Mark Mazzei

Rare might need to repair BK vehicle aspects before release

Nuts & Bolts & LittleBigPlanet, "dramatically different games"

Those familiar with multi-platform news may have come to realize that Nuts & Bolts isn’t the only high-profile game set for release. Playstation 3 exclusive LittleBigPlanet has also gotten massive coverage (no word on massive damage as of now; MR will keep you posted when we can be bothered) and has been billed as a 2D customizable platformer. Gamersyde was told by lead programmer Salvatore Fileccia how he doesn’t think that there is any competition between the two games. Furthermore, he adds: “I think, obviously, we compete in a completely different dimension; we’re 3D, they’re 2D. I mean, I don’t know the complete details of LittleBigPlanet, obviously, but I’m pretty sure the two games are going to be pretty different. We’re obviously going for the same aim, which is to evolve the genre, with physics as well, and with creativity - but I think you’ll find that the outcome is quite dramatically different games.”

Considering how one game’s focus is on level manipulation as opposed to vehicle manipulation, one can safely say that while they are trying different things with the genre, they’re not in direct competition with one another. Seems Rare these days can’t get away with their games being compared to something else. Such is life.

In addition, as opposed to some interviews where Rare employees talked about what major press sites have already known, there are a few tidbits here and there from Gamersyde’s one for you to enjoy. Or worry about. Anyway, list form, go!

  • While Fileccia says that vehicles are obviously an important aspect of the single player game, racing is not.
  • Gamersyde believes that the customization isn’t very friendly and that Rare is trying to work to change that, considering the feedback they received from hands-on impressions. Here’s hoping for improvement, considering how customization is arguably the most important part of this upcoming game. However, there begs a slight contradiction. Over at RWP, a Rare Software Engineer made a vehicle in-game from a sketch posted by someone at the forums. The employee went on record to say that it was nice, easy, and “took only 30 seconds to make.” Whether or not that’s true enough by players themselves remains to be seen.

Fast vehicle creation?

  • There are three new modes of Multiplayer we’ve never heard about (Sumo, Queen of the Node, and Football). Sumo (which, by the way, was the only multiplayer mode available in the demo) is a mode where you have to stay on a platform as long as possible while trying to keep the other players off theirs. When tested, though, it wasn’t considered the most fun because it wasn’t easy: the reporter in the video said something along the lines of “It wasn’t convincing to me at all, and it didn’t feel right.”
  • Last but not least, our new info is that there are no methods to test the vehicles at the moment.

Worrying? Yes, again, considering just how important vehicles are. If Rare’s going to win over both old and new fans, they need to do their best to make it accessible to everyone instead of it being a giant hassle. Now the true question is… assuming they are aware of this, will 5 months be enough? Don’t fail us now, LOG.

Somehow related news

2 Comments

LittleBigPlanet is different, and i think it will be better¡¡¡¡

Comment by HunterM33 — 30.May.08 @ 2:22 am

Five months is a good amount of time, but I’m sure Rare would take the opportunity to take more time to work on it if they can.

Lost in Paradise is out later this year, as are other biggies like Fable 2 and Gears of War 2, so what’s the harm in pushing it back ’till next year? Easter, perhaps?

Banjo would only be vying for attention with a ton of games come Christmas, anyway.

LittleBigPlanet looks awesome, by the way! I only wish I had a Playstation 3 to play it.:(

Comment by SummerSky — 30.May.08 @ 3:24 am

Leave a comment

Register on Gravatar to show an avatar here and in hundreds of other websites