The beloved PlayStation title, LittleBigPlanet 2, recently marked its 10th anniversary, prompting a nostalgic look back at its intricate sound design and the extensive process of curating its licensed soundtrack. This milestone has illuminated the creative journey behind one of the PlayStation generation’s most distinctive games, highlighting the challenges and triumphs in weaving a rich auditory tapestry that complemented its imaginative gameplay and artistic vision.
The Genesis of a Sonic World: From Concept to Completion
The development of LittleBigPlanet 2‘s soundtrack was a multifaceted endeavor, building upon the foundations laid by its predecessor while forging a distinct identity. Unlike the first game, which embraced a "journey around the world" theme, LittleBigPlanet 2 aimed for a more abstract and ambitious narrative: "science through the ages" or "science fiction through the ages." This conceptual shift presented a unique set of challenges for the audio team, requiring them to translate broad thematic concepts into tangible musical selections.
The process began in earnest around May 2009, during the game’s pre-production phase. A critical early step involved the creation of music montage videos. These videos served as a vital communication tool, pairing early concept art for various game areas with the audio team’s work-in-progress licensed music ideas. This method, though described as "quick and dirty," was instrumental in establishing a cohesive vision and fostering discussion among the development team. The high-level direction for each area was directly informed by the visual art direction, aiming to evoke specific moods and atmospheres.
A key consideration for the soundtrack was striking a balance between acknowledging the established musical tropes of the science fiction genre and avoiding outright pastiche. The team set a target of ensuring no more than 50% of the soundtrack was electronic in nature. This decision was strategic, anticipating that player-created levels would not be bound by such aesthetic restrictions, and thus required a more diverse musical palette to draw from. The overarching goal was to retain the "unexpected" edge that characterized the first game’s soundtrack while imbuing LittleBigPlanet 2 with its own unique flavor and identity.
Navigating the Creative Process: Playlists and Perspectives
To commemorate the anniversary, the audio team has shared insights into their selection process, categorizing the music into distinct playlists that offer a comprehensive view of the sonic landscape that was explored.
1. The LittleBigPlanet 2 Licensed Soundtrack
This playlist comprises the licensed tracks that ultimately made it into the final game. It’s important to note that, due to the requirement for backward compatibility with LittleBigPlanet 1 player-created levels, the game technically inherited all licensed music from the first installment. However, for clarity and focus, these tracks were excluded from this retrospective playlist. A significant challenge encountered was the availability of specific versions of licensed tracks. The team often sought out instrumentals, remixes, and edits that were not readily accessible through mainstream music platforms, frequently relying on unofficial sources like YouTube. This often resulted in discrepancies between official streaming service listings and the actual in-game audio.
2. The LittleBigPlanet 2 Alternate Universe Soundtrack
This curated selection features tracks that were considered for LittleBigPlanet 2 but ultimately did not make the final cut. The majority of these songs were omitted due to creative decisions made during development. While most were eliminated for thematic or stylistic reasons, the team recalls one instance where a desired track could not be obtained due to licensing issues, a situation that was particularly disappointing at the time. Similar to the main soundtrack, some tracks on these playlists are not available on standard streaming platforms, underscoring the unique nature of the licensing agreements for game soundtracks.
3. The LittleBigPlanet 2 ‘Brief Says No’ Soundtrack
This playlist showcases music that, while potentially interesting or appropriate in isolation, did not align with the evolving creative brief for the game. Many of these tracks were identified early in the search process and proved effective for initial video mock-ups. However, as the game’s direction solidified and the creative brief was refined, these songs were either set aside or deemed insufficiently energetic to support gameplay. Despite not being selected for the final release, these tracks are highlighted for their inherent quality and are presented as worthwhile listens.
Evolution of Themes and Sonic Direction
The development timeline reveals a dynamic evolution of musical themes and a continuous refinement of the audio direction. By December 2009, approximately a year before the game’s launch, the initial concepts had matured into a more defined vision. The original eight thematic areas were streamlined into six, a process that involved merging overlapping ideas rather than simply removing content. This consolidation was partly driven by the need to manage content requirements as the full development team became involved.
The music direction also saw significant adjustments. This included identifying even more suitable musical ideas and refining existing ones to better support gameplay as it became more concrete. Specific challenges emerged in certain areas:
- Clive’s Factory: The integration of a Soviet/Hollywood mashup element proved complex.
- Eve’s Asylum: Defining "organic" within the context of high-intensity gameplay presented a juxtaposition that required careful musical consideration.
- The Cosmos: The team had made no progress on a music sequencer gadget intended to provide an 8-bit aesthetic for this area.
At this stage, about 10 of the 21 licensed tracks that would eventually be included in the game were being considered. However, these were not yet considered definitive selections, as the licensing process itself had not commenced. This highlights a crucial aspect of licensed soundtracks: the necessity of overprovisioning suitable music to ensure a "Plan B" in case licensing negotiations failed.
The Collaborative Symphony: Contributions from Across the Team
The selection of music for LittleBigPlanet 2 was a notably collaborative effort. While the first game’s soundtrack curation was primarily handled by a smaller core group, the sequel saw increased participation from a wider range of team members. This broader involvement was likely fueled by the success of the first game’s soundtrack, which had significantly contributed to its unique identity and positive reception.
Suggestions and evaluations came from various individuals within the Media Molecule (Mm) development team, including Dan, John, Rex, Alex, Costa, Jim, Jonatan, Mark, Martin, and Tom. Additionally, input was received from Sony’s music licensing representative, Martin Hewett, and even external contacts like Jo. This widespread contribution underscores the collective passion and dedication that went into shaping the game’s sonic character.
The Impact of Sony Music Licensing and Key Selections
As the game approached its announcement, closer collaboration with Sony’s music licensing department significantly expanded the scope of material being reviewed and considered. This timely engagement allowed for more focused and productive searches, aligning with the refined creative direction.
A standout suggestion, echoing the success of the first game’s trailer music, came from Rex, who proposed Passion Pit’s "Sleepyhead" for the LittleBigPlanet 2 announcement trailer. The selection process for this track was intricate, aiming to capture the emotional tone of community and future progression while acknowledging the game’s more digital aesthetic. While an initial "Plan A" track was considered, "Sleepyhead" ultimately proved to be the perfect fit for the trailer, despite its less direct suitability for gameplay. The track’s dynamic ebb and flow, with its smooth build-ups and sharp descents, allowed the trailer to effectively shift gears and maintain viewer engagement. The distinctive pitched-up voices, particularly the Irish Gaelic ones, were also noted as a charming complement to the Sackfolk characters. Although "Sleepyhead" found its ultimate home in the game’s end credits, its association with the announcement trailer cemented its significance to the project’s marketing.
Facing Development Hurdles and Finalizing the Score
The development cycle of LittleBigPlanet 2 encountered a significant scheduling adjustment when the release date was shifted from the crucial Christmas market to January 2011. This decision, made because the game required further polish, proved beneficial for the soundtrack. It allowed crucial licensing approvals to be secured as late as October 2010, a tight but manageable timeframe. One particular track took an arduous six months to clear, illustrating the often unpredictable and time-consuming nature of music licensing negotiations.
The team’s efforts in curating the soundtrack have resonated deeply with players. Many have shared how LittleBigPlanet 2 was a significant part of their childhoods and that they continue to listen to its soundtrack regularly. This enduring connection highlights the powerful ability of music to transcend its original context and evoke lasting memories and emotions. The contribution of these diverse artists and their music was instrumental in defining LittleBigPlanet 2‘s unique identity, ensuring its legacy lives on beyond the gaming platform. The 10th anniversary serves as a poignant reminder of the creative synergy that produced not just a game, but a memorable auditory experience that continues to be cherished by its dedicated community.
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