Little Big Planet

[toblix]

In case you had all forgotten, this game is awesome. I've been working on a level I unfortunately promised my little sister I'd make for her, and I've been doing it on and off for a couple of months now.

It's just so amazing whenever I'm done with a section and can start fresh with some new concept. I quickly get bogged down by the ugly, rickety shit my amateur hands bring forth, but it's still awesome fun. I'd like to be able to listen to the game's superb soundtrack while I make my levels but for some reason I can't. Also, I wouldn't mind not having to create fragile, physical contraptions to represent simple logical structures. For example, to give my vehicle two-way controls I've made a box with dark matter, glass cubes and a couple of pistons, both wrestling for control over a three-way switch. It's very rickety and half-assed, but at least it works most of the time.

But it's just so good, the way the physics are almost perfect, the way the materials look and act so real. I just want to reach into my screen and gently squeeze and caress all these little pieces of felt and rubber and glass.

So far I've made a tower that builds itself as you climb it, each new room causing those farther down to break and crumble. It got so tiring having to do the whole thing from the start each time I wanted to test a little change, and also the whole thing got so unpredictable, what with the whole thing collapsing under its own weight (probably the huge solid concrete room didn't help), I just ended that whole project. So I built an awesome car that has wheels all around (so it never lands the wrong way) and a pretty retarted romp through some sort of burning cardboard lava thing, I dunno. I even added an Indy-style collapsing rubble escape sequence.

Anyway, just finished a HL2-esque sequence where you have to leave the vehicle and do some precision jumping to lower a bridge. I'm thinking about doing a Super Mario World style part where everything's moving up and down and left and right.

... anyway, if you haven't tried making some cool LBP shit yet I suggest you do.

[MonkeyWrench]

I've been meaning to dabble with the level design side of this for ages. The problem is I've done some contract work on various games in the past, but I have no drive to create something when there's no money waiting for me at the end.

I do like checking out other peoples work though, there's some stunning stuff out there.

[James]

Whenever I open the editor I look at the blank slate on the screen, and discover that it's mirrored by a similarly emptiness in the ideas department of my mind, and all I can do is forlornly watch my enthusiasm seep away into the aether. I really ought to do something, though.

They still don't have online collaborative building, do they? It'd be cool to kind of leech off someone else and fuck up what they're painstakingly trying to build.

[toblix]

When starting a LBP level, I find that just creating a bunch of shit, like blocks and pistons and rotating pieces of shit is an awesome way to get started. It's super easy to just continue building to the right, and when you get something cool, just start the level there.

I'm not into the whole "planning anything out in advance" thing.

[toblix]

Does anyone know what MM is doing? I was sort of expecting regular level packs and shit to keep me interested. I guess they must be making money off of the costume sets they keep releasing -- which is awesome, don't get me wrong -- but it's been a while since the MGS pack. I tried finding some info on "what's next", but failed as a sailed. Also, there was the patch which added some awesome mechanics, but I'm assuming different dudes were busy working on that side of the game rather than the making awesome levels side.

Bonus question: Has anyone seen the tools MM use to make their levels? I guess they don't sit around with PS3 controllers.

[Shakesbeard]

Does anyone know what MM is doing? I was sort of expecting regular level packs and shit to keep me interested. I guess they must be making money off of the costume sets they keep releasing -- which is awesome, don't get me wrong -- but it's been a while since the MGS pack. I tried finding some info on "what's next", but failed as a sailed. Also, there was the patch which added some awesome mechanics, but I'm assuming different dudes were busy working on that side of the game rather than the making awesome levels side.

Bonus question: Has anyone seen the tools MM use to make their levels? I guess they don't sit around with PS3 controllers.

Next-gen procedurally generated user-based wig development will blow you away.

[toblix]

Well, I, uh...

It's great that they're having fun with wigs. They made an awesome game, they should buy some wigs and have fun with them. I bought their game, so I paid for their wigs, in part, and I feel fine about it.

However, the last time I gave them money was when the MGS pack came out, and the next time will be when whatever next comes out that gives me some more awesome levels. It's not that costumes are stupid. They're awesome, and they should make more. They should make a thousand costumes. The Ghostbusters costumes look awesome and I hope they earn a million British Pounds from them. I hope they use that money to buy wigs or some other crazy shit and have hours of laughs. However, I'm not buying any costumes*, but I'll pay for levels. I'll pay all my money for levels.

In fact, I promise that, if they release a level pack, and the price tag is £ALL YOUR MONEY, i will go through with the transaction. This is the Toblix Promise.

*Except hentai porn costumes, Half-Life costumes or Little Big Adventure costumes.

[Shakesbeard]

Unfortunately the Toblix Promise has been rendered null & void due to frequent complaints on the subject of video games post promise-to-not-criticize-games.

Was there ever any mention of releasing levels in the form of dlc? It seems unlikely given that everyone and their mom can get practically limitless levels for free. That being said, (if I owned a PS3 and LBP) I would buy the hell out of a "MM Dev-Levels Pack" just to see how the people behind the game would approach creating content now that LBP has been out for a while.

[toblix]

Well, they did the MGS pack, which had a bunch of really great levels. My understanding was that this would be a regular thing, but now that you mention it, I may just have misunderstood, or am imagining things.

I've yet to play a user-created level that's even remotely as awesome as MM's. I suspect that this is partly because they're using awesome PC tools for level creation, and partly because they're awesome at making levels and can do so all day while earning money for doing it.

[Cigol]

http://twitpic.com/9vri0

...so that's what Spaff is up to.

It seems unlikely given that everyone and their mom can get practically limitless levels for free.

But why would anyone buy costumes. They're useless. I downloaded every single free costume simply because I could... and I never ever used them, or even feel like using them. A level pack is what everyone on the internet is screaming out for and I don't understand why it's taking so long to address that... if those level creation packs actually came with levels that doled out the content on a discovery basis (like the main game) then they'd be worth buying - but they don't, and they aren't (so far as I'm concerned anyway).

[Nachimir]

Bonus question: Has anyone seen the tools MM use to make their levels? I guess they don't sit around with PS3 controllers.

They're committed to their tools, and several sessions and interviews I've seen state that they actually insist on their level designers using the same tools as the users. It's not like their programmers and designers don't invent new stuff, but if a level designer asks for, say, a special scripted event, it's my understanding that they're politely told to fuck off and work out how to do it the same way a user would have to.

Also: Gastronbury and a pink wig. Coincidence? I think not

[toblix]

Well, I know they're limited to the same materials, mechanisms, etc., but I assume they're sitting at PCs using a much more advanced user interface, being able to do more complex operations with regards to exporting, copying and stuff like that.

[DanJW]

Yeah, even just being able to use a mouse would make a big difference.

I dunno, we'll have to ask Spaff. Spaff! Where are you?

[toblix]

He's probably still at the crazy wig party.

[toblix]

Weel, look at this! Water!

[Spaff]

wow, what a shocker that was

[Spaff]

Well, I know they're limited to the same materials, mechanisms, etc., but I assume they're sitting at PCs using a much more advanced user interface, being able to do more complex operations with regards to exporting, copying and stuff like that.

The designers all use the exact same Popit that you have to make the levels, but in addition there are some PC tools that make some things a bit easier, not many people use them very frequently though - some more than others - but the majority of the stuff is built in the same way as everyone else.

Also, look for levels by Johnee, his levels were so good we hired him, they might entertain you There are tons of levels that are much better than 'ours' out there.

[toblix]

The designers all use the exact same Popit that you have to make the levels, but in addition there are some PC tools that make some things a bit easier

Any chance of hearing about of these?

Also, look for levels by Johnee, his levels were so good we hired him

I will, thanks.

There are tons of levels that are much better than 'ours' out there.

I find that hard to believe. Well, I guess I'm not good at finding the really awesome levels. I don't remember exactly where I look, but there's an option that shows a planet with a bunch of different levels, I guess that's the most popular levels or something. Is there a list of the most hearted levels or something?

Oh, and any ETA on the water-containing kit?

[Spaff]

Tools wise, I don't really know what they all are cus I don't use them, but there are things that make it easier to search for certain items to put in prizes, or certain stickers. It also makes tweaking existing levels a bit easier. I'd like to do a proper article on them some time for the blog, so maybe i'll do that

For levels, check here

http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=256469#post256469

those guys are good at finding interesting things for sure, also check out this level

http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14692

just played it, was quite awesome

Edited August 20, 2009 by Spaff

[toblix]

Thanks!

[DanJW]

OK, I think that confirms spambot assholery. Can someone squash it please before it shits out its payload?

[Kolzig]

I'm going to bring this old thread to life because just as a reminder, Sony and Media Molecule are closing down LPB Karting and LPB Portable aka PSP versions servers globally during this summer.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-07-01-all-littlebigplanet-game-servers-shutting-down-in-japan

First there were some rumours going around that all LBP servers are being shut down globally, but things have clarified a bit. For some reason also LBP 1,2,3 and Vita servers are still going to be shut down in Japan.

But other countries should be fine, for now at least.

This has reminded me that I should get on playing LPB Karting at least a bit and maybe Portable as well before things will shut down forever. LBP Karting was a PS+ game a year or so ago.

Anyway, this kind of news sucks as LBP is a franchise that lives because of sharing levels etc.

[undermind9]

Ty for necro'ing this thread! i recently got LBP3 for PS3 @ nice price of $4 on amazon digital

 

It is more LBP...although i do not necessarily like the switch to an over-world zone per level - VS the old linear progression.  now you can navigate an overworld with its own secrets and findings - but also back out to planet view after unlocking an entry to get into the side missions

 

 

The loading times are horrendous on PS3...and get a bit of load-in graphics while playing...but im happy it was ported and the secondary characters & navigational tools are fun.  I am sure there are amazing user levels...and i'll give the top played a try after finishing the campaign

 

i doubt though i'll go back to 100% & ace the levels like i have in previous iterations