E3 2008: LittleBigPlanet Sony Conference Impressions
By
Guy Cocker, Editor
Sony came up with a novel way of showing sales stats at its E3 press conference, using a special level in LittleBigPlanet.
Usually in E3 press conferences, gamers have to put up with a series of PowerPoint slides before they get to see the new games. However, this year Sony managed to combine the two. The company employed Media Molecule's upcoming platformer to show off a range of stats about sales, as well as the announcement of a new "Greatest Hits" budget label for the PlayStation 3.
Before jumping into the custom-designed level, Media Molecule's Alex Evans helped Sony's Jack Tretton create a special version of Sackboy. As a child of Boston, Tretton asked Evans to dress Sackboy in a Boston Celtics team shirt. Then he jumped into the game where the developers had created a series of bar charts showing how the PlayStation 3 has combined features, such as high definition and online gaming. Sony revealed that it had sold 1.8m PS3s in the US this year so far, in addition to 1.6m PSPs and 1.5m PS2s. To illustrate the point, you could see mini PS3 consoles falling into Sony trucks in the background.
Tretton then went on to announce the new PlayStation 3 Greatest Hits label, which will sell for $29.99 in the US. As Sackboy elevated upward, titles such as MotorStorm, Resistance: Fall of Man, Warhawk, Call of Duty 3, Fight Night, Need for Speed Carbon, Assassin's Creed, Rainbow Six: Vegas, Oblivion, and Ninja Gaiden were revealed in the background of the level--again, to great effect.
While many of the items in the LittleBigPlanet demo were obviously created specifically for the presentation, it was another great demonstration of the power of the game's creation tools. We're sure to see more of the game on the E3 show floor, so stay tuned for more information as we get it.
By
Guy Cocker, Editor
Guy Cocker is the Editor of GameSpot UK, a handheld gaming fan, and someone who actually managed to use video games to lose weight. He recently took up the position of games expert on BBC 5 live and is a BAFTA games judge.
37 comments
Are we going to have to buy it in a best buy or something or from the playstation network????? That wasn't clear to me.
It is a shame we can't expect - nay - demand that the entirety of these conferences be done using game engines... heh... Anyway, I liked Sackboy.
Possible user created "System Wars"-, "Off-Topic"- and Gamespot-levels? I'm really curious about the best levels of the future...
As much as I LOVE the idea of this game... I am fearful of the chance realisation that I have little ability to well made levels.
At first I didnt think much about this game but when I saw them use it at the game conference I thought to myself that that was one of the most brilliant things I have ever seen.
This is the innovative gameplay that I love to see. I can't wait to get my hands on it. I have a major case of creative juice overload that only LittleBigPlanet can cure. :)
OMG! i saw the whole thing live and i have to say..WOOOOOW! :D I enjoyed every bit of it! it was BRILLIANT! :D
@ZeroGravX: There are pre-defined levels, but the sandbox editor is available from the beginning.
it looks fun. But should i buy it with God of war comming in March and the james Bond game?
Man, this was the most clever way to present statistics EVER! Man, Sony and the PS3 are GODLY!
This game looks like it will be a ton of fun, but I have to wonder, is it going to be sandbox right from the start or are there some predesigned levels one can play with first?
Oh that is ssssssoooooo cool man on how the use the game in the conference i am so going to be happey when it come's out
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Review Scores
| Platform | GameSpot | Metacritic / User Score |
|---|---|---|
Game Info
- Release Date: Nov 5, 2008 (EU)
- PEGI: 7+
- Release Date: Nov 20, 2009 (EU)
- PEGI: 7+
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