LittleBigPlanet Preview

Each level you've come up with can co-exist with a choice of premade levels, incorporated by Media Molecule. You'll be able to share your inventions with others, in addition to swapping new backgrounds. For the time being, the developers revealed a cemetery level, a serene Japanese garden and a dusty desert setting. All of these were designed by mixing photorealism with stylish and highly detailed 3D graphics. Charming character models were clearly created with care and precision and they blend in with the wacky ambience, which, once again, may be altered according to your liking.

As for multiplayer features, we've learned there's going to be a four-player co-op, but Sony is also promoting the possibility of creating and then uploading levels to the PlayStation Network. Of course, other players may download and rate these levels, which is another expected, yet welcomed, feature. What's more, LBP was designed with VoIP support and every single character is actually lip-synched, which, I'm sure will please most gamers and may lead to some entertaining moments.

Adding to the vast number of customization options, the developers also decided to allow players to include their own photos as textures for in-game backgrounds. After that, it's up to you to choose which objects are placed in the area. You can incorporate anything you like, ranging from decals, metal grates, bolts of fabric, posts, flags, etc.

At present, the developers are shooting for a 2008 release and we're still waiting to find out where Media Molecule plans to draw the line between "actual game content" and user-made content. Apparently, their goal is to deliver a fun community based game, where players have plenty of room to create and share their ideas.

Recently, a public beta was mentioned, although there's still no official word on that. We know Sony is currently going through a closed beta for PlayStation Home, so a beta for LittleBigPlanet could very well be the next move.