Will LittleBigPlanet save the PS3 from the Wii & Xbox 360?
Does it need saving? Maybe, depending on your point of view. What is clear is that Sony needs a killer app for the PS3 that appeals to all, gains mainstream attention, and tempts gamers away from the Wii and Xbox 360. Could LittleBigPlanet be that game?
LittleBigPlanet is due to be released on October 21st, and the reviews have started to roll in. Most are citing a few odd issues, mainly with the control system and save point system, but giving it a high score nonetheless. Some see it as the best game to date on the PS3, and even those who don’t, realize its importance.
The Playstation 3 has some quality games available for it: Metal Gear Solid 4, Call Of Duty 4, Grand Theft Auto IV, Rock Band, GT5: Prologue and Uncharted amongst them. But most of those games aren’t exclusive, and even the ones that are, haven’t got that mainstream appeal that means everybody, from hardcore to casual gamers, and even non-gamers alike will want to have a go. LittleBigPlanet seems to have that in spades.
Does the Playstation 3 need saving? Well, sales are fair, but it’s currently falling victim to being the highest-priced console on the market. Sure, for that money you get the most powerful games console available, and a Blu-ray player to boot, but money talks, especially in a faltering economy such as the one we are currently experiencing.
The PS3 has wholly failed to connect with gamers in the way that both the original Playstation and PS2 did. It needs something big, and it needs it sooner rather than later. Playstation Home is sure to shift some hardware, but there are as many people I’ve spoken to who couldn’t give two hoots about it, as there are who can’t wait for it. Whereas all of those who have heard about LittleBigPlanet want to try it out.
While Nintendo has built a business and reputation on strong, era-defining characters such as Mario and Zelda, Microsoft and Sony haven’t really had such a hit. But Microsoft does have Halo, which as a game, defines the system it’s available on, and draws gamers in. Sony now has a possible double on its hands: a game to define the PS3 in LittleBigPlanet, and a character that could become a household name in Sackboy.
LittleBigPlanet is unlikely to save the PS3 on its own, but it will help give it a leg up, putting Sony’s console in the minds of those who presently either aren’t bothered about gaming or whose knowledge of the hobby begins and ends with the Wii.
And with the longevity on offer with the game, LittleBigPlanet (and its successors) could help sales of the PS3 for the next five years or so. Now all Sony needs to do is lower the price of the console to something a little more within reach of ordinary consumers and who knows what will happen.
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41 Responses to “Will LittleBigPlanet save the PS3 from the Wii & Xbox 360?”
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October 14th, 2008
Do people who own a PS3 give a rats ass about the Wii and 360? What a weird article.
October 14th, 2008
you guys wouldn’t be the same person would you?
October 14th, 2008
Dave Parrack:
Nice article Congrats. LittleBigPlanet seems to be love by everyone even Nintendo. I think this game is definitely going to help Sony. Also Sony has SOCOM: U.S. NAVY SEALs Confrontation MotoStorm: Pacific Rift and Resistance 2 to help them sell more consoles this holiday, SOCOM 2 online has a massive fan base with each owning at least 2 or 3 PS2 to rank up, i have 6. And next year God of War III and Killzone 2 inFamous and many more that will sure help them sell more consoles. Sony is gonna pass Microsoft sales soon.
October 14th, 2008
Does any one know if Ivan_PSP is from Amsterdam? Or is what he is smoking illegal where he lives.
October 14th, 2008
I was in on the Beta for Little Big Planet. The game is amazing. I wasn’t sure at first that it was going to be a “killer apt”, but I am now more than convinced. The game already has had mass critical acclaim. Also the game has already being selling extremely well on preorders alone.
There isn’t anything like it on the market. The Wii is not offering any new software at all over the holiday season, and the 360 only has Fable and Gears. I think Sack boy will end up curb stomping Marcus Phoenix. Then raise his cute little arms, and waive happily.
October 14th, 2008
Ivan why in gods name do you have 6 ps2’s? You only need 1 console of each, unless you plan to bring hell on earth like the super hadron collider.
October 14th, 2008
I’ve tried to see the appeal of LBP, but a side scrolling platformer, no matter how gorgeous, just isn’t going to get me to shell out for a ps3. Now if Kingdom Hearts 3 stays exclusive, I will for sure.
October 14th, 2008
@ Barnabee – Hell yeah shake those arms and ass!
Love that Sackboy crazy ass dance
@ Bourne – He’s gangsta
October 14th, 2008
lol that explains it. comes with a free car wheel
October 14th, 2008
hahaha @ Wylie.
October 14th, 2008
LBP will move PS3 units out of the shelves. With every large gaming website having beta codes, their servers were dominated and most were crashed by tens of thousands of people. Aside from that, with all the type and promotion. If LBP moves 1 million PS3 units, then its a major hit and will rise the PS3. Don’t forget that it is only in October while you still have the holidays around. And LBP won’t be the “only” game to move PS3 units and to shape it up.
My two cents from many other articles and views I have seen.
October 14th, 2008
Bourne:
I have 6 from when i use to play SOCOM 2 everyone on that game had at 2 or 3 PS3 all top ten had over 20. KGB a guy there has 40 my boy aFgHAN has 12. that game is sick one day the server had almost 100000 people on.
October 14th, 2008
oops PS2 i meant
October 14th, 2008
Still doesn’t explain why you would need more than 1 ps2.
I suspect they were trying to open a black hole.
Thats what happens when you get more than 39 emotion engines together (if you didn’t already know!)
October 14th, 2008
“my boy aFgHAN has 12.” –> Good lord, you bred?
October 14th, 2008
They have to drop the price and they will before Christmas but they say they won’t simply because if they say they will then people will hold off on buying the PS3 until that price drop comes.
I’m still yet to buy any new console but the 360 arcade pack would suit me just fine, I do not need to get online, I never went online with my PS2 and neither did millions of others. It feels like most of the people who go online are ex PC online whores who need new whores to abuse and slaughter….
With that said, LBP will be a system seller, I reckon after a few weeks of sales and with a comparison chart it will show that with LBP, more PS3 units were sold than any other exclusive game title. But R2 is coming out around the same time, so sales should jump regardless but not as high until that price cut comes.
October 14th, 2008
Be careful with the arcade model. I *think* the new dash overhaul and avatar system is supposed to take like half of the 256mb storage.
October 14th, 2008
That’s if you go online right? which the Arcade model won’t do unless you buy the accessories??? which I do not care for, I like a good single player experience, sure online rocks, it’s pure adrenaline in clan matches, from back in the my day anyway.
I think LBP is generating the same “thing” the Wii did. But being double the price it’s hard for consumers to just folk over that cash, especially in todays world.
I can see the headline now, “millions trade in their Wiis to experience LBP on the PS3″
Anyway, Dave is right, regardless if it moves millions of units now, this game should last the life cycle of the PS3 with new material every single day, couple that with price cuts in the future and it’s a sure winner.
October 14th, 2008
@Ivan
Bragging about being a loser rank up exploiter is lame. I might be as big of a Playstation fanboy as there is out there, but I would be ashamed to be lumped into the same category as you. To be top ranked in a game by creating your own feckless army to headshot repeatedly for points, only compares to others of the same ilk.
I refuse to allow my rank amongst other REAL players, be compared legitimately to the exploiters like you. I played the entire socom series, from release day on each one, the way it was supposed to be played.
About LBP, I was skeptical of the kind of appeal it was intended to have: sweeping Super Mario-esque love being showered upon sackboy… Killer App, console mover, cover of Rolling Stone and Time magazines, etc etc. I am not sure that it will command that presence in pop culture, but am looking forward to its release, personally.
October 14th, 2008
Let’s not forget for those who DO want to experience online, that xbox live has a membership fee where as the psn network is free like a bird in the tree, that will be a another factor to include towards the end of the year.
So although Live might be better it still costs money and if games get released multiplatform and have good online then there is no reason to give money when someone else offers the same basic service for free. If collecting points is why you give more money over then that is your choice, trophies for free? yea why not.
October 14th, 2008
Umm… My friends have 2 or 3 Xbox 1s and 2-3 Xbox 360s. I don’t have a problem with Ivan’s comment.
October 15th, 2008
Me either unless the purpose is stat padding like jofa said. In which case he’s an asshat.
October 15th, 2008
This guys has been reading to much n4g.com
October 15th, 2008
do they need 2-3 360’s so that atleast one will work any given week?
devo! people who dont have a family and own more than 1 of the same console a greedy idiots.
October 15th, 2008
I agree with the suggested enhancements, but y is everybody screaming about a PS3 price drop? Sure it would b nice 4 those who don’t have 1 yet, but I think it’s a reasonable price 4 what u get. Not only that, but it’s the (EXACT) same price as an Xbox-Elite…($399). I don’t hear anyone asking 4 a price drop on the Elite! Whats really going on?
October 15th, 2008
Poser soon ban thanks 4 visiting my site fanboy.
October 15th, 2008
the arcade can go online. You only need to buy a wifi adapter if you want wireless otherwise use the ethernet like i do.
xbox live is free you only pay to play thats it and thats not for every game
and if you by an arcade half of the memory card wont be taken up with nxe. One its installed over the old dash you can delete it from the card.
SDF with their lack of knowledge again.
October 15th, 2008
there wont be a price drop for the ps3, this year, because they announced the price of the 160gb already. they cant change their minds halfway. Unless they see significant sales drop.
Ps3 slim need to come before June 2009. The exclusives are disappearing fast. A slimmed down version will save it like it did for DS and PSP.
October 15th, 2008
“SDF with their lack of knowledge again.”
Rofl.
You need to learn to not take any comment that seems slightly negative as fanboyism. I was obviously wrong, WOW!
And guess what! I own a ps3, 360 and a wii so no fanboyism here.
I tell ya, we’re gonna need to start pasting what systems we own for the past decade and beyond as some sort of disclaimer…
October 15th, 2008
@Analyst – I dunno how they would cool that slim beast
October 15th, 2008
Little Big Planet is nothing outside of the gamers world. People that read game news and watch G4 know that it looks promising but it won’t get millions of parents to buy a PS3 for their kids…not for that one game.
A $199 360 with banjo kazooie , viva pinata, free arcade games and the Wii avatar rip off will get parents.
October 15th, 2008
SW,
They will have you put it in your refrigerator. The only bad part is, now you have to have a big refrigerator sitting next to your HD 52″ TV. The good part is its a short walk for another beer.
October 15th, 2008
lix – Xbox Live is 4 bucks a month and it’s superior in alot more ways then just gaming.
Sony’s biggest games ever were GTA, Final Fantasy, God of War and Metal Gear.
Besides losing GTA and FF to 360, MGS4 only moved an extra few hundred thousand PS3’s in less then 3 months and then it was in bargain bins.
Halo 3 moved millions.
Now i’m not saying what game is better, i’m strictly saying what game performed better.
LBP is a great evolution in gaming but it’s not a system seller this year. The economy is too harsh right now to move HD, blu ray and something over 300 dollars.
October 15th, 2008
…and the award for Most Crap Made Up Without Sources In A Single Post Goes To: ……….*drumroll* tgrass21!!! Congratulations, tgrass!
Seriously, dude, if you’re gonna talk sales (especially correlational sales) cite some sources, please.
-Arvis
October 15th, 2008
tgrass21…… no exaggerations there at all huh ??!!
October 15th, 2008
@TGrass
“A $199 360 with banjo kazooie , viva pinata, free arcade games and the Wii avatar rip off will get parents.
Nah. They`ll be too busy beating each other trying to buy a Wii.
As for Live being better than the PSN. Yes and no.
The whole payment thing I can deal with. Quite frankly I don’t want to play half the games I have online (I only really play wipeout on the PSN).
So thats fine, no one is forcing me to do so.
I DO get pissed by the demo delays for silver accounts, they are trying to sell the game after all so why not let me have it now? The irony of this that when the force unleashed demo came out I could only get it from the PSN! That = Footbullet for MS.
I love the gamercard you can link to forums etc. The PSN ID BADLY needs and update to include trophies etc on your card.
However, the layout of the 360 store sucks my ass (getting an overhaul tho right?). Playstation store looks so much better and is way easier to navigate.
@Arvis
He’s a 360 fanboy, he needs NO sources except for 2 local gamestores and his friend!
Sheesh, and I thought you were smart…
October 16th, 2008
so far, mgs4 was supposed to sell the ps3’s like hotcakes. didn’t happen.
if mgs4 couldn’t get the masses interested, this won’t either from all outlooks.
October 16th, 2008
But this has SACKBOY!
But really, you’re probably right.
Either way, couldn’t give a fuck. As long as 10k people buy the game, thats plenty to make me content.
Can’t wait till tuesday, 10 minute play thru, then hit the editor. RAWR
October 16th, 2008
agree with kev,
gamers already bought their ps3s during the mgs4 hype. more or less, casual gamers will still pick wii / 360 over the highly priced ps3. while LBP lovers might even get a wii this coming holiday to try the galaxy game.
October 16th, 2008
Yeah Sure
October 17th, 2008
Kev,
I’m pretty sure that MGS4 DID contribute to the PS3’s success for the first half of this year. Thought that was obvious.
Still, the price needs to come down, that’s obvious.
-Arvis