New LittleBigPlanet 2 videos show bounce pads and amazing community created Flower level

The latest LittleBigPlanet 2 video shows an exciting new way for Sackboy to move around: Bounce pads! The newest LittleBigPlanet 2 featurette shows Sackboy and some friends bouncing around, and it’s utterly adorable.

Seriously, if this LittleBigPlanet 2 Bounce Pads video doesn’t make you smile, there’s probably something wrong with you! You can watch the latest LittleBigPlanet 2 video below.


the bounce pads may seem like a simple addition to LitteBigPlanet 2 – and of course they’ve featured in many classic games – but their introduction will give LittleBigPlanet 2 players yet more things to put into community created levels.

Videos from the LittleBigPlanet 2 beta have already shown some unique user created levels, and the introduction of bounce pads will just mean more variety. With so much scope for creating not only levels, but whole custom games, LittleBigPlanet 2 could very well be the Train2Game students dream game.

In yet another example of how creative the LittleBigPlanet 2 community has the potential to be, a video of indie game Flower made using LittleBigPlanet 2 has surfaced. You can see it below.

LittleBigPlanet 2 was scheduled for release next month, but in September Media Molecule announced that the game will be delayed until January 2011. Media Molecule said LittleBigPlanet 2 was delayed to avoid the need for huge post launch patches.

However, in the same statement, they did tease a possible LittleBigPlanet 2 demo.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the latest addition to LittleBigPlanet 2 and the Flower level? Is LittleBigPlanet 2 looking more and more essential to you?

As usual, leave your thoughts here on the Train2Game blog or on the Train2Game forum.

LittleBigPlanet 2 delayed until next year

LittleBigPlanet 2LittleBigPlanet 2 has been delayed until January 2011, developer Media Molecule have confirmed on their website. In post titled ‘Important news regarding the release date of LittleBigPlanet 2’ the Guildford based games designers say they are ‘truly sorry’

“LittleBigPlanet 2 is a crazy dream, a dream to allow players to make whatever kind of game they want, but also to play though a great adventure of drama and excitement, power-ups, and cinematics. But like all of the most ambitious ideas, it can be a considerable challenge to turn these dreams in fun games. We’ve all been working like powered-up space ninjas and we’re almost there, but because we love what we’ve made, and we love our little sack-friends, and most of all we love all our fans out there, we couldn’t let you all get together until we knew we were giving you the best experience imaginable.

Which is why we’ve taken the hard decision to delay the worldwide release of LittleBigPlanet 2, originally slated for later this year to January 2011.

We know this will come as disappointing news for all you LittleBigPlanet fans, and believe us, we are disappointed too. We are a tight-knit team and we take enormous pride in our work, so to raise the bar we’ve set with the original LittleBigPlanet, a game that has been so embraced by all, we’ve agreed to allow ourselves a bit more time to deliver the experience that our great fans and community deserve. We are truly sorry, but hope you understand that we have to build the best possible game, as it is the foundation of our community.

On the upside, we are going to find a way to give more of you a taste of LittleBigPlanet 2 prior to launch, so stay tuned.

Thanks for your continued love and support, it won’t be long – we promise.”

The news comes very shortly after LittleBigPlanet 2 community beta videos started appearing on the web, with players’ creative designs including a Street Fighter level and a LittleBigPlanet 2 first person shooter.

There is however some good news, which is that you don’t necessarily have to wait until January to get your hands on LittleBigPlanet 2.  Media Molecule demonstrating a playable version of LittleBigPlanet 2 at Eurogamer between October 1st and October 3rd.

Train2Game are also going to be at Eurogamer, and will be giving away the new PlayStation Move controller with a PlayStation 3 320GB slim at Eurogamer 2010.

To enter the prize draw pick up a entry form at Stand 12 in the Career fair. We look forward to seeing you there.

What are your thoughts on the delay of LittleBigPlanet 2? Has anyone pre-ordered it?

You can leave your thoughts about LittleBigPlanet 2 here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

LittleBigPlanet 2 beta videos arrive online, can Train2Game students produce better?

The beta testing period of LittleBigPlanet 2 is in full swing, which means videos of what the lucky community members have been up to are starting to appear online. These videos show that the LittleBigPlanet 2 community has already been extremely creative and cements the idea that LittleBigPlanet 2 could be the Train2Game students dream ticket.

In this video, a LittleBigPlanet 2 beta tester has created a beat up, based around Guile’s Street Fighter II stage. The level includes the plane and a crowd of on looks that not only perform their own actions, but can also be unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end of attacks from Sackboy versions of Guile, Ken and Zangeif.


Another LittleBigPlanet 2 beta video that shows just how flexible the creation tools in the game can be is ‘Vietnam: First Person Shooter’ So this LittleBigPlanet 2 custom level doesn’t have the constant threat of death that you’d find in a Call of Duty: Black Ops’ or Medal of Honor, but it does look like a lot of fun. You have to admire the detail that’s gone into creating a LittleBigPlanet 2 played from a first person perspective; you can even see stitches in Sackboys hand!

LittleBigPlanet 2 is scheduled for release in the United States on November 16th, so hopefully we’ll have it in Europe at around the same time. The good news is that you don’t necessarily have to wait until mid-November to get your hands on LittleBigPlanet 2.  Media Molecule demonstrating a playable version of LittleBigPlanet 2 at Eurogamer between October 1st and October 3rd.

Train2Game are also going to be at Eurogamer, and will be giving away the new PlayStation Move controller with a PlayStation 3 320GB slim at Eurogamer 2010.

To enter the prize draw pick up a entry form at Stand 12 in the Career fair. We look forward to seeing you there.

So, what are your thoughts about the new LittleBigPlanet 2 videos? Do you think you’ll be using the creation tools to make your own levels and games? If so, what plans do you have?

You can leave your thoughts about LittleBigPlanet 2 here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

New creation tools revealed in the LittleBigPlanet 2 story trailer

Sony revealed plenty during their GamesCom 2010 press conference, but the new LittleBigPlanet 2 trailer is something many Train2Game students will no doubt be interested in.

We’ve previously discussed how LittleBigPlanet 2 could be the Train2Game students dream, and the latest trailer only confirms this! The LittleBigPlanet 2 trailer, revealed to the world at GamesCom, shows just how many tools will be at LittleBigPlanet 2 players’ disposal when creating new levels and games.

The trailer starts with a peak at new story mode in LittleBigPlanet 2 which sees Sackboy playing the hero as “a negative force of evil stirs on the horizon” The LittleBigPlanet 2 trailer also revels some new creation tools including being able to ‘record’ your Sackboy’s movements for ‘actors’ to use in your own cut-scenes. You’ll also be able to set up your own cameras for use in your LittleBigPlanet 2 levels and cut-scenes.

In addition to this, the new LittleBigPlanet 2 trailer also reveals a music creation tool which will allow you to add your own compositions to your custom levels and games. LittleBigPlanet 2 looks like it’ll give Train2Game students the ultimate opportunity to be creative. You can watch the LittleBigPlanet 2 trailers from GamesCom below.


So Train2Game, what do you think about these new features in LittleBigPlanet 2? Are you even more tempted to invest time into the game when it arrives? Or would you rather spend time making your own games?

You can leave your thoughts about LittleBigPlanet 2 here or on the Train2Game forum.

Gran Turismo 5 & New PlayStation 3 models release dates revealed by Sony at GamesCom

Sony have revealed the release date of Gran Turismo 5 and announced new 160GB and 320GB PlayStation models during their GamesCom 2010 Press Conference. We also got a surprise Resistance 3 announcement among plenty of other PlayStation 3 related reveals.

The long awaited Gran Turismo 5 will finally be released in the UK and Europe on November 3rd. Gran Turismo 5 will feature over 1,000 fully licensed cars and over 70 racing circuits – including the Top Gear  test track! The release date of November 3rd means Gran Turismo 5 will be released in the UK and Europe one day after it’s available in the United States.

The US release date of Gran Turismo 5 was announced earlier this year at E3, where we also found out that Gran Turismo 5 would also be fully 3D compatable.

The November release date of Gran Turismo 5 means that the much anticipated racing title will be out shortly after the new 160GB and 320GB PlayStation 3 models which have been revealed during the Sony GamesCom presentation.  The massive 320GB PlayStation 3 will be available in Europe from September 15th at a price of £284.99 which will include a PlayStation Move starter pack. The 160GB PlayStation 3 will be available in October for £249.99.

The question has to be asked, why would you buy the 160GB model when you can have a 320GB PlayStation with double the hard drive space AND a PlayStation Move starter pack for just £35 extra!

In other news, Resistance 3 has been revealed thanks to a trailer during the Sony Press Conference. Unfortunately, the live action footage doesn’t really tell us anything except that Resistance 3 is currently in development. Other game trailers revealed by Sony included big titles in the form of  Infamous 2, LittleBigPlanet 2, and Killzone 3.

We were also treated to other announcements including a new four player cooperative Ratchet & Clank game and the fact that MAG will be PlayStation Move compatible.

So Train2Game, what are your highlights of the Sony GamesCom press conference? Is it Gran Turismo 5 finally getting a release date? The new 160GB and 320GB PlayStation 3 models? Resistance 3 perhaps? Or maybe it’s something completely different?

As usual, leave your thoughts here or on the Train2Game forum

New LittleBigPlanet 2 trailer released…and it looks adorable.

Sony has revealed a new LittleBigPlanet 2 trailer on the PlayStation Blog, and it looks very promising indeed.

The Adventure trailer – for that is its name – shows some of the new tools and abilities at Sackboy’s disposal which includes commanding Sackbots, flying a spaceship, throwing enemies and using bouncy jump pads. You’ll need to use them all as you play through 50 levels in order to save Craftworld from the evil Negativitron.

Of course, the customisation tools available meant, LittleBigPlanet was more than just a platformer, and Media Molecule’s sequel just gives players even more options in this area. Not only can you create your own levels, you can create your own games. It’s something that every PlayStation 3 owning Train2Game student – especially the Games Designers – really should be looking into.

LittleBigPlanet 2 is due for release in the USA on November 16th, with a European release date rumoured to be coming at the upcoming GamesCom.

Still not convinced by it? Then check out the LittleBigPlanet 2: Adventure Trailer here below. If you don’t feel all warm inside then you probably have a heart made of stone.

So Train2Game, what do you think of the video? Of course, you like what you see, but what is your favourite new feature? And do you have any ideas for LittleBigPlanet2 levels or games?

As usual, leave your thoughts here or on the Train2Game forum.

Why LittleBigPlanet 2 could be the Train2Game students dream.

LittleBigPlanet 2 will launch in the United States on November 16th. Sony have yet to announce when it’ll be released in Europe but it’s likely to be in the same mid-November slot. The follow up to the highly successful 2008 original will most likely be on the wish list of many PlayStation 3 owning Train2Game students.  Why? Well, a little lesson about the concept behind LittleBigPlanet will reveal all.

To the outsider, LittleBigPlanet may just look like your standard – if beautiful looking – 2D platformer. However, the story mode formed part of the game with, Guildford based indie studio Media Molecule focusing major parts of it around user generated content.

You see, LittleBigPlanet’s tagline was (and still is) ‘Play. Create. Share.’ and symbolised how the game was designed around the sharing of content. The simple to use, but effective, level designer allowed gamers to create their own levels and share them with the rest of the LittleBigPlanet community online. There are some amazingly creative level designs out there, with fans creating levels based upon almost anything you could possibly think of. You’re highly cute – and customisable – Sackboy could one minute be running and jumping through an impressively rendered version of the Mushroom Kingdom, before you load another community level and put him through his paces in Sonic’s Green Hill Zone. (Of course, the latter looks just that little bit better while using outfits from the official Sonic costume pack)

LittleBigPlanet’s sharing ethos meant that aspiring Game Designers – like Train2Game students – could put a level together for fun, then if it was successful, seeit played on and rated by thousands of fellow gamers. LittleBigPlanet 2 looks set to allow gamers to be even more ambitious through not only letting them design their own levels, but entire games. Demos have shown the LittleBigPlanet 2 creation tools being used to create real-time strategy, role-playing, puzzle, and racing games.

Being able to use LittleBigPlanet 2 to create whole games is something every Train2Game student – be they Game Designer, Game Developer or Game Artist & Animator – should probably be taking an interest in. For a start, using the LittleBigPlanet 2 creation tools would provide students with some great practice in building games. But that’s just the start, if someone just happens to build an excellent game that gets positive reviews from other players, it could be the start of something big. Adding ‘Created game played by over 100,000 people’ to your CV can only be a good thing, right?

So when LittleBigPlanet 2 is released – presumably in November – will you be using it to create games? Do you think it’s possible an aspiring Games Developer could use it to catapult themselves to the big time? Did you create any levels using the creation tools of the original?

As usual, leave your comments here or on the Train2Game forum. We’ll leave you with a LittleBigPlanet 2 video that was shown at Comi-Con. Are you impressed?