90°

2 Years of LittleBigPlanet 2: A Lesson in Longevity

DualShockers Writes: "Earlier this month, Media Molecule’s celebrated sequel LittleBigPlanet 2 turned two years old. Since it came out, the gaming world has seen the release of multiple entries in the Call of Duty franchise, the Assasin’s Creed franchise, the Dance Central franchise and numerous sports game franchises.

Although we have seen a racing spin-off and a portable entry, the highlight of the LBP series is still LittleBigPlanet 2. In spite of the rapid release of titles in various other popular franchises, LittleBigPlanet 2 remains in heavy rotation at all of my gaming get-togethers. Even though it’s two years old, I wouldn’t dream of trading in my copy."

Read Full Story >>
dualshockers.com
iamnsuperman4107d ago

I would go as far and say this is one of the most important franchises this generation. Not only did it give Sony a family/child friendly mascot it also pushed user creativity to the max on consoles. It is crazy the amount of quality community levels there are

Enemy4107d ago (Edited 4107d ago )

Not sure why you got a disagree. Some levels were so good Media Molecule ended up hiring the creators.

Shadow Flare4107d ago (Edited 4107d ago )

I recently finished creating a level in lbp2 and, I honestly think, in some respects, LittlebigPlanet 2 might be the best game ever made.

A big claim but let me explain why

Games are enjoyable because they set us challenges that we need to beat. And when we beat those challenges we feel satisfied

But littlebigplanet is the most unique game I've ever played, because of its create mode. Every single gamer that plays lbp2 will get a completely unique experience with completely unique challenges to overcome

A racing game for example, everyone that plays it has to beat the same race. But when you create a level in lbp2, you are creating YOUR OWN challenges. Everyone's imagination is different, everyone's levels are different and everyone's challenges will be different. How do I make this logic work? How do I make this level more enjoyable? This isn't rotating properly, why not? Why aren't these lights turning on? How do I make this boss more fun? Why isn't this sequencer emitting this object properly?

No one else will experience exactly what you have. And the challenges you've made for yourself and have overcome by yourself will be completely unique for you.

LBP also teaches you to think about art style, gameplay, finding the right music, providing clear gameplay instructions, complex logic, making the level enjoyable, getting rid of bugs, and if you're really serious about your level, once you complete it you can then promote it on forums.

LBP has taught me so many things, you have to think about so many different things when making a level.

And the community is the best community I've ever seen. Ever gamer loves to do different things in lbp. Some love to make platforming levels. Some like to make levels that don't even look like they were made in LBP2. Some love making music. Some like to design fonts. And you can tap into all these resources when you're making your own level. "I need music, lets find a music guy".

You get out of LBP exactly what you put into it. If you have the imagination, it's a wonderful game. And though maybe not your traditional game, the uniqueness of the experience every person gets, I think it could in some respects be the best game ever

TheUndertaker854107d ago (Edited 4107d ago )

Not to mention the amount of support they put into LBP. I think that's the best part of the game and something more companies should look to reproduce in the future.

I mean really. They're still releasing new DLC & fixes for an over two year old title plus expanding the functionality of the game at the same time with things like the PS Move & Cross Controller packs. Then to add to that at least making MOST of the DLC cross usable between other LBP branded titles instead of just leaving it locked to a single title.

OmegaSlayer4107d ago

Yeah, LBP Community is incredible, it stands every odd with terrific quality and passion

typeN84107d ago

Lbp is the best game this gen period imo

mayberry4107d ago

I wont ever trade in LBP or MGS4!..... NEVER!!

60°

Dreams Dev Media Molecule Says Layoffs Impact Planned Community and Curation Support

IGN writes: "Media Molecule has said the layoffs at the Sony-owned studio have affected plans for ongoing community and curation support in Dreams."

Inverno32d ago

How self sustained can DREAM be when it's basically stuck on PS4? I don't think it's even gotten a PS5 upgrade. Ending support for what is essentially a game making engine is basically death. SONY did DREAMS dirty.

120°

Dead Space Isaac Clarke: Every Cameo in Other Games

Isaac Clarke of Dead Space fame has appeared in many games, both as a playable character and an Easter Egg. Have you played them all?

330°

PlayStation layoffs hit Dreams developer Media Molecule

Staff at UK developer Media Molecule have today been told to expect job losses, with around 20 staff expected to be laid off. That's around 15-20 percent of the overall studio.

Read Full Story >>
eurogamer.net
crazyCoconuts183d ago

This sucks. Dreams was so amazing I was sure it was going to be integrated into PS5 in a meaningful way with the intention of fostering creativity in gamers. So disappointing to continue to hear news of that failure. Hope those impacted land on their feet and the studio finds passion in their new project...

Cacabunga183d ago (Edited 183d ago )

It will also hit Naughty Dog if they dont wake the hell up from their bubble.. this is inevitable . That comfortable pillow they have been laying on since ps1 isn’t there anymore.

Mm had a whole gen to release a game.. the over confidence they got from PS3 and Vita with LBP blinded them.

crazyCoconuts183d ago

I have no reason to believe to was over confidence.
They poured a lot of blood sweat and tears into Dreams, and it showed. It was exceptional by all accounts, and they tried to make it work.
For whatever reason, i have no idea why, their dream didn't come true. Maybe Sony gave them too long a leash, I don't know. But it wasn't for lack of trying. They made a fantastic creative masterpiece that...er...not enough people wanted.

Cacabunga183d ago

Crazy

They for sure did.. but new experiences and simulators we all know are a make or break.. the risk was big and this just confirms it. They seemed so sure that game would be a success and guarantee their survival but things turned out to be very different.. they to give the fame a second breath with free VR support ..

RaiderNation183d ago (Edited 183d ago )

Christ, what an idiotic post. Media Molecule's siruation is not even remotely similar to Naughty Dog's. ND released a commercially and critically game of the year award winner in 2020. That was just 3 years ago. How long do you think these games take to make?? They released The Last of Us Remake in 2022 which also sold very well. Dreams was a flop. It sold terribly. Mm's previous game was Tearaway on Vita. It also flopped. Prior to that, their last game was LBP 2 on PS3! They're lucky Sony doesn't shut them down completely.

Cacabunga183d ago

Raider

Nothing more idiotic than your post.. there is true love and respect towards Mm for what they delivered all their games included.. every single one was a swan song! On PS4 they took a big risk and they got hurt by it and dreams was even announced at PS4 reveal!!!
In case of ND, we’ve seen nothing for 3 years, not even a Tease.. if they keep quiet longer they will miss this gen completely and end up in same situation as Mm because there is no cash flow..

1Victor182d ago

@lighting/orchard:” It will also hit Naughty Dog if they dont wake the hell up from their bubble.. this is inevitable .”
Dude you’re so transparent that even with a new accounts you can’t hide your fanboyism and hatred of everything Sony
Media molecule been hit with layoffs is unfortunately and sad to happen to any company regardless of industry and I don’t wish it on any company as it’s always the hard working people that get to pay while bosses getaway scotch free and a bonus at the end of the year

anast182d ago

ND will be fine. They aren't content creators for YouTube where they've got to post a video every second.

jwillj2k4182d ago

If layoffs hit naughty dog there has been a massive misappropriation of funds. No one should be getting laid off at naughty dog this generation.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 182d ago
porkChop183d ago

Dreams should have been relaunched on PS5 and PC. It made no sense to launch the game on PS4 with next to no marketing when a new generation was about to start. The game had so much potential.

Jin_Sakai183d ago

Not really surprised. While Media Molecule makes decent games they’re niche and take forever to come out. Sony has actually been very generous if you ask me.

Obscure_Observer182d ago

"Sony has actually been very generous if you ask me.'

Sure...

In the current generation, Sony has shut down multiple first party studios, canceled multiple AAA games, and fired lots of people.

All of that while boasting their chest about incredible sales for the PS5.

This nothing but facts

outsider1624182d ago

I don't know about dreams as that game isn't meant for most people. I mean the casuals dont know how to make games and is it fun for them? There's a lot of potential in Dreams but it just didnt click with many i suppose.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 182d ago
Neonridr183d ago

shame, hope they all find jobs within Sony possibly in other studios.

-Foxtrot183d ago

Shame, Dreams was a cool concept and well done but it just wasn’t…how do you put it, a traditional game, if that makes sense. Spending so long on this game when in the end it felt more aimed at creators, which is fine obviously but I’d like to see something more traditional from them while another team works on the experimental stuff

I just can’t believe of all the PC ports Sony did Dreams was never one of them, the PC community might have had fun with it.

goldwyncq183d ago

Not porting Dreams — a game creation tool — to PC was a profoundly stupid decision.

itBourne183d ago

The problem with Dreams was the barrier to entry... had it been on PC, like I said with LBP so long ago, it would of soared like crazy.

My biggest complaint was the lack of support to create with friends. To my knowledge you still cannot not even create together, let alone play a game together online. How do you not support that on launch... which also leads into the barrier of entry, none of my friends even knew what the heck it was, and it was so hard to show them or get them into it.

Petebloodyonion183d ago

Always suck to hear this kind of news.
Hope everything turn for the best for these affected.

Show all comments (44)