Media Molecule Puts Number to Level Deletions

The "Media Molecule is deleting LittleBigPlanet content" that we reported yesterday has taken another turn. This time MM developer, Sam_Protagonist, has attempted to clear things up.

Before we quote the lad, however, we'd suggest you have a quick look over at the LittleBigWorkshop site and select 'Games' from its 'Inspiration' section. The site is an SCEA production and totally official. We nipped over for a look. What we saw were user created images of:

Dizzy, Kenny from South Park, Devil May Cry, Ryu, Venon, Darth Maul... the list goes on. One cheeky chappy called Celticrebel, has even posted an 'Inspiration' featuring Mario smashing a hammer down to the left of some text stating, "The Ban Hammer".

What we're pointing out here is that even on an official Sony site, there would seem to be a plethora of copyright/trademarked Sackboy creations.

So, what does Media Molecule have to say? Here, as posted on the US PlayStation forum is Sam_Protagonist again. He is responding to a user who wants to know if the use of the word 'Oasis' would result in a level deletion as it relates to a band name. Says Sam:

"Your examples aren't quite accurate, here's a better example -

"Oasis is the name both of a band and of a soft drink (at least in Europe), however any level using the title 'Oasis' would be absolutely fine right now unless it included music by Oasis the band, or the likeness of the drinks bottle."

Then things hot up a little, "There is a lot of exaggeration at play here with exactly what's going on with moderation. Firstly, no level is moderated unless it has been reported using the Good Grief tool, at which point it will only be blocked from online play if it is in violation of the EULA.

"To date there have been fewer than 200 levels which have been blocked - considerably less than 0.5% of all the levels published. The great majority of moderated levels were removed due to containing obscenity.

"Secondly, even if a level is moderated you will still be able to access it offline on your moon, and make changes if you know where the problem was, before republishing.

Finally, if your level is moderated you will receive a message informing you that it has happened - if you don't receive a message, it hasn't been moderated. Try searching for your PSN ID to find all the levels you've published.

"There is work to be done on improving the communication of why levels have been moderated, and this is underway, however this is not as widespread as you may have been lead to believe, and it does not affect levels you have locally."

Let's hope this new system happens rapidly because the furore over moderation methods will only escalate otherwise.