Sony Ponders User-Generated Fees For User-Generated Content In LittleBigPlanet

Andy Chalk

One Flag, One Fleet, One Cat
Nov 12, 2002
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Sony Ponders User-Generated Fees For User-Generated Content In LittleBigPlanet


LittleBigPlanet [http://www.sony.com], including a scheme that would allow fledgling level designers to charge for access to their content.

PlayStation U.K. [http://eu.playstation.com/] website, where he discussed the importance of user-generated content in the PlayStation community. Reeves said the ability of people to express themselves, "either artistically, in terms of writing or creating something, or socially, in terms of telling people what they're doing or what their plans are," is a driving force for many people. "That, coupled with being able to sell things and make money, is really very attractive," he said.

"So, for example, what we're trying to do with LittleBigPlanet is almost eBay [http://www.itunes.com] in the sense that once an individual or a developer has qualified by producing certain levels or certain add-ons, they will then be able in the future to exchange these and make money out of them," he added. "Eventually, it's feasible that you might well see the first LittleBigPlanet millionaire!"

"Even if you charge less than one euro, it doesn't take many downloads if you've got a really strong LittleBigPlanet level for people to be able to make money," Reeves continued, implying that users will be able to set their own prices for content they create. "It's a great way for people to show others what they can do."

Sony later clarified that regardless of future plans for the game, all user-generated content in LittleBigPlanet will be free when the game launches. "SCEE and Media Molecule can guarantee that all consumer-generated content will be free at launch," Sony said in a follow-up statement to Eurogamer [http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=200029]. "We know how important this is to the LBP community and what we want most is for people to enjoy playing, creating and sharing their content."

"Obviously, we're also excited about the future and David was talking about how user-generated content could potentially evolve in the long term," the statement continued. "Any decisions that are taken to evolve LBP in the future, will include the community and focus purely on enhancing the user experience."

LittleBigPlanet, a "puzzle platformer" for the Media Molecule [http://www.playstation.com] and is currently set for release in October.

via: PS3 Fanboy [http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/07/20/littlebigplanet-allows-users-to-charge-for-created-content/]


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stompy

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Jan 21, 2008
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I actually think it's a bad idea. The whole great thing about user-created content (like mods) are that, because they are free, practically everyone can share and experience them. At first, I thought Sony would pocket the money, but even with the proceeds going to the creators, I'm a bit saddened that, like I said before, paying people to play your levels will reduce the amount of people who will get to experience it.
 

Jumplion

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Mar 10, 2008
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No no no! If I want a penis shaped volcano that spews out molten lava, I do NOT want to go and make it myself just because i don't want to pay for it.

But that's a flaw in this service, people would just try to replicate it so they wouldn't have to pay for it. Not to mention that what you payed for could be crap.

On the other hand, i could get more money. So it's either me paying or me creating.
 

PedroSteckecilo

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Feb 7, 2008
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They're just contemplating the idea, and if its like Itunes where you pay like $2 a level or something that wouldn't be bad at all. Letting people set their own prices however would be moronic. Overall though this would be REALLY hard to make work well.
 

Jumplion

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Indigo_Dingo said:
I like the idea. An interesting way for those of us without credit cards to get some funds to use in the store. I think its a genuinely good idea.
An idea that obviously has some flaws.

Obviously people would abuse the system, over charging their "merchandise" as it were and just make people make it themselves.

But inside we're all that greedy little bastard. Plus you have to "prove your worth" as a LBP-er and would have to make good levels and stuff.