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Posts with tag media-molecule

LittleBigPlanet director talks about trophies, mandatory install, SIXAXIS

Eurogamer moderated an interview with David Smith, Media Molecule co-founder and technical director of LittleBigPlanet, and lucky fans had the chance to send him some questions. Smith revealed some new elements of the game and confirmed some old ones; the release date is still October, with a beta trial that has already begun but Smith hopes "to have as many people as possible." Trophies were slightly elaborated upon, with creation being a big focus: an example brought up involved creating a new tool/machine that will launch a sackperson at a high speed.

You can create inventions, then use a camera tool make copies of them, and give them away. A simple system of "hitting a button at any time and following a simple series of operations." will allow users to report objectionable content, including copyrighted content. Water is currently not in the game, but "it's something that would be very high on our list of priorities." Gravity change is also said be added later on.

Whether install will be mandatory is unknown, but Smith simply said: "The HD install is perhaps around a gig. Perhaps more or less." LBP will run at "30fps at 720. The game uses a lot of filmic techniques like depth of field and motion blur, so this fits the game pretty well." There will be "VOIP and PS Eye support" but no further details are revealed. Finally, SIXAXIS will "let you look around, point at things and change your facial expression." For more details, read a transcript of the interview here.

Don't Panic! LittleBigPlanet Character Creation Competition officially open


Don't Panic is an indie magazine based in the United Kingdom with branches in Europe, Asia, Australia and even South America. Why do we suddenly care? They are in collaboration with SCEE in a Character Creation Competition for LittleBigPlanet, that's why. Those of you who enjoyed the previous sackboy we posted but thinks they've got a cooler idea can now contribute their own, and if chosen, will appear in the final game.

We can't believe how awesome this is. Anyone from amateurs to artists and everyone in between can participate in this by downloading a template in PDF, EPS or JPG. Let those creative juices flow. Then head over to their website, read all the rules, cross your fingers and submit your work. If you lack talent like this blogger, head over anyway to take a look some of the already submitted entries. Voting begins on July 14th so make you sure you submit your design before that. A little piece of advice: be original. We already saw 2 different Superman sackboys submitted -- call it a hunch, but we don't think either of them are going to be chosen.

[Via Maxconsole]

Media Molecule co-founders talk about LittleBigPlanet at GDC Paris

Alex Evans and Mark Healey, co-founders of Media Molecule, revealed some information on the development of LittleBigPlanet and how the idea came to fruition at a keynote at the Game Developers Conference in Paris. Healey remarks on how he doesn't believe one needs a team of 200 or more people to make a "great, fresh and successful" game, naming Brain Age for the DS as such an example. Profits from games, Healey believes, will be increased by adopting a model of "user-generated content and a willingness to release early and often, combined with people accepting change, accepting patches." Server access to LPB was also revealed to be free and it was even hinted that gamers can potentially sell self-generated content.

Later, Evans sat down for an interview with Gamesindustry.biz and said influences on LBP were drawn from "this interesting timeline of user-generated content" such as the God game genre and games like Shoot-'em-up Construction Kit. Evans was "amazed" that people in the industry resonated with their idea of "creative gaming", commenting that Media Molecule had a "much more open and transparent process with the publisher (Sony)" and this was for them, "defining features of the development process."

Currently, the LBP team at the stage of "improving the quality and the polish" and promoting LBP; the pressure on them is a double-edged sword -- driving them forward at the same time while putting a large weight on their shoulders, especially with their relatively small team of about 30 people. Finally, the co-founder sounded rather modest about LBP being seen as a lead title on the PS3, claiming he had "no expectation(s)" in the beginning and it was "just ... ambition ... we didn't know we'd succeed", and that the "ultimate test" is "when the game is shipped, that's the best time to judge it."

PS Nation Podcast 066 - Metal Gear Molecule


Torgo prepared this special episode of the PS Nation podcast early. Why? Because it features the complete 40 minute interview with Media Molecule's Mark Healey. But that's not all! There's not just one ... but two discussions on Metal Gear Solid 4. The latter (featured at the end of the episode) is for those of you that finished the game. Yep, a spoiler-rific discussion about the game. Geek out.

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Continue reading PS Nation Podcast 066 - Metal Gear Molecule

LittleBigPlanet dev chats about story mode, adult content, and Sackboy plushies


For the latest episode of the PS Nation podcast, we chatted with Media Molecule founder, Mark Healey. He previously worked on Rag Doll Kung Fu, before moving onto the hotly anticipated PS3 exclusive, LittleBigPlanet. In our 40 minute chat, we covered a number of topics. For example, did you know LittleBigPlanet will have a story mode? Did you know that you'll be able to share "risque" levels privately amongst your friends? Finally, we have confirmation that Sackboy plushies are being made. Yes! Read on.

LittleBigPlanet has been evolving at every show. For example, enemies were introduced in the most recent build. How is Media Molecule staggering these features? What's the schedule and why are certain things only being shown at certain times?
To be honest, because we showed the game at GDC originally, so early on in the development process. Really, we've been showing things as they go into the game. People have been seeing the game evolve. Quite often, people show the game much nearer the end and are very careful about what they show and what they don't show. It's literally as we're designing the game that we're showing things. There wasn't one big master plan. At some point, we decided "we need enemies," so we put enemies. And then it was shown to people.

YouTube video uploading has been discussed for games like PixelJunk Eden and an educational title in Japan. Is it something that's being considered for the game?
We haven't made any plans to do that yet. But, like we've always said. We really want to listen to the community. Really, whatever they're most hungry for, we'll make every effort to feed them with what they're hungry for. Like the fluid, with YouTube -- I'm taking a guess, but those are going to be high up on that list. I don't really know what the logistics are, who you have to talk to at YouTube. If there's a huge desire for it, and it's possible, then I'm sure we'll have a go at doing it.

Continue reading LittleBigPlanet dev chats about story mode, adult content, and Sackboy plushies

Alex Evans of Media Molecule talks up LittleBigPlanet

Here's an interview with Alex Evans, co-founder of Media Molecule, the developers of LittleBigPlanet. The gameplay footage in the video is mostly old news, but Evans spits out some really good narrative that'll give you more of an idea about the open-endedness (it's a word for today) the game offers. A very interesting and creative part of the interview comes when Evans is talking about creating a "race" level where everybody sprints to the finish -- but the creator of the level put the sign that says "finish" on wheels, so it keeps "running away" from the sackboys. That's really funny and rather creative. He says the game should be done this Fall and it's got an October date slapped on it, so let's hope that remains the date of release.

LittleBigPlanet devs will 'support' interesting tool exploits

It isn't that we're disgruntled with LittleBigPlanet or interviews in general, but we can't help but think we know pretty much everything we possibly can about this little giant of a title short of having it on our consoles. Its release date is still far off, but Gamespot took the time to question Media Molecule, the developers, on its progress. Let's listen in with our handy-dandy summary goggles.

There are interesting parallels between the Media Molecule office and LittleBigPlanet -- both have co-op and versus modes, both have dark sides, and both are totally awesome. They feel the game could have existed and risen in popularity even without user-generated content. They want to enforce that concept: they pitched the gameplay mechanics and tactical elements to Sony. The user-generated idea wasn't the focus. It's a fun game where building stuff yourself is merely an option and not a necessity.

Still, they hope what users create is as professional or better than what they ship with the game. Those kinds of talents are in every game with user-generated content, after all. In fact, if people find ways to exploits the creation tools Media Molecule provides in interesting ways, they'll promote it. On the flipside, offensive or poor content will get rated down, similar to our own website's comment system where the "rubbish" simply fades away, while the good remains. We look forward to hearing more as the game draws closer to release.

LittleBigPlanet video features a king locked out of his castle!

It has no audio, but you can surely add your own soundtrack in your mind as you watch this LittleBigPlanet video. It's also available in high-definition off of IGN's website, so if you're having trouble seeing things, go ahead and try that version. We're working on a dinosaur of a laptop, so the framerate's really choppy on the HD version for us. Anyway, watching sackboys with capes running around is a great way to lower your stress level, until they can't quite advance through the level and it infuriates you. Not that it happens here.

LittleBigPlanet open beta will never happen

We had the opportunity to speak at length with various LittleBigPlanet producers at PlayStation Day, as well as get some hands-on time with the title. Top of our discussion list was the beta. We wanted to know as much as possible about when it's coming and have done since it was implied last July. However both Sam Bennett (Community Development Manager) and Pete Smith (Producer) maintained that a public, open beta will sadly not be happening. The game will go through a beta phase, obviously, but this will be performed by an internal group at Sony.

There's a possibility of a small number of gamers and press being invited into the beta phase, but nothing has been confirmed yet. Releasing the game in its entirety to the public, free of charge would be suicide. Instead, there's talk of a demo being made available, which will curb our monstrous hunger pangs for the game until its October release. What the demo will contain and when it will arrive is still being discussed.

Check out our gallery below for some new images of LittleBigPlanet straight from PlayStation Day. Also be sure to check out the video of the cute-but-ghastly Helghast Sackboys.

Gallery: LittleBigPlanet

Sony shying away from dating the LittleBigPlanet beta

If you were expecting the LittleBigPlanet beta to hit your PS3 this summer, you might have to substitute that joy with something else. Sony is growing quite hesitant to pin a date down for the game's beta and has opted instead to focus on the September release date. It isn't that there won't be a beta, but a Sony spokesperson at SCEE said "we haven't yet made any announcements as to the dates of the LittleBigPlanet beta trials, and are not yet able to confirm a specific month." If it's not so much a beta but more of a trial, then we wouldn't expect it to hit until August. That's just a shot in the dark, though.

LittleBigPlanet creators to deliver opening keynote at Paris GDC

We can't wait to get our hands on Media Molecule's LittleBigPlanet. The release is still a while away, so we're anxious to hear more information about this upcoming PS3 creation game. Mark Healey and Alex Evans, co-founders of Media Molecule, will deliver the opening keynote at the upcoming Paris GDC. According to the press release, "their talk will touch upon the ways in which game developers can incorporate creativity into their designs, and the future of user-generated content as illustrated by their upcoming title, LittleBigPlanet for the PlayStation 3."

While PS3 Fanboy won't be attending the conference, we do hope that some intriguing newsbits will make their way out of the conference. Who knows? Maybe they'll surprise us with an early release date (we hope!).

Update: Paris GDC is the second French edition of the Game Developers Conference, and is scheduled for June 23-24 at the Coeur Défense Convention Centre in Paris .

LittleBigPlanet will "evolve over time"

The sack people are back! It's been a while since we saw our cute, unofficial Sony mascots playing around in their sandbox of a world, so here we are with a new video of just that. There's some new stuff in here, but it's predominantly footage we've seen. The level design at the one-minute mark is especially awesome. We do get a nice bit of narrative from the developers behind the game, but it only further enhances our desire to get this game in our hands. Hopefully they'll stick to their September release date!

LittleBigPlanet hitting Alpha stage soon

Media Molecule came out of their hiding place to assure anxious gamers that LittleBigPlanet is, in fact, coming along quite nicely and is about to enter the Alpha stage of development. What does this mean? They say that "basically this means all the cool stuff we said will be in there should be playable, even if it isn't pretty enough to release." Well, the last known release date for the game is September. Making the game look pretty shouldn't take all that long, right? Perhaps this is one release date that will stick. We'll find out!

[via Eurogamer]

LittleBigPlanet planning lip-synching voice chat, filters

Just when you thought you knew everything you could about Media Molecule's upcoming world-creator game LittleBigPlanet, we find something else that blows our minds and makes us anticipate the title even more. In the latest Edge magazine, it's been revealed that in addition to the emotions and such your sackboy (and sackgirl) can perform, there are plans to lip-synch voice chat. That is to say, the characters will move their mouths in roughly the same way you do (even if not, it's still cool). Down the line, expect stuff like voice filters, too. We think that's a pretty stellar move.

[Thanks, Kane!]

We <3 this LittleBigPlanet plush


SACKBOY LIVES!

This adorable real world recreation of LittleBigPlanet has us swooning with incredible joy. Our hearts are fluttering at the thought of being able to grab one of these for ourselves.

Unfortunately, these aren't commercially available. Why? Because it was made by the mother of a Media Molecule staffer. Completely unfair.

[Thanks, John!]

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