LBP has nearly 2m online users

By Tom Bramwell Published 23 March, 2009

Around 650,000 user-generated levels.

LittleBigPlanet has nearly two million online users, Sony America said on Friday, and between them they have uploaded nearly 650,000 levels.

In a press release (thanks vg247) celebrating LittleBigPlanet's recent AIAS and BAFTA wins, SCEA said that there were more than 646,135 levels, 1,934,700 total users, and an average of 35,373 levels uploaded each week. The data is from 11th March.

Sony is presumably hoping that renewed awards chatter and signs of a thriving community will entice a few more people to give the game a go - especially as it has now slipped out of the UK All-Formats Top 40, and with some online retailers marking it down to around 15 quid in the UK.

Sony also recently confirmed that LittleBigPlanet is coming to PSP.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (61) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Xerx3s #1 3 years ago

    2 Million sales? Kudos to MM for being able to break into the market with such a new product.

  • b00n #2 3 years ago

    I wonder if they counted different accounts again on the same PS3. Oh well, it's a success anyway!

  • penhalion #3 3 years ago

    "LittleBigPlanet has nearly two million online users, Sony America said on Friday, and between them they have uploaded nearly 650,000 levels. "

    ....and still no actual gameplay.

  • wowami #4 3 years ago

    i applaud MM for what they were trying to achieve but for me a complete waste of £17.99...
    Bought the game, played it once and became 1 of the 2 million online users!! and not played again

  • LazyDan #5 3 years ago

    Because quantity means quality!

  • Furfoot #6 3 years ago

    rage360

  • RobotRocker #7 3 years ago

    I think the more important question is "whats the ratio of actually well designed and original levels to facsimiles of other games levels, trophy whore stages and cut outs of dongs"? This demands a Eurogamer investigation.

  • Widge #8 3 years ago

    Why don't you tell us your results from a playthrough? Or failing that, copy and paste someone elses opinion and pass it off as your own?

  • mcbi4kh2 #9 3 years ago

    +1 Wige

    Even if its only 1% of actual decent levels, thats still 6,500 to go at. More than most people would ever have time for.

  • Arwin #10 3 years ago

    Awesome ... and may you never stop selling!

    And @penhalion ... what?

    Try the Maxed Out and Maxed Out 2 levels, they're awesome.

  • HolyJebus #11 3 years ago

    Good sales but I don't think the number of levels created is all that good. I reckon that's probably about 1/4 of the users that have actually made levels. I would have expected the number of levels created to exceed the number of users. Is that a sign that the level creation is too difficult for the average user?

  • sneetch #12 3 years ago

    @Widge
    Why don't you tell us your results from a playthrough? Or failing that, copy and paste someone elses opinion and pass it off as your own?

    + a bazillion

    Although questions like your latter one could rock the internet to its core: what happens when the plagiarism stops? When people stop copying & pasting the shit they read two days ago and passing it as a "well known fact" that "everyone knows".

    Dear grud, whenever I read those words in a sentence another part of my soul twists off and dies.

  • RobotRocker #13 3 years ago

    @Widge

    Why don't you tell us your results from a playthrough? Or failing that, copy and paste someone elses opinion and pass it off as your own?

    Some days I keep forgeting sarcasam translates poorly across the internet. It wasnt a pithy console fanboy remark, just more a comment on how creative games are approached by the regular gamer mind set. As in "What to create first...I know! A Penis! Hehehehehe" or "Wouldnt it be cool if I made world 1-1 for people to play. Nostalgia is great!"

    Speaking as someone whos played Banjo: Nuts and Bolts a bit. The amount of dongcopters, penis cars, vagina boats and other various sexual orifice based vehcicles are immense alongside various blueprints for X-Wings, Enterprises, Blue Falcons. Its not a slight on the game at all. Its just a lot of gamers find refuge in audacity and familiarity. Heck, I rember one UK magazine had a litmus test for games with create-a-wrestler etc. Best way to figure out how powerful the editor was? How close can you make Hitler. The more acurate, the more powerful the create tool is. A bit non-PC but people are going to create worse anyway. Look at Second Life even. The power to create anything with a reasonably powerful in world tool that can upload textures and models in real time. Populated by perverts. Frightening.

    Lesson here. Never let gamers near anything creative. Bad Media Molecule, Bad.

  • El-Dev #14 3 years ago

    Eurogamer Game of the Year 2008. Awesome.

  • sneetch #15 3 years ago

    @RobotRocker

    As you've explained yourself very well I'll just quietly sit down and shut up.

    Except to say that just because some people draw knobs with their notebooks and pencils it doesn't mean that you shouldn't produce notebooks and pencils. Someone might draw a nice house with the windows in the corners. ;)

  • beckyh #16 3 years ago

    The problem with LittleBigPlanet is that there is no way to filter out the shit levels from the decent levels. I had not played this game for a few months and decided to try it again yesterday. I chose a 4 hearted level and it was terrible and there was nothing to the level. The level opened and I was presented with a message to heart the level and it will open up a cage. Then it was game over. At this point I decided to stop playing and switched it off.

    I want to play good sized levels with a good design but there is no way of knowing this until you play them and I really do not want to be wasting my time.

  • alimokrane #17 3 years ago

    2 Million users DOES NOT EQUAL 2 Million sales - Thought I should clear this up as that includes multiple users playing on the same console no ??
    Edited by 1 at 23/03/09 @ 11:04

  • DrDamn #18 3 years ago

    @alimokrane
    It would also not cover the people who have the game but don't go online too. A not insubstatial chunk of people.

  • SEVQA #19 3 years ago

    I LIKE ROLLER COASTERS :) AND ROCKETS:)

  • Inigo #20 3 years ago

    Same as wowami.

    Its a bit like NWN, they spent so long writing the community and level editing stuff that they forgot to make a good platform game.

  • Spekingur #21 3 years ago

    So, when the guy said in the GTTV interview that they had 1million levels uploaded then he was lying? Awesome!

  • Spekingur #22 3 years ago

    Their decision to limit the creativity to only PS3 owners. Hate is not surprising, just because of that :-o

  • M_of_the_sys #23 3 years ago

    "Sony also recently confirmed that LittleBigPlanet is coming to PSP."

    Erm... how exactly?

  • Retroid #24 3 years ago

    Worth pointing out that different profiles on the same PS3 would count as different users. My copy (bought for £12.99, cheers Play.com!) has been played by myself, my Mrs and a mate, so that's three users from one copy and one console right there.

    Also; how many of those 650,000 levels have been made purely to get some trophies? :/

  • SEVQA #25 3 years ago

    To those who say theirs is no game in LBP either has not played enough or your bitter and own a 360.

    As to date I’ve had the most unique gaming experiences ever with this title and every time I boot it up it’s like a new game.

    Shall I spend 2hrs of my time ridding roller coasters or playing pinball – This game is awesome for so many reasons and better still not the reasons we have come to understand within the small boring box of FPS’s and driving games!

  • SEVQA #26 3 years ago

    Exactly, don't get me wrong I do enjoy those games it's just compared to LBP they lack originality!

    "the small boring box of FPS’s and driving games!"

    Gran turismo
    Motorstorm
    Motorstorm 2
    Resistance
    Resistance 2
    Haze
    Killzone 2

    Here's the same list a in a few years:

    Gran turismo 6
    Motorstorm 3
    Resistance 3
    Haze 2
    Killzone 3

  • Kenshin001 #27 3 years ago

    "Lesson here. Never let gamers near anything creative. Bad Media Molecule, Bad."

    Having played some absolutely brilliant levels that display incredible creativity and complexity I could not disgree with this statement more. Even the simplest level has allowed someone out there to express their creativity and individuality like no other game can and that should be commended. As for "penis cars", the game is heavily moderated so not really a factor.

  • DrDamn #28 3 years ago

    @Farticus
    I think you missed the point there. It's a game outside of the small boring box of racers and shooters. Note no X in front of the word box.

    I had more fun and enjoyment playing this game than any other title last year.

  • Zachm #29 3 years ago

    Erm... how exactly?

    Here: http://ww w.eurogamer.net/articles/little...

  • LazyDan #30 3 years ago

    I'm still bitter that this game went from a 4 player co-op traditional platformer to some sandbox create-a-level fanwank somewhere in between where they first showed it off to us and played through a level together and now.

    Sort of like if Left4Dead was just a bunch of disconnected maps that you played through at random, with 100% of the focus on a map editor and playing the maps of other morons. That description translated into a game would be the FPS equivalent of what LBP actually is and why it's so disappointing when LBP could've been the 2D platforming equivalent of what L4D actually is.

  • makeamazing #31 3 years ago

    Dont worry Farty is still sore that LBP got game of the year on Eurogamer :D

  • DrDamn #32 3 years ago

    @Farticus
    I don't think so - the follow up to your post confirms that too. The box refers to the genres. It's someone fed up with the stream of shooters and racers and after something different. Xbox really doesn't sit in the original statement at all - it would make no sense. The reasons the game is so fun and enjoyable are not the usual reasons set out by the gameplay staples of racers and shooters.

    For example building a level by yourself and pissing about in it is gameplay - it's just fun to do and play with whether it is publishable or not. It's nothing to do with nailing a time on a circuit or battling past a tricky boss in a shooter.
    Edited by 1 at 23/03/09 @ 13:39

  • #33 3 years ago

    you forgot the most crucial part of that equation, it needs to be on the 360.

  • VicViper #34 3 years ago

    These kind of numbers are always misleading when you try to apply them to actual purchases/sales.

    This refers to number of people playing only there is no reason to assume these repersent in anyway how well the game has sold.
    Its certainly a fun game (not my GOTY2008 but hey whatever), even I have a level published. Some of the things people have done its certainly impressive see little big contra if proof be needed.

    @farticusmaximus
    I hate to break it to you but the era where mascot/hype and marketing was the important part has being going for a long time its called the Nintendo Wii/DS and sadly its kicking everyone's ass.

  • trancers #35 3 years ago

    2 Million sales? Kudos to MM for being able to break into the market with such a new product.

    2 million users is not same as 2 million sales

    many family got many diffrent user wich they use to play same game and again they just count all diffrent users who was logged in

  • Dave52 #36 3 years ago

    LBP is an awesome game. Easily rivals the fun my family have got from the Wii. Probably the hit of Xmas 2008 for us, we just laughed and laughed. Still feels fresh today, loads of replayability... Well done MM....!

  • DrDamn #37 3 years ago

    Worth pointing out yet again that while there would be double counting in terms of unique users as a sales marker it would also miss the many who don't play online at all.

    @mr_writer
    There is confusion between gameplay people don't like and lack of gameplay. I don't like the gameplay in MGS4 but plenty of others do and get a lot of fun out of it. Conclusion is that it's not the game for me and I move on to something I do enjoy and don't sit there whining about it.

  • Dave52 #38 3 years ago

    Ok Farti, I'm intrigued - what would you like to see MM do to make LBP better...? What was it that you found to be shit...?

  • Dave52 #39 3 years ago

    @Farti, Er... I think it's fair to say that you missed the point. The whole point of the game was to amass collectables. Just running through the level wasn't the object at all. You have to collect stickers and costumes and creation elements. Some things you couldn't get without working together, other things were available once you'd found certain stickers etc, acing levels (getting through without dying unlocked stuff and earned you trophies etc)...

    The controls were fine, it does exactly what it says on the tin. I agree, the foreground / background movement was a little clunky at times, but it didn't detract from the gameplay at all.

    I'm guessing the game just didn't float your boat - fair enough, but to say it was shit is rediculous.

  • Dave52 #40 3 years ago

    The controls were not gamebreaking, and there were a tonne of objectives... You just didn't like the game - fair enough.

  • metalmike25 #41 3 years ago

    No, it is a matter of taste. I like the controls and just because someone who whinges about every PS3 game that comes out says the controls are bad it doesn't matter. And also, when did we start calling the story parts of games 'campaigns'? Last time I looked LBP wasn't a world war 2 game

  • Rash' #42 3 years ago

    The hate (whether full on out there or slightly disguised) is amazing.

  • Rash' #43 3 years ago

    Oh, Farty, do shut up!
    Edited by 1 at 23/03/09 @ 16:01

  • milhous #44 3 years ago

    @ farticus

    2 things:

    1) The controls were just awful. It wouldn't take a lot of tweaking to tighten up the controls, give the character a tiny bit more weight and a little more grip and the platforming element would be much less annoying. Also rework the z axis because that sucked balls and switching planes was unpredictable and added nothing to the gameplay.

    2) Add some damn structure to the game. Mindlessly running from A to B is not engaging no matter how fucking 'charming' it is. It's fine having all the freedom you want for the user-defined levels. I couldnt give two shits about some rubbish homage level a retard recreated, but in a campaign it's nice to have a story and real objectives.


    Talking out the hole in your a**e there mate; controls are fine after an hour or so, and the games more about having fun then following a story.

  • SEVQA #45 3 years ago

    Your comments are forum breaking.

    The controls take some getting used too, just as those of Resi 5. Didn't stop that title flying off the shelve.

    Get over it Noob.

  • Porco #46 3 years ago

    Don't usually post, but just want to say that I think the LBP main single player mode was extremely underrated. I find it extremely strange that it gets hate, I really wish all games showed as much creativity in their level designs.

    I can understand that some might not be impressed for the first half hour, but from Metropolis onwards the design and ideas are just inspired.

    As for the controls, this confuses me more than anything else. How can anyone not get used to the controls after a few plays? Am I missing something? Call me crazy, but I now love the way sackboy controls, his lightness makes him easier to control in the air, and the different surfaces makes the gameplay more interesting.
    I guess some people just find it hard to get used to controls in certain games?? I think with a bit of practice it might get easier?

    I'm sure it didn't win the DICE award just because of hype

  • #47 3 years ago

    you forgot the most crucial part of that equation, it needs to be on the 360."

    360 games tend to sell on gameplay rather than image and brand marketability so no, it probably wouldn't be well received on the 360.

    Suppose your right. I mean if you quantify 'not well received' by not being a FPS and racer then your right and those have tonnes of gameplay, stuff we haven't seen before amirite?

    M8, Ms slipped up when they turned down MM for this game because of lack of foresight, im pretty damn sure any company would just love to have 2 million copies sold no matter who you are or how rich your company is.



    Edited by 2 at 23/03/09 @ 16:38

  • VicViper #48 3 years ago

    @DaemonB
    2 million users is not 2 million sales, One copy of LBP purchased can be used by multiple accounts online on the one PS3 if the 2 million is matched by 2 million sales fair enough but number of users is not the same as number of sales. 2 other people have accounts on my PS3 and set themselves up a PSN account do they count as sales, no they don't. Its like saying that a trial world of warcraft a/c is a subscriber

    As PSN is free its much easier for the number of users to inflate on PSN for each PS3 compare for being unable to go online due to the cost prohibitive xbox Live service, but as it would be difficult to impossible to track if users own thier own copy and are not sharing there lies the problem.

    Maybe the sales numbers will prove me wrong and there has been 2 million sold, need to hunt those numbers down... from what I can gather from the information minefield that is the internet it looks like it has at least broken a 1m-1.5m+ world wide
    Edited by 1 at 23/03/09 @ 17:02

  • Burkey123 #49 3 years ago

    ''I think the LBP main single player mode was extremely underrated. I find it extremely strange that it gets hate, I really wish all games showed as much creativity in their level designs.''

    +1

    I loved the single player. The canyons were personally my favourite. But I have to agree, as the single player went on, the level design got better and better.

  • #50 3 years ago

    Vic I do understand that but what are you suggesting there only 200k,500k, 1million copies?

    edit

    1.5 as per your post :)
    Edited by 1 at 23/03/09 @ 17:05

  • Porco #51 3 years ago

    "The canyons were personally my favourite."

    Thinking back on it, the canyons were great too, with the serpent, mines etc

  • ronuds #52 3 years ago

    "2 million users is not 2 million sales"

    Shhh! We'll keep that our little secret. :p

  • Dave52 #53 3 years ago

    mr_writer: "if you can't manage the controls of LBP then your retarded"

    Lol...! I have to say that my kids even got their Nan and Grandad playing it... It's a great game and if it was on the Xbox, Farti would probably love it...

  • DrDamn #54 3 years ago

    There in lies the problem.

  • DrDamn #55 3 years ago

    If controls were as poor as you claim then old biddies and 3 years wouldn't be able to play - but they do. It also wouldn't have got all the plaudits and high marks - but I forget they and all of us here were blinded by the superficial nature of the game. We couldn't possibly have been having tonnes of fun and enjoyment.

  • modo_komodo #56 3 years ago

    Where does it say in the rules that 2-D platforming has to be simple?

    Mario was simple in the old days entirely because it was restricted by technology. Look at it now!

  • SEVQA #57 3 years ago

    @farticusmaximus

    If you want a platform game that doesn’t jump planes’, is fast and simple from A-B and that's not rocket science – then get off you fat lazy arse and make a level in LBP and publish and be part of the community, lets see what shXt you come up with.

    And that my friend is what LBP is about!

  • DrDamn #58 3 years ago

    I think the point was the controls should be. I would contest that though as there is still a fair bit of complexity and variation. Classic example is Sonic v Mario - very different control schemes and a fan of one switching to the other can initially feel very ill at ease.

  • VicViper #59 3 years ago

    @farticusmaximus

    Wait what? but the controls in LBP are simple, you jump, you grab, pressing up or down moves between planes.

    Granted they where floaty as hell, yes thats bad but their not complicated. I agree that a patch would sort that out nicely but as with anything you can adjust. Think going to Super Mario Galaxy tight controls certainly but takes getting used to the changes in gravity and orientation.

    If you actually sit down an play the game for a bit there is a suprisingly good bit of narrative conveyed by both the level design and characters but then thats missing the point the single player is there to unlock stuff for the level creation. The fact that MM bothered at all shows that they wanted to demonstriat what was possible with the tools they have given you.
    Edited by 1 at 24/03/09 @ 11:18

  • HolyJebus #60 3 years ago

    Why do you people still talk to Farti. He is just an xbox fanboy who hates anything PS3. Don't waste your breath on him. The day everyone ignores him is a great day for EG.

  • M_of_the_sys #61 3 years ago

    @mr_writer

    You'll find that farticusmaximus often passes off his own opinion as fact and also knocks other people for doing it. You can't reason with him. He's not going to like the game as it's on the PS3 and not the Xbox. Quit wasting your time.