SGD '07: Joystiq hands-on with LittleBigPlanet
by Kevin Kelly 
{ May 17th 2007 at 9:00AM }
The extreme amount of detail in this game, down to the stitching on the characters and the photorealism of some of the painted cardboard backdrops is amazing. It's oddly juxtaposed with the fact that it feels like such a little kid's game ... but the kind of little kid's game you can never put down, sort of like Lite-Brite or Barrel of Monkeys.
Gallery: LittleBigPlanet
The demo was fairly small and self-contained, but they put us through the paces and showed us a few things. First us all, we leanred how to activate our characters emotions, namely happy, sad, angry, and a sort of perplexed "what the?!" expression. They are going to be basing in-game interaction with other characters on these emotions. For instance, you can independently move each of your arms with the analog sticks, and with the proper movement, deliver a slap to the other characters. For instance, if you approach a "sad" player and you are currently "happy", you'll give them a hug. Two happy players will high-five each other, and so on.
Another thing we learned was that the currency in the game is sponge. We encountered sponge balls, and when our character ran over them they literally got torn to shreds and hopefully virtually "deposited" in our LittleBigBankAccount (a phrase we just coined ... zing). As you collect more and more sponge, you can use it to buy different in-game items, outfit your "patch" inside the world.
Our four little players helped each other over massive obstacles, obtained jetpacks, lost them, rode up and down on stars, climbed mechanical trees, and flew down a ramp on an enormous skateboard. It was a lot of fun, and probably the real standout among everything that we saw. As high-def as the graphics are, they're also extremely fun and well ... cute.
LittleBigPlanet will have a demo out sometime in the fall, and the game will hopefully be out in early 2008.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Cheez-It @ May 17th 2007 9:08AM
Cue the same people who deplore N games for being cutesy responding to this game with adulation.
Matt B @ May 17th 2007 9:12AM
Lots of great PS3 news today!!!
something_something_parasol @ May 17th 2007 9:13AM
This looks SO good. Enough to make me think about getting a PS3.
baby sea tuna @ May 17th 2007 9:17AM
#1. I personally think Nintendo games need to be more cutesy these days (think Wind Waker,) if only to offset the Wii's shitty graphics.
That said, I am totally looking forward to this game. Screw Metal Gear, I think this sucker's gonna be the one that moves systems.
Jon @ May 17th 2007 9:21AM
"For instance, you can independently move each of your arms with the analog sticks, and with the proper movement, deliver a slap to the other characters. For instance, if you approach a "sad" player and you are currently "happy", you'll give them a hug."
Oh man that is pretty damn cool. Seriously when this comes out I will be getting a PS3. Not MGS4 or FFXIII (I will still get those), this is the game that sold me the PS3.
Fatass of Kickassness @ May 17th 2007 9:23AM
@4
LMAO, great spin.
So much good Sony news today! Makes me feel good to have been an early adopter.
Martez @ May 17th 2007 9:24AM
This game seems really cool and fun, particularly the map-editor. I can't wait to see some of the crazy stuff people make, and more importantly, I can't wait to make crazy stuff myself.
ringlord @ May 17th 2007 9:28AM
"...sort of like Lite-Brite or Barrel of Monkeys."
Or Bag-o-Glass.
Kye @ May 17th 2007 9:30AM
Nintendo Defence Team Assemble
Earth!
Ocho @ May 17th 2007 9:36AM
Sounds like a lot of fun, awesome.
Also glad to hear the Go Team on the soundtrack, always thought they'd work well in a video game.
samfish @ May 17th 2007 9:36AM
@#9:
heh- now the Sony Fanboys are ripping off the Nintendo Fanboy's shtick? I suppose I should expect nothing less from a Sony fanboy :p
Besides that, I'm reasonably sure you won't find a single Nintendo Fanboy who'll say anything bad about this game. I sure as Hell won't, at any rate.
...except for the fact that it's about 90% guaranteed to flop.
Jack of No Trades @ May 17th 2007 9:39AM
Sony/MS Defence Team Assemble
Nintendo's Lame!
AG23 @ May 17th 2007 9:40AM
Wow, Joystiq actually posted a few pro-PS3 articles today. Good to see even though they are so anti-PS3, they are giving credit where credit is due.
JodyAnthony @ May 17th 2007 9:41AM
this game looks absolutely amazing. even a diehard nintendo fanboy such as myself can admit that
OrganicShadow @ May 17th 2007 10:07AM
C'mon guys....we all know damn well that we each have our own defense forces... just like each country has their own KGB/SS/etc.
Jonathan Tran @ May 17th 2007 9:50AM
Wait what the... is this Gamepro? Where did all the Sony love come from? I always thought Joystiq was founded on 3 principles:
1. Praise Nintendo
2. Talk about XBOX hardware problems
3. Sony = PR nightmare
This game looks real good, I just feel it is more of a nintendo game. Think about how fun this would be on the Wii, minus the "real" graphics in exchange for stylized ones. Why press a button to high 5 when you can just high 5??
Almack64 @ May 17th 2007 9:51AM
As a Big-N fan I too agree that this looks pretty awesome. I might actually take it for a spin when it comes out.
(Now to find a new "friend" who actually bought a PS3)
*Looks around can't find anyone
hvnlysoldr @ May 17th 2007 9:52AM
While it looks interesting it seems overly complex the same way Viva Pinata becomes. While it has the cutesy exterior within its depths it'll swallow you whole. One game won't save a system, libraries do that. Not really interested in the game or in getting the PS3.
mj @ May 17th 2007 9:53AM
It's ambitious, that's for sure. I mean, how many girls have ps3's?
Evan @ May 17th 2007 9:58AM
Too bad this game won't sell. As Okami proves, critically acclaimed does not equal sales. Sadly, the only way to achieve good sales on non-Nintendo hardware is to appeal to violence-loving puberty-boys.
jay @ May 17th 2007 10:00AM
It really does look nothing new. Lost Vikings meets Yoshis Story with a good physics engine. It does look good, but just as Gears of War and TP didn't interest me with recycled gameplay, this doesn't either.
Theta @ May 17th 2007 10:17AM
Very nice looking game. I love the interactivity but wonder how intuitive the analog stick controls would feel with this level of interactivity?
Can't ever complain about a really simple yet seldomly-visited concept executed really well.
On that note, let's all take yet another second to laugh at the PS3 fanboys who pissed all over the wii for being too childish and then turn around and embrace a kiddie looking game because it's on their system.
Tony @ May 17th 2007 10:26AM
Nice to see Sony 'doing' cute rather than relyiNg on it.
samfish @ May 17th 2007 10:32AM
"C'mon guys....we all know damn well that we each have our own defense forces... just like each country has their own KGB/SS/etc."
Yeah, but Sony is Capitan Planet. Nintendo is Voltron and MS is Barbie Faerie Princess-topia.
THOSE ARE THE RULESAND YOU ARENT ALLOED TO BREAK THEM!!!!1!
Ian Von Porter @ May 17th 2007 10:37AM
LBP Characters/Customisation >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Miis
Vidikron @ May 17th 2007 10:39AM
@20
You have got to be kidding. If this game isn't "new" enough for you to play, what the hell DO you play? I mean, you just said you skipped out on TP and GoW too because they weren't "new" enough. Not every game has to be 100% original to be good... you do realize this.... right? You claim this game is recycled... from what?
Vidikron @ May 17th 2007 10:42AM
@24
Nintendo should be Captain Planet. Mario was basically Captain Planet in Sunshine. Going around cleaning pollution and all.
Phranctoast @ May 17th 2007 10:51AM
custom made maps for a sidescroller. Ability to trade maps. While not new on pc's, it seems new for consoles.
samfish @ May 17th 2007 10:52AM
No, Mario was only doing that to 1-up (ha-HA!) the SDF, though.
Boss Tempo @ May 17th 2007 10:54AM
To get this excited over this game is seriously grasping for anything PS3 related to get excited about. I'm not saying it doesn't look nice, but you sony fanboys have hit an all new low to blow this little stinker up into a "system seller".
Jake @ May 17th 2007 10:55AM
Well, I'm at least now interested in the game. I still don't quite get the premise. You team up with 3 humans or AI's and try to think your way around obstacles to collect points. This game sounds like the type that would be awesome for some people but meh for me. Kind of like how I hated playing Viva Pinata.
Champloo @ May 17th 2007 10:57AM
Hm, you know what I both hate and love about Little Big Planet? The fact that when I saw a video of the original demonstration from GDC '07, I was eating a delicious dish of sweet'n'sour meatballs... and now every time I hear or see anything related to this game I crave said meatballs. In essence, Little Big Planet is the first game to ever literally wet my appetite.
Theta @ May 17th 2007 10:57AM
Hey Ian Von Porter, use a few more arrows; you can stand to be ust a *little* more pathetic in your desperate attempts to feel and be relevant.
Theta @ May 17th 2007 11:00AM
@ Jake
I think it's more of the main objective that's in doubt. I might have missed some information that Sony provided but are the objectives going to be completely open-ended, linear, or something in between? Is there a clear cut objective at all?
Ian Von Porter @ May 17th 2007 11:01AM
lol @ theta.... loser
Really, the customisation and graphics with LBP in the characters alone make Miis look like some Atari2600 tech demo... Miis have freakin BALLS for hands.. BALLS for hands. Lame.
If you can see that then you are a ....
Kye @ May 17th 2007 11:01AM
@ samfish
Good one.
@ J.O.N.T
I actually hope this game is good.
(Lord knows they need a system seller)
:)
Seriously though,
We need good games across all systems as that drives competition, and we all know competition is a good thing. So best of luck to the ass rapers we call Sony.
Vidikron @ May 17th 2007 11:02AM
@34
I agree. I think the concept itself is rather simple... physics-based multiplayer platformer. Only the overall goal/story isn't really known at this point.
JodyAnthony @ May 17th 2007 11:07AM
Ian Von Porter, you do know that miis look the way they do because that is the specific art direction taken with them? just like these LBP characters look like they do because thats THEIR specific art direction.
but oh, its on ps3 so no matter what it has to be better than whats on wii, right?
you are pathetic.
Theta @ May 17th 2007 11:16AM
...person who understands that good art direction and creative concept doesn't necessarily translate to or requires raw horsepower; unlike you, nitwit.
OMG GRAPHICS POLYGONS GRAPHICS!
hahaha
JodyAnthony @ May 17th 2007 11:18AM
remember Theta, miis have balls for hands, so it is obviously impossible to have fun with them.
Theta @ May 17th 2007 11:18AM
@ vidikron
It would be interesting if they keep it relatively open-ended. The fun of it could come from the resolution of the obstacles themselves, much like a puzzle game as opposed to a straight-forward platformer. That was kind of the vibe that I was getting from Harrison's keynote.
It's also a nice opportunity to integrate genres.
JodyAnthony @ May 17th 2007 11:19AM
I'm sorry to double post, but it really just hit me.
really Ian Von Porter? Your big argument is that 'Miis have balls for hands'? That is the best you have? I've seen many a pointless argument on this site but that takes the cake.
Striderhayasa @ May 17th 2007 11:25AM
Little Big planet is one of the first games I've seen so far that truly said "next gen" Not just because of the graphics which are gorgeous, but because of the concept and user content that the game is built on. Between this, Warhawk, Drake, Heavenly Sword, God of War on PSP, Monster Hunter Freedom 2Nd, Syphon Filter 2, Wipeout Pulse and Castlevania Sony is getting a lot of love come this fall.
Jack of No Trades @ May 17th 2007 11:25AM
Kye
I think it will be a fun game. MGS will be more of a system seller though.
Jason @ May 17th 2007 11:31AM
This game is going to leave Halo in the dust! It will outsell Mario, Zelda, GTA. Add Home to this and the PS3 has already won 2007, and will be #1 in 2008. Plus, we've got blu-ray, you fucks! All your base.
Slaziman @ May 17th 2007 11:39AM
So, nice graphics, good physics, and little cute characters jumping around? I'll pass. I can see it appealing to others though ;)
By the way, thinking back on the Mii's (I sold my Wii), they were REALLY lame.
Rikki @ May 17th 2007 11:42AM
Honestly, if this game hadn't been shown at the Sony expo, would anyone really even care?
Slaziman @ May 17th 2007 11:43AM
Jason = sarcasm? I hope so.
apoc06 @ May 17th 2007 11:55AM
eh, kiddie is the wrong term to use. i dont think the negativity from from true "kiddie" games out there. alot of games are oversimplified [often to appeal to "kids" or "the kid in us"] and therefore get referred to as kiddie. the handholding and simplification of certain aspects of games is what makes things appear "kiddie". for example: the simplified swings in wii sports: tennis vs. the hot shots golf series. they both feature stylized cartoonish graphics, but one game is slightly deeper under the hood than the other.
i dont think this game is particularly "kiddie". its pretty complex and just seems simple from the outset. thats its appeal. kiddie would be to simplify this game to just a set of mini-games. the interaction of the characters, the map editor, the game 3.0 features are what make this game much more than a simple "kiddie" game.
sure, visually... it looks like something that a kid will see and want to play, but the mechanics and the underpinnings make for a game anyone would want to play.
all that said, how a game looks should not deter you from playing or buying it. how it plays should determine that.
Crono @ May 17th 2007 11:59AM
Hard to tell, isn't it Slaziman. I think he's serious.