LittleBigPlanet 3’s PlayStation 4 servers have been shut down “indefinitely,” resulting in the loss of millions of user-generated levels. The official LittleBigPlanet series X / Twitter account confirmed the news, briefly explaining the initial decision to take the game’s servers offline in January of this year due to ongoing technical issues.
In the announcement, the post acknowledges the decision to keep the servers offline indefinitely, indicating that all online services, including access to other players’ creations, are no longer available for LittleBigPlanet 3. However, user-created content that has been downloaded to PlayStation 4 consoles will remain playable, allowing players to continue enjoying their own creations. Although players can still engage with offline features, such as the campaign mode, they will no longer be able to share their creations with others.
This marks a significant setback for the LittleBigPlanet series, as the PS3 servers for the original trilogy have been offline for several years, and now the PS4 servers for the third installment have followed suit. While fans can still experience the charm of the franchise through titles like Sackboy: A Big Adventure on PS5, which lacks the robust creative features of the LittleBigPlanet series, the loss of user-generated content has left many disappointed.
Social media users have expressed their dissatisfaction with Sony’s decision, reminiscing about their experiences playing and creating levels in the series. The disappearance of millions of meticulously crafted levels is deeply disheartening, as they hold cherished memories for many players. This event serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of digital content and underscores the need for better protections to prevent future large-scale server shutdowns. LittleBigPlanet 3’s server shutdown is just one example of many such instances in recent years, highlighting the fragility of online gaming ecosystems.