Little Big Planet sequel 'counterproductive' - Media Molecule

PS3 developer discounts follow-up to user-generated content-heavy puzzle-platformer, saying new installment would harm player community.

Media Molecule's Little Big Planet has been one of Sony's most successful PlayStation 3 exclusives, both as a stand-alone retail release and as a platform for downloadable content. So, when a June job listing revealed the Guildford, England-based developer was staffing up for a "ground-breaking, AAA, PS3 title for Sony Computer Entertainment," many believed that a sequel was on the way.

Sackboy apparently has plenty more costumes in the works.

However, that now appears not to be the case. In a recent interview with UK gaming site Critical Gamer, Media Molecule level designer Danny Leaver discounted the idea of a Little Big Planet sequel for the PlayStation 3, due to the harmful impact it would have on the player community.

"We'd never want to do that," he said. "That'd be the most counterproductive thing you could do, I think." Producer Martin Lynagh went on to note that Media Molecule plans to continue supporting the original Little Big Planet with downloadable content and other updates, saying "I think what you've seen so far from Little Big Planet...that's the way it's going to continue."

Launched to critical acclaim in October 2008, Little Big Planet combines multiplayer-centric platforming with a lighthearted aesthetic that's fronted by Sony's pseudo-mascot, Sackboy. In April, Sony announced that Little Big Planet's player community, which uses the game's versatile level-creation tools to generate new material for the game, neared the 2 million mark. A PSP version of the game is due November 17.

244 Comments

  • FabioPizzini

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 8:13 am PT

    Woa, a company that think at the users!

  • FabioPizzini

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 8:13 am PT

    Woa, a company that think at the users!

  • madSomnambulist

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 2:19 am PT

    Good call, guys. It's a one-of-a-kind game setup with a one-of-a-kind community and this means that tens of millions of hours spent making all those levels. Hell, even when it hits greatest hits price in a year it'll still be profitable given the huge appeal and attractive DLC system.

    I know it got off to a fairly slow start compared to what Sony wanted, but it seems LBP rolls along with slow but consistent sales month-to-month. Stand-alone titles with high longevity are few and far between these days and this has been holding up quite well. I kind of fear for the PSP version though over multiplayer and short single-player story that'll make it look expensive and shallow, but I guess we don't have to wait much longer to find out.

  • TongLong

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 8:05 pm PT

    YAY! Finally a company that realizes that sequels generally spoil the original experience! Can't a story just be told ONCE, or does it have to have every ounce of life squeezed from it before it's thrown away?

  • Babywarrior5

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 8:56 pm PT

    If only other game developers *coughcoughActivision* would think like this. It's so nice to see a studio that isn't in it soley for the profit. Love you, Media Molecule. LBP Game of the Year Edition, baby! I will keep playing that thing for ages to come.

  • hannify

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 5:42 pm PT

    British game

  • KillerWabbit23

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 2:13 pm PT

    omigosh, that's actually one of the smartest things i've heard from a developer/publisher in a long time!
    Just keep us hooked with lots of expansion packs, please!
    And release LBP Water soon! (the closed beta is already out!)

  • Zoomer30

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 10:54 am PT

    No reason for a sequel, wait till the PS4

  • peewizzle

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 10:14 am PT

    this game is def great the way it is and i support their decision not to release a sequel...yet

  • Dualmask

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 6:17 am PT

    This is the kind of game that definitely would benefit from expansions (a la MMOs) rather than a sequel. LBP is such a great game with a lot of longevity.

  • anthonettex

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 3:12 am PT

    sequel should just be downloadable for existing users and released as 'service packs'

  • valcrist09

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 9:10 pm PT

    such a great game, very innovative and different among most rehashed games these days.. I agree there is no need to be a 2nd game.. DLC with costumes and and more level design is all you really need, i mean what could you possibly add to the game to make a 2nd? If this game was from activision or EA there would be 3 or 4 games by now...

  • lbptoady

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 4:09 pm PT

    LBP is my favorite ps3 game and would love to see a sequel. The people that don't like it have never tried it.

  • jtthegame316 posted Nov 9, 2009 3:11 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    jtthegame316

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 3:11 pm PT (hide)

    please no this game was aweful

  • Beltsu posted Nov 9, 2009 12:31 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Beltsu

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 12:31 pm PT (hide)

    I still don't get what's so hot about this game. Yeah, we can create lvls and stuff, but in it's core, is just a 2D platformer.

  • Narator

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 11:50 am PT

    Do not blame EA so much.
    They published Burnout and Rockband and support them for nearly 2 years.
    Developer should do that. To create flexibe platform keeping in mind that game can become successful. Then Your game is played for long time.
    GTA 4, Burnout, Rockband, LBP.

  • Carpe_Noctum

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 11:12 am PT

    That's good, I see no reason for a second game. Then again, I don't have much interest in it. It's very cool and fun for a couple of hours and then next........ Props to MM for not just trying to cash-in. Will be keeping an eye out for their next project.

  • Waza19

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 9:55 am PT

    would have been good if valve tought that with l4d and l4d2

  • Wallenstein_155

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 9:23 am PT

    @AngelCage-2: This should be brought to the attention of Activision and Microsoft as well.

  • tremor33

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 9:11 am PT

    Give more single player missions. This game kicks @$$ but is too short. Lets get some crazy themes and lots of worlds. maybe some distinctive enemies. This game should be way more innovative than Mario ever was

  • badform posted Nov 9, 2009 8:19 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    badform

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 8:19 am PT (hide)

    LBP2 better comes along with PS4 at lunch

  • phinch1

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 8:10 am PT

    Miss leading title

  • solidstein

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 7:51 am PT

    you cou;ld add stuff to the level editor give him more types of weapons and what not make better enemies but that can all be done in DLC just like the paintgun. LBP2 is counterproductive unless u did it like rockband where all the old stuff came along with it but still again what would u do to make it worth 60 maybe a really good singleplayer game thats about it

  • AngelCage-2

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 7:49 am PT

    Wow, i love Media Molecule... Some EA executives should see this... Not spam Sequels every 6 months, make upgrades.... a new version of a sport game every year just cause the team formations have changed is stupid... The sad part is that people buy this stuff every single year. Sad.

  • daveg1 posted Nov 9, 2009 7:39 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    daveg1

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 7:39 am PT (hide)

    i dont think i would want another lbp the single player of the last game was lame..

  • valensim posted Nov 9, 2009 7:19 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    valensim

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 7:19 am PT (hide)

    Only if it would be for the XBox 360

  • 2bitSmOkEy

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 7:15 am PT

    Wow wtf is this!? A developer that values the fans and the game's integrity over spamming sequels for easy cash?

  • taylormadederek

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 6:04 am PT

    I do want LBP2 until PS4. But when that comes out I DO WANT LBP2.

  • zeldafreak4life

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 3:28 am PT

    The question is, what new stuff would they do? Expansions are one thing, a new game? No thanks. I'm quite pleased with the current version.

  • JustMe64

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 2:48 am PT

    @robertcain there is splitscreen in LBP, duhhhhhh

  • SicklySunStorm

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 12:40 am PT

    Why can't they make a sequel where you can still access the original community levels?

  • chappy_man

    Posted Nov 8, 2009 11:50 pm PT

    this is one game i really want to try. I am glad they wont make a sequel. Saves me from buying their game of the year edition just to see number 2 come out. I hate when that happens.

  • SadPSPAddict

    Posted Nov 8, 2009 11:26 pm PT

    Good plan - keep the DLC coming!!

  • shani_boy101

    Posted Nov 8, 2009 10:02 pm PT

    it's a smart choice. first of all, the only 2 worthwhile reasons to make a sequel for any game are: if you want to continue the story (lbp doesn't really have much of a story to my knowledge) or if you have some brand new, really innovative ideas. the problem with the second one is that media molecule already went all out with the first game, putting all of their ideas into it and thus having no reason to make a sequel. continued support is all it needs.

  • jeffv541 posted Nov 8, 2009 8:56 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    jeffv541

    Posted Nov 8, 2009 8:56 pm PT (hide)

    I think that LBP is boooooring and dum and I think that it shant be played by me you can still play it but I wont cos I think it stink.

  • xXDante666Xx posted Nov 8, 2009 7:53 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    xXDante666Xx

    Posted Nov 8, 2009 7:53 pm PT (hide)

    Honestly I think they should REALLY get to work on a sequel. BUT not for this generation. That way we could have a huge breakthrough game on release of the next PS console. Although I also do believe that they should release a very expansive add on for minimal cost to quench the thirsts of those that want more developer added content.

  • GNWPCD

    Posted Nov 8, 2009 7:41 pm PT

    I never played it so I can't say if the game is good or not (looks great though and I may nab it one day) but I too think its too early for them to say there is never going to be a sequel for it. It sounds great to make a statement like that now while sales of the game are still strong and popular. But there has been the "There won't be any sequels made.." statement before for movies and games and sure enough they change their mind. I'll believe it when I don't see it. Either way its not a bad thing not to have sequels. A lot of games (and movies for that matter) definitely lose what was fun about it the longer a series goes on. Not all but a lot of games. Time will tell. But I really do have to check this game out. Looks cool.

  • abarnet0

    Posted Nov 8, 2009 7:25 pm PT

    FINALLY! A great game that won't be polluted by less than sequels.

  • thrasher510

    Posted Nov 8, 2009 7:17 pm PT

    @ Korrupt_Soul

    first of all you make enemies to stomp on. and second just because you are not creative, doesnt make this game suck. and just because you arent killing things every moment of the game doesn't make it kiddie. the music is awesome too, at least its not like halo where theres always moaning in the background, and people can create beats and make music for the game. this game is not overrated just because YOU don't like it.

  • Coldkilla9

    Posted Nov 8, 2009 7:15 pm PT

    They could try something like downloadable content that allows new users to experience better graphics and game mechanics but still allows backward compatibility with the previous title.

  • thrasher510

    Posted Nov 8, 2009 7:12 pm PT

    media molecule is WAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY smarter than activision. activision throws call of duty games out there expecting people to buy just because its "call of duty" i really hope they release water for littlebigplanet soon

  • otaku_momo

    Posted Nov 8, 2009 6:45 pm PT

    I'm actually glad they're not doing a sequel. That's how you can tell if a dev. is good or not, If they have to rely on milking one franchise, they're not good devs. But if they can continue to make great franchises, those are the devs. that deserve some credit.

  • mhsdrake

    Posted Nov 8, 2009 6:44 pm PT

    Its too early for a sequel. Maybe in a couple of years they should have one. I think they could potentially release more story levels in an expansion pack. Similar to the MGS4 expansion.

  • BigBacon87

    Posted Nov 8, 2009 6:05 pm PT

    Okey dokey then whats the groundbreaking AAA title that is now in developement?

  • DanC1989

    Posted Nov 8, 2009 6:00 pm PT

    More level packs like the Metal Gear one and I'm in/won't care about the existence of the hypothetical sequel.

  • Korrupt_Soul posted Nov 8, 2009 4:39 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Korrupt_Soul

    Posted Nov 8, 2009 4:39 pm PT (hide)

    This game is wayyy over rated. Platforming is no fun when theres no enemies to kill or stomp on. I was never a fan of building stuff either. The kiddie theme really gets on my nerves, and the music alone made me want to smash the disc.I'm sure it's a good game for some or even most, but not for everyone.

  • UnknownForm

    Posted Nov 8, 2009 4:15 pm PT

    Just glad that Media Molecule ain't milking money through sequel after sequel, like the other dev's.

  • hotfiree

    Posted Nov 8, 2009 4:07 pm PT

    Imaging if this guy was the boss of activision.
    Or if he was a low level employee of activision, he would be killed on the spot for putting the words "no" and "sequel" together.

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