Cutesy, but ill-fated, platformer LittleBigPlanet 3 and all its downloadable content (DLC) are set to be removed from the PlayStation Store by the end of October, as announced by its developers on Tuesday. Time is running out for those who have yet to experience this gem from 2014.
The official X (formerly Twitter) account shared a message stating that the PlayStation 4 version of the game, which has been available on the store for nearly a decade, will no longer be available for purchase after October 31. However, existing owners, including those who obtained the game through PS Plus in 2017, will still be able to access it even after delisting.
“This is a friendly heads-up for anyone in the community or new players who still wish to own a digital copy of LittleBigPlanet 3 or any of its DLC available for purchase. This is your last chance to do so!” the post emphasizes. “Thank you for your continued support and understanding.”
An important update on LittleBigPlanet 3 (PS4) and LittleBigPlanet DLC on the PlayStation Store: pic.twitter.com/Nmm9e94DxD
— Sackboy: A Big Adventure | LittleBigPlanet (@LittleBigPlanet) October 8, 2024
The decision to remove the game from PlayStation Plus in September was uncovered by Eurogamer, despite it being a first-party title published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.
LittleBigPlanet 3 received mixed reviews upon its release in 2014, with Digital Trends mentioning that it was “simultaneously too restrictive and too open-ended,” along with technical challenges. Despite these issues, players continued to utilize the online servers for character creations, level designs, and decorations until 2021, when most of the servers were shut down due to DDOS attacks. This led to a situation where only PS4 users could access online features and user-generated content stored on external servers, risking the potential loss of millions of user-created levels.
Earlier this year, these PS4 servers were officially shut down “indefinitely” due to ongoing technical issues caused by malicious modifications. The removal of the game from the store was inevitable given that its user-generated content features were a core element of its appeal.
If you or your family still crave the charm of Sackboy but want to avoid the risks associated with user-generated content, you can opt for 2020’s Sackboy: A Big Adventure, a 3D platformer and cooperative spin-off from the main LittleBigPlanet series. It is available on PS4, PS5, and PC.
