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LittleBigPlanet Karting

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LittleBigPlanet Karting
Developer(s)United Front Games
Media Molecule
Publisher(s)Sony Computer Entertainment
SeriesLittleBigPlanet
Platform(s)PlayStation 3
Genre(s)(Player-Generated) Racing
Mode(s)Single-player,
offline / online multiplayer (co-op/competitive)[1]

LittleBigPlanet Karting (commonly shortened to LBP Karting) is a kart racing game for the PlayStation 3, centred around user-generated content, as part of the LittleBigPlanet series. The game is developed by United Front Games, who had previously developed the 2010 user-generated content kart racing game ModNation Racers for the PlayStation 3, in conjunction with series creators Media Molecule. The game was published by Sony Computer Entertainment and was released in November 2012.[13]

Gameplay

LittleBigPlanet Karting includes the series grappling hook mechanic during races.

LittleBigPlanet Karting is a racing game in which the players races against each other in go-kart across a variety of themed tracks, with the primary purpose to come in first in a race.[14] Throughout the course of the race, players can pick up weapons that have special abilities like projectiles, heat seeking projectiles, EMPs and grenades, and use these weapons to attack and slow down competitors.[15] Weapons can be fired both forwards and backwards and can even cancel out seeker missiles when fired in reverse. Players can also pick up boost items such as Autopilot and Fast Forward.[16] Karting will include LittleBigPlanet's grappling hook mechanic during races. Players are required to grapple across large expanses, climbing through the environment to progress and occasionally even finding elevated shortcuts.[16] Players have the ability to reach out and slap somebody, stunning racers who get too close.[15]

Karting will have an emphasis on modes unlike traditional circuit racing, like Battle Mode, Waypoint Races, Treasure Hunts, Score Attacks and more. The Battle Mode, an eight player arena battle, whereby players fight it out in an arena style vehicular combat match, where players pick up weapons like seeker missiles in the arena and use them to take straight shots to hit other players and earn points.[16]

Similar to other games in the LittleBigPlanet series, user-generated content will play a pivotal role in the game's gameplay style using the series' "Play, Create, Share" motto. Users can customise their Sackboy as well as his karts and create their own tracks, which may extend to having genres other than just racing. The track editor will allow users to adjust and create their own game rules, weapons and tracks and subsequently share them online through the PlayStation Network for other users to download and play.[17] If the default AI is bothersome, users will be able to tweak that as well.[18] All tracks and modes will have asynchronous multiplayer, even those tracks made by users. It is unclear if the asynchronous system will be on the level of Need for Speed's Autolog.[15]

Interface

The Pod has been expanded into a large, cardboard spaceship, where the Sackboy and the cart can be customised.

LittleBigPlanet's trademark Pod is the game's hub, though it has been expanded into a large, cardboard spaceship, with which the player travels between the game's various modes. Inside the Pod, the Sackboy can be customised, as can the cart, frames, wheels, and paint. Any in-game object can be turned into a weapon, or objects can be "painted" into the game for more talented and patient artists.[15]

Plot

Players continue Sackboy's journey after the events of the second game. The Story Mode will feature Sackboy racing against The Hoard, which plan to steal Craftworld's prizes for "no reason other than to hoard [hold] them." Players will begin story mode by hopping into a kart crashed by a member of The Hoard, and takes off after the devils to reclaim the stolen prizes.[19]

Development

"Our goal with LBP Karting has been fairly simple – provide a fast-paced experience that captures the best of classic karting gameplay, married with the unbridled creativity of LBP. This new adventure will be accessible to players of all ages and have all of the variety necessary to satisfy both the hardcore and more casual players."

—James Grieve, Senior Producer at United Front Games[14]

Reports of a kart racing game for PlayStation 3 called LittleBigPlanet Karting surfaced following a Sony retailer event in February 2012. No information had been publicly released by the publisher other than confirmation that the game is in development.[20] Numerous reports from the Destination PlayStation event indicated that the game would be released alongside a PlayStation Move steering wheel peripheral and would be 3D-capable.[21][22][23]

LittleBigPlanet Karting was officially confirmed by Sony with an official announcement on 22 March 2012. Media Molecule Studio Director, Siobhan Reddy, stated "With LBP's powerful and diverse toolset in [United Front Games] capable hands, LittleBigPlanet Karting is sure to be an adventure that both LBP fans and kart racing fans alike will enjoy!"[14] Reports of 3D and PlayStation Move support from the Destination PlayStation event were confirmed.[1]

Even though LittleBigPlanet Karting carries all the signs of a simple spinoff, it’s actually a brand new game with an expansive 3D world, as well as a brand new engine. Senior Producer, Kyle Zundel, stated that gamers can expect more than a ModNation game starring Sackboy. "LBP Karting offers more karting modes than MNR, including a Battle Mode and open arena Waypoint Racing. In addition the LBP Karting level editor allows players to create more than just tracks; creators can modify game rules, create weapons, and more."[24]

Design Director at United Front Games, William Ho, stated that the game it’s the sort of game that appeals to kids, including the kid buried in most grown-up gamers. "I think Kart racers appeal to the kid in everyone," William Ho told reporters. "There’s a universality to driving around in a go kart in fantastic places – and there’s a universality to the materials in LittleBigPlanet."[25][26]

In May 2012, William Ho stated there were no immediate plans for a PlayStation Vita version of LittleBigPlanet Karting as "We are concentrating 100% on making the PS3 version LittleBigPlanet Karting the very best it can be".[27]

Marketing

Sony has collaborated with several retail outlets on several pre-order incentive. In North America, the pre-order bonus consists of the "Kevin Butler Pack", which includes a Kevin Butler-themed Sackboy costume and an Executive Golf Kart.[28][29] Those who pre-order at GameStop will receive the "Headstart Pack", which unlocks over 900 items – karts, costumes, materials, and music. Also for GameStop pre-orders, customers will receive a United Front Games General Costume and an Arcade Cabinet Kart.[30]

In Europe, the availability will vary by retailer and locale. One of the two pre-order bonus consists of the "Game Maker Pack". With this, the Sackboy can dress up as a racing car driver, as a mascot of United Front Games or as PlayStation VP Kevin Butler (despite the character never being used in Europe). It also includes a racing car kart, arcade machine kart and executive golf buggy kart.[31] The "Headstart Pack" unlocks over 900 items – karts, costumes, materials, and music.[32]

Exclusive to Europe, a Special Edition of the game comes with a lenticular 3D cover. It also includes both pre-order packs ("Game Maker's Pack" and "Headstart Pack").[32]

Beta phases

The LittleBigPlanet Karting beta began on July 10, 2012, for a selected number of players who had opted-in to receive codes on a specific European LittleBigPlanet Karting beta sign-up page, and more vouchers were dispersed as the beta continued through July 31.[33] On June 19, Sony opened the beta for European PlayStation Plus subscribers from 3pm UK and lasted for 24 hours.[34]

References

  1. ^ a b "LittleBigPlanet Karting - PlayStation 3, PS3 game". Uk.playstation.com. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  2. ^ "LittleBigPlanet Karting for PS3". GameRankings. Retrieved 2012-11-8. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  3. ^ "LittleBigPlanet reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2012-11-8. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  4. ^ "LBP Karting for PS3". 1UP.com. Retrieved 2012-11-8. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  5. ^ Serino, Francesco (2012-11-7). "Game Review [[:Template:It icon]]". EuroGamer. Retrieved 2012-11-8. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  6. ^ Hilliard, Kylie (2012-11-6). "More Than Just A Mascot Cash-In". Game Informer. Retrieved 2012-11-8. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  7. ^ Bischoff, Daniel (2012-11-5). "LBP Karting review". Game Revolution. Retrieved 2012-11-8. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  8. ^ Iwaniuk, Phil (2012-11-6). "LBP Review". PlayStation Official Magazine. Retrieved 2012-11-8. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  9. ^ Veloria, Lorenzo (2012-11-6). "LittleBigPlanet Karting". GamesRadar. Retrieved 2012-11-8. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  10. ^ Miller, Greg (2012-11-7). "LBP review". IGN. Retrieved 2012-11-8. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  11. ^ Green, Hadyn (2012-11-7). "LBP Karting". nzgamer.com. Retrieved 2012-11-8. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  12. ^ Williamson, Steven (2012-11-6). "LBP Karting review". psu.com. Retrieved 2012-11-8. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  13. ^ Yin, Wesley (7 August 2012). "LittleBigPlanet Karting release date, special edition announced". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  14. ^ a b c Siobhan Reddy (22 March 2012). "LittleBigPlanet Karting is Coming to PS3!". PlayStation Blog. Sony Computer Entertainment. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
  15. ^ a b c d Plante, Chris (26 March 2012). "LittleBigPlanet Karting adds grappling, slapping and baconing". The Verge. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  16. ^ a b c Andrew Goldfarb. "LittleBigPlanet Karting: A Platformer on Wheels - PlayStation 3 Preview at IGN". Ps3.ign.com. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  17. ^ Stephany Nunneley (22 March 2012). "LBP Karting to launch November 6 2012 on PS3, first video". VG247. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
  18. ^ "How LittleBigPlanet Karting is different from - Shacknews.com - Video Game News, Trailers, Game Videos, and Files". Shacknews.com. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  19. ^ "LittleBigPlanet Karting introduces story mode's The Hoard". VG247. 17 August 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  20. ^ Greg Miller (10 February 2012). "LittleBigPlanet Karting Confirmed by Sony - PlayStation 3 News at IGN". Uk.ps3.ign.com. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  21. ^ Dutton, Fred (7 February 2012). "LittleBigPlanet Kart Racing incoming - report • News •". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  22. ^ computerandvideogames.com Andy Robinson (8 February 2012). "PS3 News: LittleBigPlanet Karting 'is real' - First images leak". ComputerAndVideoGames.com. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  23. ^ computerandvideogames.com Mike Jackson (7 February 2012). "PS3 News: LittleBigPlanet Kart Racing coming to PS3". ComputerAndVideoGames.com. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  24. ^ "LittleBigPlanet Karting is more than a spinoff, it's an expansive new game - PlayStation Universe". Psu.com. 26 March 2012. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
  25. ^ Erik Kain (18 April 2012). "'LittleBigPlanet Karting' And Why Gaming Is For Kids (Especially Grown-Up Kids)". Forbes. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  26. ^ Mark Serrels (2 May 2012). "LittleBigPlanet Karting And Going Back To The Things You Love". Kotaku.com. Retrieved 8 May 2012. {{cite web}}: Text "Kotaku AU" ignored (help)
  27. ^ Published Friday, 4 May 2012, 09:43 BST (4 May 2012). "'LittleBigPlanet Karting' is not coming to PlayStation Vita - Gaming News". Digital Spy. Retrieved 8 May 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  28. ^ "LittleBigPlanet Karting Pre-orders come with Kevin Butler DLC". Insidegamingdaily.com. 26 March 2012. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
  29. ^ "LittleBigPlanet Karting Coming November 6th; Watch the Sackboy Summer Sports Trailer". Blog.us.playstation.com. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  30. ^ "LittleBigPlanet Karting Game Jam Video, Pre-Order Goodies Detailed". Blog.us.playstation.com. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
  31. ^ "LittleBigPlanet Karting Leaves The Garage delayed This November2013". Blog.eu.playstation.com. 7 August 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  32. ^ a b "LittleBigPlanet Karting Game Jam Video + Pre-Order Goodness!". Blog.eu.playstation.com. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
  33. ^ Purchese, Robert. "LittleBigPlanet Karting beta "soon", sign-ups now". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  34. ^ Phillips, Tom (19 July 2012). "LittleBigPlanet Karting beta open to Plus members". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
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