E3: Sony Applies LittleBigPlanet Philosophy to Racing

One of the most intriguing concepts that Sony pioneered last year was “Play, create, share!” which saw its first embodiment in the highly successful LitteBigPlanet videogame developed by Media Create and released in the autumn of last year. Now, the concept is being taken further via a videogame presented at E3, ModNation Racers.

The game is being developed by United Front Games and, at its core, is an arcade racer. There will be a dynamic obstacle system, real time physics, free online play and the feeling of speed and danger offered by driving at astounding speeds in a fragile little kart. But the real meat for ModNation Racers is elsewhere, in the customization and creation options that the game is set to offer.

When a player first logs into the videogame, a character can be created, choosing from a variety of options related to the image of the model, and the kart that the player uses can also be painted, modified and shaped in any way he/she wants. There is also the possibility to access the level editor incorporated in ModNation Racers, allowing gamers to create a new track by simply driving around it. Players are put in charge of their kart and, as they drive, the track is being generated behind them, mimicking their motions.

All the content thus created can then be shared with friends and other ModNations Racers players by using the PlayStation Network. A rating and a comments system is implemented so that new comers may quickly see what levels and what karts are the best creations. Sony is also saying that it is implementing filters, social components and leaderboards to make the community important in ModNation Racers.

At the moment, Sony is not talking about a specific release date but the game will not be out before the summer of 2010.