LittleBigPlanet "Platform-Survival" Game Coming to PS Vita, Mobile Devices

Sony today announced a new LittleBigPlanet game, but it might not be what you expect. The game is called Run Sackboy! Run! and it's a free-to-play title for PlayStation Vita and mobile devices. Described as a "platform-survival" game, it's launching later this year.

In Run Sackboy! Run!, the Negativitron (a nefarious vaccuum who sucks up creativity) has returned, and is trying to kill you. Players will use tap and swipe gestures to zip through three worlds from the LittleBigPlanet series: The Gardens, The Canyons, and Avalonia. You're tasked with avoiding danger for "as long as you can," which makes the game sound like an endless runner in the vein of Temple Run.

As you speed through the world in Run Sackboy! Run! you will collect "bubbles" and then use them to buy costumes and other upgrades. Each costume has its own score multiplier, so they aren't just cosmetic. There are also powerups, including a jet pack, shield, magnet, and glider. In addition, the game includes leaderboards so you can square off against friends.

Furthermore, Run Sackboy! Run! features stickers to collect, and a sticker book to manage what you've amassed. As you complete collections of stickers, you'll unlock rewards, some of which are "exclusive" costumes for LittleBigPlanet 3, launching this year for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4.

Run Sackboy! Run! will be released on PS Vita, iOS, and Android in October. Since it's a free-to-play game, you can expect microtransactions will play a part in some way, though Sony didn't say anything about what might be offered for purchase in today's announcement.

Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on Twitter @EddieMakuch