The LittleBigPlanet series spans three platforms and helped launch Sony’s push for user-generated content sharing. Created by British developer Media Molecule, sackboy is Sony’s loveable mascot. But like other entries in the series—not including the original and LittleBigPlanet 2—Media Molecule isn’t taking development of the newly-announced LittleBigPlanet Karting on its own. United Front Games, which created ModNation Racers, is partnering with Media Molecule for LittleBigPlanet Karting.
“It’s a true partnership,” said Kyle Zundel, Sr. Producer for LittleBigPlanet Karting. “Due to United Front Games’ pedigree in the racing genre and their experience in developing games that have incorporated user-generated content, they are a perfect fit to lead the development of LBP Karting.”
United Front Games is taking the lead on LBP Karting with a Media Molecule partnership. This appears similar to how Cambridge Studio worked with Media Molecule on the PlayStation Portable version of LBP.
“Similar to how Media Molecule has partnered with outside studios on the development of LittleBigPlanet PSP and LittleBigPlanet for PS Vita, the MM family has grown once again and under the guidance of Media Molecule, United Front Games is poised to help us bring the LittleBigPlanet franchise to new heights with LBP Karting,” Zundel told PSU.
Both PS3 and PS Vita are home to a kart racing games from the ModNation Racers series, which was created by United Front and first released in 2010. When asked if Sony was displeased with sales of ModNation Racers, Zundel said the PlayStation Vita’s version—ModNation: Road Trip—was a key launch title for the new handheld device. He added that it’s doing very well as a launch title for Vita.
“Regarding LBP Karting, I definitely think it will attract newcomers,” he said. “The game will be rooted in a solid foundation of LBP familiarity, but will be a completely fresh experience, including endless tracks, diverse gameplay (laps, waypoints, objectives, battle modes), etc. Similar to how LBP2 revolutionized the platforming world, our goal is for LBP Karting to have the same impact on the kart racing genre.”
LittleBigPlanet Karting is slated for release later this year exclusively on PlayStation 3.