Can User Created Content Produce A Future Game Developer?

Lately, I have been thinking about user created content in gaming. I came across a blog post by Insomniac’s Chief Creative Officer, Brian Hastings, in which he talks about UCC (User Created Content) and its possible creation of future developers. One game in particular is Little Big Planet. A PS3 exclusive in which its main focus is on UCC. In the game, users are able to play levels created by the games developer Media Molecule. Users are also able to modify the levels, and even create their own. You can then upload your created level for other online players to play. The levels can be ranked, and time/scoring can even be tracked and created by the user. There is virtually no limit in what you can do in this game. Across the forums many are already itching with pleasure to recreate some of their favorite levels from other games such as Super Mario Brothers. This touches back to what Brian stated about a creation of future developers. You are essentially given the tools to create a game. So are the consumers now the developers?

In the past year, I have turned back into programming…uh, I have been interested in it again, thats better. I am not claiming to be a programmer or anything more because there is lots for me to learn. Starting with reading that C++ book I purchased earlier this year… I just love design and creating a product. I would love to create original levels within LBP. Brian Hastings of Insomniac stated it could be an entry or taste for those wanting to get into the game industry. I certainly believe so! I would love to put hours upon hours in creating a spectacular level, have it gain extreme popularity and then get a call from a studio for a chance to consult . Yeah, I need to stop dreaming but this does fill one dream or a portion of it. As I got back into design over the past year, I have gotten back into gaming in a big way! The days in school where we wrote and designed our own games, I would love to do that professionally. Maybe a step in that direction will start with LBP. I have been thinking of some exciting platforms of my own and would love to bring them to fruition.

Back to the good stuff. This is an interesting design that is coming to the console. The tools are being given to us gamers and we then build what we want. This game screams and demand for you to have an imaginative mind, and high creativity. Could this be a future of gaming? Can we start to see more UCC on FPS console games? Will this expand to racers? Can this type of system be implemented in all gaming genres or will it just work for a limited few? I am certainly going to enjoy where this ride goes. In the meantime, I will keep my notebook handy to pen down any design thoughts I have. Only thing against me now is waiting for LBP to release. Come on guys!

LBP Demo Part1

LBP Demo Part2

~ by tirminyl on October 23, 2007.