Ten years ago, on January 18, 2011, Media Molecule’s critically acclaimed platformer, LittleBigPlanet 2, launched, inviting players back into its whimsical world of user-generated content and imaginative design. This milestone anniversary offers a timely opportunity to delve into the intricate process behind the game’s distinctive licensed soundtrack, a crucial element that contributed significantly to its unique atmosphere and player experience. The development of LittleBigPlanet 2‘s audio landscape was a complex endeavor, involving careful curation, extensive research, and a deep understanding of the game’s evolving thematic direction.
The Sonic Identity of LittleBigPlanet 2: A Shift in Focus
Following the global success of its predecessor, LittleBigPlanet, which launched in 2008 and established a blueprint for creative expression in gaming, the team at Media Molecule faced the challenge of defining a new sonic identity for LittleBigPlanet 2. While the first game’s overarching theme was "a journey around the world," the conceptual pitch for its sequel shifted towards "science through the ages" or, more specifically, "science fiction through the ages." This thematic pivot presented both exciting possibilities and distinct challenges for the audio team.
The shift in theme necessitated a reevaluation of the licensed music approach. Whereas the first game’s soundtrack often mirrored its global exploration, LittleBigPlanet 2 aimed for a more abstract yet tangible sonic representation of scientific concepts, technological advancement, and the broader spectrum of science fiction. This meant looking beyond straightforward genre categorization and seeking music that evoked specific feelings, ideas, and aesthetic qualities inspired by the game’s evolving art direction and narrative.
Curating the Licensed Soundtrack: A Multi-faceted Approach
The creation of the licensed soundtrack for LittleBigPlanet 2 was a rigorous process, marked by three distinct but interconnected playlists that reflect the journey of music selection:
1. The Official LittleBigPlanet 2 Licensed Soundtrack
This playlist comprises the licensed tracks that ultimately made it into the final game, forming the familiar sonic backdrop players experienced. It’s important to note that, for technical reasons related to backward compatibility with LittleBigPlanet 1 player-created levels, the game’s licensed soundtrack technically incorporated all licensed music from the first title. However, for clarity and focus, these LBP1 tracks were omitted from dedicated LBP2 retrospectives.
A notable aspect of the licensed soundtrack process was the discovery of unique versions of songs. The team often licensed instrumental edits, remixes, or specific game-ready versions of popular tracks. These specialized versions were not always readily available on mainstream music platforms, leading to a reliance on unofficial sources like YouTube for discovery and evaluation, a common practice in game audio development at the time. This practice, while effective, also highlighted the ongoing challenges of music licensing and availability within the digital age. The official Spotify playlist for LBP2’s licensed music, for instance, is missing eight tracks due to these availability issues and the team’s commitment to using only the versions present in the game.
2. The LittleBigPlanet 2 Alternate Universe Soundtrack
This compilation represents a significant body of work, featuring tracks that were seriously considered for LittleBigPlanet 2 but ultimately did not make the final cut. The exclusion of these tracks was primarily driven by creative decisions made during development. In rare instances, a desired track could not be licensed, a situation that, as the author notes, was personally disappointing.
The inclusion of these "alternate universe" tracks offers a fascinating glimpse into the roads not taken. They showcase the breadth of musical exploration and the fine line between inclusion and exclusion that defines the soundtrack selection process. Both YouTube and Spotify playlists for this category contain tracks unavailable on either service, underscoring the exclusive nature of some of these developmental pieces.
3. The LittleBigPlanet 2 “Brief Says No” Soundtrack
This third playlist serves as a testament to the iterative nature of creative development. It features music that, while potentially strong in its own right and fitting certain criteria, did not align perfectly with the evolving "brief" or overall direction of LittleBigPlanet 2. Many of these tracks emerged during the early stages of development, proving useful for conceptualizing ideas through video mock-ups. However, as the project’s vision solidified, these pieces were either set aside or deemed lacking the necessary energy or thematic resonance to support gameplay. Despite their exclusion from the final product, these tracks are acknowledged as valuable contributions that are still worthy of appreciation.
Chronology of Sound: From Concept to Completion
The development of LittleBigPlanet 2‘s soundtrack was a journey that spanned several years, mirroring the game’s own development cycle.
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Pre-Production (circa May 2009): Early in the development phase, long before the full team was assembled, the audio team began exploring musical concepts. A key initiative was the creation of a music montage video. This video paired early concept art for various in-game areas with work-in-progress licensed music selections. This was a crucial early step, serving as a "mood board" and a tangible representation of the intended aesthetic. It facilitated communication and collaboration, allowing the team to collectively grasp the project’s burgeoning experience. Ladytron’s "Ghosts" was one of the few tracks from this initial montage that ultimately made it into the final game, alongside early considerations for artists like Squarepusher and Röyksopp.
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Concept Refinement (December 2009): As development progressed and the game’s structure became clearer, the music direction also evolved. The initial eight thematic areas were streamlined to six, reflecting a merging of overlapping ideas and a necessary adjustment to content requirements as full production ramped up. This period saw the identification of more suitable music and a greater focus on how the soundtrack would support gameplay. At this point, approximately 10 of the 21 tracks that would eventually be licensed were in consideration, though none were definitively secured as "keepers" due to the early stage of licensing. This "overprovision" of suitable music was a strategic necessity, ensuring a robust selection of potential tracks for licensing negotiations.
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Collaboration with Sony Music Licensing (Leading up to Announcement): The period leading up to the game’s official announcement saw an intensified collaboration with Sony’s music licensing department. This partnership significantly broadened the scope of music being reviewed and suggested. The refined game direction at this stage allowed for more focused and productive searches, yielding highly relevant musical options.
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The Announcement Trailer and "Sleepyhead": A pivotal moment in the game’s marketing was the announcement trailer. Rex, a key member of the audio team, suggested Passion Pit’s "Sleepyhead" for this trailer. The track’s dynamic ebb and flow, its blend of digital and emotional tones, and even its pitched-up vocals, were deemed a perfect fit for conveying the game’s themes of community, progress, and its futuristic aesthetic. While "Sleepyhead" proved ideal for the trailer, its energy and structure were not perfectly suited for all of LittleBigPlanet 2‘s gameplay. This led to an initial effort to license a different track for the trailer, but the impact of "Sleepyhead" ultimately secured its inclusion, albeit finding a meaningful place in the game’s end credits rather than its core gameplay. This decision highlights the delicate balance between marketing synergy and gameplay integration in soundtrack selection.
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Late-Stage Licensing and Release (October 2010 – January 2011): The game’s development faced a schedule slip, with the release date moving from the crucial Christmas 2010 market to January 2011. This delay, while a difficult decision, proved beneficial for the soundtrack. Several tracks were not cleared until as late as October 2010, with one particular track requiring six months for licensing approval. This underscores the often lengthy and unpredictable nature of music rights negotiations, even for established artists. The final release on January 18, 2011, marked the culmination of this extensive audio development process.
The Collaborative Spirit of Sound Design
The creation of LittleBigPlanet 2‘s soundtrack was a deeply collaborative effort, drawing input from a wide range of individuals within Media Molecule and Sony. While the core audio team played a leading role, numerous suggestions and discoveries came from across the development floor.
Key contributors to the licensed music selection included Dan, John, Rex, and the author of the original article. Their individual tastes and insights were instrumental in shaping the sonic landscape. Furthermore, contributions from other team members such as Alex, Costa, Jim, Jonatan, Mark, Martin, and Tom, as well as external collaborators like Martin Hewett from Sony and Jo from PlayStation, demonstrate the pervasive influence of music within the project. This widespread participation fostered a sense of shared ownership and collective vision, enriching the final soundtrack with diverse perspectives. The author explicitly acknowledges this as a "real team effort," underscoring the importance of collective creativity in bringing the game’s audio experience to life.
Broader Impact and Legacy
The enduring impact of LittleBigPlanet 2‘s soundtrack is evident in the continued appreciation from players. Many have shared how the game and its music were integral to their childhoods, with some still regularly listening to the soundtrack years later. This highlights the powerful connection between music and memory, particularly within the context of interactive entertainment.
The ability of music to transcend its original medium is a significant factor in the longevity of game soundtracks. As gaming platforms age and become less accessible, the music associated with them can serve as a potent trigger for nostalgia and a gateway to remembering the game’s community and overall experience. The licensed music in LittleBigPlanet 2 played a crucial role in defining its unique identity, contributing significantly to the game’s lasting appeal and its place in gaming history. The anniversary serves as a reminder of the profound impact that carefully curated audio can have on a player’s journey and the lasting emotional resonance it can cultivate.
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