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Media Molecule talks up DLC, shoots down LittleBigPlanet sequel

by Andrew Yoon { Nov 5th 2009 at 1:27PM }

Twelve months, one million community levels, and a PSP spin-off later, some are wondering if it's time for Media Molecule to begin working on an honest-to-goodness sequel to PS3 platformer LittleBigPlanet. The answer seems to be a very clear no. "We'd never want to do that," level designer told Danny Leaver told Critical Gamer. "That'd be the most counterproductive thing you could do I think."

Certainly, the release of a sequel would splinter one of PlayStation's most dedicated online communities. Would user-created levels be compatible with a future game? Would DLC costumes carry across into a new title? These questions, thankfully, won't need to be addressed. Instead, Media Molecule plans on supporting LBP with additional downloadable content. "I think what you've seen so far from LittleBigPlanet, that's the way it's going to continue." said producer Martin Lynagh. We already know of two major patches: water and support for the PlayStation Motion Controller. However, Lynagh explains that there's much more to expect, especially in 2010. "We have a lot of stuff coming out, especially next year. We can't really talk about specifics for a lot of it at the moment, because a lot of it hasn't been announced."

One of Media Molecule's unannounced expansions may be similar in execution to the Metal Gear Solid pack from earlier this year. "We're looking forward to some really good original content, and some really strong brands we're working with," Lynagh teased.

Pre-order LittleBigPlanet PSP for a tank costume

by JC Fletcher { Nov 3rd 2009 at 12:20PM }

Ready to start collecting Sackboy costumes all over again? Pre-ordering LittleBigPlanet for PSP at GameStop seems to be a good way to get a headstart on building a respectable LittleBigCloset. The retailer is offering a series of six outfits based on popular PlayStation franchises, including two each from Uncharted 2, MotorStorm and Killzone 2. The costumes will be e-mailed with online orders or handed out on cards with in-store purchases.

One of the Killzone costumes is the tank revealed recently by LittleBigWorkshop. Hopefully, it'll be accessible for non-GameStop buyers, because we'd be heartbroken if every LBP player didn't get to run around in a lil' tank.

[Thanks, Kevin!]

LittleBigPlanet celebrates its birthday with free costumes

by Andrew Yoon { Nov 2nd 2009 at 7:00PM }

With LittleBigPlanet's first birthday coming up, it won't be long until Sackboy grows up and turns into acne-riddled, smelly, moody Sackteen. Before he joins Myspace and listens to Linkin Park, enjoy these precious moments by grabbing a free birthday cake costume from the PlayStation Store this Thursday, November 5th.

If Sackboy's edible outfit wasn't good enough for you (selfish!), Media Molecule has upped the ante just a little bit: the launch-exclusive Spacesuit costume will also be made free for all this week. The spacesuit will certainly come in handy when traveling underwater in the new LBP levels that are coming up.

[Thanks, Pumapayam!]

Pumpkin Head mask returning to LBP in time for Halloween

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 26th 2009 at 1:45PM }

If you missed your chance to grab the LittleBigPlanet Pumpkin Head mask, which was offered as a free Halloween promotion last year, don't fret -- Media Molecule is bringing the complimentary costume piece back to the game this Thursday. We're not certain how long the wearable gourd will be available to download, so make sure you act quickly, lest you be forced to wait another year before you get your Sleepy Hollow Sackboy on.

[Via VG247]

LittleBigWorkshop reveals a handful of LBP PSP costumes

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 23rd 2009 at 12:15PM }

Though LittleBigPlanet's customizable protagonist, Sackboy, may have lost a bit of his highfalutin' texture rendering in the jump over to the PSP, he's managed to retain all of his original adorability factor. This unbridled cuteness can be seen in a recent LittleBigWorkshop blog post, which includes a batch of images previewing a few of Mr. Sack's new garments.

The most intriguing of these duds are referenced in a section of the post discussing "preorder incentives and upcoming DLC packs" -- a moon buggy and a tank, seen above. We imagine these are just articles of clothing and not actual vehicles (a "moon buggy belt", if you will), but if you think that makes us less interested in them, then you must not know us very well.

Three more tunes coming to LittleBigPlanet in Music Pack 1

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 5th 2009 at 4:15PM }

Is your brain plagued by the infinitely catchy songs in LittleBigPlanet? Do you frequently annoy your friends with your incessant humming of The Go! Team's unofficial LBP theme song? Oh, did we just re-stick in your head? Sorry, we should've thought that out before we laid it on you like that.

Maybe all you need to do is add a bit of variation to your LBP soundtrack -- an option which will be made available this Thursday with the release of the "Mm Music Pack 1." The DLC pack will add three original, interactive tracks to the game: "Wise Owl," an ambient electronica song, "Well Trained," a blues-inspired ditty, and "Tea By the Sea," which is undefinable, yet funky. Get a preview of these three tracks in the video after the jump, then decide if they're worth the $2.99 price tag.

[Thanks, Chris!]

Continued →

LittleBigPlanet PSP's littlebiglaunch set for Nov. 17

by Alexander Sliwinski { Oct 5th 2009 at 10:40AM }

The Sackboys and girls will go portable when LittleBigPlanet PSP popits into retail November 17. The new travel-size adventure will bring the intuitive level-creation of its PS3 cousin, but it's a strictly solo escapade.

For a fuller LBP experience this fall, there's always the "Game of the Year edition" on PS3.

Gallery: LittleBigPlanet (PSP)

TGS 2009: The Recap Post

by Xav de Matos { Oct 2nd 2009 at 10:10PM }

Last week, the Tokyo Game Show brought in over 100 posts worth of news, previews, interviews, galleries, and videos. Clearly, a lot happened. If you're looking for a comprehensive list of all the goings-on during TGS 2009, Joystiq has you covered -- and organized!

Click on a platform below to scan the highlights:

(On the far right: that's "News" and "Culture" on the top and bottom, respectively)

Continued →

Watchmen DLC adds Moore to LittleBigPlanet

by Andrew Yoon { Sep 28th 2009 at 7:00AM }

It's been a while since the release of the last high-profile LittleBigPlanet DLC. DC's going to rectify that with its upcoming costume and sticker pack, inspired by the classic graphic novel Watchmen. As commenters on Media Molecule's official blog pointed out, it appears that Dr. Manhattan is missing from the pack -- but that might make sense considering the character's penchant for walking around naked with his bits showing. That doesn't sound appropriate for a kid-friendly game!

Of course, somehow a Sackboy version of Rorschach is, though ...

TGS 2009: Motion-controlled LittleBigPlanet demo is grief-filled

by Griffin McElroy { Sep 27th 2009 at 12:30PM }

Anyone who's ever played LittleBigPlanet knows that the experience is enriched when played with friends -- but what if one of your "friends" was not a Sackboy in the context of the game, but rather, an invisible agent of divine intervention? Think of it: He or she could effortlessly lift objects through the air, discard obstacles, bridge gaps or, depending on their temperament, instantly murder you.

Sony and Media Molecule are teaming up to incorporate this unsettling omnipotence into the customizable platformer with the launch of the PlayStation Motion Controller. You can check out a video of the motion-controlled LBP multiplayer demo (culled from Sony's Tokyo Game Show keynote) after the jump. Fans of the title might see this new functionality as a bold evolution Media Molecule's lovable game -- we see it as an unprecedented advancement in hilarious griefing technology.

[Via Kotaku]

Continued →

Sony Wonder-ful: get a free LittleBigPlanet DLC pack

by Andrew Yoon { Sep 26th 2009 at 9:45PM }

There are a lot of LittleBigPlanet DLC packs out there. However, thanks to a tip submitted by Marius, you can get access to one pack absolutely for free. Sony Wonder is giving away free codes for the "Norse Mythology" content pack, which adds all sorts of costumes and stickers for inquisitive creators. All you need to do is have a US PlayStation Network account and click here. It's as easy as that.

[Thanks, Marius!]

TGS 2009: Sony adding motion to existing titles, new RE5 with motion coming Spring 2010 [update]

by Ben Gilbert { Sep 24th 2009 at 1:30AM }

During Sony's second press conference at the Tokyo Game Show, Capcom's Jun Takeuchi took the stage to demo the PlayStation 3's new motion controller with his game, Resident Evil 5. That's right, Sony will be bringing motion control to a handful of existing titles, including a re-released RE5 in Resident Evil 5: Director's Cut this coming Spring.

Sony also showed off LittleBigPlanet being controlled by two people, one wielding a motion wand while the other used a DualShock 3. Apparently a mess of other titles will be getting the motion treatment -- 13 in total (~~seen here, mostly in Japanese~~ see update below) -- with Flower and Pain standing out as notable examples.

Update: We've got the full list right here.

Gallery: Sony 2 gallery

NYC's public gaming school enters first semester, teaching with 'Troggles'

by Ben Gilbert { Sep 17th 2009 at 5:00PM }

The first semester of New York City's Quest to Learn began last week on the 9th, with an inaugural class of around 75 sixth graders in NYC's Chelsea neighborhood taking classes that employ games (of all types) in learning. "One thing I want to emphasize: this is not a school about just playing video games ... this is a school that uses the system of games to deliver rich discussion," the school's principal, Aaron Schwartz, told Joystiq over the phone this morning. "We use games as a medium here." Education at Quest to Learn is delivered through a variety of means other than games, though game systems are a focus for teaching the specific subset of student that Q2L targets: "digital kids."

We pressed him on exactly how the students will be using games like LittleBigPlanet to assist with education. "Right now, one of our classes called 'The Way Things Work' [math/science] is using clips from LittleBigPlanet to introduce this race called the 'Troggles' who are having problems with how things work," he said. " Our kids are studying simple machines, so the Troggles have reached out to our children for help building their machines." As the semester progresses, students will build on their knowledge by creating something a bit more complex -- a Rube Goldberg machine. "Some of them will be doing it in actuality, some may be doing it virtually, and from there they'll use LBP to understand other concepts."

Quest to Learn plans on adding one new grade annually (up to 12) and is currently hiring teachers for next year.

LittleBigPlanet team wants to work with Studio Ghibli

by Andrew Yoon { Sep 16th 2009 at 8:15PM }

Perhaps you've heard of Studio Ghibli, the studio behind some of Japan's most revered animations? (My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, etc.) Media Molecule's Siobhan Reddy spoke to Develop about the company's success of collaborating with Japanese developers to produce content in LittleBigPlanet, such as the Metal Gear Solid level pack, and the Final Fantasy VII costumes. "They have been amazing. In fact, when we were in the US late last year we were introduced to Kojima and he told one of the level designers that he loved the design of the Metal Gear Solid pack."

So what's next for the LBP team? Well, there's water -- but beyond that, the possibilities are endless. Reddy admitted that she would "definitely" like to work with "Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli." Imagine: a Princess Mononoke level pack, or a Totoro costume for Sackboy! While we're not sure if the LBP team will be able to get the attention of Miyazaki and company, we'd certainly like to see them try.

PSA: LittleBigPlanet demo releases next week

by Andrew Yoon { Sep 4th 2009 at 4:45PM }

Nearly one year after its original release, LittleBigPlanet is finally getting a playable demo. Yep! Media Molecule's PS3 platformer is getting repackaged in a new "Game of the Year Edition," and the demo will coincide with its launch. You can download the LBP demo next week on the PlayStation Store: September 10th.

While we're big fans of free demos, we're not entirely sure how effective a demo released so long after a game's release will be. Clearly, only a monster would have ignored LBP for so long -- how could someone possibly say no to a face like Sackboy's?