10:51AM
Holy low-res textures.
Taken as a concept that was started and completed in 24 hours, this is impressive. Taken as a user made game play experience, this looks really, really rough. And not fun.