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The Official LBP Vita Game Jam Writeup

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Article by Tom Ross
(aka Taffey, PSN tsr13)


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In February 2012, a handful of LittleBigPlanet creators from around the globe were invited to Sweden to visit Tarsier Studios. These lucky folks were given the opportunity to get their paws on some shiny new PlayStation Vita handhelds and do what they love best: build levels. This wasn't for just any old video game - it was an early peek at the upcoming LittleBigPlanet title for the Vita, and things don't get much better than that. I present to you a mildly cohesive, somewhat rambling narrative of the LBP Vita Community Game Jam 2012 from my own perspective, along with choice quotes from many of the other attendees. It would be impossible to describe in detail all of the mind-numbingly awesome things that took place over the course of that epic and largely sleepless weekend, but I have done my best to hit the high points. I had a lot of fun writing this, and I hope you enjoy it.





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One fateful but otherwise average morning, I received an email from one James Spafford at a place called Media Molecule. Cute, a spammer... but NO. It was the real deal - an invitation to a LittleBigPlanet Game Jam! My mind was spinning, and I half expected to wake up from the weird dream I was having. Despite several dunks of my head in a bucket of ice water, the email remained in my inbox. It was at that point I did what any normally insane person would do: I accepted the invitation, packed my bags, and hopped on the next plane to halfway around the world.

When I actually read Spaff's invite email, my first thoughts went from "Oh my God..." to "OH MYYY GAAAAWWWDDDD!" pretty quickly. But I did have doubts about going - leaving my husband at home with the baby made me feel guilty. I said "I won't go, I'd feel bad about it."

His answer was simple: "If you miss out on an opportunity like this, you're an idiot, and I will disown you."

Guess that left me with little choice in the matter.
When I first got the email from Spaff I was in shock, but so excited! I think it raised more questions than it answered, but it really did make me feel special. And it tripled my excitement for lbp Vita.
I remember waking up on the morning of January 20th and being tired as usual. My wife headed off to work and I booted up my computer and found a curious email from Spaff titled "LittleBigPlanet event invitation". Even getting an email from Spaff is exciting, but that title pretty much had me shaking with excitement. I spent the next week trying to figure out how I could possibly get to the other side of the world for this event.
I grinned then thought "oh god, my boss will never give me the time off work", and spent the next few days trying to think of a good excuse to request "emergency" leave.
When I first read the email from Spaff, I had to read it at least ten times for it to sink in. Me? LBP Vita? Sweden? My mind swirled with fantasies of flying across the world to play one of my favorite games with friends who shared my passion. I couldn't resist imagining what it would be like to hear Taffey's fart jokes first hand, or watch poo work his logic magic, or to bask in Salieri's sassy wisdom. Impulsively, I took a big gulp and bought the plane ticket to my daydreams...





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After a very long but otherwise uneventful journey in a pressurized aluminum tube, I emerged into the terminal at Copenhagen airport. I collected my mostly frozen suitcase from the baggage claim and headed out the door for my first ever visit to Denmark. Almost immediately, I encountered amazingflyingpoo and jeffcu28 hanging around Burger King. (Us Americans, you see, instinctively flock towards hamburgers.) We introduced ourselves to one another and marveled at how odd it was to meet total strangers, only to discover that we'd known each other for years.

We were all tired but very eager to get going, so we boarded the train for Sweden. We somehow ended up in the no-talking car, where we were forced to sit in silence with nothing else to do but admire the immaculate and composed nature of jeffcu28's hair. We disembarked at Malm� and, thanks to my navigating, walked around in circles until eventually arriving at the hotel. Shortly afterwards, we met up with a few of the folks from Tarsier (including GruntosUK and wexfordian) to have a few beers and unwind. It's hard to explain how surreal it is to be sitting at a table, having actual conversations with people you've known only by words on a computer screen. My most memorable moment of the evening was having an in-depth discussion about the video game industry with some guy in a hat, only to have him say "Oh, and by the way I'm jackofcourse", at which point I promptly fell out of my seat.

The guys down at Tarsier were amazingly welcoming and they really seemed passionate abut what they were doing. Heck, some of them were joining in with our challenge just because they enjoyed playing the game so much!
Our community really is amazing, the people I met had so many things in common besides our love of the game that conversations flowed aout the most random of topics (I'm looking at Taffey and Salieri here, you never knew what they would be talking about next!) And everyone was willing to help you out with creating tips if you got stuck, it was like a big, 24 hour long party really.
Lots of the creators at Tarsier and in our group were people I've followed on LBP for some time. Some I'd spoken to before, others I'd never had the pleasure, so I didn't really know what to expect. But they were all so accommodating, so down-to-earth, and so happy to be there / welcome us that I relaxed instantly. Having a pair of slippers and my own mug when we got into the office helped greatly too!
I've already been gushing all over the internet about how much I loved everybody, so it will come as no surprise that I thought the people were really jolly nice. I'd actually begun to bend to the prejudices of my peers (I use the term loosely as, speaking literally I am without peer) in the couple of days before leaving. You know what the internet's like: people can seem normal enough, but I had begun to be convinced by others that everyone else would be some kind of socially-impaired half-human. It was a lovely surprise that I turned out to be the most inept at social interaction out of everyone. The rest were honestly the loveliest bunch of people you could ever hope to meet.
Having known people on the community for some time via the forums, in game create seshes and the like, it was really awesome to be able to meet everyone in the flesh. Everyone there was so friendly and approachable, I don't think there was one person I didn't have a decent conversation with. Whether it was about where our PSNs come from, our jobs or just little stories about what real life is like, there was just so much conversation and it was really nice to learn a little bit about people who you've only seen as little sackthings beforehand.
It is really awesome to finally see some faces instead of just PSN names and costumes. Also all the people were so nice and got along so perfectly there never was any quarrel, just fun. The folks from Tarsier also were a very open minded and fun crowd and it was a blast to work and play with them over the weekend. It really seems like they are having a lot of fun working on LBPVita.
Within a day I already found myself addressing people by their first name instead of their PSN one.
Meeting everyone was the best thing for me about being at the game jam! For me the community and friends are a big part of my love for LittleBigPlanet. So to meet all of these lovely, kind, creative and caring people meant the world to me.
I was star-struck the whole time. Every time I met an accomplished creator, I wanted to bow down to their greatness. I feared they'd think I was a weirdo though and call the Swedish police on me, so I just shook their hands and screamed on the inside each time it happened.
It was a blast! I have had some of the creators my creative gods way back into LBP1, so it was really nice putting a face to all of the PSN names and finally meeting everyone.
Half the people there I wanted to meet; and the other half I just didn�t know yet that I also wanted to meet them.
Felt great and strangely surreal to finally meet face to face with people I have known for years from the forums and from in-game play sessions.
It was a blast meeting everyone. Every single creator there was so friendly! It appears that Tarsier doesn't invite trolls to these things... Hmmm... Perhaps a lesson is to be learned ;-)

As for meeting the Tarsier employees, it was great. They were even friendlier than those who were invited, and they were excited to show off the game and also to help us all with our levels since we were using tools that we were unfamiliar with.





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I woke up bright and early on Friday having been barely able to sleep the night before. I spent a few hours browsing various LBP forums, wondering what the community's reaction was going to be when the news finally got out about the game jam. They had NO idea what was about to hit them. I eventually headed downstairs to the restaurant adjacent to the hotel lobby and grabbed some breakfast. I noticed several people sitting by themselves at separate tables, looking around and debating whether or not to introduce themselves to one another. I was one of these people. Eventually I got up the nerve to talk to someone, and was delighted to discover that it was Ungreth! Wow! This process repeated itself another dozen times or so, and every time the conversation went something like this:


"Um, hi."
"Hello."
"Are you one of the... uh...?"
"Oh! I am. And you? Are you a... Well, I mean to say..."
"Yes!"
"Splendid!"
"Definitely."
"Um, LittleBigPlanet, right?"
"Whew, yes! I'm glad you said that."
"Great. So who are you then?"

We eventually congregated together at one of the larger tables and became fully introduced. At approximately 9:52am (and 27 seconds) we left the hotel as a group and began the long and nervously excited walk across the street to Tarsier Studios. We couldn't wait to find out what the day had in store for us. It was the longest 200 yard walk of my life.


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Waiting outside the door at Tarsier.
"You ring the buzzer." "No, you ring it."

I was very nervous at the beginning, because I knew I would be one of the last people to arrive on Thursday and so the first opportunity to meet any of the creators would be on Friday morning's breakfast. Luckily I met Hallm3 at the Malm� station and we managed to find a way to the hotel. At breakfast next morning the people slowly sneaked into the dining room and we slowly found out who were just guests and who were awesome creators after a while when we all gathered on one table it was time to go to Tarsier studios.
I was excited. Like Charlie walking towards the chocolate factory with a golden ticket in hand.
I was so very excited to meet you all! I met most of the people Thursday evening and I knew this would turn out to be a great few days.
It was so incredible meeting people over breakfast, all my preconceptions of what other lbpers were like were slapped outta me like a huge swedish salmon to the face. Everyone was so friendly and the fact that we were all sat there, grown men and women, talking about LittleBigPlanet was so bizarre but of course awesome. I've never been able to talk about it with my friends and it felt relieving just being able to go up to someone (Ryan/Holguin) and tell them they're grid movement logic is amazing From what I'd seen of the staff at Mm, my expectations of wacky/awesomeness were incredibly high and it was great finding out that a lot of people working there were once community members like us. It felt very reassuring and made me feel more confident about what we were having to do the days that followed. Oh, and seeing everyone in pink slippers also helped
I was nervous. Excited. It�s just hard to believe that such a thing it�s actually happening to YOU. I felt as if I had butterflies in my stomach, and all of these kept playing lbp.
I was both nervous and excited. I wasn't sure what to expect, so that alone made me a bit nervous. Fortunately, all the invited creators met over breakfast, so we had already gotten comfortable with each other.
I was super pschyed to finally get to meet some of my fellow creators, and I thought I was going to explode with excitement.
It was cold walking over to Tarsier. I don't know if I was shivering from the chilling wind that was forming ice crystals in my hair, or the pressure to create something amazing to show everyone. Or maybe I was just jittery from excitement; after all, I did travel across the world to play a video game!
Was I excited? Yes. I was a bit nervous, but not as much as I thought I would be. Having met most of you already the night before and during breakfast the next day had set a very comfortable and easygoing mood.
I literally can't remember walking there at all, but walking into the offices I was totally wowed by the mugs. That was my first impression. Where I work, we have quite a lot of branded stantionery, even branded alarm clocks, but we only have disposable cups and I remember thinking to myself "This is actually a real company with real mugs and a no-shoes policy". I suppose that was the point I allowed myself to believe it wasn't a practical joke.
I was quite ready to start yelling in excitement and jumping up and down. Thankfully I didn't because that would have been kinda weird and all the cool people at Tarsier would have thought I was mental. But yeah, it was very exciting indeed.
As we made the stroll over there, I couldn't help but think how scary we must have looked to the residents of Malmo. Seriously, a crowd of fifteen over excited, talkative, crazed creators descending on Tarsier for the day, en masse. We must have been pretty darned intimidating. But that thought quickly dissipated when I saw the sign ahead. My first thought was: This is it. The beginning of the best two days ever!






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The friendly folks at Tarsier warmly welcomed us inside, and wowsers - gamer heaven! There were beanbags and comfy couches everywhere, and tantalizing concept art covered the walls. Notes and diagrams were playfully written on the glass walls of the offices, there was a lovely kitchen stocked with drinks and snacks, and it seemed every table and countertop was covered with sparkly PlayStation Vitas. We left our winter apparel and our shoes in the coat room and made our way into what would become our home for the next 36 hours.

Before things got started, we signed NDAs which instructed us to not be naughty. The various designers, developers, and other folks introduced themselves, and hey look - it's Spaff! AWESOME. We took our seats and settled in for a presentation of the game and its new features led by rtm223. Each new tool and enhancement presented was met with murmurs and nods of approval from various members of the audience, as well as the occasional "whoa!" or "NICE". The new bits and bobs just kept on coming, and our heads spun with the bewilderment of new possibilities. Every time we thought it was over, a random developer would stick their head out of a doorway and say, "Don't forget to tell them about that other thing too", and the presentation would continue. This went on for at least an hour, and just about the time our brains were turning into mush they mercifully set us loose on the game to have some fun.


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Let's see... How do you spell 'Sackboy'?

I remember sitting there with a huge smile on my face. I love how Tarsier have managed to not only make it a handheld LBP2-editor but further expanded on it to make it into an unique experience.
After that session I was confused, happy and mind blown all at once.
I was very focused. At first I was a bit disappointed because it was clear that the Vita would not be able to do what the PS3 does qua raw horsepower. Then the Memorizer bit came and it all made sense from then on. They have listened to the community and that gave me huge confidence.
I went in expecting them to have attempted to pack as much LBP2 stuff into the smaller console but not quite manage it. You can probably guess how surprised I was, then, when they had actually put in MORE stuff! I was just so impressed with how the coding guys and the ex-community folk had worked together to give us so much more functionality. A lot of the new tools are really welcome, such as dephysicalise, because obviously the vita is a smaller console and has less processing power than the PS3, so it's awesome that they've seen this limitation and helped the player optimise their stuff and squeeze more into their levels.
I have to say everything was still a bit confusing at that time. So many impressions and my head was a bit preoccupied of just being there with all of you. But of course all of the new features looked awesome!
The new tools were pretty sweet, but all I could concetrate on was how awesome the new touch screen options were and how many possibilities there were. I couldn't wait to get my hands on them and see what was possible.
It was just one hit after another! It kept getting better and better and it was wonderful hearing people share the same amazement I had! There was quite a few times I wanted to clap my hands and shout THANKYOU!! but fortunately Ria had that covered so I didnt have to
It shares many common points with lbp2, but it has SO many tiny but yet game changing improvements that I couldn�t help it but to shed a new found respect for everyone behind the game. In conclusion, I was flabbergasted while also feeling right at home with the new tools.
At that point I was trying to figure out what I would do for my level. I know that some creators like JeffCu28 and Mnniska came in with at least a partial plan (well, I think Mnniska did since he had a notebook he was referencing), but I was not very bright and ended up coming with no real good idea to make. When the Memorizer was mentioned I certainly got excited. Also, static/dynamic material options made me smile from ear to ear.
There were moments where a feature would be explained and my mind would wander as I started to plan out what I could do with it. Then about five minutes later I'd realise I'd just missed the explanation of yet another awesome feature, and another, and another. It was like an avalanche! It got even better when rtm223 began to run out of things to show, (he was very well prepared, honestly!) and the other guys in the room kept shouting out suggestions for him to demo. I could sense their excitement � they couldn't wait to share the new tools with us, they were obviously so proud of what they had already achieved. And we lapped it up.
I've seen many improved or modified tools from LBP2 and there are a lot more to come. Still at the moment it doesn't feel like you have to compromise anything from the PS3 version. I didn't miss a single tool and was just astonished of what the editor is capable of. Although I had probably a hundred of emitters in my level the thermo just raised slightly. I cannot wait for what the community comes up with that editor which is at least as powerful as the PS3 counterpart.
I felt like a lucky person sitting before a re-incarnated Steve Jobs demoing a new
Apple product. Scratch that. It was even better!





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Before rtm223 could even finish saying "Go ahead and find yourselves a Vita and...", we all scrambled for the nearest handhelds like starving piranha. Keldur and I played king of the hill with a beanbag chair (I lost), and I'm pretty sure Coxy224 tried to slide tackle Holguin86. Somewhere in a corner I heard rialrees yelling "Mine! Mine!" Although this may all be a very slight exaggeration, we were definitely jumping out of our skins to try out all these new features for ourselves.

Loading up LittleBigPlanet Vita for the first time is a comfortingly familiar experience that is now much more tactile. Like all well-designed software, it is intuitive and naturally easy to use; you never feel lost or unsure of how something works despite the added touch features. Browsing for levels or navigating My Moon is accomplished with a natural flick of the finger, and the menus we all have grown to know and love are even more accessible. New on-screen touch icons appear as you need them and get out of your way when you don't. It just feels right.

Suddenly it occurred to me that I was supposed to actually be doing something and not just sitting in a dumbfounded heap with a silly grin on my face. I decided to play around with the corner editor and UV tools to make outer space things, and my silly grin got even bigger. This game is killer. I looked around the room to see what everyone else was up to, and I saw pretty much everything you could imagine. There were massive circuit boards floating on screens, wonderfully decorated pods, mini games, flowery things, steamboats... all the things you'd expect to see in LittleBigPlanet, only on more conveniently sized screens. And just like that an hour had flown by. It was time for lunch, and although none of us wanted to stop playing our stomachs knew better. We headed back out into the cold and walked to a local restaurant where we were treated to a tasty and filling meal. We knew we'd probably need it.


I still hadn�t shaken of the awesome feeling of being there with such tools at my disposal while also being surrounded by even more awesome people. So my thoughts were a constant stream of something that sounded like �YesssssHOHOHOflyingunicornsRAINBOWSmade of HAPINESSSS�
I immediately shot for the story levels to see what had been done with them - obviously we're not allowed to tell anyone what the story levels contained, but safe to say I was really impressed with how they played and how deep and detailed they were, especially in comparison to the PSP. The touch functionality is never used in unwanted areas, and for the places it is used it feels natural and satisfying to be able to control the world without running and grabbing.
I tinkered around a little with story mode, and a little with create. I took the opportunity to get used to the controls, and I suppose my first impression was just: �Woah. This isn't real. I'm holding a Vita, I'm playing LBP Vita right now. Conflibberwotsits?� Yes. My brain stopped functioning in English and made up its own language of excitement. I think that was the point that my mind really went kablammo.
I found it a bit tricky getting used to the new controllers and the touch features both in back and front. After so many hours spent holding a ps3 controller that's not so strange.
I was an anxious mess trying to figure out what I would make. I was testing tilt and touch a lot hoping to have an idea pop in my head. At the end of that hour I had still not come up with anything, so it was not a happy time for me.
Since I am not allowed to talk about the story mode I have to say that LBPVita is a huge game with plenty of oportunities on its own and it looks just gorgeous and super crisp on the vita. The game itself benefits from the new ways you can control your Vita whether it is front rear or multitouch or tilt, acceleration etc... it's a whole new experience.
I didn't pick one up until after lunch. My initial thought was that I was afraid of breaking the Vita because it didn't feel as robust as a PS3 controller; kind of like how the PSP feels. That feeling was gone completely at the end of the event.
My immediate impression was surprise at how the game actually felt like an advancement on LBP2 rather than a watered down version.
Straight off it was the two touch screens that impressed me. These options aren't just been tacked on, every use of the touch screens have been implemented to speed up creating and make things easier to select.
Another thing that blew me away was how much the system could handle. The PSP version could barely handle half the features of LBP, but this Vita version has everything from LBP2 AND more!
I remember being really impressed with all of the new features, however the touch interface really is something you'll need to get used to in order to use fast. For example, I found myself accidentally messing up the backtouch camera because I was holding the vita wrong. This problem was solved later on when I had created for a couple of more hours and I actually held the vita right, but I still think new creators will find themselves getting frustrated by the backtouch for those first two-three hours.
I'm a massive prize hoarder, so the first thing I did was check out all the new goodies in our popit. I felt like a child in a sweet shop when looking through all the materials and decorations and constantly found myself saying 'oh wow!' at a new material or chuckling at the randomness or practicality of a new decoration.
Wow. Rewinding actually works! You don't have to corner edit everything to prevent it from shifting! Ooh, a seemingly infinite thermo! It was like my birthday party, and I got everything I wanted pouring out of a diamond encrusted pi�ata.





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We arrived back at Tarsier and settled in as before, and our attention was called to the front of the room. We were told that as of that very moment, we had 24 hours to create a "focused experience in LittleBigPlanet Vita". We had all guessed something like this was coming, and here it was. Gulp. We could create anything we wished, but the developers noted that it would be awfully nice if we were to make good use of the new features, pretty please with sugar on top. That was fine with me, as I was itching to build a touch or tilt based level. There was just one problem.

My mind was blank.

It's hard to describe my feelings over the next few minutes. Staring desperately at a blank canvas with everybody watching while the clock ticks mercilessly in the background is harrowing to say the least. I really didn't know where to start, so I took a deep breath and started experimenting with some of the new sensors and tools I hadn't already tried. Immediately, some of the Tarsier folks came and sat down and helped explain in more detail some of the new functions. I stuck some sensors and things on a random block of material, did a little adjusting (with some extremely helpful advice) and suddenly: Aha! Inspiration. An idea for a level began forming in my jet lagged mind, and straight away I set off to create it.

As I looked around the room I saw similar processes occurring with the other attendees. Some people got faster starts than others, but it wasn't long before we were all in the zone. A room full of furiously concentrating LittleBigPlanet level creators is a sight to behold. You could almost smell the smoke coming out of everyone's ears... or perhaps it was just Mnniska's socks. Minutes turned into hours, and the afternoon turned into evening. This was going to be a long night... but also a ridiculously fun one.


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Walking back from lunch... and straight into 24 hours of pure craziness.


I was really looking forward to collaborating with fellow creators as they did in previous game jams, so I was a bit apprehensive going solo. In the beginning my hands were so sweaty from nervousness that I had to keep wiping the screen of the Vita with a napkin. But as the night wore on, some developers and creators took the time to offer help and suggestions, and I had to keep myself from slapping my forehead for those "oh duh!" moments.
Challenge accepted!
I'm a really slow paced creator, so to create a whole experience in 24 hours terrified me. Then of course there was the issue of what to make.... I'd planned a few things out on the plane journey but none of them seemed good enough. Then I stopped worrying about how good it would be, I mean, it's not like I'd have to present it or anything, right? So I just sat back and had some fun, trying out the touch functions and thinking of a funny little minigame I could make. By not focusing on impressing people, and instead just having a laugh, it made the experience so much more fun.
I tried to not get too stressed and worked up about it... kept on reminding myself I was mostly there to just have fun. Not to create wonders in such a short time. I know how I usually create and it takes a lot of time. So that's what I did; had fun with it.
I was nervous. 24 hours is plenty of time to have to build, but I was worried that I may still not come up with a good idea. I was not a happy camper at the time. Thankfully I had StevenI there with me, so I chatted with him for maybe an hour while I just messed around with stuff. That calmed me down and then I was starting to formulate a level idea.
My brain exploded and I couldn't focus on one idea, instead trying to create about 100 things unsucessfully.But eventually I settled on a fishing minigame, and got to work!
I felt relief that I had boundaries to work with, which meant I didn't have to waste time sifting through a thousand different ideas flooding my mind
I couldn't wait for them to finally announce that. Before traveling I was worried to come up with an idea and didn't really have one until I was allowed to play around with the game for a while. After that I had dozens of ideas and immediately started a few which were basically full levels but after 3 hours I decided just to make a level that is fun to play and to create. Apparently it was.
This had sort of come trickling through before we heard for sure. Beforehand there had been vague suggestions that we might be working in small groups so I was experiencing no small amount of FEAR when we got our orders. I was apprehensive for so many reasons. Some people had already come up with plans for what to create weeks before - I had no idea what I was going to do. None. Then there was the fact that most of us PSP creators had kind of dropped off the face of the community over the last year and - I didn't so much feel that I had a point to prove - rather that I was becoming concerned that everybody would leave thinking "Who was that guy? What the hell was that crap he made, and why did he get invited?" I think that may have happened anyway...
At first I was a bit down, because my idea didn't really involve any groundbreaking touch/vita elements. Then I just ignored the challenge and then everything felt better. :B
My first thought was "UH OH"! I had no ideas in my head at the time and I hadn't had much sleep the night before. I'm also really slow at creating and awful at getting used to new interfaces, so I was really slow to get started. There were always people around to help me solve a problem though.





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As I got further into my creation, it became more clear all the things that needed to be done before it would be ready. I did my best to stop looking at the clock, and convinced myself that panic was unnecessary. This was, after all, very fun. I was starting to get a little tired after having been up so early, but the growing stack of Diet Coke cans in front of me was helping to address that issue. Suddenly, I smelled pizza. Mmmmmmmmm, pizza! I really did not want to put my Vita down, but the deliciousness wafting out of the cardboard boxes being carried through the studio could not be reasoned with. I took a short dinner break and was joined by many of the other creators. Apparently, they were also concerned that they'd get stuck with vegetarian or anchovy if they waited too long to claim their slices.

After eating, I headed back out to my plush chair and my Vita and got back to work. The hours slipped by, and with no warning at all it was midnight... 1am... 2am. Many of the Tarsier folks were still around, and as we all became more sleep deprived the silliness factor increased dramatically. Lockstitch made himself into a beanbag sandwich that jackofcourse gleefully pounced upon several dozen times. We could hear much hooting and laughter in an adjacent room as various people took turns beating the snot out of each other in Rag Doll Kung Fu. Someone in the studio donned a fuzzy white jumpsuit that looked like three quarters of Roger Rabbit, but nobody seemed to think it was out of place. And still, the creating went on. At around 2:30am I began to hit the wall. It was becoming difficult to focus, and I was starting to forget what I was doing while I was in the middle of doing it. amazingflyingpoo and Salieri were in similar predicaments, so we all decided to go back to the hotel for a few hours of sleep.

I think that I experienced every emotion possible. I started off frustrated and worried, that changed into hopefulness when I came across an idea, then to worry when I started doubting my ability to pull it off, and then excitement when I started see it was possible that I could really do everything that I wanted to. In the end I was very happy with what I got done, so it all had a happy ending :-)
The time flew by. It was a welcome exercise for me, since I rarely finish a level on such short notice; it required me to come up with a idea that fits the time we were given and accept that I could probably not put everything in that I'd might have come up with. Also, my goal was not so much a finished end result, but rather the process to it in which we uncover bugs, dream up features, build experience with and opinion about LBP Vita and interact with each other during what we love to do most.
I was one of the few who went back to the hotel to get some sleep. So it wasn't 24 hours straight for me. But I found it a lot of fun!
It was absolutely mad. I don't think i have ever created this long. Sure, I have had nights where I create non-stop, but at those times I create a maximum of 10 hours, not 24! It really does things to your brain. I remember one point on saturday where I would try to create but accidentally fall asleep, so I would position myself in an awkward position so that sleeping wouldn't be as easy. Good times!
That night is hard to describe, for the most part exhilarating but towards 5 in the morning it began to become exhausting (but still incredibly fun). After having numerous create sprees on my PS3 I was surprised afterwards how little my eyes and hands hurt but alas at about quarter to 6 I had to hit the hay (one can only take lounging on giant bean bag chair for so long; it's incredibly tiring! ) Id say one of the best things that kept me in high spirits and spurred me on however was Sebastian (Mnniska) giggling next to me every 10 minutes During his awesome presentation we all saw why haha
The creating experience itself was so much fun. There was this strange atmosphere of relaxation, joy, and utter panic as we all lounged about in bean bags, drinking coffee and beer, chatting and laughing and then realising that laugh just wasted 10 seconds of creating time. I and a few others went to bed for about 3 hours and felt much better for it. The poor souls who stayed up through the night were lying around the studio like corpses when we got back from our power-nap at 6am.
Put it this way - I couldn't. I created solidly from 2pm till 6am the next morning and then I just had to stop. I remember falling asleep rather ungraciously on my beanbag about 6 and waking up 10 minutes later to Ria's laughter, then carried on creating for a bit and fell asleep again. This happened in a loop in much the same way until noon, when I woke up properly for the last time and got confused because so much time had passed. Then I forgot to finish my level and panicked when the presentation started up - anyone who's seen me in the picture of all of us at Tarsier can probably tell I'm so very tired by this point because I've actually gone cross-eyed!
I didn't create for the full 24 hours, I was too busy getting to know some of the guys and generally hanging out in the most awesome Games Room you will ever see! But the creating side was so much fun, to know something has to be finished by a deadline was exciting and meant that even a tiny set back could cost you a couple of hours of sleep!
It was exhilarating. An incredible buzz. (It was actually closer to 30 hours straight for me)
I'm sad to say my hygiene caved in before exhaustion. I don't drink coffee, so the only things keeping me awake were soda and the fear of an Epic Fail. I lasted till the wee morning, but then I had the urge to cleanse myself. I didn't know how exhausted I was until a little "nap" cost me four hours.
It felt as if my brain was issuing cheques that my body�s bank account couldn�t really pay.
Never done this before but it actually quite efficient, I have made a whole working minigame within 24 hours. Under real life conditions this would take me weeks. Nevertheless I got sleepy at 6am but after a breakfast and a shower the creating went on. Sleep was indeed optional.
I've pulled all nighters in LBP2 before, but not to this extent. Usually when I create, I dodge back out of my moon pretty regularly to see what's happening in recent activity or talk to friends. This was so focused, I lost myself. I think I actually went a good few hours at one point without talking to anyone, or even looking up from the screen. My wrists still ache, but it was worth it!




http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac207/tross13/LBP%20Vita%20Game%20Jam%202012/PhotoFeb1383232PM.png

After a surprisingly satisfying three hour snooze followed by a brisk shower, I was ready to get back to work. I met Salieri in the lobby and we headed back over to Tarsier. As it turns out, amazingflyingpoo was unable to sleep with all the ideas for his level swimming in his head, so he had walked back over a couple hours earlier. We found that our gaming lair was a much quieter place than when we had left it a few hours before. An exhausted Coxy224 was slumped over a beanbag as though he had been shot, and a mostly brain dead comphermc shuffled wearily through the hallways speaking in tongues.

The creating continued and the clock ticked. The corpses that were draped on much of the furniture gradually reanimated themselves, and it wasn't long before the sun came up. It was announced that we had four hours remaining, and I knew that I had to come up with a specific plan to get my level finished. I was pretty happy with it, but there was just no way I'd be able to do everything I wanted in the time allowed. I wasn't too concerned though, because that was the case with most of us. Two hours left. One. Time for final tweaks, testing, and some sound effects. Hallelujah, everything works! Time's up. A barely audible and weakly triumphant cheer made its way across the room, and suddenly we were done.

Well, sort of.

The chairs and beanbags were arranged around the front of the room where it was revealed we would be presenting our levels to the group. On camera. Yeah. Bleary-eyed and nervous as all heck, we arranged ourselves for viewing and the presentations began. It was torture waiting for my turn, but watching the other creators present really took the tension away. Their levels were funny, beautiful, clever... The whole range. Oohs and aahs ran through the crowd almost as often as laughter; we were treated to some truly inspired comedic performances. Whoa, I'm up! Will they hate my level? Will they think it's stupid? To my delight, the answer was no. I couldn't believe how great an audience everyone was, and within seconds I wasn't giving a presentation but rather talking to my friends. They laughed at my lame jokes and applauded me at the end, and that was just about the best feeling ever. Success.

My reaction was "Wait.. what?!"

It is not really that hard, though, to improvise a presentation of stuff you have made and love. After all, I am the expert on my own creations. Everybody was very supportive of one another. I was impressed that everybody had taken the strengths of the Vita and had built a level around that. None of us had made anything ordinary.

Mnniska's work got me laughing for its clever sillyness (i.e. using touch to change the potato's emotion and rolling it). Mario's level looked very action packed and high paced. I liked Asger's and Ria's ideas of using the front and back touch pads to create 2-player party games with friends; I would have never thought of that. I admired John's level for its simplicity and the potential of whipping out your Vita when you have a spare minute and quickly solve a few rounds before putting it away again.
The presentations came as a bit of a surprise at first, but really it was good fun to do. When I first heard, I thought "Oh, ok, that's not too bad" as I felt at ease with everyone around. Then a few minutes before we were due to present, what seemed like half of the population of Malmo started filing in. These turned out to all be Tarsiers (there are quite a lot of them!) but luckily they're all lovely and didn't throw a single vegetable. It was slightly terrifying that there were so many amazing creations, and I could hardly believe what everyone else had managed to achieve in the time they had, but it was a good laugh and nice to give our creations a bit of a send-off before we left them behind forever.

There are so many new features on LBP Vita that we didn't really have time to each explore them all. I think a lot of people picked one or two things they were going to work with and stuck with those. As I said, I was working with touch screen controls, so it was really interesting not only to see how others had used those completely differently, but what people had done with things I hadn't even looked at, like the tilt and backtouch. That is literally the whole point of the Game Jam, I guess.
I was extremely scared because I was ready to collapse on my bean bag from exhaustion (and later pretty much did while eating a burger!). I wasn't completely happy with my level either because I had had to start again half way through, but thankfully everything kinda worked and I only died about 20 times!

I was just amazed at what some people could make in such a short time - everyone else had done an awesome job (so much better than me, if I'm honest!). It was only after seeing what everyone else had made that I realised how broad the potential was for this game - people were making fully functional drum sequencers, sophisticated two-player apps and beautiful environments and it all looked awesome.
I found it a bit stressful to stand there in front of so many top creators in LBP and present the first minigame I've done in LBP ever... haha! I have to admit I felt a bit nervous and could feel my face getting a bit warm lolol. But the audience was do nice so it went alright I think.

I found a lot of the levels being presented very original and fun. If I have to choose my favorites it must be ladylyn1's marble race level that was a whole complete game. I have no idea how he could create that much in only 24 hours! My other favorite is Mnniska's sweet and so very lovely The next top potato model. Both the visuals, the story and the great way he presented it was just awesome! What a guy!
I was pretty happy to hear that as I'm not too shy in front of an audience. My level was 80% cutscenes so it felt great to show it to some people rather then having it forever forgotten on my machine. I found myself doing some weird voiceacting upon request from the auidience and generally it felt like people had liked my level, even if I basically ignored the whole challenge and created something random instead!

It was amazing to finally see what other people had been up to. There was everything from a minigame where you had to collect drool in zero gravity to an actual music editor, allowing you to place notes and manipulate them using various sliders to a minigame where you are a giant octopus trying to eat swimming sackpeople. Everybody had done something different and it was really fun seeing that.
I was happy to show everyone what I'd spent 24 hours creating and I was excited at the prospect of getting to see a lot of great levels. The amount of humour in every level was really great, not a single person didn't have some sort of joke in their level and I think that is really a testimony to the community (I mean what other games would allow the next 'potato model' to be a great level)?
Thinking back I wasn't terrified at all, it was quite weird really for someone who usually gets butterflies talking in front of my class. I think it was just because I knew everyone would know what I was on about really, and having spent a gruelling 24 hours with them I'd come to find they were all really friendly people haha I didn't find anyone was judging me or anything, it was just really fun to show off what I'd made I was also amazed at some of the creativity we were showcased. There was some ways that people used the vita that I never would have even thought of! I loved Ria's two person level where the one player would describe what the other had to do. Getting David to present it with her was probably one of the best moments in all the presentations xD I also loved Asger's (Slaedenbob) pictionary-type minigame. It was so inventive and despite not being very finished it had great potential! O fcourse seeing Sebastian's Next Top Potato model level was probably the highlight of everyone's presentation session haha His voice over work definitely made it all the more memorable!
Well, my level was not a great level to present since it was a memory puzzle level. I was not at all nervous about presenting, but I knew my presentation would be so short that it would be funny. Knowing that my presentation would start with me sating 'Hello, I'm amazingflyingpoo' made me laugh, so it was hard to by nervous ;-) It was really cool to see what other people were able to get done in the time we had. I think that everyone probably felt pressure since the other creators and the dev team would see what they made, but in the end everyone did amazing!
I was so nervous my level wouldn't work that someone could take my picture and use it as one of those Epic Fail memes. I was trembling so much while I was presenting that I probably created a low magnitude earthquake across Sweden. But the stars and planets aligned somehow because everything functioned as it should, and I felt comforted by everyone's support. I was relieved that my game mechanic miraculously worked, otherwise I would've cried and curled up into a fetal position in front of everyone. I was also excited to see the great potential the Vita had to offer after viewing all the levels we created and discovering those community members who officially worked for Tarsier.

I was very excited to see everyone else's creations. The PSP presented some fun minigames despite the limited tools and processing power, but the Vita allowed us to create levels as intricate as the ones we see on the PS3. The mere thought of being able to play these PS3-quality levels everywhere I go has me thrilled. Suddenly, a four-hour dental surgery doesn't seem so bad as long you're distracted with LBP Vita!
I love talking in public and there�s nowhere I�d rather be than in front of a big crowd, so I was quite eager to show off my frantic minigame. When I saw the other levels presented I felt stupid, like, many times in a row. Whenever they showed off their level, I was all like �Jeez, why didn�t I think of that?� There were many great levels, and I made sure to let their creators know so, but I was most impressed by the PSP players. They basically had to undergo a transition similar to moving from lbp1 to lbp2, so they had a quite a learning curve in front of them (an enjoyable learning curve, may I add).
However, after 24 hours, they were all doing much, much better stuff than most of us did when we originally moved from lbp1 to lbp2. It was as if they had seen the learning curve and thought �Good thing we brought an elevator�
Awesome creators all of them, I tell you.
Wait... Wha? B-Bu-But! If I'd known that I'd have actually tried to make something GOOD! Ah confound it all.

I probably shouldn't use the actual words that went through my head at that moment. Fear played a big part in it, again. Even more so when the others started to get up and show off their levels. Everyone had made such different styles of creation, from app-style minigames to platformers to controllinator-based gameplay. And I had... well erm. I sorted sackbots into pots. And I also had a multiplayer level which was like the game 'Trust' � you guide your partner through an obstacle course, with them using the rear touch panel and you directing them where to go. My instructions to Ungreth (My glamorous assistant) had everyone roaring with laughter in the end. (Due to easy and completely unintentional innuendo...) My cheeks quickly began to burn!

I will say that the experience of presenting something like that in front of so many people who I respect had a big impact on me. I don't think I'll ever fear a presentation in my work life again!

Everyone else's creations were so unique, it's hard to pick out one or two... Too much awesomeness, so few paragraphs! I seriously loved everything, there was so much imagination in that one room, it was incredible.
I felt quite nervous. I hate public speaking. I was also surprised at the wide variety produced. Loved Minniska's potato fashion parade + Taffey and Ria's intro movies. Highly impressed by Stellakris' drum sequencer.
I usually am pretty excited and nervous when I have to present something in front of a crowd but once I am on "stage" it is ok for me although I could have told the audience a little more and showed them maybe a second round of my minigame because many features haven't been shown. Seeing the other levels was just funny. I have never laughed so much before seeing others playing LBP. The ideas were so innovative and many creators really thought outside the box and came up with ideas that will change the way you will play LittleBigPlanet. I was really surprised of the capability of the Vita and that LBPV will definitely be a fully fledged out title.





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Incredibly, and despite everything that had just taken place, it was only day two. We were all massively tired but strangely energized. We were rewarded with some spectacular cheeseburgers and plenty of fries, both of which went down awfully nicely after that morning's very early breakfast of flat orange soda and leftover pizza. We were given goodie bags filled with excellent loot, thanked profusely and repeatedly for our time, and invited out for a few celebratory beverages. We regrouped at the hotel and headed out to a nearby ale house where we spent the evening socializing and generally just enjoying each other's company. When it was time to part ways with the folks from Tarsier, we reluctantly said our goodbyes and pledged to do this all again some time. Handshakes turned into hugs, and none of us really wanted to go. Once we finally forced ourselves away and trudged back to the hotel, I collapsed into bed for one of the most sound nights of sleep I've had in a very long time.

I woke up late the next morning and rushed downstairs in the hopes of catching a few people before they left for their trains and planes. As luck would have it, I was just in time. There were more hugs all around and lots of adding of one another to various online friend lists. One by one we parted ways, but strangely all of those goodbyes felt more like hellos. These were now good friends, and I felt truly lucky to have had the chance to meet them all. We'd be in touch.


http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac207/tross13/LBP%20Vita%20Game%20Jam%202012/de038a19.jpg
A quiet and empty Tarsier Studios gets a dusting of snow after the jam.

I was exhausted but still buzzing. Happy, yet also sad knowing that I had to go home and that the best weekend of my life was coming to an end.
The buzz of pitching my idea was great so at the end I was feeling really pumped lol But after being battered and bruised at the awesome Move Controller game Tarsier had set up in the room behind us I was ready for some sleepy time. Then came the cider and a great deal of talking I must apologise to Grant for letting down The North by not clubbing the night away and also being responsible for him kinda falling down the stairs (please don't sue! xD) but my brain defo felt the benefit of sleep the next morning!
I've never felt so tired in my life by the end of the event and sleep has never come so easily. Furthermore I was so happy to have met some great people and spent an amazing weekend playing lbp!
By the end of the event I was very happy! A few of us were staying for an extra day, so we didn't have to be sad about leaving, plus it was nice to not need to worry about my level anymore, so I guess that means that there was relief.
LBP Vita.is.awesome!!!!1!1!1!!1!111!1111!1!1!1!!!1!!!1 !1!
I was exhausted from too little sleep. Pumped from all the exciting new stuff. Privileged from being one of the first outsiders to experience LBP Vita and from being able to contribute to it. I think most of all, more than ever before, I felt part of a community.
I was really sad to see Tarsier and Malmo go, but it was really nice to have breakfast with everyone on the last day and say goodbye. I was also very tired, even after a full night's sleep, but I didn't care - it was completely worth sheer exhaustion for everything I experienced.
I felt exhausted, happy, and relieved... all at the same time. Haha! But most of all very happy to have been part of this great event!
Creating with my idols, getting my hands on LBP Vita, meeting and playing with the game developers, guest appearing in a PocketMoon Podcast, and topping the whole weekend off with tender Swedish meatballs slathered in gravy alongside a lingonberry-mashed potato fusion... Life can't get any better than that!
It was really sad to leave all of these amazing people but I really hope we will keep in touch somehow or see each other again. But in the end I was just really happy because of the great and unique experience and that I could be a part of it. I think it even influenced my way of thinking a little.
I felt sad. Depressed. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the weekend, but as soon as it got to home time, and I rushed off to the train station, I was actually holding back the tears. (Not very successfully, I might add) Considering the fact that I barely knew anyone on the Thursday, by the time Sunday swung round, I just wanted to restart the whole thing, relive it all over again. I still do. On the plane on the way home, I could not get rid of the lump in my throat, every time I realised it was all over.

Can I haz Thursday back again? Please?





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The weekend ended much the same way it began: Only jeffcu28, amazingflyingpoo, and myself remained. Our flights weren't until the next day, so we took advantage of the available free time and saw a few sights around freshly snowed-on Malm�. We went out for a truly incredible meal that featured easily the best meatballs I've ever had. We headed back to Tarsier to hang out for a short while and say our last few goodbyes. We made one final stop at a market to stock up on as much Swedish candy as our suitcases would hold. And then, just like that, the remaining three of us had also gone our separate ways.

As I sit here on the long flight back to California, pondering the whirlwind events of the weekend, I have an overwhelming sense of gratuity towards those great folks at Tarsier and their outstanding hospitality. This really was the chance of a lifetime, and it was even more incredible than I could have possibly guessed. It was insane, hilarious, stressful, amazing, exhausting, and satisfying... all at the same time. More than anything, however, it was unforgettable.



http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac207/tross13/LBP%20Vita%20Game%20Jam%202012/091d9529.jpg
Don't forget about the guy behind the camera - it's Spaff!
2012-02-14 14:25:00

Author:
Taffey
Posts: 3187

Whoop! First thank! (Haven't even read it yet...)2012-02-14 14:27:00

Author:
SalieriAAX
Posts: 421

brilliantly written, witty and darn well jealousy inducing!!! they say that love conquers all but at the moment envy is doing its best to make a lie of that old adage2012-02-14 14:44:00

Author:
GribbleGrunger
Posts: 3910

I wish i'd been as hardcore as you guys to stay up all night and hang out, I had to bail at 5.30am for wimpy things like...sleeping...eating...etc...

I think everyone at Tarsier is really happy that you guys all enjoyed yourselves then 		2012-02-14 15:07:00

Author:
Asbestos101
Posts: 1114

What a great write up!

I had an awesome time meeting you guys. It was so good to meet up with so many great people. Once again you guys proved what kind hearted, creative and passionate bunch of folk the LBP community can be.

Thank you of reminding me of this.		2012-02-14 15:17:00

Author:
wexfordian
Posts: 1904

Oh my GORD!
You guys have the same slippers as I do.
Awesome write-up BTW, it sounded great and I'm glad to hear how great it was.		2012-02-14 15:25:00

Author:
Sackpapoi
Posts: 1195

Great write up Tom Had me giggling all the way through.

Good memories, good times. Big hugs to everyone <3		2012-02-14 15:29:00

Author:
rialrees
Posts: 1015

on a serious note, this write up and the event it describes just reminds me of why i love this LBP world and the wonderful people that inhabit it. there's something unique about the personalities here that takes me back to when innocents was considered a good thing. congratulations peeps. thanks for stripping away the layers of bricks and letting me glimpse the inner me2012-02-14 15:34:00

Author:
GribbleGrunger
Posts: 3910

What a great article Tom! I can't believe you have this done already

It was such a pleasure having a bunch of veteran LBP lovers at the studio. It was even more awesome to see how well you all received our dear "baby". Experiencing all you feedback and thoughts during and after this weekend has made me so hopeful for how the general public will treat the game once we release it.

Thank you so much everyone 		2012-02-14 15:49:00

Author:
Slaeden-Bob
Posts: 605

Wow...That must have been awesome! You lucky buggers you!
Anyway
I was pretty sceptical about getting a vita but boy, I've changed my mind!
I forgot I was reading a thread, It just seemed so....		2012-02-14 16:10:00

Author:
Valeview
Posts: 1581

Awesome write up Tom. You did a great job expressing the excitement that went with the event :-)2012-02-14 16:26:00

Author:
amazingflyingpoo
Posts: 1515

Great story! Thank for sharing! Very interesting to read

From Russia with love,
Domick12		2012-02-14 16:37:00

Author:
Domik12
Posts: 838

It's funny, but I don't actually remember much about the 24 hour create session any more. Aside from a vague memory of Mnniska rambling like a mad man about potatoes and poop at 4am, it's all just a big hazy blur to me now. However, I will never forget the last night...the sight of Keldur floating boggle eyed with sleep deprivation across the dance floor of the roller derby disco, while rtm223 gyrated drunkenly to Roxette amid a crowd of sweaty lesbian punks.

I expect that I will be having nightmares about that for many years to come. 		2012-02-14 16:49:00

Author:
Ungreth
Posts: 2130

Geez...you guys are GODS!

There's no way me and my perfectionist nature could've made a level in 24 hours...

Really wish I lived in Sweden...this looked like a lot of fun.

BTW, anyone conformation on when LBPV will come out?		2012-02-14 16:55:00

Author:
comishguy67
Posts: 849

Thanks for the praise everyone - it really does mean a lot. It was such an incredibly epic weekend I couldn't wait to write this up. My head is still spinning from all of the awesome.



I wish i'd been as hardcore as you guys to stay up all night and hang out, I had to bail at 5.30am for wimpy things like...sleeping...eating...etc...

I think everyone at Tarsier is really happy that you guys all enjoyed yourselves then Hey Dom! Sorry I didn't actually get to meet you in person while I was there (or maybe I did, but was sleepy..) I did get to know your game room pretty well though, and for that I would like to extend my personal thanks. I'm pretty sure you can be knighted for building that.




What a great article Tom! I can't believe you have this done already

It was such a pleasure having a bunch of veteran LBP lovers at the studio. It was even more awesome to see how well you all received our dear "baby". Experiencing all you feedback and thoughts during and after this weekend has made me so hopeful for how the general public will treat the game once we release it.

Thank you so much everyone There was zero chance of me sleeping on the flight home (middle seat ), so I just wrote. And wrote, and then wrote some more. I drained the battery on my iPad from 100% to nearly 0 just with just the text editor. It was a miserable but highly productive flight.

It was great to meet you in person by the way. To me you will always be Buttercup.




I will never forget the last night...the sight of Keldur floating boggle eyed with sleep deprivation across the dance floor of the roller derby disco, while rtm223 gyrated drunkenly to Roxette amid a crowd of sweaty lesbian punks.That literally made me choke on my coffee. Literally. There is coffee in my nose right now. ROFL		2012-02-14 17:43:00

Author:
Taffey
Posts: 3187

Absolutely fantastic write-up Taffey, really funny and engaging you've really rounded of the trip in an eloquent manner and I thank you greatly for doing so2012-02-14 20:01:00

Author:
Coxy224
Posts: 2645

Taffey, I can only imagine how much work this must have been. Words fail me not only because they tend to fail me, but also because I cannot simply express my gratitude towards you.
Perfect write up 		2012-02-14 20:06:00

Author:
Keldur
Posts: 628

<3 this, thanks Tom! 2012-02-14 20:16:00

Author:
Holguin86
Posts: 875

BTW, anyone conformation on when LBPV will come out?

I can confirm that there is no release date, and if you hear of one then it is a lie or a placeholder :-)		2012-02-14 20:21:00

Author:
amazingflyingpoo
Posts: 1515

Oh HECK. I left out Holguin86's comments!! I updated the writeup to include them.

Sorry Ryan. Here, please take these cookies as a token of my apology.


http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac207/tross13/0071c847.jpg



Absolutely fantastic write-up Taffey, really funny and engaging you've really rounded of the trip in an eloquent manner and I thank you greatly for doing soThanks Coxy! (Here's the ?5 I promised you for saying nice things about my article. Ssssh, don't tell anyone.)		2012-02-14 20:27:00

Author:
Taffey
Posts: 3187

I wish I was invited... well... maybe not, since I'm only 16 and a Junior in high school...

I'm glad you took the time to make this! I had fun reading it. It almost made me feel like I was there. xD Imagery FTW!		2012-02-14 21:20:00

Author:
ConverseFox
Posts: 2333

What an excellent writeup!
It perfectly captures the madness, joy and other awesome emotions that were flooding out of everyone during the event. Thank you so much for this! 		2012-02-14 21:58:00

Author:
Mnniska
Posts: 531

Awesome sauce! Thanks for writing this up taffey! 2012-02-14 21:59:00

Author:
anoken
Posts: 1654

Hey all,

Wow, Taff, great writeup! I felt like I was reliving the experience with you by my side as my very own personal narrator. Hehe. I had a blast meeting all of you and the developers/staff as well. It's a memory I'll be very fond of for a very long time, and I hope we get a chance to create again together in the future.

Still jet lagged,
jeffcu28		2012-02-14 23:40:00

Author:
jeffcu28
Posts: 648

Great write-up, cleanly presented and a great look at the POV of the people in the hot seat. I really enjoy getting the thoughts and reactions of the people in the event as much as I do the nitty-gritty tool and feature breakdowns and you've managed to make your article the all-in-one compendium.

Congratulations on the amazing experience and having the fortitude to go through the multiple tans-continental air flights, late nights at the pub and a marathon create session with a pre-release build of code on a new piece of hardware.

I look forward to the inevitable video montage of all of y'all at the game jam and the glimpses at the levels that sleep deprivation and genius cooked up.

Cheers.		2012-02-15 00:18:00

Author:
Trindall
Posts: 297

I wish I was invited... well... maybe not, since I'm only 16 and a Junior in high school...

That didn't hold back Tarsier inviting Coxy and Mnniska, both creators of around your age.		2012-02-15 12:02:00

Author:
Antikris
Posts: 1340

That didn't hold back Tarsier inviting Coxy and Mnniska, both creators of around your age.

WOOOO 16, great age!!

Haha but yeah really none of the creators or staff invovled cared about age, they were all cool 		2012-02-15 17:58:00

Author:
Coxy224
Posts: 2645

Haha but yeah really none of the creators or staff invovled cared about age, they were all cool Yep, they didn't mind dinosaurs like me and GruntosUK being around either. 2012-02-15 18:02:00

Author:
Taffey
Posts: 3187

Yep, they didn't mind dinosaurs like me and GruntosUK being around either.

Grant's only 21. He just leads a "unique lifestyle" that makes him look older.		2012-02-15 18:19:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

I apologize for being very inactive on this topic considering I was at the jam... it has been a very serious couple of days catching up with work.

I would like to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the game jam and most of all meeting the other creators. The vita game is looking fantastic and I can't wait for the future release.		2012-02-15 21:34:00

Author:
ladylyn1
Posts: 836

i'm going to ask a question about the story mode... don't panic, i'm sure you won't be breaking any rules.

good, great or excellent?		2012-02-15 23:43:00

Author:
GribbleGrunger
Posts: 3910

i'm going to ask a question about the story mode... don't panic, i'm sure you won't be breaking any rules.

good, great or excellent?The lineup of LBP all-stars working on it is just ridiculous. If it is anything short of stunningly incredible I will fall over dead.		2012-02-16 00:05:00

Author:
Taffey
Posts: 3187

The lineup of LBP all-stars working on it is just ridiculous. If it is anything short of stunningly incredible I will fall over dead.

so the story levels are being designed by community members only? or am i reading that wrong? if i'm not, any name dropping would be much appreciated 		2012-02-16 00:35:00

Author:
GribbleGrunger
Posts: 3910

so the story levels are being designed by community members only? or am i reading that wrong? if i'm not, any name dropping would be much appreciated A lot of the LBP community has been hired to work on the game. Just look at some of the other names in the attendee picture:

http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac207/tross13/LBP%20Vita%20Game%20Jam%202012/091d9529.jpg

And that's just the ones that were present. Epic, no? 		2012-02-16 00:40:00

Author:
Taffey
Posts: 3187

A lot of the LBP community has been hired to work on the game. Just look at some of the other names in the attendee picture:

http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac207/tross13/LBP%20Vita%20Game%20Jam%202012/091d9529.jpg

And that's just the ones that were present. Epic, no?

epic, hell YES! i only thought this was for these wonderful creators to get some hands on and help iron out any problems. i didn't realise it was to actually contribute! i'm assuming you are also contributing? do you find it hard working on a set theme?		2012-02-16 00:52:00

Author:
GribbleGrunger
Posts: 3910

epic, hell YES! i only thought this was for these wonderful creators to get some hands on and help iron out any problems. i didn't realise it was to actually contribute! i'm assuming you are also contributing? do you find it hard working on a set theme?Sorry, I probably didn't state that clearly.... None of the game jam invitees are working on or contributing to the game in any way.

Some of the people actually working on the game include rtm223, comphermc, Lockstitch, Slaeden-Bob, Bobtox, wexfordian, GruntosUK, jackofcourse, Morgana25, etc.		2012-02-16 00:54:00

Author:
Taffey
Posts: 3187

Sorry, I probably didn't state that clearly.... None of the game jam invitees are working on or contributing to the game in any way.

oh, lol, then consider me confused... any names you can drop? or have i completely misunderstood 'all stars'?		2012-02-16 00:56:00

Author:
GribbleGrunger
Posts: 3910

No worries. I updated my post above with just a few of the rather tantalizing names.2012-02-16 01:00:00

Author:
Taffey
Posts: 3187

No worries. I updated my post above with just a few of the rather tantalizing names.

THANK YOU! some i knew, some i didn't. i've queued some of their levels to check them out. I can't seem to find etc. though...

on a totally unrelated note: PLEASE tell the devs not to offer trophies for publishing a game or hearting a game!!! i beg of you.		2012-02-16 01:15:00

Author:
GribbleGrunger
Posts: 3910

In the next game jam invite m- /shot

Lol...

Great write-up, very nice read and felt kinda like I was there... which I wish I could... *jelly*

Ohoho! I'm sure in the future I can randomly arrange my own party Nice job, and kudos to the survivors xD		2012-02-16 05:53:00

Author:
Fang
Posts: 578

DajDaj03 and Fluxlasers are also working on the game, they are not in that photo though.

Poms, Gevurah22 and Jaeyden have also worked on the project, although they weren't at the Jam 		2012-02-16 09:34:00

Author:
GruntosUK
Posts: 1754

i'm going to ask a question about the story mode... don't panic, i'm sure you won't be breaking any rules.

good, great or excellent?

None of the above.

Try INCREDIBLE instead.

I daren't go further than that, though I wish I could 		2012-02-16 09:40:00

Author:
rialrees
Posts: 1015

I can't seem to find etc. though...

In case you weren't joking:
Etc. is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase "et cetera" and simply means "an so on"


DajDaj03 and Fluxlasers are also working on the game, they are not in that photo though.

Poms, Gevurah22 and Jaeyden have also worked on the project, although they weren't at the Jam

Vanemiera, Asbestos101, O-K-I-N-G-0 and Syroc are also on the project.

Its quite the group of community members ^^		2012-02-16 09:41:00

Author:
Slaeden-Bob
Posts: 605

I knew there would be someone I forgot Good job your here to keep me right Bob my darling 2012-02-16 09:45:00

Author:
GruntosUK
Posts: 1754

In case you weren't joking:
Etc. is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase "et cetera" and simply means "an so on" ^

Fanks! lol		2012-02-16 11:16:00

Author:
GribbleGrunger
Posts: 3910

on a totally unrelated note: PLEASE tell the devs not to offer trophies for publishing a game or hearting a game!!! i beg of you.Will do.... although I think you just told them yourself.




None of the above.

Try INCREDIBLE instead.

I daren't go further than that, though I wish I could I totally agree. Well, I suppose one thing we might be able to say is *ZAP*

....ow! MAN that wand hurts. I didn't realize Morgana was hanging round the thread.




I knew there would be someone I forgot Good job your here to keep me right Bob my darling Don't forget, it's Buttercup now. Don't forget to fluff him up.		2012-02-16 19:13:00

Author:
Taffey
Posts: 3187

Tl:dr, that was boring

Do you know what I'm most impressed at, the good feeling of the LBP community towards this game jam. Not one jealous post, not one *****, not one word has been said. I thought the community had gone the wrong way, but the people on LBPC have proved me wrong.

And for once, I'm proud to be wrong.		2012-02-16 20:53:00

Author:
GruntosUK
Posts: 1754

if you earn the status, you deserve the breaks.2012-02-16 22:55:00

Author:
GribbleGrunger
Posts: 3910

That's certainly true... If you earned the status. Some of us are still wondering by what administrative error we ended up getting invited.2012-02-17 14:55:00

Author:
SalieriAAX
Posts: 421

Do you know what I'm most impressed at, the good feeling of the LBP community towards this game jam. Not one jealous post, not one *****, not one word has been said. I thought the community had gone the wrong way, but the people on LBPC have proved me wrong.

1. Make list of ******ing community members
2. Invite them all to game jam
3. ...
4. Profit!

:-)		2012-02-17 16:29:00

Author:
Antikris
Posts: 1340

Pocket Moon Podcast just published the special LBP Vita Game Jam edition which is about everything from the new tools to the levels that other creators made to the crazy stuff that went on there :-)

Check it out HERE (https://lbpcentral.lbp-hub.com/index.php?t=67973-Pocket-Moon-Podcast-LBP-Vita-Game-Jam-Edition)		2012-02-17 16:52:00

Author:
amazingflyingpoo
Posts: 1515

Awesome write up Taffey! I'm so glad you guys had a good time and that everyone has made it home safe and sound. I even heard Ria's luggage arrived. This is the best community around and it's so awesome that they did this and you guys got to go. Am I jealous? Hell to the yeah! But I'm also genuinely happy for you guys. What a great opportunity.
One question and one comment. Tarsier Studios, was it creepy or feel haunted inside? Because it looks like an old insane asylum and comment, surely someone labeled the wrong person with Mnniska's name.		2012-02-18 04:36:00

Author:
biorogue
Posts: 8424

Awesome write up Taffey! I'm so glad you guys had a good time and that everyone has made it home safe and sound. I even heard Ria's luggage arrived. This is the best community around and it's so awesome that they did this and you guys got to go. Am I jealous? Hell to the yeah! But I'm also genuinely happy for you guys. What a great opportunity.Thanks bio! It was a great time and yeah, what an awesome group of folks. In retrospect, a couple of my connecting flight options went through Texas.... I should have stopped by and picked you up on the way!




One question and one comment. Tarsier Studios, was it creepy or feel haunted inside? Because it looks like an old insane asylumI completely disagree - it doesn't look like an old insane asylum at all. It looks like a NEW insane asylum! Haunted? Yeah, but only by AWESOME. Imagine if you got the chance to visit Santa's workshop only to find out that the elves actually made video games, and then they let you play Shadow of the Colossus and Gran Turismo on a video screen the size of an aircraft carrier, and then you found out that they had FREE BEER.

It's something like that inside.




and comment, surely someone labeled the wrong person with Mnniska's name.No, I'm pretty sure that's right. That's the person that won the Next Top Potato Model contest anyway. 		2012-02-18 05:24:00

Author:
Taffey
Posts: 3187

Not one jealous post...

Sweden + February == freezing. Who'd be jealous of that? 		2012-02-18 12:01:00

Author:
Aya042
Posts: 2870

Sweden + February == freezing. Who'd be jealous of that?

This is so true.
Sweden is freezing outside, but everywhere inside is boiling!!		2012-02-18 13:13:00

Author:
Coxy224
Posts: 2645

It was strange, I didn't find it very cold.... until I stood still.

Then my ears felt like they were going to drop off.		2012-02-18 13:40:00

Author:
rialrees
Posts: 1015

This is so true.
Sweden is freezing outside, but everywhere inside is boiling!!omg I KNOW, right? My hotel room had all of the heaters (of which there were at least a dozen - some even on the ceiling I think) turned up to the max. I had to turn them all off and open the window so that I could sleep without sweating to death.		2012-02-18 17:25:00

Author:
Taffey
Posts: 3187

I would rather it be cold inside a hotel room rather than hot.
It might be just me but I love the feeling of lying on a cold bed and wrapping up in the snugly covers.		2012-02-18 17:37:00

Author:
Darkcloudrepeat
Posts: 606

I wish I hadn't read this. It's going to make the wait that much harder... = (

j/k What a great write up. It was very cool to get everyone take of the event. Thanks for putting this together.		2012-02-19 03:46:00

Author:
Xenon
Posts: 306

Read it like a week ago but didn't really have time to comment on it.
Thank you very much for that awesome and lovely writeup you pulled off in such a short time!
It was really a pleasure meeting every single one of you. I just hope this wasn't the last time we met, cause I already miss the awesome weekend we had
Now I have to get a Vita somehow 		2012-02-28 01:40:00

Author:
TOBSn08
Posts: 143

Read it like a week ago but didn't really have time to comment on it.
Thank you very much for that awesome and lovely writeup you pulled off in such a short time!
It was really a pleasure meeting every single one of you. I just hope this wasn't the last time we met, cause I already miss the awesome weekend we had
Now I have to get a Vita somehow You're welcome, and thanks for providing your comments and insight so quickly despite everything else that was going on that weekend.

It's hard to believe we really only hung out together as a group for a few days... It seemed like so much longer than that. Well, I suppose that's because none of us were sleeping, but still. 		2012-02-29 00:21:00

Author:
Taffey
Posts: 3187

it's even more surprising when you take into consideration that time goes quicker for old guys2012-02-29 00:29:00

Author:
GribbleGrunger
Posts: 3910


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