Ever since the beta for Littlebigplanet hit, we've seen numerous level designs, some good, some not so good. From classic Mario remakes to re-imagining of the humongous spectacles found in Shadow of the Colossus. Heck, even Tristan is a game designer in the making. But simply from an engineering standpoint, I think this is by far and away the best yet. A user created a real-time working calculator that accurately adds and subtracts numbers. The level is said to use 610 magnetic switches, 500 wires, and 430 pistons. I didn't see what the big deal was until the camera panned up. That's when my mouth hit the floor.

Thanks to everyone, and I mean everyone, who sent this in!

Really though, is this true, and if so, is it a good idea? Part of LBP's appeal is that it managed to create iconic characters that have no other presence outside this particular world. To have Mickey, Minnie and or Goofy tromping all over creation seems more than a little inconsistent with that look. It sounds like Kingdom Hearts meets LBP.

EGM November 2008 Reviews and Rumors [NeoGAF via Joystiq]

"There's definitely scope for a PSP version," said Healy in an exclusive interview with (GamesIndustry.biz) sister site Eurogamer TV, to be broadcast next week. "We've had discussions and talks, [but] nothing concrete at the moment."

So the idea has certainly been kicked around, which is lovely indeed. What could be sweeter than a portable version of LittleBigPlanet? How about portable LittleBigPlanet utilities?

"It'd be great to make, for the people who are really into the Create side, some kind of companion products that allow you to create things while you're on the train," he said. "One thing that I'd love to add is the ability to create you're own music, for example, that you can import into the game. That seems like an obvious one to do and it'd be quite easy really."

Now these are some excellent ideas, and in my opinion exactly the sort of applications the PSP should be used for. The key lies in making the PSP a living, breathing extension of the PlayStation 3, to the point where a built-in PSP dock is a serious consideration when designing future iterations of the console. That'll be when the portable truly hits its sweet spot.

LittleBigPlanet boss reveals PSP vision [GamesIndustry.biz]

LittleBigPlanet: The Very Big Interview [Kikizo]

[via 1UP]

Had to happen. Sooner or later, somebody was going to be the winner of the race to be the first to recreate a Mario level in LittleBigPlanet. Looks like we found them. Sure, others will come along once the full game's out and do a better job, but by then, we'll have been subjected to so many Mario levels, so many Sonic levels, so many Mega Man levels that we'll just be numb to it all, and won't give a toss.

Whatever portion of brain matter we had left reserved to be blown by Media Molecule's LittleBigPlanet has been officially blown. This impressive Tetris-like, which they're calling "Stacker" works, in a somewhat loose sense, as a capable, but clearly maddening, game within a game. To see the full contraption responsible for all this wonderment, make the jump.

See, the thing there activates the whatsit which is powered by a series of widgets and doohickeys to create the... it all makes sense once you read the owner's manual.

Inspiration In Motion [Media Molecule]

I think this game can definitely help people get jobs in the industry. Imagine a guy going into a job with five levels of LittleBigPlanet and you get to play his creation. But not only that, imagine what that guy has already done within that world in terms of building up an audience. People know his levels and know his name. They want to see his new creation. Future game creators will enter a job interview already known. We hope LittleBigPlanet plays a part in getting new game developers jobs and also making them stars.

"Hi, I'm Steve, and I think I should be lead level designer for your upcoming AAA shooter because my LBP level isn't just totally cute, it has pirates in it".

Q&A with Kareem Ettouney on Sony’s great hope: LittleBigPlanet for the PlayStation 3 [VentureBeat]

I think both games are playing around with the concept of user-created content, of delivering more a system of creativity than play. In fact, the folks that I've spoken to from both teams say things that could be about either game. They both talk about giving gamers a pallet of creativity, of broadening the user experience by handing over control of the game to the gamers.

The chief difference I see between the two games is that they've approached the idea of shared creative control from opposite sides of the same coin.

In Spore you're given a game and the tools with which to populate it. In LBP, from what I've seen, you're given characters and the tools in which to create their world.

At least that's what I thought, but when I floated that past the LittleBigPlanet guys earlier this week they totally shot it down.

"LittleBigPlant allows you to create your own characters and world," Kareem Ettouney, Media Molecule art director, explained. "And it doesn't stop there. You can animate your own creations, you can make them speak to you.

"That exceeds just the aesthetic."

Ettouney, like Wright, believes that user created content has the potential to push the medium of gaming forward.

"At the end of the day people have so much to say, to do, to express," Ettouney said.

LBP beta movie - The intro, tutorial and first level [VG247]

Re: Online Create Mode - Post launch? [PlayStation Forums, via VG247]

On September 21 & 22, 120 students will split into teams of 5 and play the game solidly for 24 hours, creating one level per team. Those that survive will have their efforts judged by Parsons faculty and Media Molecule.

The winning level will be included in a special section of the game. It'll be interesting to see how proper designers go about knocking up a game level — will they emphasize the fun , or just go for something elegantly laid out?

Parsons Students Conduct LittleBigPlanet Game Jam [Gamasutra]

With LBP as it is, we couldn't have made it on the Xbox 360 and the reason for that is actually because we designed it around the PS3's strengths.

And those strengths are?

The design decisions on the PS3 are huge, and I'm sure you realize that having a hard drive on every unit makes a difference. That's another thing - if we didn't have a hard drive on every unit, we'd have to scale back the ambition of what you could save and do. So yes, you could make this game on the 360, but it'd be a different game.

Note the diplomacy at work, as he says "different", instead of "suckier".

LittleBigAmbition - Part One [GI.biz]

Dated? Maybe a bit, but the frantic Sackboy air-humping in this attempt at viral marketing for LittleBigPlanet quickly won us over. We're kind of easy that way. It was uploaded by Rovient, who just happens to have the same handle as a Media Molecule level designer (thanks, Marco!) but we shan't hold that against them.

There will be a limited public beta test for LittleBigPlanet in September. If it will be possible to "sign up" for this test, full information on how to do so will be made public in advance of the test. Similarly if the test is going to be conducted in an invitation-only we will let you know ahead of time.

That means it could be as simple as downloading a PS3 theme, as Sony did with the Home beta. However, should the powers that be decide that an early look at LittleBigPlanet will require sending in your severed pinky, we suspect the turnout would still be pretty darn good.

LBP Beta in Sept? [PlayStation Forums]

Media Molecule has revealed plans to keep a close eye on user-created levels in Little Big Planet to see if any talented designers float to the surface.

LBP producer Pete Smith could not completely dismiss rumors that Media Molecule will resell popular user-created levels, but said that the company would like to get popular designers on board creating official content for the game.

"If a user becomes known as being great at making levels, I can't say we wouldn't but I don't think we'd want to take his level and then charge people for it, because it's free - that's the whole premise of the game," said Smith, "However, we will be aware of who those awesome designers are and certainly there's the potential to get them building levels as part of the dev team."

Make awesome LBP levels, get job at Media Molecule [CVG]

I know that team really well — actually, it was interesting, there was a presentation done within Home, back at GDC I think, and they built a LittleBigPlanet space. Sony built that for us. It was fantastic, the collaboration worked really well. We went back and forth with them, sent them some assets — and they produced this room which was incredible.

The thing about Home is, they're a team that's just down the road from us. There is loads of scope for us to work with them, and I'm looking forward to getting the LittleBigPlanet space in there, working on it and making it cool.

The short answer, though, is that I can't announce anything right now — but I've already seen great LittleBigPlanet content in Home, which was at that conference and which was public, and I think it's a great sign that that was possible with a very small amount of time and a small amount of effort. I think we could do something really cool with it, but at this stage, I can't say what the plan is.

LittleBigPlanet doing stuff with Home? Big stuff? Makes sense. Sure, why not.

Media Molecule's Alex Evans [Eurogamer]

LGC: LittleBigPlanet UGC is region-specific [CVG]

You can set fire to pretty much anything, you can also make things ‘electrified’, or turn them to gas, which is very cool... By water, I assume you mean ‘real water’ that acts like real water does! This isn’t in the initial release, but we have some cool ideas for how to integrate it into a possible future DLC — of course, it will have a slight LBP twist to it... There is fog that you can tweak, and you could pretty easily fake a thunderstorm with the right sound effect objects and some ‘emitted’ rain drops or something.

Electrified? Gas? Possible water DLC? Tweakable fog?! Fake thunderstorms?! Woah.

Exclusive Interview with LittleBigPlanet Co-Creator Mark Healey [LBP Forums]

Exclusive: LittleBigPlanet UK packshot [Three Speech]

We want LittleBigPlanet to lead the charge into a new genre of gaming and turn Sackboy into the next emblematic character for the PS3... We have coined 2008 'the year of the PS3', and are confident that with the launch of LittleBigPlanet we will continue to see the momentum build throughout the end of this year and on to the next... This is a very big title for us.

It really is. You think it'll move PS3s?

PS3's Future Rides on This Unlikely Superhero [Advertising Age via Eurogamer]

It's going to be a hardware seller. Not only do you have the platforming experience that a lot of other games will have, you have this creativity that really is exclusive to LittleBigPlanet.

Hmm. Can't help but wonder whether the console's still a liiiitle bit too expensive for a game as "accessible" as LBP to really shift hardware. Maybe in a year or so! No reason it can't be a slow-burning system seller, like that other Sony game, SingStar.

LittleBigPlanet will be "hardware seller" claims Sony [GI.biz]

With October right around the corner, we wanted to let you know we've launched the LittleBigPlanet News Site on LittleBigPlanet.com.

Bookmark us and get the latest word on LittleBigPlanet goodness direct from Media Molecule, Sony Computer Entertainment, or the fans. If you're in the mood to join the discussion, register and make yourself heard and be the first to hear what lies ahead with daily updates including announcements, developer interviews, video trailers, and artwork exclusive only on LittleBigPlanet.com.

Click over to the game's official site for more details.

LittleBigPlanet News [Official Site Thanks, Gene!]

Mark Valledor, Marketing Manager at SCEA, implies that this isn't the culmination of LittleBigPlanet pre-order goodness, commenting that a real-life Sackboy is "Definitely in the works." Whether that will be another LBP early adopter bonus remains to be seen.

LittleBigPlanet: Pre-order Goodness [PlayStation.blog]

Evans is mum on the specifics of the next big reveal, but hints that"people will be saying, 'I thought it was this - now you're telling me it's this as well?!'" indicating that there's something we still might not know about the depth of LittleBigPlanet.

We've heard plenty of talk about a good number of Sony's other first party studios designing the game's pre-playable levels, but somehow doubt that this the gaming public will consider this an announcement on par with LBP's reveal. Any guesses?

LBP dev hints at another big reveal [Eurogamer]

She then went the extra mile, recreating the Sackboy's Chinese dragon costume for the Media Molecule team members that like to play dress up with their dolls. Not that there's anything wrong with that...

Sackboy Fo' Real [Media Molecule Blog]

Hints of the first bits of downloadable content came in the form of new backgrounds, some of which have already debuted at CES. In addition to already shown desert and zen garden levels, the eastern Indian background featuring a pre-built Vishnu-like multi-armed god.

Sony and Media Molecule staffers also showed off another pre-built level with a heavy southwestern theme, a sombrero sporting Mexican mechanism that shuffled back and forth between structures. Players had to cooperate to pull the toy, which doubled as a platform necessary to progress, in order to complete the level.

The team also broke out briefly to show off the updated emote system further, with angry, sad, nervous, happy faces and postures, each with three degrees of intensity.

The game is looking very solid, but there wasn't too much on display that hadn't been seen at other events. The "share" portion of the game wasn't available, with Media Molecule recycling the same mock-up video shown previously.

Sony didn't follow up with any other titles, choosing to focus solely on LittleBigPlanet.

While the game is still pre-alpha, with an Autumn release date planned—they wouldn't commit to September, specifically—there's a surprising amount of content to play around with, far more so than in previous builds.

Of the new materials now available—various stones, polystyrenes, sponges, all types of new cloths—I started building out a sandbox level with black rubber. Unfortunately, your little Sackboy can't hold onto the material, helpful for building more challenging levels, I'm sure, but not good for a tradeshow demo level. Also new were a handful of environments, including a graffiti splashed New York City style sidewalk and one with a mid-western feel, acres of corn fields spanning the background.

One of the other features that was seemingly new was the ability to dedicate an area, by way of a unique glowing material, as editable by those who play your level. That means, if you've built a level and shared it, you can limit what portions of the map a user can build upon. If they need to build a vehicle or a ramp to traverse an obstacle, editors can define where these lie.

Another change from previous versions was the "ring out" timer. If your Sackboy stays off camera for too long, you can be kicked off the level, even in the editor. This prevents those wide pan-outs from previous version, which showed the entire level if one player remained at the start while the other ran to the end. The ring out timer seemed pretty brief, so players will have to stay on their toes and cooperate.

Also, the popping collectible sponges from the original are out, pastel marshmallowy fluff now in.

While the game has seemed rather full featured at previous events, including its debut showing at GDC last year, the Media Molecule team is still in the alpha stages of development. The game did lock up a handful of times as we edited, but the game is many months away. Still, there's already plenty to do and the developer has been staffing up to get the game done. They've gone from a team of 9 last year, to one of 25 today, snatching up talent from Insomniac Games along the way.

We may see more of the game at GDC, but according to Cubbin, those plans are still up in the air. As far as a beta, one is still planned, but given that the Fall 2007 one never materialized, they're keeping dates unannounced.

The latest trailer for Media Molecule's LittleBigPlanet debuted during last night's Spike TV's 2007 Video Game Awards, giving many of its viewers a legitimate excuse for watching the thing. Fans of pirates and budding level designers take note—the clips shows off many of the new stickers, like seaweed and barnacles, plus gives hope for handmade mine cart racing levels. Knock you on your ass stuff.

We saw Dave's LittleBigPlanet Justify Your Game clip this morning at Media Molecule and one of our graphic designers Jim promptly knocked this up!

When Luke Plunkett saw the awesomeness of this custom Plagachef graphic, he thought/hoped/dreamed it was Media Molecule's new Tetris alphabet game (instead of an ironic jab at their own slogan seen here). I pretended it was, got him super excited and then broke the bad news that such a game is not on the horizon while dually informing him that Ash has been fibbing a bit during those "translated" booth babe conversations—but that I was sure they thought he was "hulky" nonetheless.

Plagachef!

SPOILER ALERT: you have to watch the clip to find out.

In addition to loads of new stuff to futz with, edit and graffiti, exactly where you can place your customized materials is going to change (read: there's even more flexibility there). In addition to that very dry detail, one that probably needs to be seen in person to understand properly, Healey promised that we'd be impressed—quite possibly even doubled-over with laughter—at the new puppet emotes and "acting" skills.

He also revealed that you'll be able to interact with other users by navigating the textile based globe, seemingly in a fashion similar to Katamari Damacy's interactive Earth. You'll meet up with other puppets on the corduroy planet for multiplayer matches, sharing, chatting, all that stuff.

Hopefully, we'll get a look at all these new features at TGS.

It was actually my first time with LittleBigPlanet and I snatched up the SIXAXIS as soon as it was offered. After being blown away by the game's GDC presentation, I started to worry that it wouldn't actually be that much fun to play and that the editor might be a bit too slow for proper level creation. At this point, after running around the pre-made level with Healey and stringing together my own primitive shapes into something worthwhile, my fears have been allayed.

It's awesome. So awesome.

Level Up: The 2-D prototype that you guys did was also very striking. Do you have any plans for that? PSP? Playstation Network? A hidden unlock? Something else?

Mark Healey: [Laughs.] There's—we're not allowed to talk about that, are we?

Playstation publicist: No.

Alex Evans: Sorry, we can't.

Nothing speaks louder than not being able to speak. Personally I think Craftworld would be an amazing game to release on the PSP, and who knows? They could even have hooks between a PSP version of Craftworld and Little Big Planet itself, using the less-complicated engine to translate LBP data into a portable form. Pure speculation, of course, but wouldn't it be nice?

Could Media Molecule's Craftworld—the Prototype for LittleBigPlanet—See the Light of Day? [Newsweek's Level Up]

While LittleBigPlanet really doesn't need to convince me any further that it will be orgasmically fun, those of you who haven't seen the editor in action and remain on the fence ought to settle down with this clip for a few minutes. The power of LittleBigPlanet compels you! Michael McWhertor

What they showed was a game that drove home the point of Sony's Game 3.0 theory, one where enabling users to aid in the creation of game content will help drive the console gaming industry.

The game they showed was LittleBigPlanet, a user designed playground, a make-your-own-platformer tool, an actual game with deep physics that looks beautiful and shockingly fun to play. If you really need comparisons, the game is like Line Rider meets Garry's Mod meets Super Mario Bros. meets an orgasm.

Healey and Evans fired up the game, demonstrating how simple the editing process can be. A grid of objects, from which was pulled a large block of wood, appeared over the player's avatar. The block was tethered to the avatar to give the user a sense of position. It was resized, reshaped and dropped into the world. Decals were applied, over and over to all areas of the burlap decorated sandbox. They added a large spinning cog, to which the avatar attached itself. It hung on, seemingly for dear life, as it spun around the cog. When the avatar released its grip, it was flung to the other side of the playground using the game's physics model. They added soccer balls, fruit, flowers, glowing stars, and stickers to the field and even to each other.

It was clear that two, or three, or four players controlling LittleBigPlanet could turn into a frantic build and design free-for-all.

Phil and another Sony Computer Entertainment producer picked up two additional SIXAXIS controllers and joined Healey and Evans for a run through a pre-built level. It highlighted the possibilities of running and jumping through a dynamic, physics driven platformer, one where the simple concepts of Mario-esque platforming, combined with the ability to sticky your adorable voodoo doll to almost any object (including other players) led to wide-open gameplay possibilities.

Did I mention there were jetpacks? Oh. There were jetpacks. And they were cool.

LittleBigPlanet also features a photo option for capturing your more memorable platforming moments. Sony also plans level sharing over the network, along with strong community features for rating and commenting on player designed worlds. If there's any justice in the world, this gorgeous game will be a massive hit and really should make PLAYSTATION 3 owners very happy.

According to Harrison, LittleBigPlanet will hit the PlayStation Network "later this year" and on Blu-ray disc early next year.

You'll see how awesome it is. We'll have video up in just a moment. Until then, check out the first six screen shots below. Michael McWhertor