Article by Matthew Compher, aka comphermc
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As many of you are aware, Media Molecule recently played host to a number of talented LittleBigPlanet creators from around the world. This event was held in order to allow the group to experience the new features LittleBigPlanet 2 brings to the table, while drumming up content to be used in press events and the like. The event, held in Mm's new Guildford studio the weekend of June 4th, was aptly dubbed the Community Game Jam 2010. I've done my best to fill this article to the veritable brim with summaries and impressions of the whole ordeal, all taken from attendees, and all put together in an attempt to accurately describe what went down. It is written from my perspective, but we have included the viewpoints of many others in the article (by way of quotes and recollections) as well. For a video of the event, click through to the end. Enjoy!
Pictured: Wexfordian, StevenI, jump_button, jackofcourse, Poms, Julesyjules, Steve_big_guns, Anpostteller, rtm223,
Jaeyden, FULLGORR, Syroc, comphermc, and GruntosUK. A veritable hot-bed of amazing LBP creation talent.
The first weekend in June, creators from around the world began to descend upon Media Molecule Studios. Whatchaosawesomeness would ensue! That Thursday afternoon, FULLGORR, Wexfordian, and I were the first to arrive at our hotel just outside of Guildford; we were later to be joined by Jaeyden, GruntosUK, Poms, and steve_big_guns.
...recalls Wexfordian
...recalls FULLGORR
...recalls Jaeyden
The evening was spent discussing the things that most excited us about LittleBigPlanet 2 with Mark Valledor, Marketing Manager at Sony Computer Entertainment America. The night continued in Guildford at one of the local pubs, where we carried on making guesses and predictions about the events of the following day.
...recalls Jaeyden
FULLGORR, bless his heart, fell asleep in his chair.
...recalls Jaeyden
Soon after breakfast, we were gathered on the top floor of MM's new building where the event was set to begin. We wound through the main level, where everyone was hard at work on LittleBigPlanet 2. From the pink carpet, to the lively decorations, to the smiling Molecules, hard at work on LittleBigPlanet 2, it was a very surreal experience indeed! The creators who had not arrived the night before now met up with us, introducing ourselves as steadily as our nerves would allow. The biggest question on everyone's mind at this point was... what the heck do I call that guy...? Do I use his PSN ID? His name!? Ah! Eventually we got acquainted, and moved on to salivating at the row of TVs and Playstations set up for us, knowing that LBP2 was just a few yards away. Patiently we waited, exchanging small-talk, (not so) secretly hoping that we'd begin sooner rather than later.
...recalls Wexfordian
...recalls Jump_button
...recalls rtm223
We began in the early afternoon with a thorough presentation by Alex Evans and Mark Healey of all of the New Tools within LBP2. You could tell how proud they were of what they had accomplished; the enthusiasm they had for their game was infectious and only served to excite us more. We were growing tired of picking our jaws up off of the floor, but at the same time we couldn't help but giggle at the thought of how much fun the next 24 hours would be. With our heads buzzing with all we just learned, we scarfed down some food before finally being unleashed upon the game.
...recalls Syroc
...recalls FULLGORR
...recalls Jaeyden
We were all so mesmerized... even Alex!
FULLGORR couldn't even keep his mouth closed!
The first hour or so was simple chaos! We literally didn't know where to begin. The vast selection of new tools, features, and options left us all flying off in different directions. Some of us messed with the circuit boards; others of of us made little contraptions using the Sackbots, switches, and gravity controls; while others still explored the incredible selection of new materials, objects, stickers, and decorations in LBP2. Meanwhile, the Mm staff buzzed around behind us, sometimes offering tips and advice, while explaining the inner workings of some of the more mysterious tools. It was simply astounding to be surrounded by people who shared the same passion for exploration, tinkering, and creation as ourselves.
...recalls Jaeyden
...recalls StevenI
Mark shows off the amazing new holographic-like material, called vacuum.
Because we had access to the entirety of the (rather incomplete) story mode from the start, we were able to use those levels as a source of inspiration - a "foundation" from which to expand our creative minds. The new tools completely changed the way we approached building. While we're not allowed to talk too much about story specifics, let me tell you: there's a reason that the Mm level designers do what they do for a living! Over the past two years, the community has been constantly pushing LBP to the limit, constantly raising the bar... so one of the biggest questions for me was whether or not Media Molecule would be able to wow us again. Here I am, after seeing the game, and let me tell you, Media Molecule has responded in kind! It should be noted that many of these levels were still being revised, or had not yet been passed to the art department, but the core was there, and it was fantastic!
...recalls Julesyjules
In order to help explain some of the possibilities of the more complex create tools, Johnee took us into Create mode for a few of the story levels. There were some impressive mechanics at work for the complicated bits and the others actually teased Johnee for his all-over-the-place style of logic construction in some of those bits. It was a nice peek into the sorts of things that go into making a LittleBigPlanet 2 story level, and even made the designers seem somewhat human!
...recalls GruntosUK
...recalls steve_big_guns
Alex gives us a glimpse of an early version of the new online community system. It is sure to impress!
Meanwhile, professional camera crews were brought in to document the event. We had lights, booms, and cameras shuffling all over the room, and we did our best to ignore them while we tinkered away. It didn't take long to have your attention grabbed by the number and scope of positive changes and new tools in LBP2.
...recalls jackofcourse
...recalls rtm223
And just like that, our free-for-all with the game came to a close. We creators reluctantly gathered into a little corner of the room where a whiteboard had been situated. We were then informed that we would be participating in a little challenge for the duration of our time in the studio. I think some of us may have been initially apprehensive, but it would turn out to be a blast. We were presented with...
To, in teams, create either:-
- A cutscene
- A mini game
- A boss fight
We quickly divided into teams (or decided to act solo) and began brainstorming ideas. Wexfordian, rtm223, and I started whispering like little schoolgirls in the back, and others scrambled to come up with level ideas in their own secret ways. We all settled on early concepts and scribbled out a plan on the whiteboard (for some reason many of them involved crabs...?) and we were off! The deadline? 4pm the next day!
...recalls comphermc
Syroc focuses, knowing that we are on the clock!
We all started going through the early steps of creating a level. Those of you experienced creators in LBP1 will be right at home with the old create tools, but you'll quickly come to love the tiny tweaks and additions that accompany them. I will admit that it was a bit daunting to look at that blank screen for the first time and realize that we needed a fully functional level in fewer than 24 hours, but it was crunch time, so we went to work. After a few hours, we noticed Mm staff from the office below start to accumulate on the deck outside, and we could hear the rumblings of a mini-party forming.
...recalls Wexfordian
...recalls Jaeyden
Before we knew it, it was 1am... 3am... we quickly lost track. Creators and staff alike began to slowly trickle back to the hotel to catch some brief sleep. A few Creators managed to fight the desire to sleep and instead push on with their creations.
...recalls Jump_button
...recalls rtm223
...recalls comphermc
At the cost of some quality hotel sleep, Creators who stuck around managed to get a lot more done than their sleeping counterparts...
...recalls GruntosUK
...recalls Syroc
Day broke and we still went strong. This here was our home for 27 hours!
Poor Tom was sleeeeeepy...
Brought on by sleep deprivation, time becomes a blur at this point. The Creators that had returned to their hotels for rest the previous night began wandering back to their PS3's early on Saturday. Many had started wrapping up their levels and had moved on to playing with other ideas or the story levels.
...recalls comphermc
...recalls steve_big_guns
...recalls FULLGORR
Sometime on Saturday, the camera crews started pulling [reluctant] creators away from their TVs for brief interviews with Alex Evans. We were all pretty nervous about these, mostly because we looked terrible and sleep-deprived (totally worth it).
FULLGORR kicks back, being one of the first finished with his level. Not everyone managed to be so awake!
...recalls GruntosUK
Around 4pm, the creating started to wind down. Our level was finished at about 3:45! Meanwhile, creators were exploring the story levels, sneaking in brief naps, and scouring the place for any food scraps remaining from the night before.
...recalls Jump_button
...recalls Jaeyden
The last night at the pub was a chance for everyone to kick back and unwind. We were joined by Aya042, who actually lives in the area (some may have referred to it as gate-crashing!), and our time was spent eating, drinking, being loud, and getting to better know one another. Some of the Molecules who were hard at work in the office beneath us during the event joined us to chat about the game, the industry, and life in general. Everyone had a fantastic time, and it was a fitting end to a wonderful weekend.
...we had a blast! Simple as.
We'd like to thank Media Molecule and all of the staff for being such wonderful hosts. Also a special thanks goes out to Mark Valledor from Sony and Sarah Easton for organizing this event at the last minute. You guys are awesome!
Heeeyyyy!
I would like to use this opportunity for some of the guys to recall their impressions of the Creator Jam:
...recalls Wexfordian
...recalls Jaeyden
...recalls GruntosUK
...recalls Julesyjules
...recalls jackofcourse
...recalls poms
...recalls Jump_button
...recalls FULLGORR
...recalls steve_big_guns
...recalls StevenI
Thanks for reading, everyone!
For a full list of new features and tools that were on display at the Game Jam, which will be seen in LittleBigPlanet 2 when it releases, click through to our List of Features Article.
..................
For their quote-worthy bits, and other contributions to this massive article, I'd like to thank Aya042, ConfusedCartman, FULLGORR, GruntosUK, jackofcourse, Jaeyden, Julesyjules, jump_button, poms, steve_big_guns, StevenI, Syroc, rtm223, and Wexfordian. You guys rock!
Not it for cleaning up the place!
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Article edited for use by LBPCentral by Michael Buffaloe, aka ConfusedCartman
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Thread: Community Game Jam 2010
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06-15-2010 #1Tarsier Level Designer
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- comphermc
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Community Game Jam 2010
Last edited by ConfusedCartman; 06-21-2010 at 09:13 AM. Reason: Typos!
Mm Picks: Roller INC 2 | Wizard: Chapter 1 | LittleBigPrius
Levels: New! -The Button | The Fourth Wall | The Heist: Making a Withdrawal | Rubik's Tube
Lbp.me profile: comphermc | LittleBigplanet 2 Create Tutorials: LBPlanetorials
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Thanks!
agrx, Alec, anpostteller, Arctos13, Arnald23, Arradi, Arrestor, Astrosimi, qrtda235566,
BabyDoll1970• , Blackfalcon, BlackHairedGoon, Voltergeist, Burnvictim42, CCubbage, Chump, coasterfreak1235, Coxy224, CYBERSNAKE, CyberSora, CYMBOL, dajdaj03, Dante95, Darth, dcf, Dhana777, DMacK, Doopz, Emogotsaone, AbstractFlesh, fatman689, Fenderjt, ferrrch, fire_ninja, FlameAtNight, Frinklebumper, FULLGORR, fullofwin, gamerC0LA64, GreatWhite000, hilightnotes, Holguin86, iGotFancyPants, Inanimacy,Incinerator22• , Jaeyden, javi haguse,jeffcu28• , jimydog000, JKthree, Joey, Jovuto, julesyjules, jump_button, KablooieKablam, Keanster96, KQuinn94Z, Leather-Monkey, Mnniska,moonwire• , Morgana25, mrsupercomputer, Mugsig, napero7, nitewalker11, Nitranon77, Nuclearfish, oLMCo, OmegaSlayer, OneEyedBanshee, Pattington_Bear, piggabling, Plasmavore, poms, Powershifter, PPp_Killer, R0GUE--Elite, RangerZero, Reef1978, Rhys125, robotiod, Rogar, roux-, rtm223, SackRacer77, Schwem00, ShamgarBlade,shropshirelass• , Silverleon, FlipMeister, Slaeden-Bob, standby250, SteveBigGuns, supremeoverlord1, Taffey, tanrockstan34, Testudini, TheZimInvader, ThisIsInsane, tjb0607, TonyTwoGunz, trip090, VelcroJonze, VeRsioNs_Z, ViniciusBR11, VnGamer234, waD_Delma, warlord_evil, Weretigr, X-FROGBOY-X, xero, Yarbone, ZramuliZ, zynax555
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06-15-2010 #2
I haven't read it yet, but this is cool! Makes me jealous...
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06-15-2010 #3
I cannot wait to see what you guys made. Flicking through quickly, a lot of people said how easy it was to make something that currently would be nearly impossible to do. Sounds like the ultimate sequel.
EDIT: Read through it all. Sounds like a blast!
So, things to take away from it:
Creation tools are much better
Story is still being worked on
LBP2 is awesome
Cake (not a lie)
Take more energy drinks next time.Last edited by Jedi_1993; 06-15-2010 at 10:06 PM.
LBP2 Levels
/-/ Mm Pick! >>>Valley Folds<<< Mm Pick! /-/
/-/ Spyro the Dragon - Castle Heights /-/
LBPVita Levels
/-/ Space Blade /-/
/-/ A Vita Christmas Countdown (Project) /-/
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06-15-2010 #4Sackperson Private
- PSN
- jackofcourse
- Join Date
- Apr 2009
- Location
- Manchester, England
- Posts
- 1,610
Awwww lovely. Good work Comphy, I know how long it took you
It was awesome meeting everyone and the past week seeing everyone fidget because they weren't allowed to tell anyone has been good fun
Seeing everyone's reaction to the new tools really was fantastic. Even though I've been using them for over a month, seeing so many different people play with them in different ways meant my eyes were opened even wider!
Thanks for an awesome weekend guys!Last edited by jackofcourse; 06-15-2010 at 09:23 PM.
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06-15-2010 #5
Hey guys, just so you know were going to do a full writeup of all the features etc. I think Comph is putting it together so all questions about features will be answered soon
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Thanks!
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06-15-2010 #6Tarsier Level Designer
- PSN
- comphermc
- Join Date
- Jun 2009
- Location
- US
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Mm Picks: Roller INC 2 | Wizard: Chapter 1 | LittleBigPrius
Levels: New! -The Button | The Fourth Wall | The Heist: Making a Withdrawal | Rubik's Tube
Lbp.me profile: comphermc | LittleBigplanet 2 Create Tutorials: LBPlanetorials
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06-15-2010 #7fun and frivolous
- PSN
- rtm223
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- Mar 2009
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- Malmö, Sweden
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Yeah, comph is having a "special" moment right now... Hopefully we'll have a list of features up soon
-- ? --
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06-15-2010 #8
Not read it yet (will after E3), but looks awesome!
Wish I'd been there....
LBP2 Levels: Temple Trials | The Gravitizer | Neon Limits | Close Encounters of the Herd Kind | Clockworx 2
LBP1 Levels: The Liquidizer | Deflectorball | Sacky Potter and the Philosopher's Sponge
Clockworx | The Spiralizer | Once Upon a Sackmas Time
Other Cool Stuff: Follow me on Twitter | Contraption Challenge
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06-15-2010 #9
Yeah I need to read it but it looks incredible
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06-15-2010 #10
LBP2 Levels
/-/ Mm Pick! >>>Valley Folds<<< Mm Pick! /-/
/-/ Spyro the Dragon - Castle Heights /-/
LBPVita Levels
/-/ Space Blade /-/
/-/ A Vita Christmas Countdown (Project) /-/
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06-15-2010 #11LittleBigPlanet Community Manager
- PSN
- StevenI
- Join Date
- May 2009
- Location
- United Kingdom
- Posts
- 1,324
Glad to see that this is finally posted.
Can't wait until we've got the all-clear to begin talking more opening.
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06-15-2010 #12
You have more info on this glorious event?
Wanderer Trilogy
The Wicked Manufactory ♦Spotlighted♦
Devious Dataspace ♦Spotlighted♦
Operation Sackernaut ♦Spotlighted♦
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06-15-2010 #13Sackperson Private
- PSN
- jackofcourse
- Join Date
- Apr 2009
- Location
- Manchester, England
- Posts
- 1,610
Last edited by jackofcourse; 06-15-2010 at 09:36 PM.
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Thanks!
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06-15-2010 #14
just thought id say a quick hi! it was awesome helping all you guys create and to stay up all night ps i didnt get to sleep until 730 am sunday morning!!!!!!! you guys rock
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06-15-2010 #15
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Thanks!
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06-15-2010 #16Tarsier Level Designer
- PSN
- comphermc
- Join Date
- Jun 2009
- Location
- US
- Posts
- 7,739
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- 5
We will be releasing a full list of features written by the
sexyamazing rtm223 as soon as we can. It's possible that this could not be until after tomorrow's LBP2 presentation.Mm Picks: Roller INC 2 | Wizard: Chapter 1 | LittleBigPrius
Levels: New! -The Button | The Fourth Wall | The Heist: Making a Withdrawal | Rubik's Tube
Lbp.me profile: comphermc | LittleBigplanet 2 Create Tutorials: LBPlanetorials
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06-15-2010 #17
D:
Lucky you
Noice
This statement is true.
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06-15-2010 #18
well it out now lol LBP2 so good i dont know where to start
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Thanks!
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06-15-2010 #19
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Thanks!
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06-15-2010 #20
Great job putting this together comph
. It makes me wish I was still there lol
.
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Thanks!
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