Media Molecule surprised by LBP's hype

By Tom Bramwell Published 19 June, 2008

Didn't expect "a lead title on a platform".

LittleBigPlanet is the PlayStation 3's great white hope for 2008 - an ambitious, abstract physics game built around user-created content - but developer Media Molecule admits that the hype has taken it by surprise.

"We had no expectation that it would become so strongly associated as a lead title on a platform," Media Molecule co-founder Alex Evans told GamesIndustry.biz in an interview published today.

"The reveal at GDC generated the level of excitement that helped us get to where we are now. It was always our ambition to make a big game, but we didn't know if we'd succeed. The transition has been in the perception of the game, rather than in what we set out to do."

That GDC reveal - last March, when then-Worldwide Studios boss Phil Harrison introduced LBP and PlayStation Home and talked about "Game 3.0" - came quite early in the game's development cycle, given that it's due out in October this year, but Evans believes it was a good move.

"The reaction at GDC was such that we've been able to build on that initial reveal, and talk about more and more features, and one of the nice things for me is that at that early stage we weren't shown very much about the other features - but now when I talk about the game there are so many more elements that I can bring out and discuss," said Evans.

Check out the first part of the interview on GamesIndustry.biz, and for a fuller understanding of the kind of wacky-awesome game that's in development check out our hands-on preview from March.

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About Tom Bramwell

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

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

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Comments (39) Latest comment 4 years ago

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  • Fernando #1 4 years ago

    Hype?

  • fiery_jackass #2 4 years ago

    expectation management?

  • JediMasterMalik #3 4 years ago

    I don't blame them for being surprised by that, generally the only games to get hype like that, from both the media and fans, are big blockbuster titles like MGS4 and Halo, good on them though, LBP looks excellent.

  • the_dudefather #4 4 years ago

    in before:
    1)'I dont get it'
    2)'i want a game i don't want to build stuff'
    3)'would have been better on the wii'

  • pjmaybe #5 4 years ago

    Tell you what though, you've seen all the Spore rude stuff. Can you imagine what people are going to do with Little Big Planet when they've got an even more broad canvas to play with?

    I'll put money on it being a matter of hours before someone designs a cock-shaped landscape with minges, tits, muff, snatch and arse going on throughout.

    And probably jism.

  • drumbaby #6 4 years ago

    Maybe you could microtransact Kleenex to get rid of it?

  • monkie_king #7 4 years ago

    Didn't expect to be "a lead title on a platform".

    Funny how things turn out ...

  • mingster #8 4 years ago

    more user created cocks then...
    o the joy

  • dsmx #9 4 years ago

    I never understood why people keep spewing hate at LBP, what is there to hate about it?

  • penhalion #10 4 years ago

    Sounds like they are worried about living up to the hype doesn't it.

    Can it finally be sinking in to games comapnies that overhype doesn't help sales or reputation in the long run.

  • anomagnus #11 4 years ago

    i'm surprised to, i just don't see how this became such a big deal

    after the novelty of cock's has worn of, what will be left?

  • Dizzy #12 4 years ago

    >I never understood why people keep spewing hate at LBP

    I don't think many people hate it... a lot of people are a bit skeptical if there will be real gameplay. TBH we have seen "games construction kits" many times before during the last 20 years. Some of them were good, most of them not but none of them have surpassed custom made games.

  • LazyDan #13 4 years ago

    "We had no expectation that it would become so strongly associated as a lead title on a platform,"

    Neither did anyone else, unfortunately things like Lair and Haze happened.

    I really would like a 4-player co-op platformer on the Wii though - or 360, or DS for that matter. I'm amazed there's only one company doing one, and that there haven't been any before.

  • the_dudefather #14 4 years ago

    @LazyDan
    @coop platformers

    agreed, there is Chip n' Dale for the nes.....and.....sonic? (even if that was badly implemented, tails was just a suicide bomber character for player 1 and normal play didn't really work with the game's speed)

  • optimusprym8 #15 4 years ago

    It's usually the publisher and/or press that is responsible for the overhype. Most developers just want to get on with developing the game. We're in a PR/Marketing driven world and worse off for it but then conversely the great unwashed still fall for it hook, line and sinker every time. Don't believe the hype.

  • groovychainsaw #16 4 years ago

    People crave innovation. Whether it's good or not doesn't matter, but between this and spore, building stuff and being creative looks to be the exciting new thing this year.

  • monkie_king #17 4 years ago

    anomagnus: the novelty of cocks never wears off ;)

    edit: LazyDan, don't the Lego games do that? Or are the 2P only?
    Edited by monkie_king at 19/06/08 @ 13:57

  • bitesize #18 4 years ago


    ^ why do people do that? post just to say how uninterested they are?

    just seems a bit wierd, reading a news item, thinking "i'm not interested in this at all, must go to the comments section and let the world know how not interested i am"... why not just ignore it?

  • sanctusmortis #19 4 years ago

    This probably the only thing PS3 has to offer me; it's not worth the £300 outlay, but it's undeniably looking good.

    I think people hate on it because they're enjoying watching "big" PS3 games fail, and want more. Sad but true.

  • rowsdower #20 4 years ago

    "Game 3.0"

    When we can finally stop listening to and accepting these cretinous labels? The .0 fad seems to only be used by industry PR people who think that arbitrary monikers can substitute for an actual effective description and a somewhat informed understanding about what technology they are trying to shill.

    When will spokespeople learn that you can't speak that language, and you never will. Stop trying and speak to us like normal, educated people who don't buy into every fad that comes our way. You can slap on as many buzzwords as you like, we're still not going to think you're anything more than empty suits unless you speak like regular human beings.

    Translated: ZOMG, stop wif teh numbers lol, u dunt no wat tehy meen.

  • menage #21 4 years ago

    I can't wait for this. YOU MUST DELIVER!!!!!!

  • Bartacus #22 4 years ago

    If this turns out to be very good it could be the turning point for the PS3 but only if they drop the price & include the DS3 with the console.

    So far SONY with PS3 have proved themselves to be far too incompetent & complacent, especially in the UK.
    Edited by Bartacus at 19/06/08 @ 16:17

  • Kenshin001 #23 4 years ago

    "LittleBigPlanet is the PlayStation 3's great white hope for 2008..."

    Hmmm. Looked at the worldwide charts lately have we?

    The only hope of the game is it will pull in more casuals along with Home, Singstar and Buzz. It will be the PS3s complete library that appeals to gamers, not just one cute platformer. Honestly, I think many gaming writers big up some games just so they can knock them down. Predicts EG will write," not the great white hope Sony hoped it would be...", in a few months time.

  • SpyroViper #24 4 years ago

    "We're in a PR/Marketing driven world and worse off for it but then conversely the great unwashed still fall for it hook, line and sinker every time. Don't believe the hype."

    Don't believe people who don't know a good game either.
    Edited by SpyroViper at 19/06/08 @ 17:48

  • DrDamn #25 4 years ago

    @Farticus
    Me thinks your Sony anger is spilling over a little too much here. This is hugely interesting, exciting and innovative title with lots going for it. BK3 is another interesting title - but a completely different kettle of fish.

  • DAN.E.B #26 4 years ago

    Didn't expect to be "a lead title on a platform".

    yeah but look at the platform.
    not exactly bursting with AAAs is it?

  • NewbieZilla #27 4 years ago

    "1)'I dont get it'
    2)'i want a game i don't want to build stuff'
    3)'would have been better on the wii'"

    Yes to all three, for me.

    "I never understood why people keep spewing hate at LBP, what is there to hate about it?"

    I don't hate it, just don't see what there is to like about it. I'm not hyped for Spore either like the majority seem to be.

  • 3william56 #28 4 years ago

    Pfft. That will teach you to get all original, and skillfull and inspired.
    Get your ar$e back to movie tie in games for the quiet life.

    Anyone not at least a little bit charmed and intrigued by LBP has no soul.

    /prays for Nick and NewbieZ.

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #29 4 years ago

    Anyone not at least a little bit charmed and intrigued by LBP has no soul.

    It certainly has a charming aesthetic (and I love a bit of The Go Team), but then so did Ragdoll Kung-Fu, but it was shite.

    At least spore has the understandable goal of a '4X' strategy game behind the creature creator. LBP sounds to me more like a graphically updated Wrecking Crew. Still, if it's good, it's good, but it'll have to be mighty good to persuade me to drop 300 notes.

  • SpyroViper #30 4 years ago

    I expect the people who hate on LBP and Spore are also the ones who cry to mummy when they play RTS and strategy games because quite frankly, these people should just play like someone stated 'movie tie in games' or the braindead MMO games that so many people play like zombies.

  • DrDamn #31 4 years ago

    @NewbieZilla
    "Yes to all three, for me."

    If you don't get it then why do you think it would be better on the Wii?

    Just because you like games it doesn't mean you should like every game. Just accept there are those which you won't like but others will love and move on. Why waste your time on it? It reminds me of the people who would write in to Points of View complaining there was nothing on TV they wanted to watch on BBC 1 on Saturday night ... well so what? Why does there have to be?

  • bonker #32 4 years ago

    I still have no concept whatsoever of what this title is all about ...

  • DrDamn #33 4 years ago

    If only there was a place where you could go to get that sort of information ...

  • BobsUncle #34 4 years ago

    "It will be the PS3s complete library that appeals to gamers, not just one cute platformer."

    What complete library? Or is that still coming?

    I got a PS3 only for MGS4 and LBP (well, blu-ray mainly). I've not got MGS yet as I'm not sure I can stand the cut-scenes. But I will get LBP when it comes out. I certainly wouldn't have bought it for Home, it just a fancy menu.

  • Amoebalove #35 4 years ago

    @farticusmaximus

    June 3rd 1956 (sorry i jest)

    I thought the 2d Mario game on the DS was pretty good and also the psp's ghosts and goblins (or ghouls and ghosts whatever it was called). But then i am a bit of a retro fan at times.

    Sorry i hadn't read your post fully and i didn't mean to but into your conversation!!
    Edited by Amoebalove at 20/06/08 @ 14:02

  • DrDamn #36 4 years ago

    @Farticus
    3D is not inherently better because it comes with a whole load of extra issues and problems - particularly in the platformer genre. Camera and control issues dog the majority of 3D platformers and even the great Mario games suffer.

    2D platformers I've enjoyed recently? How about New Super Mario Bros (link). What about stuff like Locoroco (PSP) and LocoRoco Cocoreccho (PS3). I seem to remember you got a lot of play out of Cloning Clyde too on XBLA. Some of the best platformers have been 2D or pseudo 3D - Klonoa (PS2) and the original Rayman and original Crash Bandicoot on the PSOne for example.

    2D platforming still has a lot to give with well designed and styled games.

    With LBP there are a couple of good reasons to keep it effectively 2.5D. First off the level design aspect. It's a lot easier to design good levels in 2.5D than 3D. It's more focused to allow for a more useful toolkit and so the end results that people will make are going to be better. Secondly co-op is a big part of the game too - and this is also made better by chosing to go 2.5D as you can then try and keep everyone on the screen as best you can. Split screen really wouldn't work.

    There are some great vids here which demonstrate what is possible with the engine and game ...
    Use of physics to do platform puzzles and use of usb camera to add assets
    Quick level create
    Character customisation

    (Edit Rayman and Crash 1 were on PSOne :-) )
    Edited by DrDamn at 20/06/08 @ 14:36

  • DrDamn #37 4 years ago

    I don't think for this genre that 3D adds much to the gameplay - it's a viable alternative but not necessarily a progression. Platforming is inherently going from A to B. The fun is how you get there. 3D brings nicer graphics (sometimes) and adds some new possibilities - but also brings imperfect camera and controls to the party.

    From what I've seen of LBP there is plenty on fun in not just getting from A to B but also in creating the trip yourself and playing the better trips people have created themselves. The game will ship with more than enough content in terms of pre-built levels even excluding what you will get from user generated stuff. As a further incentive to play these levels you get rewarded with pre-built objects or content to use in your own levels.

    Ok if that doesn't appeal to you fine, but it clearly appeals to a lot of other people. I don't think this game is going to necessarily be a massive seller on a global scale compared to big hitters in more established genres. However it is an eminently worthy title and the sort of game which shines in the murky waters of the safe and sound waters of other games. It's attempting to do something different and experimenting with what we perceive as a game - for that it should be encouraged and applauded - whether the end result is your bag or not.


  • DrDamn #38 4 years ago

    Where has all this been done before? Even a platformer based purely on the physics? A construction set for a platformer which is fully functional - i.e. all the levels you get with it are fully customisable. What about the integration into the online community? Lots of these things have been done in some way before, but never all together and never in such an appealing package. Normally construction sets are either massively restricted or too complex for a general gamer to use - not the case here.

    "Whether I like that or not doesnt change what it is."

    True, but it is not necessarily what you think it is. You say the 2D platformer was exhausted 10 years ago? For you maybe, but if people buy this, get a hell of a lot of enjoyment and fun out it, then it isn't exhausted is it?

  • DrDamn #39 4 years ago

    One final point before we agree to disagree.

    New and innovative is not just about a checklist of features and points like 2D platformer and construction set. It's about presentation and use of these elements and how it all works together. That is where LBP scores highest in my opinion.
    Edited by DrDamn at 20/06/08 @ 17:48