No Plans For LittleBigPlanet Sequel, Says Media Molecule

Andy Chalk

One Flag, One Fleet, One Cat
Nov 12, 2002
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No Plans For LittleBigPlanet Sequel, Says Media Molecule


Don't hold your breath waiting for a sequel to Media Molecule [http://www.littlebigplanet.com/] say it's not going to happen.

It is a natural tendency of the videogame industry to make sequels. The best-selling game of the holidays (yes, I'm Activision's [http://modernwarfare2.infinityward.com/] Bobby Kotick might be the only one to come right out and say it, you can bet that executives at most major publishers look at the likelihood of followups when they're considering a new title.

Isn't it refreshing, then, when a company bucks the trend and says "no" to a sequel that would almost certainly have it swimming in cash? Such is the case with Media Molecule, the company behind LittleBigPlanet, which revealed in an interview with Critical Gamer [http://www.criticalgamer.co.uk/2009/11/04/a-littlebigplanet-2-would-be-counterproductive-say-media-molecule/] that it has no plans for a new LBP.

Why not? Because, according to level designer Danny Leaver, it would "fragment" the community. "We'd never want to do that," he said. "That'd be the most counterproductive thing you could do, I think."

What Media Molecule does want to do is continue releasing updates and downloadable content for the game, adding to the ton of LittleBigPlanet DLC already available. "I think what you've seen so far from LittleBigPlanet, that's the way it's going to continue," added producer Martin Lynagh.

The comments vaguely echo the concerns expressed by the much-maligned Left 4 Dead 2 Boycott [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/the-needles/6564-Left-4-Dead-2-The-Boycott-The-Visit-The-Aftermath-The-Interview], which was launched in part over concerns that a Left 4 Dead sequel, released so soon after the original, would render the first game "obsolete" and cause a schism in the fanbase. Whether or not that actually happens, it's pretty cool to see a developer take a pass on a sure-fire sequel and opt to continue supporting its fans instead.


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GonzoGamer

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Apr 9, 2008
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Of course they aren?t going to do a sequel. I love the game but there are way too many suckers (or people who just love microtransactions) who buy every little overpriced costume they can slap together in 5 mins.

If they?re smart, when they start making something new it?s going to be something else they can add a steady stream of dlc to.

I just hope that whatever it is, it?s as much fun as LBP.
 

Chipperz

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Apr 27, 2009
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Good to hear :D I feel slightly more secure in getting me the 2000AD sackboy costume set, now :D I just need to decide if I'd rather piss around as Judge Dredd or Jonny Alpha...
 

Pendragon9

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Apr 26, 2009
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Ah, nice citing of the L4D2 boycott. It actually fits here.

Now these people are trustworthy. They support their fans, instead of whoring their franchises out for a quick buck.
 

ZombieGenesis

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Apr 15, 2009
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It could always be because Little Big Planet was a substancial sales failure in its debut year. I can't be certain of market trends since, but when I purchased LBP I was up-front told by the retailer I had been the first person to buy the game from their store, and this wasn't exactly opening day.

That said I think most people know about this problem already, but either way it's good to see a game that won't be pestered by a big ugly number at the end of it.
 

Vanbael

Arctic fox and BACON lover
Jun 13, 2009
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Little Big Planet is one of those games that doesn't need a sequel. If Media Molecule wanted to do some more Little Big Planet work, they would make another content package as DLC, like they said.
 

TheBarefootBandit

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May 20, 2009
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They already get loads through DLC in regards to money. Besides why do they need to make new levels. There's talented users (or in my case talentless) for that.
 

MrBrightside919

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Oct 2, 2008
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Glad to hear it...

I love Littlebigplanet to death and would hate to see anything that isn't expanding on the game I already have written into my will (it gets EVERYTHING!)...

Besides, LBP on the PSP is coming very soon...that's the closest thing to a sequel that we need...
 

theSovietConnection

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Jan 14, 2009
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This is a nice surprise. I really wouldn't mind seeing this for more game series out there *cough*Guitar Hero. I wouldn't mind shelling out a little money to add to an existing game then end up with a whole new sequel.
 

Gxas

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Sep 4, 2008
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How does one create a sequel to a game based around DLC?

The only thing I can see is patching in more items to use, which I'm sure they already do.
 

fix-the-spade

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Feb 25, 2008
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Seems logical.

LBP doesn't lend itself to sequels in the way most games do, you'd be hard pressed to persuade people to buy the sequel when it most likely would do very litle the current doesn't. Which is kin dof a poison chalice, on the one hand they've made a game that can potentially last as long as the PS3, with updates and community driven creation. On the other hand Media Molecule are quite vulnerable to being downsized or closed now, they work on one game that's dependant on DLc and user traffic.
If those go and MM doesn't have anything else to pitch, what's to stop Sony putting the kybosh on them? More pressingly what's to stop Sony just making another (cheaper) team and having them take control, I bet it's in their contract with Media Molecule.
 

Guitarmasterx7

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Mar 16, 2009
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Yeah a sequel would be a bad move anyways. besides the first one is mainly based around user made shit so I'm sure downloadable levels will keep you occupied forever if you really like the game that much.
 

L3m0n_L1m3

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Jul 27, 2009
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I'm kind of disappointed by this news, but I'm also relieved to hear that they'll keep releasing updates for LBP. Like the water update! Whenever that comes out.
 

LeonLethality

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Mar 10, 2009
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I'm torn little big planet is great and it could be so much better as well, but sequels are a risk, it can either be good and be a game that blows others out of the water (I overuse that term) or it can be crap so I guess the DLC is fine enough... but I would LOVE a good sequel
 

cleverlymadeup

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Mar 7, 2008
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seems kinda good, not sure how they'd really do a sequel to the game, really it would be more levels and that's about it really
 

scotth266

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Jan 10, 2009
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While I do think that they should hold back on a sequel for a while, I did want to hear that they were at least thinking about it. LBP was pure gold, but a concept can always be improved: and the LBP concept is one with huge potential for improvement.

Ah well, maybe in a few years and a game or two they'll come back to it.