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Added by Ryan Davis on Dec. 1, 2008

Sackboy doesn't look like he can do very many push-ups.
Sackboy doesn't look like he can do very many push-ups.
Apparently Sony isn't messing around when it comes to making sure that everyone on this regulation-size planet knows all about its LittleBigPlanet. While it's certainly going broad spectrum, it would also seem that extra-special attention is being paid to the quote-unquote tastemakers out there. In a move that's too clever by half, Sony has hooked up with the coke-loving Williamsburg hipsters at Vice Magazine to produce a promotional LittleBigVice Magazine, something the folks at Wonderland stumbled upon at their local coffee shop. It appears to take the basic layout of Vice, substituting Sackboy for the usual assortment of scruffy indie rock kids. It's a little unnerving to see Sackboy posing in one of those filthy-by-inference American Apparel ad, but I have to admit, it looks pretty thorough.

It's a real peculiar pairing, considering the usually severe content of Vice. I have to imagine there are none of the snarky fashion critiques, first-person drug stories, or non sequitur porno reviews that comprise most issues of Vice. Like a lot of the marketing that Sony has put out there for the PlayStation 3, the real question I find myself asking is why does this exist? I can appreciate Sony's apparent desire to try some real left-of-center advertising, but is a divisive pop-culture fringe publication the best way to get to the hearts and minds that it seems to need more of? This doesn't seem like the kind of cred Sony needs to push more copies of LittleBigPlanet.

Filed under : LittleBigPlanet

26 Comments

Brackynews
on Dec. 1, 2008
Oh Sony, you so craaay-zehh.

RodneythePom
on Dec. 1, 2008
Hey who doesn't like a little counter-culture with their LBP?

UnlivedPhalanx
on Dec. 1, 2008
I like the bottom of the box that simply reads: "American Apparel Panties....Again and Again"

WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?

I doubt they are talking about washing instructions.....te he he.

daniel_beck_90
on Dec. 1, 2008
hope these advertisements help Sony .

Milkman is online
on Dec. 1, 2008
Weird magazine to choose but I'm not going to lie...That's pretty clever.

MrMuise
on Dec. 1, 2008
Does this mean they'll give away strap-on's sackboy can wear? How about a little yayo dusted under his nose? Vice pack DLC, including a level where sackboy takes a crack trip through the blood stream ending up in the brain where you stimulate the central nervous system releasing prize bubbles!


Origina1Penguin
on Dec. 1, 2008
I've never really understood Sony when it comes to advertising.  I suppose it doesn't matter if you understand it, as long as it gets in your head.

TeflonBilly
on Dec. 1, 2008
This is the kind of marketing which I loved when Sony promoted the Playstation 1 in Europe.
Remember the Krazy Ivan or Wipeout commercials they were so cutting edge.

So is Vice gonna do a a Do's and Don'ts about LMP levels now?

KimFidler
on Dec. 1, 2008
Coming soon to LBP DLC - Sackboy Cocaine!

I'd buy it.

AspiringAndy
on Dec. 1, 2008
LBP is obviously not selling enough.
Some of Sony's advertising displeases me..

Aaox
on Dec. 2, 2008
I wonder what goes on at Sony board meetings...
Desperate LBP Creator 1:"Let's sell it in a magazine! A GAME MAGAZINE ABOUT A GAME!"
Desperate LBP Creator 2:"GENIUS!"

Rowr
on Dec. 2, 2008
Im sure Sony has spent more on advertising for LBP than what the game has made.

Tebbit
on Dec. 2, 2008
Welcome to the third place
...
I want to see the return of that duck.

brocool
on Dec. 2, 2008
That's pretty awesome actually

ahoodedfigure is online
on Dec. 2, 2008
This kind of marketing is actually pretty clever.  As long as they don't have people walking around the street, who come up to you all friendly-like, asking you if you have a quarter for the phone, you say you do and give them one, and they thank you profusely, saying...

You know, this is a really good story idea, I think I'll just write it down.

Wrect
on Dec. 2, 2008

Oooh!  Edgy!


MordeaniisChaos
on Dec. 2, 2008
Makes sense, they are doing the opposite of targeting the "casual" or "common" player, their reaching out to people who A) are more likely to get INTO serious core gaming, and who probably aren't into things like LBP. It shows them wanting to expand their audience in a way that doesn't just bring in extra cash, but also brings in more core players, and opens people up to new avenues of entertainment.
And Rowr, look at all of Sony's other big ticket items. We have seen something of Killzone 2 at least once a month in the bajillion years since it was announced, and any time there is any kind of gathering of the industry, we see about 30 videos/ads for the game. The same happened with Haze, Sony is a hype machine. 10 times more so then Microsoft, which is why I always think its ironic that people call MS the hype machine. Sony actually NEEDS to push the PS3 quite a lot. LBP hasn't had that much internal hype at all. More then quite a few games, but nothing considering how much hype generated in the industry and the consumer base.

albedos_shadow
on Dec. 2, 2008
That picture is both horribly disturbing and ridiculously awesome.

Knigge
on Dec. 2, 2008
"Quote-unquote?"

You're kidding me, right?

TaintedSun
on Dec. 2, 2008
Eh, flashy ads will never get me to buy a game, or a system for that matter. Like most people here, I read reviews, watch videos, look at a system's entire library, and who is going to be developing for it in the future. If you want to sell PS3s don't try and sell a game, sell the system, and sell it like there is a reason to invest the money in it. I'm sure anyone who owns a PS3 already bought LBP and anyone who doesn't own a PS3 wasn't considering picking up the system 'cause of these ads.

Fail.


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