Sony pushing LittleBigPlanet as biggest PS3 game of 2008
The release of LittleBigPlanet on the PS3 is drawing ever nearer, with an October release date on the cards. And there’s now doubting the importance that Sony is placing on the game, with the new IP being seen as a hardware seller, and the lead character in the game, Sackboy, being touted as the new PS3 mascot.
Just last month, I wrote an article citing LittleBigPlanet as the first real killer app for the PS3. This was prompted when I saw new trailers appear online after the game was shown in detail ahead of GC 2008. Sure, the PS3 already has Metal Gear Solid 4, which some would argue is an exclusive killer app, but LittleBigPlanet has a better chance of really pushing the PS3 in to the mainstream.
The main reason for this is because the game itself is mainstream. While MGS 4 will have a certain set of people who love it, there will be many who hate it. LittleBigPlanet is almost guaranteed to have mass appeal, with the casual gamers loving the simple platforming action on offer, while the more hardcore amongst us will be able to fully flex their creative muscle by editing everything in sight.
Sony has already stated that LittleBigPlanet is going to be an important release, with the company fully expecting the game to shift millions of Playstation 3 consoles on its own. And now, Sony worldwide studios boss Shuhei Yoshida has reiterated those hopes in an interview with VideoGaming247. He said:
LittleBigPlanet is going to be the biggest title for Sony in all markets this year.
History tells us how difficult it is for games developed in Europe or in the US to be successful in Japan, and with this generation we see Japanese consumer supporting more and more games coming from western Europe.
It’s massively important, because it has so many things that it’s doing right in our minds.
That really shows the way the whole industry will be heading. Giving power to the consumers to express their creativity by creating something that’s fun for others to play. So we really want to make it a global success, including the Japanese market.
The only problem I think Sony may have is being able to successfully get across the game’s mechanics to the average consumer. The gameplay may be basic enough at its core to eschew the need for explanation, but the level of customization on offer is what will draw in the crowds.
I can already see Sackboy gracing the cover of non-gaming magazines in the same way that Mario and Sonic did at the height of their powers. LittleBigPlanet is going to be pushed on us from all possible angles, and it will be hard to remain immune to the allure of being able to create a gaming world of your own.
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16 Responses to “Sony pushing LittleBigPlanet as biggest PS3 game of 2008”
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September 2nd, 2008
Great….biggest ps3 game of 2008, I’m a PS3 fan, and I’m not even remotely interested in this game ???? I just want RA3…..(sob, sob sniff)
September 2nd, 2008
Try waiting for GT5, 2010 maybe? (double sob sob sniff)
September 2nd, 2008
This looks like a good game. This is something I would get.
But its still not enough to make a PS3 worth it.
As someone that doesn’t want more than a simple gaming console, it’ll take more than a couple of good games to get me to take the leap to a buy a PS3.
September 3rd, 2008
Just own a Wii then?
September 3rd, 2008
I cant help but feel the sharable online create your own world will pump out masses of penis’ by 13 year old who think they’re “ard”. none the less will be awesome.
September 3rd, 2008
If this is the biggest thing the PS3 has going for it I may reconsider buying one.
I have the wii because I have three girls 7 and under. It’s time for dad to play. I’m on the fence for the PS3 and 360. If the crack the PS3 it would make my decision very simple.
September 3rd, 2008
I think the people dismissing this game are very narrow minded to be doing so at this point in time.
I think we need a release before we can turn ours noses up at it.
September 3rd, 2008
I hope Sony is correct with this, but I am not very optimistic. Sure it might be a great game and Sackboy is cute enough for wide audience appeal but lets be frank here; the PS3 is still carrying a hefty price tag. That right there will deter quite a few buyers and parents, we all know it. I imagine this game will do fantastically when it becomes a greatest hits and the PS3 has come down to 250. Im not trying to fan the fanboy flames Im just saying…
September 3rd, 2008
Anyone with a sense of sanity will consider this game to be a fluke. The majority of PS3 owners are NOT little kids! I think most of us PS3 owners are 13 and up.
However, if this game were for the Wii, it would be a great idea since the Wii is a kid’s machine. But I’d rather have Grand Turismo 5, Resistance 2, Tekken 6, Armed Core 5, Motorstorm 2, F.E.A.R. 2, Grand Theft Auto 5: New York Titty, Oblivion V: The Crowns of Death, etc.
10 years from now will anyone remember Little Big Planet? Will this game even come close to selling as many consoles as MGS4 did?
If so, then I’m cashing my PS3 in. I don’t want to own consoles and be fans with a bunch of free boarding retards who buy a silly game like Little Big Planet.
In that case I will just revert back to the 360. (At least we will have Halo in common because I loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove Halo
)
September 3rd, 2008
Sega- well have fun with your 360 and all those 9 year olds playing Halo. I can’t say wether I like or dislike this game due to the fact it hasn’t been released yet! But you are tearing it apart. You need to look at the title “Little Big Planet”. That says to me, even though it looks simplistic (wii like) it is actually very complex.
September 3rd, 2008
is every one pour because the PS3 id NOT expensive.
September 3rd, 2008
Norm,
Never fear, I don’t believe this is the best PS3 has to offer at all. There are plenty of good games coming (and have already come out). I was making a joke about this game being the “Stellar” game for PS3. All I am saying is this game is not one I am eagerly awaiting. It is not the type of game I like, so in my opinion is not the ps3 game of 2008.
September 4th, 2008
this is ironic…
a system like the PS3… with Hardcore games like MGS and Gow in its library…
Now another HUGE title… AND ITS A CASUAL GAME!!..
Yeah casual games are for sissies and are flukes/crap/gimmicky/wont last long…
but they make the most money.. they are the new “Paris Hilton” sex tape… (bad example)
get over it…
IM PSYCHED!!!
September 4th, 2008
LittleBigPlanet is NOT a casual game. May locusts spontaneously generate within the intestines of all who keep referring to it as such.
-Arvis
September 11th, 2008
what does sony do to promote the most powerful (and expensive) game system out to date? hype a “cute” side-scroller to make it stand out from other (cheaper) game systems.. I agree if you’re old enough to purchase a ps3 with its hefty price tag, then maybe your past trying to get a sock and its friend the teddy bear from point ‘a’ to point ‘b’..
October 13th, 2008
I guess I found the site where all the people that didn’t get into the Beta are flocking. This game is not only a kids game as levels are being designed by all age groups which means that the difficulty will vary. I consider myself to be a hardcore gamer and cannot resist the appeal of this title myself. The Beta was extremely fun however it was just the an earlier build of the online potion of the game. Furthermore, I’m sure that the tools in the final build of the game will be impessive. This game definitely has the potential to be the Mario of this generation. The ultimate pull of this game lays in two areas the strong community online support (which is in the game and will be heavily integrated into HOME) and the user created content that is possible (do not worry about the inappropriate content that may be created as users can report this content and Media Molecule has reviewers scanning for this as well). This game definitely should not be tossed to the side as it will prove itself to all in the upcoming release.