[[ DOWNLOAD WILDERNESS THEME ]] plasticshards mirror
[right click, hit "save target/link as" if song plays within browser.]

Just as before with the Gardens Music Theme [seen here,] I’ve recorded the Wilderness / Bunker Theme from LittleBigPlanet. One step closer to helping people complete their LBP soundtracks!

Overall, the end result is a decent three-loop rendition of the song with a pretty legitimate intro and outro, instead of just diving head-first into the full mix.

48,000KHz 320Kbps stereo MP3, recorded over optical input on a Creative E-MU 0404, Adobe SoundBooth CS4.

Other LittleBigPlanet Songs:
Gardens Theme: [click to view]

In the previous blog post, Jonas, [who had not supplied a reply email,] asked whether or not some of my 2009 artworks were influenced by Mirror’s Edge, and if so, I should list that they are influenced by it.

While I’m glad he’s concerned about this sort of thing [and I'm glad you think my stuff is cool :D], I want to take the time to explain a few things, especially if sometimes some people don’t stop to think about chains of influence and origin.

In some of my work, it has notable influence from Mirror’s Edge, and I don’t deny their origins [quite evidently since I do actually list Mirror's Edge as one of the influences for each of the inspired artworks.] For the following statements, I’m leaving [Being Alone] out, and I explain why in its description. For the other two artworks, [Now Arriving] and [Searching For] however, are original works — not Mirror’s Edge fan arts. They do contain influence from Mirror’s Edge in the form of minor color choices, but both images actually contain nothing from Mirror’s Edge itself. For some who aren’t aware, Mirror’s Edge does not actually contain a unique visual style, even its developers know this, as they’ve talked about where its visual style comes from in several interviews. Mirror’s Edge gets its main visual distinction by following basic color theory — the same color theory that you would be taught in your first year at any art college. Within the primary colors, blue recedes while red comes forward. That is, in essence, Mirror’s Edge’s entire design concept. [And believe me, N.C. Wyeth discovered the power of primary colors far before they did.]

Mirror’s Edge borrows influence from two other major sources: Swedish graphic design and Asian Architecture, [namely Tokyo and Hong Kong.] Mirror’s Edge is one HUGE reference to Tokyo, and if you weren’t aware I’d suggest to go look up some photos. Like… [this one], [this one], [this one], and [this one.] I’ve always been in love with Japanese urban development and mass transit, which is a big reason why it shows up in my work even before Mirror’s Edge’s release. One of the biggest influences Mirror’s Edge uses is the Sewers level, which is based nearly 100% on the Japanese G-CANS project. [See the G-CANS here,] and compare it to the Mirror’s Edge level seen [here], [here], and [here.] I first knew about the G-CANS before their appearance in Mirror’s Edge, so I was stoked that I’d get the chance to run around inside of them when it was released. The point is, if I were to do a picture involving the G-CANS, I’d reference the fact they’re influenced by the actual location in Tokyo rather than the level in Mirror’s Edge.

Swedish graphic design plays another huge role, as even my latest work colleague Kacper Antonius [editor in chief of Level magazine, Stockholm Sweden,] mentions by saying, “Compare the look of Mirror’s Edge to things like IKEA.” Such as [this] and [this.] “Swedish graphic design consists of solid high saturated colors with bold, white or colored solid text. Mirror’s Edge is a tour-de-force of Swedish Graphic Design.”

While I found Mirror’s Edge to be a fun and inspiring game, the truth behind the matter is that I’m not being influenced by Mirror’s Edge: the game itself. Mirror’s Edge did not invent these influences, it instead acted as a transporter to allow me to discover its own influences in greater detail.

A good example: the current design for Plastic Shards is entirely influenced off of Swedish graphic design. I can thank Mirror’s Edge for showing me how wonderful Swedish Design can be, but I’m not crediting Mirror’s Edge itself for infleuncing this design.

For people who say that my work is reminiscent of Mirror’s Edge, that’s fine, and you are accurate to say so :) However, if you say that my work IS Mirror’s Edge and I should credit Mirror’s Edge, then you’re vastly mistaken. Besides, my very most recent work barely even feels reminiscent of Mirror’s Edge anymore, hahaha. :) I think I’ve fallen in love with the color magenta lately.

[[ DOWNLOAD GARDENS THEME ]] plasticshards mirror
[right click, hit "save target/link as" if song plays within browser.]

For all those looking for the elusive Gardens music [the first level] to LittleBigPlanet, look no further! I took the time to build a level where I tiptoe past music objects, each set with different mixer levels, so I could record the song as you hear it in the MP3. It took some key timing on my part to make sure I activated the mixer changes at the right time!

Overall, the end result is a decent three-loop rendition of the song with a pretty legitimate intro and outro, instead of just diving head-first into the full mix. This is a lot better than the versions you hear people put up on Youtube where you can hear the background noise and crap. I did my best to get no background noise in this recording. Hope you enjoy the result! [If anyone is looking for the other level songs, I can attempt to record them as well.]

48,000KHz 320Kbps stereo MP3, recorded over optical input on a Creative E-MU 0404, Adobe SoundBooth CS4.

Other LittleBigPlanet Songs:
Wilderness Theme: [click to view]

A rather minimalist wallpaper I created based on the signs at the entrance of each test chamber. Click the image for the full view, 1920×1200.