| LittleBigPlanet | |
|---|---|
&sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:LittleBigPlanetOfficialUKBoxArt.png) PAL box art showing "Sackpeople" characters and the game's sticker feature | |
| Developer(s) | Media Molecule |
| Publisher(s) | Sony Computer Entertainment |
| Designer(s) |
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| Composer(s) |
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| Series | LittleBigPlanet |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 3 |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Platform, sandbox |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
LittleBigPlanet is a 2008 platform game developed by Media Molecule and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3, and is the first game of the LittleBigPlanet franchise. The level editor is the main focus of the game, allowing the player to create levels and publish them online. The player controls Sackboy, a customizable ragged doll with the ability to create. Story mode consists of pre-made levels built around Sackboy's basic control scheme, and they are grouped into areas, each centering around a theme; the story revolves Sackboy helping various Creator Curators around LittleBigPlanet before facing the Collector, who has been kidnapping and stealing creations.
Media Molecule was formed by four former Lionhead Studios employees after the release of Rag Doll Kung Fu (2005). The concept of a game that allowed the player to be creatively ambitious for the console was envisioned after a movie trip to Howl's Moving Castle. After a prototype called Craftworld was created in 2006, it was pitched to Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios president Phil Harrison. Harrison lauded the concept and agreed to fund the project. LittleBigPlanet was first announced by Harrison at Game Developers Conference 2006. After a marketing campaign and beta access, the game was slated for release in October 2008. After being delayed for a week to remove in-game song lyrics that could be offensive, it was ultimately released worldwide between late October to early November 2008.
LittleBigPlanet was met with universal acclaim and was nominated for and won many awards. Praise went to the gameplay, creative, and community aspects of the game. While sales initially dwindled for LittleBigPlanet, the game was ultimately a commercial success; reaching four million sales. It is considered among the greatest video games of all time. It is noted for its influence in the play, create, share genre. Although there were initially no plans to release a sequel, the LittleBigPlanet series would ultimately consist of spin-offs and two direct sequels. Sackboy became a mascot for Sony. The release of LittleBigPlanet coincided with the rise of user-generated content and helped launched a genre of level-editing games. Its online functionality was discontinued on 13 September 2021.