It's been a
rocky launch into cyberspace, hasn't it? Sony and Media Molecule are offering their apologies to those of us along for the ride this week and will be handing out some free (and not-so-free)
LittleBigPlanet DLC in the coming weeks. Next Thursday, November 6th, we can finally strap on the
launch spacesuit and hopefully settle into a smooth ride. In addition, we'll get a Halloween mask just in time for ... Thanksgiving. But act fast! Both "fan appreciation gifts" will be taken away and locked in an offline database during the November 20th PSN update. Thankfully, free "community costumes" will always be available.
Sony and Media Molecule have also laid out their
nickel and dime strategy, teasing several for-pay SackBoy costumes and "premium" for-pay SackBoy costumes (like
these two) -- also available in neatly bundled sets. On top of that there will be "RARE" costumes, at times, for the ominous price of "$?.??." Time to
stock up.
{ Oct 30th 2008 at 7:58PM } 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
ice~ @ Oct 30th 2008 8:04PM
Sigh, this game is so great and has so much personality, but when I try to create levels...I fail in so many ways...it's just too hard for me, I don't get the physics and stuff, I wanna create!!!
oh And YAYYYY to free DLC
Killjebus @ Oct 30th 2008 8:59PM
I am still getting the hang of it. Some of the other Joystiqers have it down pretty well. So I would assume that you and I will too.
ice~ @ Oct 30th 2008 9:07PM
I hope so, it really is a great game but it is a little hard for me to get the hang of.
BananaBoat @ Oct 31st 2008 12:11AM
The first thing to learn is that the physics aren't really anywhere close to realistic. For instance, I was trying to make a roller coaster with a loop, only to find out that centrifugal force doesn't really apply in any meaningful way. The result is that it's much better to firmly attach things together via bolts, wires, etc, instead of trusting gravity.
Someone could probably write a book on how to create LBP levels, and I'm sure someone probably will if the game sells well enough. For now, I'm fine dabbling in making levels while playing the much much better levels created with people with 10x time on their hands compared to me.
BananaBoat @ Oct 31st 2008 12:12AM
by people*
LAZoftheTamarinds @ Oct 30th 2008 8:04PM
I'm gonna mix these costumes and make my sackboy a Space Jackolantern!
The_Punisher @ Oct 30th 2008 8:09PM
Bumpy is right. My Circuit City STILL DOESN'T HAVE IT, and i've heard troubles on Amazon as well.
*sigh*
Fallout 3 is great so far though, so i can't complain TOO much (fk that, of course i can).
ExMcCloud @ Oct 30th 2008 8:17PM
Damn straight u can unless your communist....
The_Punisher @ Oct 30th 2008 8:26PM
*insert overdone communist russia joke here*
Sheppy (of the Fidlious Clan of Wong) @ Oct 30th 2008 8:40PM
I got my Amazon copy yesterday.
Haggard @ Oct 30th 2008 9:58PM
In soviet russia, joke overdoes you!!!
ExMcCloud @ Oct 30th 2008 8:14PM
First Off I call BS Sony said they were doing this DLC for Lauch Week anyway! Give me Sephiroph and Snake then we can call it even!
SoulBlade @ Oct 30th 2008 8:32PM
I want Kratos too, though that will almost assuredly be content you have to pay for unless you got it through Gamestop
Eh @ Oct 30th 2008 9:40PM
Whats even more BS is that some countries already have the pumpkin mask. Im playing with someone who is wearing it right now. They are treating us like garbage.
Replica23 @ Oct 31st 2008 1:27AM
The space suit was initially announced by Media Molecule as a launch week special. Same with the t-shirt. Until today I had never heard of the Halloween costume. However both are available for download on the Japanese store, so why aren't they on the NA store? You know, considering Halloween is fucking tomorrow and all.
doom saber @ Oct 31st 2008 6:03AM
The reason these two items are not available at this part of the world is that MM wants to release the items the same time with the european launch.
I have dummy accounts for the asian psn and from what I have eyeballed, japan has three dlcs:
Astronaut free
Ape Escape monkey free
Pumpkin head free
Playstation store in Hong Kong=
Astronaut=free
T shrit=$
Pumpkin head=free
Sadly, if you are like me and have the US ver, these costumes are not compatiable.
Superstar90 @ Oct 30th 2008 8:18PM
The space-sackboy is the cutest hoax ever :P
CLOUD9 @ Oct 30th 2008 8:23PM
I can't wait for these costumes to come out. Yeah creating levels is hard but it'll come to you eventually. Try drawing a blueprint down on paper before you start. It helps out a lot.
j.howlett @ Oct 30th 2008 8:27PM
i'll take the free ones. i might break down for something special or a sale on the bundled ones. good thing i don't play the instrument games
ExMcCloud @ Oct 30th 2008 8:29PM
I like how nobody is complaining about LBP nickel and diming us for characters if this was lets say EA everybody would be going ape shit......Please discuss
lawlersauce @ Oct 30th 2008 8:35PM
But...but...Sackboy is cuuuuuute!
Honestly, I really don't care, because I probably wouldn't download extra characters one way or another...unless it was really awesome.
I do think they should let you create characters though, rather than dressing them up
Jakka @ Oct 30th 2008 8:36PM
It's LBP.You don't criticize THE LBP.
Malascythe @ Oct 30th 2008 8:41PM
Because they offered so much "out of the box" gameplay that DLC would be neccessary in the future. I mean yeah they could have probably put more on the disc as usual..but instead they charge for it. But hey as long as it's reasonable and it looks nice, i'm not complaining.
ExMcCloud @ Oct 30th 2008 8:46PM
Just to play devils advocate here...Each premium character is $1.99...So you guys WILL buy sephiroth, snake, Kratos,Ratchet,and Nariko....U just spent $10 bux so u paid 70 dollars in total? then the characters will just keep comming not to mention the DLC levels your gonna buy.....So lets say about 30 extra dollars is that cool? Please discuss?
Noshino @ Oct 30th 2008 8:50PM
maybe, just maybe, not many complain about it since there is already a wide variety of clothes available?...
Not only that, they will be offering some for free...
And btw, did you really expect the costumes of 3rd party franchises to be free? you are really expecting Square Enix to give a Sephirot costume for free?
ExMcCloud @ Oct 30th 2008 8:58PM
Yes Noshino I did...The way I see it DLC should only be charged for if it CHANGES how u play a game, or adds to the depth of a game...Obviously these suits will do nuthing but be a pretty shell....Again look at Criterion and what they're doing for Burnout....Free cars, Bikes, and a new part for the city coming out...People should take notes....LBP is getting a pass from the crucifixion u guys usually bring upon games for their nickel and dime tactics...lolz(I gotta keep the argument going)
Killjebus @ Oct 30th 2008 9:03PM
I have a love/hate relationship with DLC. I want some of it, not all of it, and I prefer not to pay for it.
Oh well, once the 360 came out I knew DLC (paid and unpaid) was here to stay.
Maybe they will release a skin design tool in the future.
FSM skin please.
Noshino @ Oct 30th 2008 9:24PM
uh, the problem is, what Criterion is doing, although it is incredibly awesome, is rather rare nowadays, or can you name a studio that has done the same on the past 5 years?...
Also, the costumes that were part of the multiple contests will most likely be available for free (according to MM), I don't defend the Basic ones, but the Premium costumes, come on, they are costumes of 3rd party characters, those tend for the most part to not be free, hell, its really rare to see SE characters outside of SE games...
j.howlett @ Oct 30th 2008 9:24PM
sackboy in different clothes isn't going to give you an advantage
ExMcCloud @ Oct 31st 2008 1:17AM
Still I will not accept(Actually I dont have a choice but to accept) that...So what if its a third party developer...Thats FREE publicity...So wat criterion is doing shouldn't be RARE it should be a gift for buying MM's awesome game in the first place...GAH!!!!
Nick8708 @ Oct 31st 2008 6:27AM
If I were a different developer, what incentive would I have to allow my well known, high profile, highly desirable character be put into another game for their profit without expecting to make something off of it myself? Free advertising? Really, do you honestly think franchises like Metal Gear or Final Fantasy would draw in more players based on Sackboy renditions of their key characters? Those who've already bought and played the games are the target, not unfamiliar or uninterested gamers. To use these characters, they'd likely have to be licensed which costs money. It'd be not just bad business on MM's part to not charge for them, but also greedy of the consumer to expect it to be free.
This is what happens when companies start giving out free DLC. People suddenly start expecting everything to be given to them. While it is very benevolent of a company to continue working after the release of a game to provide free additions, not just fixes, to a game, that doesn't make those who want to be compensated for the extra time and cost they put into additions to their game blackhearted.
ExMcCloud @ Oct 31st 2008 8:43AM
Nick still Character shells do not add or change the game...Second if I was a third party developer I would not only like SOny or Square I would not only be honored that they wanted to use my character but I'd also do it and demand it be for no fee.....Whats the chances of you losing money for doing that? ZERO...Whats the chances of you gaining money because some kid who was playing the game liked how he character looked and begged their parents for "that guys" game....That's all it would take for a kid...That's why its free advertising.
So its great business...Not only that but it makes you look good....Now DLC levels and new creation tools? Hell yeah MM should charge for those I wouldnt argue at all but character shells seriously? What if Bungie charged for new MP shells? If they made Brutes playable and charged for them...ha it would be an uproar.
Noshino @ Oct 31st 2008 9:08AM
Your example of Bungie offering the Brutes is on par with my statement, they are part of the franchise, or of at least a 1st party franchise, so there are NO LICENSING fees.
This is no free advertisement, well, at least not one that has such a drastic impact, who do you think is most likely going to buy a Sephirot costume, a 6 year old kid that hasn't played Final Fantasy 7 or a 18-20 person who has played the game before?
If we go by your statement, then we should have the freedom to use any character from other developers and add them on our game at no cost because this is free advertisement, right?
God, you are so naive...
ExMcCloud @ Oct 31st 2008 9:46AM
Noshino not trying to be naive I'm fully aware of what the real world is like especially in business....But Looking at something like what Team Ninja and Bungie did where team ninja used a Spartan for DOA and Bungie put the Ninja Gaiden Armor in their game FOR FREE on both sides...Its developer love...That is Free publicity period, free marketing. It gets a buzz..My boy Darius only plays fighting games thats it wen he saw The Spartan in DOA he at least wondered what the hell that was and I showed him now he's a Halo fan....And oh my god thats a third party developer and a first party developer working together...And for free the sky must be falling.
If people stopped looking at a way to make a quick buck every fucking minute and did something for the fans this whole mind set of they have to charge would fucking die...I don't mind paying for things I always buy Halo maps the first day of release(Knowing they will become free) But if Bungie ever tried to sell me armor...Ha...
chispito @ Oct 30th 2008 8:50PM
Enough with the microtransactions. I can understand charging for extra tracks on Rock Band or GH, but skins for your character shouldn't cost anything extra.
XxGrendelxX @ Oct 30th 2008 9:10PM
Well Im glad to hear I wasnt missing something. But I saw someone on LBP today (when the servers were up) who had the astronaut suit and the pumpkin mask...WTF?
Ichi the One @ Oct 30th 2008 9:20PM
Ahh, limited time free DLC? That sucks, I bought LBP and got to play through the SP portion, but my PS3 has died and I'm finally getting the box to send it in tomorrow (Sony took a whole week), might just barely eek out the takedown date.
Residentevil72501 @ Oct 30th 2008 9:37PM
You peeps with this game add my PSN name its rankore, will give me some levels to piddle around on. By the way i cant stop playing this damn game its fantastic, especially in co-op story mode.
Midniteclubber @ Oct 30th 2008 9:47PM
What happened to the Kratos level? I remember seeing an ad on TV, and spoke to Gamestop employees about it but when I was able to download it was three costumes and stickers and thats all. Where is the Kratos level ?
ExMcCloud @ Oct 30th 2008 10:05PM
Some guy made the GOW demon door level it was teh awesome.
TheNewmanDynasty @ Oct 30th 2008 10:12PM
This game is absolutely incredible...like no one and nothing can touch it.
Nothing is wrong with this game. Everything is A OK.
That fuck ugly sack is cute and will be the new sony mascot.
And millions of gamers are getting some action from their girls thanks to LBP being so "creative"
Yeah fucking right. I wonder how many articles Joystiq will have before this game disappears into oblivion...
PSN: johnnynumber5 @ Oct 30th 2008 10:34PM
Sorry to break it to you but the game is here to stay. Don't knock it until you try it. You might actually like it.
PSN: johnnynumber5 @ Oct 30th 2008 10:42PM
Here's the thing for you. If you don't want to see the article you have some options.
1. You could always skip over it
2. You could not come to the site. Maybe stick to Wii & 360 fanboy
3. You can sort the joystiq articles by a specific console. Just look at the 360 & Wii ones.
Problem solved. You wouldn't have to always bitch and moan about everything you don't like. But we all know you can't help yourself. Probably allot of theories as to why but I think the most plausible one is you like the attention. You can say the most outrageous stuff and get the attention here on joystiq you crave. Probably like a drug for you at this point. It's either something like that to go along with the fact your addicted to it like a drug.
I hope it's something like that because otherwise you would really have to be the most ignorant individual in the history of the human race. As little faith as I have in you I don;t believe anyone is that naive and ignorant. But you do make me wonder sometimes.
PSN: johnnynumber5 @ Oct 30th 2008 10:24PM
Awesome. Love this game.
Logic Bus @ Oct 30th 2008 10:35PM
"Offering their apologizes"?
TrojanGuy @ Oct 30th 2008 11:41PM
Sucks that they're gonna make them NOT free later, 'cause I'm planning on waiting until Christmas to see if anybody gets me LBP before I go and buy it for myself.
PSN: johnnynumber5 @ Oct 31st 2008 12:18AM
if its on the psn store maybe u can download the free items so they are in your list
pasta @ Oct 31st 2008 12:05AM
Meh, where's the 2P Start sackboy?
Deaddy @ Oct 31st 2008 3:34AM
$1.99 is pushing it, especially if they're first party characters. 3rd party is more understandable since those guys want to get paid for licensing their product, but it's still free advertising for their games. All costumes should be $0.99. But I think this is the end of buying extra Pain characters for me, the sackboy costumes are more appealing... although they don't come with sound effects.
But hey, at least they aren't trying to royally screw people like with Soul Calibur purposefully withholding the Yoda character to then charge $4.99 to download what's probably just an unlock code for him. Outrageous, I hope nobody buys that.
doom saber @ Oct 31st 2008 6:14AM
NAriko being a paid DLC is awsome with me since people are tradin dlc games for that chick. I was tempted to do it but realized tradin freakin Tekken 5 or all my dlc (a person offered to trade me her for all my dlc which totals to over 70 bucks; I am not that stupid) for a heavenly sword skin that won't really be mines since if my hdd gets messedup or I get a better hdd, no more Nariko.
l have never swap accounts before and all the dlc I have obtained were bought by yours truely; a few are rare like the high demand LE DLC for Soul Calibur 4. I am really concern about the whole game trading crap since it would mean I have one less download and there is no way to tell if the other guy will scam me or not.
Forunately, a few ppl on gamefaqs coax me not to trade in sayin that the dlcs will be normal dlcs in the future and readin the remarks made here assures me that they will be.