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LittleBigPlanet 2 Debuts Cross-Controller Play

News

by Matt Miller on December 12, 2012 at 11:25 AM

6,972 Views

If you’re like us, this announcement came with an obvious follow-up question. What is cross-controller play? The PlayStation Blog gave us the answer this morning. “Cross-Controller lets you to use PS Vita as a controller for PlayStation 3, allowing the use of PS Vita-only features, like front and rear touch, in PlayStation 3 games. More importantly, it provides a whole second screen where action can take place! This allows for an unimaginable number of new ways to play, some of which you’ll experience with the LittleBigPlanet 2 Cross-Controller Pack!”

While the explanation doesn’t explicitly say so, it sounds as if cross-controller play allows for the sort of integrated two-screen options that are the centerpiece of the new Wii U play experience. However, unlike the Wii U, the Vita is not an included part of the PlayStation 3 experience, so it remains to be seen if developers will take advantage of the available option.

The LittleBigPlanet 2 Cross-Controller debut also comes with some brand new stages built to take advantage of the cross-controller option. The new levels detail Sackboy’s adventures with a happy-go-lucky group of space pirates.

What’s your take on cross-controller play? Does it increase the value proposition of the Vita for you?

Email the author Matt Miller, or follow on Game Informer.

Filed under: News, Sony, Media Molecule, littlebigplanet 2, wii U, cross-controller play

Comments

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by The Doctor Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 11:31 AM

This is cool, but I don't think it's going to catch on that well. With a Wii U, the touchscreen is part of the core experience of the console. Developers will take the time to program for the controller because everyone who plays their game will have a Wii U controller, and therefore be able to actually use that content.

On the other hand, for the PS3 this is basically a peripheral for games, and an expensive one at that. You could almost buy a Wii U for the price of a Vita, and then you still need a PS3. Sure the Vita plays it's own games, but the Vita library isn't exactly impressive. How many developers want to spend the time, money and manhours developing extra features for a $250-$300 peripheral that most people that play their game aren't going to have?

Think Gameboy Advance hooking up to Gamecube. Almost no games used that, and the ones that did were pretty much all first party titles.
by LordFenrir12 Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 11:32 AM

Nintendo does first, and the other companies scramble after....
by bmoney2310 Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 11:32 AM

Makes me want a Vita even more.
by shmahadle Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 11:36 AM

Sony and Microsoft are pretty smart. They saw what the Wii U did and came up with their response while current-gen systems are still out.
by Marz Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 11:41 AM

Good idea to respond with current technology, but I don't think it will catch on. As The Doctor said, developers won't use this because not everyone has a Vita. I could see first-party titles doing well, but I doubt third-parties will use it.
by Warrior Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 11:42 AM

In all honesty... I don't think that many people will use this.
by The Last Saiya-jin Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 11:45 AM

Yes. I will be using this feature anytime it's possible.
by MyNameIsPhilip Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 11:47 AM

I love the idea, but i dont see many others then Sony games doing this just because the Vita isnt something everyone has, but as a Vita owner i love it!

Keep the great updates coming!
by Trenchmace Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 11:57 AM

Seems pretty cool. But more games need to utilize this for it to be a worthwhile investment... I mean, Vita sales would certainly go up if you can play CoD on the second screen.
by Boyzby Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 11:59 AM

Oh man, I didn't even think about it being a similar function to the WiiU. I doubt it's going to become a frequent thing though because the Vita costs more than a controller but it is nice to have that additional functionality.
by RSTAR7824 Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 12:02 PM

Would be fun if i had lb2
by Ezio Auditore Da Firenze Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 12:06 PM

And as always, Nintendo makes something, everyone mocks them, then they try to imitate it.
by The Brain Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 12:11 PM

They need to make a South Park episode titled "Nintendo Already Did It." All joking aside, this does make a Vita more intriguing. Being a plus member and owning Sound Shapes for PS3, I already own 7 Vita games which is also tempting me to go buy one. They need a bigger price drop.
by NoMoreHeroes621 Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 12:13 PM

And so it begins.... This is a decent idea, but I doubt that many developers will actually use this. I mean I'm all for this function as I think the Wii U gamepad makes games that much more fun, but the thought of having to buy a Vita, and a PS3 is crazy. I mean most ppl already have a PS3 (myself included), but I do not have a Vita (waiting for more content).
by PIZZAKING92 Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 12:14 PM

Not really. Most likely Sony will be the only company that utilizes the feature and if sixaxis is any indication a lot of their games most likely wont even use it.
by oO Stryfe Oo Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 12:14 PM

So...does this allow me to play my PS3 games on the go or not? When that feature is integrated, then I'll buy a Vita.
by NoMoreHeroes621 Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 12:15 PM

And so it begins.... This is a decent idea, but I doubt that many developers will actually use this. I mean I'm all for this function as I think the Wii U gamepad makes games that much more fun, but the thought of having to buy a Vita, and a PS3 is crazy. I mean most ppl already have a PS3 (myself included), but I do not have a Vita (waiting for more content).
by Cody R Cantrell Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 12:28 PM

So I read that this is filed under Wii U even though it has absolutely nothing to do with it. Why not file it under PS3 or PS Vita? Why say that Sony is trying to do what Nintendo did with the Wii U when Sony came up with this idea over a year ago?
by Andrew Lerma Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 12:41 PM

Does it increase the value proposition of the Vita for you?

If it gets decent support, yes actually.
by Ashthedemonslayr Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 12:47 PM

I knew this would start popping up some time. The vita has the remote play, it was just a matter of time before they used cross-controller. I think this is awesome though you other commenters are propably right. This will be in some or most first party games but its doubtful many third party developers will care to catch on.