The developers of EA’s Create want to make a game limited only by the player’s imagination.
Bright Light game designer Emily Newton Dunn promises to deliver players a “What If” adventure. Reminiscent of LittleBigPlanet, there are a host of objects to collect in the game, but rather than a multi-player platformer, Create creates a simpler game engine filled with “challenges”. A simple challenge might involve directing a rocket through a hoop, but there is no pre-determined solution: it’s up to your feverish imagination as well as your collected arsenal of objects … whichever happens to be beefier.
With 140 challenges and 14 worlds in Create, there are hundreds of bizarre objects to utilize in this physics-based game. Dunn’s favorite is the boot-on-a-stick and other items include balloons, rockets, ramps, among others. And while a puzzle may seem pretty straightforward, players are typically rewarded for the craziest, flashiest solution. However, the occasional challenge does limit on the number of objects you can use to reach your goal, emphasizing a certain creativity in economy.
Whole new worlds can also be designed. Budding da Vincis can release their inner artist by creating backdrops for their very own challenges–though the less artistically inclined can stick with ready-made options. Environs come to life with stickers like clouds, planets, and comets, and moving imagery like rain, mist and bubbles can be layered atop. Creatures can also be plunked into the background. The EA demo backdrop included the improbable duo of roaming unicorns and robots.
An exciting addition to Create is the Share Function. Not only can you share in-game solutions, but you can remix content and pass it along via the Xbox 360 and PS3 online communities or at create.ea.com.
Expect a November release.
TGS 2010 reporting is done jointly by Fintan Monaghan and Lisa Gay.
