[PS3] LittleBigPlanet Beta/Release Thread

It has been almost 20 months since the game was initially shown off, but LittleBigPlanet will finally be released on October 21. However, if you were lucky enough to get access to the LittleBigPlanet Beta, you could be playing it right now. So while the official release is still a few weeks away, I wanted to start this a little early due to the Beta release, which would give Beta users a way to discuss the game (share ideas, post some fun levels, coordinate co-op play, etc.).

I got a code for the Beta a few days ago, and while I'm still messing around with the tutorials, the game has already shown off some interesting level and gameplay design. I also received an additional code which I, of course, have no need for anymore, so I'd like to give that to a ClutchFan user that wants to have access to the Beta. If anyone else has extra codes, feel free to give them away here as well. I don't really know what to expect when it comes to interest in the Beta, so I don't know exactly how I'll pick a "winner." If there are multiple people that want the code, I'll figure out something...probably pick from random after 24 hours or so (so no need to rush to be the first or whatever)). In other words, if you're really looking forward to this game but haven't been able to get a code, leave a request in this thread and I'll (possibly) send you my extra code. The Beta will end on October 12th if I'm not mistaken.

Enough with boring words, here is some pretty video:
(the intro to (Beta?) LittleBigPlanet)
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Finally, some NeoGAF links for the "hardcore" that would like to know more about the Beta (user levels, ideas, etc.) or about any other ways to get keys:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=336586
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=336585

 

1UP dedicated a lot of their latest show to LBP:

<div style="width:500px; text-align:center"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="500" height="319" src="http://gamevideos.1up.com/swf/gamevideos11.swf?embedded=1&amp;fullscreen=1&amp;autoplay=0&amp;src=http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/videoListXML%3Fid%3D21814%26adPlay%3Dtrue" align="middle"></embed><a href="http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/21814" target="_blank">1UP Show: Little Big Planet Beta Impressions</a></div>
They show off a lot of interesting user-created levels, including levels based on Space Invaders, Shadow of the Colossus, Wipeout, Patapon, and even pinball (this one looked pretty cool and I think I'm going to check it out tonight). They seemed to put an emphasis on how limited this Beta is too, which is pretty crazy where you look at some of the levels being made with these "limited" tools.

 

Just found this level:
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Maybe Mario Paint will finally have some competition?

 

The story mode is basically 60+ levels tied together with a loose storyline (or at least 60+ premade leves, not sure if they're all apart of the story?). Probably not too complicated or anything, although it probably will contain some humor.

The basic gameplay is that of a 2.5D platformer (basically a 2D platformer with 3 "depths" to pick from generally). Controlling your Sackboy (or Sackgirl), you'd travel across a level, avoiding/killing enemies, making dangerous jumps, completing puzzles, finding secrets areas, defeating "bosses", gathering "things", etc. AFAIK, you can play any level online with up to 3 other friends at the time time (4-player coop). Some levels actually will be specifically created with this in mind (part of the level can only be completed with 2 or more players for example...although with a possible exception of user-created levels, you'll still be able to finish the level by yourself).

What sets LBP apart from other platformers is the ability for users to create their own levels using a toolset that comes with the game. This toolset was made to be an intuitive and as easy to use as possible so that people w/o much game-making experience could still create levels. And even if their levels suck, they'll still have a good time creating it.

I'd attempt to explain how some of the tools work, but that would take too much time and I'd only be referring to the limited tools included in the Beta. As you can see in a few of the videos I posted, people have already created some pretty unique levels, including levels that play more like a racing game (albeit a somewhat rough one at this point IMO ), a shooter (Space Invaders style shooter anyway), or even pinball. Media Molecule have even used it in situations that would normally call for PowerPoint (see Sony's E3 presentation). I imagine there will be more levels that focus on other gameplay mechanics besides pure platforming (I recall some preview mentioning puzzle and RPG-esque levels, although that might have been stretching it). Of course, I imagine a form of Machinima ala Red vs Blue could be done, particularly given how expressive a Sackperson is. I imagine we'll see plenty of Mario, Sonic, GTA, Halo, GoW (both of them), etc., themed levels too (already have most of them already...one of the Sonic ones I played was pretty interesting, although it was still pretty rough).

Of course, another great thing about the toolset is that you can simply "take" things that other users created in their levels (assuming they're OK with that). For example, if I wanted to use a dragon in one of my levels, I could theoretically take one from an alraedy-made level instead of spending hours trying to create one myself (haven't really tried this yet, but I think it could/should work that way). I think the 1UP video pointed out how difficult it is to make an elevator, but chances are that we'll have MANY premade elevators to choose from in a few weeks (especially after the game is released). I don't think this will be available at launch, but I think they'll patch the ability to let 2 or more people create/edit levels at the same time. If you're creating a level and would like some constructive criticism, this could be a nice way to tweak your level(s).

It is pretty difficult to explain exactly what the game is like and how it might possibly appeal to you (or others). I'd suggest checking numerous videos, or of course playing it if you somehow get the chance.