The idea of creativity can be quite daunting to a lot of people. You give a blank piece of paper and a pen and say, "Be creative!" What do I do? People are looking for inspiration. With LBP we want to create a fuzzy felt experience, where we give the component parts to trigger the creativity. I don't think any of us as kids had a problem with cracking on and creating something when we were given a Lego set; it didn't really matter how it ended up. We're trying to give people the bare bones, and then we'll let them go. Obviously there are going to be sophisticated users who will make incredible things because they'll know how to create textures and images, import photos, videos, audio files. They'll know the things to do to make their contributions incredible, but at the same time incredible things can come from simplicity. Someone can do something unexpected which might spark a whole string on the community. It's going to be emergent.

The only downside is that after launch, any content Sony creates for download will probably be for a fee, though talk of seasonal content (like for the Olympics, etc.) does sound like fun. Sharing among users won't cost anyone a dime and (if I could make a prediction) will most likely be the more interesting content. Kim Phu

Interview:Little Big Planet [Guardian Unlimited]

Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol will feature a virtual Simon Cowell ad Randy Jackson who will critique your performance, Konami said today.

"Our goal with Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol is to deliver the experience of being a contestant on the television program. Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson have become synonymous with the show and having them as part of this game adds one more layer of authenticity," said Matt Knoles, Product Manager at Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. "Cowell's and Jackson's presence goes beyond just their likenesses. With the addition of our groundbreaking AI, their personality will really be felt in the game as they critique specific parts of a player's performance."

The game will play like being on the show, meaning that the judges will critique your performance and decide whether you should go on to the next level. To add to the realism, American Idol will support the EyeToy, letting you put a 3D model of your head into the game.

The game will include 40 songs and some video footage of performances drawn from five seasons worth of the show.

Hit the jump for Cowell and Jackson quotes as well as the full list of songs.

All My Life
Alone
(There's) Always Something There To Remind Me
Be Without You
Breakaway
Build Me Up Buttercup
Can't Help Falling In Love
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Dilemma
Do I Make You Proud
Don't Let The Sun Go Down on Me
Don't You Want Me
Easy
Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Flying Without Wings
Heartbreaker
Heaven
Hungry Like The Wolf
If You Don't Know Me By Now
It's Not Unusual
Just The Way You Are
Let's Stay Together
Love Will Keep Us Together
More Than Words
Photograph
Piano Man
Proud Mary Rock With You
Saving All My Love ForYou
She Bangs
Stand By Me
Stickwitu
Straight Up
Sugar, We're Going Down
The Real Thing
Total Eclipse Of The Heart
Unwritten
What A Girl Wants
You And Me
You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling

"Over the years American Idol has produced some amazingly talented singers, but let's be honest most of the people who turn up for the auditions are useless," said Simon Cowell. "For anyone who wants to know what it's like to audition in front of me, now you're about to find out. This game is a great representation of American Idol." "The number one show on television and the top karaoke video game around - wow, this is going to be big time!" said Randy Jackson. "It's amazing what Konami has accomplished in making this game look and feel like the TV show."

Brian Crecente

Thanks to loyal Kotakuite addicted2cosplay for calling our attention to this beautiful ballad to Duke Nukem Forever over at Newgrounds. Featuring the Duke Nukem Five, The Duke Nukem Dancers and, as a special treat, a touching encounter between an Duke and Dr. Proton in their twilight years. Sniff.

Duke Nukem Forever Ballad [Newgrounds]