LBPCentral Archive

#1

Levels with mature themes?

Archive: 44 posts

I have had a few concepts for levels floating around in my head that deal with mature themes like drug addiction, poverty and war. Reading through the Psychadelica thread Dropbear asked the question if they would moderate for drug references. One of my levels i'm planning would be about a sackboy who is trying to beat his addiction and throughout the level he would have to battle his personal demons and fears like giant needles, drug dealers and government officials trying to take his children away. Obviously I would have to tackle this in a sensitive and mature manner. What i'm wondering is would there be a way of moderating your own levels like putting some form of age verification on them or would I just have to put in its description that it may not be suitable for children? Would this sort of level leave me in hot water? And have any of you guys thought of creating levels that tackle mature themes that try to educate as well as entertain? Your thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

2008-08-26 17:37:00

Author:
LittleBigChav

Posts: 175

Hm. Tough one..

The only way I can think of to not get your level removed is to distribute it to your friends only..

2008-08-26 17:39:00

Author:
Unknown User

u can make the level private so only u'r friends can play it and then it wouldn't be taken down

2008-08-26 17:40:00

Author:
Don Vhalt

Posts: 2270

I myself have thought of doing some futuristic dystopia thing, or some sort. However, I'm not too sure if they can be put up.

If you do do that, my best bet would be for you to not put it up, and only send it to your friends or people here, or on some other site. Unless they confirm you can, that may be the only way.

2008-08-26 17:40:00

Author:
RockSauron

Posts: 10882

Well I think if you are trying to teach something that drugs are bad than I don't see a problem with that. If you are creating a level that is about doing drugs and having fun than I see a problem with that and should be only for you and your friends.

Now I am not saying drugs and stuff is bad or not but I don't think it is needed in a game like this. But I do think if you are teaching the player about the use of drugs and how they can be bad than that is not a problem. Older cartoons had drugs in them to teach kids not to use, comics have also done this. It is a good way to teach kids on the use of drugs and drinking and the path it can take you down is not a good path.

So I say make it and see what happens. The community would most likely post on how they feel on a level like this and if Sony and MM see that it is okay and not bad than why not.

2008-08-26 18:13:00

Author:
Darth_Spartan

Posts: 813

What Darth_Spartan said. All common sense.

2008-08-26 18:28:00

Author:
aer0blue

Posts: 1603

I think the idea sounds awesome.

If made right, it could be huge.

2008-08-26 19:00:00

Author:
JigsawGeneral

Posts: 46

Well I think if you are trying to teach something that drugs are bad than I don't see a problem with that. If you are creating a level that is about doing drugs and having fun than I see a problem with that and should be only for you and your friends.

Now I am not saying drugs and stuff is bad or not but I don't think it is needed in a game like this. But I do think if you are teaching the player about the use of drugs and how they can be bad than that is not a problem. Older cartoons had drugs in them to teach kids not to use, comics have also done this. It is a good way to teach kids on the use of drugs and drinking and the path it can take you down is not a good path.

So I say make it and see what happens. The community would most likely post on how they feel on a level like this and if Sony and MM see that it is okay and not bad than why not.

Thanks for replying i'm just wondering why you feel it is not needed in this game? I feel a game like this where the main selling point is having the power to be as creative as you want means different and challenging levels like the ones I and presumably other people have planned should be encouraged. I understand what everyone is saying in regards to maybe just giving the levels to people I know but I feel that hinders the whole sharing aspect. I think one of the most challenging problems with this type of level is to not make it a preachy drugs are bad m'kay message i'm trying to ram down peoples throats. It needs to be subtle so if you just wanted to play the level for the challenge then you can but if you feel like taking in whats being said then you can.

2008-08-26 19:16:00

Author:
LittleBigChav

Posts: 175

Thanks for replying i'm just wondering why you feel it is not needed in this game? I feel a game like this where the main selling point is having the power to be as creative as you want means different and challenging levels like the ones I and presumably other people have planned should be encouraged. I understand what everyone is saying in regards to maybe just giving the levels to people I know but I feel that hinders the whole sharing aspect. I think one of the most challenging problems with this type of level is to not make it a preachy drugs are bad m'kay message i'm trying to ram down peoples throats. It needs to be subtle so if you just wanted to play the level for the challenge then you can but if you feel like taking in whats being said then you can.
I am saying that if you are making levels that are about doing drugs and making it into something that is cool, that is bad. Why? Well this is more of a family game and I don't think there should be levels promoting the use of drugs is good and fun. I think if the level is to teach about the use of drugs being bad than okay, now not saying it should be preaching or something but it should not be about hey smoke on this and you will have fun just like this level, or take a hit of some drug is a fun experience.
So I am not for the idea of promoting the use of drugs is okay, now if you like to do drugs and stuff than hey no problem here, have fun. But a game like this should not be about promoting drugs. Not saying there is not room in video games to do that but this is more of a family game, so hey be creative and stuff but if you are going to try to make a level about doing drugs it shoud hopefully be to teach that they are not good, they can lead to bad things.
We have all seen what drugs can do too people, and it is not all about a fun time. There is negatives to it and that is what should be the lesson. Now yeah I agree don't ram it down my throat but being smart about how give the message is good.
So I can see a level like this to work but again the game is a family game and yes about creative but not to be used to promote something that is not for all people and something that can lead to problems. I know I would not want those type of levels made like that. Now hey if it is a level that is like a bad trip than hey have fun but it seemed like you were going for teaching people about the use of drugs are not good and that is good.

2008-08-26 19:48:00

Author:
Darth_Spartan

Posts: 813

We haven't heard any official feedback yet on this sort of mature content and how strict their policy on level content is, so it's impossible to say if they're enforcing a 'no drug references' policy. Bottom line is that it's impossible to answer your question yet.

2008-08-26 20:17:00

Author:
Linque

Posts: 607

Something mature just doesn't seem to fit into LBP. I'm not talking about violence, because violence can work as long as it's not disgusting and somewhat funny, but serious things like that just don't seem like they would feel right, LBP is cute and full of charicatures and colorful stuff, it would almost seem scary compared to the rest of LBP.

2008-08-26 23:08:00

Author:
punch145

Posts: 42

I am saying that if you are making levels that are about doing drugs and making it into something that is cool, that is bad. Why? Well this is more of a family game and I don't think there should be levels promoting the use of drugs is good and fun. I think if the level is to teach about the use of drugs being bad than okay, now not saying it should be preaching or something but it should not be about hey smoke on this and you will have fun just like this level, or take a hit of some drug is a fun experience.
So I am not for the idea of promoting the use of drugs is okay, now if you like to do drugs and stuff than hey no problem here, have fun. But a game like this should not be about promoting drugs. Not saying there is not room in video games to do that but this is more of a family game, so hey be creative and stuff but if you are going to try to make a level about doing drugs it shoud hopefully be to teach that they are not good, they can lead to bad things.
We have all seen what drugs can do too people, and it is not all about a fun time. There is negatives to it and that is what should be the lesson. Now yeah I agree don't ram it down my throat but being smart about how give the message is good.
So I can see a level like this to work but again the game is a family game and yes about creative but not to be used to promote something that is not for all people and something that can lead to problems. I know I would not want those type of levels made like that. Now hey if it is a level that is like a bad trip than hey have fun but it seemed like you were going for teaching people about the use of drugs are not good and that is good.

Thanks for the reply I would never use it as a way to say drugs are good. Like most things that are bad for you like fatty food or alcohol its all about common sense and moderation. I have an uncle in a mental hospital because of drugs and a friend who sadly seems to be following the same path. I think this could work but until I get my hands on the game I really don't know if it would be appropriate.

@ Punch145 you are right that LBP is cute and full of charicatures and colorful stuff yet it seems to be such a powerful creative tool that apart from our avatars i.e the sackboys we have the ability to create whatever we want. But if theres no way to really moderate my own work I wouldn't want these sort of levels to fall in the hands of younger more impressionable gamers.

2008-08-27 02:01:00

Author:
LittleBigChav

Posts: 175

I can imagine extreme limits on levels of this sort. Basically, no giant pot leafs and smiley faces, sunshiney days, happy birds, balloons, and rainbows. Something I can imagine is going to happen no matter what but I hope the author of such a level is aware enough to not publish such a, "masterpiece".

While reading the original post I began imagining a level where the first screen or so is the happy stuff. Dope fiend Sackboy does his deed and the rest of the level is downhill through a increasingly difficult hellish nightmare. Still, much too mature for a large portion of LBP gamers, maybe. Some still might get the meaning and I personally wouldn't want to take the chance.

There are many other avenues of mature content you could tackle and you could easily replace the needles and drug references for something a little less noticeable yet deep. Maybe Sackboy really likes his square rock that makes the first couple parts of the level easy to get through but later becomes a nuisance as he tries to advance to the bonus areas or finish line? Ya. Not as easy as I thought.

2008-08-27 03:32:00

Author:
docpac

Posts: 601

But I would like to say that if you can find a way to create a level that deals with mature material in a good way than do it. I was thinking of ways to do this also, I was thinking of creating a level to show that sometimes creating your own path is the way to go. That sometimes the clear chosen path is not always the way to go, by creating signs marked with different choices and being different is sometimes good also.

So hey I think it is okay if you take it a smart direction, entertainment is always been a way to open eyes to new things or teach a great lesson. So I think it is something good to talk about and for us to think of smart ways to provide a message of peace, political issues, and many other mature material to talk about and how to provide that message we are wanting to share.

Through time we have seen books, comics, cartoons, music and movies do this. So hey why not do this with a game like this? A game that will provide us a new way to reach out to share our ideas, could you imagine seeing a level from LBP being talked about on CNN that has been able to make some kid out there or adult open their eyes. If ping-pong can bring two countries together than imagine what the power of LBP could do.

So hopefully some of us here could do this, open some gamers eyes on a important issue. Maybe something small like how our votes can make a change, or something even bigger. So let's all think of ways this can be done, let's let our ideas be heard or in this case be played.

Sorry for the long post or if I bored you.

But remember you should not be afraid of your government but they should be afraid of you.

2008-08-27 05:08:00

Author:
Darth_Spartan

Posts: 813

Keep in mind, moderation would be different in different regions. For example, we can get away with a lot more course language in Australia, in Europe, more nudity, and in North America, more violence.

2008-08-27 08:10:00

Author:
Dropbear

Posts: 272

Keep in mind, moderation would be different in different regions. For example, we can get away with a lot more course language in Australia, in Europe, more nudity, and in North America, more violence.

Australia pretty much gets away with anything

2008-08-27 08:28:00

Author:
muttjones

Posts: 843

I can imagine extreme limits on levels of this sort. Basically, no giant pot leafs and smiley faces, sunshiney days, happy birds, balloons, and rainbows. Something I can imagine is going to happen no matter what but I hope the author of such a level is aware enough to not publish such a, "masterpiece".

While reading the original post I began imagining a level where the first screen or so is the happy stuff. Dope fiend Sackboy does his deed and the rest of the level is downhill through a increasingly difficult hellish nightmare. Still, much too mature for a large portion of LBP gamers, maybe. Some still might get the meaning and I personally wouldn't want to take the chance.

There are many other avenues of mature content you could tackle and you could easily replace the needles and drug references for something a little less noticeable yet deep. Maybe Sackboy really likes his square rock that makes the first couple parts of the level easy to get through but later becomes a nuisance as he tries to advance to the bonus areas or finish line? Ya. Not as easy as I thought.

Thats actually really good.

@ Darth_Spartan There are no limits to what we could create I mearly focused on the drug level because its a lot easier to take out of context. But focusing on more 'safe' themes like political issues or problems in poorer countries would definately be more suitable for the younger gamers. If we could get just one gamer to look at the world a little differently it would be worth doing. God I feel like i'm giving a motivational speech.

2008-08-27 08:31:00

Author:
LittleBigChav

Posts: 175

Maybe Sackboy really likes his square rock that makes the first couple parts of the level easy to get through but later becomes a nuisance as he tries to advance to the bonus areas or finish line? Ya. Not as easy as I thought.

Weighted companion cube from portal, anyone? LOL

2008-08-27 08:39:00

Author:
Dropbear

Posts: 272

So hopefully some of us here could do this, open some gamers eyes on a important issue. Maybe something small like how our votes can make a change, or something even bigger. So let's all think of ways this can be done, let's let our ideas be heard or in this case be played.

But remember you should not be afraid of your government but they should be afraid of you.

I was thinking more like... "electronic voting is a scam".

2008-08-27 10:33:00

Author:
docpac

Posts: 601

I was thinking more like... "electronic voting is a scam".

HUH? Are you talking about how our voting system is no longer a popular vote for president and is now off the state and how many votes each state is worth and yeah it is a stupid system and scam. But also remember that people have fought for the right to vote and we shouldn't kick that in the face, use the rights people have fought for and vote. Unless of course you don't want to, that is not a problem.

2008-08-27 15:43:00

Author:
Darth_Spartan

Posts: 813

HUH? Are you talking about how our voting system is no longer a popular vote for president and is now off the state and how many votes each state is worth and yeah it is a stupid system and scam. But also remember that people have fought for the right to vote and we shouldn't kick that in the face, use the rights people have fought for and vote. Unless of course you don't want to, that is not a problem.

You know a lot of people also fought for communism, nazism and fascism, doesn't make those right. Anyway, any system wherein you only have 2 candidates and not everyone votes is flawed. But enough about politics. I honestly don't see a LBP level changing the world, hate to say. They might be powerful, but its audience will never be big enough lol

2008-08-28 01:40:00

Author:
Dropbear

Posts: 272

HUH? Are you talking about how our voting system is no longer a popular vote for president and is now off the state and how many votes each state is worth and yeah it is a stupid system and scam. But also remember that people have fought for the right to vote and we shouldn't kick that in the face, use the rights people have fought for and vote. Unless of course you don't want to, that is not a problem.

First off, yes.

Any system of voting will be flawed but using electronic interfaces to cast votes is absurd. I mean, I get a receipt when I buy a stick of gum. I get nothing when I vote. It just fells... empty. Not to mention the code for the machines are not open source and therefore can make the machines do anything the program wants. Then after that, in the event of honest machines and somehow dead even delegates [your right about the states being worth a set amount] the final choice goes too.... the supreme court?

I could go on and on. Haven't touched on the controlled media outlets, percentage of media in one city a single company can own, campaign contributions, special interests and how all of this ties into the "election".

Enough of this nonsense. Better to do this in general than under level ideas.

2008-08-28 01:59:00

Author:
docpac

Posts: 601

You know a lot of people also fought for communism, nazism and fascism, doesn't make those right. Anyway, any system wherein you only have 2 candidates and not everyone votes is flawed. But enough about politics. I honestly don't see a LBP level changing the world, hate to say. They might be powerful, but its audience will never be big enough lol

every system is flawed...
there aremore then two candidits... and everyone has the right to vote...

FYI to all that are going to make preechy levels... DONT DO IT!!!

i dont care if the pope makes a level... if its preachy then its getting a crappy score... from everyone!

2008-08-28 02:06:00

Author:
12454522412412

Posts: 779

every system is flawed...
there aremore then two candidits... and everyone has the right to vote...

FYI to all that are going to make preechy levels... DONT DO IT!!!

i dont care if the pope makes a level... if its preachy then its getting a crappy score... from everyone!

You see thats the challenge! To make a level that tackles serious issues WITHOUT being preechy.

2008-08-28 23:16:00

Author:
LittleBigChav

Posts: 175

That is a good idea, I was going to do a church level. Go down the wrong path, and you will end up in hell. It will be an intense level.

2008-08-29 00:00:00

Author:
ps3&me

Posts: 21

First off, yes.

Any system of voting will be flawed but using electronic interfaces to cast votes is absurd. I mean, I get a receipt when I buy a stick of gum. I get nothing when I vote. It just fells... empty. Not to mention the code for the machines are not open source and therefore can make the machines do anything the program wants. Then after that, in the event of honest machines and somehow dead even delegates [your right about the states being worth a set amount] the final choice goes too.... the supreme court?

I could go on and on. Haven't touched on the controlled media outlets, percentage of media in one city a single company can own, campaign contributions, special interests and how all of this ties into the "election".

Enough of this nonsense. Better to do this in general than under level ideas.
What about the I Voted sticker they give people for voting

2008-08-29 00:14:00

Author:
Darkelite105

Posts: 374

I agree that the hardest thing to do in a game in general is to find a way to create a message or create a mature level. But if you can find the way than it becomes a great thing to do. Just to let you know it has been done with a game that shows player how there is a problem with hunger in Africa, so I believe that it can be done with a game like LBP. So don't be so quick to cast a idea of a level with mature context will be a failure but try to think of ways it can be done with LBP.

I don't really have a good idea on how it can be done but I believe that it can be done.

2008-08-29 05:03:00

Author:
Darth_Spartan

Posts: 813

Theres also a Nintendo DS game in production that deals with the Holocaust.

http://kotaku.com/360003/exclusive-eternitys-child-creator-attempts-to-tackle-the-holocaust

2008-08-29 09:18:00

Author:
LittleBigChav

Posts: 175

Any mature themed levels I'll make will only make sense if you're paying attention. Otherwise its just another interesting and fun [hopefully] level. You'll have to pay attention to the big picture. Besides, anything deep would be spread over a series of levels.

I certainly wouldn't have a police officer telling you drugs are bad... it will be in the details.

2008-08-29 13:23:00

Author:
docpac

Posts: 601

They should create categories in the browsing for levels online (mini games, challenges, levels, contaprions, etc....) and a categorie with 16+ 17+ or 18+ so when u agree to the terms u can play mature levels. that would be a good idea i think.......:kz:

2008-08-29 16:14:00

Author:
megakonijn

Posts: 47

They should create categories in the browsing for levels online (mini games, challenges, levels, contaprions, etc....) and a categorie with 16+ 17+ or 18+ so when u agree to the terms u can play mature levels. that would be a good idea i think.......:kz:
I agree with you on that, good idea. It would be nice to see a way to mark your level as mature.

2008-08-29 16:17:00

Author:
Darth_Spartan

Posts: 813

Mega- I don't think it would be a good idea. 1, there are a bunch of people who would just say they are 18, like me, and get the levels. 2, LBP is more of a "fun loving", if you will, game, and not meant for adult stuff.

2008-08-30 02:30:00

Author:
Unknown User

well for me I am not talking about putting bad things in the level, cartoons have had messages of not doing drugs and about sexual transmitted diseases. So that is what I am saying would be good to have messages like that, it has also been done in comics also, it is not such a big deal if done correctly and I think something that would help games in a world view to show not all games are bad. Look how the gamers ruined spore by making pornography material, imagine if we could use LBP to give a positive outlook on games and not all gamers are bad. I think it would 1 make LBP stand out as a positive game for gamers 2 show not all gamers are bad and 3 help some young kid.

2008-08-30 02:52:00

Author:
Darth_Spartan

Posts: 813

The thing is, there are still going to be gamers making LBP-nis stuff though if you know what I mean, and it won't stop in any creation game, so those people can go be immature all they like. Most people like to look past that stuff, and if MM can keep a constant moderation on the levels, they will go just fine. Spore, nor LBP, are being or should be being percieved in bad ways just because of immature people. I understand what you are saying, and I don't think they would really be against thost "don't smoke crack" levels and such, but you never know.

2008-08-30 02:59:00

Author:
Unknown User

Of course people who arent 18+ will get the levels but i personally think that making a i dunno guy selling crack on the streets in littlebigplanet wont harm anyone its just a game:arg:

2008-08-30 07:54:00

Author:
megakonijn

Posts: 47

I'm pretty satisfied that Mm is putting mods up for different regions, but I'm a little angry that I can never create my penismobile... D:

2008-08-31 15:30:00

Author:
Sack-Jake

Posts: 1153

I like the fact that LBP is a fun 'clean' game, intended to inspire creativity. I don't think this needs to a tool for bringing mature themes to the online community. There's enough other titles out there that are much better suited. I'd hate to see a wealth of levels emerging that are specifically just trying to see what they can get away with, instead of producing genuinely entertaining experiences for the all-ages market.

2008-08-31 16:13:00

Author:
mrbobbyboy

Posts: 304

I like the fact that LBP is a fun 'clean' game, intended to inspire creativity. I don't think this needs to a tool for bringing mature themes to the online community. There's enough other titles out there that are much better suited. I'd hate to see a wealth of levels emerging that are specifically just trying to see what they can get away with, instead of producing genuinely entertaining experiences for the all-ages market.

Completely agree... But littlebigchavs initial proposal does sound really interesting and somewhat educational, so (atleast for me) there are some exceptions.

2008-08-31 16:51:00

Author:
Maltay

Posts: 2073

Yeah - I saw that someone else had mentioned wanting to use LBP as a teaching medium. That'd be cool, but the beauty of the system is that those levels can be stored on your own planet, and used as necessary. Even if they'd get blocked at an online sharing level, there's still the facility to utilise them as tools for school/college etc. Still means that someone would have to take their precious PS3 into school! Yikes!

2008-08-31 16:54:00

Author:
mrbobbyboy

Posts: 304

I'm pretty satisfied that Mm is putting mods up for different regions, but I'm a little angry that I can never create my penismobile... D:

You can create all the LittleBigPenismobiles you want. The point is, you just aren't supposed to share them.

I don't remember the exact quote, but I really liked it and it applies here. But one of the developers of spore said something along the lines of how you can make all the penis-monsters living in penis-buildings driving penis-vehicles as you wont. Just as long as you don't share it with the rest of the community.

So make all the mature content you want. But sometimes certain things should be kept to yourselves.

2008-08-31 17:39:00

Author:
Unknown User

Yeah - I saw that someone else had mentioned wanting to use LBP as a teaching medium. That'd be cool, but the beauty of the system is that those levels can be stored on your own planet, and used as necessary. Even if they'd get blocked at an online sharing level, there's still the facility to utilise them as tools for school/college etc. Still means that someone would have to take their precious PS3 into school! Yikes!
Well, you'd have to take your PS3 into school even if it were stored online. If you'd do something educational with it, you'd probably have to screencap it, then take in the video.

2008-08-31 18:21:00

Author:
bbroman

Posts: 1374

People dotn ruin the game with something like school

Plz maths on LBP? Hell No!

2008-08-31 21:17:00

Author:
megakonijn

Posts: 47

People dotn ruin the game with something like school

Plz maths on LBP? Hell No!

I'm definitely using it for a presentation at school, man.

2008-08-31 21:46:00

Author:
bbroman

Posts: 1374

go for it and make the levels, even share them with friends who are intrested, but under no cirumstances should you publish them to every lbp user on the network... i promise you it might actually get you banned... they probably don't care if it has a deeper meaning, they don't want you posting levels that arent 100% e rated. hmmm, i never thought it would be a good idea to make mature levels in such a "cute" game like this... but hey everybody has their own take on thngs... Godd luck with the levels!

2008-09-01 07:46:00

Author:
big93

Posts: 262

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