Sony has some interesting ideas for user-created content in LittleBigPlanet, including a scheme that would allow fledgling level designers to charge for access to their content.
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe President David Reeves explained the idea on the PlayStation U.K. 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 iTunes meets eBay 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. “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 PlayStation 3, will prominently feature user-generated content including levels and prizes, which can be uploaded to servers accessible by other LittleBigPlanet players around the world. The game is being developed by Media Molecule and is currently set for release in October.
via: PS3 Fanboy
