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The concept for Little Big planet first began as a prototype called Craft-World just after Media Molecule, the company that is making the game was created in 2006. We got our first glimpse of it in 2007 when Phil Harrison showed a demo of the game at the 2007 Game Developers Conference. This demo was greeted with great enthusiasm with its unique game play being the key factor to everyone's excitement. It has since been described as "perhaps one of the most dazzling demos I've seen in the last 10 years". If it lives up to all the initial hype it could well be one of Sony's console seller games as it will only be released on the PS3.
The game comes in three main parts, a single player game where you take control of little characters in a 2 dimensional platform type game, an interface for users to build their own levels from scratch and then an online community where you can share your created levels with other gamers as well as being able to play levels created by other users.
Initially you will need to work your way through the single player game where you will guide your little friends through puzzle type platform levels. As you go along your powers and abilities will need to be learned and utilized as you interact with the physics based landscapes. As you advance you will be rewarded with more and more tools that you will use when creating your own levels. The main character is know as "Sackboy" and along with your other furry creatures you will be able to jump, move and grab objects as well as one another which makes it possible to do things like making a chain and swinging over obstacles. With the jet pack you can even drag you and the other characters through the sky!!
LittleBigPlanet will utilize the sixaxis controls to move your character through the level, pressing X to jump and R1 to grab an object (or other sackfolks). Holding down the R2 or L2 trigger will even allow you to articulate your limbs and by using the D pad you can change the expression on your sackboys face.
Each character will be fully customizable so you will be able to change the material of your outfit and even add custom objects such as hats, beards, etc. If the built in objects are not to your liking you always have the option to create your own objects in LBP and add them how you like.
The game play is very diverse, you can play by yourself or play with your friends who can each control a different character at the same time. This should be great fun as you help each other work your way through a level. The multiplayer doesn't stop their... when you are creating a level you can also do this with up to 4 people so you can have the benefit of 4 great minds creating a masterpiece together.
Along with all the normal puzzle's you will also have to fight off enemies or add them into your own levels as was recently revealed:
"It's funny -- I don't think we actually mentioned this previously, but yes, we will certainly have enemies in the game; I think that's a fundamental part of good gameplay," said Wilson. "They will range from little robots that simply roam from left to right to spectacularly complex beasts that pose quite a challenge. We've recently built this big, huge giant, and, as with other objects in the game, he's composed entirely of materials that you wouldn't expect. He's quite intimidating, and shows the possibility of what designers can create."
Now onto the level creation!!
Using the LBP you will have a near unlimited toolset to create your own unique levels. Its designed to be user friendly so it should be easy enough for everyone to manufacture exactly what they have imagined. Its just a case of tapping a button and scrolling through the HUD where a series of materials, item types, cut tools, merge tools, etc will be available to get the effect your after. The game is entirely physics based so each material or object will act differently, pick a wooden material and don't expect it to deform when you stand on it or choose a rubber surface and bounce to your hearts content. With all the choice available you can really put all manner of different gameplay elements into your creation with your imagination being the only limiting factor. Need to get over that big wall? Pick up those bricks beside you and carry them over so you can jump that extra bit higher!! Cant make it over the far side of the pit? Climb the rope to the lever above you!! Need to lower the bridge? Try and find the gears that control it!! If the idea of making a whole level from scratch seems a bit daunting no need to worry, as you will be able to change the already existing levels that come with the game.
All in all were very excited to see how the game pans out but from what we have seen so far i don't think many are going to be disappointed. Come back soon when we will hopefully got out hands on the beta version or chat about what is known already in our Little Big Planet Forum. Once our members here at PS3 Leagues get up and running with the game we will be setting up a Tournament where we can compare and compete on all our custom made levels so that will add that all important competitive element!!
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LittleBigPlanet 