Xbox 360 Boku to compete with PS3 LittleBigPlanet?
There seems to a new trend emerging in the world of video gaming, and for once I’m not referring to casual gaming or innovative control systems. This trend is user-generated content, an idea as old as gaming itself, which is now seeing a resurgence. PS3 LittleBigPlanet is already with us, and Microsoft is now pushing the Xbox 360 exclusive Boku.
LittleBigPlanet is either now out or due out imminently depending on what part of the world you are in. And most people agree that the PS3 exclusive game is a genius mix of a simple premise and extensive user-generated content that could see the game lasting for years to come.
Obviously, Microsoft wasn’t going to sit back and watch Sony have it all its own way when it comes to a game which puts the gamer back in control, so coincidentally, the company chose the release date of LittleBigPlanet to detail Boku, a new Xbox 360 exclusive (apart from the PC) that shares many similarities to Sackboy’s game.
According to Joystiq, Boku is a new XNA project that was first announced way back in 2007 but has only really been detailed now. The lead designer on Boku, Matthew MacLaurin, officially unveiled the game during Microsoft’s Professional Developers Conference recently held in Los Angeles.
In essence, Boku is a scaled down and icon-driven version of the XNA Game Studio which allows any budding game developer to produce their own game in their bedroom. No release date has yet been announced but the game is thought to be making its debut, either in full or beta, sometime next year.
As you can see from the official trailer above, the graphics are simple yet effective, although not a patch on LittleBigPlanet. However, unlike the mock-3D nature of LBP, Boku offers full 3D environments for your characters to mess around in.
Microsoft needed to enter the user-generated game market strongly after the positive reception LittleBigPlanet managed, but Boku seems to be somewhat lacking at the moment. There’s not one central character to build the game around, and the options could, if anything, be too extensive for your average gamer to get to grips with.
I can’t see Boku having the universal appeal that LBP does, but it will undoubtedly cater to a certain section of Xbox 360 owners who feel they are missing out, whether they admit it or not. There’s also a chance that the game’s graphics will improve over the next few months, and maybe even a central character will be introduced. Otherwise, I smell a miss. And that’s putting it politely.
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20 Responses to “Xbox 360 Boku to compete with PS3 LittleBigPlanet?”
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November 4th, 2008
It looks a pitiful attempt at Microsoft to , once again to copy Sony and catch up. Compared to LBP this is laughable.
November 4th, 2008
“I can’t see Boku having the universal appeal that LBP does” –
who said lbp has universal appeal other than the ps3 fanboys…? the rest of the world just doesn’t seem to care about it….
November 4th, 2008
This Bozo thing looks like it doesn’t stand a chance. Asides from revolutionary community features and the powerful level editor, Little Big Planet is one of the most charming games ever created. Little big planet has an amazing off beat art direction, an eclectic mix of music, and witty cute tutorials. Bozo on the other hand looks like a Wii shovel ware titles. This isn’t exactly comparing apples-to-apples.
November 4th, 2008
Very … very sad. They can’t even come up with their own ideas. Microsoft is just very sad. Sackboy been in works since 2006 and was introduce in 2007.
November 4th, 2008
Microsoft… Microsoft…. Why not try to be unique, for a change?
Sigh…
November 4th, 2008
haha @ the Sony fanboys harping on about Microsoft’s lack of originality. It’s like the pot calling the kettle black.
November 4th, 2008
Not interested in LBP, not interested in Boku.
Next
November 4th, 2008
Harry,
So you ADMIT Microsoft is unoriginal then!! HAH!
Just messing with you man. Every company has to stay competitive in every way possible.
-Arvis
November 4th, 2008
This is a shitty way of ripping off great ideas, I cant wait to find out how the Sackboy wanna-be will look like, lol. Microsoft has no intellectual creativity, they had to wait to see if LBP would be successful before investing in Boku, now that they see the potential in LBP, wham they put all thier weight behind poor Boku. Same happened with LIPS, Singstar becomes successful and LIPS becomes relevant. God Of War’s Kratos looks mighty similar to that one character from Too Human, and both games share mythology, Microsoft saw the success of God Of War, and decided to invest in Too Human. The cycle will continue with Home. Just like the WII’s avatars.
November 4th, 2008
Meh who cares
Side note
@Harry.
Guess what to-be-released on the 19th ’software’ got leaked
My 360 is now silent
November 4th, 2008
@ SW: So you now have a Mii?
November 4th, 2008
I think you guys are missing the fact that this is a XNA game. Not a Microsoft published game.
November 4th, 2008
How could you compare a XNA game to a full blown LBP production.
November 4th, 2008
And for those talking about Microsoft not being unique Here is what you can do. Uninstall or get rid of your Movie downloads, Rumble, Trophies, Wireless controllers, In game music and your online and what ever download that brought your PS3 closer to be a 360. when your finished with all those they you will truly have an authentic PS3 with no backwards compatibablity.
November 4th, 2008
Let’s move on to something new. This website needs more articles on games. =/ I’m at work and trying to kill time.
November 4th, 2008
Sw, no way? Where did you get it? Bittorrent?
November 4th, 2008
@ Chris,
Of course they’re unoriginal, neither company is original. Anyone can see that, well, except for Bourne_PSP and Ivan_PSP.
November 4th, 2008
@ Harry – Newsgroups
probably on torrent now, its only 8mb.
Just loaded that baby onto a USB stick and whoosh
I can honestly say I preferred the ‘blades’ (I think they were easier to navigate) but you can see the more ’stylish’ look they’re going for with the new dash. It looks nice.
I only have the 20gb so can only able to load fable and midnight club but I have noticed an decrease in load times, and of course its WAY quieter. No avatar until the 19th (no connecting to live for me either
)
@ Johnny ninja – Yes on my Wii
(no for 360, doesn’t work until the 19th)
November 4th, 2008
SW,
No live?? Hmm, I think I might wait, seeing that Gears is out the Friday waiting 2 weeks to get online might send me a little stir crazy. Glad to hear it’s nice, I was a little worried that it might have been all looks and no substance.
November 4th, 2008
ON Friday.