An early build of the original LittleBigPlanet allowed users to Play, Create and Share in 3D space. Media Molecule co-founder Alex Evans revealed that the team removed the ability to create homages to 3D platformers to refine the quality of the overall gameplay.
Speaking with Joystiq, Evans said that "LBP 1 had free depth and completely moving cameras, and the gameplay engine wasn't layered fundamentally." Ultimately, it was removed because, "it's really unconstrained in 3D. It's really hard -- I mean creatively unconstrained, it's really difficult to have something to push off.
"We found our level designers wasted tons of time in 3D land, so we iteratively reduced it, first of all we reduced the scope, then we added the layers, and with each restriction we did, it improved the quality."
While Evans said that the removal was purely a game design decision rather than a result of hardware limitations, the co-founder did reveal that he would like the series to tackle that extra dimension in the future.
"When we go 3D, and I'm assuming at some point we will go 3D, the challenge we will have, and any other user-generated content company -- you know, I want to be one-upped, I'd love to see a fully-3D creation game. I'm not saying it's impossible, I'm saying we haven't cracked it yet."
LittleBigPlanet 2 is heading for a 19th November release, and is still in 2D. Mind you, the extra stuff being packed into it more than makes up for that, we reckon.
Speaking with Joystiq, Evans said that "LBP 1 had free depth and completely moving cameras, and the gameplay engine wasn't layered fundamentally." Ultimately, it was removed because, "it's really unconstrained in 3D. It's really hard -- I mean creatively unconstrained, it's really difficult to have something to push off.
"We found our level designers wasted tons of time in 3D land, so we iteratively reduced it, first of all we reduced the scope, then we added the layers, and with each restriction we did, it improved the quality."
While Evans said that the removal was purely a game design decision rather than a result of hardware limitations, the co-founder did reveal that he would like the series to tackle that extra dimension in the future.
"When we go 3D, and I'm assuming at some point we will go 3D, the challenge we will have, and any other user-generated content company -- you know, I want to be one-upped, I'd love to see a fully-3D creation game. I'm not saying it's impossible, I'm saying we haven't cracked it yet."
LittleBigPlanet 2 is heading for a 19th November release, and is still in 2D. Mind you, the extra stuff being packed into it more than makes up for that, we reckon.
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realvictory 20 Aug 2010 12:09
1/2
Just because 3D is there doesn't mean you have to use it... does it? :P
Surely that's part of the statement you're making by having a game that plays in 2D built in 3D - it's intentional?
Fully-3D, though, would be interesting - I mean movement in all directions. That wouldn't be the same, it would be a new game - "Big Big Planet"?
Surely that's part of the statement you're making by having a game that plays in 2D built in 3D - it's intentional?
Fully-3D, though, would be interesting - I mean movement in all directions. That wouldn't be the same, it would be a new game - "Big Big Planet"?
deleted 21 Aug 2010 19:26
2/2
Wow, I love LBP and very much looking forward to LBP 2 but I love it for the community that's where the game shines, and the amount of difference the community added, so the thought of Mario 64 style levels is immediately what I thought of, remember how little those levels are yet so much crammed in each level, I would love to see LBP go fully 3D at some point. and love to see what the community could create.