The Ultimate PlayStation Franchise poised to Dominate Sony's Live Service Era!

The PlayStation live service era is approaching, with Bungie's Marathon and Horizon's multiplayer game in development. Although Sony has encountered some issues, including the cancellation of Deviation's exclusive game and the delay of The Last of Us' multiplayer spin-off, there are still exciting projects in progress. From Haven's Fairgames to several unannounced endeavors, PlayStation is heading towards a multiplayer era. However, Sony seems to be overlooking a clear opportunity: LittleBigPlanet.

While there are other dormant PlayStation franchises that could also thrive with a live service approach, such as the FPS series Killzone and Resistance, LittleBigPlanet's creative playground is particularly well-suited to this model. While Sackboy: A Big Adventure was an adorable way to utilize the series' mascot without a traditional LittleBigPlanet game, fans would undoubtedly welcome a return to the franchise's roots. A free-to-play release on the PS5 could be the perfect strategy to ensure its success.

Why LittleBigPlanet Suits a Live Service Model

While not all live service games are free-to-play, many are because it guarantees a large player base. With the growing popularity of the gaming industry, a successful live service title, in theory, will also grow. A larger audience means more players will be willing to engage in cosmetic microtransactions, generating revenue to support the game. LittleBigPlanet's history with DLC makes this formula a perfect fit.

Every mainline LittleBigPlanet game has offered downloadable skins for Sackboy. While Sackboy: A Big Adventure provided free outfits, the previous LBP games offered players numerous options to purchase skins. These designs often featured popular video game franchises, making LittleBigPlanet a crossover hub long before Fortnite existed. Skins from Metal Gear Solid, Assassin's Creed, Marvel, DC, and various PlayStation exclusives were available for a few dollars each, and there were no significant complaints. Expanding its audience through a free-to-play release could lead LittleBigPlanet to immense success.

In addition to an in-game marketplace filled with PlayStation references and unique skins, a "Creator Pass" could be introduced to maintain player engagement. This pass would offer a complimentary package containing basic outfits and new creation tools from Media Molecule or another developer, while a premium package would include highly sought-after and intricate cosmetics. Consequently, the game's creation suite would continuously expand, with all players receiving upgrades at no cost, while dedicated fans can choose to invest in additional cosmetics.

Moreover, the beloved aspects of LittleBigPlanet and its user-generated content would remain unchanged. Fans would still have the ability to construct levels and movies for others to enjoy, create fun mini-games to compete against friends, or design amusing structures that elicit laughter. Periodically, Media Molecule could release bundles of story levels, providing players with more content developed by the team over the years. Additionally, given the prevalence of social media, exceptional creations could effortlessly be showcased, generating increased attention for the game.

Given that the main problem with Media Molecule's Dreams is its limited audience, it is essential for Sony to prevent a similar situation with another installment of LittleBigPlanet. Luckily, Sony is already considering a strategy that would ensure this does not occur again. By shifting LBP towards a free-to-play model, Sony can ensure that it becomes even more popular and potentially generate substantial profits through live service components. This revival of LittleBigPlanet would not only benefit the fans, but also all parties involved, making it a resounding success.