Sackboy
Sackboy is the central protagonist and mascot of the LittleBigPlanet video game series, developed by Media Molecule and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.[1]He is depicted as a small, anthropomorphic knitted doll constructed from hessian cloth, characterized by his button eyes, stitched mouth, and prominent front zipper that allows for customization and creative expression within the games.[2]
Originating from the fantastical realm of Craftworld, Sackboy embodies bravery and creativity as a member of the ancient order of the Knitted Knights, embarking on platforming adventures that blend whimsical storytelling with user-generated content.[2] Introduced in the inaugural LittleBigPlanet title released in October 2008 for the PlayStation 3, Sackboy quickly became an iconic PlayStation character, known for his expressive animations, including running, jumping, and slapping interactions that highlight the series' physics-based gameplay.[3]
The character's design evolved from simple debug programmer art—a pink square body with a yellow triangular head created in 2006—through iterative sketches by the development team, incorporating handmade elements like patches, wrinkles, and functional limbs to enhance his personality and animatability.[3]
Over the course of the franchise, which spans multiple sequels such as LittleBigPlanet 2 (2011), LittleBigPlanet 3 (2014), and spin-offs including LittleBigPlanet Karting (2012), Sackboy has appeared in diverse outfits, crossovers with other PlayStation franchises like inFAMOUS, and even as a meteor in celebratory updates, underscoring his versatility and enduring appeal; however, online services for LittleBigPlanet 3 were shut down indefinitely in April 2024, and the game along with its DLC was delisted from the PlayStation Store on October 31, 2024.[4][5][6][7] In 2020, Sackboy starred in his first standalone 3D platformer, Sackboy: A Big Adventure, for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, where he leads a quest to save Craftworld from the villainous Vex, supporting up to four-player co-op and emphasizing joyful, frantic multiplayer experiences without the user-creation focus of the main series.[2]
This evolution reflects Media Molecule's commitment to Sackboy as a symbol of imagination, with his adventures promoting themes of collaboration and crafting in vibrant, handcrafted worlds.[3]