Archive for the ‘LBP’ Category
LittleBigPlanet: Sack it to Me – “The Game Changers FAQ” Edition
Posted by Mark Valledor in contests, LBP, littlebigplanet, PlayStation Community, PlayStation Games, PS3 on January 15th, 2010
We’re excited to see all the creative juices stirring around our recent update to the LittleBigPlanet MacArthur Foundation Game Changers Competition. Looking through the forums/comments/e-mails, there were a lot of questions so we decided to put together a quick FAQ to set the record straight.
Submissions
- The official submission page just went live so head on over and submit your ideas.
- One submission per applicant
- Highly recommended: Within the brief product description, include your PSN ID and previously created levels so we can reference your past levels as part of the judging.
About Budgets
- On the submission page, there is a section for proposed budgets. For the LittleBigPlanet Game Changers Competition, the awards have been pre-budgeted to $5,000 for each level. Depending on your proposal, you could propose a series of levels, say 10, and increase the proposed budget to a maximum of $50,000 ($5k per level). So please budget your LBP levels accordingly.
Eligibility
- Along with the updated site is a new Eligibility Page.
- This competition is a global competition, so all LBP’ers can enter – but note, special rules apply for applicants outside the US so be sure to visit the Eligibility Page above.
- Main applicants must be 18 years of age or over, but you CAN be below the minimum age and still contribute as personnel to the project.
If you have any further questions, feel free to chime in on the comments and we’ll work with the MacArthur Foundation to clarify any confusion.
Hope this helps.
Be a LittleBigPlanet “Game Changer” and Earn up to $50,000
Posted by Mark Valledor in contests, LBP, littlebigplanet, PlayStation Community, PlayStation Games, PS3 on January 13th, 2010
Calling all LittleBigPlanet CREATORS! Now’s your chance to create fun levels, better the community and be awarded some money – all at the same time.
A few weeks ago, we teamed up with the MacArthur Foundation, HASTAC, and The Entertainment Software Association with support from our nation’s capital, to host a unique competition to help the youth of America learn more about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Now we’re back with more details and looking for members of the LittleBigPlanet community to step up and be a “Game Changer.” If you’re interested, read on and you can earn up to $50,000 and help teach LittleBigPlanet gamers a thing or two about STEM while they play your level(s).
You can head on over to the updated Game Changers Competition details page to get the full download, but in a nutshell:
- The MacArthur foundation will be accepting submissions for levels / proposals combining an engaging gaming experience with principals of STEM learning.
- There are 10 different categories, where winning submissions can earn up to $50,000 in production / development grants.
- Judging will be based on the different categories combined with the potential of level design, with consideration to quality, integration of learning content, playability, fun, aesthetics and more.
The competition registration site will open for submissions on January 15, so make sure to start the thinking about your level designs and ways to integrate the fun of LittleBigPlanet with science, technology, engineering, and math.
For more reference info on HASTAC, The MacArthur Foundation and the Digital Media and Learning Competition, check out the links below:
- HASTAC Press Release: $2 Million Competition Opens for Ideas to Transform Learning
- Visit the Digital Media and Learning Competition Blog and the MacArthur Foundation Spotlight Blog
- Read press releases from the MacArthur Foundation and the White House
- Follow dmlComp on Twitter and join the Digital Media and Learning Competition News listserv
- Track the Digital Media and Learning Competition coverage on delicious at delicious.com/dmlComp2010
LittleBigPlanet – Sack it to Me: “The 2010 Kickoff” Edition
Posted by Mark Valledor in LBP, lbpdlc, littlebigplanet, PlayStation Games, PS3 on January 8th, 2010
We hope everyone celebrated the New Year with a bang! We’re looking forward to another year of Sack it to Me posts filled with more LBP level creations and community happenings. You guys continue to amaze us with all the new and creative things, and it’s been a challenge to keep up with all of the LBP activity – a challenge we look forward to in 2010.
I thought it would be fun to kick off the year by celebrating some activity on our fan sites:
Over at LittleBigPlanetGuide.com & LBPCentral.com – a bunch of us refreshed our desktops with new Sackboy wallpapers created by the fans.
Our friends at LittleBigLand.com just concluded their Pod Decorating Contest – congrats to Sackguy96 for winning!
At Sackcast.com, the LittleBigReviewers have just announced two new contests, which could reward you their cool-looking LBR trophy.
Check out the January contest details in this quick video.
LittleBigPodcast continues in 2010 with their “New Year’s Edition” (short and simple to kick things off).
Do you have snow nearby? Check out the Sackboy Snowman created by someone over on the EU PlayStation forums. It might give you an idea or two if you’re out and about in the snow…
Haven’t gotten the Pirates of the Caribbean DLC yet? Check out this ‘talkthrough’ of the Water level from BludgaBoy to get the rundown. Then head on over to the PlayStation Store and download it today!
LittleBigPlanet – Sack it to Me: “Sackboy Greetings” Edition
Posted by Mark Valledor in LBP, lbpdlc, littlebigplanet, PlayStation Games, PS3 on December 23rd, 2009
Greetings Sackpeople!
Wanted to shoot out one last “Sack it to Me” before our holiday break and as promised wanted to provide some more goodies…
PSN avatars meets are here!!!
Its been a long time in the works, so we’re glad to finally introduce new PSN avatars. Avatars are now available individually or in bundles via the PlayStation Store. And the great news is, the first round of avatars happen to be all LittleBigPlanet avatars. Check out the first batch and let us know which avatars you’d like to see next.
Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean DLC packs
If you missed our big announcement last week and you haven’t gotten your hands on the Pirates of the Caribbean packs, you have a whole lot of catching up to do. Check out the PlayStation Store and check out the Pirates of the Caribbean Costume packs and Level Kit, with a ton of new costumes and levels to play. Special to this Level Kit is a new WATER gameplay element which is sure to change the way you play LittleBigPlanet. So get your snorkel and fins ready for a completely new, and WET adventure.
LBP Plushies for the US!
Our friends at Senario has just unveiled our first official line of Sackboy plushies available at Amazon.com. Limited supply, but I know they’re restocking. Also stay tuned as we have more plans to get Sackboy to a retailer near you.
LittleBigPlanet – Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean DLC Announced!
Posted by Mark Valledor in LBP, lbpdlc, littlebigplanet, PlayStation Games, PS3 on December 15th, 2009
You guys knew was coming and were just waiting for the official word…so here it is! The long awaited Pirates of the Caribbean DLC will be available on December 22nd on the PlayStation Store. There are two different packs available, a premium Costume Pack and massive Level Kit.
In the Pirates of the Caribbean Costume pack, you can dress up your Sackboy as one of the many characters in the movie including, Sack Sparrow, Will Turner, Elizabeth Swann, Barbossa, Davy Jones and Tia Dalma. Each of these costumes can be purchased individually for $1.99 or get all six for $5.99.
The Pirates of the Caribbean Level Kit, includes a completely new adventure spanning five new levels and a mini-game. Be sure to put on your swimming gear as these new levels feature a completely new gameplay element that will make you all wet. That’s right….WATER!!!
For the first time in LBP history, water will be a new gameplay element for you to play, and create your own new water-drenched levels for the rest of the community to play. In addition, you’ll have access to tons of new stickers, objects and other create materials plus a bunch of new trophies to collect. Last but not least, is a bonus “Pelegosto” costume only available in this Level Kit. All this for $5.99 – a definite must buy.
Click on over to LittleBigPlanet.com for more details…
Stay tuned for more updates as we have tons more before the holidays are over.
LittleBigPlanet – Sack it to Me: “The Sackies” Edition
Posted by Mark Valledor in LBP, lbpdlc, littlebigplanet, PlayStation Games, PS3, psp on December 11th, 2009
Greetings Sackfolk!
Welcome to this week’s Sack it to Me, featuring tons of new announcements and some goodies from the week that was.
What’s New?
After a full year of user-generated content, we’re pleased to announce the first annual Sackies, our version of the Sackademy Awards. :) The Sackie is the chief award given by the Sackademy of LittleBigPlanet Arts, as decided by a panel of judges from Media Molecule, Sony Computer Entertainment and you, the community. Head on over to LittleBigPlanet.com for more details, but over the next few weeks, we’ll be awarding several categories, starting with:
“Best Visuals and use of Special Effects in a Level”
The nominees are:
- The Good, the Bad and the Sackboy series by Wexfordian
- The Movies by Teebonesey
- Pixelation 1.0 by JackIsBack999
- Future Warzone II Trailer by Johnee
- Post–Apocalyptic by Anpostteller
- LittleDeadSpace by Darknessbear
- Cause and Effect series by TripleTremelo
- Star Cruiser by CandyK
- The Miracle of Life by Poms
And the Winner is…
- Post–Apocalyptic by Anpostteller!
Sackboy on the Net
LittleBadRomance – shout out to Brian Moreno for his digital homage to one of his favorite songs on the radio. Great stuff, Brian!
New LittleBigCake/Cupcakes! YUM!
Sackboy in the News
- Congrats to Media Molecule/SCE on winning another BAFTA award!
- LittleBigPlanet (PSP) makes CNN’s list of “Hot video games for holiday shopping.”
For the Weekend…
- LittleBigLand community Crown Competition #2
- LBPmedia’s Advent Calendar
- Be sure to download your free Santa DLC before it goes away for the year!
Oh, and get your bathing suits ready…
LittleBigPlanet – Sack it to Me: The “Something for Everyone” Edition
Posted by Mark Valledor in LBP, lbpdlc, littlebigplanet, PlayStation Games, PS3, psp on December 4th, 2009
With the holidays almost upon us, this week’s Sack it to Me has a little bit of everything for those who didn’t find their LBP goodies over the weekend shopping rush.
What’s New?
Are you ready for some team building?
This week we just released an update that includes the eagerly awaited “Online Create” mode, allowing you to create levels, objects and more with your online friends. Check out this update page on the NEW LittleBigPlanet.com for all the info.
New on the PlayStation Store
We just updated the PlayStation Store with some great LBP items, including the coveted Assassin’s Creed II costume. Now you can scale walls and jump from rooftop to rooftop in style as “Ezio” Sackboy.
And don’t forget to check out the limited-time release of the Festive Pack, Santa Gear and Santa Hat/Beard.
User Spotlight
LittleBigStories
We’ve heard some great “LittleBigStories” about LBP being a part of everyone’s lives – so much that we decided to create a few videos to document them. Take a peek at “Family Fun,” then let us know your own stories. We just might start telling your stories/videos in upcoming Sack it to Me posts!
Community Levels!
Here’s a new batch of LittleBigPlanet (PSP) level picks by Cambridge Studios:
- Tinker Tower v2 by JKthree – A complex level featuring some really good, hardcore platforming action.
- The Frozen Kingdom of Skadi by Lleonard – Explore the dangerous ice caverns to find the Temple of the goddess Skadi. This level has a great sense of scale and is crammed full of ingenious challenges. Sandstorm by Jaeyden – A beautifully presented Egyptian adventure. Some great platforming and puzzle solving in this level.
- The Lost Crystsal Caverns by ryryryan – A great level with lots of satisfying platforming and puzzles. Nicely presented, featuring cool characters and storyline.
For the Weekend…
If you want to hang out with us and possibly get your hands on some free swag (like these cool window clings, first come first served), come by to a participating SonyStyle and visit our PlayStation team tomorrow, December 5th between 2 – 5pm. Drop by, create something with us and have fun. PLUS, purchase any PlayStation gaming unit and receive two of ten select titles for FREE (up to $120 value) – give a game as a gift, keep one for yourself!
If you’re interested, check out this link to see if our LBP teams are at a SonyStyle location near you.
Looking for Sackboy goodies for the holidays?
Check out some of our officially licensed merchandise:
- LittleBigPlanet Cardboard Logo shirt @ select Kohl stores in the US:
- Sackboy figure
- LBP Starter Kit at Best Buy
- Sackboy Shirts at Hot Topic
- BradyGames’s Super Book and Ultimate Sticker Book at Amazon.com.
- Women’s Sackboy Stripe shirt @ Thinkgeek
Winners of the LittleBigPlanet 24-Hour PSP Game Jam Session
Posted by Team Cable Car Rush in LBP, littlebigplanet, PlayStation Games, psp on November 25th, 2009
Hello Everyone!
This is Doanna Neville, Desiree Ong, and Nathan Bryan – Team Cable Car Rush from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. We are very excited and happy to have taken part in the crazy intense LittleBigPlanet 24-Hour PSP Game Jam! It was an awesome experience with some nerve-wrecking moments, but I think we all agree that it was immensely fun!
A day before the competition, we took a trip to the Powell Street cable car route to collect references, inspiration and to brainstorm ideas for the layout and gameplay of the level. When the day arrived, we had a very loose concept of what we wanted to do. We heard that the tool set was going to be very similar to the PS3 version but we wanted to see what the PSP version could do.
As it turns out, we were blown away with how much it could do! The slight learning curve we had to deal with initially was easily overcome despite the fact that collectively, we only had a couple of days of development experience on the PS3 version. We found the user interface really easy to use. This didn’t stop us from accidentally gluing the cable car to the ground or the background elements occasionally. Hurrah for the “Undo” function!
After a short briefing from the organizers and a brief consultation with David Dino, we were off!
Some of the challenges we faced include having to juggle work and classes, getting used to the tool set and simply staying awake. The most difficult aspect of design was deciding on gameplay that would best showcase this San Francisco moving landmark as well as making it a fun level given the limited time we had.
We stocked up on food and and stayed up in a war-room-like set up with large rolls of paper, markers and bedding scatted about the room. Caffeine was our friend. While one of us was learning the tool set, the blueprint of the level was developed in the form of mad scribbles, sketches and notes that we kept in front of us while we built the game level. Because only one person could develop on the PSP, the rest of us either took turns designing on paper or snatching a couple of hours of sleep. We didn’t really divide up the tasks. Whoever had the hot seat on the PSP followed the plan on paper, and really had difficulty letting go when the time came to pass it on!
We tried to include all the iconic landmarks along the cable car route and little quirks of the city that locals are familiar with. The original plan involved a series of triggered events along a storyline that was wrapped around each cable car stop, and color tagging each neighborhood with a distinctive color scheme. We even had plans to incorporate some of the themes from the other groups, an underground sewer area and an opportunity for Sackboy to fly on a jetpack. All that went out the window when we only managed a REALLY basic layout of the level by 1 AM in the morning!
We spent a fair bit of time experimenting on different materials and designs for the cable car. We originally intended the cable car to run on tracks that kept it on the ground in a roller-coaster like fashion. But when we saw how the first “cardboard” prototype of the cable car tumbled down the slopes, often coming to a satisfying landing when it righted itself, we decided to just roll with it and changed the materials such that the cable car had a better chance of righting itself every time it tumbled. The cable car has ‘rubber’ wheels, a ‘metal’ base, ‘wooden frame’ and a ’sponge’ top! This turned out to be a pretty fun mechanic, especially in a race situation.
The portability of the PSP allowed us to work on the go, while we traveled on the bus, even until the 11th hour. The music and the sound of the cable car ringing at every stop was inserted just 20 minutes before we made our submission!
In the end, although we were happy with the how it turned out, we wished there was more time to build up the environment in line with the vision. Being art students and all, it is hard to let that go!
In the aftermath of the Game Jam, we each walked away beaming with a shiny new PSPgo in hand and a copy of LittleBigPlanet PSP to mess around with. Woohoo!
Many thanks to AAU School of Game Design and Sony for giving us the opportunity to develop with the pre-release version of LBP on the PSP! It sure was a crazy wild ride (pun intended) and an experience to remember!
We hope everyone will enjoy the level and go out and grab a copy of this crazy fun game! If you have even an ounce of creativity in you, you’ll find the game really addictive and hard to put down! Oh, and remember to save often…
Peace out!
LittleBigPlanet: Sack it to Me – The “LBP PSP Update” Edition
Posted by Mark Valledor in LBP, lbpdlc, littlebigplanet, PlayStation Games, PS3, psp on November 23rd, 2009
Sackboy Helps with Math and Science Education
We’re uber excited to team up with the MacArthur Foundation & the Entertainment Software Association to encourage students to pursue science, technology, engineering and math in new and revolutionary ways. As announced today at the White House, Sackboy will be playing a big role in the Game Changers competition launching nationwide in December. Stay tuned as we’ll have more info soon (unfortunately, I can’t say or the Secret Service will sack-slap me), but for now, check out the below links of official stories/announcements:
- Breaking New York Times Story
- MacArthur Foundation Press Release
- The Entertainment Software Association press release
What’s New?
LBP (PSP) Launch
As you all know by now, this week marks the launch of LittleBigPlanet (PSP) around the world. And while thousands of you are already playing, creating and sharing, there is a large audience we still have to cater too – our PSPgo and PSP owners who want to buy LittleBigPlanet (PSP) on the PlayStation Store. Read on…
LBP (PSP) on the PlayStation Store
Good news. After a lot of blood, sweat and tears, we have everything in place for a PlayStation Store release tomorrow, Tuesday, November 24…right before the turkey break. We apologize to our PlayStation fans for the delay. We’ve had our teams around the world working on bringing LBP (PSP) to you as fast as we could and we’re very happy you’ll have it before the break.
New Online Update
You’ll be happy to know that our development team at SCEE Cambridge will continue to support LBP (PSP) post launch with ongoing game improvements and upcoming downloadable content. And this has already begun with a new update available for download now. This first update will improve the performance of some of the physics and tools in the Create mode.
Updates are new to the PSP, so we thought a little step-by-step instruction would go a long way:
- Be sure to have online access on your PSP
- On the XMB, highlight the LBP game icon
- Open up the menu with
and select “Update” - Continue with the on-screen instructions
New on the PlayStation Store
So what’s on the store this week? I have two words for you: Mon. Tage. Sorry, couldn’t resist. All kidding aside, check out these two new items on the Store this week:
LBP (PSP) Demo
Download this today to see why Sackboy continues to get rave reviews from our friends in the press.
LBP (PS3) “Turkeyhead” Sackboy Costume
For all you LBP (PS3) owners who missed out last year, this special Sackboy costume is back for a limited time…so you better “head” there now!
Workshop of the Week
Over on our newly revamped LittleBigPlanet.com site, check out the three video podcasts/tutorials that Media Molecule created a while back. We recently watched these again, and now we have the “create” bug (I know what I’m doing this weekend). Head on over and refresh your knowledge. You can apply these principals to LBP (PSP), as well.
LittleBigPlanet Goes Portable!
Posted by Mark Green in LBP, littlebigplanet, media molecule, PlayStation Games, psp on November 18th, 2009
LittleBigPlanet is here for PSP! Yes, we’ve finally finished, and I don’t mind admitting that molding Media Molecule’s PS3 game to fit its new home on the PSP and PSPgo has been a rollercoaster ride for us all.
The game is in stores beginning Tuesday and I have to say that we’re very proud of it. When we were first asked to make a PSP version of LittleBigPlanet, we wondered how on earth that much physics was ever going to fit onto something so much smaller, but to be honest we’ve enjoyed the challenge and now have a whole new world of LittleBigPlanet to show for it.
A world that contains thirty-eight newly created levels across seven different environments, all ready for you to play and explore – in addition to the whole Play, Create, and Share experience that’s synonymous with LBP.
The process, however, has not been without its share of hiccups. We are aware that the game is not yet available on the PlayStation Store, but we’re currently working around the clock to get this issue worked out so keep your eyes peeled for updates this week. We appreciate you bearing with us!
We’d also like to thank Media Molecule for all of their hard work in coming up with the incredible world that is LittleBigPlanet in the first place.
We’ve now added our own sprinkle of magic dust and we’re thrilled to bring LBP PSP to the fans so that they can enjoy it anytime, anywhere. To raise the excitement level even more, here’s a look at our launch trailer, as well as some of the great reviews that have hit thus far…
LittleBigPlanet (PSP) Reviews
- IGN
- Game Informer
- 1UP
- Joystiq
- Push Square
- Crave Online
- PlayStation Lifestyle
- Game Shark
- Digital Chumps
- The Sixth Axis
- Games On Smash