First LittleBigPlanet 2 info - Sackboy branches out beyond platforming

LookingFor

This stuff sounds pretty insane. Makes the first LBP seem like a warm-up, the platforming was just the beginning.

It comes from the latest issue of GameInformer, via a poster on NeoGaf:

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=394825

Okay. Here we go:

LittleBigPlanet 2 Game Informer June 2010 Issue Information

Context about the first LittleBigPlanet

- The first LBP was never intended to be a simple platforming game
- Over 2 million levels available online
- About 56,000 new levels per week on average

LittleBigPlanet 2 Information Starts Here:

- LBP 2 has less of a focus on platforming altogether and it's more of a platform to actually create games with
- There is an all-new level creator and it is not just a tool to create platform games.
- As examples, the game 100% encourages the player to create game types and wants you to make a shooter, a racer, puzzle games, Space Invaders clones, even RPGs
- A player can even customize a HUD. The example given is a health bar for a fighting game.
- A Media Molecule developer has created a fully-functioning Command & Conquer Clone
- Media Molecule loves that a lot of user-created levels in LBP1 were homages to classic games and laments that so many manipulations of the creation tools were necessary to do them. Sackboy won't need to be "hidden behind the curtain" when you make games with LBP2.
- There is a new super-important creator tool called "direct control seats"
- (from previous point) In LBP1, lots of people made rudimentary "hold R1 to accelerate" vehicles. Mark Healy created a car out of rubber wheels and a bottle, then placed a direct control seat in it. He pulled up an interface that resembled a PS3 controller and assigned commands to buttons.
- Example given was assigning Sixaxis tilt for forward and reverse, horn on the X button.
- You are no longer limited to the game's stock sound effects. You can record your own sounds and voices, attaching them to characters or objects. Magic Mouth from the original LBP is gone
- Direct control seat's control scheme is instantly accessible and you can attach it only to the part of the vehicle you want it to control.
- Example was given about the 8/16-bit remakes/tributes having to use the signature gameplay mechanics of LBP. That is no longer true in LBP2. A creator can place a direct control seat on their own platforming protagonist and complete it with a customized control scheme.
- Example of the previous was Yoshi's Island. If a player creates the perfect recreation of the SNES-era jump they can share it with anyone in the community.
- There is an in-game microchip that functions as a calculator and it is a direct response/homage to PSN user Upsilandre (seriously, he's mentioned by name)
- Enemies in the original title could only be programmed with super-basic commands and most resembled marionettes.
- Users will be able to take a template for an enemy called a Sackbot, tweak the AI and dress it in any way they choose.
- Creators can choose the weak points on the Sackbot, determine if it is scared of heights, and even program acting routines.
- A disco scene was set up by Media Molecule and two employees recorded together on a single Sackbot. They moved its arms and bobbed its head in a dancing routine. JUST the AI was copied and pasted onto twenty different Sackbots. Each Sackbot was given its own unique look.
- There are now movie editing options as well.
- Every LBP2 player will receive their own profile on LBP.me. It will display your activity feed as well as previews of their own stages
- There will be user-created integration in QR codes as well. They can be printed on advertisements, business cards, and automatically load a level when held up to the PlayStation Eye. There is no special menu to do this. Any time the PS3 is turned on and running LBP 2, you can wave it in front of the Eye.
- If you are not near your PS3 you can take a quick photo with your smartphone to see an online preview of the level and add it directly to your level queue.
- For creators of multiple levels, you will be able to string your stages together so that they flow from one level to the next.
- Sackbots can be drastically increased or decreased in physical size.
- Sackbots can be controlled by direct control seats as well.
- There is a new gadget (like the MGS paintball gun). It is a big-ass grappling hook.
- Media Molecule says explicitly there are multiple more gadgets coming.
- All DLC from LBP1 transfers over to LBP2. Including downloaded content packs, costumes, etc.
- There is a major overhaul to the story level as well. There's the same 3-plane perspective for the story mode and the levels so far have a similar run-jump-grab platform style.
- Storyline is not country-based like last time, but is based in periods of time
- Here is a list of levels and summaries so far:

- Techno Renaissance: Whimsical alternative take of the Renaissance period. Leonardo da Vinci-like character to guide him through a technology-based twist level

- Steam & Cake: Steampunk-style level based on a ****ed-up tea and cake party

- Neon Propaganda: Cold-war era posters line a factory environment where Sackboy is liberating oppressed workers. There is a grim nature to the level that is totally opposed to the neon lights and signs.

- Fluffy High-Tech: Various high-end technology equipments like video walls are mixed with bunnies and fluffy sheep. It is a cold, futuristic environment populated by adorable creatures

- Designer Organic: Eco-architecture comes together around a designed and controlled version of nature. Described as "art noveau". The closest to nature Sackboy gets in this game. Elaborate designs comprised of plants.

- Hand-Made Arcade: A super-tribute level to tons of arcade classics. Embraces the hand-made art from the first game. Pixels made of cardboard and wood.

- Circuit boards (like the calculator) can get extremely complicated and they have a very distinct interface
- Creators can make full-on cutscenes. Camera angles and voice-overs included. Creators can even make little five-minute short films. These levels are clearly marked on the stage select screen so you can tell whether you're watching or playing the level.

I kind of wondered what they could do with a sequel, and whether it would make sense, but this sort of silences my worries. It seems more ambitious than even the original was at the time. But I need to see how this stuff works.

ongarite

Sounds amazing. Its a game where you can make your own game literally this time around.

paul150

Sounds great, thought sony would hold this off for E3 though

rizzla

Sounds great. But the whole DLC from the first one carrying over gives me the impression the visual style wont change much and the whole sequel couldn't just be released as a big update, that's me just being a skeptic though.

LookingFor

rizzla wrote: »

Sounds great. But the whole DLC from the first one carrying over gives me the impression the visual style wont change much and the whole sequel couldn't just be released as a big update, that's me just being a skeptic though.

The style won't change much, obviously. It shouldn't, the aesthetic of the original was pretty much perfect. Although it's apparently improved, richer, like there's more going on in the levels or something.

But the last bit, you could say about any sequel to any game. Why not just release any sequel as DLC for the previous game? This definitely sounds very substantial, very substantially new. More than I might have expected, and definitely enough to warrant a sequel, particularly if the focus is on diversifying the genre mix. It leaves a neat divide between the original as being all about platforming, with the sequel offering new possibilities beyond that.

rizzla

LookingFor wrote: »

The style won't change much, obviously. It shouldn't, the aesthetic of the original was pretty much perfect. Although it's apparently improved, richer, like there's more going on in the levels or something.

But the last bit, you could say about any sequel to any game. Why not just release any sequel as DLC for the previous game? This definitely sounds very substantial, very substantially new. More than I might have expected, and definitely enough to warrant a sequel, particularly if the focus is on diversifying the genre mix. It leaves a neat divide between the original as being all about platforming, with the sequel offering new possibilities beyond that.

Good points but as I said I'm a skeptic. Left 4 Dead 2 burned me a lil.

I do agree though that a game which substantially improves upon the original is deserving of a sequel. I do hope this is the case, it certainly sounds it.

WolfForager

paul150 wrote: »

Sounds great, thought sony would hold this off for E3 though

I think Sony have given up on holding off big announcement for E3, they always seem to get leaked, better to be able to confirm things early and doing it properly than having half arsed and untrue information leaking out for months.

GothPunk

I came.

Vic Vinegar

That sounds brilliant if it's all accurate information!

LookingFor

Some screenshots:

http://www.liveplay3.fr/news/143164/LittleBigPlanet-2-15-screens-HD.html

Sounds like the official announcement and online previews will be out tomorrow. These were leaked I guess.

ongarite

Official info is out now along with launch trailer. Looks like you can change the perspective to top-down for micro-machines style racer or scrolling top to down for arcade style schumps along with other endless ideas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fs0T5l24JL0

NotorietyH

Was just about to post the trailer. Damn that's got me back into that LittleBigPlanet fuzzy-warm feeling in a big way. They always seem to pick fantastic music for the trailers and game.

DARK-KNIGHT

NotorietyH wrote: »

Was just about to post the trailer. Damn that's got me back into that LittleBigPlanet fuzzy-warm feeling in a big way. They always seem to pick fantastic music for the trailers and game.

cant believe i was considering selling my ps3! this game looks amazing

johnny_ultimate

Early candidate for best game that has ever existed?

Answer: yes.

Looks like so much win, can't wait for the LBP community to get their hands on this.

WolfForager

Watched the trailer 3 times now, awesome stuff! Was wondering what Sony's reaction to the prospect of a holiday season owned by Halo Reach was gonna be!

irish_stevo815

"You took a disc of 50 levels & did more than we could ever imagine.".........Love that!

Watching that video really got me to my Special Happy Place. This is gonna be the most awesome, unrepetitive game ever, and i mean EVER!!!
I never made my own Level on LBP1 but played a lot of user created ones nad loved what you could do. I think I might just have to make my own level now though, just til the new one comes out.

WolfForager

Plenty of Screenshots here

http://kotaku.com/5535089/littlebigplanet-2s-new-pod-sack-invaders-and-flying-pets

LookingFor

****. Proper top-down? Wonder how long before someone makes a old-skool Zelda style game.

The sackbot stuff, the direct-seat, and new camera options will open up so much.

That micro machines bit...oil slicks and everything. It looked like a top-down mario kart

CombatCow

:eek: JESUS :eek:

Josey Wales

The trailer was awesome. Has there been any mention of a release date? Will it even be 2010?

noodler

GothPunk wrote: »

I came.

They have special places in hell reserved for people like you.

eddhorse

noodler wrote: »

They have special places in hell reserved for people like you.

I second Gothpunks "coming"

Its gonna be EPIC

NotorietyH

Josey Wales wrote: »

The trailer was awesome. Has there been any mention of a release date? Will it even be 2010?

Winter 2010 so I imagine around October which I think was when the first was released.

GothPunk

I'll be honest, I think I squee'd watching that trailer. I was just like :eek: the whole time.

NotorietyH wrote: »

Was just about to post the trailer. Damn that's got me back into that LittleBigPlanet fuzzy-warm feeling in a big way. They always seem to pick fantastic music for the trailers and game.

That's exactly how LittleBigPlanet makes me feel, all warm and fuzzy and excited like a small child again. GOTF.

noodler wrote: »

They have special places in hell reserved for people like you.

What? What did I do? It's not like I find Sackpeople sexually attractive or something... I mean that's ludicrous... yeah...

Oo..

oh i cant wait till that comes out!! it looks brilliant, they've really added alot too it now.......waiting for winter 2010.:D:D

makes me want to go play the first one now:D

noodler

I played the first one...once.