Media Molecule on the Art of Little Big Planet

DEVELOP '09: Cofounders Kareem Ettouney and Mark Healey dissect artistic influences behind the PS3 platformer--and how the game's rabid fan base has scared them.

BRIGHTON, UK--Little Big Planet was one of last year's breakout successes, with a PSP version due out later this year and a sequel already rumored. In particular, the PlayStation 3-exclusive original was praised for its art style, and this was the topic that developer Media Molecule chose to explore in its Brighton Develop session today. Cofounders Kareem Ettouney and Mark Healey took to the stage to deliver the presentation and in the process revealed some previously unknown info about the game's development.

Players of Little Big Planet will remember the themes of the original game, which included Indian Temples, British Gardens, and Mexican Deserts. However, according to Healey, one theme--based around the seaside--was cut because it was deemed the weakest. That said, he went on to hint that the seaside theme may eventually appear sometime in the future.

Healey also revealed that the Media Molecule team was heavily split between giving Little Big Planet 3D or 2D graphics. (Eventually, 3D won out.) The developer's staff also originally wanted to make the game devoid of menu screens. Said Healey, "We initially didn't want a HUD. We put a lot of time and effort making these physical things in the world, like a paintbrush. But it was really annoying and too time consuming [to fetch them]."

The team also spoke about the game's massive community support and how pleased they were that more than 1 million levels are now available online. Healey showed the famous Little Big Computer calculator level (see below), demonstrating the incredible mechanics behind it, and joked, "I wouldn't like to meet that person." He also stated, "Forums can make you want to commit suicide sometimes, but we have a lot of things in the pipeline that will make the community happy."

For more on Little Big Planet, check out the GameSpot's video review of the original game. For a look at the portable version, read the preview of the PSP edition from last month's Electronic Entertainment Expo.

35 Comments

  • MikeyIsPogi

    Posted Jul 18, 2009 11:01 am PT

    All those switch wires make it look like vines

  • jamesh-42

    Posted Jul 16, 2009 11:21 pm PT

    The ingenious thing about the calculator level is not the size, but rather realising that you can implement the standard binary logic gates in LBP. After that, it is just a matter of duplicating those gates and constructing a circuit you'd find in most text books.

    One cool thing that came out of this was people using these techniques in other levels to produce much more advanced logic than you might first think is possible with the basic switches.

  • vf21x

    Posted Jul 16, 2009 12:23 pm PT

    I am sorry but that dude needs to get a life.....and a girl. DAMN!!!!

  • nerd_assassin

    Posted Jul 16, 2009 9:10 am PT

    Holy crap that guy knows what he's doing! I mean, that's technically a mechanical calculator digitalized! Man, that's something.

  • blacklab

    Posted Jul 16, 2009 8:46 am PT

    I wish that one of these guys would break tradition and start using 'artistic style'. I know that 'art style' is accepted by their peers and readers, but it's just terrible English.

  • darth-Invader

    Posted Jul 16, 2009 8:39 am PT

    Could the seaside theme mean a new water material?!!!

  • Darth_Pietrus

    Posted Jul 16, 2009 8:14 am PT

    He is crazy!

  • brendanhunt1

    Posted Jul 16, 2009 7:05 am PT

    can you guys see the glitch where you go on the wilderness template, go to the beginning of the lvl, try and make a big square block and the game freezes

  • BatrozX

    Posted Jul 16, 2009 7:01 am PT

    Stages in LBP are not that hard to make. The only thing you need to make a good stage is patience, determination, and time.

  • 3D3

    Posted Jul 16, 2009 4:23 am PT

    akiwak

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 8:51 pm PT

    The guy must have taken months to make the calculator, so many responses in order to get the calculations right....

    Nope, I think it only took him a couple days because it was made in the beta. I was in the beta and it was uploaded about on the 3rd day of the beta.

  • coruscant

    Posted Jul 16, 2009 2:08 am PT

    That's ridiculous and amazing in equal measure.

  • XxDJANIMENIAxX

    Posted Jul 16, 2009 12:23 am PT

    imagine someone creating a TI calculator xD that would be beyond epic

  • Jettero-Heller

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 9:06 pm PT

    Wish I could see this level, but all I get is a blank white box.

  • akiwak

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 8:51 pm PT

    The guy must have taken months to make the calculator, so many responses in order to get the calculations right....

    AWESOME!!!!!

  • hayden0357

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 8:50 pm PT

    that levels mechanics are insane! that must have taken a year to do! D:

  • Cetanu07

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 8:35 pm PT

    that level..............oh my god!!!!

  • beekayjay

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 8:27 pm PT

    Congratulations to MM and LBP, deserved success for sure. A marvelous game and can't wait for more.

  • Thirdrail1

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 8:05 pm PT

    Media Molecule is the best company in modern gaming. I hope everyone else in the industry is taking notes on their design, presentation, and ESPECIALLY their continued DLC support. LittleBigPlanet is the Game of the Decade, and the nicest piece of software (of any kind) I've ever seen in my life. The ps3 may have been released years ago, but it didn't launch until LBP showed up.

  • Pete5506

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 7:17 pm PT

    That level was sweet, people with way to much time on there hands

  • DaisukeNiwafan

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 6:42 pm PT

    Media Molecule isn't just one of the most creative companies, it's also the one who's looking out for the community the most IMO. I think they've put out so much good stuff they should take a vacation....unfortunately the rabid fans mentioned here probably wouldnt let them. ~_~

  • gnbfd

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 6:34 pm PT

    holy mother of ****! how'd he make that level? that's amazing!
    I suck at making levels in LBP though >_>

  • Decepticon_11

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 5:59 pm PT

    LBP Rules!!!

  • NuKkU

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 5:51 pm PT

    LBP is the most creative game out on the market

  • brian_13un

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 5:21 pm PT

    Great

  • daabulls23

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 5:14 pm PT

    This game is only limited to your imagination.

  • ashenvail

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 5:03 pm PT

    @AstroChimp83
    yeah me too..

  • BladeTrinity114

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 4:58 pm PT

    Am I the only one who thinks it is hard to make levels on LBP.

  • AstroChimp83

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 3:52 pm PT

    I really wish I had the time and energy to create an awesome level. But I don't.

  • lilmp89

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 3:37 pm PT

    Would I be wrong to say that's what an algorithm would look like physically when out of text form? But seriously, that is, sort of, how the first computer functioned if you have any idea of what the wires were doing, right? Nonetheless, amazing work! =)

  • jazzyrider

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 3:19 pm PT

    i've seen that level - amazes me everytime i see that.

  • Generic_Dude

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 3:16 pm PT

    "...one theme--based around the seaside--was cut because it was deemed the weakest. That said, he went on to hint that the seaside theme may eventually appear sometime in the future."

    So what you're telling me is that because you know we'll pay for them, we get the throwaways? Umm... thanks?

  • StephenBassford

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 2:49 pm PT

    Waiting on a LittleBigPriceDrop.



    but who knows, i'll probably buy it soon then the price drop a week later!

  • brendanhunt1

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 2:29 pm PT

    i played that lvl, still dont see how it works, brilliant though

  • strangestguy

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 2:20 pm PT

    ." He also stated, "Forums can make you want to commit suicide sometimes,

    lol indeed

  • Halloll

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 2:09 pm PT

    Sequels?

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