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Regarding an early copy for review

Archive: 42 posts

Alright, I'm gonna be straight up with you guys now that I'm done searching. Since the interview, I've been working to get an early copy of LittleBigPlanet for our site so we can have a review up. Sam told me he could provide a copy given he actually got his hands on some, but he has not contacted me and it's a little late now, as with shipping it wouldn't get here on time. I spoke with a man in SCEA today, and sent him over some site stats, and this was his response:


Thanks, Mike. I'm not sure we'll be able to fulfill your request for an early copy of LBP as the extreme media demand for this title is overwhelming our allotment. If that changes, we will let you know.Basically, that means unless he ends up with extras he doesn't know what to do with, we're not getting one. After that response, I spent my time scouring ebay for an early copy, in hopes that I could find one there. I even had a very generous individual(due to request, he shall go unnamed) willing to donate the full price, about 100$ US, to help us get one, but it turns out that the shipping would take 7-10 days, which negates the point of an early copy. The only way to get that ebay listing (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=360097433425) to get to me in a reasonable amount of time is if we spent another 100$ at least on the shipping, which I could not allot on my own, even with said individual helping out. We'll just have to get a review up as quickly as possible when the game releases.

The reason I kept all of this from you guys was to prevent raising hopes in case something like this happened. I still think you guys deserve to know.		2008-10-14 03:05:00

Author:
ConfusedCartman
Posts: 3729

Good luck with that. 2008-10-14 03:17:00

Author:
Unknown User

good luck and i hope he gets some extra copies that he does not know what to do with so we can get a nice early review for all of us giddy waiters2008-10-14 03:27:00

Author:
RAINFIRE
Posts: 1101

I think I'm being sent one but I'm not sure.2008-10-14 03:43:00

Author:
Unknown User

I think I'm being sent one but I'm not sure.
Really? Why?		2008-10-14 03:46:00

Author:
ConfusedCartman
Posts: 3729

So, who would of played it? Lol jk, but nice try man, really appreciate everything you go through to make this site just that better. Hope we do get an early copy though. Would be awesome to here a review. 2008-10-14 04:12:00

Author:
Whalio Cappuccino
Posts: 5250

The game comes out in 9, almost 8, days. We should just wait these days; we have waited a really long time for this game so I would think we could wait 8 days2008-10-14 04:18:00

Author:
Unknown User

The game comes out in 9, almost 8, days. We should just wait these days; we have waited a really long time for this game so I would think we could wait 8 days
I don't mind waiting, it's just we cannot get a review up at launch unless we receive a copy early. The best we can do is 2 or 3 days after, minimum. Realistically, to get an honest review up, it would probably take near 5 days to unlock most of the stuff and do all of the create tutorials.		2008-10-14 04:30:00

Author:
ConfusedCartman
Posts: 3729

I don't mind waiting, it's just we cannot get a review up at launch unless we receive a copy early. The best we can do is 2 or 3 days after, minimum. Realistically, to get an honest review up, it would probably take near 5 days to unlock most of the stuff and do all of the create tutorials.

It would have been nice to get an early copy for the review...strange that since we are one of the biggest fan sites out there we didnt but i guess they had to get the copies to the Ign and eurogamers first. kudos still on the try guys.		2008-10-14 06:09:00

Author:
OverWork
Posts: 873

Couldn't MM sneak one to one of us in England for the review. Like me?2008-10-14 07:01:00

Author:
TheArmedReaper
Posts: 1543

There aresome early release copies available on ebay UK. I can't guarantee the seller's authenticity personally, (yet) though he does have good feedback.

The price is fairly reasonable if any of the mods fancy a go for reviewing purposes...

(By the way, what's the stance on PSN early releases, I know Microsoft have discussed banning the accounts of users on XBL playing early released copies, did that ever happen on the PS3? As far as I'm aware nothing ever actually happened with the 360, but there was talk...)		2008-10-14 07:25:00

Author:
flakmagnet
Posts: 1084

There aresome early release copies available on ebay UK. I can't guarantee the seller's authenticity personally, (yet) though he does have good feedback.

The price is fairly reasonable if any of the mods fancy a go for reviewing purposes...

(By the way, what's the stance on PSN early releases, I know Microsoft have discussed banning the accounts of users on XBL playing early released copies, did that ever happen on the PS3? As far as I'm aware nothing ever actually happened with the 360, but there was talk...)

Actually, a couple of people got their accounts banned for getting an early release of Halo 3. They were my friends so it isn't just made up over Xbox Live, I actually live by them.		2008-10-14 07:27:00

Author:
Whalio Cappuccino
Posts: 5250

woow!!! this is such a cool forum look forward into doing alittle bit of everything and hope you get the copy some how2008-10-14 07:31:00

Author:
schoolem-k
Posts: 4

Actually, a couple of people got their accounts banned for getting an early release of Halo 3. They were my friends so it isn't just made up over Xbox Live, I actually live by them.


Ah. So, Does Sony have the same thing? I'm hoping this eBay seller is legit.		2008-10-14 10:11:00

Author:
flakmagnet
Posts: 1084

Some retailers in europe (France) are already selling US version of the game since yesterday! O_o
Don't know how they got theses copies so early.		2008-10-14 12:08:00

Author:
mok13
Posts: 3

Same as the eBay guy I've bought from, selling US copies in the UK. Thank goodness for region free eh?2008-10-14 12:10:00

Author:
flakmagnet
Posts: 1084

Same as the eBay guy I've bought from, selling US copies in the UK. Thank goodness for region free eh?

Exactly. All games being region free was one of the smartest things Sony did with the PS3.		2008-10-14 13:51:00

Author:
supersickie
Posts: 1366

Made me happy since my Ratchet and Clank Quest for Booty came the other day!2008-10-14 14:02:00

Author:
flakmagnet
Posts: 1084

Ah, shame you couldn't get hold of a copy, but it shows the dedication you put into this site.

Keep it up. 		2008-10-14 15:41:00

Author:
Super Sackboy
Posts: 86

That's crazy.

His excuse is that the demand is too high for the game? So, is he out of copies or something?

Yeah, I respect him for getting back to you on it but at least he could have been up front with you and told you that he thinks we're too "low-brow" to get a free copy.

Nice attempt, though.

I'd suggest keeping your eye on forums around the web to see what stores are breaking the release date... you could get lucky.		2008-10-14 17:02:00

Author:
Comatoes
Posts: 76

Wow, I found a online store in Austria(where I live) selling them early and they are already sold out.

Before I could get one. 		2008-10-14 19:27:00

Author:
Robber
Posts: 46

i can't believe they wouldn't send a copy. what a stupid excuse to give.2008-10-14 20:03:00

Author:
Sackboy
Posts: 164

, something like this never really crossed my mind. So, um, yeah, I suppose you could just wait.

And, he didn't respond himself, so LBM, I'm assuming the early copy may be because of your dad's website?		2008-10-14 20:35:00

Author:
RockSauron
Posts: 10882

all we can ask from you is that you try... and clearly you went above and beyond expectations to try and provide a large sum of money to get a copy and get our site more popular... don't be saddened that you couldent achieve your goal, from what you've done everyone could tell you looked for every possibility but i'm sure people can understand it's not such an easy task to accomplish...


for future reference though if you have money problems in the future you should try posting for donations. I'm not sure exactly your ethics view on this subject, but in my eyes, asking for help from your community, when you yourself are putting up the larger majority of the money is not such a big deal.

whoever this nameless man may be, thank you for your generosity. And thanks cartman for trying. Let's just wait and see as the days go by maybe one of us can get their little hands on a copy... and hey if it be days or hours before official launch... it's before launch...		2008-10-15 02:51:00

Author:
big93
Posts: 262

Hi. I'm in Singapore, and picked up (to my surprise) a US import copy of the game yesterday. I played through the first few levels last night, having not been in the beta, and had a blast. Stephen Fry is a good touch too. But I'm getting a 403 connection error. Anyone think I'm right in thinking that this is because the official launch hasn't happened and the servers arent fully up?2008-10-15 03:05:00

Author:
oozlum
Posts: 1

I keep getting that when I try to go on the Playstation Store2008-10-15 03:28:00

Author:
Unknown User

Hi. I'm in Singapore, and picked up (to my surprise) a US import copy of the game yesterday. I played through the first few levels last night, having not been in the beta, and had a blast. Stephen Fry is a good touch too. But I'm getting a 403 connection error. Anyone think I'm right in thinking that this is because the official launch hasn't happened and the servers arent fully up?
Yeah, the servers are not ready to go yet, and will not be ready until the 21st(although maybe a little earlier).

And regarding donations, there's not enough time for everything to work out. We'll get a review up, no doubt about that, but I can't promise how early it will be(I'm aiming for the 21st).		2008-10-15 03:47:00

Author:
ConfusedCartman
Posts: 3729

Cartman, I think you're awesome for trying. Most fan sites would of never given up their time like that.2008-10-15 13:37:00

Author:
Unknown User

I sent an email to Mm venting my frustrations with them, and while it seems a little harsh, it seems to have gotten a good response. Here's the email:


Hi,

I'm Michael Buffaloe, admin at lbpcentral.com (http://lbpcentral.com/). We're having trouble with Sony regarding their support of fansites. There's a couple of issues:

Although a Sony dev by the alias of SamProtagonist promised us an early copy of LittleBigPlanet, he chose to completely ignore any future contact regarding getting that set up. It's now seven days until LittleBigPlanet releases, and too late to hope to recieve an early copy. I know it's not up to Media Molecule, and I'm not trying to hassle or blame you guys, I promise. It's just frustrating to be promised something, and then having the subject completely ignored from that point on. I would have accepted a simple "I'm sorry I promised you, but it's not going to be able to happen." Instead it was completely ignored. On that subject, SCEA also rejected us outright because they "didn't have enough copies to hand out". I understand it's all business, but it's still a frustrating experience.

Also, the fansite registration seems botched. We've registered and complied with the rules, but nothing has come out of it. We haven't even recieved a confirmation email regarding being "official", let alone the "news and other special tidbits" that were promised to official sites. We're definitely considering going in the other direction and putting advertisment on our site so we can make back a little bit of the money we spend every month just to keep it running. It almost seems more rewarding to do just that, so we can offer physical prizes(PSN point cards and the like) on our site instead of virtual items that don't amount to anything real.

On both of these subjects, I know you guys have little control. Like I've said before, I'm not trying to blame Mm. I'm just worried that the whole "game company over the toilet shop" idea will soon evaporate. I love Media Molecule for just that reason: you guys are a tight, efficient, and very humble company, and that is what is so remarkable about you. If Sony continues in this direction, they may well ruin the faith the community has in you all, because Sony has completely different goals than Media Molecule has. Sony's a corporation, so their goal is to make as much money as possible. You guys are another way to make money to Sony, and I don't like that Sony is underestimating the sheer power you guys have with LittleBigPlanet. You guys are about to change gaming forever, and all Sony seems to want is to take advantage of that for their own ends.

I hope you took the time to read it, even if you disagree. I just don't want you guys to change in a bad direction, and I want Sony to realize that making a game for the community means that you have to put the community first. Media Molecule is remarkable in that regard, and I just hope it stays that way.

Thanks,
Michael Buffaloe
Alex Evans responded with this:



Hey Michael,
Sorry to hear about your frustrations. MM is going to be working to build its own part of the LBP community so hopefully we can be more reactive. So far, we haven?t received any copies yet either ? they haven?t come back from manufacturing as far as I know ? so you?re not alone!
Hold on in there, it's nearly there.
Alex

At least we know that they have plans to support the community on their own as well. That's definitely a good thing.		2008-10-15 14:44:00

Author:
ConfusedCartman
Posts: 3729

At least they responded, that's one thing.2008-10-15 14:52:00

Author:
Sambo110
Posts: 162

Yeah. It's wierd though that eBay sellers have managed to get hold of US copies before the developers!

Still, fair play to Alex for taking the time out to respond, it may not be a long email, but its still more than I usually hear back from most developers!		2008-10-15 15:08:00

Author:
flakmagnet
Posts: 1084

Yeah guys, Media Molecule really is a class act. There are a lot of things that are out of their control. It seems as though maybe manufacturing is a bit slow, so please never have negative thoughts about these guys. They really are some of the classiest guys and gals in the business.

LBP		2008-10-15 15:25:00

Author:
lbp
Posts: 423

I've never heard of a small-time fanstie getting an early copy of a game for review ever.

So you dont get to have a free copy of the game before everybody else...

We've nearly all tried the game out anyeay, and theres planety of other reviews to read, if we want to.		2008-10-15 17:39:00

Author:
Maltay
Posts: 2073

I've never heard of a small-time fanstie getting an early copy of a game for review ever.

So you dont get to have a free copy of the game before everybody else...

We've nearly all tried the game out anyeay, and theres planety of other reviews to read, if we want to.

Gotta agree, tbh read quite a few reviews and give me a good idea of the final game : AMAZING .

But saying that it would have been good to see a review of the game on our sites but nothing really what we can do but still fairplay to them they did reply and kept their rep high. But also I defintley commend you for your efforts. Good Job LBPC 		2008-10-15 17:44:00

Author:
Kyashu
Posts: 447

good luck bro.2008-10-15 19:13:00

Author:
muffinman701
Posts: 37

I've never heard of a small-time fanstie getting an early copy of a game for review ever.

So you dont get to have a free copy of the game before everybody else...

We've nearly all tried the game out anyeay, and theres planety of other reviews to read, if we want to.

Regarding the review, honestly, it wouldn't be just for you guys. It would draw in a lot more members and a lot more traffic, which is definitely a good thing. I'm trying to get us out there, so we're more noticed by the general public. An early review would bring a lot of that in, which would do nothing but help us. If you want to accuse me of complaining because I didn't get to play the game before everyone else, go right ahead, but I assure you that's not the motive behind it.

Also, I've never heard of a small-time fansite getting an interview with the founder of the company producing the hit game of the year, but here we are. Just because it's never happened before doesn't mean we shouldn't try anyway.		2008-10-16 00:16:00

Author:
ConfusedCartman
Posts: 3729

Also, I've never heard of a small-time fansite getting an interview with the founder of the company producing the hit game of the year, but here we are. Just because it's never happened before doesn't mean we shouldn't try anyway.

Small-time O_o hell no xD We BIG TIME baby

And you're absolutely right, an early review would have been phenomenal for the site, but oh well, we'll just have to become the best known forum for all LBP post-release news, psn-friends, and a great place to find cool levels and their trailers

Speaking of which, I'm seriously starting to think I will put LBPC in all my level titles, and that everyone here should too, so we can encourage our own levels to A) be easy to find and B) have better chances of rising to the top!		2008-10-16 02:41:00

Author:
KAPBAM
Posts: 1348

man i hope it works out. Would be great for the website.2008-10-16 03:58:00

Author:
Frank-the-Bunny
Posts: 1246

Indeed, no worries man.

Game has gotten exemplary scores and you know everyone on this site is going to get it regardless.		2008-10-16 16:14:00

Author:
KBY
Posts: 60

There will be a small time review on here from myself on Saturday after I've had a heck of a bash over tomorrow and Friday and will be here with a chibi-sized-review.2008-10-16 16:33:00

Author:
flakmagnet
Posts: 1084

Just letting you guys know, we're a small site. I doubt we'll get an early copy especially after the delay. My site wont be getting one but I'm okay with that. Sam is nice for responding. Sometimes we send out emails and nver get responses till we start pestering them. We do get stuff early like the R4, PRINSTIK, Voyager, etc.2008-10-18 13:54:00

Author:
Unknown User

Just letting you guys know, we're a small site. I doubt we'll get an early copy especially after the delay. My site wont be getting one but I'm okay with that. Sam is nice for responding. Sometimes we send out emails and nver get responses till we start pestering them. We do get stuff early like the R4, PRINSTIK, Voyager, etc.
Did Sam respond? I must have missed it.		2008-10-18 18:13:00

Author:
ConfusedCartman
Posts: 3729


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