Tue, Sep 30, 2008 | 07:44 BST

Media Molecule: “We don’t see 2D as a copout”

Speaking to Kikizo, Sony’s Pete Smith has said that a 3D approach to LittleBigPlanet may not have even been possible, and that plumping for a 2D design wasn’t a “copout”.

“Part of the beauty of the game being 2D is that it keeps it really simple, and that really helps,” he said.

“If you were trying to make your own gameplay in full 3D, there’d be a lot more to consider. I don’t know if it would be possible, but there would be a lot more to think about. We don’t see 2D as a copout.”

There’s a big interview through there Media Molecule’s Mark Healey and Alex Evans, as well as Sony’s Pete Smith. Take a look.

Media Molecule: We couldn’t have made LBP on Xbox 360 “as it is”

Media Molecule may recruit level building gamers for LBP dev team

Biggest LittleBigPlanet image so far posted by Media Molecule

4 comments

captaineurogamer
30/09/08, 9:58 am

a 3D littleBigPlanet done PROPERLY would just be SO GOOD.

JPickford
30/09/08, 10:53 am

I suspect people will be glad it’s only 2D when they realise how much work goes into making a decent level. Even with the excellent tools provided.

pjmaybe
30/09/08, 1:06 pm

I’d give my left nut for there to be a 3D “workshop” in the game for the creation of certain items. I’m still getting used to only sticking wheels on one side of my vehicles – and not being able to paint the entire surface satisfactorily with certain things.

JP’s right though – thank grud you’re only dealing with a 2D side on view (with 3D elements) most of the time. I’d hate to have to factor in a 3rd dimension properly for level design, it’d take aeons!

Mind you, that said – with an interface a little like Trackmania’s, it could well be done.

No_PUDding
30/09/08, 1:55 pm

I am glad it’s only 2D.

It just took the time for a game developer and publisher to take that risk (coincidentally, looking at the recent news feed) of spending lots of time and money on a 3D game that will play in 2D.