LittleBigPlanet 2 turns gamers into game creators

LittleBigPlanet - designed for designers
LittleBigPlanet - designed for designers

Media Molecule previewed LittleBigPlanet 2 to journalists this week, with the reaction being that this is a game changer in more ways than one.

CVG, which shares the same publisher as TechRadar, was given a first-look at the PS3-only game and has described its new AI controls as something which "could represent a giant leap forward not only for the games industry, but for user-generated content in general."

Game creator

As with the first LBP, as players in the game you have a whole host of creation tools to play around with.

But instead of creating platform levels, users now have the chance to create whole games.

Media Molecule has coined the phrase that LBP2 is not just a platformer but "a platform for games".

This is something CVG wholeheartedly agrees with, explaining: "In LBP2 a level can start off as a simple platformer and suddenly change into a top down arcade racer or a giant robot beat 'em up or an Asteroid-style space shooter.

"Even the LBP team themselves can't list all the variables - because it all depends on the ingenuity of the online community. And from what we've seen in the past, ingenuity is not something the LBP fans are in short supply of."

Direct control

AI in the game has been improved, in that you can now create your own Sackbots – programming their behaviour and even their looks. This can then be controlled through something called a Direct Control Seat.

It sounds complicated but CVG notes that "the studio's probably the best in the business at moulding the elaborate into the elementary".

If it means that we can create our own personalised version of Space Invaders in the game, then no matter what hoops we have to jump through we'll be at the front of the queue.

To read more about the new adventures of Sackboy, point your broswer to Computerandvideogames.com.

Marc Chacksfield

Marc Chacksfield is the Editor In Chief, Shortlist.com at DC Thomson. He started out life as a movie writer for numerous (now defunct) magazines and soon found himself online - editing a gaggle of gadget sites, including TechRadar, Digital Camera World and Tom's Guide UK. At Shortlist you'll find him mostly writing about movies and tech, so no change there then.

Latest in Consoles & PC
Playing games on the Razer Handheld Dock Chroma without an external display.
The Razer Handheld Dock Chroma offers Steam Deck owners a premium design and, of course, plenty of RGB
The Hori Split Pad Pro attached to a Nintendo Switch OLED and placed on a colorful desk mat.
I've used the Hori Split Pad Pro with my Nintendo Switch for years and it's still great, but there are some better options in 2025
A tattoo studio in The Sims 4.
The Sims 4 Businesses & Hobbies expansion pack looks like the small business overhaul I've always wanted
Image of Grand Theft Auto 6 promotional art and Corsair's PC cases
GTA 6 could reach PCs in early 2026 according to Corsair – but I'm already sick of waiting
New Metal Gear Solid Delta screenshot from the State of Play stream.
Turns out the leak was accurate - Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater releases in August this year and the inner PS2 gamer in me cannot wait
An image of the Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 patent suggests you’ll be able to use the console upside down for some reason
Latest in News
Michelle, Keats, and Doctor Amherst looking unimpressed and worried in The Electric State
Netflix drops trailer for The Electric State, and I'm getting serious District 9 vibes
YouTube TV
YouTube TV might be planning a big Netflix update that puts the best streaming services first
Google Pixel 9 Pro
Here are the 7 best Pixel 9 and Pixel Watch 3 features landing in March’s Pixel Feature Drop
Bang & Olufsen Beogram 4000C Saint Laurent Rive Droite Edition
Bang & Olufsen's latest reworked turntable is a masterpiece of retro revival, in a breathtaking wooden presentation box
Apple Watch Series 10
Apple unveils new Apple Watch bands – here's what's in the Spring 2025 collection
iPad Air M3
Apple makes one hardware change to the iPad Air that might be the best indicator of its true lightweight tablet intentions