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User-Generated Content and The Advance Of The Video Game Industry

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Tue, 02/26/2013 - 11:03
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When compared to other forms of entertainment, the world of video games is easily on a higher chain of evolution compared to films/TV and even music.  Sure, the video game industry could take a few notes on things when it comes to business management, pushing indie games or learning how to adapt to tell more compelling stories, but rarely do we see a year in gaming that’s exactly like the year before it.

LittleBigPlanet 3 Reportedly In Development With New Studio [Rumor]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Thu, 02/07/2013 - 13:34
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The world of LittleBigPlanet may continue from an unlikely source based on a new rumor.  While LBP creator Media Molecule may have parted ways with the world of imagination in favor of new IPs such as Tearaway, Sony is nonetheless focused on keeping things going - even if it means changing developers.

SCEE Enlists The Services Of Veteran From Rare

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Mon, 01/28/2013 - 11:54
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Sony may have cannibalized their European studios last year with the closure of BigBig Studios (Pursuit Force) and the acclaimed Studio Liverpool, but the Euro branch of PlayStation isn’t being thrown to the wolves just yet. Besides Media Molecule and Studio Cambridge still playing a big part in the ever growing master plans of the PlayStation empire, Sony has enlisted the services of a former veteran from Rare Studios to help guide things.

LittleBigPlanet Karting [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Mon, 11/12/2012 - 09:40
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Overall Feeling: 

As the first spin-off of the series, LittleBigPlanet Karting does an excellent job of maintaining the look and feel the franchise is known for while presenting that in an entirely new experience.  The actual kart racing action provided in the game is surprisingly good despite some of the tracks being a bit too straightforward and having to contend with A.I. that may not throw banana peels on the track but are still nonetheless annoying at times.  With the powerful addition of full 3D in the Create Mode, LittleBigPlanet Karting is an enjoyable game that certainly doesn’t dishonor the franchise as it instead expands it in a rather terrific way.

The Pros: 

+ Controls and feel of the kart is perfect.
+ The style of the game falls perfectly in line with past LBP games and still looks good in the process.
+ Create Mode may take some time getting used to thanks to the additional tools, but once again it’s executed perfectly.
+ A nice amount of variety is presented in the Story Mode.

The Cons: 

- Enemy A.I. can be a bit too brutal at times.
- Single-player campaign is a tad on the short side, at least for a LBP experience.
- A consistent level of driving skill is missing from some of the tracks.
- Some of the visuals look a bit soft compared to the immediate crispness found in other LBP titles.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
8

Sometimes a particular video game may become so popular that a spin-off is called for.  A rarity to occur these days given how full-on numbered sequels are usually considered the way to go, a spin-off may present some uniqueness amidst a product gamers are otherwise familiar with.  When, or if, a game does go the spin-off route it can usually go one of two ways: it becomes a welcomed addition as it captures the essence of the property, such as Halo: ODST, or it serves as a cruel reminder that despite how great something may be doing a side project won’t necessarily capture the sam

LittleBigPlanet Vita [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Mon, 09/24/2012 - 10:38
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Overall Feeling: 

Providing the same engaging mix of platforming and user creations that surpass our expectations, the debut of LittleBigPlanet on the PlayStation Vita has been worth the wait as the game feels perfect on the device.  Without altering the very DNA of the franchise, a slew of perfect mechanics have been added in LBP which take advantage of the Vita but thankfully don’t feel too gimmicky. In fact, the Vita centric elements of LBP actually enhance the game greatly as they fit the general spirit and in some cases enhance existing things such as the robust Create mode.  The LBP series may not be as new as it once was four years ago, but thanks to the Vita LittleBigPlanet feels as fresh as ever due to the clever usage of motion/touch controls and maintaining the imagination driven spirit the franchise has always been known for.

The Pros: 

+ Vita specific controls such as tapping the touch screen or tilting the handheld feel perfectly integrated and work wonderfully within the game.

+ Story mode may be a bit short, both in length and amount of levels, but the writing is excellent and each stage is highly memorable.

+ Visuals are outstanding thanks to the diverse art design and the graphical power of the Vita.

The Cons: 

- Load times are a bit long when it comes to accessing user stages.

- Playing online with other gamers features some noticeable lag.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
9

It may take an excessively long amount of time, but eventually a video game developer will reach the much awaited occasion of hitting the sweet spot that is finding a perfect gameplay formula.  Reaching the goldmine that is inventive gameplay which connects with a wide audience isn’t an easy or cheap thing to do most of the time, but even when such a thing does happen how long it’ll last is an entirely different issue.  

Media Molecule Already Working On New Unannounced Project

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 06:43
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One of the big surprises made during Sony’s Gamescom presentation this week was the reveal of Tearaway, the new IP from Media Molecule. After giving the world the game that keeps on giving in the form of LittleBigPlanet, Media Molecule has gone on to create a game that features the same whimsical tone but is a bit more direct and dare I say it traditional in how it’s executed.  It was a bit surprising that Media Molecule revealed that their new IP was a PlayStation Vita game, but fear not as the folks over in Guildford are indeed working on a second project.

LittleBigPlanet Karting Hands-On [E3 2012]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Wed, 06/13/2012 - 14:32
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There are some franchises that deserve spinoffs, reboots, remakes, whatever you may call it and then there are others that should be left alone since they’re perfect as is.  With a franchise like LittleBigPlanet that’s almost genre in itself due to the creations that are capable of being built within it, there didn’t seem like much sense to do a LBP spin-off revolved around kart racing. Can’t we already do kart racing through a nifty user creation so what’s the point of throwing down $60 for a new game?

Will LittleBigPlanet Go The MMO Route? [Rumor]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Wed, 04/18/2012 - 13:49
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Media Molecule may be taking a break from releasing games for a while as the studio is currently hard at work on something – the likes of which the general public knows absolutely nothing about.  Instead of cranking out annual LittleBigPlanet games Media Molecule and company owner Sony have decided to take a breather from the franchise on the PS3 while spin-offs (LBP Karting) and ports (LBP Vita) take center stage.

Combine LittleBigPlanet 2 With Jurassic Park And This Is The Result [Video]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Tue, 03/27/2012 - 12:30
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LittleBigPlanet 2 may be an “ancient” game at this point since it came out early last year, but the game is simply the gift that keeps on giving.  I don’t think anyone expected the game to produce as much goodness as it has done so far with people creating elaborate FPS mini-games or entirely original creations that attempt to tell a loose narrative similar to that of Journey.  The LBP2 community isn’t close to dying and I doubt such a thing will happen unless LBP3 is announced (which I have a feeling it won’t be) but in recent months not much has caught the eye of people.

LittleBigPlanet 2: Move Pack - The Rise of the Cakeling [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Tue, 09/20/2011 - 09:34
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Overall Feeling: 

LittleBigPlanet 2: Move Pack – The Rise of the Cakeling is easily the best addition to hit the world of LBP and the best use of the Move in a core PlayStation 3 game.  Using the Move to manipulate objects or guide loveable Sackbots is easy and never once feels gimmicky given the context and world of LBP2.  With 13 wonderfully designed and rather addicting levels, the Move Pack has a nice amount of content only made more enticing by the new tools available in the Create Mode – which does indeed allow gamers to create Move enabled creations.  Those who already own LBP2 really should check out the LBP2 Move Pack as it takes an already amazing experience and simply makes it better.

The Pros: 

+ The Move controls are terrific in how they’re executed and devised.
+ LBP is always humorous but the Rise of the Cakeling story is LBP humor at its best.
+ The mini-games unlocked via the story mode offer a lot of variety, good Move control and nice bonuses.
+ Price point is perfect for the content that’s offered and the length of the main adventure.

The Cons: 

- There are only 13 Media Molecule created levels. I WANT MORE!

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
10

I’ve already documented some of my feelings concerning the PlayStation Move thus far and I of course wholeheartedly stand by my opinions.

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