Interview With VelcroJonze
What brought you to LBP for PSP?
I bought it the day it came out. I had it for ps3 but never created. With the psp it seemed more simplified, and more my style.
When you create your signature "VJ Gameplay" do you plan it out, or create as you go?
None of my levels are planned. I can start with a basic concept, or working title, and I just start creating. Trial and error, see what works, and most importantly, what is fun. The Fort Sugar Christmas Special was the only level that had some sort of a starting blueprint. Fastbro did the story, but he left me a lot of room to go crazy with gameplay. :)
Piston launchers are a standard in your levels, what gave you the idea of this in the first place?
The first time I made and used one was the first Fort Sugar. I thought they were a fun way to get from point a to point b. Sugar two I introduced the bubble trap. That is where I lead the player in a hole, baited with some bubbles, and Wham!! It never gets old to me. :p
If there were only five materials in create mode, which ones would you pick?
Medieval stone, grey marble, white slate, dark green wood, basic wood.
What is your favorite and least favorite thing about LBP for PSP?
Favorite is making anything I can think of, if I have the patience. Least favorite is Turbo material bug.
I consider you the "Material Master of LBP." How do you think of what materials to put together?
Thanks for that compliment Val. I normally lay most of my levels out in basic wood, and when I choose a theme I start messing with the materials. It's strange, I am good at picking materials that look good in lbp, but my in real life, clothes never match. Weird.
Would you give any advice to newcomers?
Patience is a must. Your first few levels might be awful, but keep creating.
What level of your own was hardest to create?
Hardest was Over the Hills and Far Away. I hit a creative block halfway. I forced the finish, and nearly published it way too early. I ended up scrapping the entire last half, and finishing it a month later, but so much better, in my opinion.
Which level of your own would you consider your favorite?
Timber Canyon II is my favorite to play. All my gameplay and mechanics came together good on that one. I made that in two weeks. It was a fun level to build.
What do you think of the PSP community?
I love it! There are some amazing creators. This game has endless replayability thanks to the strong community. I think we are more tight knit than the ps3. Everyone knows everybody over here. And there are no big egos. That is nice.
Any other hobbies you'd like to share?
Music is huge to me. I've been playing guitar most my life, and I still find time to play everyday. I love my family and spend as much time as I can with them.
What's your opinion on LBP's Music?
I really like the music... well, besides Glokenpop. That song is evil. Neopolitan Dreams, Talkatve Didge, and Kargashai are my favorites. and the Orb of Dreamers is one that every ps3 owner wants, but we have it. I was hoping for a ps3 music pack as a future DL, but I doubt that will ever happen. But what we have is great, I just wish there was more coming.
