LittleBigPlanet – Over 3 Million Community Levels!

[CYMBOL]

Originally Posted by toefer

Haha. I forgot about that part. I'll convince myself that must be the reason for the drop in the ratings. Now it's a race between Chaplin and Mega Maze, to see if either ever earns a 4th star again.

The problem is that when the player finishes the level - it automatically goes to the current star ranking. So, when a player ends a 4 star level it starts at 4 stars. I don't think most people care, and just select the status quo.

Originally Posted by fsavoie

Just out of curiosity how much time do you spend on a good level? I have the game, and I'm currently trying to get 100% in story mode before trying to build something but I must say that it seems to be very time consuming to do a good level.

Yeah, I highly recommend getting all materials and stickers first (I did the same thing). (Also, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND going through every single tutorial before beginning your level.)

Hmmmm, very hard to answer because of all the variables.

First, what's a "good" level?

Second, it all depends on the "type" of level.

A basic run and jump level can be made fairly easy, doesn't mean it will be good. Some levels feature almost no game play but are incredibly designed (like LittleBigDeadSpace - that level is AMAZING; however, you basically experience the level, there is very little to do).

To give a generalization - I'd say 30 hours, sometimes much more. But it all depends on what you're going for. I spend a LOT of time on lighting and lighting effects - I could probably cut out a lot of time if I didn't mess with that stuff - but I have a very specific "feel" I want to certain scenes.

Also, a LOT of time can be spent on objects, half the time spent on my level, The Great Race, was tweaking a vehicle I called a Power-Ball.

The good news is - building the actual levels is getting easier for me and I find things are taking less time to figure out and get from my head to the level much easier - but I also keep trying to improve my designing and push my personal creative boundries - which inevitibly leads to spending lots of "trial and error" time creating effects and objects.

There are a hundred variables - but expect your first level to take a LONG time (30+ hours or much more) as you learn to work with the tools.

I won't lie, it's a tedious and time consuming process - but it is a great creative outlet as well. I hope you try it out. Let us know if you need any help or tips.

[fsavoie]

Thanks for the advice cymbol!

I have tried little dead space and very liked it. But like you said it was really good looking but little to do in it. I'll try some of yours too this week.

[toef]

Originally Posted by fsavoie

Just out of curiosity how much time do you spend on a good level? I have the game, and I'm currently trying to get 100% in story mode before trying to build something but I must say that it seems to be very time consuming to do a good level.

Like CYMBOL said, it's hard to give an exact answer, because there are too many variables.

Even if there was a general consensus on what made a level "good", it could take two different people two drastically different amounts of time to make it.

Just as some reference points though:

The guy who made Azure Palace said it took "about one full week" to make. Not really sure what that means, but that's what he said.

The levels I've made probably ranged from about 5-12 hours.

The lower end of the range is the Connect Four level, which is incredibly simple, though I did spend a lot of time figuring out a way to make a board that could be reset over and over (and getting the gears to function properly was a pain). It was my first level, so it took longer than it would take for me to go make it again right now.

The higher end of the range is the Chaplin level, which still greatly lacks in detail compared to other boards, but it was just a slow process of even getting all the simple bits in place, to get it to work the way I wanted it to (lots of moving parts and things that you don't see on the screen).

If you are concerned about the amount of time it takes, one suggestion would be to release your level in "beta" stages (even though I hate when people do that). So you could basically public your level and add "v 0.1" to the end, and each time you add a bit more, bump the version number up.

This way you can still get people playing your board early on, and maybe get some feedback from them in the comments on what you can change/fix/add, to guide you along the long level-making process.

Edit: Oh, and be prepared to feel like you waste some of your time. You may find that you have an idea for how to do a certain part of a level, but then after working on it, you think of a better way to do it, so you scrap the original one, and start again. When I first started the Presidential Race level, it was actually just going to be a donkey and elephant roller coaster-type cars racing each other, with the vehicles attached to a track, going up and down hills, around loops, etc. After about 2 hours of working on that, and not really liking how it turned out, I switched to the idea of having the obstacle course in the beginning, and then a relaxing ride on the vehicles, and then going through the polling booth, etc.

[CYMBOL]

Originally Posted by fsavoie

Thanks for the advice cymbol!

I have tried little dead space and very liked it. But like you said it was really good looking but little to do in it. I'll try some of yours too this week.

You're welcome.

The Great Race is my latest level and only took me a week (less then 20 hours) - but spent another whole week in beta-testing/tweaking after the initial build. A large part of why this level took less time is because I don't have to play around as much to figure out how to make shapes, etc.

My first level - The Garden at Midnight, took probably 40+ hours.

(Just to give you an idea when you see them).

Take it easy,

[CYMBOL]

Originally Posted by toefer

If you are concerned about the amount of time it takes, one suggestion would be to release your level in "beta" stages (even though I hate when people do that). So you could basically public your level and add "v 0.1" to the end, and each time you add a bit more, bump the version number up.

This way you can still get people playing your board early on, and maybe get some feedback from them in the comments on what you can change/fix/add, to guide you along the long level-making process.

That's true - Blu Boy release Boot Camp a while ago and is still updating and tweaking. It's come quite a long ways since his initial build. He's up to version 2.5 I believe.

However, this can affect your star rating sometimes, or people may pass playing on it, if the title implies it's not finished.

But it is definitely an option.

Me, I try to not publish anything till it is 100% ready and I feel 99% sure that all glitches have been found/fixed. It's been painful not to hurry up and release my new Puzzle Wheels level and "just be done" - but I've been helping other people lately and haven't had much time to devote to putting those small finishing touches on the level (that most people probably would/will never even notice - but I will).

It's all up to you -there are no rules here.

But toefer and I have talked and agree - as you're level gets closer to completion, you can sometimes get an itchy trigger finger and want to hit the publish button!

[PEDXING]

Sorry if this has been gone over before but I dunno where to begin looking in this massive thread. My question is about the MGS level pack. I downloaded it and it's amazing but it seems like there was a lot more to it in the trailers. Can you unlock the Snake, Screaming Mantis, Meryl etc characters in the MGS levels or do you have to buy them? I thought I saw more stuff in the trailer like other guards being alerted and Sackboy in a cardboard box and stuff like that. Was that just clever marketing or am I missing something? Regardless I've had a blast with it, I just wanted to know. Thanks in advance!

[CYMBOL]

Originally Posted by PEDXING

Sorry if this has been gone over before but I dunno where to begin looking in this massive thread. My question is about the MGS level pack. I downloaded it and it's amazing but it seems like there was a lot more to it in the trailers. Can you unlock the Snake, Screaming Mantis, Meryl etc characters in the MGS levels or do you have to buy them? I thought I saw more stuff in the trailer like other guards being alerted and Sackboy in a cardboard box and stuff like that. Was that just clever marketing or am I missing something? Regardless I've had a blast with it, I just wanted to know. Thanks in advance!

You have to buy the character costumes seperately from the level pack.

I saw that "alert" stuff to - never saw it in the levels, so I think that was just some kind of extra animation added in the trailer to spice it up.

[toef]

Originally Posted by CYMBOL

You have to buy the character costumes seperately from the level pack.

I saw that "alert" stuff to - never saw it in the levels, so I think that was just some kind of extra animation added in the trailer to spice it up.

Couple minor things I noticed when playing through your Great Race level.

1) You misspelled multiplayer in the level description (spelling is a hobby of mine)

2) I found a way to get stuck. I mean, I guess there are tons of ways (if you jump out of a moving wheel), but I found another way:

Toward the later part of the level, when you ride up one of the elevators, and pass the The Great Race sign, you eventually get tp the top, and go left. So after going left a bit, I noticed a bit of a ledge near the ramp that I thought I could jump over to. So I did, and went behind that wall. I thought maybe I finally found the secret room you mentioned. I went left as far as I could behind this wall, and then jumped. And then somehow I fell through a hole, because it dropped me all the way back to the bottom, a bit before you get to the previously mentioned elevator. But at that point the elevator is still up at the top, and the most recent check point (I think) was before you got on it.

I could actually be wrong about being stuck. I wasn't 100% sure that killing myself would make me respawn before the elevator, but I'm pretty sure that was the last checkpoint I crossed.

[CYMBOL]

Originally Posted by toefer

Couple minor things I noticed when playing through your Great Race level.

1) You misspelled multiplayer in the level description (spelling is a hobby of mine)

It's a pet peeve of mine too - so I appreciate it! (I'm sure I was incredibly tired when I finally published it.)

2) I found a way to get stuck. I mean, I guess there are tons of ways (if you jump out of a moving wheel), but I found another way:

Great - thanks again - I'll fix that! Btw, if you want I'll just tell you where the hidden room is. . . Or you can see if you can find on your own. Of course, when you do find it - you're going to slap yourself on the forehead.

[CYMBOL]

Btw, I will be publishing Puzzle Wheels this evening!

I let some poor soul play it last night - there are 4 Puzzle Wheels - after 40 minutes he finally got done with the 3rd Wheel.

Run for the hills everybody!

Seriously, I'm afraid to even publish this. I expect 1 star and mean comments because I think I went way overboard on difficulty and time required to complete the level.

To "breeze" through this level is 20 minutes - expect more time your first (only?) time through. I've had 5 people beta test it for me and none have had rave reviews.

I hope you guys give a shot tonight - but expect to be challenged, and maybe even a bit disappointed.

I'll post tonight when it's up.

[AikonEnt]

Originally Posted by CYMBOL

I let some poor soul play it last night - there are 4 Puzzle Wheels - after 40 minutes he finally got done with the 3rd Wheel

Seriously? That's some serious amount of time to be playing. I think you may get unfairly hammered by the ratings because people just don't have the attention span to keep going that long.

Would it be possible to divide your level into 4 separate levels with a key at the end of each of the first 3 to unlock the next? That way people could take a break and come back another day if necessary to play the later unlocked levels.

I'm impressed though that you've created a level that can take that amount of time to finish. Usually 10 minutes would be pushing it. Did you create ways to bypass wheels while you were testing or did you have to play through the whole thing every time?

[CYMBOL]

Originally Posted by AikonEnt

Seriously? That's some serious amount of time to be playing. I think you may get unfairly hammered by the ratings because people just don't have the attention span to keep going that long.

I was shocked that he was still playing after 40 minutes - I PM him and said, "Did you fall asleep? :P" He said, "I just finished the 3rd Wheel".

It took me and Stephie about 25 min as 2 player - however, this level is NOT designed for 2 players and says so in the description and a magic mouth as you enter the level. Can't help it if people don't listen.

Would it be possible to divide your level into 4 separate levels with a key at the end of each of the first 3 to unlock the next? That way people could take a break and come back another day if necessary to play the later unlocked levels.

I'm impressed though that you've created a level that can take that amount of time to finish. Usually 10 minutes would be pushing it. Did you create ways to bypass wheels while you were testing or did you have to play through the whole thing every time?

Well, the First wheel is very simple (although it can be a bit tricky) - but it takes me 20 seconds. Could take you 1-2 minutes.

The Second wheel takes about 4 minutes.

It's the Third Wheel, "Colorful Collosus", that is the beast. We're talking 7 minutes or so. I think this is the one I went overboard on.

However, there is an "out" after that to end the level early - so, it could take only 12-15 minutes if you leave early.

But you have to complete the 4th Wheel "The Four Corners" to get the title Puzzle Wheel Master.

So, there is an out - but only after you've suffered a bit.

It will be unlike anything you've played - but I'm not sure that means you'll like it. You may, in fact, hate it.

Guess we'll find out soon.

[Stephie_is_a_dork]

Originally Posted by CYMBOL

To "breeze" through this level is 20 minutes - expect more time your first (only?) time through. I've had 5 people beta test it for me and none have had rave reviews.

What?!? No!!! Why would you think THAT? It's ultra mega super duper über freaking awesome beans!!! Yes, it's long and a bit challenging, but SO cool! Anyone that plays it will see how much work...no..."craftsmanship" (and tweaking, I'm sure) went into every detail and be impressed and amazed by the imagination and execution of it. Sorry if I didn't rave while playing, I might have been concentrating too hard on playing/gamebreaking as a beta tester, but it truly is most excellent!

[PA_Kid]

Originally Posted by CYMBOL

Btw, I will be publishing Puzzle Wheels this evening!

I let some poor soul play it last night - there are 4 Puzzle Wheels - after 40 minutes he finally got done with the 3rd Wheel.

Run for the hills everybody!

Seriously, I'm afraid to even publish this. I expect 1 star and mean comments because I think I went way overboard on difficulty and time required to complete the level.

To "breeze" through this level is 20 minutes - expect more time your first (only?) time through. I've had 5 people beta test it for me and none have had rave reviews.

I hope you guys give a shot tonight - but expect to be challenged, and maybe even a bit disappointed.

I'll post tonight when it's up.

Sorry I've been off the grid guys - busy with real life.

CYMBOL - it might be too late to do this, but could you reward stickers after each wheel and do sticker trigger shortcuts? (Kinda like the test labs?)

That way someone could finish the first wheel, leave, and move straight to the second at a later time - it would almost be like having save points.

[CYMBOL]

Originally Posted by Stephie_is_a_dork

What?!? No!!! Why would you think THAT? It's ultra mega super duper über freaking awesome beans!!! Yes, it's long and a bit challenging, but SO cool! Anyone that plays it will see how much work...no..."craftsmanship" (and tweaking, I'm sure) went into every detail and be impressed and amazed by the imagination and execution of it. Sorry if I didn't rave while playing, I might have been concentrating too hard on playing/gamebreaking as a beta tester, but it truly is most excellent!

Aw shucks. Thanks Stephie. You said, "That was cool", so I figured that translated to "I liked it. . . . "

Many people owe you big for the changes you influenced as a beta tester. I lowered the electric ground and have included a grabbable material on the fourth wheel that will "reel you in" when grabbed on to. People won't understand how awesome you had to be to earn the "Puzzle Wheel Master" - before it was made easier for them all.

Originally Posted by PA_Kid

Sorry I've been off the grid guys - busy with real life.

CYMBOL - it might be too late to do this, but could you reward stickers after each wheel and do sticker trigger shortcuts? (Kinda like the test labs?)

That way someone could finish the first wheel, leave, and move straight to the second at a later time - it would almost be like having save points.

That is a GREAT idea - and yes, a bit late. Yeah, I had been wondering where you had gone - figured maybe you just were "done" with LBP. Glad to see you're back and hopefully what ever real life stuff you had is all good.

[AikonEnt]

Originally Posted by CYMBOL

It will be unlike anything you've played - but I'm not sure that means you'll like it. You may, in fact, hate it.

Guess we'll find out soon.

I'm quite sure I won't hate it, because I will appreciate the effort that has gone into it. I like abit of a challenge but hope there's no sixaxis throwing frustratingness

Might try it at the weekend. Not really been on LBP since I published my pinball level, been playing Dead Space, then Savage Moon for the last couple of days.

[Stephie_is_a_dork]

Originally Posted by CYMBOL

Aw shucks. Thanks Stephie. You said, "That was cool", so I figured that translated to "I liked it. . . . "

Many people owe you big for the changes you influenced as a beta tester. I lowered the electric ground and have included a grabbable material on the fourth wheel that will "reel you in" when grabbed on to. People won't understand how awesome you had to be to earn the "Puzzle Wheel Master" - before it was made easier for them all.

Happy to help! Actually, it was an honor to get a sneak peak at the fabled Puzzle Wheels...even if I was THIRD instead of first

My Puzzle Wheel Master pic was a victim of the dreaded save issues though Luckily I uploaded it immediately after taking it, so it's viewable on the info page of your level and on "My Pictures" in my InfoMoon

[groovyone]

Twice now while exiting LBP it has restarded my PS3. Anyone else?

[dk3dknight]

Originally Posted by groovyone

Twice now while exiting LBP it has restarded my PS3. Anyone else?

Ive had mine 1-3 times a day freeze on a white screen and never recover..

[toef]

Originally Posted by CYMBOL

Great - thanks again - I'll fix that! Btw, if you want I'll just tell you where the hidden room is. . . Or you can see if you can find on your own. Of course, when you do find it - you're going to slap yourself on the forehead.

By all means, spill the beans. I kept going up and down one of the elevators, thinking there'd be a part where I would have to jump out early, but never found it.

Looking forward to the puzzle wheels later.